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Community

Director Thongchai Shares Life Lessons on Poverty and Letting Go

Director Thongchai Prasangsan reflects on growing up poor and the life lessons that shaped him, telling interviewer Tuck Boriboon that poverty can fuel ambition and that letting go of attachment brings peace.

Director Thongchai Shares Life Lessons on Poverty and Letting Go
26 Jul Khaosod

Tuck Boriboon recently shared an interview with accomplished actor-director Thongchai Prasangsan, posting clips from their conversation at the director's home garden and thanking him for his valuable life philosophy. Thongchai discussed how what matters most is the step you take after cleaning off yesterday's makeup—moving forward with intention. Growing up in a farming family with a father who drove tuk-tuks, Thongchai admits he was never good at saving money, but was fortunate never to be wasteful. He reflects poignantly on his past: "I've struggled for a very long time. My house has struggled my entire life. If I had the chance, I would have struggled while being rich. It's heartbreaking and cuts deep."

Thongchai frames poverty as a form of capital that can drive ambition, contrasting it with those born into wealth who squander everything through idleness. He takes pride in owning his own land, noting that every step fills him with pride in how he earned it. On life's impermanence, he offers this reflection: "One day you will surely go out. Whether you're a big fire or small, you will go out. How big the log, it will still burn down. It's only a matter of when. Everything that rises must fall. So in the present, don't burden yourself with it. Let it be."

Thongchai also shares his philosophy on acting: to perform as if not performing—a natural approach to planning and practice that has become a life lesson many admire and apply to their own lives.

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National

Thai Student Loan Fund Offers Online Debt Restructuring

The Thai Student Loan Fund launched an online platform allowing borrowers to restructure debt repayments and avoid legal action, while warning against scammers impersonating fund representatives.

Thai Student Loan Fund Offers Online Debt Restructuring
26 Jul Khaosod

Deputy Government Spokesperson Patthadarasmi Tongsuaykorn announced that the Thai Student Loan Fund (GYSF) continues to support borrowers by providing access to education and assistance for those facing repayment difficulties. The fund aims for borrowers to complete their studies and fulfill their social responsibility by repaying loans, ensuring funds circulate to help future generations of students.

The GYSF has launched an online self-service debt restructuring process that allows borrowers with outstanding balances to adjust their repayment plans and reduce the risk of legal proceedings. Borrowers can verify their identity using the ThaID app or Pao Tang app, update personal information, and check their debt balance and installment schedules through the electronic contract system (e-Contract) on the fund's website.

Tongsuaykorn warned borrowers to carefully verify that anyone contacting them about debt collection is authorized by GYSF, as scammers may impersonate fund representatives. Borrowers must never transfer money to personal bank accounts and should never share personal data, passwords, or OTP codes with unauthorized persons, as GYSF will never request such information via phone or social media.

The safest payment methods are through mobile banking apps of any bank or directly at Bangkok Bank counters and service centers by providing national ID and payment amount. Borrowers uncertain about procedures can contact GYSF's official LINE account for verification.

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Police

Pickup Driver Sneezes, Crashes Into Chiang Mai Pole

A pickup driver suffered minor chest injuries after sneezing and losing control on Chiang Mai's Hot Road near Samoeng, crashing into a construction barrier and streetlight in Hang Dong district on July 25.

Pickup Driver Sneezes, Crashes Into Chiang Mai Pole
26 Jul Khaosod

CHIANG MAI — 25 July 2026, A pickup truck driver suffered minor injuries after reportedly losing control of his vehicle while sneezing and crashing into a construction barrier and a streetlight.

Hang Dong police received a report of an accident on the Chiang Mai–Hot Road near the Samoeng intersection, inbound towards Chiang Mai city in Hang Dong district.

Police and a rescue patrol unit were dispatched to the scene. They found a black Chevrolet pickup truck that had reportedly lost control, crashed through a construction barrier and then struck a streetlight on the central reservation. The vehicle was heavily damaged.

The male driver told authorities that he sneezed while driving and lost control of the vehicle, resulting in the crash. He suffered minor chest injuries.

A second pickup truck travelling behind the vehicle also hit a construction barrier that had been knocked into the road. The vehicle sustained minor damage, but no one was injured.

Authorities warned that accidents can happen within seconds, even because of unexpected events such as sneezing or briefly taking one's eyes off the road. Motorists are urged to drive carefully, maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead and, if they are not in a condition to drive safely, stop and rest at a safe location before continuing.

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National

Opposition Demands Answers on Senate Election Collusion Case

Opposition MP Parit demands Prime Minister Anutin and Bhumjaithai figures explain allegations of Senate election collusion, threatening legal action against the Election Commission if the case is dropped.

