The National Anti-Corruption Commission has charged Thiernchai, former district chief of Pothisai in Roi Et province, and associates for purchasing pesticide at inflated prices under emergency disaster relief funding. On December 21, 2011, the Roi Et governor declared nine sub-districts in Pothisai affected by crop pest infestation and allocated 9.7 million baht in emergency funds, authorizing the district chief to approve spending.

The Pothisai agricultural officer proposed purchasing 6,689 bottles of Pirimiphos methyl pesticide at 1,450 baht per bottle (500 ml each), totaling 9,699,050 baht—one bottle per cultivated rai. Thiernchai approved the purchase without following proper procedures, including holding a required committee meeting. Instead, he instructed the district secretary to falsify meeting minutes showing committee approval that never occurred.

The price was not based on market research but was unilaterally set by the provincial agricultural office. The procurement process was also irregular. Thiernchai approved a special procurement method where the district secretary was handed price quotes from three companies and instructed to select a vendor. On January 4, 2012, a procurement officer reported the chemical cost 1,450 baht per bottle, but the selected company's bid exceeded budget. After negotiation, the price was reduced to 9,699,050 baht, which Thiernchai approved and signed.

Later, the State Audit Office investigated and contacted suppliers of the same pesticide brand. They found the price was 210 baht per bottle in bulk (2,520 baht per 12-bottle case) and 220 baht per bottle online. The district purchased it at 1,240 baht per bottle above market rate, causing government losses of approximately 8,294,360 baht.

Thai Capital Market Business Council chairman Paibuol Nlintherangkun revealed that the Thailand Individual Saving Account (TISA) project is awaiting final decisions on the tax deduction limit and the program's launch timeline. He emphasized these remaining points are not barriers, but require further discussion to reach clarity.

One confirmed change is the elimination of a multiplier system that would have capped total personal income tax deductions at 800,000 baht, with earners below 1.5 million baht annually claiming 1.3 times the deduction and those above claiming only 0.7 times. "The multiplier issue has been removed by the Finance Ministry because it was too complicated," Nlintherangkun said.

TISA will operate separately from other deduction categories, including insurance premiums and the Provident Fund (PVD), because retirement savings require holders to maintain investments until age 55—incompatible with TISA's individual stock investment feature. Nlintherangkun noted that the Thai ESG mutual fund will likely not be extended once TISA launches, as investors can obtain tax deductions through TISA instead.

While most people know Chonburi as a tourist destination famous for beautiful beaches and delicious food, the province is truly a sports city—especially for football.

Early pioneers Withaya Khumpluem and Thanasak Suraprasert gradually developed the "Chonburi Sharks" through regional football competition, eventually winning the championship in 2005 before earning promotion to the Thailand Premier League. Shortly after reaching the top flight, Chonburi FC became a force that shook Thai football with entertaining, aggressive play and passionate fan support that packed stadiums for nearly every match.

In 2007, under coach Jatej Meelaab, they captured the Thai League championship and became one of the league's longest-tenured clubs, remaining competitive to the present day.

Strong Foundations

Chonburi is not a sugar-daddy club. Unlike other teams with unlimited budgets to buy superstars, Chonburi's advantage lies in being a "talent developer" with one of Thailand's strongest academy systems, which has become the club's trademark.

While other clubs focus on buying, Chonburi focuses on building. They scout young talent early, bring them into youth training centers, and gradually develop their football experience through partnerships with key schools like Takhao Khom Pittayakhom, which consistently produce players for the Thai League and national team.

Notable players developed through Chonburi's academy include Sinthawee Hathairatankul, Suree Sukha, Suratna Sukha, Adul Lasoh, Kerikrit Theepikhan, Worchit Kanitsribampern, Krid-da Kaman, Chatchanrong Promserekhaew, Yotkorn Buropa, Chatchai Rueangthannoroj, and Siraph Wandi.

Football and Chonburi's People

As mentioned, most Chonburi residents breathe football—partly because society and the province itself was designed to be a sports city.

At the school level, Chonburi has numerous institutions including Chonburi School of Sports, National Sports University's Chonburi Campus, Assumption Sriracha School, Takhao Khom Pittayakhom School, and several others that produce many professional footballers.

At the club level, the province hosts multiple teams across various leagues: - Chonburi FC (Thai League 1) - Pattaya United (Thai League 2) - Ban Bueng FC (Thai League 3) - Burapa United (Thai League 3) - Navikyothin FC (Thai League 3) - Royal Thai Navy FC (Thai League 3)

Plus numerous semi-professional clubs that draw countless supporters.

