Iran held funeral ceremonies on July 4 for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader of Iran, who died at age 86 following an airstrike at the onset of conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran. Khamenei's coffin was displayed at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran for public mourning. It remains unclear whether current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei will attend his father's funeral. Millions of people are expected to take to the streets in a display similar to the 1989 funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Iran deliberately chose July 4—the 250th anniversary of American independence—to begin the multi-day funeral ceremonies. U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, claimed the U.S. had handled Iran "smoothly" and said they gave Iran a week to conduct the funeral. Meanwhile, crowds in Tehran chanted "Death to America!" and some called for revenge, with mourners carrying large flags bearing anti-American slogans.

Dr. Rawiwan Phurideach, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and chair of the environmental impact assessment committee for the Landbridge project, led a team of experts and government representatives to Ranong and Chumphon provinces on July 3-4, 2026. The committee gathered factual information and environmental data to review the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the transport infrastructure project linking the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea.

The inspection began in Ranong, where the committee heard concerns from Laem Son National Park officials before surveying Koh Khai Bay and Ranong Port to assess marine resources, ecosystems, and community land use. In Chumphon, officials traced the project corridor, evaluating land conditions, land use patterns, environmental impacts, and potential effects on local residents. The team also assessed measures to protect rare and endangered wildlife species along the proposed rail and highway routes, particularly in sensitive conservation areas.

Dr. Rawiwan stated that the environmental committee, one of three subcommittees under a vice-prime-ministerial-chaired panel, has responsibility for comprehensive environmental impact review. The committee examined both coastal zones subject to marine reclamation and inland areas along the proposed routes, with particular attention to protected areas. Field findings will be compiled into academic recommendations and mitigation measures to protect natural resources, ecosystems, and community livelihoods while supporting infrastructure development that creates sustainable economic opportunities.

GMM Grammy is sending Thailand's leading artists to perform at Thai Festival 2026 in Yangon, with a lineup including Ice Saranyu, Prae Chana, Gung Kanin, Drym'on Nichchakul, Surf Patchr, Jaa Pbthum, Boon Nopnath, and Prem Vorawut. The company is creating a powerful T-POP phenomenon that crosses borders, with Ice Saranyu and Prae Chana representing GMM Music, Gung and Drym'on from Channel 31, and Surf, Jaa, Boon, and Prem from GMM TV. The festival, organized by the Thai Embassy in Yangon in collaboration with GMM Grammy, Channel 31, and GMM TV, showcases Thai soft power including culture, food, music, and products at the Novotel Yangon Max hotel.

The event features numerous activities including Thai cultural performances, Thai product exhibitions, and shows by beloved artists. Ice Saranyu and rising star Prae Chana delivered screaming performances with nonstop dancing, while Gung and Drym'on teamed up to deliver powerful vocals and entertain fans with singing and dancing. Young actors Surf, Jaa, Boon, and Prem participated in exclusive interviews and surprise performances, creating warm moments as fans waited since early morning.

A major highlight was the "T-Pop Star Challenge, Myanmar Season 3," the largest Thai music singing competition in Myanmar, with Ice, Prae, and Gung serving as judges in the semifinals and finals. All three judges praised the contestants' Thai singing abilities.

Ice Saranyu expressed: "I'm honored to be part of Thai Festival 2026 in Yangon and to meet Burmese fans. I'm grateful to the Thai Embassy for including me in this significant Thailand-Myanmar event, and especially to judge T-Pop Star Challenge Season 3. I'm impressed and proud that Burmese people sing Thai songs so well, with great emotion and excellent performances."

Prae Chana shared: "It's an honor to judge this year's T-Pop Star Challenge, now in its third year. Being a judge reminds me of my own competition days. I'm impressed with all contestants' command of Thai language, both in singing and communication. It's wonderful to see a contestant sing one of my songs."

Gung and Drym'on expressed their joy at participating in the event.

Thailand's national women's ice hockey team arrived in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China on July 3, 2025, to participate in a training and exchange program running through July 16. The visit came following a formal invitation from the Heilongjiang Province Sports Bureau.

