Deputy Transport Minister Sarpetch Bunyamani announced on August 16 that the State Railway of Thailand has approved the approach for Phase 2 of the southern double-track railway project, covering three routes totaling 534 kilometers. The network will connect Chumphon, Surat Thani, Hat Yai, and Padang Besar at the Thai-Malaysian border. The railway is expected to be presented to the cabinet during a provincial meeting in Songkhla on September 1, 2025.

The project comprises three segments: Chumphon-Surat Thani (168 km), Surat Thani to Hat Yai junction-Songkhla (321 km), and Hat Yai junction-Padang Besar (45 km). The initial construction phase will prioritize 504 kilometers at a total cost of 106.798 billion baht, while the Hat Yai junction-Songkhla section (30 km) will be considered in later phases due to dense residential settlement in the area.

The project has been redesigned following the November 2024 flooding in Hat Yai, with some sections converted from ground-level track to elevated bridges (approximately 3 km) and raised embankments (approximately 2 km) to improve flood resilience and reduce service disruption. Sarpetch emphasized that the investment must address long-term infrastructure needs while applying lessons from recent floods.

The Chumphon-Surat Thani segment (168 km, 36.892 billion baht) is expected to take five years of construction from July 2027 to June 2032. The Surat Thani-Hat Yai junction section (291 km, 61.534 billion baht) requires six years from July 2027 to June 2033, and the Hat Yai junction-Padang Besar stretch (45 km, 8.371 billion baht) is planned for four years from July 2027 to June 2031. The deferred Hat Yai-Songkhla segment (30 km, 15.922 billion baht) awaits future evaluation due to competing transport and urban development priorities in the region.

At 12:30 p.m. on August 16, 2025, a tree fell within the grounds of Phra Si Sanphet Temple in Ayutthaya province, a major tourist attraction with continuous visitor traffic. The incident injured four tourists. The incident was reported via the JS100 Radio Facebook page, initially indicating that a tree within the temple grounds fell and struck visitors in the area, resulting in multiple injuries. Volunteer officials immediately inspected the area and provided emergency assistance to the injured. All four injured persons were transported to Ayutthaya Hospital for urgent treatment. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the tree's collapse and whether it was related to weather conditions or other factors. Officials are conducting inspections of the surrounding area to assess safety and prevent recurrence of such incidents. Further details about the incident and the conditions of the four tourists will be reported later.

Emirati men flee Phuket police checkpointLegacyTwo foreign nationals have been arrested in Phuket after allegedly fleeing a police checkpoint, kicking an officer’s motorcycle, and causing the officer to crash during a pursuit through Kathu district. The chase began at around 1pm on August 13 at the Si Kor checkpoint on Phra Barami Road. Police said a black Honda ADV 160 carrying two men was travelling from Patong towards the Si Kor intersection when officers signalled the rider to stop for a licence check. The rider allegedly accelerated through the checkpoint instead. Police Sergeant Major Siwayot Yodrabam followed the motorcycle towards Phra Phuket Kaew Road. Near Kathu Municipality, officers again ordered the pair to stop, but the passenger allegedly kicked Siwayot’s motorcycle with his left foot, unbalancing it. The pursuit continued towards a duty-free store, where the suspects allegedly rode against oncoming traffic before turning into a side street. They then reportedly cut in front of the pursuing police motorcycle, causing Siwayot to crash. He suffered injuries, and his clothing, glasses and motorcycle were damaged. Siwayot continued the chase until the suspects abandoned their motorcycle and fled on foot. Police searched the surrounding area and later found both men walking nearby. They were identified as a 21 year old Emirati national, Sohaill, who had allegedly been riding the motorcycle, and a 20 year old Emirati national, Hamad Saif Rashed, the passenger. Police informed both men of the allegations and their legal rights before taking them, along with the motorcycle, to Kathu Police Station, where they were handed to investigators for further legal proceedings. Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail In another separate incident, a Phuket checkpoint search finds a gun and bullets under a BMW seat. Mueang Phuket officials discovered a CZ firearm and 30 rounds of 9mm ammunition hidden beneath the driver’s seat during a security check in Koh Kaew on August 10. The 29 year old driver could not produce a licence or carry permit. He now faces firearms charges and was taken to Mueang Phuket Police Station. The story Emirati men flee Phuket police checkpoint as seen on Thaiger News.

