Prime Minister Anuthit Charnvirakul plans to inspect flood-hit Nan Province after returning from an official visit to Australia and New Zealand, then travel to Ubon Ratchathani to visit soldiers injured by landmines. On August 21, government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek confirmed that the PM and Interior Minister are currently on an official mission to Australia and New Zealand to strengthen trade, investment, and bilateral relations. Meanwhile, the PM continues to monitor Thailand's flood situation closely, especially in Nan Province, and has directed agencies to accelerate relief efforts, with plans to visit the affected area immediately upon his return. The spokesperson said the PM will arrive back in Thailand on the evening of August 22 and will travel to Nan Province on the morning of August 23 to assess the flooding and relief operations, as well as listen to local needs to ensure rapid post-flood recovery and rehabilitation. That afternoon, the PM will then proceed to Ubon Ratchathani to visit and encourage members of a humanitarian demining unit who suffered severe injuries from stepping on a landmine while conducting operations in the Saddle Pass area of Nam Yuen District on August 17.

MONO Company Limited is advancing its shift toward a "Streaming First" strategy, aiming to elevate MONOMAX as Thailand's primary streaming platform while preserving television's role in reaching all Thais. The company has positioned MONOMAX Sports TV to function as a public service, ensuring equitable access to major sports content that Thais care about. Nawaminthon Prasopneter, Chief Executive Officer and Director of MONO, explained: "Moving toward Streaming First does not mean abandoning Thai television viewers. Instead, we want to balance both platforms to suit changing viewer behavior. For us, sports content that brings joy and pride to Thais should be accessible to everyone. We want MONOMAX Sports TV to serve as a true public service, just as we did with past World Cup broadcasts for free Thai viewership. The upcoming Premier League season will feature free matches every week, and when Thailand's women's volleyball team competes, Thais can cheer together. This is our core principle. Simultaneously, MONO will develop the MONOMAX streaming platform to deliver a more complete and higher-quality viewing experience. Free TV will serve content requiring broad reach, while streaming will offer a more diverse range of experiences and content. We believe advancing both platforms in tandem will allow MONO to balance 'access for all Thais' with 'the viewing experience of the future' perfectly."

MONO's shift to "Streaming First" restructures the roles of both platforms to work complementarily, with Free TV creating accessibility while MONOMAX delivers the future of viewing. The company will continue delivering major sports content for Thais to watch and cheer together. Starting in August, MONOMAX Sports TV will broadcast Premier League 2026/27 matches and the AVC Women's Continental Championship featuring Thailand's national team. Premier League matches include: Nottingham Forest versus Leeds United (Saturday, August 22, 21:00); Manchester City versus AFC Bournemouth (Sunday, August 23, 21:00); AFC Bournemouth versus Everton (Saturday, August 29, 21:00); and Chelsea versus Brighton & Hove Albion (Sunday, August 30, 21:00). Volleyball championship matches include: Thailand versus Australia (Friday, August 21, 13:00); Vietnam versus South Korea (Saturday, August 22, 09:00); Kazakhstan versus Australia (Sunday, August 23, 09:00); Thailand versus Indonesia (Monday, August 24, 14:00); Japan versus Vietnam (Tuesday, August 25, 17:30); and China versus Taiwan (Wednesday, August 26, 18:30).

On Friday, August 21, 2025, at 12:00 noon, Lom Sak Municipality reported water conditions in Lom Sak District with a red flag alert. The Phetchabun Province Irrigation Office provided the following water level readings: Station S33 at Lom Kao measured 5.26 meters (declining), Station S53 at Ban Wang Rong Bridge measured 5.28 meters (rising), and Station S3 at Lom Sak measured 7.43 meters (rising). The Phetchabun Province Irrigation Office instructed Lom Sak Municipality to raise the red flag as water levels entered the critical threshold. Residents living in low-lying areas along the Pasak River are advised to relocate their belongings to higher ground. The municipality will closely monitor water conditions and provide continuous updates to the public.

