KANCHANABURI — 9 July 2026, Authorities have ordered an immediate halt to construction of a Chinese-backed ore processing plant in Kanchanaburi after discovering the project had begun building works without a construction permit, amid growing public concern over potential environmental impacts.

The move follows protests by more than 1,000 residents of Nong Khao Subdistrict, Tha Muang District, who oppose the project over fears that wastewater and chemicals used in ore processing could leak into a nearby irrigation canal.

Residents say the canal is a key water source supplying local tap water systems, the Provincial Waterworks Authority's Phanom Thuan facility and agricultural communities in Kanchanaburi and neighbouring Suphan Buri province.

Udon Pheng-aram, mayor of Nong Ya Dok Khao Municipality, said the company had applied to establish the factory and had completed the legally required public consultation process.

He said the municipality had approved only land preparation work and had not issued a permit allowing construction of the ore processing plant.

"The construction of buildings without approval is considered unauthorized," he said.

The municipality has therefore issued an order suspending all construction activities on the site with immediate effect.

The mayor said any future application for a construction permit would require careful consideration, particularly because the proposed facility is located close to an irrigation canal that serves as an important water source.

He stressed that no construction permit has been signed or issued for the ore processing plant.

The proposed project has drawn widespread opposition from local communities, who fear that any chemical spill or leakage could contaminate water supplies and affect residents and farmers across several districts.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed gratitude to the Constitutional Court judges for their swift ruling that the royal decree authorizing the Finance Ministry to borrow 400 billion baht to address the energy crisis and facilitate the country's energy transition is constitutional. The government will now proceed with confidence that every baht will be spent wisely for maximum public benefit.

When asked if the government could work with greater peace of mind, Anutin stated that the government operates with ease when acting with integrity and transparency, working solely for the people's interest. He emphasized that borrowed funds must be used more carefully than budgeted money, as they carry interest obligations.

The Finance Ministry negotiated a favorable interest rate of just 1.2 percent. Anutin stressed that each baht borrowed should generate added value and create economic multiplier effects, with tax revenues collected at each cycle offsetting interest costs. The government plans to use the borrowed funds to restructure the energy sector, which will reduce electricity expenses for citizens. Anutin called on all stakeholders—government, people, and nation—to work together to maximize economic benefits and national value.

Mitsubishi Electric introduces the L4 Grande four-door refrigerator, designed for those who love stocking up. Available in two sizes: the MR-LA65EY (20.5 cu ft) and MR-LA70EY (22.4 cu ft), this spacious model features an elegant glass door panel that catches the eye.

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Confident in its Japan Premium Quality standards, the refrigerator includes a 2-year warranty on all parts and an extended 10-year compressor warranty for complete assurance with every use.

For inquiries, visit authorized Mitsubishi Electric retailers nationwide or https://www.mitsubishi-kyw.co.th/Product/For-Home/Refrigerator.aspx

Thaimart, a Thai e-commerce platform, has achieved a major milestone by surpassing 100,000 downloads and ranking #1 across all categories on the App Store within just two days of launch, with plans to reach 1 million downloads next.

Founder Nott Panthawat Nakvisuth stated: "This isn't a victory for Thaimart alone, but a signal that Thai people want to see a Thai platform succeed. Our success in the first two days goes beyond download numbers or App Store rankings. We didn't create Thaimart to be just another marketplace. We want to build the first real home for Thai entrepreneurs—a place with clear, fair rules where merchants can build their own futures."

The platform is now available on both the App Store and Google Play Store under the vision of "The First Home for Thai Entrepreneurs." Thaimart is calling on users, business owners, and all Thai people who support a locally-built platform to help push Thaimart toward becoming a critical pillar of Thailand's digital economy infrastructure.

Two siblings who wanted a cat but couldn't convince their parents came up with a brilliant scheme: stage a rescue of an abandoned kitten. They kept the secret for nearly a year!

Many cat lovers have faced the problem of wanting a pet but having parents who refuse permission, just like this resourceful pair. Unable to convince their parents directly, they plotted an ingenious plan. According to one TikTok user, she and her younger sister had long wanted a cat but knew asking their parents straight up would be futile. So they conspired to stage an "accidental" discovery of a kitten abandoned by the roadside that desperately needed help.

In the video, the siblings put on a convincing performance. One sat in the car recording while the other walked out and picked up a pre-planted kitten, feigning shock as if discovering it for the first time. The other sister added dramatic flair, urgently urging her to bring the kitten into the car. Their plan exceeded all expectations. The parents fell for it completely and agreed to keep the kitten without anyone suspecting anything for nearly a year.

However, their secret was eventually revealed. Initially, the parents considered taking the kitten to a nearby animal shelter, but the siblings fiercely protested. In the end, the cat remained comfortably at home. Though the cat's arrival stemmed from an elaborate sibling scheme, the parents ultimately fell in love with it and it became a treasured family member.

BANGKOK — 9 July 2026, Authorities have closed all traffic lanes between Ban Khaek Intersection and Wongwian Yai after water leaked into a construction shaft of the southern Purple Line MRT project, as engineers work to pump out water and repair the damaged section.

The closure follows an incident in which groundwater seeped into a sump pit beneath the underground railway construction site at Wongwian Yai. On the night of 8 July 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the site to monitor the situation, saying the accumulated water remained under control while instructing relevant agencies to resolve the problem quickly to ensure public safety.

When reporters visited the site on the morning of 9 July 2026, engineers and officials from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) were continuing to monitor conditions.

MRTA Chairman Montri Dechasakulsom said preliminary assessments indicate the leak originated from a defect in the project's sump pit, where groundwater is collected before being pumped out. He said engineers immediately began sealing the leak while continuously pumping water to prevent additional inflow.

According to the MRTA, groundwater entered the construction site at a rate of about 70 cubic metres per hour overnight. By the morning, the inflow had fallen to approximately 50 cubic metres per hour, indicating that the situation was improving.

Montri stressed that the incident is unrelated to a previous groundwater leak reported at another construction site in Samsen, describing the latest case as a construction defect. The contractor has been instructed to complete repairs as quickly as possible.

To reduce groundwater pressure, the MRTA has ordered additional dewatering measures, including drilling 50-metre-deep wells to draw groundwater away from the site. Grouting work to seal the leak has already been completed, while construction of an underground curtain wall is underway to prevent further seepage and minimise impacts on surrounding properties.

Officals said inspections have found no additional ground subsidence, structural tilting or new cracks. A nearby pedestrian bridge remains structurally sound, while district engineers have been asked to inspect surrounding buildings to reassure residents.

Responding to reports of cracks in nearby buildings and roads, Montri said some cracks predated the incident. However, contractors have been instructed to conduct detailed inspections of every building in the affected area alongside district engineering officials.

The additional groundwater pumping system is expected to begin operating on 9 July 2026, with water extraction scheduled to start on 10 July 2026. Construction of the underground curtain wall is expected to be completed within about one week.

The southern Purple Line MRT project remains on schedule for completion by the end of 2027, officials said, adding that the situation remains under control and is being monitored around the clock.