On July 21, 2025, Mae Tha Witthaya School in Lamphun posted a condolence message regarding the death of student Phasinee Sudsakhon (nickname: Khai Muk), a Grade 8/2 student. The school administration, faculty, staff, and students expressed their sorrow and remembrance. Phasinee died in a traffic accident on July 20 when she was struck by a pickup truck near the Bang Jak gas station in Na Khruea Subdistrict, Mae Tha District, Lamphun Province. Police have taken the truck driver into custody to investigate the circumstances of the accident.

A criminal court dismissed charges against Sararat, known as Am Cyanide, in the death of a vegetable vendor, finding that evidence failed to establish a link to the crime. This is the fifth case from a series of shocking cyanide poisoning deaths.

On July 21, 2025, at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, the court heard arguments in case number Or.857/2568, where prosecutors accused 39-year-old Sararat of premeditated murder. The prosecution alleged that the defendant poisoned the victim's food with cyanide, intending to kill vegetable seller Rosjarintr, known as Phi Noi, to settle a 60,000-baht debt and compel the victim's husband to repay a higher amount. According to the prosecution, the defendant mixed cyanide into a vegetable salad, which the victim consumed before collapsing and dying at a hospital. The defendant denied the allegations.

The court determined that although multiple deaths had been linked to cyanide poisoning during March 2023, the medical evidence lacked weight. The attending physician testified that the victim's blood showed severe acidosis from infection or poisoning, but could not confirm cyanide specifically or rule out other sources. The witness could not determine whether the poison entered the body through the victim's own actions or another method. A store employee testified to seeing the defendant bring a vegetable salad to the victim, though the witness could not accurately describe the defendant's vehicle or answer cross-examination questions about the defendant's car model, undermining credibility.

Regarding the alleged motive of a 60,000-baht debt, the court found contradictions in the evidence. Records showed the victim had pawned a vehicle to the defendant for 100,000 baht and had already repaid 50,000 baht. After the victim's death, the defendant initially claimed the victim's husband owed 600,000 baht in vehicle pawn fees, later negotiating down to 300,000 baht, which the husband paid in full to recover the vehicle. The court ruled that the prosecution's evidence failed to establish a sufficient motive for the alleged crime.

The court concluded that the prosecution's evidence did not establish a coherent link proving the defendant committed the alleged offense and dismissed the charges.

Reporters noted that this case follows four previously adjudicated Am Cyanide murder cases: Case 1 resulted in a death sentence for the poisoning death of Siriphorn (Koi) near a waterway in Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province. Case 2 involved the death of female police officer Nipha (Sarawat Poo); the court sentenced the defendant to death, later reduced to life imprisonment based on cooperation with authorities. Case 3 concerned the death of engineer Nitya in Nakhon Pathom Province; the court dismissed charges due to insufficient evidence of cyanide possession or intent for gain. Case 4 involved the death of Lieutenant Colonel Sukanda (Pong Noi), a former assistant finance sergeant at Phu Phra Man Police Station in Khon Kaen Province, poisoned through a beverage; the court sentenced the defendant to death, later reduced, and Sararat remains imprisoned for life.

Alek Teeradej transforms into a dark sorcerer in the horror-drama "Confessions of a Spirit Doctor," with a full trailer now released ahead of its August 12 theatrical debut. The film "Next Door," produced jointly by Chasing Light, Ad.Venture, and The Ghost Radio, has earned an invitation to screen at the Thai Film Festival in Vietnam 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. Director Kong Kiartti Khomsiri and actor Kachabel Saran Ratchot Phueak Phiphatchana attended the festival, participating in Q&A sessions and warmly engaging with Vietnamese audiences. The Thai-Lao co-production horror film "Gongkoy: WRECKED," directed by Anny Chai Kaewlao, features top-tier actors from both countries including Ariya Sutharmmawong (Nana), Nipha Yakkanegi (Anita), Anongkan Pilaiwong (Mew), Kudtawon Akkaracha, and Nattapat Dilertsakcool (Megga). A special team-up event will also feature four young actors from the popular series "Double Helix"—Sun Zheng, Lee Sithong, He Jiasu, and Fa Seviangkeo—performing at the "Intertwined by Fate 'Double Helix' Concert in Bangkok" on July 25 at Thunderdome, Muang Thong Thani. Tickets are available through Ticket Melon. The horror-drama "Confessions of a Spirit Doctor" tells the story of Phra Toh (Alek Teeradej), a man whose fate plays tricks on him until he loses everything, then renounces Buddhism to enter the world of dark magic and sorcery, becoming a disciple of Mo Tian (Chakrit Yamnam), a powerful spirit doctor. The cast also includes Denis Jelilchsa Cappon, Am Amrinthorn Nitiphon, Boom Rannya Siyanonth, Wen Falconer, Neung Chalat Na Songkhla, and Baem Ganpimuk in special guest roles. The film arrives August 12.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas told reporters on July 21 that the welfare card review aims to ensure aid reaches the truly poor, not to strip people of benefits. The new registration round is significant because it can enroll 2.3 million previously excluded citizens who survey data shows genuinely need state support. At the same time, the government must screen out ineligible recipients, as numerous complaints have surfaced about fake poor people fraudulently accessing welfare benefits. Ekniti acknowledged that some genuinely poor residents may be incorrectly removed during fraud screening and pledged to help them reenter the system by establishing One Stop Service centers at the district level to process appeals and assist with documentation.

