The Ministry of Culture, through the Department of Cultural Promotion, invites the public, youth, students, teachers, academics, and cultural enthusiasts to view the exhibition celebrating Sirisalpin, National Artists, and National Artists of 2567 BE from July 21–31, 2569, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (extended to 8:00 p.m. on July 22 and 31) at the Thailand Cultural Centre's multipurpose building. Visitors can appreciate valuable artworks and learn about the artists who have created and preserved the nation's cultural heritage.

The exhibition is held to honor the royal patronage of Thailand's founding artists and to pay tribute to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej as "Supreme Artist" and Queen Sirikit as "Art Protector," both of whom nurtured and preserved Thai arts and culture. The event also aims to widely disseminate the biographies and works of Sirisalpin and National Artists of 2567 BE, celebrating their contributions to Thai cultural development.

The contemporary exhibition design blends technology and creative media to showcase Thai cultural heritage across three main categories: visual arts, literature, and performing arts. Visitors will experience the life stories, inspirations, and distinctive works of honored artists in fields including painting, local architecture, ceramics, literature, Thai music, fusion music, Thai dance, folk songs, film, and television—all reflecting the beauty, diversity, and creative power of Thai culture passed down from past to present.

The Department of Cultural Promotion invites all citizens to visit and celebrate these artists' contributions to the nation, while providing youth and the public an opportunity to appreciate and help preserve Thailand's cultural heritage. Admission is free from July 21–31, 2569, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (extended to 8:00 p.m. on July 22 and 31) at the Thailand Cultural Centre. For more information, contact the Cultural Promotion Fund Division at 0-2247-0013, extensions 1311 or 1320.

PHUKET: Ratsada Mayor Jirayus Songyot has announced legal action against the administrators of Facebook pages accused of publishing false information that he says has damaged his reputation.

The body of Ms. Yadakarn, nicknamed Nong Oom and aged 32, who died in a beer hall fire in Ladprao on the night of July 12, was brought to Wat Mai Thai Charoen in Hu Thamnop subdistrict, Pak Chong district, Buriram on the morning of July 15 for a merit-making ceremony. The Poh Tek Tung Foundation coordinated the transport. An autopsy determined she died from oxygen deprivation due to smoke inhalation.

Her mother, Boonthong, 55, recalled that her daughter enjoyed helping others and had worked as a volunteer rescue worker in Kalasin and Khon Kaen provinces for many years. She had a 13-year-old son from a previous marriage whom her mother raised. The mother asked her daughter to stop volunteering work and instead seek employment to support the family. Her daughter then moved to Bangkok, where she worked and sent money home each month, calling regularly to check on her mother and brother. She had been preparing to return home soon for the rice-farming season as she did every year. The family was devastated upon learning the tragic news, particularly her son, who has now lost his mother.

The Poh Tek Tung Foundation, upon learning that Oom had previously served as a volunteer rescue worker, contacted the Suang Jaraniyat Rescue Unit in Buriram to provide 20,000 baht in financial assistance to the family.

A sedan erupted in flames in Nakhon Ratchasima on July 15, 2569, at around 7 a.m. near a school in Nong Bua Sala subdistrict, Muang district. Rescue teams from Sayang Metta Tham Sathan were dispatched after receiving reports of the fire. Upon arrival, they found the car engulfed in intense flames and spent approximately 10 minutes spraying water and suppressing agent to bring the fire under control, though the vehicle was completely destroyed.

At the scene, two people and a white dog in a cage were found shaken but unharmed. According to the driver, he was taking his daughter—a teacher—to work when he smelled fuel and noticed smoke billowing from under the vehicle. He immediately pulled over, and both occupants quickly evacuated with the dog before the fire erupted rapidly moments later, reducing the car to a total loss. Fortunately, all three escaped without injury.

Witnesses reported seeing flames under the front section of the car as it approached, but could not alert the driver in time. Police are continuing to investigate the exact cause of the fire. The vehicle uses both gasoline and LPG as fuel.

Pattaya City Police have transferred the officer shown in a viral video allegedly conducting improper traffic fine operations in hidden locations, and have established an urgent investigation committee. If findings confirm misconduct, both disciplinary and criminal penalties will be pursued. A group of Kuwaiti tourists aged 20-30 complained that during their month-long visit to Pattaya, they were repeatedly stopped by uniformed officers and fined for traffic violations in suspicious circumstances, presenting recorded video and receipts as evidence.

On July 15, 2569, Sirivat Katchamat, deputy superintendent of Pattaya City Police, stated that after provincial and local police leadership learned of the matter, they immediately established a fact-checking committee with him as chair to expedite the investigation. The officer featured in the video has been temporarily transferred to Pattaya City Police's service center pending the outcome of the fact-check.

Sirivat emphasized that authorities are currently gathering additional statements from the affected tourists to identify specific locations, payment methods, and other details. He confirmed that if the investigation finds the officer guilty of misconduct, provincial police will pursue both disciplinary and criminal action without exception.

Initial examination confirmed that the receipt shown as evidence is not from Pattaya City Police. Authorities still need to question the tourists further about the receipt's origin to continue their investigation. Sirivat urged all tourists visiting Pattaya to report any unfair treatment or exploitation to Pattaya City Police or the police hotline 112, available 24/7, and assured that Thai police remain committed to fairness, transparency, and swift action on all incidents in the area.

On July 4, 2025, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin advanced government policy under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to address and alleviate public hardship from water-related crises. He has instructed the Department of Water Resources to closely monitor El Niño impacts as volatile weather patterns leave some areas with prolonged dry spells while others face intense localized rainfall and flash flooding.

The department is mobilizing all available machinery, equipment, personnel, and resources to work with multi-sector networks to swiftly assist residents, ensure adequate drinking water supplies, reduce damage to agricultural zones, and strengthen preparedness against both drought and flood emergencies.

Theerathun Boonsit, director-general of the Department of Water Resources, revealed that the department is aggressively implementing its 2568–2569 drought and flood relief action plan to address El Niño's intensifying rainfall volatility. Over 50 million rai of land face drought risk, while 20.85 million rai are at flood risk. The department has prepared 399 water pumps and approximately 240 heavy machinery units, along with 2,275 flood and landslide warning stations, roughly 1,000 telemetry, hydrological, and CCTV monitoring stations, and 293 small water source monitoring stations. It also operates 11 regional water management centers, 60 clean water production and supply facilities, over 500 drought and flood relief pumping points, nearly 500 officers, and a 2,300-member civil network.

From October 1, 2024, through the present, the department has assisted 36 provinces with drought relief, pumping 23.25 million cubic meters and distributing over 9 million liters of water to approximately 140,000 households across roughly 190,000 rai of agricultural and residential land. Concurrently, it has aided 35 provinces facing flooding, pumping over 55 million cubic meters and assisting approximately 400,000 households across nearly 130,000 rai, demonstrating proactive implementation of government policy to deliver timely, targeted relief and minimize impact on public life.