Deputy Education Minister Akkanut Kankakit has addressed the situation where some ONIE students have been dropping out of school after failing to meet the criteria for state welfare cards. The Education Ministry has acknowledged the problem and is urgently coordinating with relevant agencies to find a swift resolution, as no student should be forced to choose between education and essential rights.

Akkanut called on all students to remain calm and not make hasty decisions to leave school, saying the ministry is moving quickly to fix the issue. "Since hearing this news, I've been deeply troubled because I don't want to see any of you having to quit school due to concerns about welfare or family hardship. Your job is to study and hold onto your dreams; solving these problems is our responsibility. Please don't drop out," he said.

The minister further stressed that education is Thailand's future and the Education Ministry will not leave students to face this challenge alone. He and other ministry leaders will work closely with students and coordinate urgently with all relevant agencies to find the best solution. "No matter what problems arise, the Education Ministry will stand behind you and provide full support so everyone can continue their studies without interruption," Akkanut said, urging students not to lose hope and to stay in school.

Gold prices on July 18, 2026 have surged 350 baht compared to the previous day's closing price of 64,300 baht per baht weight for ornamental gold, according to the Gold Traders Association announcement posted at 9:02 a.m. Gold bars are trading at 63,850 baht per baht weight for purchase and 64,050 baht for sale. Ornamental gold (96.5% purity) is being purchased at 62,580.48 baht per baht weight and sold at 64,850 baht, while global gold spot prices are at 4,018.00 U.S. dollars per ounce.

Police arrested Sachanat, 26, on July 18, 2025, at a residence in Phuket following an investigation into an intrusion on the Firstup.in.th online game-recharge platform in June 2025. The suspect hacked the website's security system, created fake user accounts, exploited payment vulnerabilities, and generated fraudulent credit balances without making actual payments, then used the fake credits to purchase goods and steal recharge codes, causing over 200,000 baht in damages.

During the arrest, officers recovered methamphetamine (80 tablets), a semi-automatic .380 pistol, ammunition, two computers, and four mobile phones. Background checks revealed Sachanat had five outstanding arrest warrants for robbery, fraud, and computer crimes.

Under interrogation, Sachanat revealed he completed only sixth grade but possessed advanced computer skills. He initially attempted to hack government systems—specifically the Royal Thai Police—to delete his own arrest warrants. When that failed, he targeted commercial websites with vulnerabilities, using AI chatbot programs as self-teaching tools and upgrading his computers. After relocating to Phuket, he took on paid hacking jobs until police arrested him. He faces charges including theft, property damage, and computer crimes.

A horrifying accident unfolded in the early morning of July 18, 2025, at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Highway 304 near Khaotone curve in Nadi District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. A laden trailer truck (Bangkok registration 70-5674) lost its brakes while descending a steep, dangerous section of road between two national parks and crashed into a concrete barrier in the center of the highway. The impact caused the truck to flip and burst into flames, trapping the driver inside. The cargo of compressed rubber accelerated the fire, which blazed so intensely that rescue teams needed more than an hour to extinguish it. Once firefighters brought the blaze under control, they discovered a charred body burned beyond recognition trapped in the cab. Authorities extracted the remains with great difficulty and transported them to Nadi Hospital for identification.

By 6:55 a.m. the same day, officials revealed that the accident had blocked all lanes heading toward Bangkok, disrupting a major logistics route. Police and highway authorities worked to clear debris and spilled fuel from the roadway, eventually opening one lane temporarily to clear traffic that had backed up for several kilometers. Initial investigation suggests the truck was traveling from Nakhon Ratchasima toward Chumphon when the driver lost braking ability—either due to brake failure or pneumatic brake system failure—on the final steep curve before descending Khaotone. Unable to control the vehicle, the driver struck the sound barrier and concrete barrier at full force, causing the truck to overturn.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Phuket – The Thalang Police have arrested a 29‑year‑old man accused of repeatedly stealing women’s and men’s underwear, along with other valuables, in a string of bizarre thefts that unsettled the local community. The Thalang Police told the Phuket Express. The suspect, identified only as Mr. Jang, was taken into custody following an investigation led […] Phuket Police Arrest Serial Thief in Underwear Theft Spree -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Phuket— Thalang Police has stepped up fire safety inspections at entertainment venues and similar establishments to ensure the protection of patrons and staff. Our previous stories: The Governor of Phuket, Chotinarin Kerdsom, has directed sweeping safety inspections across the province’s entertainment venues, hotels, and restaurants following a deadly fire in Bangkok that claimed multiple lives. […] Thalang Police Tighten Fire Safety Checks at Entertainment Venues -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.