Ekniti identified systemic issues hampering accurate identification. Thailand's data infrastructure is outdated and does not reflect real-world circumstances—for example, people who own old, unused vehicles still registered in their names are wrongly classified as wealthy. The Finance Ministry is consulting with the Transport Ministry to revise asset criteria, especially for old or non-functional vehicles, to avoid cutting benefits to the genuinely poor.

Another problem is that personal data has been misused without people's knowledge through fake business registrations, stock holdings, corporate board memberships, and tax deductions linked to nominee rings and gray-market operations. "The truth is emerging," Ekniti said. "After we help the truly struggling, we must go after the groups deceiving villagers by using their names and causing them harm."

The government will extend appeal and review periods so genuinely distressed people can submit clarifications and evidence. Ekniti stressed that the welfare card is only one support tool; the government operates multiple social safety nets for vulnerable groups.

At a press conference on July 21 at Government House, Education Minister Prasert Chantharwangtong, Deputy Minister Akranun Kannakittinant, and Non-Formal Education Bureau Director Ketsathip Supavanit announced that approximately 270,000 students aged 18 and older have been affected by changes to state welfare card eligibility criteria. So far, 53,000 have registered and filed appeals, with the bureau expecting around 100,000 total appeals by the July 31 deadline—roughly 60–70 percent of eligible students.

The affected group consists of non-formal education students who have already submitted data; the total has grown to approximately 55,000 applicants and is still rising. Officials urged students who may be considering dropping out to hold off, as the Education Ministry is committed to keeping everyone in the system. Deputy Minister Akranun said the bureau will support all appeals to prevent students from withdrawing from their studies.

Director Ketsathip explained that the 270,000 students aged 18 and older have been requesting welfare cards continuously since last year. However, this year's eligibility criteria treat non-formal students differently—many are working adults from economically vulnerable backgrounds who must balance earning a living with pursuing education.

At a press conference on July 21, 2025 at Government House, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit responded to social media criticism by Phayao MP Tammanus Prompao and Khla Tham Party leader regarding the ministry's personnel transfers. Tammanus had suggested the moves were motivated by financial policy rather than performance.

Suriya stated that all opinions on staffing decisions—whether from Tammanus or others—would inform his judgment. He emphasized that senior civil service appointments are conducted transparently, with authority resting with the permanent secretary rather than the minister. Seven senior officials are retiring on September 30, necessitating replacement appointments.

Suriya said the permanent secretary had reviewed qualifications comprehensively, including integrity, dedication, and seniority, in consultation with senior management. When his approval was sought, he granted it and forwarded the recommendation to the cabinet secretary for cabinet consideration.

Asked to confirm that appointments are merit-based rather than financially motivated, Suriya denied any benefit-seeking or position-trading, inviting investigation by any concerned parties. Addressing claims of a political purge, he noted that the agriculture ministry has 31 senior administrative positions; a complete purge would require changing all 31 posts. He highlighted his 11 years in government across five administrations—five years as deputy minister under Thaksin Shinawatra, four years under General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, one year under Srettha Thavisin, and one term under Paetongtarn Shinawatra—during which personnel transfers never faced scrutiny, constituting empirical evidence of legitimacy.

On Tammanus's motives, Suriya said the opposition has the right to scrutinize government work, and he welcomed any inquiries. Details of all department transfers would be revealed after the cabinet meeting.