The NEXZTER BRIC Superbike Championship 2026 Round 2 at Chang International Circuit in Buriram on July 31 features official practice sessions for all classes, allowing riders to gather data and adjust their motorcycles before the weekend's main competitions. Leading Thai and international riders including Mix Thanat Laongphliu and Terle Pirapong Louiboonphaeng are taking part.

Saturday August 1 will host qualifying rounds starting at 1 p.m. to determine grid positions for all classes, followed by Honda Thailand Talent Cup Race 1 at 3:45 p.m. and Yamalube R7 Cup at 4:55 p.m.

Sunday August 2 marks the weekend's highlight with championship finals beginning with Honda Thailand Talent Cup Race 2 at 10:05 a.m. and Yamalube R9 Cup at 11:15 a.m. Ticketed fans can participate in a Pit Walk from 11:35 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for close-up paddock access before the main races proceed through Super Sport 250, Super Stock/Superbike 1000, Super Sport 600, and concluding with the premier Superbike 1000 class at 4:30 p.m.

Grandstand tickets are available at 100 baht per day and VIP tickets at 500 baht per day (Saturday and Sunday only) at ticket booths near the Grandstand entrance. Ticket holders can enter a raffle for prizes including VIP passes and Paddock Passes for MotoGP 2027, plus opportunities to meet world-class riders.

Fans can watch live coverage on True Sports 1 (Channel 666) on August 2 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., or stream via the Chang Circuit Buriram and BRIC Superbike 2026 Facebook pages and YouTube channel starting at 9 a.m.

BRIC Superbike is also expanding its audience to Asia through a long-term partnership with China's MFZ Racing, broadcasting the competition on major Chinese platforms including Douyin, Weibo, iQIYI, and Huya—a significant step toward establishing the Thai championship as a major regional motorsports event.

On July 31, 2569, the Royal Thai Embassy Ankara's official Facebook page posted a clarification regarding questions about the embassy's handling of the death case of Bowortat Pengsuk, also known as Holun Solo. The embassy stated that embassy staff arriving in Tbilisi at 20:30 on July 29, 2569, immediately proceeded to the Georgian police station and were informed by the investigating officer that the police station had sent an email to Georgia's Foreign Ministry on July 14, 2569, requesting that Thai authorities be notified. The embassy had not received direct notice from Georgian police prior to this.

On July 30, 2569, at 11:00, embassy staff met with Georgian Foreign Ministry officials, who formally delivered a death notification letter for Bowortat (dated July 29, 2569, in Georgian with an unofficial English translation).

The embassy has requested that Georgian authorities investigate why the Foreign Ministry dated its letter July 29, after the embassy had inquired about the case on July 28 (following news of Bowortat's disappearance). The embassy reaffirmed its commitment to providing careful consular assistance based on reliable official information and in accordance with international law, while respecting the privacy rights of the deceased and family. The embassy emphasized that it was never directly notified by Georgian police and first learned of the case from Georgia's Foreign Ministry on July 29.

Bangkok — Thailand's government is reviewing more than 100 laws identified by the private sector as obstacles to doing business, with the aim of cutting costs and improving the country's competitiveness, Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs Pakorn Nilprapunt said.

Pakorn said the government had begun working with the private sector's three main institutions through the Joint Public-Private Sector Consultative Committee to review laws and regulations that hinder business operations.

The latest proposals from the private sector involve more than 100 laws, with most recommendations coming from the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

The proposals will first be grouped and prioritised to identify which laws have the greatest impact on the economy and national competitiveness, he said.

Pakorn said the government would not create a large-scale master plan, which could take too long and risk falling behind changing circumstances.

Instead, private-sector groups have been asked to clearly identify what is wrong with each law and which specific wording needs to be amended. Once clear draft amendments are prepared, the government will immediately seek feedback from relevant stakeholders.

After consultations and agreement are reached, the principles will be submitted to the Cabinet, which will assign the relevant agencies to amend the laws through the established process.

The government will prioritise measures that can be implemented quickly and deliver tangible benefits to businesses.

The legal reforms will be prioritised under the government's seven Leading Thailand strategies, particularly sectors that directly affect the country's competitiveness, including tourism and industry.

Private businesses have repeatedly warned that Thailand will struggle to compete with other countries if operating costs remain high.

Pakorn said his team had already held preliminary discussions with the private sector to determine which proposals would be beneficial and practical.

A system has also been developed to allow private-sector representatives to submit issues and track progress on each proposal, he said.

However, Pakorn stressed that competitiveness was not solely a legal issue. Structural costs, particularly high energy prices, also remain a major burden for businesses across the economy.

"Even if we reform the laws, it may not be enough if these issues are not addressed at the same time," he said.

Pakorn said the government initially expected the process to take around two months but had already made significant progress.

"We expect to have a clearer picture within the next one to two months. We have to move quickly because time is running out, the government's term is moving fast, and the country needs tangible change," he said.

The Department of Land Transport has clarified that unpaid traffic fines will not block vehicle tax renewal starting August 1. Director-general Saraphong Paithoonyapongs announced that the 16 million existing traffic citations will not be included in the new enforcement framework established through a memorandum between the National Police Office and the Department of Land Transport under Section 141 of the Traffic Act. Vehicle tax renewal decisions will only consider violations occurring from August 1, 2569 onwards, excluding any prior offenses. The administrative process, subject to the Administrative Court's procedures, takes more than 90 days to complete. "From August 1, outstanding traffic fines will not be factored into vehicle tax renewal eligibility, since violations from that date onward take over 90 days to reach the Department of Land Transport, during which police must send two warning notices," the director-general stated, dismissing reports claiming the new rule would retroactively apply to old fines.

Thirty-two universities nationwide are competing in the final round of Thailand's University Football Championship, with total prize money exceeding 1 million baht, held at Khon Kaen University.

On July 31, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation held a press conference and conducted a draw to determine the bracket for the fourth edition of the national university football championship. The event was chaired by Supchai Pathumanakul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, along with Deputy Permanent Secretary Varaphon Rungtrakarn, Committee Chairman Chanchhai Suksuwon, Khon Kaen University Vice Rector Phensri Charoenvanit, and Kasem Bundit University Rector Vallop Suwannadi.

The competition drew strong interest from higher education institutions nationwide, with 70 teams registered from five regional zones: Bangkok (20 teams), Northeast (16 teams), Central/Eastern (15 teams), North (12 teams), and South (7 teams). The top 30 performing teams from the qualifying rounds advanced to the national finals, supplemented by two special quota slots: host Khon Kaen University and three-time defending champion Thammasat University, bringing the final field to 32 teams.

Total prize money for the tournament exceeds 1 million baht. The champion receives 400,000 baht plus a trophy and medals. The first runner-up receives 200,000 baht, second runner-up 100,000 baht, and third runner-up 80,000 baht. Teams eliminated before the semi-finals receive 55,000 baht each, while all 30 teams that advanced to the finals receive 15,000 baht each.

The Joint Information Center on the Thailand-Cambodian Situation (JIC) firmly rejects the allegations made by the Cambodian side concerning the detention of 18 prisoners of war. The call for an invest...