National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittarat Panpetch announced on August 4 at Government House that he has ordered the Technology Crime Investigation Division (TCID) to investigate the unauthorized release of personal data belonging to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the Interior Minister, and Interior Ministry officials. He emphasized that while he is not protecting senior officials, he believes people should carefully examine whether such leaked images are genuine, given how advanced digital manipulation technology has become. Kittarat stated that identifying the data source remains challenging and that the Interior Ministry has already denied involvement. He noted that determining whether the leaked images are authentic or artificially created requires thorough analysis from multiple angles. When asked whether victims should file complaints under the Personal Data Protection Act, Kittarat said that depends on investigation results and whether the individuals involved wish to press charges. He stressed the importance of critical thinking in the digital age, where both real and fabricated content circulates on social media, and cautioned against jumping to conclusions without examining the facts.

At 5 p.m. on August 4, 2025, the Thai Meteorological Department issued alert number 2 (144/2569) concerning strong winds in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand, along with heavy to very heavy rainfall across Thailand with impacts expected from August 6–9, 2025. The northern, northeastern, and eastern regions will see increased rainfall with some areas experiencing very heavy downpours, while the central region, Bangkok and surrounding areas, and the southern region will experience heavy rain in scattered locations. This is due to a monsoon trough passing over the upper north and upper northeast, combined with a strong southwest monsoon affecting the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the upper Gulf of Thailand. The public is warned of dangers from heavy to very heavy rainfall and accumulated water, which may trigger flash flooding and flash floods, particularly in foothill areas near water channels and low-lying zones.

Waves in the upper Andaman Sea will be 2–4 meters high, exceeding 3 meters in thunderstorm areas, while the upper Gulf of Thailand will see 2–3 meter waves, also exceeding 3 meters during thunderstorms. Fishermen in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand are advised to navigate carefully and avoid thunderstorm zones. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf should remain ashore from August 6–9, 2025.

The public is encouraged to plan their activities and travel carefully during this period and monitor updates from the Thai Meteorological Department via http://www.tmd.go.th or by calling 0-2399-4012-13 and 1182, available 24 hours daily. The next alert will be issued on August 5, 2025 at 5 a.m.

Tosapol Himphan is proud of his 12-year-old daughter, known as "Phak Bung," who has saved money from singing and performing traditional Naka ceremonies to build a home worth over 1 million baht for her great-grandmother. The project is nearly 90 percent complete and is scheduled to be finished on her 13th birthday, October 17. Tosapol plans to formally train Phak Bung next year to take on full Naka ceremony performances, as multiple event organizers have requested her services. He aims to have her carry on the family tradition of Lam Lom singing and ceremonial work.

Phak Bung has been saving money since she was 4 or 5 years old, earning rewards from singing performances and working alongside her father at ceremonies. She earns between 3,000 to 10,000 baht per event, which she has been accumulating steadily. The home project was something she promised her great-grandmother, now 80 years old, whose original house—built in 1981 or 1982—had become too dilapidated to repair. Tosapol emphasizes that none of the construction funds came from his or his wife's money; all savings are Phak Bung's own earnings from performances.

When asked if working interferes with her schooling, Tosapol says performances are scheduled mainly on weekends, though she occasionally misses school when event organizers specifically request her. He notes that Phak Bung is disciplined with money, often depositing earnings into her personal savings account. Fans and followers admire her filial piety and work ethic at such a young age. The total project cost, including the house and furnishings like air conditioning units, is approximately 1 million baht, with about 850,000 baht already spent.

BANGKOK — Thailand welcomed more than 18.5 million foreign tourists between 1 January and 1 August, generating nearly 900 billion baht in tourism revenue despite a slight decline in visitor numbers from the same period last year, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said Thailand recorded 18,510,243 international arrivals between 1 January and 1 August, down 3.19% year-on-year. Foreign visitors generated 896.2 billion baht in tourism revenue during the period.

China remained Thailand's largest source market with 3,078,486 visitors, followed by Malaysia (2,373,537), India (1,376,433), Russia (1,100,847) and South Korea (679,064).

During the latest reporting week, from 26 July to 1 August, Thailand received 567,312 foreign visitors, down 2.92% from the previous week, or an average of 81,045 arrivals per day.

The ministry attributed the decline mainly to weaker arrivals from short-haul markets following reports of unrest in Thailand's southern border provinces and reduced airline capacity on India-Thailand routes, where seat capacity fell 28.6% year-on-year.

Long-haul markets, particularly Europe, continued to grow, supported by new flight connections, including Dubai–Bangkok (Don Mueang) and Amsterdam–Suvarnabhumi services.

South Korean arrivals increased 19.85% from the previous week, driven by family travel during the country's summer school holidays, making South Korea Thailand's fourth-largest source market for the week.

Deputy Prime Minister Prakorn Nila-Phand addressed Dr. Sornchai Chaiyapruek's removal from the NBTC chairmanship following a selection committee decision that he lacked required qualifications. Prakorn stated the matter is undergoing legal verification and the government can only proceed through lawful means. He noted that filing a challenge at the Administrative Court does not suspend the process, as regulations specify that court filings do not stop proceedings. Prakorn emphasized the government's role is solely to submit the matter to the Royal Decree as required by law, with the selection committee and Senate having already approved the candidate. He defended the government's responsibility to verify legal compliance before submission to avoid repeat errors. On whether Sornchai can chair NBTC meetings while pending removal, Prakorn said that follows NBTC regulations, which the government cannot override. Responding to criticism about the selection committee's composition, Prakorn cited the Attorney General's opinion that the law clearly specifies "Governor of the Bank of Thailand" by position, not individual, so the principle must be upheld.

Rising energy prices are boosting Thailand's motorcycle market in the first half of 2024, with overall sales projected to reach 1.73–1.77 million units for the full year, according to Masayuki Hamamatsu, executive chairman of Thai Honda Co., Ltd. Although the market faced economic headwinds and weak consumer purchasing power in the first six months (January–June), motorcycles remain essential transportation for Thai consumers. As fuel prices climbed, many consumers shifted to motorcycles as their primary commute option, driving overall market sales up 2 percent to 950,000 units, with Honda selling 760,000 units. Based on this performance, Thai Honda has raised its full-year market target to 1.73–1.77 million units, while Honda's own sales goal is now 1.40–1.43 million units.

In the second half of the year, Thai Honda plans to introduce several new motorcycle models to meet diverse consumer demand. Recent launches include four new models: the Honda Click160, available in four new color options (yellow-black, white-black, black, and green-black) at 69,900 baht, and the Click160 R Limited Edition with an upgraded rear shock at 76,400 baht (500 units only). The Honda PCX160 premium automatic is available in a new RoadSync Type at 99,900 baht and a Standard Type at 96,000 baht. Honda also introduced the Giorno+ Buzz Lightyear Limited Edition (2,000 units) at 74,900 baht and the Super Cub Tokyo 80s Limited Edition (500 units) at 54,000 baht. Regarding relocation of electric motorcycle production from Thailand to Vietnam, Thai Honda confirmed that Thailand remains a key manufacturing hub with clear strategies for the EV market. The Ladkrabang plant has capacity to produce 1.75 million motorcycles annually—both conventional and electric—and is ready to increase EV output if demand grows.