PHUKET: A fisherman rescued an exhausted monkey from the sea off Phuket after spotting it struggling to stay afloat near Koh Maphrao on Sunday morning (July 19).
PHUKET: A fisherman rescued an exhausted monkey from the sea off Phuket after spotting it struggling to stay afloat near Koh Maphrao on Sunday morning (July 19).
A 25-year-old former mechanical engineering student was shot dead in a drive-by attack in Nonthaburi on July 21; two gunmen on a red motorcycle opened fire as he left for work, with police investigating the motive.
Nonthaburi: At 7:30 a.m. on July 21, 2025, police received a report of a fatal shooting in Soi Pak Kret-Jaeng Wattana 23, Khlong Toei Subdistrict, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi. The victim, identified as Jarukrit (surname withheld), 25, a former mechanical engineering student at Pathumwan Institute, was found lying on the roadside with a single gunshot wound to the right rib cage. The attackers were two men riding a red Honda PCX motorcycle who came up alongside the victim and opened fire. One suspect wore a dark yellow long-sleeved shirt and black pants with a full-face black helmet, while the passenger wore a light green shirt, black pants, and a full-face gray helmet.
Police Colonel Adirerk Thongkamkaew, superintendent of Pak Kret Station, stated that the motive remains unclear, though the victim had recently graduated and was working steadily. According to family and friends, the suspects had been watching the victim for one to two days before carrying out the attack on the morning he left for work. Investigators are analyzing security camera footage and pursuing leads on the vehicle used in the shooting to track down the perpetrators.
Thai police warn the public to use only two official channels—the AOC hotline 1441 and www.thaipoliceonline.go.th—to report crimes, as scammers are operating fake reporting pages using celebrity images to steal personal information and mone
The Thai National Police Office has warned the public not to be deceived by imposter pages claiming to accept online police reports, emphasizing that only two official channels exist: the AOC hotline 1441 and the website www.thaipoliceonline.go.th, both available 24/7. Deputy National Police Spokesman Pol. Lt. Gen. Sirivat Deepo revealed that authorities have identified a criminal network creating fake online reporting channels using images of celebrities and public figures to deceive victims into trusting their fraudulent platforms. These scammers then exploit the public's trust to commit additional fraud, stealing personal information and money. The police urged the public to immediately distrust any other online channels—whether apps, Facebook pages, Line accounts, or other platforms—claiming to accept police reports or provide legal assistance, as they are all operated by criminals. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and only use the official channels to avoid becoming victims of fraud.
The Business Development Institute unveiled five AI innovations designed to tackle Phuket's urban and tourism challenges, with winning projects from the BDI Hackathon 2026 advancing toward pilot deployment.
Advancing toward real-world deployment through BDI Hackathon 2026: PRO AT Phuket. Winning innovations address priority challenges proposed by Phuket stakeholders and move one step closer to pilot deployment, supporting smarter urban management and sustainable tourism.
Gold prices jumped 100 baht per gram today, with ornamental gold reaching 64,900 baht per gram according to the Gold Traders Association.
The Gold Traders Association has announced that gold prices moved upward today compared to yesterday's closing rate, with ornamental gold selling at 64,900 baht per gram. Gold prices for July 21, 2569 increased by 100 baht compared to the final price from July 20. According to the latest information from the Gold Traders Association published on their website at 9:06 a.m., gold bars are quoted at 63,900 baht per gram for purchase and 64,100 baht per gram for sale under announcement number one. For 96.5% purity ornamental gold, the buying price is 62,625.96 baht per gram and the selling price is 64,900 baht per gram, while the international gold spot price (Gold Spot) stands at $4,024 per ounce. The Association's first announcement shows gold bar prices at 63,900 baht per gram for purchase and 64,100 baht per gram for sale, while ornamental gold is quoted at 62,625.96 baht per gram for purchase and 64,900 baht per gram for sale.
Thailand's environment ministry is demolishing illegal resorts at Khao Yai National Park while helping legitimate residents, with authorities targeting luxury hotels for money laundering investigations by late August.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin revealed that the ministry is intensifying its crackdown on illegal encroachment at Khao Yai National Park while providing assistance to legitimate residents. The government distinguishes between ordinary people entitled to land rights under Cabinet resolution and wealthy business owners who illegally constructed hotels and resorts for profit. Officials led by Thewinthorn Meesap, head of the land verification and enforcement task force, have posted demolition notices against three resort owners—Rimpha Resort, a luxury vacation home, and Vimaan Mist Wang Nam Khiao—while StarWell Home Garden Resort has agreed to self-demolish. Minister Suchat stated that the ministry has instructed conservation area offices to compile comprehensive data on all hotels and resorts prosecuted but still standing, including owner details, arrest records, case outcomes, current photographs, and evidence. By late August, this information will be submitted to the Anti-Money Laundering Office to pursue money laundering charges, investigate ownership of proceeds from illegal resort operations, and seize assets. "The government's clear policy separates residents living legitimately in forest areas from profit-seeking capitalists," Suchat said, adding that violators face 1-10 years imprisonment or fines of 20,000-200,000 baht or both.
Thai law classifies secondhand smoke drifting into a neighbor's home as a potential nuisance if it causes health harm, meaning property owners cannot ignore their neighbors' wellbeing. Affected residents can file complaints with local autho
Thailand's Disease Control Department has clarified whether a neighbor smoking and allowing smoke to drift into another home constitutes a personal right or a legal nuisance. The guidance follows a social media dispute in which one resident smoked within their own property boundary, but smoke and odor drifted into an adjacent neighbor's home, causing allergic reactions. The smoker claimed an absolute right as the homeowner to smoke anywhere on their property and suggested the neighbor buy an air purifier or move instead. This is a common neighborhood conflict that raises the question: does smoking in one's own home amount to an unquestionable right, or can the law intervene?
