A controversy has erupted online among 1990s music enthusiasts after the legendary song "Kep Tawan"—written by composer Sua-Thanapol Intharothee and performed by the late singer Itthiphol Plaengkoor—was recreated using AI voice technology by its original record label. Plaiakorn Plaengkoor, the singer's daughter, shared her feelings on TikTok, saying that her father has passed away and can no longer create new music, so his original songs should remain in their authentic form. She expressed that she would feel even sadder about this if her father were still alive. In follow-up comments, Plaiakorn clarified that the family is small and has no intention to sue or pursue any legal action, as they are unfamiliar with contract details or copyright terms. However, she explained that hearing her father's voice and other classic songs altered and presented as AI versions causes her sadness, though she is trying to understand the changing times. Since the story spread, many fans have weighed in, with some arguing that remixing original works disrespects the artists, while others pointed out that the record label owns the copyright and therefore has the right to create new versions. Many supporters have encouraged Plaiakorn, noting that her father's original recordings will always remain cherished.

The Department of Internal Trade is preparing to invite restaurant associations to discuss a model for affordable curry and rice meals. Withayakorn Maneenat, director-general of the Department of Internal Trade, revealed that the Commerce Minister has tasked relevant agencies with finding ways to reduce living costs for people, especially low-income earners and urban residents. Since oil price cuts have not led to immediate price reductions across all goods, additional measures are being considered.

One concept under study is the creation of affordable meal menus. The Commerce Ministry is currently gathering input from the public, food business operators, associations, and relevant agencies before finalizing a workable model.

"Specific figures of 35 or 40 baht have not been set. These are merely discussion points for gathering feedback from all parties," Withayakorn said. "What matters is considering feasibility, the benefit to the public, and ensuring we do not distort market mechanisms."

The Department of Internal Trade is preparing to invite the Thai Restaurant Association to discuss implementation frameworks. Simultaneously, it has engaged with a network of fresh market operators comprising more than 50 markets to study how to link agricultural products from farmers through fresh markets to food stalls and curry shops in the area.

Withayakorn stated that this approach will emphasize linking raw materials from production sources near markets to reduce transportation costs. For example, rice from Roi Et province, which has sufficient supply and can be sold affordably, would be connected to nearby markets to keep transport costs from affecting final food prices.

Regarding government-subsidized canteens, the Commerce Ministry is considering adjusting their model to serve as another channel for offering affordable meals and products to the public. However, since these canteens in Bangkok, surrounding areas, and other provinces have different cost structures, a single pricing model cannot be applied uniformly.

For restaurants in department stores, Withayakorn noted that the ministry must consider each operator's specific costs, including rent, air conditioning, and facilities. Therefore, there is no plan to impose a food price ceiling, but rather to support activities that reduce costs or stimulate consumption, such as linking white shrimp from the South to department stores for promotional menu offerings.

"Our role is not to distort market mechanisms," Withayakorn said. "State measures will be used only temporarily to help stimulate or ease public burden. Once the system returns to normal market operations, these measures must end."

The Commerce Ministry currently has no urgent measures requiring Cabinet consideration, as some situations are already improving. The ministry continues to gather data from the public, businesses, state agencies, and monitor international cost trends carefully.

Many Essential Raw Materials Show No Price Increase

Withayakorn added that several essential raw materials have not increased in price, including white sugar, instant noodles, canned fish, and ready-to-drink milk. However, some products show a downward trend, such as sauce, Japanese soy sauce, white shrimp, and various vegetables including long beans, Chinese broccoli, and napa cabbage.

The Commerce Ministry will closely monitor prices of controlled goods, seasonal products, general merchandise, and raw materials. This will be coupled with implementation of product-linking measures and cost-of-living reduction activities over the next three months.

"Thai Helping Thai" Initiative Held Over 926 Times

Regarding the cost-of-living reduction measures, the Commerce Ministry has conducted "Thai Helping Thai" activities at national, regional, and district levels over 926 times.

