Two prominent morning news anchors have announced their departures from the morning news programme, expressing sadness about the changes while acknowledging that such transitions are inevitable. They thanked loyal viewers who have supported the show over many years.

Banjong Cheevamonkolkarn, executive editor at Workpoint News, announced he will leave the Morning News Workpoint programme at the end of August 2026 and transition to full-time freelance work with no further contract with the channel. Senior anchor Pae Supaponchai will also depart from the programme.

Banjong revealed that a major budget reduction at Workpoint News last month affected approximately 60 percent of the news department's staff. He entered an early retirement programme last August to help preserve the news team, but continued working on both the morning news show and the evening news programme Chong Khao Khao Jao, which was later reformatted with other hosts.

He expressed mixed emotions about the transition: "Change is something we must accept, especially in television where change is constant. But even understanding that, I must admit my heart is not willing to let go."

Banjong noted he has worked with Workpoint News since the news department was established on January 1, 2016—more than 10 years—and has accumulated countless memories and experiences. He thanked management, staff, and especially viewers for their loyalty over the years.

He confirmed that while he and Pae will no longer appear on the morning news show, he will continue hosting the evening programme Chong Khao Khao Jao from Monday to Friday, inviting viewers to follow him there instead.

A fire engulfed the home of Porpisin, a retired 80-year-old teacher nicknamed "Khru Aad," in Bang Pa Han district, Ayutthaya province, at 11:30 p.m. on August 16, 2025. Police Lieutenant Colonel Artit Simjaroen, commander of Bang Pa Han Police Station, coordinated with more than 10 fire trucks from the local administrative organization and Phutthaithaisawan Foundation. The single-story Thai-style wooden house caught fire intensely, with strong winds carrying flames to an adjacent pile of old wood. Firefighters took about an hour to control the blaze. Khru Aad safely evacuated but suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to Bang Pa Han Hospital.

Neighbors reported hearing loud cracking sounds and explosions before the rapid spread of flames. Investigation found the old wood pile and a makeshift stove where Khru Aad cooked for two to three dogs in the evening; a previous fire had occurred in that area but was extinguished before spreading to the house.

When authorities inspected the interior, they were stunned to discover a coffin on the second floor containing the remains of Khru Aad's wife, a retired teacher who had died over 20 years ago. Community members explained that Khru Aad was deeply attached to his wife. Although neighbors had suggested he hold a funeral and he once set a date, he cancelled and continued keeping her remains at home. Locals were familiar with the coffin on the second floor. After the fire was controlled, the coffin had fallen to the lower floor and was largely consumed by flames, leaving only bones.

Bang Sai Muang police received a report of a house fire in an upscale residential development in Nonthaburi's Bang Sai Muang district at 12:30 a.m. on August 17, 2025. Officers and firefighters from Bang Sai Muang and Bang Kraeng municipalities responded to a two-storey detached house covering approximately 80 square metres, where flames were active on the second floor. Three fire trucks took over 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

After the fire was extinguished, investigators found that the ground floor had minimal fire damage but contained petrol spread across the floor. A 20-litre fuel canister was discovered near the stairs to the second floor. The second floor was heavily damaged by fire, with all windows shattered. Inside a bedroom, investigators found the bodies of a married couple lying on a bed, severely burned. A charcoal stove was also found in a bathroom. Multiple pet cats were discovered dead throughout the house, though two survived and were rushed to an animal hospital.

Initial examination by a forensic doctor indicated both deaths were caused by smoke inhalation and burning, but identification could not be confirmed immediately as identification documents were destroyed in the fire. The bodies were scheduled for detailed autopsy at the Institute of Forensic Medicine. Authorities planned to contact the residential community administration to identify the deceased and notify their relatives, and would conduct a further investigation with Nonthaburi police.

A 24-year-old neighbour, using the alias N., recounted that she first heard a loud noise like something heavy falling, followed by seeing smoke and flames. She initially thought there had been an explosion, but realized it was the sound of a ceiling panel crashing down. About two to three people came out of the house, and everyone smelled fuel. Neighbours called emergency services and attempted to reach the homeowners by phone without success. Security guards arrived, assessed the situation as serious, and soon after, the bedroom window exploded from the heat. The neighbour noted that only a couple lived there with several pet cats, and the initial outbreak appeared around 11:50 p.m. as smoke before flames spread.

