Police from Samsen Station in Bangkok received a report of a residential fire at 6:00 a.m. on July 18, 2026, in Soi Somdet Phra Chao Taksin 11, Thonburi district. Firefighters from Talat Phlu Station and volunteers from the Po Tek Tung Foundation responded immediately.

The three-story house was engulfed in flames on the first floor and spreading to the second. Firefighters took approximately 15 minutes to extinguish the blaze. Upon inspection of the second-floor rooms, authorities discovered two deceased residents: a 62-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman. They also found over 30 dead cats in cages and managed to rescue 13 surviving cats.

Forensic officers and a medical examiner from Siriraj Hospital conducted autopsies and collected evidence. Preliminary investigation suggests the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit. Officials are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.

The Finance Ministry has announced 9.51 million people approved for the 2025 State Welfare Card, while 9.31 million were rejected. The appeal process has created widespread frustration after journalist Srayut Sutasnachintha highlighted the confusion on social media. Applicants were told they could submit appeals through multiple online channels—the state welfare registration website, the Thangarad app, the Pao Tang app, or the five state-owned banks—but the process does not end there.

According to the Finance Ministry, rejected applicants must submit their appeal online and then take relevant documents to the appropriate government agencies. The specific reason for rejection determines which agency to contact: the Transportation Department for vehicle ownership issues, the Land Office for property-related rejections, or the Department of Internal Administration for other reasons. Applicants can view their rejection reasons in the appeal system to identify the correct office to visit.

The Transportation Department has called for an urgent meeting due to the high volume of cases being submitted and is coordinating with the Finance Ministry for additional details. Applicants whose rejection was based on vehicle ownership are being urged to file their appeals quickly.

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Phuket – Immigration Police raided two cannabis shops in Kata Beach, uncovering illegal sales operated by foreign nationals and seizing contraband valued at more than 500,000 baht. The Phuket Immigration told the Phuket Express. The crackdown on Thursday (July 16th) qas part of a nationwide policy to root out foreign nationals who enter Thailand illegally, evade […] Two Cannabis Shops Operated by Foreigners Raided in Kata, Over 500,000 Baht Seized -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

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Phuket – Marine Police have arrested a man identified as “Mr. Sifi” after an investigation revealed his involvement in a string of thefts along the Tha Chin Canal. The suspect allegedly used a small rowing boat to prowl the area at night, stealing equipment and valuables from vessels moored along the waterway. His actions caused […] Police Nab Suspect for Nighttime Boat Thefts, Drugs Found in Possession -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

A shocking murder has left a rural community in Udon Thani reeling after villagers discovered a 35-year-old man dead in a hut with his head and genitals missing and his body covered in white powder. At 9 p.m. on July 17, police from Ban Dung Station in Udon Thani received a report of a body found in a hut in an alley near Ban Fang village, Phon Sung subdistrict, Ban Dung district. Officers and rescue workers rushed to the scene and found the body of Somsakdi, or "Tong" (surname withheld), age 35, lying inside the hut. His head and genitals had been severed and removed, and his entire body was covered in powder. A large knife was placed on his chest. Rescue workers searched for the head, suspecting it had been thrown into a nearby pond, but found nothing, leading authorities to believe the killer took both the head and genitals.

Before discovering the body, villagers had brought Tong boxed rice out of pity, as he lived alone. When they entered the hut, they were shocked to find him dead and mutilated. According to Wichian, Tong's aunt, he had previously worked in Bangkok but returned to the hut after his mother's death. He had once been employed and owned three cars, but after becoming addicted to drugs, he worked at a salt factory before returning to the hut unemployed and dependent on relatives for money.

Initial investigation revealed no blood at the scene, suggesting the victim was killed elsewhere and the body was brought to the hut. Police discovered that Tong had been stabbed and shot on July 13, just days before his death, and had only recently been discharged from the hospital. He told people he had bought a lottery ticket with the winning number 14—which matched exactly. Officers had attempted to ask Tong who attacked him, but he refused to identify his assailants until his death.

Villagers are fearful, suspecting the killer may possess supernatural knowledge, having beheaded the victim, severed his genitals, cut tendons, and covered his body in powder to supposedly bind his spirit and prevent it from following him or allowing police to catch him.

Following controversy over allegations that he misused donated funds from his own foundation, Pond Chakrakrisna appeared on a live broadcast program to address various claims. He has since posted extensive financial documentation detailing all expenses, stating "what I missed during today's broadcast was that I didn't answer questions backed by this set of documents—I have everything." Pond explained that after the broadcast ended, he had all the information but wasn't sure the discussion would revisit old issues, so he didn't bring the records with him. He insisted that every expense, figure, and transaction has a corresponding bill and receipt, and what has been shown is only a portion of the full records. He emphasized that all statements align with receipts and are tracked under a single centralized bank account. Pond expressed willingness to cooperate with any official investigation and welcomed scrutiny from all agencies.