At a parliamentary meeting on August 19, Rangsimant Rom, deputy leader of the People's Party and chair of the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee, discussed a major agenda item concerning fraud allegations in local government exams from 2567-2569. The committee has summoned officials and agencies for questioning, including the Prime Minister, the Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Commander of the Central Investigation Police, deputy governors, university rectors, and officials connected to the exam irregularities.

Rangsimant said evidence suggests the fraud goes beyond civil servants and involves political figures, particularly regarding a decision to transfer the exam administration from Burapha University to Srinakharinwirot University. The change involved drafting a Terms of Reference with political involvement, and officials including Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and officials from the Department of Local Administration have been mentioned in connection with cancelling the contract with Burapha University.

The committee is seeking to determine whether the fraud was isolated to individual officials or part of a coordinated scheme, and whether it involves multiple political parties. Officials Somsak Thongsri, Deputy Prime Minister and former Interior Minister, and Tongchaem Chaatikitcharoen, an advisor to the Prime Minister, have been invited to clarify their knowledge of the scheme. Rangsimant noted that while the front-facing aspects of the corruption may be clear, the "behind-the-scenes" involvement remains under investigation and could reveal deeper political manipulation in the exam fraud case.

Arm Suphachai Jaidet, a striker for the Thai national team at Buriram United, has joined in mourning the sudden death of Ray McDonald, a celebrated actor and television host.

On August 19, the entertainment world was shocked by news of Ray McDonald's death. The former leading man and prominent 1990s television host passed away at age 49 at his home in the Pattanakarn area of Bangkok.

Arm Suphachai Jaidet posted a family photograph taken with Ray McDonald's relatives on Facebook, along with tearful and sorrowful emoji captions. The 27-year-old striker also shared posts from McDonald's wife's Instagram, showing how close the two families were to one another.

Arm's connection to Ray McDonald stems from McDonald's role as chairman of Santiphap Youth Football Club, where he provided opportunities for young people from three southern border provinces to showcase their talents. Arm was one of those young people who received that chance and went on to become a professional footballer.

King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi partnered with Bangkok Today news agency to organize the "AI and Economic Development" seminar, aiming to upgrade skills for 20 million Thai workers and drive the new-economy growth while preparing Thailand's business, industrial, and education sectors. On August 18, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Yoschchanan Wongsawat chaired the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote on "AI and Economic Development." University Rector Thaninthorn Silapcharoen outlined the event's objectives, with support from ministry secretary Chaturin Chanhorm, Deputy Permanent Secretary Pinthapim Arunee, and University Council Chairman Theerawut Bunyosophon. The seminar featured speakers including Bank of Thailand spokesperson Chayavadee Chaiyananth, Bangkok Bank Asset Management CEO Rak Vorakij Phochathan, True Corporation executive Montri Sathaporn, and engineering professor Atthakorn Kaengpol, moderated by the Faculty of Information Technology and Digital Innovation's Dr. Thanawat Techaharungnawat. Business representatives, students, and the public attended in large numbers.

Afterward, the minister and executives toured several key laboratories and innovation centers at the university to showcase its technological infrastructure capabilities: the KMUTNB Techno Park, featuring digital innovation and learning centers, automated systems and robotics operations, and modern automotive technology and rail transport innovation centers; the Science and Technology Research Institute's Central Lab on floor 1, offering international-standard testing and research services for Thai entrepreneurs and industry; and the Thai-French Innovation Institute, showcasing the Schneider Electric Center of Excellence for electrical-electronic and automatic control systems, and modern renewable energy on floor 3, reflecting an advanced workforce upskilling collaboration in automation and clean energy.

The visit demonstrated King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi's readiness as a leading higher-education institution integrating research, innovation, and advanced technology knowledge to address national strategy and sustainably enhance the country's competitive capability.

On August 18, ING Bank N.V., a major shareholder of Thai Military Bank Public Company Limited (TTB), completed the sale of TTB shares through a private placement to institutional investors valued at approximately 475 million euros. Following settlement expected on August 21, ING's shareholding stake is projected to decrease from 19.5% to 11.6% of outstanding shares excluding treasury shares held by TTB. TTB has clarified to the Stock Exchange of Thailand and investors that the transaction is ING's direct portfolio management and does not involve TTB's prior knowledge or involvement in the decision-making process. The bank views the private placement method as reducing the risk of large-scale selling pressure on the secondary market while limiting impact on primary trading, and as an opportunity for institutional investors to invest directly in TTB shares. The transaction also increases the proportion of shares held by minority shareholders (free float), which will benefit TTB's stock liquidity in the long term. TTB confirms the reduction in ING's shareholding will not affect the bank's administrative structure, operations, corporate governance framework, or main business strategy. The bank has undergone continuous organizational transformation and prepared its personnel to manage operations efficiently under Thai management, with ING's main role remaining at board level only. TTB Chief Executive Officer Piti Tantakeset stated the bank remains committed to achieving its goals of improving financial well-being for Thai people while delivering sustainable returns to shareholders through appropriate dividend payments and share buybacks. To date, TTB has completed share buybacks totaling 21 billion baht out of the 35 billion baht four-year program (2568-2571), leaving 14 billion baht available.

At 10 a.m. on August 19, 2025, at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister Pukorn Nilpraphan chaired a fact-finding and legal committee meeting to investigate the use of central budget emergency reserve funds for the city recovery project following the devastating flooding in Hatyai District and surrounding areas. Attending the meeting were Deputy Interior Minister Worasisith Liangprasit and National Anti-Corruption Commission Secretary-General Phumvisai Kesamsook.

Pukorn stated that following the critical flooding in Hatyai and surrounding areas on November 19-21, 2024, the government declared a state of emergency on November 25, 2024. More than 800,000 people were affected, with numerous injuries and deaths.

The government's immediate priority was providing relief and recovery assistance to flood victims. However, complaints emerged alleging misuse of central budget allocations. Pukorn emphasized that the Prime Minister was not complacent and therefore established this committee to thoroughly investigate the facts and legal compliance of the expenditures. The Cabinet approved 30 million baht in central emergency funds on December 2, 2024, as proposed by the Interior Ministry.

The committee must verify whether implementation followed applicable laws and regulations, and what exemptions from standard procedures, if any, were granted given the urgent emergency status. The investigation aims to clarify all aspects of the budget usage and identify all parties involved.

Nonthaburi Provincial Police have launched intensive training across schools throughout the province, introducing the 'Run, Hide, Fight' programme to prepare for armed attack incidents and raise safety standards in educational facilities. On August 19, Pol. Col. Supchai Srisak, Investigation Chief of Nonthaburi Provincial Police, said he had been tasked by Pol. Gen. Dechraphee Kongdee, Commander of Nonthaburi Provincial Police, to advance knowledge, understanding, and preparedness for emergency response across educational institutions in the province. The programme will conduct active shooter simulations at schools throughout Nonthaburi, passing on survival skills and techniques to teachers, education staff, and students so that everyone can learn the methods, timing, and escape routes needed to respond safely in a genuine emergency. Pol. Col. Supchai stated that the 'Run, Hide, Fight' programme aims to equip education personnel with the knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary to handle emergencies that may occur within schools, building resilience to prepare for potential armed attack scenarios. This is considered a critical life-saving skill and an important responsibility of Nonthaburi Police in preparing for unexpected situations. The training emphasizes teaching teachers and staff to assess situations, recognize hazards, and take appropriate survival action when an incident occurs. The initiative also raises awareness of dangers from illicit drugs and harmful online content, and includes measures to detect and prevent illegal items from being brought into schools.