On August 18, 2569, a radio programme called Noh Kra-Aew presented the story of Khun Tae, a subdistrict administrative officer, who publicly demanded justice against Khru Nam, a hired teacher, whom he accused of tricking him into sending over 514,800 baht in total, including 300,000 baht in bride price and additional educational expenses. The pair met on June 14, 2569, through a dating application. Khru Nam claimed to be single and newly on the app. After chatting, they met in person on July 10 and agreed to date. Khun Tae said he was impressed when she offered to support his further education.

Khun Tae began transferring money on July 20 with an initial 28,000 baht for tuition. On July 21, he sent 70,000 baht for education and 300,000 baht as bride price to move into her home. He also transferred 23,000 baht on July 23. The truth emerged on August 3 when Khun Tae's friend grew suspicious and discovered that Khru Nam had married a naval officer on May 10, 2569—just one month before she began communicating with Khun Tae. On August 4, the friend confirmed that Khru Nam and her navy husband had registered their divorce that very morning, though she had lied to Khun Tae that morning, claiming she was having breakfast with a friend.

Khru Nam admitted she had married the naval officer on May 10, 2569, separated in early June, and sought emotional healing without repeating past disappointment. When asked what resolution she wanted, Khun Tae and his sister insisted on a full refund. His sister revealed that initially the family had not demanded everything back out of sympathy for the woman, but because the other party refused to repay and made excuses, they had to go public. Khru Nam insisted she would not refund the full amount, claiming all the money and valuables remained intact, that she still loved Khun Tae, and wanted to continue dating, marry him, and start anew.

Khun Tae's sister firmly rejected this, demanding full repayment. A lawyer present noted that the woman had committed fraud by concealing the truth from the start and warned that if she did not refund immediately, a lawsuit would be filed. Khru Nam responded that she too had suffered—the man had lived at her home and, as a woman, she had lost her reputation. When the lawyer suggested she propose a figure for negotiation, Khru Nam offered to return only half, saying she had also been harmed, was now too ashamed to stay home, and did not know what her employment prospects would be. Khun Tae's sister remained adamant: no deal.

Khru Nam later admitted she had married and divorced after just one month before meeting Khun Tae, and acknowledged she had failed to tell him. She said she was no longer working as a teacher and had left to sell motorcycles, though she kept wedding photos as motivation.

A dashcam video captured a white sedan suddenly swerving from the leftmost lane and cutting off a motorcycle family without warning on August 14 around 5 p.m. near Petchkasem Soi 69. The motorcycle rider, trying to overtake in slow traffic, prompted the sedan driver to shout at him; moments later, after the motorcycle passed, the sedan accelerated and deliberately rammed the bike's license plate. When the sedan driver got out, he apologized and claimed he meant to brake but accidentally stepped on the accelerator instead. He seemed shocked to see the mother holding a 7-month-old baby. The mother did not file a report at the time, but after a good Samaritan shared the dashcam clip online, she became convinced the crash was intentional and filed a complaint at Nong Khwaem Police Station on August 18. Police initially resisted, suggesting the driver may have simply bent down to pick something up under the car, but later agreed to investigate after reviewing the video evidence. The mother remains concerned about her son's psychological state, as the child has been withdrawn and fearful since the incident. Police stated they would gather additional evidence and call both parties in for questioning to determine appropriate charges.

Surin farmers are facing severe crop losses after more than a month without rain. A field survey on August 18 across multiple subdistricts in Muang Surin district found that rice paddies have been hit hard by the prolonged drought, despite weather warnings from the meteorology department. The area received only scattered rainfall, leaving fields without standing water, dried reservoirs, and rice plants severely stressed as weeds and wild seedlings—particularly a fast-growing type known as "dao dee"—have overgrown the paddies.

One farmer, Nophidol, 48, from Nong Thai village in Salakaew subdistrict, who cultivates 5 rai and has invested over 10,000 baht, has resorted to tethering his herd of 12 buffalo in the rice fields to graze. Less than 10 percent of his rice plants remain; the rest has been replaced by weeds and wild seedlings that grow faster and larger than normal rice. "The long dry spell caused grass to grow faster than rice. From a distance it looks green like rice plants, but it's actually covered in weeds and wild growth," Nophidol explained. "Normally at this time, the fields would have standing water and rice would be near heading, but this year there's nothing but grass. Looking at it, I've lost all hope. I'll have to buy rice to eat. Farming is really tough."

The extended dry period has severely impacted the livelihoods and economic situation of farmers across Surin province. Residents are hoping for rainfall in the coming weeks to ease the drought before crop damage becomes even more severe.

A woman known as 'Kru Nam' (Water Teacher), a contract teacher, has admitted to leaving her job and now sells motorcycles, but keeps a photo of herself in a white teacher's uniform on her bedroom wall as motivation. She made no use of it elsewhere.

On August 18, 2025, the podcast programme "Pulling the Current" hosted by Noam Karachai presented the story of 'Khun Tae,' a subdistrict administration officer, who came forward seeking justice through the "Sai Mai Tong Rawt" channel. He alleged that Kru Nam, a contract teacher, deceived him into falling in love and convinced him to transfer over 300,000 baht as a bride price, plus another 200,000 baht for other purposes.

