At 3:45 p.m. on August 21, 2025 in Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai, Nattapong Ruengpanya, a list-based MP and leader of the People's Party opposition, discussed Digital Economy and Society Ministry Deputy Secretary Pachon Anantasil's determination to press ahead with the TH-AI Passport project despite alleged Article 157 charges. Nattapong said the opposition is preparing a complaint for relevant agencies to investigate. Dr. Wayo Aswanarung, a list-based MP and party deputy leader, is leading the effort, with MP Ratchanok Srinok also involved. Although the government has the authority to continue the project, the opposition will perform its full oversight duty and submit the matter for further investigation.

When asked if there are grounds to prosecute, particularly for violating the Terms of Reference, Nattapong said the available information clearly indicates specification locking. The People's Party has uncovered additional concerns: the network of companies winning the TH-AI Passport contract also hold other state sector contracts across multiple ministries, displaying bidding and procurement patterns that suggest collusion and specification manipulation.

Regarding concerns that data could leak abroad, despite the ministry's assurances of security, Nattapong said the public must choose whom to trust. The Terms of Reference, he noted, clearly state that both the state and service providers know who accesses the system and what commands are used. He cannot verify whether government claims are true, but urged citizens registering for the program to be aware that the Terms of Reference contain such provisions and to consider how well their personal data will be protected.

Asked whether the current one million registrations constitute success against a five million target, Nattapong said the real issue is larger. While he agrees the government's stated aim to raise Thai skills in AI use is valid, the more important question is how AI is deployed. Beyond raising awareness, meaningful AI applications should address disaster management, detecting state procurement fraud, or investigating local corruption—uses that civil society and activists have already developed. If the state, with its budget and authority, took the lead on such projects using AI, wouldn't the benefits be far greater? If government chose to do what truly needs doing, the impact would be far more significant.

South Korean coach Kim Sang-sik of Vietnam's national football team has expressed confidence that his squad will defend their ASEAN Championship title. At a press conference at Rajamangala Stadium on August 21 organized by the ASEAN Football Federation, Kim Sang-sik discussed the championship match against Thailand: "Our team has prepared well for this tournament and performed excellently throughout. We also have positive memories at Rajamangala Stadium and experience winning championships here. We will prove ourselves in tomorrow's match. The entire team hopes to win the championship, and we are confident in ourselves."

When asked whether Rafaelson (Nguyen Xuan Son), a Brazilian-born striker, would score a hat-trick against Thailand, the Vietnamese coach responded that beyond Nguyen Xuan Son, who leads the scoring race with five goals, there are other players ready to perform in the match against Thailand.

Meanwhile, Do Hoang Hen (Henrique), a Brazilian-blooded striker, said the team had trained well in South Korea and would strive for victory. He expressed it as an honor to play as a Vietnamese footballer, saying he loves everyone and Vietnamese fans, and will give his full effort as a Vietnamese national.

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angsakulkiattikul inspected progress on rail projects in Nakhon Ratchasima on August 21, 2569. He reviewed the Thailand-China high-speed rail project Phase 1 (Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima) and dual-track railway Phase 1 (Mab Ka Bao to Chum Thang Jira) and heard proposals and concerns from local authorities, joined by Watchraphol Tomornsakdit (Nakhon Ratchasima MP District 2), Manas Suwannarinthon (Deputy Governor), Yolada Wangsupkitjgosal (Governor), and government agencies.

Siripong said the inspection tracked key transport projects for Nakhon Ratchasima, following the trial opening of Highway M6 between cities, which has improved travel efficiency significantly. For the dual-track railway, construction is underway on multiple contracts with two remaining that need acceleration; it is expected to open around 2572. The Thailand-China high-speed rail Phase 1, despite delays beyond original plans, remains manageable and is forecast to open in 2574, reducing Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima travel time to about 90 minutes. Phase 2 (Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai) procurement is expected within 2570, targeting a 2576 opening; when complete, travel from Nong Khai to Bangkok will take roughly three hours.

Delay causes include land acquisition and public complaints, particularly from Khok Krauat community, currently under negotiation. Once cleared, construction will resume normally. Contractors abandoning work will face legal action, while safety standards and contract management will be enforced to prevent individual contractor problems affecting the whole system.

MP Watchraphol submitted local concerns, especially over high-speed rail contracts 3-5 (12.8 kilometers), originally planned as a 7-kilometer earthen embankment but feared to harm drainage and divide the city. He requested the design be changed to elevated tracks. He also proposed the 100-rai Nakhon Ratchasima railway station area be developed as a transport hub rather than maintenance center to boost local economy and commerce. He further suggested coordinating with the Interior Ministry and local administrative bodies to resolve railway and electrical crossings, and to explore solar power systems due to frequent electrical equipment theft along the route affecting public safety and movement.

