A chlorine storage tank at Phuket City Municipality's water utility exploded with a loud bang at 11:30 a.m. on July 28, 2025, at the facility on Damrong Road in the central district, startling residents in the surrounding area. Upon notification, water authority officials coordinated with four municipal fire trucks from Phuket City and two additional units from Ratsada Tambon, along with Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention Office staff and chemical response teams, to investigate the incident.

Traffic police from Phuket City Station, municipal officials, and Phuket Foundation staff cordoned off the area and Damrong Road temporarily to control the situation and prevent danger from chlorine gas leakage—a hazardous chemical that can damage the respiratory system if inhaled in large quantities. Investigators are examining the cause of the explosion and assessing resulting damage. Officials expect updates as the investigation progresses.

Phuket City Mayor Suphachoke La-ong Phet stated that staff are managing the damaged tank and, once the area is cleared, will urgently investigate what caused the blast. No injuries were reported among residents or water authority personnel. The mayor indicated the area should be cleared within half an hour and operations resumed normally, as only one tank exploded among several at the facility, making the isolated incident unusual and warranting investigation.

Eyewitnesses near the explosion reported hearing an extremely loud bang that echoed across the area. After the blast, they observed gas emission from the tank but initially detected no smell. Only after authorities arrived and a second explosion occurred did a noticeable odor become apparent, causing significant alarm among nearby residents.

The Department of Fisheries has warned against releasing non-native aquatic species into natural water sources, citing ecosystem damage and legal consequences. Fisheries Director Thitiporn Laopraserit noted that while releasing aquatic animals during important Buddhist days is a popular practice for merit-making, the choice of species and water source is crucial. Non-native and hybrid species can breed rapidly, compete for food and habitat, consume eggs and larvae of native species, spread disease, and cause long-term ecosystem imbalance and reduced biodiversity. Predatory species like snakehead fish can decimate native populations if released without control.

The department urges the public to release native Thai fish species in appropriate water sources to help conserve aquatic resources and restore natural ecosystems. Releasing non-native species under sections 64 and 65 of the Fisheries Act B.E. 2558 is illegal and punishable by imprisonment of up to 2 years and/or fines up to 2 million baht. The public should also avoid purchasing protected wildlife under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562 for release, as violations carry penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment and/or fines up to 500,000 baht.

The Department of Fisheries recommends releasing native Thai species including snapper, barb, gourami, and various other indigenous fish in suitable habitats—loaches and frogs in wetlands and rice fields, catfish and other large species in deep rivers and canals with strong currents, and freshwater mussels in ponds and paddy fields. However, catfish releases are not encouraged due to difficulty in distinguishing native from hybrid and alien varieties. Prohibited species include guppies, plecos, tilapia, Japanese turtles, Australian and American crayfish, peacock bass, African catfish, and hybrid catfish. Those possessing unwanted non-native species should surrender them to local Department of Fisheries offices for proper disposal.

On July 28, 2025, political analyst Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanaporn Sriyakul commented on the case of Dr. Sonn Boonlabchaipruek, chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), who attended an NBTC meeting despite a recruitment committee resolution finding him unqualified and thus in forfeiture of the position. Thanaporn stated that Dr. Sonn should cease his duties because the recruitment committee has already ruled that his disqualification constitutes voluntary forfeiture from the outset. The law clearly specifies that those appointed to this position must work full-time and resign from all other occupations within 15 days, with no exceptions for any professional practice. Since Dr. Sonn failed to comply with the legal requirements within 15 days, the recruitment committee determined that he willingly forfeited the position from the beginning. Thanaporn stressed that this qualification issue has directly impacted NBTC operations, as a majority of the board has refused to attend meetings, causing meetings to collapse and halting work related to telecommunications and television. The real victims are the public. He recommended that the remaining six board members convene to elect an interim NBTC chairman so the organization can resume its functions.

The article discusses several highly sought-after Buddhist amulets and medallions. Luang Pho Lae Titthapo of Wat Phra Thong in Phetchaburi province is featured, along with his notable "Phat Yot" medallion from 1996, which bears intricate Buddhist iconography including meditation figures and sacred yantra designs. The piece is crafted from metal and decorated with bird motifs, Khmer script, and fish-egg borders. The article also documents a commemorative medallion created in January 2020 for the golden casing ceremony of the Phra That Phanom Stupa in Nakhon Phanom province, as well as medallions from Luang Pu Tian Puphathamma and Luang Pu Peng Inthasaro, both renowned Buddhist masters. These amulets are highly valued by collectors for their rarity, historical significance, and exquisite Buddhist artistic details.

