Interior Department Director-General Naruchcha Khosasivailai stated that the department is backing the 2026 state welfare card registration initiative, which has now produced both approved and rejected applicants. The department has undertaken three key actions: First, coordinating with provinces and districts nationwide through public outreach to help people understand the program, informing approved registrants about required rights verification—particularly regarding additional benefits like electricity and water subsidies—while advising rejected applicants that appeals and rights review procedures remain available. Second, establishing one-stop service coordination centers at all district offices, allowing qualified applicants to confirm additional government benefits and rejected applicants to file rights review requests. Third, recognizing travel difficulties for some citizens, district officials and local government representatives will visit communities to accept applications, offering convenience to those unable to visit district offices. Public communications will use loudspeaker announcements and local media to keep people informed of new updates, including any changes to review procedures or extended appeal deadlines pending Cabinet approval. Naruchcha noted confusion exists in some areas and requested officials clarify matters with residents while district offices handle all local issues. The Interior Ministry is willing to partner with other agencies needing additional personnel and resources. The Interior Ministry has also assigned ministry inspectors, interior department inspectors, and provincial administrators to monitor progress throughout the process.

On July 20, 2569, Deputy Lieutenant Colonel Nattavit Otong, commander of Chang Klang Police Station, reported responding to a collision between a pickup truck and motorcycle on the Nakhon-Chandi Road in Chang Klang district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Officers arrived with emergency medical staff from Pho Than Khlai Wajasikit Hospital and officials from the Southern Foundation for Disaster Management. At the scene, they found a Toyota pickup truck with heavy damage to the left side and a severely damaged red Honda motorcycle. The victim, identified as Ms. Chitra Lada (surname withheld), 38 years old, was found 30-40 meters from the vehicles with severe injuries including broken limbs. According to initial investigation, the victim was riding her motorcycle when the pickup truck struck her at high speed, resulting in her death at the scene. Police are conducting further questioning and gathering evidence against the pickup truck driver for legal prosecution.

On July 20, Justice Minister General Rutthapol Naorawat presided over a ceremony at the Justice Ministry on Chaengwattana Road to distribute compensation to 31 victims of the Ladprao entertainment venue fire. Fourteen victims who attended the ceremony each received 300,000 baht, totaling 4.2 million baht, while the remaining 17 victims had their payments transferred directly to their bank accounts, bringing the total compensation to over 9.3 million baht. The assistance was provided under the Victim Compensation Act of 2001 and its 2016 amendment, which also supports innocent defendants in criminal cases.

Diriyarut Temhiwongse, director of the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, explained that the victims included various people: the heirs of Bree, the female lead singer of the Tossakant band, the band's drummer who was a Laotian employee, and members of the general public. The event aimed to publicize the compensation program and assist those harmed by the criminal acts of others.

Over the past 24 years since the Victim Compensation Act was implemented, the state has distributed assistance to 145,613 victims totaling approximately 7.6 billion baht and to 2,815 innocent defendants totaling approximately 641 million baht. Officials are exploring the establishment of a revolving victim assistance fund similar to those in other countries, which would draw support from donations, restitution from offenders, and court-ordered penalties to expand the reach of victim compensation programs.

The government is preparing to revise eligibility criteria for the state welfare card, particularly for vehicle owners and students in various educational categories, with plans to present these changes to the Cabinet along with an extension of the rights review period until September 20. On July 20, 2025, Transport Minister Siripong Angsakulkiattikul, Interior Minister Phalpeer Suwannachuay, Public Administration Department Director Narucha Kosasivilaize, and Financial Economics Office Director Winit Visetsuvarnapumi held a joint press conference to discuss adjustments to the welfare card appeal process. The new criteria for vehicle owners and students—including non-formal education students—will first be presented to the State Enterprise Policy Committee before being submitted to the Cabinet for approval. The Interior Ministry will establish service points at district offices to help those who fail the revised criteria assessment, with village headmen serving as coordinators to gather additional information, requiring an extension of the review deadline to September 20. Additionally, approximately 6 million people who were ineligible for benefits will now be permitted to register for the Thai Help Thai Plus program, a proposal that will be submitted to the Cabinet on July 21. Finance Ministry spokespersons acknowledged the need to reconsider the eligibility conditions for the state welfare card, noting that genuinely poor citizens were being denied benefits despite owning damaged or non-functional vehicles, and that non-formal education students should be distinguished from formal education students.

PHUKET: A Thalang homeowner has claimed his brother, allegedly hallucinating after taking drugs, started a house fire that spread to two neighbouring homes early this morning (July 20), causing extensive property damage but no injuries.

Culture Minister Sabida Thaiset disclosed that the cabinet has endorsed the draft law to restructure government ministries, departments, and bureaus by establishing a new Ministry of Culture and Tourism alongside a separate Ministry of Sports. The bill will now proceed to the Office of the Council of State for review before being sent to parliament. Staffing levels and budgets will not be increased in principle, though flexibility will be maintained to match assigned functions as both ministries negotiate which personnel and tasks to transfer.

The five key tourism functions to be transferred to the Culture Ministry include policy matters, the Department of Tourism, provincial tourism and sports office operations nationwide, tourism-related agencies, and coordination with the Tourism Police Command. The new structure will feature two main function groups: one handling cultural heritage, identity, and cultural capital, and another managing cultural economics and tourism.

The Culture Ministry has outlined a three-phase implementation plan: the first six months for preparation and task transfer; the second phase over two years for studying international case studies and developing administrative systems, laws, structures, and personnel; and the third phase completing full reform within four years. Culture Ministry, Tourism and Sports officials, and central agencies have established a working group to prepare for the transition with ongoing progress meetings and consultation with all stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation and address concerns.