At 10:00 AM on July 13, 2025, at the Bangkok Metropolitan Council meeting room in the Auravatpatana Building at City Hall 2 in Din Daeng, Methavee Tharendarmong, a Bangkok Metropolitan Council member from Pathumwan district, chaired the proceedings in an interim capacity as the most senior member present.

The council's first meeting included the election of the 26th chair and the first and second deputy chairs to oversee the legislative branch and monitor the administration's performance.

Viputh Srivaauirai, a council member from Bang Rak district representing the Working People group, nominated Pattaraphon Kaengrungreongshai, a Bangkok Party member from Bang Sue district, for the chair position. Meanwhile, Somchai Tomplubulkul, a Democrat Party member from Khlong San district, nominated Wirat Kongkhaketr, also a Democrat Party member from Bangkok Yai district, to contest the position, arguing that council members should hear the vision of both candidates.

Pattaraphon stood to present her vision, emphasizing that the Bangkok council must be transparent and accountable with four main initiatives: (1) opening live broadcasts by amending meeting rules to stream all ordinary and extraordinary sessions, with the ability to close the feed for security or sensitive third-party matters; (2) automatic disclosure of voting records, currently requiring the chair's approval; (3) publishing attendance statistics of all members for transparency and public accountability; and (4) supporting member work efficiency by establishing an academic office and budget under the council's authority to help analyze budgets and provide data for drafting various ordinances.

Pattaraphon further stated that to make Bangkok's diverse city accessible to everyone, the council should open space for public budget proposals and expand the popular budget-hacking event from a small group initiative into a full council program, allowing citizens to understand and jointly oversee budget allocation and suggest future directions.

Regarding transparency for council members, she noted it is their right but offered various channels and systems, with a timeline to push these reforms by December of this year within her two-year term.

Wirat presented his vision, saying that without preparation but relying on his experience and ideas, leading the Bangkok council is not difficult. New members must understand the meeting rules, as Bangkok operates with three gears: the administration, civil service, and council. If each rotates in balance, citizens will benefit fully. As one of fifty cogs, he aims to rotate smoothly with the administration and civil service gears.

As of 11:00 a.m. on 13 July 2025, the disaster relief center reported that 71 people have been injured in the Ladprao beer hall fire, up from 63 earlier, and 45 remain missing. Authorities have received reports from more than 50 families either in person or by phone seeking information about missing relatives, and officials are continuing verification and coordination efforts.

The Erawan Center reported at 10:20 a.m. that death toll stands at 27, with 13 identities confirmed. The 13 confirmed victims are: Aphihnun Pheng Sri, Pisanu Taeng Sophia, Suwit­cha Siri Salung, Top Sarobol, Phonepaseut Pounqppany (Laos), Nipa­porn Chaem Chaeng, Atchara Sudthasin, Konakthip Sri Suk, Nanthay Satcharoelert, Aphinya Suk Thong La, Ledawalai Nrotrosopha, Nam Thip Tup Suk, and Kochakorn Sorathat.

Among the injured: red-tag cases include 12 male and 12 female patients (24 total); yellow-tag cases include 6 male and 7 female patients (13 total); green-tag cases include 14 male and 18 female patients (32 total awaiting transfer).

Kasetsart University announced that donations for constructing the Medical Faculty, School of Nursing, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Kasetsart Hospital under the university's Medical Park project reached 384,876,246.15 baht as of July 10, 2025. The university thanked all contributors from every sector who have supported this important national initiative and invited the public to join in building the country's future in medicine, education, and research.

Dr. Damrong Sripraram, acting rector of Kasetsart University, stated that over the past three years since the university opened donations on September 1, 2022, it has received compassion and support from faculty, alumni, staff, private companies, organizations, and donors nationwide. Donations have increased significantly, with contributions rising more than 101.92 million baht from the 282,953,076.12 baht announced on July 1, 2025, demonstrating nationwide confidence in the project.

"This figure is not merely a donation amount, but a symbol of trust, unity, and hope that everyone has given to the university to build the future of medicine and public health in our country," the acting rector said. The Medical Park project received Cabinet approval and represents the university's vision to advance healthcare science education, research, and medical services. The project was launched during the university's 80th anniversary in February 2023 and comprises four medical schools and a 400-bed hospital on approximately 50 acres at the Bangkhen campus. The Cabinet approved a total budget of 8,863.9 million baht, with 7,477.8 million from government funds and Kasetsart University required to raise 1,386.1 million baht.

The development of the medical faculty, nursing school, pharmacy faculty, and clinical teaching centers in collaborative networks continues to advance steadily. Kasetsart University is confident the hospital will serve not only as a medical facility but also as a learning center, research hub, and knowledge center in healthcare science that will produce quality physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and medical professionals to serve Thai society long-term. As of July 10, 2025, donations have been supported by numerous donors, particularly the Kasetsart University Savings Cooperative.

Labor Minister Julphand Amornvivat announced on July 13, 2025, via his personal Facebook that he extends his condolences and sympathy to all those who lost their lives in the fire at an entertainment venue on Ladprao Road, which broke out in the early hours. He also sent encouragement to the injured, affected families, and all emergency responders, hoping they emerge from this tragedy with strength and safety.

Regarding relief for the affected, the minister ordered the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare to exercise authority under the Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Protection at Work Act B.E. 2554, along with ministerial regulations on fire prevention and electrical safety standards, to conduct on-site investigations.

Additionally, the Social Security Office has been instructed to urgently verify and process benefits for all affected persons to ensure assistance is delivered efficiently and fairly. "I will monitor this matter closely and provide updates as there are new developments," the minister said.

On July 13, 2025, Usa (known as Pealm), 40, a survivor and senior friend of the deceased, recounted the harrowing moments and devastating loss of two group members in a fire at an entertainment venue in Bangkok's Ladprao district. She was visiting the venue that night with four others in her group, explaining that they were regular patrons who visited frequently, sometimes several times a week.

When they first arrived, the group sat at a back table, but suddenly felt like dancing and moved to the front near the stage—ironically, the exact spot where flames would later fall. Usa recalled a strange premonition before the fire: she had received a phone call from a friend to whom she said, "Well, I'm going now, I won't be coming back, I won't be around to bother anyone." Her friend Li, who would later perish, had even warned her not to go.

Shortly after, Usa and another friend stepped outside for a cigarette, having just moved tables and not yet ordered drinks. It was this decision that would save their lives. While smoking, Usa noticed smoke coming from the roof and alerted a security guard. Moments later, a loud explosion erupted, and flames began cascading from the ceiling near the stage, followed by thick black smoke billowing out rapidly.

Usa and her friend attempted to run back inside to rescue the three others, but intense heat pushed them back. They later used chairs to break the front windows to help evacuate people and search desperately for their friends through every available door.

Eventually, devastating news came: two friends had died—Li and his wife Ice, a married couple with two young children. A third friend in the group suffered severe injuries and remained in ICU at Pramongkutklao Hospital. Usa described waiting through the night until around 6 a.m., when she immediately recognized her friend's body being wheeled out. She ran after staff preparing to perform CPR, only to be told, "No need, put it down," as they covered her friend's body with a white sheet before her eyes.

BANGKOK: Customers depositing more than B5 million in cash will be required to disclose the source of the funds from the fourth quarter as part of tighter measures to curb the grey economy and illicit financial activities, according to Bank of Thailand (BoT) Governor Vitai Ratanakorn.