Police Lieutenant General Phon Pladurksa has died at age 103, the father of Dr. Paktpilai Taveeshin, spouse of former Prime Minister Srettha Taveeshin. The royal ablution ceremony will take place at Thepsirin Temple on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., followed by the water pouring ritual at 5:30 p.m. and the royal blessing ceremony at 6:00 p.m. Chanting services are scheduled for August 3–4 and August 6–7, 2026, both at 6:30 p.m., with the royal cremation ceremony set for August 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Lieutenant General Phon, born on March 25, 1923, in Ta Chana District, Surat Thani Province, completed his primary education at Ta Chana municipal school and finished middle school at Satun Provincial School and upper secondary school at Surat Thani Provincial School. He graduated from the Royal Thai Army Cadet Academy and the Police Cadet School with top honors in his class and received a scholarship to study at the Metropolitan Police Detective Training School in London, England.

His police career spanned from May 1, 1945, when he became a cadet, through various posts including vice commander of Bangkok Metropolitan Police and commander of Provincial Police Region 3. He retired from active service in 1984. He also held special royal positions serving the King from 1968 until 1983.

Phon married Udomsri Ramintra, daughter of Police Lieutenant General Phra Ramintra (Duang Ramintra), former Police Director-General, and Lady Pan Ramintra. They had five children, including Dr. Paktpilai Taveeshin, wife of former Prime Minister Srettha Taveeshin.

Thairyoak National Park's conservation management unit mobilized staff and veterinarians to rescue a male elephant calf, less than two weeks old, after it was separated from its herd near the Mae Nam Noi river in Kanchanaburi province on July 30–31, 2025. The calf was moved urgently from the flood-risk area to the park headquarters for intensive care.

On July 30 at 6:00 a.m., park rangers received a report from residents of a lost elephant calf on the riverbank. Rangers took approximately 1–2 hours by boat to reach the remote location. Overnight observation showed the calf calling repeatedly for its mother and exhibiting behaviors such as sucking on rocks and tree roots, but with no herd response. Officials estimated the calf had been swept away by floodwaters about two days earlier due to heavy rainfall in the area. Rangers provided milk under veterinary guidance to sustain the animal.

On July 31 at 9:00 a.m., veterinarians assessed the calf and found it to be a 40-kilogram male in critical condition with severe dehydration, mouth ulcers and inflammation reducing milk intake, conjunctivitis, and an umbilical wound. The team immediately transferred the calf to park headquarters for emergency intervention.

Peer Puangmali, head of Thairyoak National Park, stated: "We have established a temporary enclosure with disinfectant spraying and assigned staff to provide round-the-clock care under close veterinary supervision."

On August 1, veterinarians will collect blood samples to test for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV). While awaiting results, the calf will remain in quarantine for continued monitoring. The park and veterinary team are committed to comprehensive care to ensure the young elephant's health and safety according to animal welfare standards.

The Thai Meteorological Department issued a weather forecast for the next 24 hours on August 1, 2569, warning that Thailand will continue to experience heavy rain in some areas. A monsoon trough is moving through the upper northern region and northern Laos, while the southwest monsoon is moderately strong over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. The public is urged to be cautious of dangers from heavy and accumulated rainfall, which may cause flash floods and flash flooding, especially in foothill areas near water channels and low-lying zones.

Wave conditions in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand are weakening. The upper Andaman Sea has waves of 1-2 meters, while the lower Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand have waves around 1 meter. Areas with thunderstorms may see waves exceeding 2 meters. Mariners are advised to navigate carefully and avoid areas with thunderstorms.

Northern Region: 70 percent thunderstorm coverage with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Nan, Tak, and Kamphaeng Phet provinces. Low: 22-26°C, High: 31-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Northeastern Region: 70 percent thunderstorm coverage with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, and Nakhon Phanom provinces. Low: 23-25°C, High: 30-34°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Central Region: 60 percent thunderstorm coverage with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Lopburi, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, and Nakhon Pathom provinces. Low: 23-26°C, High: 33-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Eastern Region: 60 percent thunderstorm coverage with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Nakhon Nayok, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces. Low: 23-26°C, High: 32-34°C. Southwest winds 15-30 km/h. Sea waves around 1 meter; over 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (East Coast): 40 percent thunderstorm coverage, mainly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces. Low: 22-26°C, High: 31-35°C. Southwest winds 15-30 km/h. Sea waves around 1 meter; over 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (West Coast): 40 percent thunderstorm coverage with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Ranong province. Low: 23-25°C, High: 31-35°C. From Phang Nga northward: southwest winds 15-35 km/h, sea waves 1-2 meters; over 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. From Phuket southward: southwest winds 15-30 km/h, sea waves around 1 meter; over 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Bangkok and Metropolitan Area: 60 percent thunderstorm coverage with heavy rain in some areas. Low: 24-26°C, High: 33-35°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

