On August 20 at Parliament, the parliamentary committee on decentralization, local government, and special administrative systems, chaired by Ranong MP Kongkrit Chaturmalee of the Bhumjaithai Party, met to consider restoring certain rights lost by civil servants and local government employees already hired who were not involved in the 2568 civil service exam fraud. Deputy Interior Minister Vorasit Liangprasoet, Deputy Director-General Siripun Srikongplee of the Department of Local Administration (DLA), and representatives from three local government associations—the Provincial Administrative Organization Association, the Municipal Association, and the Subdistrict Administrative Organization Association—attended the discussion.

Chairman Kongkrit reported that while the deputy minister provided clarification, some points could not be fully addressed due to other commitments; the DLA was tasked with providing additional explanations. The subdistrict organization chairman raised a key concern: whether the roughly 3,000 officials already appointed and cleared of fraud would have the right to choose their preferred province after fraud convictions were cancelled. Verasak Hadda, chairman of the Subdistrict Administrative Organization Association, expressed confidence that local authorities must comply with the central committee's order to remove more than 5,000 individuals involved in fraud by August 30 or face criminal penalties under Section 157 of the Penal Code.

Hadda further noted that once fraud cases are dismissed, innocent appointees currently locked into their assigned provinces should gain the right to reselect a location, as they need protection. However, regulations require officials to remain in their original position for two years before transfer. The DLA acknowledged the concern and pledged action. The committee chair and vice-chair gave a 15-day deadline for reconsideration. Deputy Chair and Spokesman Kittisak Engchuan stated that while the DLA insists appointees remain in place, lawsuits are inevitable because their rights have been diminished. The committee therefore proposed a special central committee resolution to remedy the situation; after new scores are announced, this group is expected to rank high and should have the right to choose their work location.

Residents in Nan province are assessing damage after devastating flash floods swept through communities on August 20. Although water levels at some measurement stations have begun to recede, floodwaters from upstream areas in Pua and Tha Wang Pha districts continued flowing into Nan municipality, compounded by heavy overnight rain that caused wild streams to overflow and inundate economic zones and riverside communities from night through early morning. Local residents have begun documenting the destruction left behind.

One Facebook user from Ban Rong in Pua district, Nan province, posted images with a message stating: "Ban Rong, at the entrance to our village, was ground zero receiving the full force of the flash flood surge from the river pouring into the community. It looked like a doomsday movie—it came fast and hard with no time to prepare. Sending strength to all families. August 19, 2025." Photo credit: Chanerin Jitaree

BANGKOK — Thai actor and television host Ray MacDonald had severe blockages in all three major coronary arteries, causing a lack of blood supply to his heart, according to his close friend and actor Chakrit Yamnam.

Chakrit told reporters at the Police General Hospital's Institute of Forensic Medicine on 20 August that information from MacDonald's relatives showed that all three major coronary arteries were narrowed by around 70-90%.

The condition caused myocardial ischemia, or reduced blood flow to the heart.

Chakrit said MacDonald died peacefully in his sleep, without signs of pain or suffering. CCTV footage showed him moving normally to find a comfortable sleeping position before becoming still and falling into a deep sleep.

"Everything in his body was healthy. All his organs were healthy," Chakrit said, adding that the main issue was his heart.

MacDonald, 49, died at his home on 19 August. His wife, Sarinya MacDonald, said he had shown no obvious signs of illness or health problems before his death.

Sarinya said MacDonald had recently spent about a month fully resting with his family after their child's school break. They played football together and spent time as a family. She said they told each other they loved each other every night and regularly said goodbye with a kiss.

MacDonald usually woke up every morning to see his child off. On the day of his death, however, he did not wake up.

Sarinya said CCTV footage showed him coming downstairs to watch television before gradually lying down. He later moved around as if trying to find a comfortable position. The family found him unresponsive at around 06:30.

She said she initially thought MacDonald was pretending to sleep because he often played such jokes on the family, particularly in the mornings.

Chakrit said there were no signs of an emergency or anything indicating that MacDonald had experienced a serious event before he died.

Both Chakrit and Sarinya said MacDonald had not complained of any unusual symptoms. Sarinya added that he was reluctant to see doctors and rarely went for health checkups, even when he was unwell.

MacDonald was also described by Chakrit as someone who worked intensely, slept little and loved traveling. He said travel was part of MacDonald's happiness and that his death should be seen as another step in his friend's journey.

MacDonald's close friend and former singer Leo Putt also told reporters on 20 August that the actor had not consumed alcohol for decades.

MacDonald was a Thai-Scottish actor who rose to fame in the 1990s as a youth television host and later became known for his travel programs. He became an icon for a generation of Thai teenagers.

He won the Suphannahong National Film Award for Best Actor in consecutive years, in 1997 and 1998, for his roles in "Fun Bar Karaoke" and "Love: Designated."

During an official visit to New Zealand on August 20, 2025, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Minister of Interior met with executives from two leading New Zealand companies—Skyline Enterprises, a tourism and attractions operator, and T&G Global, a global agricultural and fruit company owning the Envy brand—with the Board of Investment facilitating the discussions to link business opportunities and promote concrete investment and cooperation between the two countries.

