On July 3, 2025, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) found former National Office of Buddhism Director Panom Srasil and associates guilty of embezzling subsidy funds intended for Buddhist activities at Wat Sittisarn Prasit in Takling District, Narathiwat, during the 2015 fiscal year.

In 2015, Panom Srasil ordered the formation of a committee to allocate subsidy funds for Buddhism promotion projects, with himself as advisor and Deputy Director Pranomm Kongpikul as committee chair. The committee was tasked with reviewing criteria and disbursing funds to Buddhist institutions.

Provincial Buddhism Office Director Sathian Damrangkadirat coordinated with Narathiwat's chief monk to compile a list of temples interested in hosting Buddhist holiday events. However, there was a hidden condition: temples receiving funds would have to return a portion to the central office.

Wat Sittisarn Prasit, which had never applied for support, was allocated 3 million baht. The NACC discovered the committee never actually met. Instead, the allocation was processed through backdated meeting minutes prepared by Pattana Suammatmontri, with Pranomm's direction, and approved by Panom Srasil without proper authorization procedures.

After receiving 2,999,970 baht, the temple was pressured to withdraw 2.3 million baht, which was passed to Sathian and eventually to Pranomm. Following Sathian's arrest in a related case involving temple kickbacks across three southern border provinces, Pranomm returned cash to authorities for restitution.

The NACC charged Panom Srasil with both criminal and serious disciplinary violations. Pranomm Kongpikul, Prasang Chakkam, and Pattana Suammatmontri face criminal and serious disciplinary charges. Some charges against certain officials were dismissed due to statute of limitations. Sathian and Surachet Charoenmettatham were found guilty of supporting state officials in wrongdoing and serious disciplinary violations.

Dr. Mod calls for public understanding, emphasizing that "special needs children" does not equal "all autistic children," and "autistic children" does not equal "bad children." One incident alone should not define an entire group.

On July 3, 2026, Dr. Mod's Facebook page "The Storytelling Pediatrician" posted this message. Recent news coverage has prompted increased discussion about "special needs" and "autism," terms that are often conflated. While Dr. Mod believes most people don't intentionally misunderstand, these two terms are frequently used interchangeably. Today, he invites everyone to understand six important points:

1. "Special needs" does not always mean "autism." The term "special needs" refers to children who require specialized care, learning, or support beyond the norm. It is not a disease name and does not exclusively mean "autism." Special needs can refer to autistic children, children with ADHD, children with learning disabilities, children with intellectual disabilities, children with cerebral palsy, or various other conditions.

Early news reports used the term "special needs," which initially left the specific condition unclear. However, recent confirmation indicates the child in question is autistic. Therefore, Dr. Mod wants everyone to understand "autism" correctly.

2. What is autism? Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference, not a habit, parenting outcome, or insult. Key characteristics of autistic children include: - Difficulty communicating and socializing, such as reading facial expressions, tone, or social cues—harder than for typical people - Repetitive or specific behaviors and interests - Sensitivity to sound, light, smell, or touch - Preference for routines; sudden changes may cause more stress than in typical people

None of this results from poor parenting or the child being "bad."

3. Each autistic child is very different. Many assume all autistic children are alike, but the reality is far more diverse. In medicine, we call this diversity the Autism Spectrum: - Some cannot speak - Some speak excellently - Some have intellectual disabilities - Some complete university and work successfully - Some have families and children - Some have even completed medical school and practice as doctors

Therefore, two autistic individuals may differ greatly despite sharing the same diagnosis.

4. Autistic children have different support needs. In medicine, we categorize autism into Levels 1, 2, and 3. These levels don't indicate which child is smarter or less capable, but rather how much "support" each child needs. Some require guidance only in certain areas, some need assistance with learning or daily living, and some require close supervision.

5. Autism does not mean intellectual disability. Many mistakenly believe autistic children cannot excel academically or drive. This is incorrect. While some autistic individuals do have intellectual disabilities, many have normal IQ, excel academically, work successfully, and have exceptional abilities in mathematics, music, art, or detail retention. Many are highly intelligent, even surpassing typical peers.

Do not be surprised to meet autistic children who excel academically—it happens.

6. One incident cannot define an entire group. When negative events occur, we should analyze the facts of that specific incident without using one person's actions to judge hundreds of thousands of others. Medically, autism is not a label.

The Government Housing Bank (GHB) has launched the "GHB Helps Thais: Easy Purchase, Easy Installment" campaign, offering ready-to-move-in residences across the country with discounts up to 20% and credit benefits to vulnerable groups.

Taveepong Wichaidit, GHB Governor, stated that the campaign brings the Social Development Ministry's policy into practical action. The initiative covers over 69 projects nationwide, including 37 affordable housing projects, providing maximum 20% discounts with special lending benefits. The campaign specifically targets low-income earners, elderly citizens, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, enabling them to access quality housing at affordable prices.

