The Judicial Commission of the Court of Justice has approved the appointment of Phaopanji Chobnam, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Court of Justice, as the new secretary-general, replacing Theerathay Charoenvorakul who is being transferred back to judicial service, effective October 1, 2024. On July 20, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., Adisak Tantiwongse, president of the Supreme Court, chaired the 19th meeting of the Judicial Commission of the Court of Justice. The meeting reviewed and approved personnel transfers effective October 1, 2024. Phaopanji holds a bachelor's degree in law with second-class honors from Thammasat University and a master's degree in law from the same institution, along with a Thai legal certificate. He has previously served as deputy secretary to the Court of Appeal, presiding judge of Buriram Provincial Court, presiding judge of Kanchanaburi Provincial Court, presiding judge of the Criminal Division, deputy secretary-general to the Supreme Court President, and deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Court of Justice. Phaopanji has completed several advanced training programs, including the 8th E-Government Course for Senior Executives, the 30th Advanced Justice Administration Course, the 12th Advanced Budget Administration Course, and the 2nd Cybersecurity Certificate Program for Senior Executives.

On July 21, 2026, a candidate for village headman submitted documents requesting that the Kham Khuean Kaew district chief accelerate efforts to install new village leadership in Moo 5, Song Phuea Subdistrict, which has operated without a headman for more than a year. Virat Klobklin, a resident of Kok Saaad Village, explained that the previous headman's term ended in early 2025, with a new election scheduled for April 30, 2025, attracting two candidates including himself. However, during verification, he discovered 37 ghost names—deceased or fictitious persons—had been added to the village household registry. He submitted a complaint to the district office requesting investigation, but received no response. On April 25, 2025, he led residents to the district office demanding updates, though the district chief delegated the matter to Deputy District Officer Ekaphop Medharm.

The deputy later informed Virat that 22 names had been removed from the rolls, leaving 15 unexplained. Virat said he had also filed a complaint with the Good Governance Center, which extended the investigation deadline by 60 days, but no progress materialized. Now, more than 15 months have passed with no election scheduled. Virat further noted that during the recent Tambon Song Phuea municipal election, the remaining ghost names were still active on voting rolls, and the winning margin was only a few votes. He urged the district and relevant agencies to resolve the ghost name issue and hold the village headman election without further delay.

Police investigators are preparing additional arrest warrants for two suspects in a local government examination fraud case, who are believed to hold positions higher than the already-arrested Cha Phichit. As of July 21, the Central Investigation Police Bureau reported that investigators are carefully gathering evidence to present to a review committee, with plans for another meeting on July 22 to assess whether documentation is solid enough to request court-issued arrest warrants.

Of the original 11 suspects already implicated, all have cooperated fully with authorities and remain available for questioning. Their cases have been forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for investigation. However, police are pursuing a separate investigative track focusing on higher-ranking officials, currently targeting two individuals with positions superior to Cha Phichit. Whether arrests can proceed depends on building clear, connected evidence linking them to the scheme. If documentation is insufficient, the case file will be submitted to the NACC for consideration under its authority.

Prosecuting high-ranking officials requires particularly strong and comprehensive evidence to ensure proceedings follow proper judicial process.

The Department of Medical Services, the Office of the Committee for Promotion of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOST), and SKAI MED Co. Ltd. have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance research and development of AI-based technology for public health screening of cerebrovascular disease risk, utilizing artificial intelligence and innovative pulse and blood vessel sensor technology. This collaboration integrates medical knowledge, research, and technological innovation with the goal of creating a highly accurate, easy-to-use screening tool with broad public accessibility that serves as a key mechanism for reducing stroke incidence and complications in Thailand. The initiative supports the practical application of technology within the public health system for better health outcomes, with Dr. Chitthiporn Thamjinda, Director of the Office of Biomedical Science and Innovation (Public Organization), witnessing the signing. The office plays a role in promoting research and development, supporting the commercialization of medical and health innovations, and facilitating international cooperation to strengthen the public health system and enhance the nation's economic capacity.