The Public Health Act B.E. 2535 establishes that while property owners have rights, those rights have limits. Section 25(4) specifically defines "nuisance" as any action producing smell, light, radiation, noise, heat, toxic substances, vibration, dust, particles, smoke, ash, or similar causes that harm or endanger health. Secondhand smoke drifting between homes, if substantial or frequent enough to disturb neighbors and impact their health, legally qualifies as a nuisance. A homeowner cannot invoke property ownership to justify creating a nuisance that affects others.
If negotiation fails, residents can take legal steps: gather evidence through photos, videos, and medical documentation; lodge a complaint with local authorities such as the local district office, municipality, or sub-district administration; request that officials inspect and issue a written order requiring the smoker to stop, prevent, or remedy the nuisance within a set period; and, if the smoker defies the order, pursue further enforcement or penalties under the law.
BANGKOK: The Thai Restaurant Association is asking the government to connect raw material wholesalers with restaurants to lower ingredient costs, rather than providing subsidies for each dish.
BANGKOK: The Thai Restaurant Association is asking the government to connect raw material wholesalers with restaurants to lower ingredient costs, rather than providing subsidies for each dish.
Monsoon rains have killed at least 25 people across northern India and 27 in Nepal, with landslides and flooding affecting tens of thousands as severe weather is forecast to continue for over a week.
Reuters reported on July 21 that death tolls from floods and landslides in India have risen to at least 25 following heavy rains across northern and northeastern regions over the weekend, with more rainfall expected in the coming days. Senior police officials said at least 15 people died from heavy rain-related incidents in Poonch, Rajouri, and Tode districts in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with several others still missing.
In Nagaland in the northeast, multiple landslides claimed nine lives, with rescue teams recovering four bodies so far. In the neighboring state of Assam, one death was reported from flooding, while over 57,000 people across seven districts have been affected by heavy rains. India's Meteorological Department posted on X that monsoon conditions will remain severe in the northwest, east, and northeast regions for the next 6–7 days.
Meanwhile, Nepal has recorded 27 deaths, one missing person, and 69 injuries from heavy rains, floods, landslides, and lightning since mid-June. Nepali police revealed that multiple highways, including the road connecting Kathmandu to the southern plains, have been blocked by debris from landslides. Nepal's Meteorological Office forecasts light to moderate rainfall nationwide, with heavy rain expected in parts of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini states.
Thailand's Internal Trade Department launched a campaign connecting fruit farmers directly with consumers at Pathum Mongkol Market, offering fresh tropical produce at fair prices while helping farmers sell their harvest quickly during peak
Thailand's fruit season brings more than just delicious flavors—it offers consumers a chance to buy fresh produce directly from farms at reasonable prices while giving farmers a fair opportunity to sell their harvest quickly. This concept underpins the "Thailand: The Land of Tropical Fruits 2026" campaign, launched by the Internal Trade Department of the Commerce Ministry at Pathum Mongkol Market on July 15 and 18, 2026. The market was transformed into a direct link between fruit orchards and consumers, filled with high-quality Thai fruits including durian, mangosteen, rambutan, longan, and seasonal varieties shipped fresh from farms. Consumer response has been enthusiastic, with shoppers traveling specifically to purchase fruit they trust for quality and freshness at accessible prices relative to the value received. The event also features promotional sales, discounts, and giveaways for seasonal fruit purchases.
Beyond boosting foot traffic and sales at Pathum Mongkol Market, the initiative is part of the Internal Trade Department's broader fruit management strategy to connect markets and promote Thai fruit consumption during peak harvest seasons, particularly for southern Thailand's durian. By opening dedicated sales channels alongside promotional activities, the program expands marketing reach, accelerates direct distribution from farms to consumers, reduces product gluts, and efficiently circulates fruit through commerce—generating stable income for Thai farmers while delivering value to shoppers. Under the "Thailand: The Land of Tropical Fruits 2026" program, the Internal Trade Department continues expanding market-linking activities nationwide to give Thai fruits broader consumer reach and strengthen the country's fruit trade system sustainably. Every purchase of Thai fruit delivers not just taste but also income and encouragement back to farmers across the country. For more information, the public can follow the Department's Facebook page (DIT) or call the hotline at 1569.
Welfare card holders must register online by September 30, 2025, to claim electricity bill discounts through the MEA, PEA, or Navy cooperative service using their meter and account numbers.
The Ministry of Finance requires state welfare card holders to register to claim electricity bill relief under the 2025 state welfare registration program, with each household eligible for one benefit linked to one meter code and applicants required to complete a fresh registration. Applicants must visit the website of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), or the Navy's cooperative electricity service, then enter their eight-digit meter number, nine or ten-digit account number, name, address, national ID number as shown on the welfare card, phone number, and email address before submitting the form. The MEA online portal at https://meaeservice.mea.or.th/welfare is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily through September 30, 2025, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on business days from October 1 onward; the PEA online portal at https://welfareregis.pea.co.th opens at 8:30 a.m. and offers in-person registration at all PEA offices. For additional assistance, contact the MEA Call Center at 1130 (available 24 hours) or the PEA Contact Center at 1129.