AIS PLAY is calling on sports fans and followers to watch BUS band member Phu Tatchai Limpanyakul compete in an exhibition match at the XPENG International Ice Hockey Cup 2026 – Asia Elite Series on July 20, 2026. He will partner with his younger brother Pheem Thanat Limpanyakul, a Thai national ice hockey athlete, to display their skills at the Asian-level youth international ice hockey championship held at MGC-ASIA and XPeng Thailand between July 18-20, 2026, capped off with an exclusive performance by Phu.

Beyond the anticipated moment with Pheem, he is also a rising star athlete for the Thai national team, having been selected for multiple age-group teams and competing consistently on the international stage. The Thai team roster also includes Jed Chayapol Charaskul, captain of the Thai U18 national team and World Ice Hockey Champion at the under-18 division (Division 3 Group B) who has advanced to Division 3 Group A, as well as Kingston Chu Jun Puan, the Thai U18 national team goalkeeper.

The XPENG International Ice Hockey Cup 2026 – Asia Elite Series runs from July 18-20, 2026, hosted by MGC-ASIA and XPeng Thailand, providing a platform for youth ice hockey athletes from across Asia to develop their skills and gain international competition experience. The tournament is divided into two age categories: Under 15 (U15) and Under 20 (U20), with teams from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Thailand competing for the championship.

Sports fans and supporters are encouraged to cheer on the Thai team and watch the special exhibition match and exclusive performance by BUS's Phu Tatchai live on AIS PLAY. AIS customers can watch free across all platforms including the AIS PLAY app, AIS PLAYBOX, GIGA TV, Samsung Smart TV, Android TV, Apple TV, LG Smart TV, and via PC at aisplay.ais.th or https://m.ais.co.th/ICH.

A Bangkok court has sentenced the final account holder to 16 months in jail for conspiring to defraud the public and facilitating cybercrime in an elaborate online hotel reviewer scam. Actress Best Chanida Phongsilpipat, who appeared at Bangkok South Criminal Court on July 17 to give additional testimony, lost 1.2 million baht in a single day after being lured into the scheme.

Best recounted how the scam began when she was recruited through a Facebook marketing influencer page advertising positions for hotel reviewers. She was directed to Telegram, where she completed test reviews earning small payments of tens of baht. The scheme promised that accumulating 100 points would qualify her for genuine hotel reviews. However, she was gradually drawn into an elite group where scammers convinced her to make escalating fund transfers—starting at 400 baht and eventually reaching hundreds of thousands—under the pretense of resolving payment issues and unlocking accounts. Within hours, she transferred 250,000 baht, then 490,000 baht, then 600,000 baht, and finally 500,000 baht before realizing the pattern and stopping. Best reported the fraud to police and froze her bank accounts, then pursued the case as a plaintiff alongside prosecutors.

Best emphasized she initially believed the opportunity was legitimate, having verified the company existed, but the scammers were impersonating it. She appealed to the public to avoid becoming repeat victims and hopes her case serves as a warning about how modern scammers exploit people's desire to work and earn money.

Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation is partnering with Mahidol University's Institute of Management Technology and Innovation (iNT) and the University of Strathclyde to launch the Chief Innovation Officer Exchange Programme (CIOX) 2026, positioning universities as engines of national competitiveness rather than mere research producers. The program addresses a critical challenge in Thai higher education: despite abundant research talent and output, mechanisms to convert intellectual property into concrete economic and social value remain weak. The initiative will develop 23 senior leaders from 21 Thai institutions into "Chief Innovation Officers" capable of forging industry partnerships, managing intellectual property, and commercializing technology. After four days of intensive domestic training to align with private sector needs, participants will attend strategic workshops at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow from May 18–22, 2026, where they will study successful university-industry collaboration models and witness how research ideas transform into million-pound industries. The program aims to create "change agents" and "bridge builders" who will shift Thailand's science, research and innovation system from publication-focused work to delivering practical, market-ready innovations through joint ventures and strategic asset management.