On July 31, Deputy Investigator Vorawut Pudchim of Bang Sri Muang Police Station in Nonthaburi received a report of a fire at a water pump, spare parts, and gardening equipment distribution company near Chao Phraya Market on Bangkruay–Thai Noi Road in Bang Krang, Muang District, Nonthaburi. He coordinated with dozens of fire trucks from Bang Krang, Bang Sri Muang, Bang Len, and Nonthaburi municipal authorities and neighboring municipalities to fight the blaze.

The building was a two-story concrete warehouse approximately 12 meters wide and 30–40 meters long, engulfed in intense flames. Firefighters sprayed water continuously, but several became incapacitated because the contents of the warehouse—particularly unknown chemicals—had not been disclosed. They withdrew, and hazmat crews equipped with breathing apparatus and oxygen tanks re-entered the building. During suppression efforts, the structure emitted loud cracking sounds, prompting an evacuation order for safety. After approximately 90 minutes of water application, firefighters gained control of the fire.

Thawatchai, a 37-year-old firefighter from Bang Phai Municipality, suffered chest tightness, breathing difficulty, and hemoptysis (coughing up blood) and was transported to Bamrasnaradura Hospital. Preliminary investigation identified the facility as a radiator manufacturing plant with stored paper, though the exact cause of ignition remains unknown pending forensic examination. The factory owner reported the fire-affected building is a workshop storing goods and cardboard boxes with no occupants at the time. Damage assessment is incomplete, though structural damage appears extensive while inventoried stock was minimal. The company maintains fire insurance. Investigators will coordinate with forensic officers to examine the burned structure further once the heat subsides, and the area has been cordoned off as a danger zone pending cause determination.

Police revealed that Por was released from prison only two months ago but is suspected of five murders. Authorities are pursuing two other gang members and investigating whether additional crimes are linked to Por and his associate Thong. The initial case involved the disappearance of two Russian siblings in Chachoengsao province, leading to the arrest of Por and Thong, who confessed to killing the Russians and burying them in a forest near Ban Laem Subdistrict. They later admitted to murdering a Thai family of three—a mother, father, and daughter—during a robbery attempt in June, burying them nearby.

On July 31, Deputy Police Region 2 Commander Chatchai Surachetpong revealed that both Russian victims were found buried together in a one-meter-deep pit, with the woman beneath and the man above. The woman showed signs of physical abuse, while the man had approximately two gunshot wounds to the abdomen and head. Both bodies remained clothed and were laid directly on the ground without wrapping.

Regarding the Thai family, authorities say Por confessed to posing as a police officer to rob the home. When the daughter returned from a convenience store, she was abducted as well. All three were tortured, shot, and buried in the same pit. The suspect claimed he intended only to steal a motorcycle and did not know the Russian victims beforehand. Police are continuing to investigate whether additional crimes are connected and are actively tracking two remaining gang members believed to still be in the area.

Police have arrested Thana (Po) and Thongchai (Flag) in a major murder case involving a Russian family of three. The suspects allegedly posed as police officers to demand debt payment, then forcibly took the family to a coconut plantation in Bang Lamung District, Chachoengsao Province, where they dug a grave and shot all three victims before burying them together. The female victim was found at the bottom with her hands bound behind her back, while the male victim was on top with gunshot wounds to the temple and abdomen. Investigators are investigating the involvement of two other accomplices named Ball and Fook.

According to the investigation, Po and Flag had a pattern of dressing as police officers to conduct fake inspections. In this case, Po allegedly sexually assaulted the daughter and seized their belongings before bringing all three family members to the plantation. The gang then dug a grave and shot all three victims with a firearm before burying them in the same hole. Police revealed the gang is suspected of committing 2-3 similar crimes that are currently under investigation.