On August 19, 2024, at 2:30 p.m., Sopon Saramun, President of Parliament and President of the House of Representatives, accompanied by Mongkol Suratsodjaya, President of the Senate and Vice President of Parliament, inspected the parliamentary building following the expiration of its warranty period. The inspection revealed numerous unused rooms and the Glass Pavilion at the front of the building, which has never been put into service and is now in deteriorating condition.

During the inspection, Sopon noted that significant improvements are needed and many rooms remain empty and unused. He emphasized that facilities like the Glass Pavilion should serve a practical purpose rather than exist merely as a symbol, observing that the wooden structure is difficult to maintain and offers no clear utility.

When asked about funding for repairs after the warranty expired, Sopon said there is currently no budget allocated. He indicated that administrators will need to take personal responsibility for maintenance and organize monthly large-scale cleanups with civil servants. He stressed that leadership should solve problems rather than ignore them.

Regarding the Glass Pavilion, Sopon said it should be used to receive visiting dignitaries or host exhibitions to attract visitors. He is currently considering improvements and requested time, noting that completion will not happen in a single day but that significant progress is being made.

Sopon also mentioned efforts to invite other government agencies to use the facilities and is exploring whether a childcare center for staff members' children could be established. He has discussed possibilities with the Bangkok Governor, who has a budget that could support education and personnel-related initiatives.

When asked about renting seminar rooms to the public for additional revenue, Sopon said regulations would need to be reviewed first. He believes it is better to keep the facilities active rather than let them deteriorate over time. The government already provides services to both opposition and government members who hold events every Saturday and Sunday.

At the front of the parliamentary building, Sopon proposed creating a pedestrian walking street, pending completion of the electric train line. He called for public support for parliamentary initiatives and emphasized his commitment to action rather than empty promises, stating that his administration will focus on delivering practical benefits to the public.

On August 19, Chommani Noi Jan, 62, known as Aunt Dah, traveled to the Malinont building with her team to meet with well-known TV personality Karchai. This followed the arrest of Khong, a member of her team, by Phra Khanong police while he was eating. He was charged with trespassing on land in the Phra Khanong area and taken to a police station for questioning.

During the meeting with Karchai, Aunt Dah presented documents and photographs to explain her position and assert that the land deed belonging to Abbas still exists and that her group did not trespass as alleged. She claimed that three adjoining land deeds had been used to accuse her group of trespassing.

Aunt Dah spoke with Karchai for approximately 20 minutes before departing immediately without granting any interviews.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation provided an update on August 19 regarding flood conditions in Nan Province. Water levels in Pua District are receding, and disaster management and water resource agencies have coordinated response plans. Floodwaters from Pua will flow through Tha Wang Pha, Muang Nan, and Wieng Sa districts before reaching Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit Province, with water expected to take 8-10 hours to reach Wieng Sa. Cell Broadcast warnings have been issued to residents in vulnerable areas, particularly vulnerable populations, instructing them to evacuate to temporary shelters and safety zones. Residents in at-risk areas are advised to move vehicles and belongings to safe locations and monitor official updates closely while following government safety guidance.

On August 19, Parliament President Sophon Saramun presided over the awards ceremony for the Model Parliament competition, organized by the House of Representatives Secretariat in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The initiative aims to teach youth about parliamentary systems and democratic skills through simulated legislative sessions.

Sophon expressed delight at the students' performances and praised the quality of this year's competition. He suggested sharing competition footage with members of parliament to showcase the young participants' potential. This year marks a pilot phase; in 2027, a nationwide championship will be held with a prize pool of 500,000 baht. Candidates will be selected intensively from provincial level across all regions to identify talented youth and uncover hidden gems nationwide. The programme's true goal extends beyond prize money—it aims to cultivate a deep spirit of democracy among Thai youth.