Beyond professional football, the province also boasts Bluewave Chonburi, a leading futsal club that has won the national championship 11 times and the AFC Futsal Club Championship twice.

Beyond professional football, grassroots football tournaments flourish throughout the province with million-baht prize pools in multiple districts. Foreign workers and migrant laborers who come to work here absorb Chonburi's distinctive football culture.

Because Chonburi has football in nearly every corner, its people have absorbed it into their very being. These elements have combined to create a football-supporting culture where residents live and breathe alongside the beautiful game in perfect balance.

Clashes erupt at Chinese Consulate in Chiang Mai, leaving two protesters injured after demonstrators delivered a petition opposing mining operations that have caused toxic contamination affecting Thailand.

On July 6, 2026, approximately 50 members of a network protecting the Kok, Sai, Ruak and Mekong rivers traveled to the Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai to submit a letter demanding action on water contamination. The activists say the pollution stems from upstream mining operations in Myanmar funded by Chinese investors.

During the gathering outside the consulate, a scuffle broke out between protesters and police tasked with controlling the area, resulting in two injuries. However, the overall situation remained controlled with no further violence.

The network later delivered their petition through representatives of Chiang Mai provincial administration and the Chinese consulate, who accepted the letter as the consulate was closed that day. After submitting the petition, protesters stood in silent tribute to symbolically express concern about the contamination and violence affecting the region before peacefully dispersing.

The network reaffirmed its call on the Chinese government and relevant authorities to urgently investigate and resolve toxic pollution in the Kok, Sai, Ruak and Mekong rivers, which threatens the environment and way of life for people in northern Thailand.

Channel 8 Television reinforces its success in bringing quality Myanmar content to expand its international audience base in Thailand for Myanmar fans far from home, while advancing cross-border premium entertainment industry partnerships. In collaboration with Hollywood (Thailand) and Alpha Hub Company, the "Fight For Hope Star Tour" exclusive event allowed fans of the series "Fight For Hope" to meet the cast and director closely and watch a special episode surrounded by Myanmar and Thai fans at Major Cineplex Big C Maha Chai 1 on Sunday, July 5.

The event was graced by Nongrak Gamroj, Multimedia and Entertainment Chief Officer at Channel 8, Wasant Homsangpradit, Chief Executive Officer of Hollywood (Thailand), and Soe Thu Ra, CEO of Alpha Hub Company, demonstrating their shared commitment to promoting Myanmar content in the Thai entertainment industry and expanding the Myanmar viewer base in Thailand, which numbers in the millions.

The event atmosphere was filled with cheers and smiles as host Tam Danu Sinhaseni led the proceedings. When lead cast members Pai Thakon, Yamin Moe, and Ne Tounai, along with director Hut Tin Tun walked the red carpet, they received a warm welcome before taking the stage to discuss behind-the-scenes creation, work inspiration, challenges of each role, and the emotions of reuniting with Thai fans and particularly the Myanmar fan base, whom they considered as family. After intimate interactions, the cast created excitement through game activities and distributed exclusive memorabilia from the series, awarding special episode screening passes to lucky fans, before closing with group photos that captured the powerful fan energy for the Myanmar series.

The Fight For Hope Star Tour represents an important step for Channel 8 in advancing its partnerships through quality content presentation while creating shared experiences between ASEAN artists and audiences, serving as a significant catalyst for expanding the comprehensive entertainment content market to the regional fan stage.

Fans can follow the series "Fight For Hope" with bilingual audio in both Thai and Myanmar every Saturday at 10:15 p.m. on Channel 8 (cable 27) and stream simultaneously on TrueVisions NOW.

Ball Chern Yim shared a touching family photo featuring her granddaughter, daughter, son, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law, with everyone marveling at how youthful she appears and noting her grandson's striking resemblance to his father. Bean, the beloved granddaughter and daughter of actress Bright Varanistha, makes her debut in the frame with her charming smile that mirrors her grandmother's humor. Ball humorously captioned the post: "Granddaughter, daughter, son, son-in-law, daughter-in-law—so whose child am I? After finishing work, I take the kids to eat. Finding joy in the remaining moments... they call it true family resemblance. This is grandmother Ball." In a recent follow-up, Ball posted a video with her son, praising his handsome features and joking, "Why is this kid so good-looking? I bet his father must look good too." Fans unanimously commented on the striking father-son resemblance, comparing them to twins.