With the 2025 monsoon season officially starting May 15, Bangkok is marshaling comprehensive flood preparedness measures. The city has cleared 3,739 of 3,815 kilometers of drainage pipes (98.1% of annual plan) and dredged over 82% of major canals, opening water flow routes to 99% completion. Bangkok has installed pumping equipment at all 560 locations citywide, distributed mobile water-pumping units to all 50 districts by July 2025, and deployed 12 rapid-response mobile pumping units for emergencies.

Monitoring systems include two C-Band weather radars, 130 rainfall gauges, 248 road-flooding sensors, 310 water-level stations on canals and the Chao Phraya River, 55 flow-rate measurement stations, and 270 pump-control stations. All data feeds into the Bangkok Flood Prevention Center for 24-hour real-time analysis and decision support.

Preparedness includes continuous monitoring of rainfall and water levels, pre-draining canals to create temporary capacity, inspecting gates and pumping stations, installing temporary pumps at high-risk zones, clearing debris and aquatic plants, accelerating drainage after rainfall, and operating the Nong Bon drainage tunnel at full capacity in 2025. Long-term projects include extending the Nong Bon tunnel to cover six districts spanning 152.90 square kilometers.

Deputy Prime Minister Pokkrong Nileprapen disclosed on July 31 that the government is accelerating efforts to repeal over 100 laws proposed by the private sector to lower business costs and strengthen the nation's competitive capacity, emphasizing tourism and industry. The government is collaborating with three private sector institutions through a public-private partnership committee to examine laws that obstruct business operations. Most proposals come from the Chamber of Commerce and the Industrial Council, which must be grouped and prioritized by their impact on the economy and competitiveness.

Pokkrong stated the approach will avoid lengthy master plans and instead seek clear input from the private sector on specific legal problems and necessary amendments. Once draft revisions are clarified, stakeholder consultations will follow immediately, and approved principles will be submitted to the Cabinet for implementation by respective government agencies. The government will prioritize laws affecting sectors outlined in the "Leading Thailand" strategy, particularly tourism and industry, where high business costs hinder international competition.

Pokkrong noted the team has already held preliminary consultations with the private sector to identify practical and impactful proposals, with a tracking system established for continuous progress monitoring. However, he acknowledged that legal reform alone is insufficient; structural costs—especially high energy prices affecting all businesses—must also be addressed concurrently. Originally estimated to take two months, the process has advanced significantly, with clearer outcomes expected within 1-2 months, as the government must move quickly to deliver tangible change.

A man with impaired mental faculties allegedly stole an unattended pallet truck and drove it more than 40 kilometres before crashing into two other trailer trucks on Thursday afternoon on Asian Highway 41 in Chumphon's Lamae district. The collision occurred at around 13:50 near kilometre marker 92/600 in Suan Taeng subdistrict, causing severe damage to all three vehicles with their cabs torn apart and scattered across the road. All three drivers—32-year-old Kiattisak Yangmee, 55-year-old Boonchuay Isarapap, and 27-year-old Nattanon Daengkanit—were injured and rushed to Lamae Hospital with rib and body injuries.

Police determined that Nattanon allegedly spotted the pallet truck parked unattended in Surat Thani with its key in the ignition while the driver was eating. He then drove the vehicle north at high speed for over 40 kilometres until losing control in Lamae district and colliding with the two trailer trucks. A preliminary urine test found no drugs in Nattanon's system, though police have requested further blood testing to check his blood alcohol level. Police will question him once his injuries improve and determine appropriate charges for vehicle theft and the crash.

Children playing hide-and-seek find body in YalaLegacyA building caretaker was found dead at a bungalow in Betong district, Yala, yesterday, July 30, after children playing hide-and-seek discovered him in the building. Police, medical staff and rescuers were called to the four-storey bungalow at around 8.30pm. The man, identified only as 34 year old Natthaworn, was found on the stairway leading to the rooftop. He was wearing a grey T-shirt and blue jeans. Residents said the first people to discover him were children playing hide-and-seek in the building. They alerted one of the man’s friends, who went upstairs and attempted to help, but found he had already died. Police and the man’s relatives were then notified. Photo via Amarin TV The man’s sister said her brother had previously attempted to take his own life twice while living at their former home, but family members were able to intervene on both occasions. She said she did not expect another attempt after he moved to the bungalow. According to her, her brother rarely spoke about his personal life, although she knew he had been under stress and was living with an underlying medical condition. She added that they lived separately and she was unaware of the details of his situation, reported Amarin TV. Photo via Amarin TV If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai), or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress, or depression. Seek help. In another news regarding Yala, the Musang King durian, renowned for its rich, creamy texture and distinctive flavour, has begun to bear fruit in Betong, attracting hordes of Malaysian and Singaporean tourists eager to indulge in this prized variety. The story Children playing hide-and-seek find body in Yala as seen on Thaiger News.

PHUKET: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has placed nearly B500 million worth of Phuket public projects under scrutiny, warning that authorities must ensure very expensive developments do not become wasteful public investment abandoned after construction.

Phuket police arrest Myanmar worker over work permit breachLegacyA Myanmar woman was arrested in Chalong, Phuket, yesterday, July 30, after police found she was working as a shop assistant despite her work permit allowing her to work only as a labourer. Police said they received a tip-off that a migrant worker was selling goods, accepting payments and serving customers at a grocery shop, potentially in breach of the conditions of her work permit. Police carried out a test purchase before entering the shop, where they found the Myanmar woman selling goods in the shop. Photo via Phuket Info Center Checks found she held a valid passport and work permit, but was authorised to work only as a labourer. Her permit did not allow her to sell goods, receive payments or serve customers at the front of the shop. She admitted carrying out those duties and said she worked for a Thai employer, who was not at the shop when officers carried out the inspection. The woman was charged with working outside the conditions of her work permit. Police also seized documents relating to the employer as part of an investigation into whether the employer had committed any offences. The Myanmar woman was then taken to Chalong Police Station for legal proceedings. Photo via Phuket Info Center Under Thai law, foreign workers may work only in the position and under the conditions stated in their work permit. Employers who allow foreign workers to perform duties outside those conditions may also face legal action. The Ministry of Labour also requires retail sales work to match the duties specified in a worker’s permit. In similar news, police arrested a foreign man in Phuket for allegedly operating an illegal motorcycle rental service catering to foreign tourists. The suspect denied the accusation and allegedly attempted to shift the blame to a friend. The story Phuket police arrest Myanmar worker over work permit breach as seen on Thaiger News.