Somdet Phra Maharachmonkulmuni, head of the Supreme Sangha Council and director of the Buddhist-based national reconciliation project, presided over an award ceremony on July 10, 2025 at the Buddhamamdal Assembly Hall in Nakhon Pathom province. The event honored exemplary Five Precepts Villages under the initiative designed to foster social harmony through Buddhist principles.

Addressing clergy, officials, and Buddhists nationwide, Somdet Phra Maharachmonkulmuni explained that the Five Precepts Villages project originated from the vision of the late Somdet Phra Maharachmanglacharn in 2557 B.E. with three core objectives: promoting public welfare, ensuring national security, and honoring the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the Royal Family.

The project has operated continuously for over 12 years with support from the clergy, government agencies, private sector, and communities throughout Thailand. It has produced tangible results in promoting moral values and social unity. Somdet Phra Maharachmonkulmuni praised all participating organizations and individuals for their dedicated efforts.

He emphasized that observing the Five Precepts is fundamental to living ethically, bringing peace to individuals, families, and society. When society upholds moral discipline, it naturally develops concentration, wisdom, and harmony—essential foundations for stable and sustainable national development. He concluded by blessing all participants and wishing the Thai people continued prosperity under their Sovereign.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Friday officially opened the new road linking Thailand's Sadao Customs House with Malaysia's Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint, marking a major step in strengthening cross-border trade and connectivity.

The inauguration took place at the new Sadao border checkpoint in Songkhla province. During the ceremony, the two leaders walked from their respective border gates and met for a symbolic handshake at the midpoint of the crossing before Anwar welcomed Anutin to the Malaysian side.

The new road will open to the public and freight transport from July 11 after years of joint development by the two countries to connect their border checkpoints.

Speaking at the ceremony, Anutin described the new Sadao checkpoint as "an economic gateway" that would bring the people, trade and investment of Thailand and Malaysia closer together. He said the Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam crossing is the two countries' most important land trade gateway and one of the region's key transport corridors. The new connection is expected to ease congestion, shorten border crossing times, lower logistics costs and improve the movement of goods, tourists and travelers.

Anutin said he and Anwar had agreed during their official talks on Thursday to accelerate border connectivity projects linking Songkhla-Kedah, Satun-Perlis and Narathiwat-Kelantan, while also promoting border economic zones and streamlining customs and immigration procedures.

He said the infrastructure investment would help attract new investment, create jobs and boost local businesses, while improving the quality of life in border communities.

Thailand and Malaysia have set a bilateral trade target of $30 billion. More than 80% of the two countries' border trade currently passes through the Sadao crossing, underscoring its importance as the main trade and logistics gateway between the neighbors.

The director of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Pin Sak Surasawadee, discussed the Songkhla Lake bridge project and the Ko Lanta connector bridge linking Krabi's Krasaem Sindhu district to Trang's Khao Chai Son district. The cabinet approved this project on February 18, 2025, with a conservation plan budgeted at 402.818 million baht over five years.

Since the bridge falls within an area requiring special environmental protection, a parallel Irrawaddy dolphin conservation program is essential. Only five countries worldwide still have this dolphin species, with Thailand having merely 14 individuals left. They are listed as critically endangered by the IUCN, with their small population in crisis. As the last dolphin group in Songkhla Lake, they require protection and habitat restoration alongside efforts to reduce all threats.

From 2006 to 2025, 69 dolphins died, primarily from fishing gear, especially nets. Since implementing a ghost net retrieval program and working with stakeholders to eliminate harmful fishing equipment, mortality rates have declined significantly. No dolphin deaths have been reported this year, though vigilance remains necessary. Calf mortality is concerning, with a mortality rate exceeding 40 percent, indicating low population growth potential due to small population size, reduced genetic diversity, natural behavior, and environmental factors in Songkhla Lake.

Pin Sak emphasized that the project must balance infrastructure development with natural resource conservation. The government mandates that conservation planning accompany project development to prevent, mitigate, and monitor impacts on dolphins and the lake ecosystem. The conservation plan will address habitat restoration, ecosystem recovery, food sources, community participation, and knowledge development to ensure sustainable results.

