Villagers have grown impatient waiting for government help and are taking matters into their own hands for Samai, a 67-year-old woman from Prakon Chai district in Buriram province. She lives alone in a simple hut without electricity or gas, surviving on boiled eggs, yet her poverty assistance card was revoked after officials discovered her son had taken out a life insurance policy on her as a financial cushion for her funeral expenses.

On July 22, 2025, villagers who learned of her situation visited her home. After witnessing her dire living conditions, they unanimously agreed that she did not deserve to lose her poverty assistance, especially given her deteriorating circumstances. Some villagers purchased corrugated metal sheets and hired workers to replace her leaking roof, fearing she would have no shelter when it rains. Others brought rice and dried food supplies. All of them wanted to act immediately rather than wait for government help, fearing assistance would come too late.

Noom (a pseudonym), a villager who originally posted photos of Samai's home on social media, explained that she was moved by the sight and posted without expecting such widespread attention. Similarly, Tharadhat, a 50-year-old resident, said she was skeptical such conditions existed in her village until she visited in person. Shocked by the deteriorating roof, she decided to buy steel roofing materials and immediately hired a contractor to repair it.

Meanwhile, Naphak Booncharoen, director of the social welfare office at Pangoo Subdistrict Administrative Organization, noted that the office had previously requested home repairs for Samai but is currently operating under a budget freeze. He also pointed out that the land where she lives does not belong to her, and said officials will explore further assistance options.

The Election Commission is investigating a case against a former Senate speaker on seven counts, with the chair planning to wrap up the investigation by August. Some counts remain unclear, and officials worry that ordering additional inquiries could invite accusations of stalling the case. There is also uncertainty about where the advocacy group iLaw obtained certain information.

On July 22, EC commissioner Sitthichai Intravisesa addressed public skepticism about the EC's handling of the case. He explained that the subcommittee's investigation records serve as the primary repository of all evidence. If new evidence exists but was not submitted to the subcommittee for unclear reasons, it is unfortunate, since the EC must evaluate evidence that has been vetted and contested by both the accuser and the accused.

Regarding iLaw director Yingcheep Atchanunt releasing old information already in the official records, Sitthichai expressed uncertainty about the source and warned of potential damage to the prosecution. If the information reaches court, it could allow the accused to prepare a defense or witness evidence could be destroyed.

On public concerns about EC impartiality—four EC members were appointed by the current Senate, raising fears of influence—Sitthichai argued that EC members are competent and will exercise independent judgment in the public interest.

Regarding progress, Sitthichai said the investigation is proceeding well across multiple counts of the seven filed. Only minor details and important politically sensitive matters remain, expected to be addressed in mid-August. When asked if the case would be resolved this year, he confirmed that the EC chair has set an August deadline unlikely to be extended.

Even if evidence is incomplete, ordering additional investigation risks delays and accusations of case-manipulation. The subcommittee, which had only four months to work after a delayed start, has moved quickly by leveraging the EC's power to request documents from the Special Investigation Department (DSI). Though the EC did not inherit the DSI's case file, it has established a joint investigation committee with legal authority to access DSI documents, enabling faster work.

Some matters the subcommittee wished to pursue further ran out of time due to public pressure for speed. The EC faces a dilemma: ordering more investigation risks appearing to stall the case, but the investigation may be incomplete.

