Deputy Prime Minister Songsakdi Thongsuree outlined a nine-point water management plan for Northeast Thailand's 20 provinces on August 10, 2025, at Government House. He said all provinces are preparing preventive measures and disaster response based on lessons from past flooding, including designated evacuation shelters and flood-prone area mapping. Thailand has 22 river basins, and the deputy PM stressed the need to address both flooding (excess water) and drought (insufficient supply) simultaneously through water retention projects.

One major obstacle is that dredging natural water sources generates soil classified as state property, discouraging local authorities from undertaking projects. The Ministry of Interior previously allowed contractors to use excavated soil, but after soil became commercially valuable, new regulations are being drafted to offset excavation costs and accelerate projects.

Regarding the high Mekong River water levels, Songsakdi acknowledged that upstream dam operators currently release water first and notify Thailand afterward, rather than providing advance notice for preparedness. He called on the Foreign Ministry to negotiate with riparian nations for prior notification before water releases. When asked about proposals to create a separate water ministry, he said such ideas exist but sees no urgent need to separate water affairs from existing structures at this time.

On August 10, Deputy National Police Chief Samran Nualmaha ordered a Phase 6 operation against foreign nominees, targeting pool villas in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The operation, led by senior police officers including Nopsilp Poolsawat, involved over 200 personnel from the Royal Thai Police, Department of Business Development, and Department of Land Resources. Arrest warrants were issued for 45 foreigners and summonses for 39 Thai nationals across 15 search locations. Police arrested 13 suspects from multiple countries, including 3 British, 4 Chinese, 1 Italian, 1 French, 1 Dutch, 1 Austrian, 1 Filipino, and 1 American national.

The primary target was the "A Hua Hin" project, a modern single-family home and pool villa development in Tub Tai subdistrict, Hua Hin district, priced between 10–20 million baht per unit. Investigation revealed 6 companies using Thai nominees as shareholders to conceal foreign ownership of properties. Four companies were identified in Phase 1 and two in Phase 2 of the project. Interrogations showed that foreign nationals sought legal advice to establish companies for property acquisition, believing this arrangement was lawful. Thai nominees admitted they never paid for shares, managed operations, or saw financial documents, confirming the scheme's sole purpose was to mask foreign ownership. Police seized company registration documents, accounting records, computers, mobile phones, and electronic data to trace financial flows and expand investigation to related networks domestically and internationally.

This Phase 6 operation follows five previous phases conducted across six provinces including Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, and Chon Buri. Earlier phases examined 233 land parcels covering over 160 rai, valued at approximately 2,539 million baht, resulting in 133 arrest warrants and 20 court convictions. The National Police Office pledged to continue combating foreign nominee networks and illegal foreign business operations in tourism areas nationwide, while investigating state officials suspected of corruption or complicity. The public is urged to report suspected foreign capital violations to local police or the National Police hotline 1599 available 24/7.

Police and transport officials are stepping up efforts to locate an illegal taxi driver who allegedly intimidated and overcharged a Laotian social media creator 4,500 baht for a trip from Ubon Ratchathani bus station to Chong Mek border post.

The creator posted a video and message of frustration after arriving at Ubon Ratchathani bus station to catch a ride home and send goods to his mother, only to be tricked and threatened by an unlicensed taxi driver operating from within the station. The fare for the approximately 94-kilometer journey was inflated far beyond the normal rate, sparking intense criticism on social media for damaging the province's tourism image.

Reporters met with Police Captain Saksri Krairat, commander of Muang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station, who said that after learning of the incident online, he ordered officers to track down the driver shown in the video for extortion and fare manipulation. He called on anyone who recognizes the driver to report them to police. Officers are actively pursuing the case.

Saksri also stated that police will partner with transport officials to conduct sweeps and arrests of illegal black-plate taxis and unlicensed vehicles operating unlawfully within the bus station. Authorities welcome reports from the public about such vehicles so they can take legal action.

Meanwhile, Jakkarakrithi Tangjintrong, Ubon Ratchathani provincial transport officer, revealed that the incident occurred on August 8 around 7:00 a.m. when a passenger from Laos arrived at Ubon Ratchathani bus station and boarded an onward vehicle to Chong Mek. The passenger unfortunately encountered an illegal black-plate taxi—identified as a four-door pickup—and was charged 4,500 baht after being threatened.

Jakkarakrithi said the transport office has verified the vehicle's license plate number and is issuing a summons to the owner to explain their actions. This violates the 2562 Motor Vehicle Act, which carries a fine of up to 2,000 baht for misusing a vehicle. However, because the incident harms Ubon Ratchathani's image, the transport office has coordinated with police to pursue additional fraud charges and suspend the driver's license to prevent similar tourist extortion cases.

On August 10, 2569, Deputy Police Chief Samran Nualma announced the arrest of a major drug trafficking network operating in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, with coordination from local police. The case resulted from investigating small-scale drug dealers in the area, which led officers to discover a larger trafficking operation smuggling drugs from Suvarnabhumi Airport and staging them in Hua Hin for redistribution.

Police set up a checkpoint on Hua Hin Soi 8 after receiving information about a white BMW vehicle smuggling large quantities of drugs through the area. Officers intercepted the white BMW with Bangkok license plates when the driver attempted to evade the checkpoint and sped away. The vehicle was stopped near a convenience store in Hua Hin.

The driver was identified as a 20-year-old Malaysian national. Officers found multiple pieces of luggage inside the vehicle. The suspect claimed the bags did not belong to him and that he did not know the codes to open them. Police took custody of the vehicle and brought it to the checkpoint, where they conducted a search with the suspect's consent and discovered large quantities of narcotics inside the luggage.