Opposition Demands Answers on Senate Election Collusion Case
26 Jul Khaosod

BANGKOK — 26 July 2026, People's Party MP and opposition whip Parit Wacharasindhu has challenged Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Bhumjaithai Party figures to explain allegations surrounding an alleged Senate election collusion case, warning that the opposition could take legal action against the Election Commission (EC) if the case is dropped.

Speaking at Parliament on 26 July 2026, Parit responded to Bhumjaithai Party MP Supachai Jaisamut's claim that a defamation lawsuit against iLaw director Yingcheep Atchanont over the Senate case was ready.

Parit said those who should be preparing themselves were the people accused in the case, rather than the opposition. He urged Anutin, Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office Suksomruay Wantanayakul and former deputy House speaker Supachai Phosu to answer questions raised publicly about the alleged Senate election collusion.

Parit said he was confident that the information presented was already contained in case files held by the EC and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). He said the evidence was not limited to witness testimony but also included alleged financial trails, flight bookings and hotel reservations that could be independently verified. He added that claims made by witnesses about meetings at specific hotels and on specific dates could also be checked through objective evidence.

Parit dismissed concerns that some witnesses were Senate candidates with vested interests, saying many were reserve senators or candidates who had already lost in the election and would not become senators even if the entire Senate were removed.

"If the information they provide is untrue, those involved should simply come out and explain it," Parit said, arguing that the failure to respond could increase public suspicion. He also warned the EC against selectively pursuing cases based on political affiliations, describing a potential scenario as "sacrificing light blue to protect dark blue" — a reference to allegedly protecting more powerful figures within the Bhumjaithai political network.

Parit said he expected the EC to forward the case to court so that the evidence could be examined through the judicial process. If the EC drops charges against some or all of the 229 people involved, he said legal action could be considered against EC officials for alleged abuse of authority.

Parit also warned that if Anutin and other government figures failed to answer the opposition's questions, the opposition could launch a no-confidence debate, while also using parliamentary questions and committee investigations.

Meanwhile, iLaw director Yingcheep Atchanont said he had access to only a small portion of the evidence contained in the EC and DSI files, which he estimated at around 90,000 pages. Yingcheep said the information available to him represented only about 5% of the EC's material, while the evidence he had publicly disclosed so far was only a fraction of what he possesses.

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National

Blind 85-Year-Old Loses Welfare Card Over Inherited Land

An 85-year-old blind man in Buriram province was denied a state welfare card because he inherited over 9 acres of farmland, despite the land producing no income and his family living in poverty relying on pensions alone.

Blind 85-Year-Old Loses Welfare Card Over Inherited Land
26 Jul Khaosod

On July 26, 2025, it was reported that Bua Chamnikul, 85, a blind resident of Nong Muang village in Nang Rong district, Buriram province, has been denied a state welfare card because he holds title to over 9 acres of inherited farmland, even though the land is used only for subsistence rice farming and generates no income. He is calling on the government to review eligibility criteria to better reflect the actual circumstances of poor and disabled persons.

Bua revealed that he currently lives with his 33-year-old grandson, who has an intellectual disability and serves as his caregiver, helping him walk and gather food. His 74-year-old wife, Thongmuan, is bedridden and cared for by their daughter, placing significant financial strain on the family. With no regular income, Bua relies solely on elderly and disability pensions to survive. When he applied for the state welfare card with help from his family and community leaders, his application was rejected because the system flagged him as holding property exceeding the asset limit—specifically the inherited farmland totaling over 9 acres.

Bua confirmed that the land is inherited from his ancestors and produces no family income; it is used only for household consumption. He expressed discouragement, noting he does not know which agency to appeal to, and emphasized that his visual disability makes traveling to conduct government business extremely difficult. He is asking the relevant agencies to facilitate a review of his case and reconsider the rights of disabled persons affected by this policy.

Udomsilp Chamnikul, 42, Bua's son, added that the family is destitute—his father is blind and his mother bedridden—while the children work as day laborers earning only about 3,000 baht per month. Although Udomsilp himself qualifies for the welfare card, he does not understand why his father, a disabled person, was denied simply because his name appears on inherited farmland that generates no income. He called on the government to revise the welfare card criteria to prioritize actual living conditions and financial need rather than asset ownership, noting that approval would significantly ease the family's burden and provide crucial support for their survival.

