The cabinet has approved an extension of the appeals deadline for those denied the state welfare card from the original July 31, 2026, to September 20, 2026. The Finance Ministry has also requested an extension of the welfare card validity period to September 30, 2026. Current cardholders can use their benefits until September 30, 2026, while newly selected recipients will begin using theirs on October 1, 2026. The cabinet also acknowledged adjustments to criteria and principles to better align with Thai society's context and factual reality. Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angsakulkiart explained that one criterion adjusted concerns vehicle age: cars over 20 years old with low value may be excluded unless they are classic vehicles, in which case the Transport Department will review them. Motorcycles over 15 years old, under 300cc, and not classified as classic will be automatically deregistered by the Land Transport Department without requiring appeals. Cases requiring appeals include unused vehicles not yet deregistered, which can be filed at transport offices or One Stop Service Centers. The government emphasized that all channels remain open for public convenience, and from now on, One Stop Service Centers will provide full assistance. The Finance Ministry will provide additional details. Deputy Minister Siripong reiterated that criteria review represents significant government effort to improve efficiency, acknowledging that reviews may disappoint some people. He noted that the review has identified over 2 million additional people who qualify.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed reports that the government had shelved the Land Bridge project, clarifying that the project has not been abandoned but is being managed according to current conditions. He noted that focusing first on the "Missing Link" railway connection project would allow faster implementation before upgrading ports on both sides. Once conditions are right and it becomes necessary or strategically appropriate, the Land Bridge can be dusted off and revived at any time, he said.

When asked whether the Ranong port would be rebuilt or developed at its existing location, Anutin said details still require study and upgrading but he has not yet discussed findings with Ekniti Nitithamaraprasit, chairman of the committee overseeing the transport infrastructure project linking the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea. Anutin also said many other projects are planned for the region and that improving both ports, along with the Missing Link railway, would create valuable connectivity since current rail routes do not serve the western region.

Regarding the high-speed rail project linking three airports and his role as chairman of the Eastern Economic Corridor board, Anutin said a meeting is expected soon, likely after July 28, when he will invite EEC Secretary-General Chula Sukmanop for discussions. On whether there are plans to actually cancel the contract, Anutin cautioned that such large-scale contracts cannot be terminated easily and require careful study. He noted that contract cancellation requires mutual agreement from both parties, and the government is rarely the defaulting party; even when it is, there are remedial and compensation mechanisms. He said he has seldom seen public-private partnership contracts terminated because they are tightly drawn, with details to be discussed later.

Bridgestone has unveiled the BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT EVO, a new premium sport tire designed for high-performance vehicles and electric cars.

Akihito Ishii, managing director of Bridgestone Sales (Thailand) Ltd., stated that as a leading global tire manufacturer, Bridgestone is committed to continuous research and development to deliver innovations meeting diverse consumer needs and creating a new phenomenon in Thailand's tire market.

The new BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT EVO tire stands out for its superior qualities developed under the concept of 'Ultimate Control, Superior Performance,' delivering excitement to drivers while ensuring safety and confidence on all road types. The tire delivers precise handling control, superior road grip, and extended tire life, and is designed to support both high-performance vehicles and electric vehicles (EV Ready) to meet the needs of drivers prioritizing performance, safety, and operational efficiency. It features five key characteristics:

Confident braking even on wet roads: Achieves the highest wet grip standard (Wet Grip Index: A Grade) across all tire sizes, with wet braking distance 5% shorter than the previous model*

Precise braking on dry roads: Innovative curved block design reduces deformation and increases contact pressure, allowing better road grip and reducing dry braking distance by 2% compared to the previous model*

Confident control at all speeds: Varied groove sizing increases grip area, reinforced with Nylon and Aramid Fibers at the tire shoulder for enhanced strength, giving drivers more confident control at all speeds

Extended tire life: Overall improvements result in 15% longer tire life, or more than 6,000 kilometers*

Greater fuel efficiency: Rolling Resistance Coefficient (RRC) reduced by up to 6%*

In the era of electric vehicles, Bridgestone recognizes the demands of drivers who still crave speed and high performance. BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT EVO was specially designed with innovative features emphasizing lighter weight and reduced rolling resistance, improving energy efficiency especially for electric vehicles (EV Ready).

