Deputy Transport Minister Sarapetch Bunyamani inspected dredging operations on Khlong Uthaphao near Laguna Bridge in Bang Klam District, Songkhla Province on August 8, 2026 to accelerate drainage improvements and mitigate flooding impacts in Hat Yai and downstream areas. The Port Authority has received initial funding of over 1 million baht for dredging work and is pushing for additional budget allocation. Officials are coordinating with the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to use abandoned shrimp farms as reception areas for excavated soil, reducing transport distances and avoiding dumping in Songkhla Lake, which could cause long-term sedimentation problems. Administrative procedures are underway.

For fiscal year 2570, nearly 90 million baht has been allocated for dredging three critical canals: Khlong Uthaphao, Khlong R.1, and Khlong R.3 to improve drainage efficiency and alleviate Hat Yai flooding. The Khlong Uthaphao section being inspected covers approximately 5 kilometers and will be deepened from 2 meters to 3 meters below mean sea level over about 55 days. Officials acknowledge this alone cannot fully solve the problem due to budget constraints and plan continuous dredging expansion while addressing Songkhla Lake's shallowing issues.

Deputy Minister Sarapetch instructed the Port Authority to accelerate opening the bay mouth at Khlong Uthaphao to increase drainage into Songkhla Lake. Plans are being submitted to the cabinet for additional dredging, with contingency budgeting for fiscal year 2571 if needed. The Transport Ministry has tasked related agencies to clear debris, soil, and silt from drainage systems and address road obstructions to enhance water discharge and prepare for potential flooding.

Nhuamol Wongahacak delivered an outstanding performance to secure two gold medals and one silver for Thailand's weightlifting team at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on August 8, 2025.

Competing in the women's youth 49-kilogram category, Nhuamol displayed excellent form in the snatch, successfully lifting 73, 75, and 77 kilograms in sequence. She captured a silver medal in this lift and Thailand's first medal of the competition. In the clean and jerk, Nhuamol easily cleared 98 kilograms on her first attempt and 101 kilograms on her second. She attempted 105 kilograms on her third try but the lift was ruled invalid. Her best of 101 kilograms was still enough to secure a gold medal, with a combined total of 178 kilograms earning another gold.

Other notable performances included Angeline Colonia of the Philippines, who won one gold in snatch at 80 kilograms and two silvers in clean and jerk at 93 kilograms for a total of 173 kilograms, and Alexandra Ann Diaz of the Philippines, who took two bronze medals in snatch at 77 kilograms and a total of 169 kilograms. Hoi Ga of Vietnam earned one bronze in clean and jerk at 93 kilograms.

In the men's youth 60-kilogram category, Kritiphong Toshlor completed with a snatch of 101 kilograms (8th place), clean and jerk of 124 kilograms (8th place), and a total of 225 kilograms (7th place). Jerick Icon Castro of the Philippines dominated the men's youth 60-kilogram division, winning three golds with a snatch of 115 kilograms, a clean and jerk of 144 kilograms—setting a new Asian youth record and surpassing the previous standard of 143 kilograms—and a total of 260 kilograms.

Thailand's medal tally now stands at two golds and one silver. The Thai team has additional competitors scheduled throughout the remainder of the championships.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Cherng Talay – Phuket police have fined a Russian manl after a video of a white BMW sedan drifting dangerously in a convenience store parking lot near Surin Beach went viral on social media. The Cherng Talay Police told the Phuket Express. The incident occurred late on August 7th, when the vehicle was seen spinning […] Russian Driver Fined for Reckless BMW Stunt at Surin Beach-VIDEO -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Phuket – Phuket City Police, in coordination with the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office, executed a search warrant and arrested a 25-year-old woman for illegally selling unlicensed weight-loss products online. Official told the Phuket Express. The suspect, identified as Ms. “Ploy” (alias), was apprehended in a rented room in Rassada Subdistrict, Muang District, Phuket. Officers […] Police Arrest Woman in Phuket Selling Illegal Weight-Loss Pens Online -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

