Energy Minister Eknath Phromphanthu announced that the National Energy Policy Committee has approved separating public electricity costs such as street lighting from charges to ordinary consumers and setting them at a new dedicated rate to reduce the electricity burden on the public. The committee also tasked the Energy Regulatory Commission with amending laws and regulations for the electricity development fund to collect revenues from new sources including data center users, direct power purchase agreement holders, savings from reduced renewable energy adders, and community solar projects.

"These funds will be used to reduce public electricity costs and continue lowering residential electricity burdens as part of a stable energy transition toward clean energy, restructuring toward fair competition and just pricing," the minister said. The committee also approved reducing residential electricity rates by implementing a progressive tariff for residential users, with the first 200 units reduced to 3 baht per unit, while units 201-400 and above 401 remain unchanged. By removing public electricity costs from residential bills, all consumption levels benefit from the restructuring.

The committee also expanded the definition of residential electricity users to include rental housing businesses such as rental homes, dormitories, and apartments, as well as homes without house registration currently required to use higher-rate temporary electricity. This helps ease the burden on renters, mostly students and workers. For data centers, the committee approved setting separate electricity rates reflecting true costs of power supply and network expansion investments including imported liquefied natural gas and infrastructure upgrades requiring special reliability, preventing these costs from burdening ordinary consumers.

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.