AIS and Bangkok Land have announced a strategic partnership to upgrade the 4,000-rai Muang Thong area into Thailand's prototype smart city under the banner "Muang Thong NEXT: The Smart & Connected City." The collaboration will transform Muang Thong from a national events and convention hub into a connectivity-focused city integrating all urban systems—living, housing, work, education, entertainment, business, events, transportation, security, and future economic opportunities.

AIS will provide comprehensive support through several key initiatives: deploying intelligent 5G mobile networks across Muang Thong and upgrading to 5G-Advanced using multi-frequency technology to deliver faster speeds, stronger signals, lower latency, and dense coverage—especially for large concert halls and event centers hosting tens of thousands of simultaneous users for live streaming, immersive experiences, extended reality, holograms, and high-quality real-time broadcasts.

The partnership will upgrade all households to smart living via AIS 3BB Fibre3 home internet and the new WiFi 7 standard, enabling homes, condominiums, and communities to connect quickly and reliably while supporting future smart services from smart homes and remote work to telemedicine and remote health monitoring.

AIS will also drive business transformation for the AI era through hyper-connectivity solutions, sovereign cloud, data centers, and AI services to help office buildings and entrepreneurs accelerate digital transformation, connect to global cloud platforms, enable data analytics, and access managed services from expert teams.

The partnership will elevate the IMPACT concert and event experience through WiFi networks and connectivity systems supporting large crowds, ensuring continuous communication, transactions, and digital engagement for exhibitors and organizers. It will also expand 5G VIP Ultra and Boost Mode services on 5G SA networks for faster, more stable digital experiences.

This digital infrastructure will extend to comprehensive future smart city management, covering AI CCTV, smart access, digital signage, smart metering, IoT, digital payments, data analytics, digital libraries, virtual classrooms, and cybersecurity. Data from convention centers, business areas, residences, retail, educational institutions, security agencies, and public spaces will feed into a Smart City Data Platform and digital twin, enabling real-time city oversight for officials to optimize traffic, energy, space usage, and security planning. The initiative aims to position Muang Thong as a model smart and connected city that operates intelligently, securely, and sustainably.

The Thai Meteorological Department has forecast lighter rain across Thailand from 16-19 July 2026, before showers and heavy rain return on 20-21 July, raising concerns over flash floods, runoff and overflowing rivers. The agency said the North and the western part of the Central region are the areas that need the closest watch.

From 16-19 July, rainfall will ease nationwide, although some areas in the North and upper Northeast will still see heavy rain as a low-pressure area lingers over upper Vietnam. The southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand will weaken during this period.

From 20-21 July, rain is expected to increase again, with heavy showers in some areas, especially in the North and the western part of the Central region, as a low-pressure cell moves over Laos and upper Vietnam and the southwest monsoon strengthens. The department warned that accumulated rainfall could trigger flash floods, forest runoff and overflowing waterways, especially in foothill areas near channels and low-lying land.

Wave conditions in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are expected to remain moderate, with upper Andaman waves around 2 metres and more than 2 metres in thundershowers. Lower Andaman waters and the upper Gulf are forecast at 1-2 metres, rising above 2 metres in stormy areas.

In the North, thunderstorms are likely over 30-40% of the area from 15-19 July, rising to 40-60% on 20-21 July, with isolated heavy rain. Temperatures will range from 23-27°C to 29-35°C, with southwest winds of 10-20 km/h.

In Bangkok and surrounding provinces, thunderstorms are expected over 30-40% of the area on 16-17 July and again on 21 July, with rain easing to 20-30% on 18-20 July. Temperatures will range from 26-28°C to 32-36°C.

PHUKET: A fight between two foreign men in the middle of a busy road in Cherng Talay left one man bloodied and prompted concern from motorists after video of the incident was shared online.

On July 15, 2569, the Thai Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rain in scattered areas across northern, northeastern, eastern, and western southern regions due to the moderate southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, alongside a low-pressure system over northern Vietnam. Residents in affected areas are urged to be cautious of heavy to very heavy rainfall and accumulated rain, which may cause flash flooding and flash floods, especially in foothill areas near waterways and low-lying zones.

Wave conditions in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand will weaken to moderate strength with waves approximately 2 meters high. The lower Andaman Sea and lower Gulf of Thailand will have waves of 1-2 meters, while areas with thunderstorms may see waves exceeding 2 meters. Fishermen are advised to proceed with caution and avoid sailing in thunderstorm areas.

Detailed regional forecast from 18:00 today to 18:00 tomorrow:

**Northern Region**: Thunderstorms in 40% of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly around Mae Hong Son, Tak, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces. Low 23-25°C, high 32-35°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

**Northeastern Region**: Thunderstorms in 40% of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly around Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. Low 23-25°C, high 33-35°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

**Central Region**: Thunderstorms in 40% of the area, mainly around Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram, and Samut Sakhon provinces. Low 23-26°C, high 34-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

**Eastern Region**: Thunderstorms in 60% of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly around Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces. Low 24-27°C, high 31-34°C. Southwest winds 20-35 km/h. Seas with waves approximately 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

**Southern Region (Eastern Coast)**: Thunderstorms in 40% of the area, mainly around Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces. Low 23-25°C, high 32-35°C. From Surat Thani northward: southwest winds 20-35 km/h, seas with waves 1-2 meters nearshore and approximately 2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. From Nakhon Si Thammarat southward: southwest winds 15-35 km/h, seas with waves approximately 1 meter nearshore and 1-2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

**Southern Region (Western Coast)**: Thunderstorms in 60% of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly around Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, and Krabi provinces. Low 24-26°C, high 30-34°C. From Phuket northward: southwest winds 20-35 km/h, seas with waves approximately 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. From Krabi southward: southwest winds 15-35 km/h.

PHUKET: Police are searching for a foreign man accused of assaulting an Australian couple in Rawai after a dispute over damage to a motorcycle, with CCTV footage of the incident now circulating on social media.

On July 15, 2025, Praphan Khunmee, a former senator and ex-chair of the Senate's ICT committee, spoke about the NBTC selection committee's delayed decision on whether Dr. Sorin Boonbhaichaipruk, chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, meets legal qualifications. The committee is expected to rule at a Friday, July 17 meeting.

Khunmee claims documentary evidence shows Dr. Sorin failed to fully resign from medical work as required. Although he submitted a self-certification on January 8, 2021 claiming he had quit his profession, records show he remained a university employee until April 12, 2021 and continued treating patients at Ramathibodi Hospital's Faculty of Medicine through 2024. He also worked as an hourly-paid physician at Ramathibodi from January 8 to April 12, 2021, without formally resigning.

This may violate sections 8(2) and (3) of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Act, which prohibit commissioners from holding government positions or independent professional roles with conflicting interests. According to the law, such violations constitute forfeiture of office under section 18.

Khunmee and General Ananttaporn Kajancharatana have submitted evidence to the selection committee, including a May 17, 2024 letter from Mahidol University's former rector confirming Dr. Sorin's employee status and patient care duties from December 20, 2020 to April 12, 2021. Tax records (Form ภ.ง.ด.90) for 2021–2023 show he continued receiving income from Ramathibodi Hospital and Merck Ltd., a pharmaceutical company, while serving as NBTC chairman—a position requiring full-time, independent service.

Khunmee questioned why Mahidol's latest inspection results have not been presented to the selection committee, suggesting the government is hiding unfavorable findings. He called on the committee to base its decision on factual evidence and urged Dr. Sorin to openly address the accusations rather than avoid scrutiny.