Pol. Gen. Tawee Sodsong, leader of the Prachathai Party, posted on Facebook on August 8, 2569, questioning the 2568 local government employee exam cheating scandal and demanding investigation into the "masterminds." He characterized the scandal as "crime to aid criminals," arguing it extends far beyond simple exam fraud. Once the initial wrongdoing occurred and results were announced, posted, and employees hired, a second layer of suspected criminal activity emerged—the alleged tampering with evidence and score files to retroactively justify the fraudulent results and shield the original perpetrators. This secondary action constitutes what Sodsong calls "crime to aid criminals." On June 22, 2569, National Anti-Corruption Commission officers, working with other law enforcement units, executed search warrants at Sammeung Company in Nonthaburi, discovering 11 local officials handling answer sheets and exam score files, seizing numerous items of evidence. The scandal involved approximately 5,960 exam candidates whose status was altered from "failed" to "passed," but the June 22 raid was not the beginning—the results had already been announced, lists posted, and candidates hired into government service, meaning the fraud's impact extended beyond computers into the civil service system and national finances. Sodsong posed a direct question: if results were already announced, lists compiled, and hiring completed, why were officials still manipulating score files and answer sheets afterward? If proven to be an attempt to make source evidence match the announced results to conceal the original fraud, this constitutes not merely exam cheating but an additional layer of criminal conduct to aid and cover for the original perpetrators. The Civil Service Commission later canceled portions of the exam list and compiled a new one for Southern Thailand zones 1 and 2. While correcting the roster may address administrative consequences, it cannot erase prior misconduct and raises further questions: How did failed candidates appear in the announced results? Who prepared the documents, who submitted them, who reviewed them, who approved them, and who ordered it? Officials must also examine those removed from the list for connections to politicians or senior officials—such connections would represent a critical trail leading from the "beneficiaries" to the "masterminds." Evidence also suggests candidates or relatives were charged 450,000 to 1,000,000 baht in exchange for exam passage, list inclusion, or civil service hiring, with potential total losses estimated at 4.5 to 5 billion baht. Investigators must trace both money and power: who demanded payment, who collected it, how was the money distributed, and who received positions, promotions, or authority in return? In criminology, when corruption yields returns in money, position, and power while carrying low punishment risk, it incentivizes further wrongdoing. When passed through networks, corruption reproduces itself and embeds in the system. When money creates power, power creates position, and position reinforces both, the cycle becomes self-perpetuating.

The first night of the merit ceremony for "Hlun Solo," or Bawornthad Pungsuk, a famous travel YouTuber, was held with the Faculty of Political Science at Chulalongkorn University and the alumni association serving as hosts, alongside relatives, government agencies, and neighbors. The family has been deeply touched by the outpouring of support from neighbors and fan club members.

On August 8, 2025, the funeral ceremony took place at the family home in Samoei District, Kalasin Province. Throughout the day, neighbors and fans continued to arrive to offer their condolences to the grandmother, Buasong Pungsuk, and the family. A 53-year-old relative and cook, Chan-Phen, noted that in addition to wreaths from relatives, neighbors, government agencies, and the public, fan club members brought rice, dry goods, pork, fresh fish, fruits, and drinking water to help the family prepare meals for mourners throughout the day.

The meals served were traditional Isan dishes such as som tam pla ra, fried chicken, fried fish, fried pork, and sticky rice, prepared by volunteer cooks from the community. Despite the sorrowful atmosphere, the dedication of those helping the family was evident in their committed efforts.

Many fans expressed that beyond Hlun's YouTube success, they came to help because they admired his integrity, gratitude, and filial devotion to his grandmother and family. Despite coming from a poor background, he remained dedicated to his studies and earned a full scholarship to study at Chulalongkorn University. His creative presentation of travel content exploring destinations around the world inspired many who could not travel themselves, making him a role model for both young and old.

A 59-year-old fan from Nako District, Kalasin, stated that she was proud and deeply admired Hlun, considering him a humanitarian figure worthy of emulation for his ability to share stories and places from around the world with people who might never have the opportunity to visit them.

The first night's chanting ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m., hosted by the Faculty of Political Science and its alumni association, with Associate Professor Sirat Adsukul, Vice Dean of the Faculty, representing the university. The ceremony includes participation from local government officials, fan club members, relatives, and neighbors. Merit-making activities continue from August 8-10, 2025, with the cremation ceremony scheduled for August 11 at Wat Rang Si Chatchawal in Samoei District, Kalasin Province.