The program was coordinated and supported by the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association, which played a critical role in connecting Thai and Heilongjiang sports agencies. The initiative gives Thai female athletes the chance to train in a standard facility, learn China's athlete development methods, and build the foundation for long-term ice hockey cooperation between Thailand and China.

This visit is more than a training camp for Thailand's national women's team—it marks the beginning of a comprehensive long-term partnership. Plans include signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU), organizing official friendly matches in Thailand, exchanging coaching staff, developing youth programs, and collaborating on sports science initiatives.

The Thai Ice Hockey Association prioritizes athlete welfare and is committed to providing female athletes with proper, safe, and standard training environments. This program represents another major step in systematically developing Thailand's national women's team at all levels.

Both the Thai Ice Hockey Association and the Chinese Ice Hockey Association are members of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), reflecting development of the sport under international standards. Looking ahead, Thailand's Ice Hockey Association and the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association will work with Heilongjiang's foreign affairs office, sports bureau, mass sports promotion center, ice hockey association, and Harbin's sports authority to implement a three-year ice hockey development plan covering youth training, men's and women's national teams, coaching development, sports science, and continuous bilateral exchanges.

The Mexican Football Federation has confirmed that all national team players must return Rolex watches given to them by SteveWillDoIt, an American YouTuber and gambler, citing potential violations of official team sponsor rights. The federation also faces potential investigation by FIFA.

SteveWillDoIt won $2 million from betting on Mexico's victory over Ecuador and spent approximately $1 million on Rolex watches for players and coaching staff, which he delivered to the team's training camp before Mexico's Round of 16 match against England.

While the gift initially appeared to be typical influencer content, the Mexican Football Federation objected because the organization has Hublot, a luxury watch brand, as an official sponsor—creating a clear conflict of interest.

Mexico has now issued an official statement on social media confirming that players have reached a "mutual agreement" to return the watches. Additionally, FIFA has raised concerns about how an outsider was allowed access to the Mexican national team's training facility in the first place.

"Om" Putthaphoomi Nakpan, a rider on Thailand's 20th Asian Games team roster, showcased exceptional form to win the Thai national championship in both the men's open and under-23 men's categories, capturing the BMX double title for 2025.

The BMX national championship, held under royal patronage, concluded its final round (round 5) on July 4 at Kamalasai Sports Park in Bangkok's Nong Chok district. The championship finals were broadcast live on Thailand Cycling Association and TCA Channel's Facebook and YouTube, drawing over 20,000 viewers.

General Decha Hemkrasri, vice president of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) and president of the ASEAN Cycling Federation, stated that all five rounds of competition had produced encouraging results. New young cycling talent has emerged to replace retiring senior riders, and clubs nationwide deserve credit for developing BMX athletes from ages three to four through youth and amateur levels.

In the men's open category, Putthaphoomi edged out veteran rider "A" S.O. Gometh Sukprasertsup by just 10 points. Gometh missed the first round in Sukhothai province due to injuries sustained at the 2025 Asian Championship last year. Nevertheless, Gometh remains Thailand's top medal hopeful for September's Asian Games in Japan, while Putthaphoomi may also have opportunities to medal.

Both Gometh and Putthaphoomi, along with riders "Fah" Flight Officer Chutikanya Kijvanichstir and "Khwan" Ms. Hathaipetch Chaiswang, plus Thailand's youth national team riders, will now focus on training for the 2026 Asian BMX Championship in Nilai, Malaysia (August 6-8). Gometh is eager for a rematch with Indonesian rider Rio Akbar, who narrowly defeated him at the Banyuwangi Supercross event on June 28. Both riders will also face competitors from Japan, Philippines, China, and South Korea.

Final round notable results: Men's open: 1st "A" S.O. Gometh Sukprasertsup (Ministry of Defence office team), 2nd "Om" Putthaphoomi Nakpan (C.S.K. Tooling Pathumthani), 3rd Kanvorn Chuathahan (Sisatchanalai BMX Racing). Thai national champion: Putthaphoomi with 110 combined points. Women's open: 1st "Fah" Flight Officer Chutikanya Kijvanichstir (Ministry of Defence, 20th Asian Games preparation team), also Thai national champion with 118 points.