On July 9, 2569, Asaphol Sarntriprob, a Bhumjaithai MP and chair of the House Anti-Corruption Committee, disclosed findings from a three-hour meeting with Srinakharinwirot University officials, the Educational and Psychological Testing Center, and NACC representatives regarding fraud in local government recruitment exams.

Key findings include: All evidence—including answer sheets from over 400,000 test takers and flash drives from a secure facility in Samut Prakan—has been transferred to the NACC. Officials confirmed the documents and digital files are unaltered. The university delegated full authority for the exam project to the testing center, including bid submission, e-bidding, and contract signing, removing the rector from involvement. The testing center hired a private company for 30 million baht to print answer sheets, conduct grading, and provide scanning equipment across 10 national testing centers, and properly notified the Department of Local Administration. Allegations emerged that the exam contractor—the Department of Local Administration—interfered in results consideration, with details already provided to the NACC. The university's fact-finding committee pledged to complete its investigation by July 10. Concerns were also raised about backup files not included in the original contract scope.

Saiw Rueangduk, a hand-painted batik artisan operating under the brand Phaya Batik, is accelerating production and testing paint application techniques on fabric patterns at Wang Thep Tharo in Huai Yot District, Trang Province. He is preparing royal-sanctioned patterns for competition, incorporating both royal designs and the local Dok Sri Trang flower motif that reflects southern Thai heritage.

Previously, Saiw produced batik featuring cattleya orchids and the Dok Sri Trang pattern, which sell domestically and internationally. However, customers struggled to visualize how finished pieces would look as garments. To solve this, he has integrated AI into his design process for tailoring, patterns, colors, and sewing. This has significantly boosted customer confidence and purchasing decisions, creating a production backlog.

A recent example is his AI-designed clownfish batik under the concept "Ocean's Embrace," which combines traditional hand-painting with modern resort wear aesthetics. The piece elevates local batik into contemporary luxury fashion while preserving regional identity.

Saiw works with over 10 fabric types including cotton, linen, Thai silk, Chinese silk, bamboo fiber, and cotton blends, customizable per order and priced from thousands to tens of thousands of baht depending on fabric quality and complexity—ranging from 2,500 baht for Dok Sri Trang patterns to 35,000 baht for premium pieces.

BANGKOK — July 9, 2026 — Thai police have arrested hospital and district office officials in connection with an alleged fake birth registration scheme that authorities say helped 164 Chinese children obtain Thai nationality by using fake Thai fathers on their birth certificates.

Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, alongside Pol. Lt. Gen. Nophasin Phoolsawat, Bureau Chief attached to the Office of the Commissioner-General, and Witoon Sirinukul, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, are preparing to lead Metropolitan Police officers in a crackdown on Thursday.

The operation targets paid "fake Thai fathers" who allegedly falsely acknowledged paternity for foreign children while acting in collusion with staff at a hospital and officials at a district office, both located on the Thonburi side of Bangkok.

Meanwhile, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chotiwat Luangwilai, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division, led investigators in arresting a medical records officer at a private hospital in Thonburi district. Police identified her as a broker for the alleged "Chinese Infant" scheme, responsible for recruiting Chinese clients seeking to give birth at the hospital through a 70,000-baht package. Investigators said she received about 20,000 baht per case for processing and coordinating the required paperwork and had allegedly operated the scheme for more than five years.

An examination of hospital records identified 164 Chinese children whose births had been registered using Thai fathers over the past five years. Investigators found no prenatal records involving Thai fathers but said Thai men later appeared solely to acknowledge paternity, allowing the hospital to issue birth registration documents identifying them as the fathers.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Chotiwat read the arrest warrant to the suspect and informed her of the charges, including being a public official who unlawfully performed or omitted official duties or acted corruptly in office, while also advising her of her legal rights.

Authorities also arrested a district office official in the Thonburi area, who is accused of acting as a co-conspirator by facilitating paternity registrations and issuing birth certificates for the Chinese children.

Both suspects were taken to Metropolitan Police Division 8 for questioning as investigators continue expanding the case.

