August 13, 2025 – Deputy Government Spokesperson Patcharadanusmi Thongsaluai revealed that the government is closely monitoring rain and water conditions, particularly in the northern and northeastern regions across 12 provinces between August 13-16. The Irrigation Department has been ordered to prepare machinery, water pumps, equipment, and personnel to assist the public immediately if flooding situations arise. A monsoon trough passing over the upper northern region and northern Laos, combined with a moderately strong southwest monsoon, is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall and accumulated precipitation to many areas. This may cause flash flooding, flash floods, and riverbank overflow, especially in foothill areas, near waterways, and low-lying zones. The 12 provinces requiring special vigilance are Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Mukdahan, Saraburi, Roi Et, Yasothon, Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, Phitsanulok, and Amnat Charoen. Local authorities have been instructed to continuously monitor conditions, assess impacts, and prepare machinery, pumps, and equipment for quick deployment to at-risk areas. Regarding the Chao Phraya River basin, the Irrigation Department continues to closely track upstream water volume and rainfall and will manage water flow in line with conditions to minimize impact on downstream areas. The public in vulnerable areas, including low-lying zones, riverbanks, foothills, and flood-prone areas, are advised to closely follow government warnings. If heavy continuous rainfall or rising water levels occur, residents should prepare to relocate belongings, tools, and agricultural equipment to higher ground. The Irrigation Department will continuously monitor water and weather conditions and coordinate with relevant agencies to assist residents in at-risk areas promptly and prevent or reduce the impact of heavy rain and flooding.

The National Digital Committee for Economy and Society (BDE), led by Secretary-General Wetang Phuangthrap, forecasts that Thailand's digital economy will expand 5.6% in 2025—roughly 2.2 times faster than the overall GDP growth of 2.5% predicted by the Office of Fiscal Policy. "These figures reflect the digital economy's role as a high-potential sector supporting national growth, even as global and Thai economies face challenges from energy costs, geopolitical uncertainty, and volatile world trade," Wetang said.

Digital goods exports are driving much of this expansion, fueled by rising demand for artificial intelligence-related technologies and global business digitalization. Sales of digital exports surged 45% in the first half of 2025, with companies accelerating shipments to the US market ahead of tariff uncertainty. The International Monetary Fund recently named Thailand one of the world's four largest exporters of AI-related hardware.

For 2026, BDE projects digital economy growth of 6.3%, tracking broader global economic forecasts. The IMF expects world GDP to expand 3.4% next year (up from 3.0% in 2025), while the World Trade Organization forecasts global trade growth of 2.6% (up from 1.9% in 2025), assuming Middle East tensions remain contained.

At 12:10 a.m. on August 13, 2025, Bang Pa-in Police Sub-division was alerted to a shooting incident on Rojana Road near a used car sales tent in Bang Pa-in district, Ayutthaya. Deputy Commander Kajapol Fuengkachon and Commander Piphop Napudera led officers including investigation teams and forensic specialists to the scene.

Victim Ballan, 33 (surname withheld), was found with a gunshot wound to the forehead, bleeding heavily and unconscious along the roadside. Officers administered first aid and CPR, coordinating an ambulance to Rajdhani Hospital.

A witness reported seeing two teenagers on motorcycles with similar clothing moments before hearing a gunshot, then finding the victim on the ground as both motorcycles sped away.

Volunteer Ployphirin Kornjanaratt, on duty nearby, heard a gunshot and a shout but could not make out words. She spotted the unconscious victim and called for medical assistance.

CCTV footage revealed two men: one in a red shirt riding a motorcycle with an injured passenger wearing a factory uniform and yellow sling, and another in a dark blue factory uniform on a second motorcycle. When they reached the incident location, the injured man dismounted and the uniformed man drew a firearm and shot him. The red-shirted driver then turned the motorcycle around heading toward Uthai district, while the gunman fled on the same route.

Footage also captured suspicious behavior suggesting the shooter may have handed the weapon to the red-shirted rider before both fled together. Police suspect the red-shirted man may be more involved than simply being a driver, though it remains unclear whether this was a planned ambush. Police have not ruled out any possibility, including the likelihood that both individuals knew the victim. Officers are currently analyzing surrounding CCTV footage, interviewing witnesses, and investigating connections between the two suspects and their relationship to the victim.

On August 13, 2026, the Meteorological Department issued a 24-hour weather forecast predicting continued heavy rainfall in parts of the North, Upper Northeast, Central, and Eastern regions due to a monsoon trough and southwest monsoon system. Residents are warned of dangers from heavy accumulation that may trigger flash floods and flash runoff, especially in foothill and low-lying areas. Waves in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand are expected to reach 2–3 meters, exceeding 3 meters in thunderstorm zones, prompting mariners to exercise caution and small boats to avoid leaving shore.

Regional forecasts show thunderstorms in 60 percent of the North (with heavy falls in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, and Tak); 60 percent of the Upper Northeast (Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom); 40 percent of the Central region (Uthai Thani, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi); and 60 percent of the East (Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Trat) with seas reaching 2–3 meters. The South faces 40 percent thunderstorms on the east coast and 60 percent on the west coast (Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun), with waves of 2–3 meters in the upper Andaman and 1–2 meters in the lower south, both exceeding those heights in storms. Bangkok and vicinity expect 60 percent thunderstorms with localized heavy rain, minimum 25–27°C, maximum 33–35°C, southwest winds 10–25 km/h.

Officers from the Provincial Police Bureau's investigation unit arrested a 27-year-old man from Phu Sing district, Sisaket province, who was wanted for a fatal shooting. The suspect, whose name is being withheld, had been listed as priority case number 74 on the police warrant calendar and had returned to his hometown to hide.

On August 12, 2025, Provincial Police Bureau Commander Theerapat Theerapatthammrung ordered the arrest operation. A court warrant was issued by Sisaket Provincial Court on October 19, 2024, under case number 458/2567. The suspect faces charges of joint murder, illegal firearm possession, ammunition possession, and unlicensed weapons transportation. He was arrested at a rented room in Soi 5, Prai Phattana subdistrict, Phu Sing district, Sisaket province.

The case began on October 18, 2024, when the suspect allegedly quarreled with a rival from a nearby village before using a firearm to shoot and kill him in the Sisaket area. He then fled and moved between several hiding places to evade capture. Police detectives pursued the case continuously for more than six months until they discovered the suspect had returned to hide in Phu Sing district, leading to his arrest.

During preliminary questioning, the suspect confessed to all charges. He has been transferred to Phu Sing Police Station for further legal proceedings.

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen proceeded to Amarinthravinijchaya Throne Hall to perform a merit-making ceremony marking the birthday anniversary of the late Queen Sirikit, the Millennium Queen, on August 12, 2026. Upon arrival, the King lit incense and flowers to pay homage to a Buddha image from the reign of King Rama IX positioned before the hall. The Queen similarly made offerings of incense and flowers to the portrait of Queen Sirikit at the main dais. Thirty Buddhist monks chanted prayers in honor of the late Queen. The King and Queen presented candles and listened as a sermon was delivered on the theme of wisdom. The King then offered robes to the monks in two separate distributions of fifteen and sixteen robes respectively. Following the ceremony, the King and Queen paid further respects to the Buddha image and the Queen's portrait before departing.