On July 28, Manop, 27, and Bandit, 25, both from Chiang Rai, filed complaints with the Chiang Rai Employment Office seeking help after being defrauded by an employment agency that promised them work at a food processing factory in Ireland. Each victim lost 290,000 baht in processing fees plus approximately 20,000 baht for airfare, and were imprisoned in a foreign jail for over three days.

Manop explained that he, his girlfriend, and a friend were referred to a company in Pa Daet District to work in Ireland. The agency required payment in three installments totaling 290,000 baht per person. When they arrived in Ireland in early June, immigration officials arrested them immediately upon arrival, alleging they attempted to use fraudulent documents because their paperwork did not match system records.

"We were detained from June 3 for three days and two nights in a dark, cramped four-person cell. My girlfriend was isolated alone, in severe psychological distress with no way to contact anyone. That country has no Thai embassy," Manop said. Bandit tearfully recounted that because she could not communicate in English, she was held in solitary confinement, suffering severe depression and suicidal thoughts after just a week. She was released on June 7.

After returning to Thailand, they attempted to recover their money but were repeatedly stalled. Upon posting warnings online, they discovered over 20 other victims of the same agency. Some had cancellations before departure but have not received refunds since February. Investigation by the Chiang Rai Employment Office revealed the company was licensed only for tourist visa processing, not labor export services.

Elica, a premium Italian kitchen appliance brand recognized globally for design and innovation, has made its official Thai debut through distributor Cucina Galleria, introducing a new vision of open-kitchen living through the launch of the Elica Lhov, the world's first all-in-one kitchen appliance that combines an oven, induction cooktop, and ventilation system. The unveiling took place on July 23, 2025, at CentralWorld shopping center.

Elica CEO Kritanan Sonthichirawong revealed that global kitchen design trends are shifting from kitchens as mere cooking spaces to open-kitchen concepts that connect with living areas while addressing air quality, noise levels, and lighting simultaneously. These three elements form the core of Elica's product design philosophy, allowing kitchens and living spaces to integrate seamlessly while reflecting the homeowner's taste and lifestyle.

With over 50 years of kitchen innovation experience, Elica is recognized as a leader in ventilation hoods and kitchen appliances, distinguished by Italian design, engineering expertise, and smart technology. The brand has won numerous international design awards including Compasso d'Oro, Red Dot Design Award, iF Design Award, Good Design Award, and Archiproducts Design Awards. The event showcased Elica's "Artfully Inventive" philosophy, blending art, design, and innovation into every product.

The Elica Lhov represents a groundbreaking innovation never before conceived by any brand worldwide, integrating an oven, induction cooktop, and ventilation system into a single unit. Additionally, the NikolaTesla Collection of induction cooktops with integrated ventilation systems was unveiled, featuring a distinctive matte black finish that reduces fingerprints and simplifies cleaning.

The event also included a special talk by architect Nuttapon Techopichit from Looklen Architects, who discussed the kitchen's role in modern home design and how good design elevates quality of life. Kritanan emphasized that kitchen appliances should not merely serve functional purposes but should be essential design elements that enhance living experiences and the value of shared moments.

A touching story from Malaysia is warming hearts online after one mother recounted the amusing moment when her nearly four-year-old son secretly packed an entire durian into his school bag to give as a gift to his teacher, who was about to transfer to a new school.

The mother explained that the teacher had once asked the children what snacks they would like to bring or share at school, and her son immediately answered, "I want to bring durian." It happened that the boy's grandfather had just bought durian at home, so the child quickly asked, "Did you buy this durian for my teacher?" He then selected the durian himself and stuffed it into his school bag, announcing to everyone in the house that he would present it to his teacher the next day.

Although the mother had already prepared another gift for the teacher and tried to persuade her son to change his mind, he insisted on bringing the durian himself. The next morning, as soon as the teacher entered the classroom, the boy rushed over to hug her and said he had a gift. When the teacher asked what it was, the child unzipped his bag and pulled out an entire durian. The teacher was astonished by the surprising gift and later sent a message to the mother, humorously recounting how the durian smell had spread throughout the entire classroom, creating a moment nobody would forget.

The mother also revealed that her son used to fall ill frequently and rarely attended school, and had once complained that this teacher was "mean." However, after the teacher showed care, comfort, and attention, the boy transformed into someone who wanted to go to school every day. Shortly after, the teacher received orders to transfer to a new school, prompting the boy to intentionally choose this special gift to give.

What made many people even more touched was that the boy doesn't actually enjoy eating durian and doesn't even like its smell, yet he willingly carried an entire durian to school simply because he wanted to give it to his "favorite teacher" to express his love and gratitude from the heart. She decided to share these heartwarming stories on social media.