Dr. Natthapong Wongwiwat, Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, stated that this collaboration represents a significant step in applying artificial intelligence technology to the public health system to proactively address stroke, a leading cause of death and disability in Thailand. The focus is on pre-stroke screening using AI to improve the efficiency of risk assessment from the earliest stages, enabling faster and more accurate treatment access to reduce health, quality-of-life, and long-term economic costs. The project's core is building a reliable clinical database, with the Department of Medical Services taking the lead in clinical operations, coordinating Doppler Ultrasound examinations as the gold standard for blood vessel assessment, and working with neurology specialists to develop a Clinical Reference Dataset for training AI algorithms to achieve high accuracy tailored to the Thai population's physiological characteristics. Beyond technical development, the Department emphasizes oversight and safety standards by closely coordinating with the Food and Drug Administration to monitor and register AI software medical device products, ensuring the technology is applied efficiently and safely within Thailand's public health system and establishes new standards for future public health care.

Professor Dr. Sompoeng Khlai Nong Sawang, Director of the Office of the Committee for Promotion of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOST), outlined strategic support, noting that MOST is ready to serve as the primary mechanism for driving the country's science, technology, and innovation policies and systems, emphasizing the process of connecting research networks, funding sources, and relevant organizations into a unified whole. MOST's important role in this collaboration is to bridge research institutions, technological innovation, and public health applications.

NAKHON PATHOM — The success of SM CLASSICS LIVE 2026, which reimagined K-pop hits through a full symphony orchestra, has highlighted the growing potential of Thailand's classical music scene to attract younger audiences through familiar songs.

That is the view of Nuttha Kuankajorn, known by her nickname "Mook", Principal Oboe, who performed in the concert. She believes the SM Classics project could encourage people who have never attended a classical performance to experience an orchestra for the first time.

Although the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO) has previously staged crossover concerts featuring film, video game and animation soundtracks, Mook said performing fully orchestrated K-pop music was a first for her and, she believes, for many of the musicians involved.

A longtime fan of SM Entertainment artists since 2004 and 2005, she admitted that despite knowing many of the songs by heart, performing them in orchestral form proved to be one of the most demanding projects of her career.

"I remember thinking how lucky I was to be in the audience instead of performing. In the end, I found myself on stage as part of the orchestra."

She said that while the ensemble's rehearsal schedule was similar to other productions, every musician had to spend considerable time practising individually before group rehearsals. The intricate arrangements and musical details typical of K-pop demanded precision so that dozens of performers could play as a single ensemble.

According to Mook, one of K-pop's strengths lies in its musical diversity, making it particularly well suited to orchestral adaptation while giving classical musicians the opportunity to explore a different musical world.

She stressed that the project's goal was not to turn every audience member into a classical music enthusiast overnight, but simply to encourage people to experience a live orchestra for the first time.

"We're not expecting everyone to become classical music fans after one concert. But if someone leaves inspired and wants to come back for another orchestral performance, then we've succeeded."

Mook also echoed the philosophy of conductor Thanapol Setabrahmana, who believes classical music has never disappeared from everyday life because it forms the emotional backbone of countless films, video games and other media.

"If a film didn't have an orchestra creating its emotional atmosphere, everything would feel completely different."

She said this shows that classical music is not as distant or inaccessible as many people assume, but is already woven into everyday life through different forms of media.

Mook also believes Thailand is moving in the right direction with crossover productions that blend orchestral music with contemporary culture, making classical performances more accessible to younger generations.

The Cabinet approved a mid-year 2025 budget of 843.26 million baht for the Department of Irrigation to repair and restore irrigation systems damaged by 2024 flooding in five southern provinces, totaling 67 projects, with the aim of accelerating restoration of water infrastructure, supporting agriculture, and improving long-term water management efficiency.

On July 21, 2025, Prime Minister's Office Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek announced that the Cabinet has authorized a mid-year 2025 budget of 843.26 million baht from emergency reserves for the Department of Irrigation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to undertake repairs and restoration of irrigation structures and systems in the southern region damaged by 2024 floods.

The repair and restoration projects will be implemented across five southern provinces: Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat, totaling 67 individual works. These include repairs to Drainage Canal No. 1 in Songkhla Province, rehabilitation of the royal-project-initiated Klong Rakad in Satun Province, dredging of Klong D7 in Yala City using hired excavators, repairs to main water-supply canal embankments in phases under the Pattani Water Supply and Maintenance Project in Mayo District, Pattani Province, and repairs to water-supply systems and associated structures at the Baan Kayaomai Royal Dam Project in Narathiwat Province.

The Prime Minister emphasized that relevant agencies must use the budget in accordance with its intended purposes, accelerate repairs and restoration for prompt completion, and prioritize cost-effectiveness and public benefit, according to Spokesperson Ratchada.