The National Water Resources Office is investing 210 billion baht in the lower Huay Luang water management project, a critical initiative to solve flooding and drought problems in Udon Thani and Nong Khai provinces. NWRO Secretary-General Chayant Mueangsoong revealed this after visiting the Ban Dan Muang pumping station in Phon Phisai district, Nong Khai province, on August 4, 2025. The project is anchored by the Ban Dan Muang pumping station, which is over 85% complete and designed to manage water flow in two directions. During the rainy season, ten pumps will discharge water from Huay Luang into the Mekong River with a combined capacity of 150 cubic meters per second. During the dry season, the station will pump water from the Mekong back into the system for local storage and use. "Whenever any component is finished, we will begin operating it to help residents immediately, without waiting for the entire project to be completed," Mueangsoong said. He noted that land acquisition and COVID-19 had delayed the project, prompting the National Water Resources Committee to approve an extension through 2025. The extended timeline will cover an additional 20 water-retention pond sites and river improvements to increase total system storage capacity to over 250 million cubic meters, benefiting more than 300,000 rai of agricultural land. The NWRO intends to use the "Huay Luang Model" as a template for similar projects across the northeast. The broader lower Huay Luang basin development project in Nong Khai and Udon Thani is approximately 25% complete and includes the Ban Dan Muang pumping station, 82 kilometers of water-retention dams, and 35 water-retention ponds to manage water for agricultural areas during both rainy and dry seasons. Mueangsoong noted that El Niño is currently reducing rainfall by about 10%, so the NWRO is coordinating daily with the Meteorological Department and the Water Resources Information Institute to assess conditions and manage water through a dynamic curve system. The Irrigation Department has been tasked with maximizing water retention in Huay Luang. Sunton Khamsrimueang, director of Large-Scale Irrigation Construction Office 5 under the Irrigation Department, explained that the area's main challenge is flooding during the rainy season, which prevents farmers from growing rice, while all water drains into the Mekong during the dry season. The project is designed to use the pumping station at the mouth of Huay Luang to control flow and utilize the waterway as the primary reservoir. When the spillway gates are completed, water storage during the dry season will reach 160 meters above mean sea level, representing approximately 138 million cubic meters—enough to significantly ease water shortages for local residents. Thammapong Naowbut, director of the NWRO Region 3 office, stated that the NWRO Region 3 uses the Northeastern Mekong River Basin Committee as the primary mechanism for monitoring and overseeing the project to align with the master water resources management plan, coordinating with the Irrigation Department and related agencies to drive progress. The NWRO is also advancing the master plan for water resources management in the northeastern Mekong basin, covering 15 provinces.

Many believe that once someone falls into drug addiction, their life is ruined forever. But in Ta Itsai Community in Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, residents are proving that opportunity and community strength can genuinely rehabilitate those who have gone astray.

On February 21, 2025, Dr. Jadej Thammadhatchaari, Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office (NHSO), along with Dr. Sarayut Boonchaipanichawattana, Director of the National Institute for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts (NITRA), and Dr. Somchat Sujitrang, Regional Director of NHSO Zone 4 Saraburi, visited the CBTx Ta Itsai program—a community-based treatment and rehabilitation model for drug users. Local officials including Ta Itsai Municipality Mayor Prida Chueaphudit and Village Head Kasama Ta Itsai presented the community's transformation from a high-risk area into a multicultural harmony zone.

From Red Zone to Multicultural Harmony Village Head Kasama Ta Itsai recalled that in the past, Ta Itsai was a cramped, closed community facing severe drug problems. About 40 percent of residents had fallen into drug addiction, leading to disputes, theft, and domestic violence that created long-standing fear and mistrust.

However, Ta Itsai Community has a population of 16,608 people (6,617 households) embracing religious diversity. It includes Muslim communities (Groups 6, 7, 10), Buddhist communities (Groups 1–4), and multicultural Buddhist-Christian-Muslim communities (Groups 5, 8, 9), with four temples, one mosque, and one Christian church as spiritual centers.

This diversity has been refined through the concept of "white multicultural harmony," transforming differences into collective care strength and leaving no one behind. The Ta Itsai Mosque serves as the spearhead and spiritual center connecting family trust with concrete health services and support networks.

Not Just Suppression, But Treatment with Faith and Rehabilitation Through Systems The CBTx Ta Itsai model's distinguishing feature is that it does not turn patients into "outsiders" but instead treats them in their actual communities through two key mechanisms:

Treatment with Faith: Relying on trust, family strength, and religious principles to support the spirit and reduce stigma, creating a safe space for patients to seek help.