Police have identified the killer of a 64-year-old former national beach tennis player as Saw Tad Lawin, 29, a Myanmar national who had been employed by the victim for only one month before being dismissed one to two weeks prior to the murder. The crime, which occurred in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chachoengsao on July 26 around 4 a.m., involved strangulation and stabbing. Police discovered that 37,500 baht was transferred from the victim's account during the suspected time of death, with Saw Tad Lawin identified as the recipient. An arrest warrant was issued on July 28 based on strong evidence.

CCTV footage provided crucial evidence in the investigation. Cameras near the victim's home captured a suspicious man leaving the residence at 4:35 a.m. on July 26, then riding a gray Honda Click motorcycle away from the scene at 4:37 a.m. Police traced the suspect's movements through multiple camera feeds across approximately 10 kilometers to a residence in Pattaya, where CCTV showed him changing clothes near a room at 5:05 a.m. on July 26 before disposing of evidence and disappearing.

Authorities initially discovered the suspect had entered Thailand two years ago and gave addresses in Phloyaem, Rayong and Bo Win, Chachoengsao, but both locations were abandoned. Police later tracked him to Mae Sod, Tak province, where he was spotted. Investigation teams from Chachoengsao and Region 2 are coordinating to apprehend him and bring him back for legal proceedings. Financial tracking also revealed he transferred an additional 10,000 baht from the stolen funds to another account.

The State Railway of Thailand officially launched a special heritage steam train service on the Bangkok-Ayutthaya-Bangkok route on July 28, 2025, marking the birthday of His Majesty the King. SRT Governor Anant Photinimitdaeng presided over the ceremony at Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong), accompanied by Prasit Thaworn, Director of Passenger Services, and Annaporn Wongvijarn, Senior Mechanical Engineer, along with railway staff, officials, and the public expressing their loyalty and well-wishes.

The heritage steam train service was designed to allow citizens to celebrate this important national occasion while experiencing a nostalgic journey through history to Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage city rich in historical significance, art, culture, and local identity. The initiative supports rail tourism promotion, historical heritage conservation, and sustainable tourism development in the region.

Ayutthaya is a major tourist destination for both Thai and international visitors, featuring valuable ancient monuments and temples, riverside Chao Phraya lifestyle, historic markets, and distinctive local cuisine. The steam train journey allows passengers to step back in time, immerse themselves in historical atmosphere, and appreciate the beauty of this world heritage city.

The SRT plans to operate heritage steam trains seven times annually on significant occasions. The next scheduled service will run on August 12, 2025 (Mother's Day) on the Bangkok-Chachoengsao-Bangkok route, offering passengers another opportunity to experience this memorable journey. Interested passengers can book tickets or request information through the SRT Customer Service Center at 1690 (available 24/7) or follow updates on the "PR Team State Railway of Thailand" Facebook page.

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — Standing at the heart of Nakhon Si Thammarat for more than 1,500 years, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan represents more than a place of worship. It is a living record of religious exchange, maritime connections and cultural traditions that shaped Southeast Asia.

The temple was recently recognized as Thailand's ninth UNESCO World Heritage site and the first in the southern region, marking international recognition of its outstanding cultural significance.

Located on the Malay Peninsula, between the Indian and Pacific oceans, Wat Phra Mahathat developed in an area once connected by major maritime trade routes. These networks brought not only goods and merchants, but also religious beliefs, artistic styles and architectural influences from across Asia.

Over centuries, the temple absorbed influences from Brahmanism, Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism, with cultural connections stretching from northeastern India and Sri Lanka to central Java and Mon communities in southern Myanmar.

These diverse influences were transformed into a unique architectural and spiritual identity that later spread throughout Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia.

At the center of the temple stands the Phra Borom That Chedi, a towering stupa believed by devotees to enshrine relics of the Buddha. According to local tradition, the site was originally an ancient sand dune known as "Hat Sai Kaeo," where Buddhist relics were discovered before a major religious monument was built there.

Beyond its architecture, UNESCO recognized the temple as a living cultural site where traditions continue to be practiced today.

Among them is the annual Hae Pha Khuen That festival, where devotees bring long pieces of cloth to wrap around the stupa as an act of devotion. The temple is also connected to Nora, a traditional performing art form from southern Thailand that reflects centuries of local beliefs and storytelling.

The recognition of Wat Phra Mahathat is not only about preserving an ancient monument, but also protecting the living heritage surrounding it — including rituals, local knowledge and cultural practices passed down through generations.

The journey toward World Heritage status began in 2009 and took 17 years of preparation, reflecting the temple's importance not only to Nakhon Si Thammarat, but also to the wider history of Southeast Asia.

Today, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan stands as a symbol of how cultures, religions and communities have connected across the region for centuries.