Ishii added that BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT EVO is an innovation Bridgestone is proud to present to Thai consumers, particularly drivers who value premium-quality tires. The company believes this tire will meet the needs of electric vehicle owners seeking excellent performance, precise control, superior grip, and extended tire life.

BRIDGESTONE POTENZA SPORT EVO will be available in 2025 in a total of 71 sizes, ranging from 18-22 inch rims, starting at 5,150 baht**

In an era where office workers spend nearly the entire day staring at screens—whether computers, phones, or tablets—eye fatigue, pain, blurred vision, and headaches after work have become something many people overlook. However, these symptoms may actually signal that you should undergo a comprehensive eye examination with an optometrist.

How often should office workers get eye exams?

Generally, office workers should have their eyes checked at least once a year, even if they have no obvious symptoms, because vision can change with age, work habits, and workplace environment. Particularly those who sit in front of screens for more than 6–8 hours daily face increased risk of digital eye strain, worsening nearsightedness, or undetected changes in astigmatism.

Why is an optometrist important for evaluation?

A visit to an optometrist is not merely about determining your prescription degree. It also involves assessing how your eyes work together, your focusing ability, and problems that may affect daily life—such as screen vision difficulties, poor night driving, blurred reading vision, or dizziness when wearing old glasses.

Warning signs that you should schedule an eye exam

For people already wearing glasses, annual check-ups are especially important, because lenses that no longer match your current prescription may force your eyes to work harder than necessary. Those who have never worn glasses but are starting to experience screen strain, frequent eye rubbing, blurry letters, or temple discomfort after work should also schedule an exam. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen before seeking care.

Benefits of annual eye exams in choosing appropriate lenses

Another reason office workers should prioritize yearly eye exams is selecting lenses suited to their lifestyle—such as lenses for screen work, anti-glare lenses, or progressive lenses for those developing age-related farsightedness. Expert guidance can improve visual comfort and reduce workplace fatigue.

Conclusion

If you are looking for an eyewear shop with professional optometrist services, understanding the optometrist's role will help you choose an eye care facility with confidence. Since your eyes are vital organs used intensively every day, regular eye exams are not a luxury but an investment in quality of life and long-term work performance.

A witness has recounted how an MG driver opened fire first, with a woman punching relentlessly, leaving a motorcycle-taxi rider with a broken eye. Before the incident, the rider was seen moving his bike out of an EV charging spot.

On July 26, 2025, a reporter spoke with Mr. Auto, an eyewitness to the assault on the motorcycle-taxi rider at a gas station opposite the Minburi Prison. He revealed that he saw the MG vehicle—the accused's car—parked blocking his way, preventing him from driving out. Initially, he thought the rider and the driver knew each other, as he saw both standing and talking normally for about 5 minutes, though he could not hear them.

Mr. Auto continued, explaining that before he witnessed the MG driver's woman punching the rider relentlessly, the rider tried to defend himself and fell down, but did not retaliate. At that moment, he quickly got out of his car and heard the rider say, "When did I curse you?" The rider then asked him to photograph the suspect's license plate, which he did with his mobile phone. Meanwhile, the suspect said, "Go ahead, take the photo," before getting into the car and driving away as shown in the clip.

Regarding the rider's parking, Mr. Auto said he saw the rider ride his motorcycle and park it in front of the EV charging spot, which was an empty space near the fried banana shop where he picked up an order. He saw the rider get off and pick up the order in just a moment, then return to the bike and was about to move it out.

Mr. Auto also stated that at the EV charging spot in the gas station, he saw one taxi parked waiting to charge at the spot where the rider was parked. The MG vehicle came in the opposite direction and was about to park at that same spot. He observed that the MG arrived alone—only two people, the rider and the suspect, were standing talking to each other.

Regarding the suspect's claim that the rider hit first, Mr. Auto said he clearly saw the suspect assault the rider first, while the rider only defended himself before falling down. Fortunately, he fell onto the vehicle, preventing his head from hitting the ground.

The motorcycle-taxi rider vows to pursue the matter to the end after being punched in the eye by the MG driver, requiring 6 stitches.