The 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its most critical phase with only four matches remaining—the semifinals, third-place playoff, and final—to determine which nation will claim football's ultimate prize. JAS (Jasmine International), exclusive Thai broadcaster of FIFA World Cup 2026, has partnered with MONO, operator of the Monomax platform, to deliver comprehensive final-stage coverage. Thai football fans can watch all four historic matches free on MONOMAX SPORTS TV channel 29, while Monomax members enjoy premium Full HD streaming on multiple devices with no interruptions. This free-to-air offering ensures nationwide access to the world's greatest sporting event while bridging the gap between traditional television and streaming platforms.

Semifinal Schedule: • Wednesday, July 15, 02:00 – France vs. Spain • Thursday, July 16, 02:00 – England vs. Argentina

Third-Place Playoff: • Sunday, July 19, 04:00

Final: • Monday, July 20, 02:00

The 2026 World Cup Final will make history with the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup Final, to be held at New York-New Jersey Stadium. The unprecedented spectacle will feature global superstars including Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS performing live under the direction of Coldplay's Chris Martin. This 11-minute performance will transform the championship match into more than just a title decider—it will unite football, music, and world-class entertainment on a single stage, broadcasting unity to viewers worldwide.

Thai fans are invited to witness the championship match—expected to draw the highest viewership of World Cup 2026 and rank among the most-watched sporting events globally. Watch all four historic final matches free across Thailand on MONOMAX SPORTS TV channel 29, or enjoy premium Full HD streaming via the Monomax app. As the World Cup concludes, the football season for Thai fans continues: this August, follow the English Premier League in full with a Sports Premium subscription for just 5,999 baht annually, featuring the new season plus extensive global sports coverage.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva presented a critical analysis of the Land Bridge project during a parliamentary seminar held at Buri Sri Phu Hotel in Hat Yai on July 12, 2026, under the theme "Clear Southern Skies: Reviving Economy, Building Security, Improving Quality of Life."

Abhisit distinguished between the Land Bridge project and the party's alternative proposal, Southern Connect. He explained that the Land Bridge was designed primarily to create a new shipping route between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand for foreign vessels. However, Abhisit expressed concern that the massive infrastructure project was based on unproven assumptions about user demand.

Citing studies by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTPP), Abhisit argued the Land Bridge is not economically justified. "The time and cost savings are minimal," he stated, "because cargo must be loaded and unloaded multiple times, and the actual distance saved is very small."

Abhisit compared the project unfavorably to the Suez and Panama Canals, which save shipping companies weeks and months of travel time. "Ours only saves days or hours at best," he noted.

He cautioned that even industrial development—such as heavy industry or petrochemical facilities—would require asking whether the southern region should bear the costs. He also raised environmental and safety concerns about large vessels operating in Andaman tourist areas.

As an alternative, Abhisit proposed the Southern Connect plan: a comprehensive infrastructure network combining dual-track rail systems, electrical rail networks, and port developments that would link Thailand and Malaysia while benefiting southern residents. The system would connect with Malaysian and Singaporean rail networks and potentially integrate ports at Ranong and Ta Thap in Songkhla province.

"Southern Connect offers diverse land and rail infrastructure that connects both regions with potentially lower investment than Land Bridge, while better serving southern communities and facilitating the transport of local goods," Abhisit concluded.

At 9:15 a.m. on July 12, 2569, the opposition political parties coordination committee in the House of Representatives held a forum marking two years since the Senate selection, addressing outstanding issues. The event included analysis of voting slip manipulation and ballots, review of vote-counting procedures, and presentation of evidence in Senate rigging cases involving alleged coordination and hiring. Four witnesses from rigging cases in Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lamphu, and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces testified alongside academics and experts including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prinyah Thevaniramit from Thammasat University Law Faculty, former Election Commission official Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, and Democrat Party leader Pristh Vatcharasindhu.

Pristh opened the forum analyzing Senate selection slip-making procedures, distributing sample ballots to demonstrate how the rigging scheme operated following coordination and hiring agreements. He emphasized the case's significance for Thailand's political future, noting that if allegations prove true, those entering state power through rigged Senate selection would likely abuse their authority over legislation, constitutional amendments, and independent agencies. He also highlighted how the 2560 Constitution enables systematic Senate rigging that weakens oversight mechanisms.