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National

PM Orders Full Support For State Welfare Card Verification

Vulnerable citizens holding state welfare cards can now authorize representatives to verify their identity at five designated state banks, after the PM ordered officials to provide full support for the e-KYC verification process through Jan

PM Orders Full Support For State Welfare Card Verification
26 Jul Khaosod

The Prime Minister has instructed officials to provide full assistance to the public. People with disabilities, bedridden patients, and elderly citizens holding state welfare cards can now authorize others to verify their identity and exercise their rights on their behalf. As of July 26, 2026, Deputy Spokesperson Ploytaley Luksameesangchan announced that all applicants—both existing and new—who qualified for the 2025 state welfare registration program and require e-KYC verification can authenticate themselves through two channels: the Pao Tang app or through registration units at five state banks: Krung Thai Bank, Government Savings Bank, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), Government Housing Bank (GHB), and Islamic Bank of Thailand. The verification process runs from July 17, 2025, through January 12, 2026.

For elderly, bedridden, or disabled individuals unable to verify their identity themselves, they may authorize a representative to complete e-KYC verification only at the five designated state banks. Required documents include a power of attorney form (downloadable from the program website), original ID card with certified copy signed by the grantor, ID card of the authorized representative with certified copy, and a copy of the disability ID card or medical certificate if applicable.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister have instructed state officials and the five state banks to provide full convenience to the public and expedite assistance, ensuring citizens are not negatively affected by the system. The government urged officials to prioritize public hardship and serve as a reliable support, rather than leaving people to fend for themselves. Citizens can obtain information about the 2025 state welfare registration program through official channels of the Ministry of Finance or by contacting the State Welfare Card Customer Service Center at 0-2109-2345 during business hours.

No. 06 of Read at source → Next
Police

Thai Woman Arrested at Japan Airport With Ice in Coffee Packets

A 28-year-old Thai woman was arrested at Fukuoka Airport in Japan on July 12 after methamphetamine was discovered in coffee packets she was unknowingly delivering as a courier through a LINE-based delivery service.

Thai Woman Arrested at Japan Airport With Ice in Coffee Packets
26 Jul Khaosod

On July 26, parents Thanasak, 53, and Kanyawee, 45, filed a complaint stating their daughter Chudatip, 28, was arrested at Fukuoka Airport in Japan on July 12 after authorities discovered methamphetamine concealed in coffee packets in her luggage. Chudatip had traveled to Japan with her boyfriend Saravut, 28, and a friend as part-time couriers for a LINE group called THIENTHIEN SHOP, which delivers packages to Thais living in Japan.

Saravut explained that on July 10, a customer using the LINE account "ing ing" hired them to deliver a sealed 12-kilogram package without opening it. The package arrived during inspection at Fukuoka Airport, where Chudatip was detained while Saravut and the friend were released after questioning. On July 22, the family learned from the Thai consulate that ice (methamphetamine) had been found inside coffee packets within the shipment. The mysterious customer "ing ing" never collected their package, blocked all contact, and had used the account name "HO THI MAI" to transfer 3,600 baht in payment.

Kanyawee stated the family immediately reported the incident to Bang Bua Thong police station and provided all evidence to investigators. They stress that from childhood, Chudatip showed no involvement with drugs and urge authorities to investigate the person who smuggled the drugs into the package and whether this is connected to previous criminal networks.

No. 07 of Read at source → Next
Community

Film Rattapoom Opens Up About Paternity Scandal

Thai singer Film Rattapoom revealed details of a past paternity scandal that derailed his five-year rise to fame, explaining he accepted responsibility despite the other party refusing a DNA test.

Film Rattapoom Opens Up About Paternity Scandal
26 Jul Khaosod

Film Rattapoom, once at the height of his fame as a solo artist under RS Records, appeared on the talk show Khon Lom Luk with host Ananda Phonworaphut to discuss a major turning point in his life. At his peak, Film recalled landing at least 20 endorsement deals annually, appearing in commercials for everything from shampoos and face cleansers to toothpaste. "I was doing everything back then," he said. "People would be lined up outside my house. It felt short—just five years into this golden period when I hit the storm."

When asked if he saw the news coming, Film revealed he knew beforehand. "If I was going to be a father, I was happy," he explained. "I was shocked but also strangely delighted. But I had to tell my mother first because she is my heart." Film shared that his mother initially reacted with some surprise but ultimately felt joy, as she had been wanting a grandchild.

However, the situation escalated when news of the paternity became public. "When it became news, it turned into something completely different from what we all understood," Film said. "It became clear there were many others in similar situations." The shock deepened when the other party withdrew his name as the father and refused to take a DNA test despite Film's willingness to submit to one and even his court request for testing.

Film addressed the lasting impact of a now-infamous phrase about DNA being visible in one's face. "That one sentence has haunted me. I was taught well by my parents. I would never hurt anyone or speak poorly of anyone," Film stated. "I was only about 22 or 23 at the time. I never intended my words to affect anyone, but they did."

