Presenters Jeff Satur and Mean Nichanun led celebrations at the national championship finals of the 'est COLA 3×3 Basketball U-League 2026,' where male and female champions were crowned to advance to international competition. The event at Mega Bangna shopping center included performances by Gen Z artists such as Jackie Chakrin, Aston Ratiphat, and Mark Notharit, as well as a celebrity exhibition match featuring the presenters, entertainers, and national basketball players. Both presenters praised the competing teams for their dedication and passion, emphasizing that the 'est AWESOME PLAYGROUND' provides a platform for young people to showcase their skills and pursue what they love, whether or not they won the trophy.

An electrician has died after an electrical control room explosion at an NGV pump station in Chachoengsao caused a concrete wall to collapse on him. Pump staff reported detecting a burning smell and called in the electrician for inspection when, without warning, a sudden explosion occurred and the building's wall collapsed across the road. Officers and emergency responders rushed to the scene after receiving the alert at 3:30 p.m. on July 20, finding the electrical control room severely damaged with brick fragments scattered throughout the area. Upon inspection near the third pillar, rescuers discovered 40-year-old Santi pinned under the collapsed wall, crushed under up to two stories of concrete. He was already deceased when removed from the rubble. Subsequent searches found no additional victims. Authorities have determined that pump staff first detected a burning smell and summoned the electrician to inspect the electrical control room, but the explosion occurred while he was performing his duties. The exact cause of the blast remains under investigation by relevant officials.

Images of poor and struggling villagers, elderly citizens, and those living hand-to-mouth have flooded appeals for the 2025 state welfare card, or poor card, in a heartbreaking display. Faces full of desperation reflect their pleas for the government to relax requirements and allow them to qualify. Applicants must submit documentation proving their poverty. The Anuthin government has introduced numerous strict criteria and complex details for this year's poor card eligibility, citing the need for thorough verification to ensure aid reaches the truly poor. However, concerns abound about limited government budgets and whether funds will be exhausted. Registration results show 18.82 million applicants, with 9.51 million passing the criteria and over 9 million rejected—effectively cutting eligibility in half. Compared to the previous 13 million poor card holders, substantial numbers have lost their status, sparking widespread criticism of overly rigid rules, such as immediately disqualifying anyone listed as owning a car or motorcycle, despite many being over 20 years old or non-functional, or affecting struggling students. The government's verification process proved insufficiently detailed, lacked consistency, and failed to coordinate across relevant agencies, resulting in flawed implementation. Many citizens were unfairly excluded. Recently, however, the government agreed to review its decision, extending the appeal deadline to September 20, 2025, and will adjust rules to exempt vehicles over 20 years old and motorcycles over 15 years old, as well as restore benefits for all students in and out of the formal system. The hope is that the government will now plug these gaps and remedy the previous poor execution.

Actress Om Kornnapass Sethiratanaphong released an official statement dismissing false and distorted rumors spreading online that have affected her personal life, work, and family. The actress confirmed her long-standing respect and connection to China, Chinese culture, and Chinese friends, while denying all personal rumors. Channel 3 television has stepped in to handle the legal matter, appointing a law firm to collect evidence and prepare to prosecute those who spread false information or defamatory messages without reservation.

In her statement, Om thanked supporters and explained that she has received an outpouring of false data and malicious comments on multiple online platforms in recent times. She stressed that this distorted content has disrupted her life, work, and caused significant hardship to her and her family. While she accepts different viewpoints and factual criticism as a public figure, Om firmly rejected fabricated information, edited or manipulated context designed to mislead, and intentionally malicious posts that distort her position.

Om reaffirmed her family's enduring bond with China, Chinese culture, and Chinese friends, emphasizing their sincere respect and appreciation. Throughout her entertainment career, she has upheld professional ethics and fulfilled her duties responsibly. She also confirmed that rumors and personal information circulating recently are entirely false.

Disturbed by these events, Om consulted Thai TV Color Channel 3 (her employer), which has now provided support and appointed a law office to collect evidence of content violating her rights and causing damage across various online platforms. The station will pursue legal action against those responsible to the fullest extent if they continue spreading false or defamatory information damaging her reputation.

Om appealed to all parties and platform administrators to stop sharing unverified information and work together to build a responsible and respectful online community. She concluded by expressing heartfelt gratitude for the encouragement, trust, and support that has helped her through this challenging period.

Agriculture Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has signed two significant cooperation agreements between Thailand and China during Prime Minister Anuthín Charnvírakul's official visit to Beijing. The deals focus on elevating seafood trade standards and water resource management to reinforce food security and enhance agricultural competitiveness for both countries.

The first agreement is a protocol on quarantine and health standards for aquatic animals intended for consumption and export from Thailand to China, signed with Chinese Customs Chief Sun Meiyun and witnessed by Prime Minister Anuthín and Chinese Premier Lí Qiáng. The protocol results from consultations between Thailand's Department of Fisheries and China's customs authority to establish mutual inspection, quarantine, and sanitary frameworks, while strengthening traceability systems and trade oversight.

Thailand currently exports approximately 1,850 million baht worth of live aquatic products to China annually, and the cooperation is expected to add over 500 million baht in trade value. Additionally, a second memorandum on rural water management, hydropower, and irrigation was signed with Chinese Water Resources Minister Lí Guóyìng to promote practical cooperation in water resource management, flood and drought mitigation, knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and expert exchanges to build climate resilience.

The Social Security Office (SSO) released the election timeline for the 2025 Social Security Board on July 20, 2025, inviting all insured persons and employers to exercise their voting rights to help determine how the social security fund will be managed. Today is the final day for registration, with voters able to register through the SSO website (www.sso.go.th), the SSO Plus app, or at any SSO office nationwide. As of 3 p.m. on July 20, there are 195 candidates total—85 representing employers and 110 representing insured persons—while 1,593,540 people have registered to vote, including 15,174 employers and 1,578,366 insured persons.

When examined by province, the top 10 regions with the most registered voters are Bangkok with 447,168, Chonburi with 104,606, Samut Prakan with 98,568, Nonthaburi with 70,308, Pathum Thani with 68,436, Rayong with 61,915, Chiang Mai with 52,605, Ayutthaya with 34,508, Nakhon Ratchasima with 33,391, and Samut Sakhon with 28,675 respectively.

This election is significant because the social security fund belongs to all insured persons, and voting determines who will serve on the board to decide how the fund is managed, where investments are made, and how benefits should develop. The board members elected will participate in directing fund management and developing benefits for long-term protection of insured persons' interests. The election timeline includes candidate registration through July 15, voting registration through July 20, candidate qualification verification through July 22, announcement of eligible voters on August 10, announcement of candidates on August 19, additional candidate registration from August 20-24, announcement of additional candidates on September 7, and voting day on September 27, 2025.