PHUKET: More than 1,000 job seekers attended the Phuket Hotel Job Fair 2026 on Tuesday (Aug 18), with more than 2,500 positions offered by businesses preparing for increased labour demand during the high season.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his delegation departed Fairbairn Military Airport in Canberra on August 19 for an official visit to New Zealand between August 20–22. Australian International Development and Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Alley saw the Prime Minister off at the airport. The Thai delegation is scheduled to arrive at Auckland Airport at 14:35 local time, where New Zealand's Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Penny Simmonds will receive them.

Upon arrival, the Prime Minister will immediately begin his official duties. On the evening of August 20, he will meet with New Zealand's private sector to discuss economic cooperation and trading and investment opportunities between the two countries. On the morning of August 21, the Prime Minister will attend a formal reception at the Governor-General's residence before holding bilateral meetings with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The two leaders will then hold a joint press conference, followed by a lunch hosted by the New Zealand Prime Minister in honor of his Thai counterpart.

In the afternoon of August 21, the Prime Minister will visit NZAero, New Zealand's aircraft manufacturing company, to assess aviation industry capabilities and explore opportunities for aviation sector cooperation between Thailand and New Zealand. The delegation will return to Thailand on Saturday, August 22, following the conclusion of the official visit.

On August 20, Deputy Government Spokesman Lalida Perischvivat revealed that the government is concerned about residents in Nan province and the upper northern region affected by severe flooding from heavy rains and flash floods. The Government Housing Bank has implemented seven relief measures for 2025 to reduce financial burden and support housing reconstruction, covering debt relief, payment suspension, and loans for repairs or new housing for both regular account holders and non-performing loan borrowers.

For NPL borrowers whose collateral was damaged, debt restructuring is available for up to 18 months with zero interest for the first six months and no payment installments required. NPL borrowers affected by income loss can restructure debt for up to one year with zero interest for the first six months and minimum monthly payments of 1,000 baht, applied entirely to principal reduction.

The government emphasized that if a home is completely destroyed and cannot be repaired, the Government Housing Bank will consider forgiving the structure portion of the debt on a case-by-case basis for both regular and NPL borrowers. Borrowers will only repay the land value portion, relieving them of debt for the uninhabitable structure.

For borrowers with home insurance policies covering natural disasters through the bank's partner insurers, an expedited Fast Track claims process is available. Policyholders can file claims using damage photos and receive compensation up to 20,000 baht without additional documentation requirements. The government recommends affected residents photograph their homes and damaged property before cleanup begins to support rapid claim processing.

The government stressed that home loss extends beyond property damage to include living expenses during recovery, and assistance measures are available even for NPL borrowers. Affected residents can apply at all Government Housing Bank branches nationwide immediately, or contact the G H BANK Call Center at 0-2645-9000 for more information.

Young artist and actor Mark Thanat, also known as Mark Kamikazeee or Dr. Mark, has resigned from his government-funded dentistry position after ten years of uninterrupted study and work. Mark announced his resignation on August 7, 2026, in a video explaining that he had never taken a break since age thirteen, when many knew him as a singer. He was accepted to Mahidol's dental program at eighteen, completed his degree, worked one year as a dentist, and continues to hold his dental license despite resigning from his position.

Mark explained his decision: "I felt like I was someone who worked non-stop for ten years without ever taking a rest. Everything was forced upon me—I had to work according to a set schedule, attend classes and exams, and work regardless." He said he simply wanted a brief moment to do something for himself without a clear plan for what comes next.

One regret has stayed with him throughout the decade: despite traveling extensively, he rarely recorded videos or captured memories from his trips. Mark has launched a YouTube channel called Thanat Rattanasiriphan to document his journeys, so he can look back and remember where he has traveled. He clarified the channel is primarily for himself, but welcomed others to follow along if interested. His resignation announcement video has garnered over 170,000 views, with commenters offering encouragement and support for his decision to live life on his own terms and take time to recharge.

Floodwaters from upstream areas have breached into Nan city, with water levels in the economic zone reaching 1.5 meters. The provincial governor has issued orders for continuous 24-hour monitoring, with early assessments suggesting the current situation will not be as severe as the 2568 flood disaster.

On August 20, reporters documented the ongoing flood situation in Nan province. Water flowing down from the north entered the Nan River before breaching the municipal administrative area, affecting critical economic zones including homes, shops, hotels, and important religious structures such as Phumin Temple. Water levels in most areas are around 50 centimeters, but in low-lying areas near the river—including Tha Chang, Don Kaew, Suan Tanlang, and Don Si Serem villages, as well as Puang Payom and Tha Li—water levels have reached 1.5 meters. Water continues to rise as backflow through drainage pipes persists, causing levels to increase in multiple locations.

As of 7:00 a.m., measurement station N.1 at the Mueang Nan Forestry Office recorded water levels at 8.53 meters, 7 meters above normal bank level and exceeding the municipal barrier level of 8.50 meters. Station N.64 at Pha Khwang measured 9.57 meters, while station N.13A at Pai Ngam in Wiang Sa district recorded 8.14 meters against a normal level of 6.50 meters.

Nan Municipality continues operating three large-capacity pumps at Khlong Chaofah around the clock, each capable of pumping approximately 180 cubic meters per minute, to fight the overflow from the Nan River and rapidly drain water from economic zones and residential areas to minimize impact and damage.

Nan Province Governor Chaiyarong Wongchai stated that the province continues closely monitoring the situation and preparing comprehensive response measures. Although the current event is not expected to be as severe as the 2568 flood, which was influenced by Typhoon Nipa, authorities remain vigilant given the sustained high water levels in the Nan River and continued inflow from upstream areas.

However, if no heavy rainfall occurs over the next 24 hours in upstream areas and Nan province, the situation is expected to gradually ease and water levels will begin to recede. The next 24 hours remain a critical monitoring period. The provincial government urges residents in at-risk areas, particularly in Mueang Nan and Phu Phiang and Wiang Sa districts—the downstream water-receiving zones—to closely monitor official announcements and be prepared to immediately move belongings, vehicles, and vulnerable persons to safe areas if evacuation orders are issued.

PHUKET: A 26-year-old man has been arrested at the Tha Chatchai checkpoint with more than 1 kilogramme of crystal meth and 400 ecstasy pills while travelling by bus into Phuket.