On 21 August, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation issued a Cell Broadcast alert as the Moei River overflows its banks in Mae Sod and Mae Ramat districts, Tak province, with water levels continuing to rise and heavy rainfall ongoing in the area. Residents living along the river, particularly in Mae Pa, Mae Ku, Mahawan, Tha Sai Luat, Mae Tao, Mae Kasa, Nakhon Mae Sod, Phra That Pha Daeng (Mae Sod District), and Mae Ja Rao (Mae Ramat District), are instructed to immediately move belongings to higher ground, relocate vehicles, and evacuate vulnerable populations. Those requiring evacuation assistance should contact village heads and local administrative offices immediately. At 14:00, the Tha Sai Luat Subdistrict Municipality measured water levels beneath the First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge at 0.9 metres above the normal bank level, classified as alert status.

Today, August 21, 2025, 62-year-old Chammani Noi-Chanthorn, known as Pah Dah, and fellow heirs including heritage manager Bua Khai traveled to the National Buddhism Office in Nakhon Pathom to request verification of documents and evidence regarding the proper establishment of Pah Adulyaram Temple in Muang Khon Kaen District, including whether it followed official Buddhist regulations and monastic law. Officials noted that the temple's name does not appear in the National Buddhism Office registry.

After meeting with representatives, Pah Dah expressed disappointment, saying the office could not confirm the temple's legal establishment or provide clarifying documentation, citing confidentiality. They were told to appeal to the Prime Minister's Office—despite prior statements from officials that records could be reviewed upon request.

"If today we had clear documents confirming the land was properly designated a temple, we would accept it. But we will continue pursuing the truth to the end," Pah Dah stated.

Heir Bua Rian Phimsri revealed that all heirs want verification of whether the temple was established lawfully, as 20 years of inquiries have yielded no clarity. She expressed frustration that answers from the National Buddhism Office have been disappointing and noted inconsistencies between official announcements and actual practice. She indicated the heirs may consult lawyers about filing an appeal to the Prime Minister's Office.

"Everyone knows successive temple committees have wanted that land because of its prime location," Bua Rian said. "It was announced in the Royal Gazette as properly belonging to the temple, but I still find it improper and remain uncertain. We heirs have never been informed of procedures—only secret documents. Why do things in secret?"

Bua Khai briefly stated that officials refused to show documents due to confidentiality, though she wanted to see them and know the truth. She said she felt resigned about legal action against her but was concerned her children were upset, so she told them not to worry—truth is truth.

The heirs' lawyer added that they came to verify the temple's establishment procedures and evidence, expecting official files and petitions but received only a document already in their possession—one without necessary value. The lawyer argued that the records the heirs requested should not be classified as confidential if the office provided clarification to relatives today the matter could be resolved.

British, Spanish diving instructors caught working illegally on Koh TaoLegacyNine foreign nationals were arrested in a crackdown on illegal work on Koh Tao, Surat Thani, yesterday, August 20, including six British and Spanish diving instructors allegedly working without permits. Surat Thani Immigration carried out the inspections with Koh Tao Police and other government agencies. The operation followed information found on social media and complaints from tourists. Photo via Khaosod At two diving businesses, officers found six foreign nationals allegedly working as diving instructors without work permits. They included British national Adam and five Spanish nationals identified as Xabier, Pablo, Paulina, Sandra and Nuria. All six held Destination Thailand Visas (DTVs) and were accused of taking paid work as diving instructors without work permits. Officials also took action against directors of the companies employing the instructors. They plan to examine financial transactions as part of an investigation into whether nominee arrangements were involved. Photo via Khaosod At a pharmacy, officers arrested Myanmar national Sa Chi Lin, who was allegedly selling modern medicines and collecting payments without a pharmacist supervising the shop. She was accused of working outside the scope of her permitted employment. Two other Myanmar nationals, Zin Zin Myo and Tin Tin Wai, were arrested at a beauty salon in the Sairee Beach area. Their documents allowed them to work as labourers, but officers found them providing nail and beauty services, which are occupations reserved for Thai nationals. Photo via Khaosod Khaosod reported that all nine suspects were transferred to Koh Tao Police Station for further legal proceedings. Surat Thani Immigration chief Police Colonel Naruwat Phutthawiro said 47 foreign nationals were arrested on the island between January 1 and August 19 for offences involving foreign employment and immigration laws, drugs and other criminal offences. Photo via Khaosod Related news

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