Four provincial witnesses then described the coordination process. The first witness reported a Pathum Thani hotel reservation where people were lodged and fed, with a prominent party member allegedly instructing recruiters to bring as many people as possible, offering compensation and covering travel costs. The witness stated voting results exactly matched predetermined voting slips with no changes. This witness also reported being told about coordinating the next election, with a new generation party group seeking cooperation to become a core government coalition party while controlling independent organizations.

The second witness, from tourism and hotel sectors who passed provincial screening, said he was approached after scoring highest in his group. A current senator allegedly tried recruiting him to a meeting at a Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya hotel with the prominent party group and organizers, though he left early before committing.

Swiss head coach Murat Yakin has strongly objected to the red card given to striker Breel Embolo, who received a second yellow and was sent off in the 72nd minute on a diving charge during Switzerland's 1-3 extra-time defeat to defending champion Argentina on July 12. Switzerland's World Cup 2026 campaign ended in the quarterfinals following this loss.

The turning point came in the 72nd minute when Embolo was shown a second yellow card that became a red for alleged diving, even after a VAR review. Post-match, Yakin expressed his frustration: "We were punished for a mistake. There's no reason for a red card—I don't understand it at all. It was an innocent situation with no malicious intent. The referee's error cost us and completely destroyed our tactical approach."

"The decision is unbelievable," Yakin continued. "I completely disagree. There was clear contact, and I don't see how the referee and VAR reached that conclusion."

Yakin also defended his team's performance: "I won't say they had an unfair advantage. We played fairly and openly, with both sides playing football. Football wasn't the winner today—we were punished for an official's mistake, not our own fault."

Despite his frustration, Yakin concluded graciously: "This is a critical moment that decided the match. We could complain now, but I'd like to congratulate Argentina."

Two brothers face interrogation in a shooting case that erupted during an ordination celebration in Phrayabanlue subdistrict, Ladbualuang district, Ayutthaya province on the night of July 10. The incident resulted in one death and one injury.

Following the shooting, police gathered evidence and obtained arrest warrants from Ayutthaya Provincial Court for Wirojon, 33, and Thani, 27. They are charged with murder, attempted murder, illegal possession and carrying of firearms without permission, and discharging firearms without justification.

Both suspects surrendered to Ladbualuang Police Station on the evening of July 11. They were separated for questioning, and the firearm used in the incident was seized. Gunpowder residue testing and DNA samples were collected for investigation. Investigators opposed bail for both suspects.

As of July 12, 2567, the families, relatives, and lawyers of both suspects arrived at the police station to visit them and prepare bail applications. The suspects' parents declined to give interviews.

Investigators revealed the case remains under investigation with evidence collection ongoing. Both suspects are scheduled to be presented to Ayutthaya Provincial Court for remand on July 13, 2567.

The injured victim, Ms. Ni, 27, was struck by a stray bullet in the right jaw area, with the projectile still embedded in her body. She remains hospitalized at Sena Hospital awaiting surgery to remove the bullet and is unable to provide a statement to investigators.

The Democrat Party (DP) held a parliamentary seminar on July 12, 2026, at the Buri Sri Phu Hotel in Hat Yai under the theme "Clear Southern Skies, Moving Forward Together: Economic Recovery, Security Enhancement, and Quality of Life Improvement." The event was led by party chairman Abhisit Vejjajiva and other senior executives, drawing participation from MPs, party members, academics from four universities, and representatives from business associations, SMEs, and NGOs in the region.

The seminar opened with a video showcasing the severe flooding that struck Hat Yai in late 2025 and reviewed parliamentary relief and recovery efforts. Abhisit outlined four key discussion points: assessing the status of home repairs, credit programs, and compensation; preparing defenses for the upcoming rainy season and emergency budget allocation; developing long-term city planning investments; and gathering private sector proposals for future urban development to mitigate disaster damage and create new economic opportunities.

Songkhla MP Juri Numkaew, a deputy party leader, reported that relief payments have reached most residents, though approximately 1,000 people remain unfunded due to eligibility disputes awaiting appeals resolution. Adisak Rattana, speaking for the public, called on the government to increase relief payments, noting that the 9,000-baht assistance is insufficient. He also highlighted that most local disaster assistance payments have not been distributed since 2567, with some localities claiming no requests were made, indicating that many residents across Songkhla Province remain without aid.