On July 6, 2026, Anuvatana Bunyapun, director of Maha Sarakham's child and family shelter, provided an update on the 11-year-old boy who was driving the vehicle that struck a group of monks on alms rounds. The child remains hospitalized at Phra Sri Mahabodhee Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani under legal child welfare protection procedures.

Once medical clearance is granted for the child to return to Maha Sarakham province, he will be transferred to the provincial shelter. A multidisciplinary team comprising legal authorities, doctors, psychologists, social workers, and other agencies will then meet to determine appropriate welfare protection, rehabilitation, and justice procedures tailored to the child.

Bunyapun noted that during an earlier two-hour visit to the shelter, staff could not interview the child about the incident. The boy cannot communicate information and constantly walks or runs around, making communication dependent primarily on conversations through his mother and grandmother. After receiving medical treatment and evaluation, the multidisciplinary team will assess the child's physical and mental readiness before legal investigation procedures begin. Investigators continue gathering evidence to pursue the case through the justice system while protecting the rights of victims, the child, and ensuring fairness for all parties involved.

On July 6, 2569, the Thung Thong Radio Center in Mueang Udon Thani subdistrict received a report from residents that a man was walking through the village carrying a knife and axe, raising concerns about potential violence or property damage. The incident occurred in the Ban Nah Yad area, Moo 6, Tambon Samprao, Mueang District, Udon Thani Province.

After receiving the report, Nai Sannya Yaem Buppah, a state district official for Mueang Udon Thani Zone 5, along with officers from Samprao Subdistrict Police Station, village headmen, and residents, launched an investigation. Upon arrival, they were informed that the man had fled into the forest. Officers pursued him and found Nai Tong, 42, an individual with a known drug addiction history and a target person under surveillance, near Tuum Kham Temple in Ban Non Toom, Moo 4, Tambon Nah Khao. He agreed to a search, which led to the discovery of numerous sharp-bladed weapons and metal rods modified as weapons hidden on his bed. Six long swords and knives were seized for further investigation.

During questioning, Nai Tong, appearing confused, admitted to using methamphetamine just yesterday, claiming he was merely walking without intent to harm anyone. He said he carried the knife for self-defense. He also claimed possession of a green gem stone, which he believed to be a Phaya Naga diamond he obtained two years ago after the serpent deity appeared in his dream and directed him to retrieve it from a canal. He insisted the stone was invaluable and that despite million-baht offers, he would never sell it. He claimed to have graduated from an institution abroad in Nevada and completed three other courses, presenting himself as both a doctor and physician.

Nang Ploy, 77, Nai Tong's mother, revealed that normally three of them lived together—herself and two sons. The eldest son no longer stays at home, fearing his younger brother might kill him, so he lives elsewhere. She herself stays at relatives' homes. In the morning, she saw Nai Tong pacing around the house in an agitated state before leaving. She explained that her son's drug addiction has worsened over the past 2-3 years, and treatment attempts have failed. He threatens her for money daily and, when she has none, brandishes a knife and demands she go begging. Terrified, she fled the house and pleaded with authorities to help rehabilitate her son, fearing for her life.

Police initially charged Nai Tong with possession of Category 1 illegal drugs (methamphetamine), extortion, and unlawful carrying of bladed weapons in public. He was transferred to investigators for further legal proceedings.

On July 6, 2025, police led by Sakdisit Thanakitphirojn, commander of Sri That police station, received complaints about a woman named Aranya, known as Jen Gak Yak, 47, living in Pa Lao village in Sri That district, Udon Thani province. She allegedly kept numerous dogs and was trafficking methamphetamine to teenagers and laborers in the area.

Police investigators from the "Khun Suek" task force conducted a raid on her single-story concrete house. They found approximately 40 dogs surrounding her, emitting foul odors throughout the home. Officers hesitated to approach, fearing dog bites. They convinced Jen Gak Yak to reveal where she had hidden the drugs, warning her that full cooperation might reduce her sentence.

