BANGKOK — One person was killed and another was critically injured after a concrete slab collapsed onto them in Sukhumvit Soi 66/1 in Bangkok's Bang Na district on 17 July 2026, emergency officials said. The Rama Radio Center received a report from the 199 emergency hotline at 09:50 that a concrete slab had fallen onto members of the public inside Sukhumvit Soi 66/1, off Sukhumvit Road in Bang Na Nuea subdistrict. Firefighters and rescue personnel from the Phra Khanong Fire and Rescue Station were dispatched to the scene. Initial reports said two men were seriously injured. One was rushed to Ruamjai Rak Hospital for treatment, while the other was trapped beneath the concrete slab. Rescue officials later confirmed that the trapped man had died at the scene. Crews were working to recover his body. The cause of the collapse was not immediately known, and authorities are investigating the incident.

A social media controversy erupted when former actor and television host Krissanapoom Sribumirat posted a message telling Thai people they must stop maintaining an underdeveloped mindset, or they will remain stuck consuming inferior and cheap products with no progress. His Facebook post read: "Thai people need to stop this underdeveloped mindset. Otherwise the nation will be filled with nothing but rubbish and problems everywhere." He continued: "Anyone who tries to do something good gets criticized and loses motivation. In developed countries abroad, society values quality goods, innovation, and creative thinking because it's difficult to achieve. You must support and celebrate these people because they create change. Otherwise you'll just keep consuming cheap, inferior products with no progress, stuck on this land."

Krissanapoom also stated that many people have approached him to open branches overseas, but he has declined because he wants Thai people to feel what he felt five years ago in Italy—something truly special that everyone deserves to experience. His post drew mixed reactions from netizens. One commenter responded: "I buy things within my budget because I'm poor and want maximum value," to which Krissanapoom replied: "Then stay as you are." Another commenter suggested he should just sell his products and let results speak for themselves, rather than criticizing Thai mindset, prompting Krissanapoom to respond: "I'm not belittling Thai people. I'm speaking the truth about the land."

Narathiwat Provincial Court read the first-instance judgment in case number อ.136/2569 on July 17, 2025, a significant case involving security in the southern border provinces. The case arose from a law enforcement operation on April 27, 2023, in Moo 12, Sateng Nok Subdistrict, Muang District, Yala Province, where authorities arrested two suspects identified as Musa Kir and Abdul Hakim (surnames withheld) and seized three firearms including assault rifles and pistols, along with ammunition and extensive field equipment that posed a serious threat to public safety.

The trial court sentenced both defendants to three years imprisonment for illegal weapons possession and conspiracy to commit terrorism. Both defendants confessed in court, which was considered mitigating, and the court reduced their sentences by half to one year and six months each. During the appeals process, both defendants were ordered detained.

The case serves as a warning and important lesson for those considering or being drawn into violence and illegal activities. Ultimately, such actions result in the loss of freedom and the future of the perpetrators and their families. The Internal Security Command Region 4 reaffirmed its commitment to strict law enforcement to end all forms of violence and called on citizens to work together to create a peaceful and sustainable society in the southern border region.

Anyone with information about perpetrators or illegal activities can contact the Region 4 emergency hotline at 1341 or local task forces available 24 hours a day.

CKPower has been selected by Thailand Development Institute to join the ESG100 securities group for 2025, marking its fifth consecutive year on the index from 2021 to 2025. The company is one of the region's largest renewable energy producers and maintains one of the lowest carbon footprints. This year, CKPower is one of seven energy and utility companies selected from 72 resources, reflecting recognition of its commitment to good corporate governance, transparency, and sustainable value creation.

Managing Director Thanawat Trevisavadej received the ESG100 Certificate on behalf of CKPower from Thailand Development Institute Chairman Dr. Piphath Yotpruet. Thanawat stated that the fifth consecutive selection reflects CKPower's commitment to driving business growth alongside systematic sustainability management, with emphasis on financial performance, good corporate governance, business transparency, and ESG management to prepare for energy transition and future challenges.