No. 08 of Read at source → Next
National

Army Unit Honors Soldiers on Operation Anniversary

The 11th Infantry Battalion commemorated soldiers killed during border operations at Phu Ma Khiao, honoring their sacrifice and reaffirming the unit's pride as "Conquerors of Phu Ma Khiao" on the one-year anniversary of the mission.

Army Unit Honors Soldiers on Operation Anniversary
26 Jul Khaosod

The 11th Infantry Battalion held a merit-making ceremony to honor and pay respects to brave soldiers who sacrificed themselves for the nation during border operations, reaffirming pride in the "Conquerors of Phu Ma Khiao." On July 26, 2025, at the Phu Ma Khiao operational base, the 11th Infantry Battalion of the 1st Special Task Unit under Suranari Force Command conducted the one-year commemoration ceremony to dedicate merit and honor all fallen soldiers from units involved in border area operations.

During the ceremony, the unit commander spoke of the sacrifice, bravery, and unified effort of all personnel who participated in the mission, noting that the dedication of all soldiers gave rise to the title "Conquerors of Phu Ma Khiao," reflecting the commitment to serve the nation. Phu Ma Khiao was the area where the Thai military successfully completed its mission and the first location where the Thai flag was planted following the successful seizure of the territory, marking a significant milestone of that operation.

The success at Phu Ma Khiao had a lasting impact, enabling subsequent operations in other areas to proceed with greater effectiveness, and the ceremony was held to remember the heroic deeds and honor all brave soldiers who performed their duties with sacrifice for the nation.

No. 09 of Read at source → Next
National

Singer Sunaree Updates Recovery After Colon Procedure

Country music singer Sunaree Ratchasima underwent a colonoscopy to treat a colon blockage and remove tissue for biopsy, with results expected within a week.

Singer Sunaree Updates Recovery After Colon Procedure
26 Jul Khaosod

Sunaree Ratchasima, a renowned country music vocalist, has provided an update on her condition following her emergency admission for severe abdominal pain. She shared photos before and after undergoing a colonoscopy procedure and tissue removal from her colon for medical examination through her social media account Sunaree Ratchasima.

In her update, she explained: "I've completed the colonoscopy procedure. I've been hungry since the 24th and haven't eaten anything. The doctor performed the colonoscopy, removed stool that was stuck in my intestines, and took a tissue sample from the area where a narrowing in the colon was preventing bowel movements. I'm waiting for the biopsy results in about a week. I want to thank everyone—family, relatives, and fans—for their concern and support. Wishing everyone good health."

Sunaree expressed her gratitude to all those who have been worried about her recovery.

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Police

Drunk Driver Kills Two in Phuket Pickup Crash

A drunk Myanmar national driving a pickup truck killed two people when he crashed into motorcycles near Ton Sai Waterfall in Phuket's Thalang district; the driver tested at nearly double the legal alcohol limit and faces charges of drunk dr

Drunk Driver Kills Two in Phuket Pickup Crash
26 Jul Khaosod

A pickup truck driven by a drunk Myanmar national crashed into several motorcycles on the road leading to Ton Sai Waterfall in Thalang district, Phuket, yesterday evening, killing two people and injuring three others. The driver, Aung Min Oo, 42, tested at 239 mg% blood alcohol content and has been detained for legal proceedings on charges of drunk driving causing death.

Thalang Hospital confirmed that the two fatalities were Thanavichon, 24, and Mariam, 45. Police are gathering evidence to prosecute the driver. The pickup belonged to a Thai employer and carried third-party insurance; the employer has offered 100,000 baht per victim to the families as initial assistance. Thanavichon's body was cremated at Thep Krasatri Temple in Thalang, while Mariam's was returned to her family in Kuraburi district, Phang Nga, for Islamic funeral rites.

At the temple, colleagues and friends continuously paid their respects to the young man. Thanavichon's 54-year-old mother, Chirawan, spoke through tears, saying she was shocked by the news and unable to watch footage of the incident. She described her son as hardworking, responsible, and well-liked wherever he worked—first at Laguna before seeking more stable employment. He was the family's sole support after his father's death, sending money home monthly.

"My son was grateful, a good person, never caused trouble with anyone," Chirawan said tearfully. "I can't accept that we've lost him this way. If possible, I want to tell everyone: don't drive drunk. When an accident happens, it's the families left behind who suffer a lifetime of pain." Police have pledged to pursue the case vigorously to ensure justice for the victims and those affected by this tragedy.

No. 11 of Read at source → Next
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