Thailand's Joint Information Center (JIC) rejected Cambodian accusations that Thai military operations damaged ancient monuments, reaffirming Thailand's commitment to international law and criticizing one-sided evidence presented by Cambodia. On July 10, 2025, JIC Director General Praphas Sonsangchai stated that Cambodia's allegations relied solely on one-sided information and that any assessment should be based on complete facts, not selective data.

Sonsangchai noted that evidence shows Cambodia has used areas near archaeological sites as military bases and operational centers, launching attacks on Thai forces from these locations. He emphasized that discussing monument damage without acknowledging the full military context cannot constitute fair and complete fact-presentation.

Thailand affirmed its right and duty to protect sovereignty, territorial integrity, and citizens' lives from military threats. Thai operations target military objectives under principles of military necessity, distinction, proportionality, and precaution to minimize civilian and cultural property damage.

JIC called on Cambodia to cease presenting one-sided accusations and transparently clarify its military deployment and use of areas adjacent to archaeological sites. "Ancient monuments and cultural heritage should not be weaponized for military advantage or manipulated as political and propaganda tools to accuse other nations," Sonsangchai stated.

During a special parliamentary committee meeting on July 10, 2025, examining the fiscal year 2570 budget bill, Surachest Praweenwongwit, a Pheu Thai list MP, expressed concern over the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry's budget being cut by 7.5% compared to last year, dropping from 161.927 billion baht to 149.826 billion baht.

Surachest criticized the ministry's Deputy Secretary General for frequently traveling first class to sign ineffective memoranda of understanding that yield no real results, calling them mere "meet and greet" exercises that need improvement.

He emphasized the country's economic challenges and the need to better allocate limited resources. Surachest highlighted the importance of research and development funding, noting that while the country invests 144 billion baht in road construction, the Science, Research and Innovation Promotion Fund (TSRIF) receives only 13.44 billion baht—equivalent to nationwide school and hospital budgets combined.

The ministry's budget faced a severe 32% cut, Surachest said, making it difficult to envision Thailand's future direction when resources flow primarily toward road construction that requires constant repairs.

He cited an example from the previous parliament where the transportation committee proposed research into traffic and transportation innovations, such as traffic light algorithms, which could generate real development and income. However, the ministry showed little initiative. Though the current minister agreed in principle, no concrete action has followed.

Surachest criticized the ministry for frequently promoting Traffee Fondue, a software complaint system, as a success story. While he acknowledged its merits, he called it a small-scale project and expressed frustration with "using trendy words to advertise exaggerated achievements," urging the ministry to deliver tangible, large-scale results that truly benefit the nation.

Ingfah Varahah, a senior member of the Miss Grand organization, hopes the ongoing controversy involving junior titleholder Ning Patma will be resolved constructively. She was asked about the situation after a blessing ceremony and the launch of the film "LADY BEE" at the Ganesha Shrine plaza in front of CentralWorld shopping mall.

"As a senior in the organization, I want this matter to end on a good note," Ingfah said diplomatically. "It's not an issue that should even be a topic of discussion in the first place. However, I don't know all the details and haven't spoken with her yet. I want to offer support to everyone involved. Ultimately, I hope everything resolves well. In the entertainment industry, peace of mind comes first. Ning still has a long career ahead of her as an artist, so I'm offering encouragement to all parties."

When asked for her advice on handling such situations in the entertainment field, Ingfah offered candid counsel: "It's difficult to put into words, but I believe actions speak louder. Sometimes we talk too much but accomplish too little, which undermines our credibility. Throughout my time here, I've believed we should speak less but strike harder—let people see through our work. No matter what happens, people will trust in who we are based on what they see."

Regarding concerns about the organization's image, Ingfah acknowledged: "Yes, I'm concerned. We want the organization's image to remain positive and avoid negative perceptions. But when something goes wrong, we address and improve it. People will see that themselves."

When asked if she has seen Ning since the news broke, Ingfah replied: "I haven't had the chance to meet her yet, but if I do, I'll offer my support."