CKPower operates under the C-K-P sustainability strategy: C—Clean Electricity, targeting 100% renewable energy by 2027 with over 95% renewable capacity; K—Kind Neighbor, improving community quality of life and creating value for stakeholders while respecting human rights; and P—Partnership for Life, driving sustainable growth through investment and innovation to strengthen regional energy security and create long-term value for customers and shareholders.

Dr. Piphath noted that CKPower's fifth consecutive ESG100 selection reflects outstanding and consistent environmental, social, and governance performance. The assessment considers public disclosures and analysis of ESG management potential, opportunities, and risks affecting competitiveness and long-term sustainable growth, demonstrating CKPower's commitment to responsible business conduct and continuous stakeholder value creation.

CKPower continues advancing growth through renewable energy development, organizational capability enhancement, and innovation across its value chain, while strengthening energy security and implementing concrete sustainability management to create long-term value for all stakeholders and pursue net-zero greenhouse gas emission targets.

The selection committee for the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission held a meeting on July 17, 2569 at Parliament, chaired by Senior Judge Kiattipong Ammatykul, to determine whether NBTC Chairman Dr. Surin Bunyachaiyapruks should be removed from office. The proceedings were triggered by complaints alleging that Surin possesses disqualifying characteristics under Section 8(2) of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Organization Act, which could result in his removal as NBTC chairman if the committee found him legally unfit. The meeting was closed to the media and public, with Parliament security personnel stationed outside the conference room. The selection committee unanimously resolved that Dr. Surin Bunyachaiyapruks possesses disqualifying characteristics under Section 8(2) of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Organization Act and has therefore forfeited his right to hold an NBTC position under Section 18 of the amended act. Vishnu Varanyu, secretary of the NBTC selection committee, confirmed that the committee's decision was unanimous in finding Surin ineligible to serve as an NBTC commissioner. Varanyu noted that Surin's past actions would be subject to review by relevant agencies to determine their implications, though he did not confirm whether the matter would be escalated to the Prime Minister for royal consideration. The Senate Secretary-General's office stated it would route the matter back through the same channel from which it was received.

Thailand's Board of Investment opened its fourth overseas office in Chengdu with Prime Minister Anuthon Chua-in-arun presiding over the ceremony during his visit to China. The office will focus on promoting investment in western China, a region of growing importance to the Chinese economy and home to many high-potential firms in advanced technology and clean energy sectors.

A major highlight was the "Prime Minister-Thai Private Sector Luncheon," where over 150 senior business executives from 48 companies met with the Prime Minister—marking one of the largest Thai business delegations to China in history. The 110 executives who joined the lunch discussed their China investment experience and business strategies directly with the Premier.

According to Narat Thatsetsiri, BOI Secretary-General, the event aimed to give the Prime Minister firsthand insights into doing business in China from the private sector, which many firms already operate in extensively. These insights will support the government's push for deeper cooperation and backing from Beijing, particularly during follow-up discussions with China's Premier in Beijing on Monday, July 20.

Experienced Thai executives including Supchai Chearavanont, Senior Vice President of the Charoen Pokphand Group (CP), and Saravuth Yoowittaya, CEO of the Thai Red Bull Group (TCP), shared their investment and business experience. The BOI also facilitated business matchmaking between Thai and Chinese firms, with around 40 pre-registered Thai companies meeting potential Chinese partners to forge future business alliances.

The BOI emphasized its focus on two-way investment, not only attracting Chinese capital into Thailand but also helping Thai investors expand into China and find joint venture partners to strengthen their position in global supply chains. The participating business groups span strategic industries including manufacturing giants led by the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Thai Industries, and Thai-China Chamber of Commerce, as well as senior executives from CP Group, Thai Red Bull, PTT Public Company Limited, Synergetic Development, Suanfarmer Group, Fruitful Group, Siam Cement Group (SCG), Ban Pu Company Limited, Energy Absolute (EA), Amata Corporation, and WHA. The delegation also includes major financial institutions and services from leading Thai commercial banks such as KBANK and Bangkok Bank, as well as retail and healthcare groups like The Mall Group, Thai Beverage, and BDMS.