The Department of Land Transport clarified on July 31, 2025, that no ban on fuel-powered tuk-tuks in central Bangkok has been implemented. Director Saropong Paithoonyapong explained that the department is only consulting the public on whether to eventually enact legislation restricting combustion-engine tuk-tuks in the central zone, with any such measure set for future implementation with a designated transition period.

The department notes that most tuk-tuks operating in Bangkok are fuel-powered and aging—typically 10 to 50 years old—with low safety standards. The proposed regulation aims to address noise and air pollution by banning combustion-engine tuk-tuks from central Bangkok's restricted area, which houses important national landmarks such as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram and the Grand Palace. The restriction would exempt electric tuk-tuks or allow operation during specific times designated by traffic officers.

Public consultation on the draft ministerial regulation runs from July 28 to August 27, 2025, after which the department will review feedback and proceed with further consideration.

BANGKOK: Police have arrested two Thai men while expanding the search for two missing Russian siblings in the Pattaya area, using sniffer dogs to look for clues.

A white Toyota pickup truck lost control and struck a power pole on Kanchanaphisek Road in Bangkok's Bang Bon district at 3:30 a.m. on July 31, 2569, flipping onto its side and crushing roadside trees and power infrastructure. Bang Khun Thian police and volunteers from Ruamkatanyu Foundation responded to find two men trapped in the heavily damaged vehicle.

Rescue volunteers extracted both occupants. The driver was conscious and taken to hospital with serious injuries. The second occupant, 18-year-old Theerapat (surname withheld), was unconscious and in critical condition. Rescue workers performed CPR for more than 30 minutes but were unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead. The body was transferred to Siriraj Hospital for autopsy. Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage and will launch a full investigation into the cause of the crash once the injured driver's condition improves.

The Thai Meteorological Department forecast on July 31, 2569 that heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue across Thailand over the next 24 hours. The northern, eastern, and western coastal southern regions will experience very heavy rain in some areas, while the northeastern, central, Bangkok metropolitan, and eastern coastal southern regions will see heavy rain in certain locations. A monsoon trough is passing over the northern and northeastern regions, combined with strengthening southwest monsoon winds covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, which will gradually weaken.

The public is advised to be cautious of dangers from heavy to very heavy rainfall and accumulated water, which may cause flash floods and flash flooding, especially in foothill areas near water channels and low-lying areas. Waves in the upper Andaman Sea are moderating but remain relatively strong, with wave heights around 2 meters in the Andaman Sea and upper gulf, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm zones. The lower gulf will see waves around 1 meter offshore, rising to 1-2 meters, with over 2 meters during thunderstorms. Fishermen are urged to navigate with caution and avoid thunderstorm areas.

Northern Region: 70% chance of thunderstorms with heavy rain in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, and Phichit, with very heavy rain possible in Chiang Rai and Phetchabun. Low 22-26°C, high 31-35°C, southwest wind 10-20 kph.

Northeastern Region: 70% chance of thunderstorms with heavy rain in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, and Surin. Low 23-25°C, high 29-34°C, southwest wind 10-20 kph.

Central Region: 70% chance of thunderstorms with heavy rain in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Lopburi, Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Sakhon. Low 24-26°C, high 33-35°C, southwest wind 10-20 kph.

Eastern Region: 70% chance of thunderstorms with heavy rain in Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, and Chonburi, with very heavy rain in Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Low 23-25°C, high 29-34°C, southwest wind 20-35 kph. Waves around 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (East Coast): 60% chance of thunderstorms with heavy rain in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, and Surat Thani. Low 22-26°C, high 31-34°C, southwest wind 15-35 kph. Waves around 1 meter nearshore, 1-2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm zones.

Southern Region (West Coast): 70% chance of thunderstorms with heavy rain in Phang Nga, Phuket, and Krabi, with very heavy rain in Ranong. Low 22-24°C, high 28-34°C.

A shocking collision erupted on a major highway when a man in an impaired state climbed into a wooden pallet truck that had been left running at the roadside. He sped away across more than 40 kilometers before losing control and crashing violently into two other trucks. The cab of the stolen vehicle was torn from its chassis and hurled into a roadside ditch; debris scattered across the road. Emergency responders rushed all three drivers to hospital with crush injuries.

The incident occurred at 1:50 p.m. on July 30, 2025, along Asia Highway 41 northbound near kilometer marker 92/600 in Suan Taeng subdistrict, La-Ngu district, Chumphon province. Investigators from La-Ngu Police Station found a chaotic scene with three trucks destroyed and parts blocking traffic.

The first vehicle, a white Hino palm oil truck registered in Surat Thani, was hit so hard that the cab separated from the chassis and flew into a drainage ditch. The second, a white Hino car-carrier truck with Bangkok registration, flipped upside down in the ditch; its trailer broke free and sank into the water. The third, a white Isuzu wooden pallet truck registered in Nakhon Sawan, was the one stolen; its cab lodged in the left ditch.

The three injured drivers—32-year-old Kiattisak, 55-year-old Bunchuan, and 27-year-old Nattanon—were rushed to La-Ngu Hospital with broken ribs and trauma from the impacts.

Police determined that the pallet truck had been parked for a meal break in Tha Chon district, Surat Thani, with the keys left in the ignition by its driver. The suspect, Nattanon, who was in an altered mental state, spotted the opportunity, started the engine, and fled northward at speed. After driving over 40 kilometers into La-Ngu district, Chumphon, he lost control and collided head-on with the two trucks. The impact was severe enough to tear apart the vehicles and scatter wreckage across the highway.

Investigators documented the scene, sketched a collision diagram, and impounded all three vehicles at La-Ngu Police Station. A preliminary urine test for drugs came back negative, but police have ordered a detailed blood alcohol test. Charges are pending once the suspect recovers from his injuries.

On July 30, 2569, coinciding with the Buddhist Lent season, crowds of devotees flocked to Kham Chanod Nakanin Shrine in Ban Dung District, Udon Thani Province, to seek blessings and prosperity from ancestral spirits. Visitors registered early and filled the ancestral shrine grounds throughout the day, requesting good fortune and auspicious outcomes for themselves and their families.

The Kham Chanod Service Committee organized a major candle-casting ceremony honoring ancestors for the Lent festival, presided over by Ban Dung District Chief Suriyont Donsomchit. After candle offerings to the Buddha, traditional merit-making rituals, and ancestor veneration ceremonies were completed, a traditional Kham Chanod dance performance followed.

As lottery draw day approached, visitors lined up to peer into a giant sacred water basin containing floating candle flames, hoping to spot lucky numbers reflected in the water. Numbers such as 3-4-7 and 7-3-5 circulated among lottery players, though interpretations varied. Outside the shrine, lottery vendors reported brisk sales of the numbers 801 and 108, which were promoted as blessed by the ancestral spirits, while the numbers 74 and 47 sold out completely by the August 1 draw date.