On July 20, Poon Padtonghlang, an 85-year-old blind and immobile resident of Nong Song Hông village in Mueang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, wept after learning his application for the state welfare card had been rejected. The system flagged him as owning two motorcycles, though they are old vehicles from his youth that have long since broken down and vanished. Poon survives on 800 baht monthly in elderly allowance and 800 baht in disability benefit—totaling just 1,600 baht per month—and depends entirely on relatives for care and food, as he cannot help himself. His eldest daughter, Samreung Haenyok, 58, explained the family's desperation: traveling to the transport office to remove his name from the motorcycle registrations is nearly impossible because her father is completely blind and cannot move independently. The old motorcycles are long gone, but their names remain in the system, disqualifying him from aid. When Poon learned he had been rejected, he wept and said simply, "I want the card so I can have money to buy rice." Though he has saved roughly 10,000 baht over his lifetime, the family insists this does not reflect financial stability—they still depend on relatives to buy rice, food, milk, and necessities. The family is appealing to the government and relevant agencies to verify the facts, reconsider his eligibility, and help elderly and disabled people who cannot travel to handle paperwork themselves, so that outdated property records do not block vulnerable groups like Poon from receiving aid.

On July 20, 2025, at the Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 hotel, Nattapong Ruangpanyawit, Pheu Thai list MP and party leader, gave an interview about the TH-AI Passport case and the planned complaint to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). He explained that under the law, the NACC can conduct thorough investigations independently without requiring a formal complaint. Pheu Thai's complaint is still being drafted and will be disclosed once finalized.

Regarding observations that party member Pawat Pongvitthayapanu appeared to support the project in a social media post—raising questions about possible impropriety—Nattapong said he had discussed the matter with Pawat during a recent day off. He reiterated that the project's problems center on irregular procurement and reduced specifications, with value-for-money being a separate concern. Pheu Thai is attempting to identify where the irregularities lie and prevent the government from distorting the facts, noting that overlapping interests of groups potentially connected to the administration are at stake.

When asked about Ratchanok Srinok, another Pheu Thai list MP, posting a similar critical statement after Pawat's post, Nattapong said that differing views among working colleagues are normal, whether expressed privately or publicly. He stressed that the essential issue is the procurement irregularity and that the party members continue to communicate regularly.

On whether the strongly-worded language used warranted a warning, Nattapong said the matter has been discussed among them continuously.

The Thai Practical Shooting Association and the Chinese Practical Shooting Association organized the Thai-Chinese IPSC Handgun Championship 2026 (Level 3) from July 16–19, 2025, at the National Sports Training Center's shooting range in Bang Lamung, Chonburi Province.

The competition featured 324 competitors from 9 countries and 2 special administrative regions: Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Africa, Sweden, Australia, Macau, and Hong Kong. Thai shooters achieved exceptional results, winning 11 of 12 championship titles, with Filipino competitor Rolly Nathaniel Tekson claiming the sole non-Thai title in the Production Division men's category.

Divisional champions included: Open Division men's Siraphop Hemala and women's Mintra Pramoht; Standard Division men's Charasprot Srirutthanan and women's Pattharatida Makae; Production Division men's Rolly Nathaniel Tekson (Philippines) and women's Lt. Patchrin Inhorn; Revolver Division men's Theeraphong Timinth; Classic Division men's Vasut Siri; Production Optics Division men's Chirameth Ananthaphumitripath and women's Pattamaporn Chiabchaiwattanakul; and Optics Division men's Lt. Hasanath Wichitpatima and women's Thanyalakshan Panyananthassitthi.

Nattapoom Kamalwongse, the association's managing director and competition organizer, noted that this was the third consecutive annual Thai-Chinese International Handgun Championship. This year saw 146 Chinese athletes and 18 Chinese referees participating, with most competitors arriving 10 days early for training, primarily staying in Pattaya. The growing popularity of practical shooting sport has created jobs, boosted tourism, and driven ammunition purchases from Thai manufacturers. The association plans to expand cooperation further across Southeast Asia.

Bangkok, 20 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomes Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ new daily direct service between Bangkok and Phu Quoc, scheduled to begin on 8 August 2026. With a flight time of approximately one hour and 20 minutes, the route will expand travel options between Thailand and Viet Nam while strengthening two-way tourism links.

The service was introduced at a launch event in Bangkok on 15 July 2026, presided over by H.E. Mr. Pham Viet Hung, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to Thailand. Also Miss Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific.

