Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has stepped up measures to protect dugongs after recording 209 strandings over the past decade, warning that the country's population could fall below 100 by 2030 if current losses continue.

DMCR Director-General Pinsak Suraswadi said the department is expanding its Save Our Dugong programme under Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin's policy to protect rare and endangered marine species and reduce the impact of human activity on marine ecosystems.

The department has identified 12 high-risk areas across five Andaman coast provinces where dugongs face threats from boat strikes and fishing gear. Two urgent measures will be introduced, covering vessel routes and speeds as well as changes to fishing equipment.

Six areas have been identified as being at particular risk from boat collisions: Rassada Pier in Phuket, Bang Rong Pier in Phuket, the Koh Yao Noi–Koh Yao Yai channel in Phang Nga, the Nopparat Thara Beach Pier–Ao Nam Mao Pier route in Krabi, Pak Meng Pier–Koh Muk in Trang, and Koh Libong Pier–Hat Yao in Trang.

Buoys and other markers will be installed to define navigation routes, while speed limits will vary according to distance from shore. Boats travelling within one kilometre of the coast will be limited to 5 knots, within two kilometres to 10 knots and within three kilometres to 20 knots. Speeds will also be limited to 5 knots over seagrass beds and 3 knots over seagrass areas inside national parks.

Another six areas have been identified as being at risk from fishing gear: Koh Chang–Koh Phayam in Ranong, Koh Ra–Koh Phra Thong in Phang Nga, Pa Khlok–Tang Khen in Phuket, Nopparat Thara in Krabi, Koh Sriboya in Krabi, and Koh Muk–Koh Libong in Trang.

The department plans to modify fishing practices to reduce the risk of dugongs becoming entangled or injured. Single crab traps using one trap per buoy will not be allowed in seagrass areas, and buoy lines will be changed to 5mm braided rope to reduce the risk of entanglement.

Parit Awaits EC and DSI Clarification on Withaya's Election Fraud Response

On August 17, 2026, Parit Wacharasindhu, a People's Party list MP and spokesperson, posted through his social media account stating: Questions for the Election Commission and DSI following the statement by local leader Withaya Kampuang regarding senator election fraud allegations.

This morning many people saw the statement by local leader Withaya Kampuang in various media outlets regarding video evidence that I presented about an organized senator election fraud scheme.

The most significant part of his statement was Withaya's admission that he is the person in the video (an incident at the B2 Rangsit Hotel before the nationwide senator election), and his explanation of various statements from the clip that many people questioned, such as: – "It's unbelievable that we got the most senators" – "Our network is longer than this" – "We're doing this for those above" – "Don't be afraid because those above [...] – otherwise the EC would already announce it null and void" – "Military-affiliated senior figures also came in" (Those interested can hear Withaya's full statement via the link in comments)

Whether such an explanation is reasonable or convincing is for the public to judge themselves.

However, I see there are two other factual matters that Withaya denied but I still have doubts about:

1. What relationship does Withaya have with the Bhumjaithai Party? – Withaya stated in an interview that he has no special relationship or involvement with Bhumjaithai Party (though he appreciates the party's "half-per-person-plus" policy), and photos appearing with Bhumjaithai ministers such as Songsakdi Thongthri are merely him performing his duty as a local leader on area-based projects. – However, I discovered that Withaya wore a Bhumjaithai Party shirt and appeared at a press conference with Songsakdi Thongthri during the launch of Bhumjaithai Party parliamentary candidates for Nong Khai-Chaiyaphum-Sakon Nakhon on November 11, 2025 (which is believed to be at Bhumjaithai Party headquarters: https://bhumjaithai.com/news/110566)

2. Did Withaya pay for accommodation at the B2 Rangsit Hotel (2 booking numbers / total 7,520 baht)? – Withaya confirmed that he was not the person who booked or paid for such accommodation as alleged. – In fact, I never accused Withaya of being the person who "booked" the room, but the information I received indicates that the account used to "transfer money" to the hotel's account to "pay for accommodation" is registered under the name Withaya Kampuang. – Therefore, the main issue is not who booked, but who paid / or if Withaya insists he did not know he was the one who paid, is it possible that someone used Withaya's account to pay for the accommodation on his behalf?

Regardless, since Withaya has given such a statement, I believe it is now the responsibility of relevant state agencies who (presumably) have information in hand to come forward and provide clear clarification to resolve these doubts.

Toward the DSI, I urge the DSI to clearly explain:

1. Has the DSI ever investigated or examined the B2 Rangsit Hotel regarding who booked, stayed, or paid for accommodation during that period (June 25-26, 2023)?

2. If so: Can the DSI confirm whether accommodation payment at the B2 Rangsit Hotel was indeed transferred from an account registered under the name Withaya Kampuang?

Toward the Election Commission (most importantly), I urge the EC to clearly explain:

1. Are events involving local leader Withaya at the B2 Rangsit Hotel on June 25, 2023 included in the EC's investigation record or witness testimony to the EC (such as in the 26th investigation committee level)?