The acquaintance began on June 14, 2025, through a dating application. Kru Nam claimed to be single and had just downloaded the app to try it out. They exchanged contact details, and after chatting for a while, they met on July 10 and agreed to be a couple. The man said he was impressed when she offered to help him further his education.

Khun Tae recounted that he first transferred 28,000 baht on July 20 for tuition fees. On July 21, he made two more transfers: 70,000 baht in the morning for studies and 300,000 baht in the evening as a bride price to move in with her. He moved in on July 22 and transferred an additional 23,000 baht on July 23. In total, he transferred over 514,800 baht.

The truth emerged on August 3 when Khun Tae's friend grew suspicious and investigated, discovering Kru Nam's wedding photos. On August 4, the friend confirmed that Kru Nam's husband is a naval officer and that they had just registered their divorce that very morning—yet earlier that same morning, Kru Nam had lied to Khun Tae, claiming she was having breakfast with friends.

Kru Nam admitted that she had married her naval officer husband on May 10, 2025, only one month before contacting Khun Tae in June. She claimed they had separated at the beginning of June and that she was looking for someone to heal her heartbreak and avoid further disappointment.

When questioned about her occupation and the photos in a white teacher's uniform, Kru Nam acknowledged that she is no longer a teacher. Previously she was a contract teacher and a childminder at a private school before she resigned and became a motorcycle salesperson. Regarding the white uniform photos, she admitted they exist but claimed they were only meant to inspire herself to pass the teacher recruitment exam, which is her dream. She said she hung them in her home and did not use them anywhere else.

Evidence was then presented showing that Kru Nam had posted a series of photos online ranging from her school days through graduation photos and the white uniform, with a caption stating: "I studied my whole life to work at school for the rest of my life." Akaphop, from the Sai Mai Tong Rawt channel, pointed out that posting this way could mislead others.

Former Phatthalung MP Nipith Inthasombat posted on his personal Facebook account addressing the issue of local government exam fraud. In his post, he stated: "If I were your politician, I would bring those who took the local exam and are accused of cheating by altering scores to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). I would negotiate with the NACC that if they grant him witness protection, he would testify truthfully about who he gave money to, so the NACC can pursue charges against higher-level perpetrators such as politicians. It is now time for the Thai state to decide whether to target 'small fish' or 'big fish' corruption. This is the only way to effectively combat corruption and pursue cases against intermediaries who received money and those at higher levels. I am not your politician—so what have your politicians done to combat corruption in this country? Or are your politicians themselves corrupt, taking money to buy votes during elections?"

A social media post by a Malaysian tourist threatening to boycott Hat Yai has sparked debate after a group of Malaysian motorcyclists were fined by Thai police for traffic violations.

The Facebook user, who goes by the name Tok Singa, posted a video claiming that his group of 17 Malaysian motorcyclists received 15 tickets totaling about 15,000 baht during a traffic inspection by Hat Yai Police.

The post alleged that only one police officer handled the inspection, which took nearly three hours. It also claimed the group was threatened with detention if they delayed paying the fines, while some riders said their motorcycles still had factory-standard exhaust pipes and that police did not accept digital driving licences.

The video went viral and included a call for Malaysians to boycott Hat Yai, a popular destination for Malaysian tourists.

Hat Yai Police, however, disputed several of the claims.

Police Sergeant Major Veerasak Phansaeman, the officer involved in the incident, said he was directing traffic outside Hat Yai Police Station when he noticed a group of about 17 motorcycles from Malaysia.

Some motorcycles had modified flashing rear lights, while others appeared to have excessively loud exhaust systems, he said. Officers followed the group and stopped them at Dam Bridge intersection before bringing the motorcycles to the police station for a detailed inspection of documents, compulsory insurance, driving licences and vehicle equipment.

After inspecting all 17 motorcycles, police found violations involving nine vehicles and issued nine tickets, with total fines of 12,000 baht — not 15 tickets totaling 15,000 baht as claimed in the social media post.

Individual fines ranged from 1,000 to 3,000 baht, depending on the violation.

Veerasak said police used a sound-level meter in accordance with legal requirements when checking motorcycle exhaust noise. Officers first checked the manufacturer's noise-level plate, allowing an additional 5 decibels where applicable. If no plate was available, the limit was determined by the vehicle's registration date.

Motorcycles registered before 2024 are subject to a maximum limit of 95 decibels, while those registered from 1 January 2024 are limited to 90 decibels, he said.

Veerasak said officers explained the regulations to the Malaysian tourists and denied that police had mistreated or singled them out because they were foreigners.

"The video distorted some of the facts," he said, adding that officers had followed legal procedures and treated foreign tourists and Thai motorists equally.

He urged visitors driving into Thailand to familiarize themselves with local traffic laws and comply with them.

"Even though we are concerned about the impact on the tourism image, officers must uphold the law," Veerasak said.

He added that he did not expect the incident to have a significant impact on Hat Yai's tourism industry, saying most visitors comply with Thai laws.