On July 18, 2025, Phimai Subdistrict Mayor Khong Kiatti Wichachaphin visited master candle carver Wachara Nadi, an educator with the Nakhon Ratchasima Primary Education Area Office, Zone 7, who is meticulously crafting the year's festival highlight: a 190-centimeter-tall candle sculpture of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The figure is modeled in a standing pose with hands forming the "40-60 Thai Help Thai Plus" gesture, reflecting the government's current economic stimulus policy. Wachara explained that each year he carves notable figures to attract tourists and add color to the traditional candle festival.

Mayor Khong announced that this year's Phimai Candle Festival, titled "Together in Merit and Worship of the Phimai Candle Festival," runs July 28-29, 2025, at Prom That Plaza and the Clock Tower on Buchayan Road. Candle processions from all temples in the subdistrict will be displayed and compete at the district level before parading through Phimai and advancing to the provincial competition held July 29-30, 2025, at the Ya Mo Monument and surrounding areas in Nakhon Ratchasima City. Carvers from across Phimai District are crafting candles with great skill to honor the tradition and preserve the sacred art form in the region.

Tiger Black was knocked down late in the first round but stormed back to knock out Stephen Irwin in the second round, earning a bonus of nearly 1.7 million baht at ONE Fight Night 45.

ONE Championship delivered the excitement as always at ONE Fight Night 45 on the morning of Saturday, July 18. Two Thai representatives, Tiger Black T. Pranburi49 and Black Panther, did not disappoint fans, combining to bring victories home.

Tiger Black stepped into the ring looking to restore his form against Stephen Irwin, a scrappy Scottish striker making his world-level debut under Muay Thai rules in the flyweight division (125-135 lbs). Tiger Black opened aggressively but had a moment of vulnerability when caught by Irwin's right hand, sending him to the canvas for a count late in the first round. He accelerated in the second round, seizing the opportunity to land a straight left that floored his opponent for a count, then sealed the victory with a powerful left elbow, delivering a dominant knockout win. He claimed a 50,000 US dollar bonus (nearly 1.7 million baht at current exchange rates).

Meanwhile, Black Panther from Songkhla faced Sean Climaco, a Filipino-American striker, under Muay Thai rules in the flyweight division. The first two rounds featured an entertaining exchange of techniques, with Black Panther continuously landing his right kick combinations. Although he was shaken by a barrage of Climaco's punches late in the third round, he held firm and won by unanimous decision based on his superior overall performance, extending his winning streak to six consecutive victories.

In the main event, American striker Luke Lixsey opened scoring to make a comeback against Mohamed Younes Rabah, a powerful Algerian fighter, under Muay Thai rules in the featherweight division (145-155 lbs). Throughout the bout, both exchanged strikes and competed for timing entertainingly, but Luke used superior positioning to control the fight and won by unanimous decision, successfully returning to the path of victory.

The one fighter who finished aggressively and caught the attention of the boss Chatri Sityodthorn while claiming a bonus was Tiger Black T. Pranburi49, who pocketed 50,000 US dollars—roughly 1.7 million baht.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand's Kanchanaburi office is promoting a new experience called "kaeng pa ga kafe"—combining the province's signature spicy forest curry with quality coffee—under the nationwide "Charm of Thailand: Feel All The Feelings" campaign. The three-day event at Skywalk Garden will showcase local wisdom and forest heritage through this innovative fusion, positioning it as culinary soft power for the province. Alongside the food initiative, Kanchanaburi is promoting wellness tourism at Khamsad Riverview Spa and Resort, which blends nature and traditional Thai medicine, and sustainable wildlife tourism at Safari Park Open Zoo in Bo Phloi district, where visitors can feed giraffes, zebras, and other animals while supporting animal conservation and natural habitats.

Prime Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul and Foreign Minister gathered 140 Thai business executives in Chengdu on July 18 for a Prime Minister-Thai Private Sector Luncheon, bringing together leaders from finance, food, energy, industrial parks, healthcare, and tourism sectors investing in China. Anuthin expressed satisfaction with the visit and stated that the government's official trip has clear and substantial goals, particularly promoting trade and investment in new industries between Thailand and China.