Tosapol Fakprapai, secretary to the Bang Sai Muang municipality chief, said that upon receiving the fire report, firefighters deployed to contain the blaze. Upon arrival, they found the fire on the second floor and encountered significant obstacles during suppression due to the presence of petrol—when water was sprayed, the fuel ran with the water, making it difficult for the team to reach the second floor. After extinguishing the fire, two bodies were found along with eight dead cats. Initial evidence included the fuel canister and a pervasive smell of petrol throughout the bedroom.

A teacher brought three junior secondary students to compete in a provincial boxing tournament selection. On the return trip, the teacher appeared intoxicated, driving in circles through the same area multiple times and swerving dangerously close to other vehicles. Fearing an accident, the students decided to jump from the vehicle for their safety.

At 7:30 p.m. on August 16, 2025, officers from Muang Sri Saket Police Station in Sri Saket Province received a report of three male youths needing assistance near a rice mill on the Sri Saket-Kantharalak road. Upon arrival, police found the three students inside the Bangsaorhot Chaiyame Rice Mill Company, Sri Saket branch, where company security staff were helping them charge their phones and contact their parents. The three were junior secondary students and school boxers from an institution in Sri Saket Province. Their teacher had accompanied them to an international boxing competition for provincial selection but appeared intoxicated on the return journey.

The students explained that during the drive home, the teacher appeared to have consumed alcohol and was intoxicated. He drove the vehicle in circles repeatedly through the same area and swerved across lanes, nearly colliding with other cars several times. Feeling frightened and fearing an accident, they decided to exit the vehicle for safety. The vehicle was a small pickup truck with a roof structure resembling a school shuttle. After jumping from the van, the students sought help from the rice mill's security staff to report the incident to police and contact the teacher in another district for pickup. Following police investigation and coordination with relevant parties, the teacher arrived and took the three students home safely.

A 55-year-old French tourist drowned while swimming at Bang Tao Beach in Phuket. Officials responded to the incident and pulled him from the water, then handed him over to rescue personnel who performed CPR and rushed him to Thalang Hospital. However, he died shortly after arrival. At 5 p.m. on August 16, 2569, officers from Chiang Thalae Police Station in Phuket received reports of a swimmer drowning near Bang Tao Beach, behind a mosque in Chiang Thalae Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket. Police and rescue personnel responded immediately. Upon arrival, officials had already retrieved the 55-year-old French national from the water with no visible injuries. Rescue teams from Chiang Thalae Municipality and Thalang Hospital performed CPR and transported him urgently to Thalang Hospital, but the man died shortly after. The preliminary cause is drowning. Investigators and medical personnel conducted an initial autopsy before the body was sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a full autopsy to determine the definitive cause of death.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will make an official visit to Australia and New Zealand from August 17-22, 2025, to strengthen ties and expand economic and investment opportunities. The Australian leg (August 17-20) marks the Prime Minister's first official visit in 14 years, made at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The trip aims to establish a strategic partnership between Thailand and Australia and prepare for celebrations of 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2026. During his time in Australia, the PM will travel to Sydney and Canberra, holding bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Albanese and meeting with Governor-General Sam Mostyn. He will also deliver a keynote address at the Lowy Institute, visit tech company Canva, and tour the CSIRO research organization, while also meeting Thai communities in Thai Town and visiting Dhammatharo Temple.

From August 20-22, the PM will travel to Auckland, New Zealand, for his first official visit in 13 years to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations. Thailand and New Zealand will sign a joint declaration upgrading their relationship to a strategic partnership. The PM will receive an official Maori welcome and hold bilateral talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, signing memorandums of understanding. The Thai delegation will push forward joint action plans for 2026-2030 covering trade, investment, crime and drug suppression, and tourism promotion, including efforts to restore direct flights between Bangkok and Auckland. The delegation will also visit NZAero to view small aircraft operations.

The government is bringing 14 major Thai private-sector companies on the trip, including Thai Beverage, Gulf Energy, Minor Group, B.Grimm Power, Mitrphol Group, Baan Phu, PTT, Central Group, CP Foods, and SCG. These businesses will participate in networking activities and business breakfast and working lunch sessions with New Zealand counterparts to pursue concrete business opportunities.