Siripong agreed to review all proposals.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthammaphan announced on August 21 that her ministry is coordinating with private sector partners and the Pharmaceutical Organization to collect essential supplies and distribute relief bags to flood-affected residents in Nan province. Concerned about the situation affecting northern Thailand residents, she has instructed her ministry to provide full assistance by mobilizing food, drinking water, milk, essential items, and medicines from private businesses and related agencies. "The Commerce Ministry wants to deliver aid to people quickly, especially in the early stages of disaster. Essential everyday items will greatly ease people's suffering, so we are urgently coordinating with the private sector and relevant agencies to support and dispatch supplies to Nan province," she said. The relief effort has garnered cooperation from the Internal Trade Department's private business network and the Pharmaceutical Organization, which are contributing ready-to-drink milk, instant noodles, canned fish and fish products, drinking water, sanitary pads, soap, shampoo, laundry products, cleaning solutions, tissue paper, and necessary medicines and medical supplies. The Internal Trade Department is packing approximately 500 to 1,000 relief bags for efficient transport and distribution to disaster victims. Officials are working urgently to pack and prepare these bags for delivery to Nan province by Friday, August 21, with rapid distribution to affected residents. Supporting companies include One Thai Food Industry, Thai President Foods, Saha Pathana Pibul, Thai Food Products Manufacturing, Thai Union Group, Royal Foods, Pattaya Food Industry, Thai Nam Tip Corporation, Nestle Thailand, Friesland Campina Thailand, F&N Dairies Thailand, Dutch Mill, Green Spot, Lactasoy, Kao Industrial Thailand, and the Pharmaceutical Organization. "On behalf of the Commerce Ministry, I thank the private sector, the Pharmaceutical Organization, and all sectors for supporting this relief effort," Suphajee said. "We will expedite delivery of all supplies to disaster areas to reach Nan residents as quickly as possible and send encouragement to all affected people to safely overcome this crisis."

Pattaya homeowner issues warning after CCTV catches clothes thiefLegacyA homeowner in Pattaya is warning residents to secure their belongings after CCTV footage showed a woman stealing clothes from a drying rack outside her house. The homeowner, 49 year old Nipaporn, shared the footage with reporters after discovering several items missing from her home in Pattaya. CCTV footage from her home showed a woman dressed in black, wearing sweatpants, carrying a black basket and wearing a face mask that concealed her identity. She walked up to the clothes racks outside the house, browsed through the hanging items, and picked out several pieces before placing them in her basket and walking away. Photo via Pattaya News Nipaporn said she had hung clothes on two racks outside her home before going to bed on August 18. The theft occurred at around 5.52am the following morning. She only noticed items missing later that day and checked her CCTV system, where she found the footage. The missing items included a pair of shorts, a skirt and two shirts. Nipaporn said that although the stolen items were not particularly valuable, the incident left her feeling unsettled, especially given that it happened directly outside her own home. She has asked police to step up patrols in the area, particularly during the late-night and early morning hours, and urged other residents to keep clothes, shoes and other belongings in a secure place rather than leaving them outside, even if the items are low in value. Photo via Pattaya News Related news

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Elderly Thai man appeals for help after bank, police fail to explain missing moneyLegacyAn 83 year old Thai man is seeking an investigation, claiming 615,600 baht was missing from his bank account without his knowledge, while more than 2 million baht he deposited later failed to appear in the account balance. The elderly man, Thanaphon Phutthaphong, appealed to DailyNews to report his story, hoping public attention would lead to a serious investigation into the alleged irregularities. Thanaphon said he discovered irregularities in his savings account at a bank branch in the Wat Phraya Krai area of Bang Kho Laem district, Bangkok. The name of the bank has not been disclosed. Thanaphon said his account previously held about 1.6 million baht. He later discovered two withdrawals recorded on October 21, 2024, for 536,977.41 baht and 78,622.59 baht, totalling 615,600 baht. Photo by Wittybear via Getty Images He also said he made several deposits during 2024 and 2025 worth more than 2 million baht in total. However, he claimed the account balance did not increase in line with the amounts he had deposited. Thanaphon said he had not previously checked his bank book in detail due to his age, prompting him to seek an explanation from the bank manager after discovering the irregularities. According to Thanaphon, the manager told him that the disputed withdrawals had been made by him. However, when he asked to see CCTV footage showing the transactions, he was reportedly told that the relevant footage was unavailable. Thanaphon said the lack of CCTV footage left him unable to determine how the money had been withdrawn. He subsequently filed a complaint with Yan Nawa Police Station on April 23, asking officers to investigate the disputed transactions. Photo by Syda Productions via Canva He said there had been no clear progress since the complaint was filed. He also tried contacting the investigating officer by phone and LINE but was unable to reach the officer. Thanaphon said the investigator last informed him that police had contacted the bank manager to request relevant documents. However, the manager reportedly said the bank could not provide certain documents because they were important records that the bank was required to retain. Police also reportedly told Thanaphon that CCTV footage provided by the bank showed him inside the bank but did not show him on the date when the disputed withdrawals were made. Photo by Ponsulak via Getty Images Thanaphon said he plans to seek assistance from another police station. He said he wants only a clear explanation of what happened to his money and fair treatment. Thanaphon also expressed concern that his efforts to investigate the disputed transactions could potentially put him in danger if influential people were involved. He asked that the bank account dispute be considered as one possible line of investigation if he suffers any harm. DailyNews reported that it is seeking further information from police and the bank to establish what happened to the disputed transactions. Related news

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