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The Area Development Fund Management Unit organized the Lanna Craft Dara Devi Srichiang Mai event to showcase Lanna culture through living heritage, premium products, and skilled artisans. The event took place from 3 to 7 p.m. on August 16, 2026, at Dara Devi Market, Dara Devi Hotel, in Chiang Mai's municipal area, with Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization Governor Pichai Lertphongadisorn presiding over the opening. The program included a panel discussion on Lanna Heritage Craft and Nomad culture featuring local scholars, educators, business leaders, and representatives from the Nomad Friendly District initiative.

Governor Pichai highlighted that Chiang Mai, which generates over 70 percent of its revenue from tourism, recently completed an evaluation by ICOMOS experts for World Heritage Site designation. He noted the evaluation report will be decided and announced between November and December, with official designation expected next year, marking Chiang Mai as Thailand's tenth World Heritage Site.

AFDMU Deputy Director Asst. Prof. Poon Thiengboonthum explained that the event emphasizes the link between heritage, traditional crafts, and economic development. He stated that the organization partnered with educational institutions across northern Thailand to create a platform where artists and artisans collaborate on sustainable tourism and cultural preservation initiatives.

Industry Minister Verawut Silpaarcha has expressed concern over toxic and heavy metal contamination in the Kok River and ordered the Department of Basic Industries and Mining to strengthen oversight of mining operations nationwide and closely monitor the northern region to prevent a worsening situation. The minister emphasized that mining must coexist sustainably with communities and the environment, and that economic development cannot harm ecosystems—a core policy goal of the Industry Ministry. Department Director-General Adithat Waseenun reported that the agency has been conducting strict and continuous inspections of mining operations nationwide, particularly in the north, to ensure all operators comply with environmental protection and mitigation measures. Based on detailed spatial analysis, the department confirmed that current Kok River contamination originates from areas outside Thai territory, directly impacting water quality entering Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces. The department is providing technical and academic support to relevant agencies for targeted problem-solving and coordinating with the natural resources and foreign affairs ministries to address cross-border contamination. It is also supporting a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) project to apply international environmental management technology and standards to monitor contamination, conduct studies, and restore the Kok River basin. The department is reviewing amendments to mining import regulations to require declaration of mineral source information, ensuring that imported minerals originate from facilities meeting proper and internationally recognized environmental management standards, thereby strengthening oversight and preventing support for environmentally and socially irresponsible mining sources.

On August 17, 2025, Dr. Thanasit Praipong, director of Khon Kaen Hospital, issued a clarification regarding a 50-year-old female patient who collapsed in a bathroom and died after being discharged. The patient was admitted on August 13 with fever, body aches, and rash that had persisted for three days. Doctors ordered blood and urine tests and admitted her as an inpatient. On August 14-15, while recovering, her fever remained high. Doctors continued antibiotic treatment and ordered blood cultures and X-rays to identify the infection source.

On August 16 at approximately 4:00 a.m., staff found the patient unconscious in the bathroom with abnormal vital signs. Doctors intubated her and performed an emergency CT scan, which revealed cerebral hemorrhage with large subdural bleeding and brainstem compression. Surgery was planned but deemed too risky due to low blood pressure. Doctors informed the family, and the patient was managed with supportive care in the neurosurgical intensive care unit. The family subsequently requested to take the patient home, where she died.

Dr. Thanasit stated that the nursing staff and nursing assistants who made inappropriate Facebook comments were not employees of Khon Kaen Hospital. The hospital expressed condolences to the family and confirmed that all medical care followed standard protocols. The patient received examination within 40 minutes of arriving at the emergency room and was checked every four hours during admission. The final check was around 1:00 a.m. before she entered the bathroom and collapsed. The hospital emphasized that such sudden collapse from cerebral hemorrhage is rare and reiterated its commitment to proper medical standards and appropriate social media conduct by all personnel.

A traveler hoping to capture Santorini's famous blue dome with minimal crowds set her alarm for 6:30 a.m., envisioning pristine white walls, a striking blue dome, and morning sunlight. Instead, she encountered a seemingly endless queue of thousands waiting to photograph the same spot from identical angles, leaving no space to enjoy the view as imagined. Her viral video, captioned "The famous blue dome photo spot at 6:30 a.m.," quickly gathered over 110,000 views and sparked comment sections noting that everyone online receives the same travel tips, turning the early-morning strategy into a crowded free-for-all.

Adeel concluded that "social media has stripped Santorini of its charm," observing that "you only see people, not the beauty of the place." The footage captured a bride in a wedding dress waiting in the same queue as other tourists, prompting viewers to call the trip a waste and question whether destroying a destination's appeal for social media likes is worthwhile. Santorini welcomes approximately 3.4 million tourists annually against a permanent population of only 15,500, making the blue dome, white cliff houses, and iconic sunsets flashpoints for overtourism across Europe, much like Venice, Barcelona, and Majorca.

Paradoxically, while Adeel intended to capture a sunrise, her video of the massive queue drew far more attention than any sunrise photo could have, suggesting that crowds themselves have become the content. As viral travel advice spreads, the very tips meant to help travelers discover hidden beauty—such as waking early—ultimately concentrate visitors into the same times and places, defeating their original purpose.