An 11-year-old boy in Mukdahan Province's Mueang District has caused a fatal collision after stealing an Isuzu pickup truck and driving it into a monks' procession, resulting in eight deaths. The boy's mother told investigators that she discovered her son had stolen the vehicle—his first incident of this kind—and immediately called police emergency line 191 to help stop the truck. However, the vehicle veered out of control and collided with the procession of 34 monks before authorities could intercept it.

Police Colonel Phairojn Taiphuthorn, the provincial police commander, revealed that the boy remains in shock and unable to provide a statement. He noted that cases involving juveniles under 15 years old require a multidisciplinary investigation process and that parents may also face charges. The investigation will determine how the incident occurred and examine the vehicle for evidence.

Mukdahan Hospital reported that four patients are classified as critical, ten as serious, two have internal bleeding, and most of the remaining victims have fractures.

On July 2, a police team led by officers from Investigation Unit 1 conducted an undercover operation at Khlong Thom Market. Disguised as tourists, they observed the market and located a stall openly selling e-cigarettes based on public tips. Officers discovered two men attempting to sell e-cigarettes to uniformed students and made arrests.

The suspects—identified as Mr. Kao (alias), the shop owner, and Mr. A, an employee—were apprehended and charged. Police seized 80 e-cigarettes, 175 bottles of e-liquid, 6 batteries, and other items totaling 261 pieces worth approximately 80,000 baht.

During questioning, Mr. Kao admitted to selling e-cigarettes at the stall for about one month and acknowledged selling to the general public. He explained his Lao language use by stating he is from Isan, originally from Si Sa Ket Province. Officers charged the suspects with illegally importing goods without proper customs clearance and violating the 2567 Product Safety Committee order prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or distribution of e-cigarettes and related products to the public. The suspects were transferred to Phlab Phlai Chai Police Station for further legal proceedings.

On July 2, 2025, at Parliament, Rangsiman Rom, a list-based member of parliament for the Pheu Thai Party and chairman of the parliamentary committee on law, justice, and human rights, discussed progress in the bribery attempt case involving Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiyachok Chidchob. Allegedly, a man named Khiew proposed offering Chaiyachok 40 million baht at a rate of 10,000 baht per URL to halt prosecution of 4,000 online gambling websites. Although Chaiyachok denied accepting the bribe and filed a complaint with the Central Investigation Bureau, no warrant has been issued to question Khiew during the 30-day investigation period, with police citing concerns that Khiew might not appear.

Rom identified the alleged intermediaries as Vorasissada Liang Prasitr, formerly a Satun MP, and Chit-ching, an assistant MP from Ayutthaya. He questioned whether Vorasissada was acting as a messenger proposing the bribe or merely reporting the incident, noting that he never filed formal charges despite waiting over 10 days. Rom expressed concern that the mere rejection of the bribe does not erase Khiew's criminal liability, as proposing a bribe itself constitutes a completed offense.

Rom highlighted suspicions of possible collusion, noting that despite the significant sum and number of websites involved, no action has been taken against Khiew. He stated that the case reflects corruption and money laundering issues linked to state agencies, and revealed that Khiew allegedly paid bribes to the Digital Economy ministry before Chaiyachok took office without investigation or warrants. Rom recommended the Anti-Money Laundering Office investigate the financial trail and criticized both the Digital Economy Ministry's internal investigation process and police investigative procedures for their apparent deficiencies.

PATTAYA — Thai authorities have detained three Cambodian nationals during a crackdown on foreign beggars in Pattaya following public outrage over a viral video showing a disabled man begging while carrying his young child.

The operation was carried out at about 21:20 on Tuesday by officials from the Chon Buri Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office, the Chon Buri Children and Family Shelter, Pattaya police and the Chon Buri Immigration Office.

Officers located the disabled man, identified only as Tok, 35, in Pattaya's Soi 6 area. Police said he appeared to notice the authorities and attempted to wheel himself away before being detained. The child seen in the viral video was not with him.

During questioning, Tok admitted he had previously taken his child with him while begging because his wife was sometimes unavailable to care for the child. He said he stopped doing so after images of him circulated on social media and drew widespread criticism.

Tok told authorities he had lived in Thailand for more than 10 years and earned about 200-300 baht a day from begging. He said he remained in Thailand because he could earn more money than in Cambodia, where he claimed he would struggle to find work.

He also admitted that he had previously been arrested and deported several times but repeatedly re-entered Thailand illegally through natural border crossings in Sa Kaeo province. He told investigators he paid about 5,000-6,000 baht each time to be transported by van into the country.

During the operation, officials also detained two Cambodian women. One, identified as Moi, 42, was allegedly begging while carrying her two-month-old baby, with her seven-year-old child sitting nearby. Another woman, identified as Por, 50, was also found begging in the same area.

