On August 20, 2025, at Parliament, Deputy Interior Minister Vorasit Liaengprasert discussed the Dinso district case in which foreign workers were issued counterfeit pink employment cards in exchange for payments to officials. He stated that the actual figures far exceed the roughly 100 cases found in Dinso, which marks only the beginning of the investigation. The crackdown will expand to other areas nationwide.

When asked how many similar cases exist across Thailand, Vorasit said he did not dare estimate because the numbers are too high and tallying remains incomplete. However, authorities have set clear targets and will prosecute all identified cases. Seven arrest warrants have been issued targeting three groups: corrupt officials, brokers (who are the main architects), and landlords providing housing for workers.

"Sometimes foreign workers coming in don't know anything about it. The brokers tell them to come, to pay this amount of money, and they will handle it. The process is complex and requires detailed investigation," Vorasit said.

When asked about typical broker fees, Vorasit said they range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of baht depending on the circumstances. He noted that the case likely involves the Labour Ministry as well, since that agency registers foreign workers. The investigation coordinates across multiple agencies to simplify verification and ensure comprehensive coverage.

Udon Thani student reports ex over knife threat, assaultLegacyPolice officers rushed to rescue a nursing student at her family home in Udon Thani after her ex-boyfriend threatened her with a knife and attempted to rape her yesterday, August 19. Officers at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station received a report from a rescue team radio centre about a night-time trespassing and attempted rape at a house in Ban Lueam subdistrict, Mueang district at around 4am yesterday. Upon arrival, officers detained the 43 year old Thai man, Jieawut, in the bedroom of the victim, a 22-year-old nursing student. Police searched his shoulder bag, finding a knife. Jirawat asked the officers to leave, insisting that he was the nursing student’s boyfriend and that they had just had an argument, as they often did. He said that he had come to her home in an attempt to reconcile. However, the student denied it, saying she had already ended the relationship. Photo via Channel 7 The student explained that she first met Jirawut through Facebook in April. They chatted online before meeting in person. He courted her repeatedly until she agreed to date him. She investigated his background and discovered that he had a wife and child. Accordingly, she ended the relationship because she felt sorry for his wife and child and wanted him to return to them. Jirawut refused to end the relationship, instead choosing to abandon his wife and child. He moved into her home and threatened her if she tried to end the relationship. According to the student, Jirawut became jealous and physically assaulted her repeatedly. Her family had to intervene and ask Jirawat to leave her alone. Unfortunately, he had been harassing her and her family, and he eventually broke into her home yesterday. Photo via Channel 7 She said Jirawut attempted to rape her, but she managed to escape to her sister’s room and asked for help. The student added that Jirawat was unemployed and addicted to gambling. She also witnessed him taking methamphetamine, locally known as yaba, multiple times during their relationship. The victim insisted she wanted to pursue legal action against him. Officers initially charged Jirawut with drug use, night-time trespassing, unlawful detention, and carrying a knife in a public area. Police said the sexual assault charge would be considered later after the victim undergoes a medical examination. Photo via Channel 7 Related newsd

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Muang Thai Insurance is advancing its health service offerings by expanding health insurance claims through the iClaim digital system at participating state hospitals, enabling customers to receive treatment without prepaying cash and connecting them to a nationwide network of public facilities for more convenient and appropriate care options.

Sarana Lumsam, Chief Executive Officer of Muang Thai Insurance Public Company Limited, stated that the company is reinforcing its position as a leader in life and health protection with comprehensive services, aiming to be a lifelong partner to customers under the Longevity Economy concept. He emphasized that the company prioritizes improving access to health services that are convenient, efficient, and financially burden-free, ensuring that when illness strikes, cost concerns and administrative procedures do not become obstacles to timely treatment.

Recently, Muang Thai Insurance has upgraded its claims service for both outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) treatment through a cashless claim system without prepayment, within the coverage limits specified in the insurance policy. The company is collaborating with White Play Limited, the digital health insurance claims provider operating the iClaim system, to further strengthen cashless claims services across the state hospital network while offering faster rights verification and claims processing for full customer peace of mind.