Authorities said they are also seeking search warrants to raid properties linked to the parents of the Chinese children allegedly involved in the scheme.

The Central Investigation Bureau has clarified details surrounding a viral video showing a figure dressed as a food delivery rider displaying a firearm while apprehending a suspect on Sukhumvit Soi 101/1 in Bangkok's Phra Khanong district. The incident sparked public concern after circulating on social media.

On July 9, the CIB revealed that the person in the video was an undercover police officer from the Central Investigation Bureau conducting a lawful arrest operation on July 6. The suspect was wanted under a Samut Prakan Provincial Court arrest warrant (No. 481/2569) issued on May 29 for the crime of entering false computer data that could damage the nation's economic security. Police tracked and apprehended the suspect, who arrived at the scene on a motorcycle, and transferred him to Khlong Dan police station for further legal proceedings.

The CIB confirmed that the video depicts legitimate police duty performed within the legal scope of authority, and the disguise was merely an investigative and apprehension technique.

Thailand's National Innovation Agency (NIA) is launching a national-level medical innovation platform through the Thailand Medical Innovation Hub – Tech Forum & Hackathon 2026, connecting four major medical innovation districts: Siriraj, Yothi, Suan Dok, and Kangsdal. NIA Director Dr. Krichpaka Bunyafueang announced the initiative on July 9, explaining that the hub aims to bridge knowledge, expertise, technology, and real healthcare challenges to advance medical, health, and wellness innovations toward practical application.

The event features two main components: a Tech Forum showcasing trends and opportunities in medical innovation from government, medical, academic, and business experts; and a Hackathon where participants develop solutions based on real healthcare system pain points while receiving guidance from multidisciplinary specialists. The program also includes grand pitching sessions, prototype demonstrations, and exhibitions for networking and collaboration.

Dr. Krichpaka emphasized that the initiative serves as a crucial mechanism to connect medical professionals, researchers, engineers, technology developers, entrepreneurs, and innovation partners across the country. By creating a collaborative space where diverse sectors can exchange knowledge and advance innovations into practical use within Thailand's healthcare system, the project aims to accelerate development of solutions addressing national health needs.

Scheduled events include: Siriraj Medical Innovation District (July 17–19, 2026), Yothi Medical Innovation District (August 4–5, 2026), and additional locations to follow.

The First Instance Body (FIB) committee, chaired by Kraweir Parisnanantakul and including committee members Dr. Achavit Jenglinjan, Theeraphat Wanichachiva, Itthichest Chokworsetsukul, and Chutavir Unpitipongsa, held a review meeting for Thai League 2 and Thai League 3 club licensing applications on July 9, 2025, at the Football Association of Thailand headquarters in Huamark.

The committee will only evaluate documents submitted within the following deadlines: 1. Sports and business categories: March 31, 2025 2. Personnel and legal categories: April 30, 2025 3. Infrastructure and financial categories: May 31, 2025

Clubs may submit corrections or additional documents only until June 26, 2025. Documents not submitted by these deadlines will not be considered.

Clubs that Failed Thai League 2 Licensing: Nara United failed to: – Amend documents for youth development programmes (S.01) and medical examination results for youth age 12 and above (S.03) – Submit evacuation plan documentation (I.03) – Submit corporate structure documentation (L.04) and professional athlete employment contracts (L.05) – Submit post-occurrence financial reports (F.07)

Clubs that Failed Thai League 3 Licensing: Nara United failed to: – Amend documents for youth development programmes (S.01) and medical examination results for youth age 12 and above (S.03) – Submit evacuation plan documentation (I.03) – Submit corporate structure documentation (L.04) and professional athlete employment contracts (L.05) – Submit youth coach documentation (P.11) and club licensing official certification (P.19)

Club licensing assessment comprises six criteria: 1. Sporting Criteria: youth development plans and player welfare 2. Infrastructure Criteria 3. Personnel and Administrative Criteria 4. Legal Criteria 5. Financial Criteria 6. Business Criteria

As a result, Nara United has been relegated to compete in the Thailand Semi-Pro League for the 2027 season.