Bridgestone has unveiled the BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT EVO, a new premium sport tire designed for high-performance vehicles and electric cars.

Akihito Ishii, managing director of Bridgestone Sales (Thailand) Ltd., stated that as a leading global tire manufacturer, Bridgestone is committed to continuous research and development to deliver innovations meeting diverse consumer needs and creating a new phenomenon in Thailand's tire market.

The new BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT EVO tire stands out for its superior qualities developed under the concept of 'Ultimate Control, Superior Performance,' delivering excitement to drivers while ensuring safety and confidence on all road types. The tire delivers precise handling control, superior road grip, and extended tire life, and is designed to support both high-performance vehicles and electric vehicles (EV Ready) to meet the needs of drivers prioritizing performance, safety, and operational efficiency. It features five key characteristics:

Confident braking even on wet roads: Achieves the highest wet grip standard (Wet Grip Index: A Grade) across all tire sizes, with wet braking distance 5% shorter than the previous model*

Precise braking on dry roads: Innovative curved block design reduces deformation and increases contact pressure, allowing better road grip and reducing dry braking distance by 2% compared to the previous model*

Confident control at all speeds: Varied groove sizing increases grip area, reinforced with Nylon and Aramid Fibers at the tire shoulder for enhanced strength, giving drivers more confident control at all speeds

Extended tire life: Overall improvements result in 15% longer tire life, or more than 6,000 kilometers*

Greater fuel efficiency: Rolling Resistance Coefficient (RRC) reduced by up to 6%*

In the era of electric vehicles, Bridgestone recognizes the demands of drivers who still crave speed and high performance. BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT EVO was specially designed with innovative features emphasizing lighter weight and reduced rolling resistance, improving energy efficiency especially for electric vehicles (EV Ready).

Ishii added that BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT EVO is an innovation Bridgestone is proud to present to Thai consumers, particularly drivers who value premium-quality tires. The company believes this tire will meet the needs of electric vehicle owners seeking excellent performance, precise control, superior grip, and extended tire life.

BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT EVO will be available in 2025 in a total of 71 sizes, ranging from 18-22 inch rims, starting at 5,150 baht**

In an era where office workers spend nearly the entire day staring at screens—whether computers, phones, or tablets—eye fatigue, pain, blurred vision, and headaches after work have become something many people overlook. However, these symptoms may actually signal that you should undergo a comprehensive eye examination with an optometrist.

How often should office workers get eye exams?

Generally, office workers should have their eyes checked at least once a year, even if they have no obvious symptoms, because vision can change with age, work habits, and workplace environment. Particularly those who sit in front of screens for more than 6–8 hours daily face increased risk of digital eye strain, worsening nearsightedness, or undetected changes in astigmatism.

Why is an optometrist important for evaluation?

A visit to an optometrist is not merely about determining your prescription degree. It also involves assessing how your eyes work together, your focusing ability, and problems that may affect daily life—such as screen vision difficulties, poor night driving, blurred reading vision, or dizziness when wearing old glasses.

Warning signs that you should schedule an eye exam

For people already wearing glasses, annual check-ups are especially important, because lenses that no longer match your current prescription may force your eyes to work harder than necessary. Those who have never worn glasses but are starting to experience screen strain, frequent eye rubbing, blurry letters, or temple discomfort after work should also schedule an exam. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen before seeking care.

Benefits of annual eye exams in choosing appropriate lenses

Another reason office workers should prioritize yearly eye exams is selecting lenses suited to their lifestyle—such as lenses for screen work, anti-glare lenses, or progressive lenses for those developing age-related farsightedness. Expert guidance can improve visual comfort and reduce workplace fatigue.

Conclusion

If you are looking for an eyewear shop with professional optometrist services, understanding the optometrist's role will help you choose an eye care facility with confidence. Since your eyes are vital organs used intensively every day, regular eye exams are not a luxury but an investment in quality of life and long-term work performance.

A witness has recounted how an MG driver opened fire first, with a woman punching relentlessly, leaving a motorcycle-taxi rider with a broken eye. Before the incident, the rider was seen moving his bike out of an EV charging spot.

On July 26, 2025, a reporter spoke with Mr. Auto, an eyewitness to the assault on the motorcycle-taxi rider at a gas station opposite the Minburi Prison. He revealed that he saw the MG vehicle—the accused's car—parked blocking his way, preventing him from driving out. Initially, he thought the rider and the driver knew each other, as he saw both standing and talking normally for about 5 minutes, though he could not hear them.

Mr. Auto continued, explaining that before he witnessed the MG driver's woman punching the rider relentlessly, the rider tried to defend himself and fell down, but did not retaliate. At that moment, he quickly got out of his car and heard the rider say, "When did I curse you?" The rider then asked him to photograph the suspect's license plate, which he did with his mobile phone. Meanwhile, the suspect said, "Go ahead, take the photo," before getting into the car and driving away as shown in the clip.

Regarding the rider's parking, Mr. Auto said he saw the rider ride his motorcycle and park it in front of the EV charging spot, which was an empty space near the fried banana shop where he picked up an order. He saw the rider get off and pick up the order in just a moment, then return to the bike and was about to move it out.

