The Department of Internal Trade is tackling falling durian prices in southern Thailand with four key measures to boost distribution of 300,000 tons of output. Director-General Withayakorn Maneenate outlined the strategy following a field inspection at Marakot market in Chumphon, working to execute Deputy Prime Minister Supachee Suthermpunthu's fruit management policy. Southern durian production is now over 50 percent into the season, with Chumphon province alone accounting for roughly 70 percent, or 243,000 tons.

The four-point action plan includes: (1) accelerating product distribution from farms to market by coordinating with the Department of Land Transport and ensuring compliance with the GMS Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement, while encouraging more Thai trucks to purchase durian and connecting foreign buyers for continuous purchasing; (2) maintaining Thai durian quality through strict harvest standards, grading, and compliance with production benchmarks to build buyer confidence and protect the nation's durian brand; (3) promoting value-added processing through community enterprises and producers to create products such as fried durian and durian sweets, while linking market channels; and (4) intensifying marketing and communications to attract traders to Marakot market for expanded distribution.

Marakot market manager Thanet Samgtawon confirmed the facility is prepared to handle the southern durian influx as eastern region production winds down. Vendors at the market report that Chinese consumers remain highly interested in Thai durian, especially the golden pillow variety for its trusted quality and flavor, while the Sri Saket volcanic durian has earned recognition as a premium product among discerning buyers.

New Zealand teen released on bail after being arrested for alleged theft at Thai airportLegacyA New Zealand teenager has been reunited with his mother after spending six days in a Thai prison over an alleged theft at airport. The New Zealand mother, Natasha Rainger, recently told the Daily Mail she would do anything to secure the release of her 18 year old son, Loukas Rainger, who was arrested in Thailand during his first overseas holiday. Natasha maintained her son’s innocence, saying he had not intentionally taken another passenger’s property. “He didn’t maliciously steal it or intend to steal someone’s belongings. He didn’t think. He’s inexperienced, young,” she told Daily Mail. According to police, the incident occurred at Surat Thani International Airport on July 3 while passengers were passing through a security screening area. The CCTV footage showed Loukas taking a Swatch watch belonging to another traveller from a security tray. Photo via Lucas’s Instagram account Loukas was later arrested at Suvarnabhumi International Airport while preparing to fly home to New Zealand after police identified an arrest warrant linked to the case. He was subsequently transferred by train to Surat Thani for legal proceedings. Natasha told the Daily Mail that her son was handcuffed to a chair during the 12-hour journey. According to Natasha, Loukas told her he believed the watch had been left in the same security tray as his own belongings and that he picked it up by mistake. She said she sought assistance from the New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok after his arrest. According to Natasha, Loukas apologised to the watch’s owner and returned the item. Photo via Lucas’s Instagram account Natasha also claimed she was asked to pay US$1,000 (about 34,000 baht) in compensation, despite saying the watch was worth between US$80 and US$100 on the eBay marketplace. According to the Daily Mail, Loukas was released on 100,000 baht bail and reunited with his mother on July 22 after spending six days in custody. The media outlet reported that the teenager lost about 10 kilogrammes while detained and shaved his head in accordance with Thai prison regulations. Speaking to New Zealand news outlet Stuff, Natasha described the reunion as emotional. “I have never ever in my life been so happy to just see my son. I can’t stop looking at him.” Although he has been granted bail, the legal case is continuing. Loukas must remain in Thailand, report to police every two weeks and appear in court for a hearing scheduled in September. The story New Zealand teen released on bail after being arrested for alleged theft at Thai airport as seen on Thaiger News.

On July 22, 2025, investigators from Tha Tak Kiap police station, led by Lieutenant Surapisit Maimon and on-duty Captain Somjai Pakhing, along with 20 traffic and detective officers, arrived at a single-story concrete house in Ban Koh Kratin village, Khlong Takrao subdistrict, Tha Tak Kiap district, Chumphon province, after receiving a report of a death. They found the body of Mongkol, 39, lying face-down in a pool of blood with sharp wounds across his body and signs of struggle.

Village elders reported that on the morning of the incident, Thiva, 39, Mongkol's close friend, came and informed them that Mongkol had died in his home. The two were known drinking companions who frequently quarreled when intoxicated. Neighbors reported seeing Thiva carrying a curved machete shortly before the incident. Security camera footage showed Thiva passing a nearby shop around 1 a.m.

When police began questioning Thiva while he sat on a mat, the victim's relatives arrived and attacked him, believing he was responsible. Thiva gave inconsistent statements to police, denying knowledge of the incident but later admitting he used the curved machete to butcher chicken for cooking. Police detained him for further investigation at Tha Tak Kiap station. Medical personnel transported the body to the hospital for autopsy, and police proceeded with formal legal procedures.

Nuvo opened their rehearsal studio to media for the CIMBweBOND Presents NUVORIGINAL CONCERT, giving journalists a chance to capture the excitement before the main event on August 1-2. The iconic 1980s rock band showed no signs of rust, delivering energetic live performances of songs including "Two People in One Body," "Without Guards," "Ba Mok," "Old Verse," and "Intuition Tells," which drew loud cheers from the assembled press.

For fans wanting to be part of the band's biggest comeback in seven years, the NUVORIGINAL CONCERT promises to showcase Nuvo's enduring status as a cultural phenomenon and icon of their era. Further details are available on their official Facebook pages at https://www.facebook.com/NUVOofficial and https://www.facebook.com/cishowbiz.

Prime Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul addressed a car bombing in Narathiwat province that occurred on the night of July 21, stating it resulted from multiple causes. Speaking at Nong Nooch Garden in Pattaya, Chon Buri on July 22, the PM stressed that all parties must perform their duties fully, with the highest priority being to prevent civilian casualties and suffering. He emphasized that injury and loss of life must not occur, requiring complete cooperation from all agencies.

When asked whether peace negotiations for the southern border would continue, Anuthin confirmed they would proceed with Thanat Suvarnanont, director of the National Intelligence Agency, whom he has appointed as negotiator. He noted that discussions with Malaysian counterparts have already taken place. Regarding the motives behind the unrest, the PM said multiple factors are at play, stressing that effective intelligence and prevention measures are critical. He acknowledged that those intent on causing trouble require maximum security management efforts, with military forces fully deployed and authorized to act.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on July 22 discussed environmental impacts during his China visit, stating that environmental issues now feature in all bilateral negotiations including green energy, sustainable economy, and clean production processes. He announced that Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing will make an official visit to Thailand on August 3-4 to seriously address the toxic Mekong River contamination, with Thailand seeking comprehensive cooperation from Myanmar's government. The agenda also includes agricultural burning, drug production suppression, and other shared concerns. Anutin emphasized that this is not merely a ceremonial visit, and that Myanmar's foreign minister had recently briefed him on these issues. When pressed on China's stance regarding the Mekong toxins, Anutin clarified that Thailand has not yet discussed this with China, preferring to resolve the matter bilaterally with Myanmar first as neighboring countries should.