On July 29, 2025, at noon, crowds gathered at the Thao Vessuvanna shrine at Wat Khao Chong Lom in Siracha district, Chachoengsao province, to pay respects and seek blessings. The main statue, standing 15.99 meters tall and weighing 80 tons, is Thailand's tallest newly built deity image and was ceremonially consecrated on July 24. A smaller 9.9-meter plaster statue has already helped 19 people win first-prize lottery tickets, while the larger statue blessed one previous winner on December 16, 2024.

Devotees brought offerings, incense, and candles to worship and request good fortune, with many using incense divination to draw lucky numbers for the government lottery. The shrine is known for elaborate ceremonies, with some devotees hiring traditional dancers or setting off fireworks with budgets reaching 100,000 baht. This round, 30-year-old factory worker Nang Sao Saithong visited to give thanks after winning over 200,000 baht in the previous drawing. Using incense divination, she drew the number 997, which she planned to purchase as lottery tickets hoping to become the 21st first-prize winner blessed by this statue.

PHUKET: Police have obtained an arrest warrant for a Russian man wanted for stealing more than B627,000 from a currency exchange at Central Phuket Festival shopping mall, with investigators revealing that the suspect has also overstayed his visa since 2025.

A father and son visiting Nan province were shocked to discover their booked accommodation did not match the pictures shown online. On July 28, Anant Seedaeng, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Nan office, along with Nadthip Kaewprathit of the Nan Tourist Police, met with the affected tourists—referred to as "Khun Kao"—to address the situation.

Anant stated that TAT treats all tourists like family members and that when problems arise, the organization and relevant agencies take immediate action. He explained that the discrepancy occurred between the accommodation provider and the booking information, resulting in service that fell short of expectations. The tourists had planned a three-day, two-night trip to Nan, staying first in Sapan and then in the city center.

To demonstrate sincerity and encourage the tourists to return, TAT Nan presented them with commemorative gifts and arranged a complimentary room voucher from Sapan Glang Na resort. Anant emphasized that Nan's appeal extends beyond natural beauty to include high service standards and the warmth of local hospitality. He noted that this incident serves as an important lesson in strengthening cooperation with local tourism operators to prevent similar mismatches and ensure all visitors have exceptional experiences. Khun Kao expressed satisfaction and confirmed plans to return to Nan province.

The family and relatives of Hulun Solo, an adventurous travel content creator, have launched a public appeal for help after losing all contact with him while he was filming and traveling in Georgia. Communication ceased entirely on July 13, 2025, and as of now, over 16 days have passed with no word from the YouTuber, causing deep concern among his family, relatives, and loyal fan base. Hulun Solo is known for his distinctive travel content featuring a relaxed and down-to-earth lifestyle, which has earned him a dedicated following. Fans and family members are coordinating information with Thai networks abroad, hoping for a breakthrough and good news soon.

On July 29, 2025, local officials from Samdet District in Kalasin Province, including Subdistrict Chief Wirat Rajchalee and Subdistrict Mayor Trinetr Kaewsimma, visited the family home to offer support and gather information. They have escalated the case to the provincial governor and are coordinating with consular services to track developments.

Hulun's 82-year-old grandmother, Som Plengsuak, who raised him after his father's death, expressed her anguish at being unable to reach him, saying she cannot eat or sleep. She has been holding his photograph and praying for his safety. She and the family organized a ritual ceremony seeking divine intervention for his rescue and safe return. His sister, Borluk, 28, noted that during previous trips abroad, Hulun would notify them when in areas without internet signal and could typically reconnect within two to four days—but this time 15-16 days have passed with no contact.

A demining officer attached to the 30th Cavalry Regiment suffered critical injuries at around 11:00 a.m. on July 29 after detonating a PMN mine during a technical survey in a confirmed hazardous area (CHA 27-01/01) near Ban Nong Chan, Nong Mak Mun Subdistrict, Kok Sung District, Sa Kaeo Province. Sergeant Major Udompakdi Nuekmun, a technical survey officer, was conducting mine detection work when he stepped on the old PMN-type mine, causing a blast that resulted in the loss of his left leg, severe blast fragmentation injuries to his right leg, swelling and serious lacerations, and shrapnel wounds to his left arm. The officer remained conscious immediately after the incident and was rapidly evacuated to Arun Prasart Hospital for emergency medical care; his condition remained critical as of the latest report. The humanitarian demining unit (Unit 1) had been working on clearance operations in the 80,800 square-meter hazardous area, with 62,000 square meters cleared to date and 18,800 square meters remaining.

On July 29, 2569, Chatchawal Kaylim, owner of V10 Garage and a well-known automotive influencer also known as "Big V10", presented Pornchai Sanafee, a retired civil servant from the Ministry of Industry and his close brother, who was robbed at knifepoint while solo backpacking in Georgia. Pornchai shared his experience as a cautionary tale and to potentially aid the search for missing tourist Hulun Solo.

Pornchai revealed that in 2565, he traveled alone starting from Turkey before flying to Georgia. On his first day, he was attacked by a criminal wielding a knife who attempted to rob him. During the struggle, the criminal fled with his mobile phone and camera. Unexpectedly, during the confrontation, Pornchai ended up with the criminal's phone. When he reported the incident to police and handed over the phone as evidence, officers arrested the perpetrator the next day. However, they could not recover his stolen belongings as the criminal refused to disclose their location, forcing Pornchai to accept the loss.

Pornchai noted that despite Georgia's reputation as a safe country, he encountered many impoverished people during his stay. Tourists who are careless risk becoming crime victims. After the incident, he faced further complications in the legal process. Police court dates conflicted with his travel plans, causing him to miss his flight. He was then placed on a travel ban despite being the victim, not the accused, forcing him to remain in Georgia for nearly a month while bearing all accommodation and living expenses.

Georgia has no Thai embassy, so Pornchai had to coordinate through the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, which submitted documentation to Georgian authorities confirming his victim status and requesting removal of the travel ban. He received crucial assistance from Thai networks in Georgia, including restaurant owners, massage shop operators, and business people who helped coordinate with local authorities. With help from people in Thailand who contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgian authorities eventually lifted the ban, allowing him to return safely.

Pornchai stated that Hulun Solo's disappearance requires close coordination between Thai agencies and Georgian authorities, along with Thai expat networks in the country to search for clues. He warned that solo backpacking carries high risk, recommending travel in groups of at least two or with a buddy. He advised prospective travelers to research destination countries in advance, choose countries with Thai embassies, and if none exist, locate Thai communities or business networks beforehand. He also stressed the importance of informing a third party of travel plans for safety.