At Noen Yang Pracha Samakkhom School in Kalasin on August 16, Yodsanan Wongsawat, a Pheu Thai list MP, along with party colleagues and Nathawut Saiyakuea, took the stage to campaign for Chelomkwan Lortrakul, candidate number one for Kalasin Provincial Governor under the Pheu Thai banner.

Nathawut recalled that in 2022 he had helped campaign for Chelomkwan, who was elected governor. He then drew an analogy, saying a provincial governor should be like a pearl—something precious and beautiful—not a container left empty. He characterized Chelomkwan as a lifelong party member, tracing her lineage back through the Thai Rak Thai era and her father, former governor Yongyuth Lortrakul, and stressed that the party must rally behind its loyal members.

Nathawut emphasized that he had remained steadfast in his party allegiance through political upheaval, and urged Kalasin residents to stick with Chelomkwan. He noted that he recently attended a funeral in Ubon with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who sent his regards to Kalasin and expressed hope to visit in the future.

Party member Yodsanan Wongsawat echoed the sentiment, saying that while the past few months had brought major changes, his commitment to Kalasin had never wavered. He stressed that the most important thing was for Kalasin to win and to elect a governor who understands grassroots problems, can work continuously, and can coordinate across all groups. He added that people cannot wait, and the elected governor must hit the ground running with clear policies on day one.

CHIANG RAI — 15 August 2026. The Wiang Thoeng Subdistrict Municipality in Thoeng district issued an overnight warning after the water level rose slightly above the 7-metre watch threshold.

As of 22:00 on 15 August, the water level stood at 7.05 metres, 0.05 metres above the watch level. The highest level recorded over the previous 24 hours was 7.05 metres, while the lowest was 6.80 metres.

Officals said the water level was rising slightly at about 2 centimetres per hour, although the overall situation remained relatively stable compared with the previous day.

Weather forecasts indicated a 53% chance of rain in Thoeng district over the following three hours, with expected rainfall of around 0.0 millimetres.

Residents living along waterways and in low-lying areas were advised to monitor the water level overnight and keep belongings elevated as a precaution. The municipality also urged residents to closely monitor children, elderly people and bedridden patients in their homes throughout the night.

Residents were advised to follow updates and announcements from the Wiang Thoeng Subdistrict Municipality. Anyone requiring emergency assistance can contact the municipality immediately.

Police have revealed that a suspect known as 'Pa Da' remains uncontactable, while other people involved in the incident face potential charges for unlawful assembly if they do not come forward. On August 16, Deputy Superintendent Yoswat Kaewsubthanit of Muang Khon Kaen Police Station disclosed that investigators had issued a summons to Chommani Noijuntan, also known as Da, 62 years old, on charges of unlawful assembly, with the first hearing scheduled for August 27. However, there has been no contact from the suspect.

Several witnesses have already completed their statements, including a cement truck driver, driver's assistant, and a building material shop owner who sold pipes and cement. Investigators are still seeking two van drivers and passengers believed to reside in Bangkok, for whom summonses have also been issued.

Deputy Superintendent Yoswat further stated that any other individuals involved in the incident, whether or not they have been summoned, should come forward to give statements to investigators. Those who fail to do so will be considered accomplices and charged with unlawful assembly alongside the main suspects.

Regarding a separate matter involving the issuance of replacement land title deeds at Khon Kaen Provincial Land Office, police are receiving reports after a temple submitted objections with the original deed. Officers have not yet received a formal complaint from the land official, but will proceed with the case once a complaint is filed.