Mr. Auto also stated that at the EV charging spot in the gas station, he saw one taxi parked waiting to charge at the spot where the rider was parked. The MG vehicle came in the opposite direction and was about to park at that same spot. He observed that the MG arrived alone—only two people, the rider and the suspect, were standing talking to each other.

Regarding the suspect's claim that the rider hit first, Mr. Auto said he clearly saw the suspect assault the rider first, while the rider only defended himself before falling down. Fortunately, he fell onto the vehicle, preventing his head from hitting the ground.

The motorcycle-taxi rider vows to pursue the matter to the end after being punched in the eye by the MG driver, requiring 6 stitches.

On July 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM at parliament, lawyer Pattarapong Shuphaksa (known as Anun from Buriram) submitted a formal letter with evidence regarding alleged senate election-rigging to opposition MPs Phanida Mongkolswat of Samut Prakan and Phanditl Nuamchai of Bangkok, both from the opposition party.

Anun stated that the opposition party has partnered with civil society, nationwide senate candidates, and reserve senators to gather evidence of election-rigging and make it public. The case is currently under review by the Election Commission to determine whether it will be referred to the Supreme Court. He noted that the party had not been willing to take action on this matter previously, but now both sides agree that there is sufficient, linked evidence showing the conduct of the election-rigging group may constitute an attempt to overthrow democratic governance under the constitution or threaten national security under the criminal code.

Anun expressed concern that waiting for the Election Commission's decision over the next 2-3 months could be too slow. He proposed instead submitting the case to the Office of the Attorney-General to refer it to the Constitutional Court, seeking action against all those involved—from government officials to senators to civilians—under Article 49 of the constitution, or filing security-related complaints with investigators.

Anun also announced he has drafted a petition under Article 157 to hold the Election Commission accountable, to be made public on July 31.

Opposition MP Phanida acknowledged the submission and said the party would study all attached materials to determine next steps. She called on the public to pressure the Election Commission, noting that only the commission has the authority to refer election cases to court. She stated the opposition would pursue the matter fully using evidence already submitted to the Election Commission and the DSI.

Phanida appealed to all witnesses with evidence, photos, or videos related to the alleged rigging to come forward, expressing concern the case may not receive fair treatment. She noted the Election Commission must rule by September, though rumors suggest a vote may occur in early August, so the opposition is racing against time.

MP Phanditl addressed efforts to silence civil society, though his complete remarks were cut off in the original text.

On July 27, 2025, Education Minister Prasert Chantharangthong announced that the Cabinet has approved the appointment of five civil servants to senior regional education positions (Ed-Thai Regional) to implement education strategies and development plans across provincial clusters efficiently and in line with overall provincial development goals.

The five appointees are: Thatchakorn Vongpeng, promoted from Deputy Regional Education Officer (Region 3) to Regional Education Officer (Region 5); Samnakarnn Bunruang, promoted from Deputy Officer (Region 13) to Regional Officer (Region 7); Thanaphat Sangjun, promoted from Deputy Officer (Region 2) to Regional Officer (Region 8); Nirutt Botramsanlee, promoted from Deputy Officer (Region 10) to Regional Officer (Region 10); and Ekavat Losunirun, Assistant Secretary of the Education Council, appointed to Regional Officer (Region 15).

Prasert explained that only five positions were approved because one candidate lacked sufficient qualifications, particularly insufficient tenure in the previous position level. He stressed there are no internal conflicts and the process was transparent and fair. The remaining seven vacant positions will be filled gradually.

Prasert clarified that these are existing positions with budgets already allocated, not newly created posts. He emphasized the roles are open to civil servants from all agencies and do not duplicate responsibilities of educational zones or inspectorates. Regional education officers set overall education strategy for provincial clusters, while zones handle school administration and monitoring, and inspectors conduct field audits.

Regarding the Level 11 appointments to replace retiring officials, including the new Permanent Secretary of Education and the Secretary of the Vocational Education Commission, Prasert said these are still under careful review and will be submitted to Cabinet consideration in August.

The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) announced on July 27, 2024, that June's Manufacturing Production Index stood at 94.99, a 3.1% contraction from the same period last year, with production capacity utilization at 57.61%. The second quarter of 2024 registered 95.96, down 1.79%, primarily due to weakness in automotive and petroleum industries compounded by prolonged Middle East tensions, which have created volatility in energy prices and shipping costs.

However, the index retained support from recovering domestic demand, particularly in consumer and essential goods such as sugar, cleaning products, soap, and cosmetics, buoyed by government stimulus measures under the Thai Help Thai Plus program. Industries responding to changing consumer behavior also performed well, including pet food manufacturing driven by the trend of treating pets as family members, and prepared food products aligned with urban lifestyles. The textile industry also received a boost from the FIFA World Cup, increasing demand for sportswear.

For July 2024, the MPI outlook appears normal despite renewed Middle East tensions affecting production costs, shipping, and international trade. Thai industry is expected to benefit from domestic stimulus programs continuing to drive consumption. Officials warned of risks from the prolonged Middle East conflict and uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariff policies, while noting positive demand for electronics and technology-related products.

Manufacturers are advised to strengthen supply chain risk management by diversifying raw material sources and export markets, reducing dependence on any single country or region. Recommendations include using forward contracts to manage costs, improving production efficiency and energy use, promoting renewable and biomass energy, adopting digital technology and AI to reduce waste, and developing workforce skills.