Justice Minister General Rutthapon Naowarat addressed the Cabinet's decision on July 8 to reassign Permanent Secretary Pongsawat Nilaiyotin to Prime Minister's Advisor for Civil Service, with Piyasiri Wattanavarangkur replacing her. The minister denied political interference, explaining that Pongsawat had completed her four-year term ending July 18 and required reassignment under standard rotation practices applicable across civil service ranks, including police positions. When asked if Pongsawat could have continued into a fifth year, Rutthapon stated that extension was possible but remained at ministerial discretion. He further dismissed suggestions of political motivations behind Piyasiri's appointment, noting his prior experience within the Justice Ministry across multiple positions and his equivalent rank. Rutthapon clarified the reassignment was routine rotation without loss of rights or status.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan declared he will not watch any more World Cup matches after his team's controversial 2-3 loss to defending champion Argentina in the Round of 16, despite leading 2-0 at one point.

Egypt's World Cup 2026 campaign ended in disappointment following the defeat, though the team had dominated early in the match. The controversial moments included Egypt having a goal disallowed after a VAR review that flagged a foul on Lisandro Martinez, as well as a denied penalty appeal before Argentina scored the decisive goal in the 90+2 minute.

After the match, Hassan expressed his frustration: "Why is there no fairness in sports? I don't want to try to speak eloquently. We were treated unfairly today. This is my way of speaking and taking a stand. I will not watch any more matches in this tournament."

Hassan also argued that Egypt should have progressed further. "In football, many things happen off the pitch because of interests. What happened today was unfair. Egypt deserved to advance. We were the better team," he said.

The "Hit Song Showdown: High School Power" program brings three charming young male performers competing through Joey Phuwawisit's song "Nit Noi" as they vie for the week's championship title. Hosts Thon Tanagorn Sribunrung and On Akravat Chumpolvivat introduce three affable judges—High Apapon, Tak Siriporn, and Saeck Chumphae—who will serve as coaches, offering professional experience and intensive vocal techniques, especially for Isaan dialect pronunciation. Before the contestants perform, students from Thoet Dhapisek School open with a warm-up act. The three competitors—Ikkiu, Ton Klai, and Dhalte—are ready to deliver joy through their voices with charming expressions and flirtation in "Nit Noi" by Joey Phuwawisit. Each performer showcases distinctive vocal qualities and styles, impressing the judges intensely as they compete for high scores in a closely contested battle. Fans are invited to cheer on the contestants and tune in Wednesday, July 8th at 1:10 PM on Channel 7HD (digital 35), via Facebook at Ch7HD and Ch7HD Entertainment, or online through BUGABOO.TV, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X, and Ch7.com.

Chiang Rai police have cracked down on a bar in Ban Du subdistrict, Muang district, that was running a controversial "run-for-drinks" promotion near a school. The promotion, which offered free alcoholic beverages to customers who completed a running challenge, sparked widespread sharing on social media and raised questions about its legality. After Ban Du Police Station learned of the campaign, officers contacted the bar owner and ordered the promotion halted immediately, as it violates the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. The bar subsequently posted a cancellation notice apologizing for the violation and pledging to suspend the promotion, stating: "We sincerely apologize for the 'run-for-drinks' event. We acknowledge this violates the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act and we cannot continue this promotion. We ask your understanding as we suspend this marketing activity."

On July 8, 2025, Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, director of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, revealed the autopsy findings for a young dugong that had stranded at Laem Son Beach in Ranong on July 5, 2025. Staff provided emergency care and transferred the animal to the Siridhat Rare Marine Animal Rescue Center, where it was monitored around the clock for 24 hours.

The dugong's health assessments showed a lean body condition (BCS 2.5/5) with bruising on its side from the stranding. Its heart rate averaged 80-100 beats per minute, with resting breathing at 1-3 times per five minutes and swimming breathing at 4-5 times per five minutes. Tests revealed low blood sugar and moderate to severe dehydration. The digestive system showed significant gas accumulation and seaweed remains in the feces, though bowel function remained present.

Veterinarians provided emergency treatment with medications, fluid supplementation, and formula feeding. Despite these efforts, the young dugong died. Immediate necropsy revealed pale heart muscle with blood clots in the heart chambers. The respiratory system showed lung congestion and emphysema. The abdominal cavity contained fibrin covering the intestines, suggesting severe prolonged inflammation. The stomach contained partially digested seagrass packed tightly inside, along with intestinal inflammation.

The autopsy findings suggest death resulted from septic shock caused by bloodstream infection combined with severe dehydration, leading to acute circulatory failure. Staff collected blood and tissue samples from various organs for laboratory analysis to definitively confirm the cause of death. These findings will be used to advance knowledge and improve rescue protocols for endangered marine animals, increasing survival rates for dugongs and other rare marine species in the future while supporting Thailand's sustainable marine conservation efforts.

The Student Loan Fund (GSF) has completed recalculating debt balances for over 4.1 million borrower accounts, with data now displayed in the GSF Connect mobile application. On July 8, 2025, Anjali Puriwitthawattana, acting director of the GSF, announced that 4,157,175 accounts—representing 99.56% of all 4,175,475 accounts—have been processed. Approximately 18,300 accounts with complex data remain under review and are expected to be completed soon.

To ensure borrowers receive accurate debt information, the GSF requires all borrowers to check their balances exclusively through the GSF Connect mobile app. Payments can be made via mobile banking from any bank by scanning a QR code or through other GSF payment channels. The system will update debt balances within two days of payment. For borrowers in automatic salary deduction programs, employers will remit funds to the GSF by the 15th of the following month, after which the GSF will process debt reduction. Currently, the GSF is upgrading its payment system, which may result in slower-than-usual processing times for salary deduction payments.

Borrowers can verify past payment history through the GSF Connect app by selecting "Services," then "Other," and "Payment History." This provides a complete record of all transactions that can serve as proof of payment. The GSF confirms that every baht repaid by borrowers is entered into the system and calculated in full accordance with legal requirements. All repaid amounts are recycled back into the education fund to create educational opportunities for future students.