The opposition coalition, led by Ittim-Priset Watchrasindu, a Pheu Thai MP and deputy opposition leader, held its fourth evidence-drilling session last Sunday into the parliamentary candidate vote-buying scandal. Investigators now view the case not merely as collusion but as outright fraud. The fourth session included former parliamentary candidates who witnessed the scheme firsthand, providing detailed testimony. One former candidate from Nong Bua Lamphu reported being hired to recruit candidates at 5,000 baht per person, successfully enlisting 20 people from his village before backing out due to larger forces behind the operation. A former candidate from Nakhon Si Thammarat described discovering payment details involving both bank transfers and cash flowing through prominent local politicians. Critically, this individual served as a minister's personal secretary during the election period. Amnat Charoen province emerged as another major hub of the scheme. Pao-Yingchip, director of the Internet for Public Law Project, highlighted a pattern of mutual favors including the appointment of family members and spouses as parliamentary assistants and advisors. Three Amnat Charoen MPs exemplified this through appointing a friend's child as an assistant, naming another person's relative as a personal expert, appointing a group member's husband as an expert, and even appointing a current minister's great-aunt to a working committee. Opposition leader Ittim-Priset reported uncovering nearly 900,000 baht transferred from the major political party network to Election Commission investigators and prosecutors in 13 transactions between April and July 2024, the period surrounding the parliamentary election. Evidence spanning six provinces—Lamphun, Nong Bua Lamphu, Surat Thani, Nakhon Phanom, Amnat Charoen, and Songkhla—suggests a coordinated fraud network that the Election Commission must refer to court within the 90-day deadline ending in early September. The opposition emphasized that the growing revelation of money trails linked to Election Commission personnel demands immediate clarification from the commission.

Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Tongsri revealed a water management plan for 20 provinces in Thailand's Northeast region, stating that nine measures will be brought before the cabinet for approval. All provinces are preparing preventive measures and relief capabilities based on lessons learned from previous water disasters, including establishing temporary shelters for residents and focusing on historically vulnerable flood zones. The government plans water retention schemes to address both flooding and drought in natural water basins.

Songsak explained that Thailand has 22 river basins, where flooding occurs when water exceeds basin capacity and drought occurs when supply falls short of demand. The solution involves managing both issues simultaneously—such as diverting excess water into reservoirs when forecasted. However, obstacles exist regarding excavated soil from water projects, which legally must be stored properly rather than distributed to residents, discouraging local agencies from pursuing projects. The Interior Ministry is revising regulations to allow excavated soil to be credited against dredging costs, accelerating project implementation.

Regarding high water levels in the Mekong River, Songsak acknowledged that upstream dams controlled by neighboring countries release water without prior coordination. He admitted that Thailand typically learns of water releases after they occur rather than receiving advance notice, and he noted that the Foreign Ministry must pursue better cooperation on this issue. On proposals to create a separate water ministry, Songsak stated this remains merely an idea, as current water management faces no structural obstacles requiring such reorganization.

On August 10, Natural Resources Minister Suchat Chomklin chaired the first 2025 meeting of the Eastern Region Flood and Drought Prevention Committee at Chon Buri Provincial Hall, with participation from ministry officials, provincial governors, deputy governors, and relevant agencies. The meeting aimed to accelerate disaster preparedness across eight eastern provinces: Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chachoengsao, Sa Kaeo, and Nakhon Nayok.

Chomklin stated that the government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul prioritizes systematic, rapid, and unified disaster management to ensure timely public assistance. He instructed all agencies to develop coordinated water management plans for both flooding and drought scenarios to maximize public benefit and minimize impacts on lives, property, and the local economy. For flood response, local governments and private sector partners must coordinate service delivery to reduce redundancy and provide efficient support when disasters occur. Preparations include installing water pumps, clearing water channels, and draining water according to conditions.

The ministry has been ordered to ensure full readiness with adequate personnel, equipment, resources, and facilities for immediate response to flooding or drought. Temporary shelters with sufficient capacity must be prepared in coordination with hotels and relevant organizations. Health agencies must prepare personnel, vehicles, medicines, and 24-hour emergency medical systems, prioritizing vulnerable populations.

Chomklin also established three subcommittees to oversee the eight provinces, monitor situations, assess problems on the ground, and report to the main committee for swift solutions. All agencies were instructed to integrate operations through the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command and provincial incident command centers to ensure unified direction and reduce redundancy. Any budget constraints or obstacles must be reported immediately for resolution.

"Public suffering is urgent and cannot wait," Chomklin said. "The government must prepare beforehand, implement effective water management systems, and integrate all sectors to work as one team. When situations arise, we must respond quickly, care for the people closely, and stand beside them in all circumstances."

A motorcycle taxi driver has opened up about unknowingly transporting Chalerm Riawyaeng, a former Nonthaburi MP accused of shooting Pol. Col. Thongchai Yenpraserit, the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organization chair, who was killed in the attack outside the PAO office. The incident stems from personal disputes and a 11-million-baht financial dispute. At 5:40 p.m. on August 10, 2025, after nearly six hours of police interrogation, the driver spoke to media about the incident. He revealed that Chalerm booked the motorcycle taxi ride near the crime scene with a destination of Wat Bang Phraek Tai. While driving through Rattanakosin Police Station, officers tailed and stopped him, discovering his passenger was a wanted suspect. The driver said he had no prior knowledge that Chalerm was a politician or connected to the incident. When Chalerm boarded the motorcycle, he showed no unusual behavior, only talking on his phone throughout the ride. The fare for the trip was 60 baht, which the driver has yet to receive. Having been detained for police questioning since morning for nearly six hours, he lost a full day's income and was unable to pick up other passengers.

A neighbor grew concerned when his friend failed to bring offerings to monks for two days and could not be reached. Police from Nong Yai Station in Chachoengsao received a report on August 10 of a death in a garden behind a house in Tambon Hang Suai, Amphoe Nong Yai. Officers discovered the body of Direk, 60, lying dead near a barbed wire fence. The victim was wearing only pants with no shirt, had a crushed head, a broken right arm, and bruising around the neck. A closed umbrella was found nearby.

Investigators found elephant footprints around the scene, measuring approximately 43 and 34 centimeters in diameter. A neighbor, Suchet, 45, explained that Direk's relatives from Samut Prakan had called asking him to check on Direk after his phone went unanswered. Direk normally came out each morning to make merit offerings, but had not been seen for two days, which raised suspicion. When Suchet arrived at the house, he found the door open and the television left on. While searching the garden and following a foul smell, he discovered Direk's body by the wire fence.

Police initially suspect the victim was attacked by a wild elephant based on the footprints found near the body. However, authorities are awaiting autopsy results from a physician and further forensic examination before making a final determination.

The abbot of Wat Mae Kham in Mae Chan District, Chiang Rai, has been removed from his position after a call center gang defrauded the temple of 8.7 million baht through 207 fraudulent bank transfers to 66 different accounts between January 2024 and July 2025.

On August 9, Phra Kru Abhiwattawathi, the ecclesiastical district chief of Mae Kham, issued an order suspending Phra Maha Noi Kaew Intpanyo, 64, from his duties as abbot. The order cited his conduct causing damage to temple property and noted that allowing him to remain in position would be harmful. The suspension was authorized under Buddhist monastic law and the Sangha Act.

Simultaneously, the ecclesiastical council of Mae Chan District appointed a replacement abbot. Phra Kru Abhiwattawathi, 54, who holds a master's degree in education and currently serves as the district ecclesiastical chief, was named acting abbot of Wat Mae Kham. He will oversee monks and novices at the temple in accordance with Buddhist discipline and monastic regulations.