Rehabilitation Through Systems: Integrating all sectors from screening and rehabilitation planning to vocational training, home visits, and continuous follow-up through five critical steps: (1) identification and screening, (2) counseling and rehabilitation, (3) family and community care, (4) network coordination, and (5) continuous follow-up.

Dr. Jadej Thammadhatchaari, Secretary-General of NHSO, stated that drug problems cannot be solved by a single agency. Multi-sector integration and support for strong communities is the answer.

"NHSO's important role is to support communities in strengthening their capacity to care for drug patients within the community itself. We provide budget support through the Local Health Security Fund (LHSF) available nationwide so communities can learn to provide care and use their own context to solve drug problems in their communities. Drug problems cannot be solved by any single agency alone; multiple agencies must work together."

MK Restaurants has teamed up with budget airline AirAsia this August to thank loyal customers with the "MK Takes Mom to Eat and Win a Japan Flight" campaign, offering 10 round-trip prizes to five popular Japanese cities worth 680,000 baht total. Customers can enter by ordering the signature sukiyaki set or spending 899 baht or more per receipt (after discounts) at any MK Restaurants location nationwide—except MK Gold, MK Live, MK Premium Buffet, and MK Paradise—between August 1-31, 2025. Members earn two chances to win per receipt, while non-members get one. Winners will receive two-seat prizes to Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Okinawa (two prizes per city), with results announced September 11 and travel permitted from September 12 to December 31, 2025. Additionally, during Mother's Day week (August 10-16), customers ordering the "Mom's Travel Sukiyaki Set" or any menu totaling 1,299 baht or more receive a free duck-shaped neck pillow (worth 299 baht) as a gift, while supplies last.

On August 4, Justice Minister Lt. Gen. Rutpol Naowhirat discussed the case of People's Party MP Phawuth Pongsitthiphanu, who appeared before the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). The DSI discovered that financial data in the case had changed from 28 million baht to 33 million baht, relating to loan transactions, prompting a need for further fact-checking. When asked about findings from a QRS Global company server, the minister said it contained comprehensive data and the DSI was expected to uncover significant evidence from it, though details would await the investigation's completion. Regarding when charges could be filed after summons were issued, Rutpol stated that was uncertain because evidence and witness lists continue to expand. The investigation is currently working to examine key individuals, but additional suspects, witnesses, and persons of interest must still be questioned, with the witness pool expected to grow further. When asked if Phawuth's upcoming statement two weeks away would be his last, the minister said it was unclear, but noted that Phawuth has denied all allegations connected to the scamming ring. Former politician and actor Ratchaphoom Tokkongthrap, known as Film, also denied the allegations when he appeared before the DSI.

National Police Commissioner General Kittiphat Phanphetch addressed allegations on August 4, 2026, confirming that police conducted a thorough investigation into the five-murder case involving the suspect. He explained that the investigation began with preliminary questioning, expanded to cases involving foreign nationals, and uncovered additional crimes. The Commissioner expressed regret that a person with such a violent criminal history remains in Thailand but acknowledged legal constraints on police action.

When asked about a witness's claim that the suspect was once a police informant, General Kittiphat said he immediately ordered the Thonglor police station to accept a complaint from the whistleblower. He stated that police are verifying the identity of the alleged officer, noting the informant relationship dates back approximately ten years to 2013-2016. The Commissioner stressed that if any officer is found to have hired criminals as informants, decisive action will follow. He added that the suspected officer likely retired and is under verification by Chachoengsao provincial police. General Kittiphat emphasized that police follow proper investigative procedures and do not favor anyone, but will take action based on evidence if wrongdoing is confirmed.

Seven large sinkholes have emerged in farmland in Phu Pha Man district, Khon Kaen province, alarming local residents and prompting authorities to investigate the cause. The sinkholes were reported on 4 August 2026 in Ban Wang Charoen, Village 2, Huai Muang subdistrict, in an agricultural area used by local residents. An initial survey found seven sinkholes at the site, each reportedly large and deep, with signs that the affected areas could continue to expand. The incident has caused concern among residents, who fear further ground collapses in the area. District chief Siwakorn Mitrat assigned officials to inspect the site alongside the Huai Muang Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and community leaders. The affected area is approximately 12 kilometres from Phu Pha Man cliff and the district centre. Authorities said tourist attractions in the area remain safe and have not been affected by the incident. Officials are continuing to inspect the site and assess the situation.