Phuket money exchange theft suspect disguises himself as foreignerLegacyA thief, who may have been posing as a foreigner, remains at large after stealing more than 600,000 baht from a currency exchange shop inside a shopping mall in Phuket on Sunday, July 19. The owner of the exchange business in Phuket reported the theft to Wichit Police Station after an employee discovered the incident at about 9.30am on July 20. Staff arrived at the shop and found the safe open, with cash in several currencies missing. CCTV footage showed the theft occurred between 9.13pm and 9.15pm on July 19, shortly before both the shop and the shopping centre closed. Staff initially believed the suspect was a foreign man. The CCTV footage showed a person wearing a black jacket with white stripes, black shorts, a dark blue cap, glasses and a moustache. The suspect also appeared to be wearing rubber gloves. Photo via Facebook/ Phuketandamannews Investigators said the suspect moved directly to the safe without hesitation, suggesting prior knowledge of the shop’s layout. Police said the stolen money totalled 627,083 baht, including 175,050 baht, 50 euros, 50,000 Russian rubles, US$11,700 and 1,000 Swiss francs. Following further investigation, officers said they now believe the suspect may be a Thai national who disguised himself as a foreigner by wearing a brown fake moustache. Police added that the thief knew the safe’s access code, prompting investigators to examine whether the suspect had previously worked at the business or had access to someone familiar with the password. Photo via Facebook/ Phuketandamannews The owner, shareholders and employees have all been questioned as police continue investigating who had knowledge of the safe code. Police have not released any further updates on the investigation. The case follows another currency exchange theft reported in Bangkok last year, when an Indian national was arrested after stealing 100,000 baht from a money exchange shop in Bang Rak district. Police later recovered 50,000 baht from the suspect, who denied the allegation despite investigators saying they had sufficient evidence to file charges.

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Cyber police have raided phone and SIM card shops in Yala, arresting three people suspected of illegally selling ghost SIM cards to Malaysian and Thai residents. Police seized more than 1,000 registered SIM cards from the suspects. The operation was launched on July 22, 2025, after officials discovered that the shops had been covertly selling pre-registered SIM cards to Malaysian and Thai customers in Yala province for an extended period. Officers conducted an undercover purchase, then executed searches at two phone shops in the Betong district, leading to the arrest of Kiartkhun (45), Achiranya (33), and Thitiya (48). All three suspects face charges under Thailand's Cybercrime Prevention and Suppression Act B.E. 2566, specifically for facilitating the sale of phone numbers registered under false identities that cannot be traced to actual users. A total of 1,184 ghost SIM cards were recovered. The suspects have been taken into custody and the case forwarded for prosecution.

American ice cream brand Swensen's launched its newest menu item on July 22, promoting an "Ultra Smooth 40-Year San Francisco Formula" ice cream that customers could chew and photograph. The flavor combines mocha, almond fudge, mixed nuts, and rich caramel sauce (with customizable flavors available) at the promotional price of 89 baht, down from the regular 500+ baht, and included a free spoon and glass. With only 100 cups offered across five locations, Swensen's announced just three hours after the product launch that it had sold out, thanking customers for the overwhelming response and promising a return of the flavor soon.

Nineteen-year-old mahout Anutida Kaemsuk shares her journey caring for Phueang, a 4-year-old bull elephant in Surin province. She explains that she never imagined becoming a mahout, especially as a woman, but after finishing school with no clear direction, she began helping her father care for the young elephant—bathing him, feeding him, and spending every day with him until she realized this was her true passion.

Anutida describes her relationship with Phueang as a family bond rather than a pet-owner dynamic. She sees Phueang as a family member and finds happiness watching him grow and thrive. The young elephant exhibits a personality much like a mischievous 4-year-old child, remembering when he receives fruit and playfully approaching Anutida seeking treats. His endearing, silly behavior brings her a smile every day.

Her daily duties begin early, cleaning up after Phueang and his sleeping area, then bathing him before preparing for live-stream content. In the afternoons, she takes him for walks and sometimes films clips for social media, though she never pushes him if he is tired. Most of her work takes place outdoors, so she protects herself with sunscreen, sun shirts, and hats, but prioritizes Phueang's care above her own skin health.

Anutida expresses her greatest pride in doing work she loves while being surrounded by what she loves. Through her channel, she hopes to showcase the gentleness, brightness, and intelligence of Thai elephants, encouraging conservation and deeper understanding of both the animals and the mahouts who care for them. She is grateful for every comment praising Phueang's cuteness and intelligence, as it motivates her to continue sharing the joy of being a mahout.