Young artist and actor Mark Thanat, also known as Mark Kamikazeee or Dr. Mark, has resigned from his government-funded dentistry position after ten years of uninterrupted study and work. Mark announced his resignation on August 7, 2026, in a video explaining that he had never taken a break since age thirteen, when many knew him as a singer. He was accepted to Mahidol's dental program at eighteen, completed his degree, worked one year as a dentist, and continues to hold his dental license despite resigning from his position.

Mark explained his decision: "I felt like I was someone who worked non-stop for ten years without ever taking a rest. Everything was forced upon me—I had to work according to a set schedule, attend classes and exams, and work regardless." He said he simply wanted a brief moment to do something for himself without a clear plan for what comes next.

One regret has stayed with him throughout the decade: despite traveling extensively, he rarely recorded videos or captured memories from his trips. Mark has launched a YouTube channel called Thanat Rattanasiriphan to document his journeys, so he can look back and remember where he has traveled. He clarified the channel is primarily for himself, but welcomed others to follow along if interested. His resignation announcement video has garnered over 170,000 views, with commenters offering encouragement and support for his decision to live life on his own terms and take time to recharge.

Floodwaters from upstream areas have breached into Nan city, with water levels in the economic zone reaching 1.5 meters. The provincial governor has issued orders for continuous 24-hour monitoring, with early assessments suggesting the current situation will not be as severe as the 2568 flood disaster.

On August 20, reporters documented the ongoing flood situation in Nan province. Water flowing down from the north entered the Nan River before breaching the municipal administrative area, affecting critical economic zones including homes, shops, hotels, and important religious structures such as Phumin Temple. Water levels in most areas are around 50 centimeters, but in low-lying areas near the river—including Tha Chang, Don Kaew, Suan Tanlang, and Don Si Serem villages, as well as Puang Payom and Tha Li—water levels have reached 1.5 meters. Water continues to rise as backflow through drainage pipes persists, causing levels to increase in multiple locations.

As of 7:00 a.m., measurement station N.1 at the Mueang Nan Forestry Office recorded water levels at 8.53 meters, 7 meters above normal bank level and exceeding the municipal barrier level of 8.50 meters. Station N.64 at Pha Khwang measured 9.57 meters, while station N.13A at Pai Ngam in Wiang Sa district recorded 8.14 meters against a normal level of 6.50 meters.

Nan Municipality continues operating three large-capacity pumps at Khlong Chaofah around the clock, each capable of pumping approximately 180 cubic meters per minute, to fight the overflow from the Nan River and rapidly drain water from economic zones and residential areas to minimize impact and damage.

Nan Province Governor Chaiyarong Wongchai stated that the province continues closely monitoring the situation and preparing comprehensive response measures. Although the current event is not expected to be as severe as the 2568 flood, which was influenced by Typhoon Nipa, authorities remain vigilant given the sustained high water levels in the Nan River and continued inflow from upstream areas.

However, if no heavy rainfall occurs over the next 24 hours in upstream areas and Nan province, the situation is expected to gradually ease and water levels will begin to recede. The next 24 hours remain a critical monitoring period. The provincial government urges residents in at-risk areas, particularly in Mueang Nan and Phu Phiang and Wiang Sa districts—the downstream water-receiving zones—to closely monitor official announcements and be prepared to immediately move belongings, vehicles, and vulnerable persons to safe areas if evacuation orders are issued.

PHUKET: A 26-year-old man has been arrested at the Tha Chatchai checkpoint with more than 1 kilogramme of crystal meth and 400 ecstasy pills while travelling by bus into Phuket.

While occasional consumption may be harmless, many Thais drink several glasses daily. Doctor Oak warns that certain beverages pose risks of cognitive decline, early-onset stroke, and Alzheimer's disease—yet many Thais consume them heavily. Doctor Oak, or Dr. Suparuk Vicharanya, owner of the Doctor Oak DoctorSixpack Facebook page, posted a video titled "Quick Check: Drinking These Beverages Risks Dementia and Early Stroke." He warns against plant-based milk drinks with added oils. Doctor Oak cautioned against consuming milk-based drinks with added oils, advising people to avoid plant-based milk with oil as an ingredient. He stated: "Three drinks you shouldn't consume because of risks of Alzheimer's, thickened blood, and early-onset stroke—yet many Thais drink them regularly. Doctor Oak revealed that frequent consumption of such beverages increases dementia risk. 'My patients drink them, and some of my students I had to tell to stop because they already have high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high uric acid, and fatty liver—all of which increase dementia risk.' 'Plant-based milk with added oils—try checking these. Drinking small amounts might be okay, but many people drink one, two, or three glasses daily. This is excess energy that shouldn't be consumed at all. If you want a healthy brain, to avoid weight gain, diabetes, and fatty liver, avoid plant-based milk with added oils and sugar.'"

At 12:30 a.m. on August 20, 2025, Don Muang Police Station responded to a report of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle colliding with the rear of a 10-wheel crane truck near Songpraphan 1 Alley on Songpraphan Road, Don Muang District, Bangkok. Medical personnel from Bhumipol Hospital and volunteers from the Pote Tekt Foundation were dispatched to the scene. The accident occurred on a three-lane road where two lanes had been closed for water pipe installation work, with traffic diverted to one left lane. A white 10-wheel crane truck with Bangkok plates was parked in the right lane, its left rear heavily damaged by the black Harley-Davidson. The 54-year-old motorcyclist, identified as Narong (surname withheld), suffered severe injuries and loss of consciousness. Emergency responders performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation for approximately 30 minutes without success before he died. He was wearing a black t-shirt with a black leather vest, black jeans, and had head trauma with severe bleeding. According to worker statements, orange traffic cones and warning lights had been properly placed at the construction site. The motorcycle approached at high speed without braking, broke through the barrier, and struck the truck with tremendous force. Police are investigating the incident further, including reviewing closed-circuit camera footage. The body has been transferred to Bhumipol Hospital for autopsy.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has pledged to strengthen Malaysia's defence capabilities, citing concerns over a US-backed Philippine military base on Balabac Island in Palawan province, located just kilometres from Malaysia's eastern state of Sabah. The Philippines is upgrading strategic facilities and constructing a 3-kilometre runway on Balabac, one of nine Philippine sites under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement that permits American forces access to designated locations and allows for US funding of infrastructure. "As a neighbouring country closely affected by claims over Sabah, we are quite concerned about tensions, even though our bilateral relations with the Philippines remain very good," Anwar said during a budget briefing.

Anwar stated that Malaysia cannot compete with the scale of military and air facilities being developed on Balabac and must strengthen its own basic defensive capabilities given an increasingly complex security environment driven by US-China competition. This could require additional investment of hundreds of millions or billions of ringgit. "At minimum, our basic defensive capabilities must be strengthened," Anwar emphasised. He noted that Balabac's location, roughly 20 minutes by sea from Malaysia's Banggi Island, represents a critical vulnerability for Malaysia owing to a long-standing dispute over Sabah. The Philippines continues to claim the territory, which joined Malaysia in forming the Malaysian Federation in 1963—a claim Malaysia firmly rejects. Although the two nations have not engaged in full-scale war over the territory, the dispute has periodically strained bilateral relations.