Eventually, she admitted hiding methamphetamine in a brown plastic bag containing 382 pills. As police took her away in a pickup truck, her four-legged "children" watched with sad eyes. About 40 dogs came to the door, with some attempting to bite the officers who arrested their owner. Police managed to escape unharmed.

During questioning, Jen Gak Yak tearfully confessed she resorted to drug dealing out of financial desperation. She began raising dogs five to six years ago after completing a three-year sentence for possessing 62 methamphetamine pills. Starting with 2-3 dogs, the population grew as they reproduced. When neighbors refused to adopt the puppies—as they were mixed breeds—she kept them all. When funds ran out for dog food, she financed a motorcycle and ordered methamphetamine from dealers.

She initially ordered tens of pills, escalating to hundreds. Her latest purchase was 600 pills across three bags at 2,800 baht per bag, which she sold at 30 baht per pill or 20 baht if buying 10 pills at once. She was arrested shortly after.

Jen Gak Yak also admitted to using methamphetamine herself, having become addicted one year ago. She currently uses 2-3 pills daily. She requested relatives care for the 40 dogs or asked them to contact Sri That subdistrict municipality for assistance. She promised through tears that if released, she would never involve herself with drugs again, explaining that financial hardship and her inability to let the dogs starve drove her to deal. She also expressed frustration that her husband provided no support in earning a living.

US President Donald Trump confirmed he contacted FIFA to request a review of the red card suspension given to American striker Folarin Balogan, as previously reported. However, Trump insisted he did not order FIFA to take any action.

Balogan received a red card in the Round of 32 World Cup 2026 match where the US defeated Bosnia 2-0, after a VAR review deemed his collision with Tarik Muharemovic a dangerous play. Typically, the 25-year-old striker would face a match ban.

However, FIFA subsequently suspended the ban and converted it to a one-year suspended sentence instead, allowing Balogan to return for the Round of 16 match against Belgium on July 6. This decision sparked heavy criticism that FIFA violated its own rules. Reports indicated Trump had contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request reconsideration of Balogan's punishment before the penalty was modified.

Most recently, Trump said: "I asked for a review because I didn't think it was a foul. I thought it was just a moment when two athletes collided and got tangled. I don't know how it was a red card, but I didn't tell them what to do. I think a match ban would have left a big mark, but I couldn't order them to do anything. I don't believe Infantino made the decision alone—it was likely a committee that decided. And it turned out to be the right decision."

A man stole premium-grade cannabis from a cannabis retail shop and escaped in a blue pickup truck while the shop owner was briefly away on an errand. Security footage from the cannabis shop near Mae Rampung Beach in Taphang subdistrict, Muang district, Rayong province, captured the suspect as a mustachioed man in his 40s, approximately 170 centimeters tall, wearing a blue crew-neck t-shirt, black trousers, and no shoes. He entered the shop from the rear during a moment when no one was present and grabbed a 1-kilogram bundle of TRICHO JORDAN premium-grade cannabis flowers, valued at approximately 10,000 baht, from a display shelf. He then quickly ran to a blue four-door pickup truck parked in front of the shop and sped away.

Ittharit, the 46-year-old shop owner, reported that he was away on a brief errand when the theft occurred. When he returned, he discovered the premium-grade cannabis was missing and immediately reviewed the security footage to identify the perpetrator's behavior.

Ittharit has filed a report with investigating officers at Muang Rayong Police Station, providing the security camera footage and requesting that authorities pursue the suspect for legal proceedings as quickly as possible.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Phuket— The Royal Forest Department has issued a strict deadline for the removal of unauthorized structures at Freedom Beach, ordering occupants to dismantle 22 buildings and facilities within the protected forest area by August 5, 2026. The Royal Forest Department told the Phuket Express. The enforcement action, carried out under Section 25 of the Forest […] Phuket Authorities Order Removal of 22 Structures from Freedom Beach Forest Reserve -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.