Thai Airways Public Company Limited announces a postponement of new criteria for assessing Royal Orchid Plus member status, originally set to begin on August 5, 2026. During this period, the current rules for determining Royal Orchid Plus membership status will remain in effect. The postponement will not impact members' existing status. If the delay affects your travel plans, you may contact the THAI Contact Center at +66 2356 1111 to provide details of your itinerary, and Thai Airways will determine the most appropriate course of action on an individual basis. Thai Airways expresses gratitude to all members for their confidence and valuable suggestions, which are driving the continuous improvement of the Royal Orchid Plus program toward becoming a stronger, value-creating membership program with sustainable long-term growth. The airline will communicate further information and details through its official communication channels. Thai Airways appreciates members' understanding, trust, and ongoing support.

Dr. Tanee Thaniyawan, owner of the Doctor Tany page and a medical professor in the United States, has announced he is ready to continue the legacy of the late YouTuber Hlun Solo by supporting Afghan student Nasatala's medical education, as Hlun had promised. Hlun Solo had made a video while traveling in Afghanistan where he met a young Afghan boy who dreamed of becoming a doctor, and he pledged to help him pursue that goal.

Dr. Tanee posted an appeal to locate Nasatala and recorded a message in English asking the boy to get in touch. In his communication, Dr. Tanee explained that he is a Thai doctor and YouTuber, and that Nasatala may remember Hlun Solo, the Thai tourist they met in Afghanistan who took him to visit many places. Dr. Tanee expressed deep sorrow in informing Nasatala that Hlun has passed away, but before his death, Hlun promised that if Nasatala passed the medical school entrance exam, he would provide full financial support for his education. Dr. Tanee stated that he does not want that promise to be forgotten, and as a Thai person and physician, he wishes to continue what Hlun intended.

Dr. Tanee expressed confidence in Hlun's judgment and appealed to find Nasatala. In an interview on the Phutta Talk channel, Dr. Tanee discussed Nasatala, saying he recognized that the boy was talented, kind-hearted, and hospitable based on how he treated Hlun in the video. He noted that people had sent information indicating Nasatala lives in a rural area without internet access, and that Thai contacts were attempting to locate him through the UN and with help from Thais in Afghanistan.

Regarding the sponsorship details, Dr. Tanee explained that once Nasatala passes the medical school entrance exam, he will video call to verify it is the correct person and confirm which university he attends. He will then contact the university directly and transfer funds straight to the institution, bypassing any intermediaries and declining to accept donations from others. Dr. Tanee noted he was uncertain of exact costs in Afghanistan, but estimates around 600,000 baht over six years based on shared information, and that he may consider bringing Nasatala to Thailand for his studies depending on the actual expenses. The page "Little Child on the Cold Mountain Peak" also posted an update noting that Thai nationals in Afghanistan and Thai colleagues working for the UN there would assist in locating the boy.

Thailand's Meteorological Department issued a weather forecast on August 5, 2025 for the next 24 hours, predicting increased rainfall nationwide with the Northeast experiencing heavy to very heavy rain in some areas, while the North, Central, East, and South regions face scattered heavy downpours. The conditions are caused by a monsoon trough moving through the upper North and northern Laos into a low-pressure zone near northern Vietnam's coast, combined with a moderate Southwest monsoon strengthening over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. Residents in affected areas are urged to beware of dangers from heavy and accumulated rainfall that could cause flash floods and landslides, particularly in hillside and basin areas near waterways.

Wave conditions are strengthening in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand, with the upper Andaman experiencing 2-3 meter waves, exceeding 3 meters in thunderstorm zones. The lower Andaman and upper Gulf of Thailand have approximately 2-meter waves, rising above 2 meters during thunderstorms. Boaters are advised to exercise caution, avoid thunderstorm areas, and small boats in the upper Andaman should stay ashore.

Tropical Storm Kujira, which intensified from a depression in the South China Sea, is moving toward the northern Philippines and poses no threat to Thailand. Travelers to that region are advised to check weather conditions before departing.

Detailed regional forecasts (6:00 AM today to 6:00 AM tomorrow):

**North:** Thunderstorms in 60% of the area with heavy rain in some zones across Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun. Low 23-27°C, high 32-35°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

**Northeast:** Thunderstorms in 70% of the area with heavy rain in some locations, including very heavy rain in parts of Bueng Kan and Nakhon Phanom provinces. Affected provinces: Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani. Low 23-26°C, high 29-34°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

**Central:** Thunderstorms in 60% of the area with heavy rain in some zones across Nakhon Sawan, Lopburi, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, and Nakhon Pathom. Low 25-27°C, high 34-36°C. Southwest winds 10-25 km/h.

**East:** Thunderstorms in 60% of the area with heavy rain in some locations in Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Low 23-28°C, high 31-35°C. Southwest winds 20-35 km/h. Sea waves approximately 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm zones.

**South (East Coast):** Thunderstorms in 60% of the area with heavy rain in some zones across Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Low 23-26°C, high 33-36°C. Southwest winds 15-35 km/h. Sea waves approximately 1 meter, 1-2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

**South (West Coast):** Thunderstorms in the area with scattered heavy rainfall.

The 39th ISTAF World Sepaktakraw Championship Thai King's Cup 2026 commenced on August 4, 2026, at Fashion Island shopping center. The opening ceremony was presided over by Thana Chaiyaprasert, president of the Thai Sepaktakraw Association, alongside other dignitaries including Chaiyaphakdi Sirivatana, vice chairman of the Thai Olympic Committee; Bunchai Lohpipat, acting president of the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF); Datok Abdul Halim Kader, secretary-general of ISTAF; and Dr. Sihsak Areeratchakarn, vice president and secretary-general of the Thai Sepaktakraw Association.

Thailand's national teams won both the men's and women's hoop event championships. The men's team scored 710 points to secure first place, with Myanmar placing second and India and Laos tied for third. The women's team scored 670 points for the gold medal, followed by Myanmar in second place and China and Laos sharing third.

The championship features five competition categories: men's individual regu, men's and women's team regu, women's doubles, men's and women's quadrant events, and men's and women's hoop events.

A former investigator from Huay Yai Police Station, identified by the initial 'S', has publicly denied allegations that he ordered or protected crime suspect 'Ai Prong'. He confirmed knowing Prong from multiple arrests over the years but stressed he was never involved in illegal activities or drug-related matters.

Online rumors have circulated claiming the ex-officer once supervised Prong and allegedly ordered collection of funds and facilitated drug trafficking. On August 4, 2025, a reporter visited a residence in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi, to interview Pol. Lt. Col. Kesorn, the retired Huay Yai investigator known as "Dap Sor". Kesorn, now 72, retired from the force 12 years ago after previously serving at Bang Lamung Station.

Kesorn firmly denied ever being Prong's superior or ordering illegal acts. He stated that during his career he arrested Prong three to four times for theft, drugs, sexual assault, and assault. "When he was young he was a troublemaker, but not as brutal as he is now," Kesorn said, adding that Prong never negotiated and always accepted jail time.

Kesorn revealed that Prong feared him and had been warned multiple times to reform. "I told him many times to become a better person. Why do you treat prison like home? Stop it," Kesorn recalled saying. He firmly restated before media: "I was never his boss. I never ordered him to do anything. I despised him."

Kesorn acknowledged he expected social scrutiny due to his work in narcotics investigations, but insisted that if other officers were involved with Prong, it was their agency's responsibility to investigate, not his. He emphasized that after his arrests of Prong, the two had no personal contact or relationship, meeting only as suspect and police officer. Kesorn described Prong's recent crimes as brutal and far beyond anything he had anticipated.