Deputy Prime Minister Pokkrong Niltaprabhand gave an interview on August 18, 2025, at Government House regarding gun control measures ordered by the Prime Minister. He said the Interior Ministry had requested consultation on August 17 and will coordinate with the Secretariat of the Legislation Drafting Commission. When asked whether controls should cover possession, carrying, and all related aspects, Pokkrong said oversight must extend from import, sales, and ownership to licensing and use. Control must also cover ammunition and facilities where firearms are stored to prevent leakage. The licensing system needs complete overhaul, as the current manual system has issued duplicate permits with no tracking. A technology-based system would speed approvals, improve control, and identify vulnerabilities.

When asked whether the estimated 10 million firearms currently in Thailand will not increase, Pokkrong said no new approvals will be issued. He divided responsibility into three parts: gun shops must be accountable for sales controls like in other countries; employees must help the state enforce rules, including assessing buyers' mental health—an area previously neglected; and officials must be monitored more strictly. However, he acknowledged the difficulty given that many firearms have already leaked into the black market, so the public must be urged not to act emotionally.

Pokkrong said the Interior Ministry's proposal to allow firearm returns without penalty—similar to an unregistered gun being surrendered for amnesty under Section 4 of the law—is part of current efforts. He cited Australia's experience after the Port Arthur massacre, where the federal government implemented a buyback program, though some states rejected it and buyback prices were often lower than purchase prices. He noted that gun violence is not unique to Thailand and depends on whether users exercise judgment rather than impulse. When asked if a properly registered system would prevent firearms from being pawned, Pokkrong said firearms cannot legally be pawned in the first place.

On the morning of August 18, 2025, at 08:30, Nirapon Yenprasert, a candidate for Nonthaburi Provincial Administration Organization governor from the Royal Bees group, submitted his candidacy. Provincial councillors from various districts came to present flowers and offer encouragement in support of Nirapon. After filing and receiving approval from the Election Commission, Nirapon was assigned candidate number 1.

Nirapon revealed that he is running to continue the legacy of his late grandfather, Pol. Maj. Gen. Thongchai Yenprasert, a former provincial governor. He aims to advance policies in education, public health, and environmental protection, with further details to be announced at a later policy forum. He expressed confidence in his team's unity and readiness despite the short campaign timeframe, emphasizing that he is serious about serving Nonthaburi residents and will implement the former governor's plans.

Nirapon stressed that he is a native of Nonthaburi, educated there, and feels a responsibility to carry on his grandfather's vision. His sister, Pattharaporn Yenprasert, noted that the family remains in mourning but believes her brother is well-qualified to lead. She explained that allowing him to run will help fulfill their late father's plans for education and other initiatives already established by the former governor.

On August 18, a Facebook user posted a plea for help locating her sister in the Thai Community in Dubai job board and trading group, along with a photo of her sister with an unidentified man. The post requests assistance from anyone in Dubai or the United Arab Emirates. The family is searching for their sister, known by the nickname Um, or Sudaratana Prajchai, who moved to Dubai and was believed to be living with her Bangladeshi boyfriend.

The family has been unable to contact her for approximately three weeks, which is completely out of character as she normally communicates regularly with her mother. She has now blocked her mother and all family members across all communication channels, leaving the family unaware of her whereabouts or wellbeing. The family is deeply concerned for her safety. Anyone who has seen her, knows her, or has information about her residence or workplace in Dubai is urged to contact the family at 086-399-7529.

Even small pieces of information about her accommodation, friends, acquaintances, or recent sightings are important to the family. The family is asking for the post to be shared widely to reach Thai nationals and those in Dubai. They are grateful to anyone who can help locate their sister.

Model Lukkad Metinee has expressed pride in her son Skai Gingphoyum Sharpless, who won silver and shattered Thailand's youth record in the 200-metre individual medley at the 2026 Asian Age Group Championships. She revealed that Skai began competing from age six and is now training intensively after a brief holiday in the Maldives following his record-breaking achievement at 17 years old. Lukkad emphasized her support for Skai as he navigates increased public attention and pressure, and disclosed his ultimate goal is to compete at the Olympics. She also addressed recent criticism regarding her appearance on a reality show, stating that it was simply competition and never something she viewed as diminishing her honour, and that she tries to help her son balance being both an athlete and a public figure.