The seized items included crystal methamphetamine weighing approximately 166 kilograms and one white BMW vehicle. Deputy Police Chief Samran stated that he has ordered Hua Hin Police Station to accelerate investigations into the entire drug trafficking network, including all involved parties and transporters. He emphasized that the large seizure reflects the ongoing attempts to smuggle drugs into Thailand, noting that Hua Hin alone seized 166 kilograms while Bangkok has seized up to 1,000 kilograms or one metric ton. He vowed to continue cracking down on and dismantling drug trafficking networks.

Thai League 3 has finalized its structure for the 2026-27 season, dividing into six geographic zones with a total of 69 licensed clubs. The Football Association of Thailand completed its seventh Board of Directors meeting on August 10 at FA Thailand headquarters. Association president Nualprann Lamsam delegated vice-president Yuttana Yimgarun to chair the meeting, which addressed several key agenda items including participation in Thai League 3 for the 2569/70 season and approval of the U-21 Youngster League. The 69 clubs participating in Thai League 3 for 2569/70 are divided into six zones: Northern Zone (12 teams) including Chiang Mai FC, Phichit United 2025, Khlong Luang United, Northern Maesoat United, Mae Jo United, Phitsanulok FC, Chiang Rai TSC FC, Chatitrakan City, Singa Chiang Rai City, Kamphaengphet FC, National Sports University Lamphang Campus, and Pak Nam Po FC. Central Zone (12 teams) includes Pram Bangkok, North Bangkok University, Pathumthani University, Royal Thai Air Force FC, Angthong FC, Chamchuri United, Kasem Bundit University FC, Futera United, Lopburi Poma FC, Singburi Warriors, Ayutthaya PK FC, and Bangkapi FC. Northeastern Zone (12 teams) includes Udon United, Khon Kaen FC, Eastern University of Management and Technology, Ubon Kravens FC, Surin City, Roi Et PB United, Udon-Ban Jaan United, Yasothon FC, Korat City, Khon Kaen Modern Football Club, Issan Fighter FC, and Pitchayaban College. Eastern Zone (11 teams) includes Navy Football Club, Burapha United, Royal Thai Navy Football Club, Custom United, BFB Pattaya City, Plaeng Daeng United, Chachoengsao Hi-Tech FC, Navigoyotin FC, Padrio City, MNK SC, and Ban Bueng FC. Western Zone (12 teams) includes Bangkok FC, Samut Sakhon City, Thonburi United, Suphan Buri FC, Tapphrueang United, Samut Songkhram City, Assumption United, VRN Muang Non FC, Royal Thai Army FC, Hua Hin City, Royal People Football Club, and Phetchaburi PBR U FC. Southern Zone (10 teams) includes Nakhon Si United, FC Yala, Samui United, PSU Surat Thani City, Muang Trang United, Phuket Andaman FC, Chumphon United, Ranong United, Nara FC, and Yala City. The competition format divides into zone rounds to identify the top two teams from each zone, earning 12 teams the right to compete in the Champions League round, which splits into two groups of six teams playing four matches each (two home, two away) without facing teams from their own zone. The top two teams from each Champions League group advance to semi-finals, with the winner earning a championship match while the runner-up competes for third place. The champion and second and third-place finishers from the Champions League earn promotion to Thai League 2 the following season. The board also voted to suspend membership of Ban Khai United and Trat FC, with a recommendation for expulsion to the general assembly. For the U-21 Youngster League (PEA Youngster League) in 2026-27, 16 clubs registered to participate, including defending champion True Bangkok United.

Foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand accumulated 19.15 million from January 1 to August 8, down 2.93% compared to the same period last year, generating 927.7 billion baht in spending. The top five source markets are China (3.21 million), Malaysia (2.44 million), India (1.42 million), Russia (1.12 million), and South Korea (704,000). However, recent data shows recovery signs, with 636,769 foreign visitors entering Thailand between August 2-8, up 12.24% week-on-week and averaging 90,967 daily arrivals. Near-market visitors rose 16.11% to 421,215, while long-haul visitors increased 5.39% to 215,554, driven by China's school closures, holidays in Japan and India, and new flight routes from Dubai and Amsterdam.

Outstanding growth markets during the week include China (128,585, up 20.34%), India (39,216, up 20.15%), and Japan (26,968, up 76.57%), while Malaysia rose 7.78% and South Korea fell 5.17%. The ministry expects arrivals to slow next week as holiday periods end across key markets. The Tourism Ministry is advancing the 'Thailand Travel Plus' domestic stimulus program following private-sector input, aimed at boosting domestic travel and distributing revenue to hotels, restaurants, and businesses in secondary tourism cities.

The preliminary approach involves partial expense support while still determining details on hotel conditions, operator requirements, and service subsidy formats beyond meals. The Krung Thai Bank's 'Pao Tang' digital wallet system will serve as the main platform. Funding sources are under Finance Ministry review, balancing loan versus budgetary allocation to suit the program's objectives and economic conditions. Once the budget envelope is finalized, backend system development and operator registration must be expedited before full program launch.

Minister Surasak emphasized that timing is critical; launching during the green season would fill gaps in tourist demand and distribute revenue more broadly to communities. However, delaying into the high season may require restructuring the measure and soliciting private-sector feedback again. A conclusion on program details, funding, and system readiness is expected this week or by next week at the latest to ensure timely rollout and stimulus impact on the domestic tourism economy.