The special tiered interest rate structure includes: 0% interest in the first year, 2.50% in years 2-3, 4.00% in years 4-5, 6.50% in years 6-10, and 6.75% in years 11-40. Those rejected by commercial banks can directly enter hire-purchase agreements with GHB. Renters seeking to reduce debt burden may increase monthly installments to settle accounts faster. Credit bureau checks are waived for affordable housing, community housing, social housing development, and Light Rail Transit Pedestrian Line 3 projects, with decisions based on Credit Score instead.

The campaign runs through September 30, 2025. GHB also allows existing tenants to convert to hire-purchase agreements (Walk-in), with minimum deposits of 1,000 baht for social projects, 5,000 baht for commercial projects, and 10,000 baht for Light Rail Transit Line 3 projects, plus special 2.50% interest rates in the first year.

All participating projects will be renovated and repaired to move-in condition before handover. Alternatively, buyers can choose to renovate themselves and receive a discount equivalent to repair costs. This campaign not only helps Thais own homes more easily but also advances social development policy while stimulating the real estate and national economy sustainably.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn chaired a meeting in Songkhla to coordinate water management and flood mitigation efforts. The meeting included Songkhla Governor Ratthasart Chidchoo, Second Naval Region Commander Rear Admiral Theprithi Labhluea, Chamber of Commerce President Somphol Jangsirivattana, Thai Bankers Association President Thongchai Wassanaruangruangsuk, relevant government officials, and private sector representatives.

Pipat emphasized that the government is committed to seriously addressing Songkhla's flooding crisis. The meeting aims to gather data, proposals, and input from all sectors in preparation for the Prime Minister's July 10 visit and to present key issues to the cabinet. Pipat confirmed his readiness to coordinate establishing a War Room to integrate efforts across all agencies for surveillance, early warning, water management, evacuation, public assistance, and post-disaster economic recovery.

"The key is to take action before the rains arrive, not wait until flooding occurs," Pipat stated, calling for immediate solutions, pre-monsoon preparations, and long-term projects.

Pipat stressed that Songkhla's flooding cannot be addressed only in Had Yai District but requires a comprehensive watershed approach from upstream areas in Sadao, Natawi, Sabayai, and Chanae. He noted that lessons from the 2024 major floods demonstrate the necessity for structural planning and integrated water management system-wide.

The Royal Irrigation Department reported that current rainfall accumulation remains below normal, while three medium-sized reservoirs maintain adequate water levels. They identified 22 flood monitoring points and improved the early warning system for the Khlong Uthapao watershed, reducing notification time to 18-22 hours. Long-term plans include a 36.6 billion baht flood prevention system development covering dredging, drainage improvements, water diversion canals, and additional reservoir development.

The Transport Ministry reported progress on post-flood infrastructure recovery and plans to enhance water drainage efficiency through channel dredging.

At 3 p.m. on July 3, 2569, Lieutenant General Wathi Asutwutmangkur, commander of the National Police Forensic Division, led officers in collecting evidence from a gray Toyota Yaris ATIV seized from a 59-year-old driver. The driver had transported a man in a blue hoodie to deliver a package containing hidden heroin to flight attendant Mina at a condominium.

Officers focused on collecting DNA and latent fingerprints from around and inside the vehicle, particularly the trunk area where the man in the blue hoodie was observed removing the heroin-filled package. Investigators examined the trunk lining and checked for any residual heroin traces that may have fallen during the transfer.

"Initially, we found no powder residue," Wathi said. "We suspect the area was cleaned or wiped down where the package was placed, so we will need to rely on CCTV footage from the scene as additional evidence."

Wathi added that latent fingerprint results from inside the vehicle should be available within three days, which will help identify who was present in the car. Based on preliminary observation, the vehicle appeared relatively clean despite not being recently washed, and no visible drug residue was observed.

"It's important to remember that the package seen in photos was not packed inside the vehicle," Wathi explained. "Therefore, the likelihood of finding spilled material in the car may be minimal or nonexistent. We will see what evidence we can collect and send it to the laboratory for detailed analysis."

Police have also identified the recipient of the heroin package as a woman named 'Dier,' who is linked to drug networks in northeastern Thailand.

Highway Cafe, the popular American-style cafe and restaurant located on Wonnaphla Beach in Bang Saen with its own distinctive trendy style, has announced closure starting July 3rd. The establishment previously went viral on social media. In a Facebook post, the cafe thanked all customers for their continued support and said "see you at the new place." The cafe also announced that it will continue posting content regularly on TikTok where followers can find out the new location.