Heavy Rain Swamps Hat Yai in Under 20 Minutes, Power Pole Blocks Drainage Canal, Residents Frustrated Over 9,000 Baht Relief. July 11—A Facebook video by user Wit Tong Thai captured sudden flooding at Khlong Hua intersection in Ban Pru municipality, Hat Yai district, Songkhla province, following heavy rain on the afternoon of July 9. Water surged rapidly into homes and shops.

Investigations revealed an incomplete drainage system under construction. The canal along the Asia Route toward Phatthalung was clogged with garbage and water hyacinth. Downstream before the railway overpass, an electrical pole stood directly in the drainage canal, which residents believe is a major obstruction preventing adequate water flow.

Vatcharasit Phinyodthananth, owner of Tong Thai Tour Company, revealed the flooding happened extremely fast. Rain fell for less than 20 minutes before water rushed into homes, leaving no time to save belongings. This recurring problem has plagued residents for nearly 20 years. Heavy rain and lack of canal dredging, combined with grass, branches, and garbage blocking pipe openings, cause the flooding.

When residents called Ban Pru municipality, they were told to manage garbage collection themselves. Despite multiple reports to authorities, nothing changed. Last year saw chest-high flooding. This year, after water damage rotted his home, he recently renovated. Now items he prepared for merit-making at nine temples for 500-600 people on July 19 were damaged by flooding. He questioned whether the 9,000 baht relief compensation justifies repeated damage.

Shop owners in the area unanimously blame the incomplete drainage pipe project for worsening floods. Heavy rain now causes flooding in less than 30 minutes. Before the project, water would recede quickly after rain stopped. Now drainage is much slower, affecting business.

Chelsea is prepared to sell Alejandro Garnacho after his transfer from Manchester United less than a year ago. Reports indicate the 22-year-old has yet to report for preseason training under new manager Xabi Alonso despite no reported injuries.

Players excluded from the 2026 World Cup squad have begun reporting to training camp and undergoing fitness tests for preseason preparation under Alonso's direction. Most have arrived, but the 22-year-old striker remains absent with no injury explanation offered.

Sources indicate Chelsea has run out of patience and believes Garnacho is not part of Alonso's team plans, so they are open to offers for the forward they signed from Manchester United for £40 million last summer. The board is inclined to sell outright rather than loan him out. Roma from Italian Serie A is reportedly interested in Garnacho, though negotiations have not yet formally begun.

On July 11, 2569, Adidas Thailand and Ari Football co-hosted the ADIDAS CHAOS VS CONTROL event, launching the latest CHAOS VS CONTROL PACK football boot collection. Lucky customers gained exclusive access to experience high-level innovation from Adidas' legendary F50 and PREDATOR boots in a football skills challenge against four Thai national team players: Safe Suphanun Burarit, Tao Thanasit Siripon, Manuel Tom Biahr, and Golf Seksorn Ratree, at Ari Football at One Bangkok.

During the ADIDAS CHAOS VS CONTROL event, lucky participants and Thai national team footballers were divided into two teams. Safe Suphanun and Tao Thanasit led the F50 team, while Manuel Tom Biahr and Golf Seksorn captained the PREDATOR team. All players wore the new F50 and PREDATOR boots from the CHAOS VS CONTROL PACK while demonstrating ball control, passing, and finishing skills.

Suphanun stated: "For my right-back position, which demands constant speed throughout a 90-minute match, the F50 football boot answers every need comprehensively. Its exceptional lightness and snug fit help me accelerate to break through defences and create scoring opportunities for teammates. The F50 is essential equipment in every match."

Seksorn added: "Controlling the game and directing the team to victory starts with controlling the ball and precise passing. The PREDATOR boot features technology that makes ball control effortless—from ball touch and passing to spinning in different directions and taking crucial shots that help secure victory in matches."

Thai entertainment partners Ling Ling Kong and Om Kornnapas have reflected on their remarkable three-year journey from their early days with just a handful of fans to now hosting large-scale events at Bangkok's Impact Arena with a global fanbase. The pair, who started as partners, have grown together with consistent love and support from fans both in Thailand and abroad, creating countless memories filled with laughter, tears, and encouragement.