At 6:00 a.m. on August 18, 2025, the Anti-Corruption Commission launched coordinated raids led by Deputy Secretary-General Siripong Sritula, working with the Prime Minister's Office's anti-corruption unit, the Department of Local Administration, and the Royal Thai Police. Officers arrested civil servants and brokers from Din Daeng district office accused of illegally registering foreign nationals, mostly children under 15 years old, for pink ID cards (numbers starting with 7).

The investigation revealed that Din Daeng district office issued over 2,347 pink ID cards numbered with 7 between 2024 and 2025—an unusually high number. Authorities conducted seven search operations across Bangkok and Pathum Thani province. The case emerged following a similar arrest of a sub-district administrator in Wang Noi, Ayutthaya, in March 2025.

Operations targeted three named officials and brokers involved in bringing foreign children aged 5-15 into false household registrations at a single flat. Nearly 200 foreign children were registered at one location, with over 1,366 total names found across 44 rooms at the apartment building, despite each unit measuring only 30-40 square meters. Authorities conducted seven concurrent searches at related locations and residences of civil servants authorized to approve pink ID card issuance. The scheme appears widespread, involving multiple districts, and authorities plan further coordinated investigations involving the Anti-Corruption Commission, Department of Local Administration, Thai police, and Bangkok authorities.

The Meteorological Department warned of heavy to very heavy rain in parts of Thailand on Tuesday, with thunderstorms forecast to cover up to 60% of some regions, including Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

A monsoon trough is moving southward across upper Laos toward a low-pressure cell over northern Vietnam, while the southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand is strengthening. The forecast covers the 24-hour period from 06:00 on 18 August to 06:00 on 19 August.

Residents in affected areas were advised to beware of heavy to very heavy rainfall and accumulated rain, which could trigger flash floods, forest runoff and overflowing waterways, particularly in foothill areas, near waterways and in low-lying areas.

Waves in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand will be moderate, with waves in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf around 2 meters high, rising above 2 meters during thunderstorms. Boaters were advised to exercise caution and avoid areas experiencing thunderstorms.

In the North, thunderstorms are forecast over 40% of the area, with isolated heavy rain expected in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Lampang, Phrae and Tak. Temperatures will range from 22-28°C, with highs of 32-36°C and southwest winds reaching 10-20 kph.

The Northeast will see thunderstorms covering 60% of the region, with heavy rain in Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani, and very heavy rain in Bueng Kan and Nakhon Phanom. Temperatures will range from 24-26°C, with highs of 33-36°C and southwest winds reaching 10-20 kph.

In the Central region, thunderstorms will cover 40% of the area, mainly in Kanchanaburi and Saraburi. Temperatures will range from 24-27°C, with highs of 35-37°C and southwest winds reaching 10-25 kph.

The East will experience thunderstorms covering 60% of the region, with heavy rain in Nakhon Nayok and Chanthaburi and isolated very heavy rain in Trat. Temperatures will range from 22-26°C, with highs of 31-35°C, southwest winds reaching 20-35 kph, and waves around 2 meters high, rising above 2 meters during thunderstorms.

On the east coast of the South, thunderstorms will cover 30% of the area, mainly in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Yala and Narathiwat. Temperatures will range from 23-26°C, with highs of 33-36°C, southwest winds reaching 15-35 kph, and waves of 1-2 meters offshore, around 2 meters, rising above 2 meters during thunderstorms.

On the west coast of the South, thunderstorms will cover 40% of the area, mainly in Ranong, Phang Nga, Trang and Satun. Temperatures will range from 23-26°C, with highs of 31-34°C. From Ranong northward, southwest winds will reach 20-35 kph with waves around 2 meters and above 2 meters during thunderstorms. From Phang Nga southward, winds will reach 15-35 kph with waves of 1-2 meters, rising above 2 meters during thunderstorms.