All three adults were taken to Pattaya City Police Station for processing before being handed over to immigration authorities for legal action, verification of their immigration records and deportation proceedings.

The two children were placed under the care of the Chon Buri Children and Family Shelter to ensure their safety and welfare.

Authorities said they would intensify efforts to crack down on foreign beggars and human smuggling networks, particularly cases involving the use of children for begging, saying the practice harms children's welfare and damages Pattaya's image as an international tourist destination.

SC Asset Corporation is signaling confidence in the luxury housing market despite broader real estate headwinds from weakened demand and oversupply. The company plans to raise its 2025 revenue target to approximately 16.5 billion baht following better-than-expected first-half performance, while accelerating land acquisitions to 15 parcels and launching four new projects plus 16 relaunches in the second half.

Mongkut Tetseechaoroen, managing director of SC Asset's horizontal property development and marketing division, revealed that the company is revising its 2025 revenue target upward from 16 billion baht to around 16.5 billion baht. The luxury housing segment has outperformed projections in the first half, demonstrating continued strength despite sector-wide challenges.

Tetseechaoroen noted that while the overall real estate market faces pressure from reduced purchasing power, SC views the upper-end housing market as resilient. High-income buyers are less affected by economic conditions than the mass market, resulting in satisfactory first-half performance that exceeded company forecasts. "This is another strong year for SC despite the real estate sector facing multiple challenges. Our business continues to grow with trends better than anticipated," he stated.

SC maintains market leadership in homes priced 30 million baht and above, commanding 21% market share in 2022, rising to 23% in 2023, with continued growth expected this year. The company specializes in luxury and ultra-luxury project development, a focus area it prioritizes exclusively.

The company aims to maintain leadership in the 20-30 million baht and above segment over the next five years while sustaining annual market share growth of 3-5%, believing the upper-market segment holds growth potential despite overall market contraction from economic conditions.

Tetseechaoroen explained that SC's counter-trend investment strategy is driven by an opportunity created as larger competitors slow land acquisitions due to rising market supply. Reduced competition for land purchases enables SC to acquire quality properties at reasonable prices.

This year, SC allocated approximately 6 billion baht for land acquisitions, with 4 billion baht designated for horizontal projects. The company has already spent over 50% of this budget, purchasing 15 parcels—exceeding the original 10-parcel target—by securing parcels with strong fundamentals in price, size, and location, particularly near central business districts suitable for future luxury housing development.

"Many companies are slowing land purchases, but we see this as a prime opportunity to accumulate land banks because quality plots are becoming more available," Tetseechaoroen said. "As market supply gradually decreases, we believe the market will recover, and land purchased during this period will create long-term value."

For the second half, SC plans to launch four new horizontal projects and relaunch 16 existing projects through comprehensive product redesign—not merely cosmetic rebranding, but reimagined homes incorporating new architecture, functionality, and spatial design to meet modern lifestyle needs.

Tetseechaoroen noted that the relaunch initiative stems from deep consumer behavior research conducted during the market slowdown, revealing that customer demand hasn't declined but rather shifted.

Thai swimming achieved a surprise as Sky Kingpoyom, a rising Thai swimmer and son of "Lukked" Metinee Kingpoyom, secured a spot on Thailand's national team for the Asian Games in Japan. Coach Thotssakul acknowledged that medals are unlikely but set an ambitious goal of reaching the finals 80% of the time, which he considers a passing grade.

The Swimming Association of Thailand announced the roster of 19 swimmers selected for the 2026 Asian Games (20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026) in Aichi-Nagoya. The team includes Kamnachon Khwanmuang, Mia Millar, Surasit Thongdaeng, Maria Nedelka, Jin Chuta Pholjamjaras, Naphatswan Chritkla, Marich Samrittiwech, Pongsanat Traitan, Tonnam Kantimoon, Purichaya Chanyamitri, Ratchavit Thamnananthachoti, Sky Kingpoyom Sharpearl, Ploy Lilayana, Phimchanok Shinveraphan, Thitirattana Charoenthrap, Thitirattana Inchai, Warisara Nophthong, Pasavorn Kantakham, and Wongsgor Phaetman.

Nayathawichaya Thossakul, secretary-general of the Swimming Association of Thailand, stated that while Thailand's swimming team is unlikely to win Asian Games medals, the athletes were selected based on criteria from the Swimming Association and the Thai Olympic Committee, focusing on gold medalists from the Southeast Asian Games and those who finished in the top six at the previous Asian Games.

Thotssakul concluded that the association's expectation is for the team to reach the finals 70-80% of the time, which would be considered successful. Athletes who qualified based on the previous Asian Games' top-six standard should particularly aim to reach the finals. If all 19 swimmers fail to advance from the first round, it would be considered a failure, but the association believes both athletes and coaches are committed to meeting these expectations.