In a recent interview, the two discussed their partnership evolution and how fan support has become a driving force for their continued self-improvement. When asked about their journey, Om humorously responded by singing about their learning experience together. "We've come a long way," Om reflected, "from having nothing at the start to where we are today. We're grateful to everyone who made this happen, and we didn't expect life would have this path for us. We'll keep developing ourselves."

Ling Ling noted their most significant change: "Now we have more people who love us." Om emphasized that their biggest surprise was the size of their fanbase, which has grown exponentially. "I never expected our fans to be this many or love us this much," she said, humorously claiming their numbers had grown "800 million times" since moving to the Impact Arena scale.

Beyond Thailand, their international fanbase has also expanded significantly. Ling Ling shared that she's collaborated with productions from France, Korea, and China, each bringing different working styles that have broadened her perspective, while fans continue their unwavering support.

The pair recounted touching moments that highlighted their fan dedication. One viral clip showed Om stopping a performance when she noticed fans in wheelchairs couldn't see from their seats, insisting they be brought to better positions. Another memorable moment involved an elderly fan who came to their event in a wheelchair despite the logistical challenges.

Ling Ling expressed deep gratitude for fans who travel to see them, understanding that each journey requires saving money for tickets, registration, and waiting in lines. "Every moment we spend with fans is worthwhile, especially for the children and elderly," she said. Om added that they deeply appreciate fans who have saved money for months just to attend their events, emphasizing how they never take that dedication for granted.

A 23-year-old motorcyclist witnessed a tractor lose control and crash into a canal, so he immediately stopped and jumped in to help. However, the older driver could not swim, and combined with the strong current, both men drowned. On July 11 at 4 p.m., Sirote Petdee, a duty officer at Muang Phichit Police Station, received a report of a tractor plunging into the Muang irrigation canal with a good Samaritan attempting a rescue. The incident occurred near Irrigation Canal C-67 Gate in Baan Tha Pothi, Muang Old Subdistrict, Muang District, Phichit Province. Rescue units were mobilized to search for the two missing people. At the scene, a motorcycle and a pair of shoes were found by the canal. Within 30 minutes, rescue workers discovered both bodies underwater—the tractor driver clinging tightly to the young rescuer. Both bodies were brought up from the canal without vital signs. The deceased were identified as Surin, 70, the tractor driver, and Peerapat, 23, the good Samaritan who attempted the rescue. Both were neighbors from the same village. Investigation revealed that Surin was driving a tractor with attached cart back from farmland, just 400 meters from home, when he lost control and plunged into the canal. At the same moment, Peerapat was passing by on his motorcycle, saw the accident, quickly parked, removed his shoes, and jumped into the water to help. Unable to swim, Surin clung tightly to Peerapat, and the powerful current—caused by full water gate releases from Canal C-1 into Canal C-67—swept both men under, resulting in their deaths.

On July 11, 2026, Royal Thai Police arrested two suspects, Kiarti Sakdi and Sopol, along with 3.9 million methamphetamine pills, one van, one pickup truck with an enclosed bed, and one mobile phone at a parking lot in Bangkok's Khlong Samwa district.

Bangkok Metropolitan Police had been investigating reports of drug smuggling into the capital. Officers learned that suspects were using vehicles to hide methamphetamine and park them in residential areas to distribute to customers. At 9 PM on July 9, surveillance units observed a pickup truck pull alongside a van. Two suspects exited and transferred large black plastic bags from the van into the pickup bed. Police moved in to make the arrest.

The methamphetamine originated from the northeastern region and was being transported through Bangkok to southern provinces. Police believe this operation had occurred multiple times previously. Investigation revealed the suspects had spent 300,000 baht in cash to purchase two used vehicles for drug transport. Both suspects admitted to receiving 5,000 baht per trip. Charges have been filed, and police are pursuing other network members.