On July 21, Kanchanaburi Governor Waristha Sawansemsai signed an official proclamation urging all gold shops and ore dealers in the province to stop purchasing gold ore suspected of coming from illegal activities. The warning follows reports from Thong Pha Phum National Park of trespassing and illegal mining operations in forest areas of tambon Philok, Thong Pha Phum district, where authorities have already arrested multiple offenders and seized mining equipment.

As gold prices continue to rise, traders have begun purchasing ore from illegal miners seeking quick profits. Authorities have discovered that criminals are selling illegally mined gold to shops throughout Kanchanaburi. The illegal mining damages natural resources and the environment while threatening national economic and social security.

Under the Minerals Act of 2017, buying, selling, possessing, or transporting ore without a license from the Department of Basic Industries and Mining carries penalties of up to one year imprisonment or fines of three to five times the ore's value, or both. Such transactions also constitute a predicate offense under the Money Laundering Prevention Act of 1992, which carries additional penalties.

Thong Pha Phum National Park officials urged all gold shops, used goods dealers, and related businesses to refuse purchases of gold ore or ore-like materials from sellers who cannot provide clear documentation of origin. The park head called on the public to report illegal mining activities, unlicensed gold ore sales, or related information to police, the emergency hotline 191, or local authorities for legal action.

Authorities including national park rangers, special forces, border patrol police, local administration, and Philok Police Station have coordinated efforts to crack down on the illegal mining network.

Justice Minister Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthapol Nao Wrathn announced on July 21, 2025, at Government House that the DSI has summoned more than 20 suspects to provide statements in connection with a Forex case, including Phawuth Pongwittayaphanu, a Pheu Thai party list MP. Questioning is expected to begin the following week. When asked whether Phawuth faced pressure from the government after changing his political stance and supporting the TH-AI Passport project, Rutthapol denied any such pressure, stating there had been no communication or action of any kind. Regarding the timeline for formal charges against all suspects, Rutthapol said the process depends on evidence gathered and the availability of witnesses and suspects for questioning.

The Thai national football team preparing for the 2026 AFC Asian Cup conducted intensive training on the morning of July 21, with players undergoing strength and conditioning work before a morning session and an evening training to build fitness ahead of the tournament. Thailand is placed in Group B alongside Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos. The group-stage schedule is as follows: July 25 against Laos at the main stadium in Vientiane at 8:00 p.m., August 1 against Malaysia at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok at 8:00 p.m., August 4 against the Philippines at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium at 8:00 p.m., and August 8 against Myanmar at Rajamangala Stadium at 8:00 p.m. All matches will be broadcast live on the TrueVisions Now application. The semi-final rounds will be held on August 15–16 and 18–19, 2026, using a home-and-away format, while the final will take place on August 22 and 26, 2026.

On July 21, police from Mueang Khon Kaen Station, coordinating with local administration and the Provincial Electricity Authority, raided a commercial building in Tambon Nai Muang to investigate reports of abnormal electricity consumption and suspected illegal power usage.

Officers discovered 32 cryptocurrency mining rigs along with associated electrical and networking equipment inside the building. All equipment was seized as evidence for legal proceedings. Prinyaa Srilapatphon, manager of the Provincial Electricity Authority in Khon Kaen, explained that officials initially detected irregular power usage patterns and unusual electrical wiring into the building. Further investigation confirmed the illegal usage.

"The raid confirmed unlawful power consumption, with 32 mining rigs and related equipment found inside," Prinyaa stated. According to the building manager, the space was being sublet and the tenant's identity remains unknown. Authorities are now gathering evidence and expanding the investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.

On July 21, 2025, Dr. Manoon Leechaivanvong, a respiratory specialist at Vichaiyu Hospital, shared a case of a 37-year-old Thai male patient who visited a doctor on July 16, 2025, presenting with fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue lasting three days. After the fever subsided, small pustules appeared on his face, chest, abdomen, back, sides, hands, arms, legs, genitals, and perianal area, with no lesions on the eyes or mouth.

One month prior, the patient had sexual contact with a foreign man. He has a history of HIV infection and has been taking antiretroviral therapy continuously for 15 years with good viral control. He had previously contracted syphilis. Physical examination showed no fever and enlarged lymph nodes in both groins. Small pustules were scattered across the face, hands, torso, arms, legs, genitals, and perianal area.

PCR testing of fluid samples from the pustules and the upper surface of lesions confirmed monkeypox (MPOX) Clade 1b. Diagnosis: MPOX Clade 1b and HIV infection. The patient was prescribed Tecovirimat antiviral medication twice daily for two weeks, as he is in a high-risk group with HIV infection. He tolerated the medication well without adverse reactions, and the pustules reduced in size after treatment. The patient lives alone and was advised to self-isolate at home for three weeks until the skin completely scabs over and new skin covers all affected areas, to prevent transmission of monkeypox to others.

PHUKET: A fisherman rescued an exhausted monkey from the sea off Phuket after spotting it struggling to stay afloat near Koh Maphrao on Sunday morning (July 19).