Following his July 17 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Xi confirmed that Thailand and China are "one family," Anuthin will hold discussions with Premier Li Qiang on July 19 to request support for Thai business operators in China. The day's activities include opening a Board of Investment office in Chengdu and hosting the Thailand-China (Sichuan) Investment and Economic Forum, signaling Thailand's serious commitment to elevating local-level trade cooperation.

Anuthin assigned deputy prime ministers, the foreign minister, and other senior officials to discuss opportunities and challenges facing Thai private enterprises in China, particularly in Sichuan Province. The prime minister emphasized that government and private sector must work together under principles of good governance and transparency, with the state's role being to facilitate business by removing legal obstacles and accelerating free trade agreement negotiations with key trading partners.

Anuthin thanked Thai business leaders for driving the national economy and reiterated that while government creates opportunities, the private sector generates success. "If we work together as Team Thailand with a shared goal," he said, "we will not only grow in the Chinese market but step into the global market strongly and sustainably."

Worrachai Hema, former Samut Prakan MP from the Pheu Thai Party, commented on former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's recent visits to ASEAN leaders in Malaysia and Indonesia. Hema noted that Thaksin was invited by these leaders, rather than seeking meetings himself, indicating that these encounters create benefits for their countries, particularly Indonesia, where President Prabowo Subianto invited Thaksin to serve as an adviser, recognizing his knowledge and experience.

Hema expressed concern that Thailand's situation differs markedly. Although Thaksin is Thai and a former prime minister credited as one of Thailand's most capable leaders—having resolved an economic crisis and raised GDP growth from 1% to 5% in two years—his talents are not being utilized by his own country. Since the coup that removed him from power, Thailand's economic growth has declined steadily, with neighboring countries like Myanmar and Cambodia now surpassing Thai GDP. Thaksin also ranks as the former prime minister who has faced the most hardship.

"Thailand faces a problem where talented people are excluded from solving the nation's problems, and other countries recruit them to work while Thailand gains no benefit," Hema stated. He called on red-shirt supporters who still admire Thaksin to gather on July 26 at Jum-Dad restaurant, Pom Yang Kham Road, kilometer 6, Soi Ram Intra 40, from 11 a.m. onwards, to celebrate Thaksin's 77th birthday and show him encouragement. "Anyone who wishes to come and offer support is welcome to join," Hema said.

Former Pheu Thai Party spokesman Porampon Nopurit has raised alarm over data inconsistencies in the state welfare card eligibility verification, which has resulted in many citizens being disqualified. While he acknowledges that verification is necessary for fair and transparent aid distribution, fieldwork and public feedback across the country reveal numerous cases where data does not match reality, causing eligible people to lose their chance at support. He is urging the government to expedite a comprehensive review of criteria, improve the database, and facilitate appeals to ensure assistance reaches the truly disadvantaged fairly and widely.

Porampon highlighted specific problems including vehicle ownership data that doesn't reflect current reality—some people no longer own cars listed in their names, or sold vehicles without updating registration. Others were disqualified because children's names were fraudulently claimed as dependents for tax deductions, raising fears that genuinely struggling citizens are falling through the cracks.

Feedback from across multiple provinces shows many applicants are devastated, with some in tears upon learning their disqualification. Although the government extended the appeals deadline to July 31, practical barriers persist: traveling to agencies, obtaining documents, and gathering evidence require time and money that poor, elderly, and remote-area residents often cannot afford.

Porampon warned that without urgent action to review criteria, update data, and ease appeals, potentially millions of eligible citizens could miss out on state assistance due to technical constraints, even as they struggle with rising living costs. He stressed that a strong government ensures deserving people access help quickly, fairly, and comprehensively—not one that simply disqualifies the most applicants. He emphasized that when ordinary citizens are cared for, grassroots purchasing power grows, strengthening the entire economy.