Sophon stressed the importance of instilling ideals of patriotism and democracy centred on the monarchy, using the metaphor that one reaps what one sows. Today's event, he said, nurtures quality seedlings to form a solid foundation for the nation, since the next generation will shoulder the responsibility of caring for the country. "I entrust this nation to our youth," he said, "hoping they will inspire others to join the 2027 Model Parliament competition and use prize money for education. I hope to see new parliamentary stars of quality emerge from this platform and take active roles in the nation's politics and democracy."

The competition winners were: Triam Udom Suksa Suvintwongse School (champion, 50,000 baht and certificate), Saint Gabriel School (first runner-up, 30,000 baht), Satri Witthaya School (second runner-up, 20,000 baht), and Learn Satit Phattana School (consolation prize, 10,000 baht and certificate).

The Model Parliament format involves role-playing or simulating parliamentary sessions on bill proposals, which schools select according to interest. Each team receives 20–30 minutes to present, practising debate, reasoning, considering diverse viewpoints, and understanding democratic parliamentary processes.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suryea Jurungruangkit has cancelled all ministry duties to travel to Nan province and assess flooding after severe rainfall caused upper Nan River water levels to surge. Heavy rain fell across multiple areas in Nan province over the past 24 hours, including Pana Sawang School in Pha Ka subdistrict, Ban Rong Ngaeng community in Wornakhorn subdistrict, and the Kun Canal in Silalaeng subdistrict, Pua district.

The minister stated he would coordinate with relevant ministry officials to implement immediate assistance including cargo and livestock relocation, agricultural damage reduction, and veterinary supplies. The ministry urged residents in low-lying and riverside areas to monitor water conditions and government warnings closely. Irrigation authorities have been instructed to maintain full water management readiness and monitor conditions 24 hours daily, coordinating with provincial administrators and disaster management agencies to maximize efficiency and minimize public impact.

The Irrigation Department has already deployed a 24-inch water pump in Muang Nan district and eleven 8-inch pumps in Wiang Sa district. Seven heavy machines including backhoes and dump trucks have been mobilized to remove water obstacles and clear bridge approaches. Authorities continue monitoring and coordinating with provincial leadership, disaster prevention agencies, and local authorities.

The Election Commission (ECT) is launching a creative competition inviting secondary and university students to produce vertical-format video clips opposing election fraud, with total prizes exceeding 124,000 baht and certificates of honor. Submissions close on September 13, 2026.

The Election Commission is building new citizen engagement through a short-video competition for social good under the concept of "White Democracy," part of a project to improve access to election laws, regulations, and information. The initiative aims to give students and university students a platform to showcase creative ideas and promote values of honest, transparent, and fair elections while combating vote-buying fraud through social media.

The competition accepts both individual and team submissions across two categories: secondary education and vocational education, and higher education (university students).

Theme: "White Democracy" promotes values of integrity, transparency, and social responsibility.

Format: Vertical video (9:16), 2–3 minutes long, Full HD (1080p) or better (MP4 file). AI technology may be used to create submissions, but creators must disclose all AI-assisted portions and provide documentation confirming proper copyright ownership.

Total prizes exceed 124,000 baht with certificates and honors.

Higher Education Category (73,000 baht total): - Grand Prize: 30,000 baht with honor certificate - First Runner-Up: 20,000 baht with honor certificate - Second Runner-Up: 15,000 baht with honor certificate - Consolation Prize (2 awards): 4,000 baht each with honor certificate

Secondary and Vocational Education Category (51,000 baht total): - Grand Prize: 20,000 baht with honor certificate - First Runner-Up: 15,000 baht with honor certificate - Second Runner-Up: 10,000 baht with honor certificate - Consolation Prize (2 awards): 3,000 baht each with honor certificate

Participants scoring 60 or above receive certificates of honor.

Submission period: August 19 to September 13, 2026 (closes at 11:59 PM). Submit applications and video files to: Commu.prect@gmail.com

Results announced and prizes awarded by September 2026. Interested parties can download the application form and full rules at www.ect.go.th, the Election Commission Facebook page, or through ECT's other communication channels.