The Cabinet has approved draft regulations implementing a tax exemption for military officers participating in the Defence Ministry's early retirement program during fiscal years 2568–2570, according to Deputy Prime Minister's Office Spokesperson Lalida Perdiswivat. The exemption covers lump-sum assistance payments and benefits from the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) received upon retirement, designed to ease the tax burden on participants and support the government's workforce restructuring initiative. The measure aligns with a July 9, 2567 Cabinet resolution approving the early retirement program, which aims to right-size military personnel levels, reduce overcrowding in senior ranks, improve personnel management flexibility, and achieve long-term budget savings. Eligible participants—military officers of colonel rank and above, aged 50 or older with a minimum of 25 years of service and at least 2 years remaining—will receive lump-sum assistance of approximately 7–10 times their final monthly salary plus position allowance, all exempt from individual income tax starting in the 2568 tax year. The same tax exemption framework was previously applied to the Defence Ministry's early retirement program during fiscal years 2557–2561. Lalida noted that the tax relief will allow participants to receive full assistance, reduce their tax burden during the transition out of service, and incentivize program participation to achieve the military's workforce restructuring goals while enabling the state to manage personnel budgets efficiently over the long term. The Finance Ministry estimates the government will forgo approximately 40 million baht annually, or about 120 million baht total over the three-year program period, by implementing the tax exemption.

Anti-corruption authorities have issued summonses for 13 suspects in connection with fraudulent local government employment examinations. The Probation Department's investigative unit announced on July 27, 2025, that all 13 suspects have been called to provide statements within the week, with a second summons to follow if they do not appear as scheduled.

The 13 suspects include two high-ranking officials from the Department of Local Administration Promotion and a university, who face charges of misconduct in public office under Section 157 of the Criminal Code. The remaining 11 suspects—comprising local government staff and private company employees—were arrested at a residential location in Nonthaburi Province while allegedly engaged in altering test answer sheets. They face charges of conspiracy and related offenses.

Investigation findings reveal clear links between the evidence and the two senior officials, indicating they used their positions to facilitate the scheme's access to examination materials. According to testimony from witness Dr. Win (Aswin), he received orders from former suspect Pol. Col. Pichit to coordinate with a university official responsible for safeguarding answer sheets, facilitating the transfer of materials to the 11-member score-altering team operating from a residence in Nonthaburi. Dr. Win also reportedly coordinated with a high-ranking official holding examination answer keys to supply the group with materials used in their score manipulation activities.

PHUKET: Ten people were arrested during a sweep on illegal cannabis, e-cigarette and smuggled cigarette sales in the Bangla Rd area of Patong on Sunday (July 26), officials have confirmed.

An agricultural office staff member was discovered dead in a bathroom at her residential quarters with no signs of struggle, and the initial cause of death remains unclear as police accelerate their investigation.

On July 27, 2569, Deputy Superintendent Karun Saeng Arun of Nang Rong Police Station in Buriram Province received a report of a death in the bathroom of an agricultural office residence. He coordinated with Siam Ruam Jai Pu Indra rescue unit to examine the scene at the two-story residential building. The body of Ms. Sirivani (surname withheld), age 50, an agricultural office staff member, was found in the lower floor bathroom. It is estimated she had been dead for approximately two days. No signs of struggle were detected inside the room, and all furnishings and belongings remained in normal condition.

When questioned, Ms. Chiraphorn (surname withheld), a staff member in the adjacent quarters, stated that she normally calls the deceased every Saturday and Sunday morning to request keys to open the office. However, on the most recent Saturday morning, there was no answer. Seeing the air compressor running, she assumed the deceased was resting.

The office housekeeper reported that this morning was a working day. Not seeing the deceased, she came to call and attempted to open the house door, which was unlocked. Upon entering and finding the bathroom door open, she discovered the deceased lying on the bathroom floor and immediately notified officials.

Naichompol Kaset, the District Agricultural Officer of Nang Rong, stated that during rest days, staff are not disturbed, though they do call one another. When no one answers, it is assumed to be rest time.

Police will expedite their investigation to determine whether the death was caused by an underlying medical condition or other factors. A search of the residence revealed no signs of theft or disturbance.

The Culture Ministry's Department of Religious Affairs organized ceremonies on July 27, 2025, at the ministry's culture building to launch the "90-Day Buddhist Lent: Understanding Dharma, Doing Good, Transforming Lives" campaign for the Buddhist festival of Asalha Bucha and the beginning of Buddhist Lent. The event was presided over by the Supreme Patriarch of the Northern Region and Petcharat Saithong, the Culture Ministry's inspector-general, alongside religious officials, government personnel, and media representatives.

Petcharat stated that the ministry prioritizes promoting Buddhism and applying Buddhist teachings to daily life. The campaign encourages Buddhists nationwide to study Buddhist principles, perform religious duties, maintain the Five Precepts, abstain from alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and other harmful behaviors, and build moral and ethical character during the 90-day Lent period. The central activities include Buddhist chanting ceremonies, a "Tree of Goodness" where participants write their resolutions on Bodhi leaf-shaped cards, candle casting rituals, and a procession delivering Lenten candles to 10 major temples in Bangkok.

Regional activities, coordinated by provincial culture offices in cooperation with monasteries, schools, local governments, and community organizations, will run from July 24-30, featuring similar ceremonies and merit-making activities. The campaign emphasizes continuous positive change through personal development, extending to family, community, and society by maintaining the Five Precepts, practicing meditation, volunteering, planting trees, caring for the elderly and disadvantaged, and promoting daily acts of kindness. A "One Person, One Good Deed" initiative encourages citizens to perform at least one good deed daily.

Thai housemaid files complaint after heated argument with 2 foreigners in PattayaLegacyA Thai housemaid filed a police complaint, alleging that two foreign men insulted and threatened her during a dispute over rubbish outside a home in Pattaya. The neighbour dispute took place in a housing estate on Khao Thap Phraya Road, although the date and time of the incident were not disclosed. The woman, whose identity has been withheld, shared CCTV footage of the confrontation with Amarin TV and described what happened. According to the housemaid, she works for an Italian family whose home is opposite the property occupied by the two foreign neighbours. She alleged that an elderly foreign man, wearing only a towel, carried a bag of rubbish and left it outside her employers’ property before walking away. Photo via Amarin TV Footage broadcast by Amarin TV appeared to show the man placing the rubbish bag beside the fence before leaving the area. The maid said she waited outside the house to speak to the old foreign man when he returned. According to the footage, she questioned him about leaving the rubbish outside the property. Although much of the conversation could not be clearly heard, the foreigner was audible at one point saying he did not like the woman’s employers. The housemaid responded that security cameras had recorded what had happened. The argument then escalated before the pair moved apart. Photo via Amarin TV A second foreign man, believed by the housemaid to be the elderly man’s son, later approached and continued the confrontation. According to the woman, the younger man, who spoke Thai, said his father was elderly and had acted out of misunderstanding. She alleged he then insulted her, calling her dead brain and saying she had a low level of education. The maid also alleged that the man claimed his father was a high-ranking soldier before threatening her, saying, “Lucky, this is Thailand. If you are abroad, you will be beat to death.” Photo via Amarin TV The woman said she called police to the scene, but claimed the two men refused to speak with officers. Amarin TV reported that its journalists also attempted to contact the two foreign men for comment but were unable to do so because the property remained closed. At the time of publication, police had not announced whether the two men had been summoned for questioning or provided any update on the investigation. The incident prompted calls from some social media users for the foreign nationals to be deported. Authorities have not commented on those demands.

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