Miss Pattaraanong said, “TAT welcomes new air services that broaden access to Thailand and strengthen two-way tourism across the region. Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ daily Bangkok–Phu Quoc route will provide travellers with greater choice and flexibility while supporting our work with airline and tourism partners to position Thailand as an accessible, diverse and value-led destination for Vietnamese visitors.”

Part of Sun Group, Sun PhuQuoc Airways began commercial operations in November 2025 with a network centred on Phu Quoc, the popular island destination off Viet Nam’s southern coast. Its hub-and-spoke model connects the island with domestic and international markets, supported by an expanding Airbus A320 and A321 family fleet. Bangkok forms part of the airline’s continuing expansion across Asia.

The route adds to an extensive air network connecting six Vietnamese cities with Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

Viet Nam remains one of Thailand’s important short-haul markets. More than 300,000 Vietnamese arrivals were recorded from January to early July 2026, with the total expected to reach 689,000 by the end of the year.

The post TAT welcomes Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ Bangkok–Phu Quoc service appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

SAMUT PRAKAN — 20 July 2026, A Thai court on Monday sentenced prominent student activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal to six months in prison, suspended for one year, after finding him guilty of evading compulsory military conscription.

The Samut Prakan Provincial Court convicted Netiwit under Sections 27 and 45 of the Military Service Act, which criminalise failure to comply with military conscription requirements.

The court ruled that Netiwit's challenge to the constitutionality of the Military Service Act could not succeed because the Constitutional Court had previously determined that the law does not violate the constitution.

Judges also rejected his argument that he refused military service on the grounds of religious belief and conscientious objection, ruling that neither constitutes a legal exemption under the Military Service Act.

The court suspended the six-month prison sentence for one year, citing Netiwit's lack of any previous prison record.

Netiwit was not present when the verdict was delivered. He is currently in the United States after being admitted to Harvard University Divinity School for a postgraduate programme.

Long-running challenge to conscription

The case stems from Netiwit's refusal to participate in Thailand's military conscription process, which he has opposed for years on moral and religious grounds.

In 2018, Netiwit reported for the annual military draft in Samut Prakan but publicly declared that he would not submit to conscription, identifying himself as a conscientious objector. At the time, he argued that forcing individuals to serve in the military against their will violated freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

He subsequently sought to challenge the constitutionality of the Military Service Act, arguing that the law failed to accommodate conscientious objectors and discriminated against those whose beliefs prevented them from bearing arms.

His legal team also asked the Constitutional Court to determine whether the provisions of the Military Service Act conflicted with constitutional protections for individual rights and freedoms. However, the Constitutional Court later ruled that the legislation was constitutional, clearing the way for the criminal case to proceed.

What is conscientious objection?

Conscientious objection refers to the refusal to perform military service because of sincerely held religious, ethical or moral beliefs. In many countries, conscientious objectors are allowed to perform alternative civilian service instead of joining the armed forces.

International human rights bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Committee, have recognised conscientious objection as deriving from the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion under international human rights law. However, countries differ in how they implement that principle.

Thailand's Military Service Act does not recognise conscientious objection or religious belief as grounds for exemption from compulsory military service.

A philosophical teaching attributed to Luang Pho Cha Subhaddo of Wat Nong Pa Phong in Ubon Ratchathani reminds us: "Learn to overcome yourself, not to overcome others." Kru Ba Saroey Kantisaro, formally known as Phra Kru Nimmanakar Sophan of Wat Mongkol Kiri in Tha Song Yang, Tak, commands tremendous respect among Karen, Burmese, and other ethnic communities in the region. His most celebrated amulet coin is the Solar Eclipse Edition of 2538, featuring his seated meditation image with Khmer script on the obverse and the mythical Rahu consuming the sun on the reverse, dated 24 October 2538. The article also discusses related sacred amulets by other revered monks, including the Naga-Protected Tamarind Leaf amulets of Somdet Phra Phutthajarn (Nom) of Wat Anong Karam, crafted in three materials—silver, gold-plated copper, and unplated copper—and consecrated in 2463. It further explores the Kosulabh or "Bow Cow" amulets created by Luang Pho Noi Kanthachoto, the legendary abbot of Wat Si Sawat, which require completion within auspicious planetary hours, making them among Thailand's most complex ritual objects. The piece concludes by examining the sacred goat amulets of Luang Pho Am Kesaro of Wat Nong Krabork in Ban Khai, Rayong, crafted from lightning-struck buffalo horn and believed to bring wealth and flourishing commerce to their keepers.