Taiwan authorities arrested a 35-year-old Thai woman, a Muay Thai instructor, after she attempted to smuggle a large quantity of heroin into the country by hiding it in her body. She swallowed 72 heroin capsules, which took ten days to pass naturally, with a total weight of 289.1 grams worth approximately 3.6 million Taiwan dollars.

Kaohsiung Customs officials received intelligence about drug smuggling and set up surveillance on the Thai woman in advance. When she arrived at Kaohsiung Airport, officers immediately detained and searched her, then sent her to a hospital for detailed examination. X-ray results revealed numerous foreign objects in her abdomen. Further investigation confirmed they were heroin capsules wrapped in condoms and multiple layers of shrink film. She had swallowed these capsules to evade detection and smuggle drugs through the airport.

The capsules could only be removed through the body's natural process, requiring authorities to maintain continuous surveillance for ten days while managing her waste and recovering the expelled capsules. The case was transferred to Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office for prosecution under drug control laws. The prosecutor filed charges in July, and the Thai woman remains in custody pending trial.

Bangkok has launched the second year of the Bangkok Brand programme, officially announcing the 2026 product selection results and organising exhibitions, sales events, business matching activities, and entrepreneurship development workshops. The initiative aims to elevate community products to international standards and create marketing opportunities both within Thailand and abroad.

This year, entrepreneurs submitted 834 products across five categories: food and beverages, fashion, health and beauty, and crafts and handicrafts. After expert review, 604 products from 440 entrepreneurs were certified into four tiers: Bangkok Brand Family (51 products), Bangkok Brand Gold (145 products), Bangkok Brand Platinum (182 products), and Bangkok Brand Premium (226 products). An additional 38 products were selected for Bangkok Brand Select 2026 to recognise distinctive products with potential to become flagship Bangkok brands.

Sanon Wangsambun, Bangkok's Deputy Governor, said the city is adapting to rapid global changes in technology, particularly AI, and economic challenges. Bangkok aims to become a "city of opportunity and hope" by developing public skills, supporting small businesses and SMEs with development space, and attracting foreign investment and major companies to create jobs and business opportunities for smaller entrepreneurs.

Bangkok Brand 2026 serves as a key mechanism for this strategy. Selected products receive marketing and public relations support, opportunities to meet foreign investors, and expanded distribution channels such as airports, positioning Bangkok products as distinctive souvenirs that add value for entrepreneurs.

The event includes exhibitions for all five product categories, business matching activities, and entrepreneur development workshops covering Chinese market entry, 7-Eleven distribution opportunities, product standard upgrading, and AI-enhanced online marketplace sales techniques.

The Bangkok Brand programme aims to develop a trusted symbol for consumers locally and internationally through three assessment criteria: product quality, market potential, and entrepreneur strength. Bangkok Brand Select specifically seeks distinctive products reflecting Bangkok's flavour, culture, and lifestyle that are suitable as souvenirs and have brand development potential.

Teen shoots 15 year old in Sakon Nakhon over romantic rivalryLegacyPolice arrested a 17 year old boy after a 15 year old student was shot and seriously injured at a roadside restaurant in Sakon Nakhon today, August 19. Police said the shooting stemmed from jealousy after the two teenagers pursued the same girl. Akat Amnuai Police Station received a report of the shooting at around 9.20am. The 15 year old student was shot in the arm, with the bullet grazing his abdomen. Rescue workers took him to hospital for treatment. Police later said his condition was stable and he was able to provide information to investigators. According to the investigation, the student was sitting inside the restaurant when the 17 year old arrived on a motorcycle and parked outside. Police said the teenager entered the restaurant, fired one shot at the student and fled on the motorcycle. Photo via ONE31 Investigators arrested the teenager shortly afterwards and seized a homemade gun. Police said questioning of both teenagers indicated that the dispute involved jealousy because they were pursuing the same girl. The 17 year old was initially charged with attempted murder and firearms offences, including possessing a firearm, carrying one in a town, village or public place without reasonable cause, and firing a gun in a town or village without justification. Photo via Amarin TV The student’s school later issued a statement clarifying that the shooting occurred outside the school at around 9am and did not take place on school grounds. The school described the motive as a personal dispute and said the alleged shooter was not a student at the school. The school said student and staff safety remained its highest priority and that it was closely coordinating with relevant officials. Classes were continuing as normal, with the school saying further updates would be provided if new information became available. In similar news, a Thai university student repeatedly stabbed his friend in an attack at a condominium in Pathum Thani. The suspect accused the victim of having an affair with his girlfriend. The story Teen shoots 15 year old in Sakon Nakhon over romantic rivalry as seen on Thaiger News.

August 19, 2025 — Education Minister Prasert Chantharavungthong announced following a meeting of senior education ministry officials that he has ordered all educational agencies under the ministry—including the Office of the Basic Education Commission, the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, the Department of Learning Promotion, and the Office of Educational Broadcasting—to survey damage and assess the impact of the flooding in Pua District, Nan Province.

The ministry will mobilize resources to immediately assist students, teachers, education personnel, and residents in affected areas. Regional agencies have been instructed to closely monitor the situation and prioritize the safety of students and staff. Education facilities are to be prepared as shelters or assistance points as appropriate, with urgent needs and situation reports sent to the central ministry to ensure rapid and comprehensive support.

The Vocational Education Commission has been assigned to establish Fix It Centers where teachers and vocational students will provide repair services for damaged equipment, electrical appliances, and vehicles. Vocational kitchens will also be set up to prepare food and drinking water for disaster victims.

Education administrators and personnel in the area have been directed to work alongside Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Wongasaisuwan and Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister to survey problems, listen to community needs, and accelerate relief efforts with full force.

All agencies must act immediately to ensure safety and provide maximum relief to students, teachers, education personnel, and the public. The Education Ministry will deploy all available resources and capacity to stand alongside the people during this crisis, Prasert said.

BKS announced that over 338,000 state welfare card holders used their benefits to purchase bus tickets during a 10-month period in fiscal year 2025, totalling 172.4 million baht and helping reduce travel expenses. BKS Chief Executive Arthawit Rakjamroon stated that under the government's welfare card scheme, cardholders can spend up to 750 baht per month on BKS fares for travel home and tourism. From October 2024 to July 2025, the company recorded 338,198 cardholders using their benefits on BKS buses, accounting for 172,376,519 baht in transactions and providing relief from travel costs.

The company pledged to support the government's policy of enhancing quality of life and reducing living costs while improving transport services to ensure convenient, safe, and standard-compliant access across all areas. Conditions for using the welfare card on BKS buses include presenting an ID at purchase, staying within the 750-baht monthly limit (with cash payment for overages), travelling on any BKS route and standard, combining with other discounts where permitted, and understanding that tickets are non-refundable but can be rescheduled under company terms. Travellers can book tickets via the BKS website (https://tcl99web.transport.co.th), the BKS E-ticket app, Facebook (BKS), Line (BKS, ID @BKS99), BKS ticket counters nationwide, or by calling 02-936-2841-48.

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.