Government Spokesman Rachada Thanadirek said the Prime Minister used the visit to present Thailand's potential directly to New Zealand's business sector, emphasizing that Thailand is not merely a large market but serves as an investment base, manufacturing hub, and gateway connecting businesses to ASEAN and global markets. The government aims to transform Thailand's positive relations with New Zealand into economic opportunities benefiting people and businesses of both nations.

In discussions with Skyline Enterprises, the Prime Minister invited the company to consider expanding investment into Thailand, citing Thailand's diverse tourism attractions, strong visitor numbers, and potential for developing new tourism activities and experiences, particularly the family tourism market aligned with the company's expertise. Skyline's executives expressed interest in Thailand's business opportunities and tourism potential, as well as the family tourism segment, prompting the Prime Minister to task the Board of Investment with close coordination to study feasibility and advance toward actual investment.

Meanwhile, T&G Global indicated interest in finding a distribution base to support market expansion into ASEAN and Indian countries. The Prime Minister proposed Thailand as a distribution center, highlighting Thailand's geographic advantages and logistics infrastructure capable of connecting land and water transport to neighboring countries, ASEAN, and beyond, while leveraging Thailand's network of free trade agreements to support business expansion and market access.

The Prime Minister invited T&G Global to view Thailand as an agricultural partner, not merely a distribution point, noting that Thailand is a major global producer of agricultural goods and food with diverse raw materials and promising agricultural knowledge and technology. New Zealand brings expertise in product development, brand creation, and global marketing; combining both countries' strengths would add value to agricultural products, create new goods, and expand markets simultaneously.

The Prime Minister also proposed extending cooperation through the Envy brand's strength and T&G Global's international market network to support Thai fruit access, particularly in European markets, benefiting both sides: New Zealand gains Thailand as a gateway to ASEAN and India, while Thai fruit gains access to new foreign markets through New Zealand partnerships. The government aims to translate international relations into tangible economic opportunities.

A woman known as 'Nong Nam' has admitted she misled a subdistrict administrator identified as 'Khun Tae' after a two-month acquaintance, convincing him to transfer approximately 500,000 baht in dowry and other payments. The woman later revealed she had been legally married to a naval officer just one month before meeting Khun Tae, though she claimed they had separated. When confronted on a local television programme about the missing funds, she stated she had spent the money on living expenses and purchases made during their relationship and insisted on repaying only half.

After the broadcast, Nong Nam agreed to repay 350,000 baht, with her parents initially offering 100,000 baht in cash plus gold when she failed to appear at a scheduled hotel meeting on August 19. Her parents requested three additional days to sell cattle and gather the remaining funds, citing their daughter's severe stress. Khun Tae rejected the offer and filed a police complaint. Nong Nam stated she does not know where to find the full amount, as the money has already been spent, and said Khun Tae is welcome to pursue legal action against her.

Deputy Government Spokesman Lalida Perischvivatch responded to accusations by opposition MP Raksachon Srinok regarding the TH-AI Passport project on August 20, 2025. Srinok had raised concerns about online social media accounts showing support for the AiPASS initiative, suggesting they could be information operations linked to the Ministry of Digital Economy for Society. Lalida stated that while raising questions about government operations is a legitimate right, suspicion must be distinguished from fact, and any accusations involving state agencies require clear evidence.

Lalida explained that while newly created accounts with no posts or coordinated comments can warrant further investigation, such observations alone are insufficient to conclude the accounts are information operations or to accuse a government ministry of orchestrating them. She emphasized that those making such accusations must prove who owns the accounts, who ordered or hired them, which budget or resources were used, and provide direct evidence linking the accounts to state agencies.

Lalida challenged critics to produce documented proof—including orders, employment contracts, budget disbursements, coordination channels, or any evidence directly linking the accounts to commanding officers—if they believe the ministry was truly involved. She stressed that without such evidence, what exists is suspicion, not fact, and conclusions should not leap from observation to accusation.

Lalida criticized what she called a double standard in scrutiny. She noted that opposition critics demand the government present evidence before accusing anyone, yet apply a different standard when making accusations themselves. "Drawing conclusions beyond available evidence is not rigorous oversight, but applying two standards: demanding proof from the government while accepting screenshots as conclusions when accusing the state," she said.

The spokesman confirmed that the government welcomes full scrutiny of the TH-AI Passport program, including its operations, budget use, and public outcomes. However, she insisted that scrutiny must follow the same standards for all parties, particularly when allegations involve government authority or resources.

Lalida stated that the government is not afraid of investigation and acknowledged the opposition's duty to oversee the government, just as the government has a duty to answer questions. But good oversight, she argued, should not begin by assuming guilt and forcing others to prove innocence. "If you truly believe information operations exist, investigate thoroughly to the commanding officer, employer, and funding source, then present the evidence to society. At that point, the government will be ready to take responsibility for the facts. But until then, call it what it is: suspicion, not fact," she concluded.