The iClaim digital health insurance claims system was developed to streamline the claims process, making it convenient, fast, and transparent while reducing patient expenses, improving hospital operational efficiency, and expanding treatment benefits. Through iClaim, hospitals coordinate medical treatment costs and documentation directly with the insurance company for rights verification, eliminating the need for patients to prepare savings, emergency funds, or credit card limits for advance payment or to collect documents for later reimbursement claims. This reduces steps and worry during a time when full attention should focus on recovery.

Currently, over 400 state hospitals are connected to the iClaim system, including Lamphang Hospital, Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital, Saraburi Hospital, Chao Phraya Yommaraj Hospital, Samut Sakhon Hospital, Ratchaburi Hospital, Rayong Hospital, Phra Pokklao Hospital, Samut Prakan Hospital, Chonburi Hospital, Roi Et Hospital, Khon Kaen Hospital, Sakon Nakhon Hospital, Udon Thani Hospital, Chaiyaphum Hospital, Surin Hospital, Maha Ratchanakhorn Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, Sisaket Hospital, Sanpasitprasoeng Hospital, and Maha Ratchanakhorn Si Thammarat Hospital.

The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) released flood simulation maps for Muang Nan district on August 20 to assist in assessing and monitoring the flood situation. The maps are based on water level forecasts at monitoring station N.1 (Nai Wiang subdistrict), which are expected to reach 201.50 meters above mean sea level. As of 10 p.m. on August 19, water levels at station N.1 had already exceeded 200 meters. The simulation maps use color coding to indicate flood depth across different areas: light blue for shallow flooding (0.5 to 1 meter), blue to dark blue for moderate flooding (1 to 3 meters), dark blue to navy for deep flooding (3 to 5 meters), and dark red for severe flooding (over 5 meters, mainly along riverbeds and low-lying areas). The maps also display critical spatial data including roads, water sources, buildings, schools, and hospitals. This information is essential for local authorities and residents to plan evacuations, move valuables to higher ground, avoid cut-off routes, and coordinate rescue efforts effectively. The public and relevant agencies can access additional disaster information by scanning QR codes on the maps or visiting the GISTDA disaster website at http://disaster.gistda.or.th to monitor the situation closely.

Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) has partnered with the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) to open an additional Easy Pass lane at the Chiang Rak tollbooth on the Udon Ratchathani Expressway, serving both inbound and outbound traffic on lane 1 to expedite travel for users.

The inbound Chiang Rak lane opens from August 23, 2026 at midnight onwards. The outbound Chiang Rak lane opens from September 4, 2026 at midnight onwards.

Expressway users can obtain further information by calling 02 567 5679–80 at the Udon Ratchathani Expressway Control Center, the EXAT Call Center at 1543, or by following BEM Bangkok Expressway and Metro on Facebook and X.

The Commerce Ministry has ordered provincial commerce offices in flood-affected areas to strictly monitor supplies of drinking water and food, prohibiting shortages and price gouging. Deputy Permanent Secretary Chakra Yodmanee revealed that flooding, flash floods, and landslides in Nan Province have affected over 4,500 households, particularly in Pua, Tha Wang Pha, Wiang Sa, Phu Phiang, Santi Suk, and Mueang Nan districts, while Phayao Province is also experiencing overbank flooding and flash flooding in Pong District. The situation requires continued close monitoring.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Sutthamnandh has expressed concern for flood-affected citizens and instructed the Department of Internal Trade and provincial commerce offices to provide comprehensive relief. Agencies are coordinating to mobilize essential goods, food, and drinking water for distribution to disaster areas. The Commerce Ministry has ordered provincial commerce offices to monitor market supplies and prices of essential consumer goods—particularly drinking water, dried food, and general provisions—ensuring adequate stock while strictly prohibiting merchants from raising prices, hoarding, or refusing to sell goods.

In other areas at risk of flash flooding and temporary flooding, including Sukhothai, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampoon, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Tak, Phetchabun, Loei, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chanthaburi, and Trat, the Commerce Ministry has ordered provincial commerce offices to monitor conditions and report continuously while standing ready to assist residents immediately if needed. Citizens who experience unfair pricing or product shortages can file complaints with the Internal Trade Department hotline at 1569 or their provincial commerce office.