Shortly after launching the Chery QQ, a compact five-door hatchback EV, the Chery Thailand team promptly organized a test drive along the Bangkok-Kanchanaburi route covering approximately 300 kilometers round trip. Journalists took turns driving and riding in the vehicle to evaluate it thoroughly.

The Chery QQ is a rear-wheel-drive compact EV with a retro-modern design philosophy. Its Square-Circle Design balances angular lines with gentle curves, blending cuteness, modernity, and sportiness in one package—a design recognized by the 2026 German Red Dot Product Design Award. The car features LED headlights and taillights with a signature Q shape, two-tone side mirrors, semi-hidden door handles, 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels, and an electric rear gate. The front storage compartment with electric opening and closing is cleverly designed for strong-smelling foods or can serve as a cooler for cold beverages.

The rear legroom is adequate without feeling cramped, though the backrest is relatively short and doesn't fully support the thighs. With limited footrest space, passengers may need to tuck their legs under the front seat for relief. The suspension feels firm rather than soft, providing excellent body control through curves with minimal bounce, even at highway speeds. The safety system keeps the car remarkably centered in its lane, sometimes oversteering to the point where the driver must maintain grip on the wheel.

When taking the driver's seat, the battery showed 96% charge with a range of 384 kilometers. The cabin is spacious and airy, featuring a multifunction steering wheel, six-way electric driver's seat, and a 50W wireless smartphone charger. The 15.6-inch touchscreen supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity with customizable features including eight character options. An 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster displays driving data, though its small font may challenge older drivers. The air conditioning system can be controlled by external buttons for temperature, fan speed, and direction—eliminating the need to take eyes off the road as with typical EVs. A charming feature is the Q Talk system, an external communication function with five preset messages and a microphone allowing drivers to broadcast voice directly outside, along with ambient sounds like whale calls, creating a pleasant experience for nearby drivers without resorting to horn honking.

Acceleration is characteristically electric—responsive from a standstill with smooth, continuous power delivery. On the elevated M81 expressway, wind noise begins above 110 km/h, with minimal noise at lower speeds. Cruising at 100-120 km/h with occasional acceleration for overtaking, lane changes at highway speeds are smooth with no unsettling body roll or sway, partly due to the car's excellent suspension tuning.

Sri Pathumh University (SPU) and the Board Game and Educational Toy Association organized the "SPU BOARD GAME CHALLENGE 2026," a nationwide strategic board game competition held on June 26 at the Bua Luang Grand Room, Building 1, Level 5 of Sri Pathumh University. The event aims to develop future skills in upper secondary and vocational students nationwide through analytical thinking, planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and teamwork. Winners compete for prizes including a trophy from Prime Minister Anuwtin Charnvirakul, scholarships to Sri Pathumh University's undergraduate program, and total prize money of 200,000 baht.

The university used board games as learning tools integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines including logistics, business, finance, investment, rail systems, entrepreneurship, and strategic thinking. The competition was developed through collaboration between four faculties and two colleges—the College of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Accounting, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Creating Business Owners, and International College—to create a real-world learning simulation where youth could practice critical thinking, planning, and decision-making under challenging scenarios.

Dr. Ratchaniporn Pukkamaman, Rector of Sri Pathumh University, stated that the competition is not merely an entertainment venue but a creative learning space integrating board games into the curriculum and courses to develop education that meets the needs of the new generation and builds practical skills.

The competition attracted 431 participants from educational institutions nationwide competing in six strategic board games: COLD CHAIN CHAMPION, START ME UP, Stockpile, Red Line Train Control, CASHFLOW, and Rummikub. Upper secondary champions included teams from Saint Francis Xavier School, Promtpitiyaphat School, Seratbutra School, Ramkhamhaeng Demonstration School, and Bangpain Rajanus School. Vocational level champions from COLD CHAIN CHAMPION came from multiple regions including Lop Buri, Phitsanulok, and Thonburi. Vocational champions earned the right to represent their schools in the national "Board Game Challenge Champion" competition for a royal trophy. Additionally, SPU distributed 200 educational board game sets to interested schools to extend the competition's impact into broader learning innovation in communities.