Prince of Songkhla University has signed research cooperation agreements with over 30 partner organizations under the "Hat Yai Model Plus" project to integrate knowledge, research, technology, and innovation to enhance flood preparedness in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, under the concept "Countdown to a Disaster-Ready Hat Yai."

The ceremony on July 20 was presided over by Jirawat Maneechodh, Deputy Governor of Songkhla Province, alongside university rector Asst. Prof. Dr. Niwat Kaeoprab, Prof. Dr. Komkrit Leksakul of the Office of the Committee for the Promotion of Science, Research and Innovation, and officials from government agencies, private sector, local government organizations, researchers, and media.

Hat Yai District serves as an economic, educational, medical, transport, and tourism hub for Southern Thailand, but faces recurring flooding from geography, urban expansion, and climate change impacts. Past floods have revealed gaps in warning systems, data coordination, interagency communication, and community preparedness.

The Hat Yai Model Plus uses science, research, and innovation to improve integrated disaster management through four main initiatives: (1) a real-time flood early warning system integrating rainfall forecasting, hydrological modeling, and artificial intelligence for the Klang U-Taphao watershed; (2) a public health information network center for emergency and disaster management; (3) development of smart shelters for flood response; and (4) community strengthening programs.

All projects receive support from the Office of the Committee for the Promotion of Science, Research and Innovation (PCSRI) and funding from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT).

The cooperation agreement represents a joint commitment by over 30 government, academic, local government, water resource, disaster prevention, public health, business, industry, and community organizations. Rather than a symbolic signing, it represents genuine integration through shared data, coordinated planning, system development, resource exchange, and cross-sector collaboration to build an efficient and sustainable flood management system.

Following intense public criticism after Looksaikongdin Gym suspended boxer Zaidania Looksaikongdin's fighting rights, Zaidania posted a detailed clarification on July 20, 2025. She denied claims that she booked fights independently without consulting relevant parties, stating that for her Malaysia fight she had already expressed her intention to compete, and for domestic Thai bouts she had consulted continuously with her team regarding job details and compensation. Zaidania emphasized that she did not make decisions alone and that her team was fully aware of and understood the circumstances.

She also addressed allegations of manipulation by people close to her, firmly denying she was influenced or coerced by anyone. Zaidania acknowledged feeling confused during a period of major life decisions and apologized if her changed responses seemed aggressive, but stressed she harbors no ill will toward anyone and deeply loves her family. Regarding references to family violence, she clarified that these were instances of discipline or warnings, but emphasized: "Family violence should not happen to anyone, for any reason." She explained that she initially accepted such treatment as normal within her family environment but later realized its harmful nature both emotionally and physically.

At 3:00 p.m. on July 20, 2026, Deputy Superintendent Piyaporn Potthiyong of Mae Ka Police Station in Phayao received a report of a deceased man found in a rice field in the Champahwai area, Tampol Champahwai, Muang District, Phayao Province. He immediately proceeded to the scene with a forensic pathologist from Phayao Hospital, provincial evidence specialists, Mae Ka Police investigators, and local rescue personnel.

The body was found lying face-up in the middle of a rice field, wearing a short-sleeved shirt, shorts, and white Converse sneakers. The corpse was bloated, and the face and torso had been severely decomposed by maggots, making facial identification impossible. Items found in the shirt pocket included cigarette packages, methamphetamine pills, and a lighter. The right hand bore a spider tattoo, while the right shoulder was tattooed with the word "Father" and the left shoulder with "Mother." Medical examination revealed what appeared to be blunt-force injuries to the head at four points, with death estimated to have occurred at least three days prior.

According to the village headman, the deceased is believed to be a 55-year-old man named Lah from Tambon Champahwai, who was a habitual drinker and had been missing from home for approximately three days without any missing person report filed by relatives. The match is considered highly probable but awaits official identification confirmation.

Police from Mae Ka Station are currently gathering evidence, conducting investigations, and awaiting detailed autopsy results to determine whether the death was caused by homicide or other factors before proceeding with legal action.

On July 20, 2025, the body of Somsak, a murder victim whose head and genitals were severed before being buried in a shack in Ban Dung District, Udon Thani, was cremated in a sparse ceremony at Wat Burpawan. Police arrested Niruit in connection with the case and filed three charges: attempted murder, concealment of remains, and animal cruelty, though he has denied involvement.

The victim's 80-year-old aunt, Wichian, who sells bundled rice porridge for a living, explained she had no money for funeral expenses and was the only surviving relative. She handed the body over to the local rescue association, which arranged a simple Buddhist cremation ceremony attended by six monks. The atmosphere was somber and quiet, with no other family members present to pay respects.

On July 20, residents of Khlong 8 in Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani province, shared video clips of large crocodiles measuring more than 2 meters long appearing in the canal near Phuetchanya Temple, causing significant panic in the area. A 49-year-old traditional massage therapist stationed at a floating massage clinic in the irrigation canal witnessed the first crocodile between 2 and 2:30 p.m. Initially it appeared to be a log, but closer observation revealed the animal's nose, eyes, and mouth at water level before it sank—a behavior distinct from logs which drift with the current. The first crocodile measured approximately 1.5 to 2 meters, while a smaller second specimen of about 1 meter emerged near the floating clinic, roughly 3 meters away.

The witness distinguished the animals from fish by their natural crocodile behavior of surfacing only the top of the head to breathe, with eyes and nostrils visible while the body remains submerged. He immediately warned residents to avoid entering the water and avoid areas near the canal pending further verification. Pattama Puranasurang, a staff member at the temple, noted unusual fish behavior before the sighting—the fish refused to eat their regular pellet food and huddled on one side of the canal, even though monks later provided 4-5 sacks of fish food. She also recalled seeing a suspicious object floating about a week earlier when water levels were higher. The crocodile sighting has alarmed local water spinach gatherers, who have temporarily halted harvesting for safety, and residents remain anxious despite most not having witnessed the crocodiles themselves.

A Nida Poll survey on illegal foreign activity reveals that most Thai citizens view money laundering and illegal business investment as the most dangerous forms of foreign crime, followed by nominee land ownership, shell businesses operated for foreigners, fraudulent Thai citizenship schemes, and currency manipulation. These activities directly harm Thailand's economy by siphoning capital from the system and allowing revenue to leak abroad. Many ordinary Thais have witnessed such conduct firsthand—from money laundering to nominee schemes, large foreign settlements, and illegal occupations—showing these are real problems across the country, not merely media stories. The survey identified government corruption as the leading factor enabling foreign crimes, cited by over 67 percent of respondents, with weak penalties, legal gaps, political corruption, and official neglect also playing major roles. This reveals the problem is rooted in internal structural weaknesses, not foreigners alone. While Thailand needs foreign investment, tourists, and skilled labor to drive its economy, these must be coupled with strict and fair law enforcement. Legitimate businesses should be promoted while lawbreakers face prosecution without exception. The government must urgently plug identified loopholes by combating official corruption, modernizing laws for transnational crime, increasing penalties for nominee schemes and money laundering, creating transparent oversight, and enforcing laws fairly. Failure to act risks undermining investor confidence, damaging Thai entrepreneurs, and causing long-term economic harm. The time has come for serious government action to prevent Thailand from becoming a safe haven for criminals and to protect Thai citizens' interests and the nation's future economy.