On July 13, Watanya Bunnak of the special budget committee told media about her concerns raised at a July 3 meeting regarding central budget allocations with objectives duplicating a 200 billion baht emergency borrowing decree. The government justified both measures as part of energy infrastructure transition and economic crisis recovery related to energy price impacts. Under committee review, the 120 billion baht central budget allocation was found to have identical objectives—addressing energy-related economic damage and shifting from fossil fuels to green energy—as the borrowing decree approved by the Constitutional Court on July 9.

Watanya stated the committee should cut or reduce the 120 billion baht allocation because its objectives mirror the borrowing decree "word for word." She expressed concern that allowing such redundant budgets through parliament would let the executive branch redirect funds without strict parliamentary checks, functioning essentially as a blank check of 120 billion baht. She advocated instead for using those funds on more urgent and necessary projects.

Watanya also noted that while the 200 billion baht borrowing decree includes a committee chaired by the finance permanent secretary to screen projects and would require periodic parliamentary reporting, the central budget reserve—if approved—could be repurposed at executive discretion without intense parliamentary oversight. Budget officials explained the reserve would work differently, channeling funds to agencies with off-budget revenues that must contribute their own matching funds. However, Watanya argued this distinction made no practical difference and that the funds should simply go to the borrowing decree instead. She confirmed that multiple other budget items also showed overlapping or redundant objectives across government agencies.

Sports Minister Surasak Panjearoen confirmed that Thailand will send 690 athletes from 43 sports disciplines to compete in the 2026 Asian Games, not including 4 paddleball athletes. On July 13, Surasak held a press conference at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to announce Thailand's delegation for the 20th Asian Games, scheduled for September 19 to October 4 in Nagoya, Japan. Surasak revealed that discussions were held with the Thai Olympic Committee, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), and the National Sports Development Fund. He emphasized that the original selection criteria will be maintained with no reduction in athlete numbers. All athletes meeting the qualifying standards will receive complete support without cuts to budget, allowances, accommodation, or travel days. The National Sports Development Fund has approved an initial budget of 131 million baht. Three additional sports associations have also qualified athletes who will receive full support, requiring an estimated additional 6 million baht. The total budget for the 20th Asian Games is 408 million baht, with 271 million baht allocated for athlete training and 137 million baht for competition participation.

The Department of Health has warned that polyurethane and PVC materials ignited during a fire at a beer hall in Ladprao, Chatuchak district, Bangkok on July 13, killing 27 people (9 men, 18 women) and injuring 72, affecting 99 people total. Dr. Ampon Banjopunthapit, director of the Department of Health, stated that the department is concerned about public health in affected areas and has tasked environmental health teams and municipal health institutes to assess environmental health impacts, measure air quality, and provide health guidance and N95 masks to at-risk residents.

Dr. Naresritthi Khatthasima, deputy director of the Department of Health, explained that the fire occurred in a building containing decorative or sound-dampening materials such as polyurethane (PU) or plastics like PVC, which when burned generate fine particles and toxic gases including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and hydrogen chloride (HCl). These gases may harm the respiratory system and health, particularly for those near the site, including vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic diseases. Field surveys showed that residents within 100 meters experienced smoke smell during the fire but no smoke was detected after morning the next day.

Dr. Naresritthi recommended that nearby residents avoid outdoor areas and exposure to smoke; if they must go outside, they should wear protective masks. Residents should keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entry, and wipe down floors, walls, and surfaces with damp cloths if soot remains indoors. They should wash hands before eating or touching their face. Anyone experiencing unusual symptoms such as eye irritation, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, dizziness, nausea, or loss of consciousness should seek medical care immediately, especially vulnerable groups and those with pre-existing conditions. The Department of Health's SEhRT team will continue monitoring air quality and environmental health risks while providing ongoing public guidance.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, Monday, July 6th to Sunday, July 12th. They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul firmly rejected allegations that […] Top National Thailand Stories From the Past Week: Transnational Cannabis Smuggling Crackdown Tightens, and More -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

BANGKOK — A fire tore through a crowded live-entertainment venue in Bangkok's Chatuchak district shortly before midnight on Sunday, killing 27 people and injuring 63 others, including 22 who were in critical condition. The blaze broke out at Rong Beer Na LadPhrao, near Lat Phrao Soi 1, at about 23:57. Firefighters brought it under control at approximately 00:32 on Monday after flames and thick smoke rapidly engulfed the venue.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said investigators found objects obstructing the venue's two emergency escape routes. Beer crates or drink boxes were reportedly placed near the exit beside the kitchen, while a table used to sell sweets obstructed another route. Officials have not concluded that the exits were completely inaccessible, and Chadchart said forensic investigators would need to examine the scene to determine how the obstructions affected the evacuation.

During an exterior examination of the venue on Monday, a journalist found only one clearly visible door that could have served as a fire exit aside from the main entrance. A door at the rear-left side of the one-storey building, which appeared capable of serving as a fire exit, bore a Thai-language sign visible from outside reading: "Do not open. For staff and officials only." Many of the victims were found near the toilets and emergency routes at the rear of the building. Officials believe customers fled towards the back after the fire began near the stage and cut off access to the front entrance.

Firefighter Chakrit Khongkom, who arrived with the first fire crew, said heavy smoke had filled the building and that most survivors suffered from smoke inhalation. "The smoke was everywhere," he said. "Most of the survivors were choking on smoke."

Footage from the scene showed smoke pouring from the building before flames burst horizontally through a doorway as customers fled. Inside, rescue workers found several victims lying near the toilets, where many appear to have sought refuge from the fire at the front of the venue. A survivor said that smoke appeared near the roof only seconds before flames erupted and said there was no audible fire alarm. Authorities have not yet independently confirmed whether an alarm system operated during the incident.

Investigators initially focused on an electrical fault near the stage or ceiling. Police forensic officials said witnesses reported smoke emerging from behind the stage, while a preliminary inspection found that a circuit breaker apparently failed to cut the electrical supply when the fault occurred. The precise cause remains under investigation. The business was licensed as a restaurant with live musical performances rather than as an entertainment venue.

The Department of National Parks has filed a complaint with the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NRECD) regarding organized encroachment on Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in Ranong, affecting 29 plots covering approximately 643 rai. Officials are urgently coordinating with the Land Department to revoke illegally obtained titles and are conducting strict investigations into potentially implicated state officials, with evidence linking to decisive legal proceedings.

On July 13, senior officials including the Secretary to the Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and the head of the Tiger Unit presented evidence to the NRECD Commander to file charges and prosecute the case. Officials plan to pursue initial proceedings on three plots totaling 66 rai with the clearest evidence, including aerial photographs showing dramatic inconsistencies.

The first plot originally documented as 6 rai has been resurveyed at approximately 45 rai, with roughly 15 rai encroaching into the national park. The second plot measures approximately 57 rai with over 45 rai overlapping park boundaries, while the third plot expanded from a documented 1 rai to approximately 50 rai with over 4 rai of park encroachment. All plots claim agricultural use, but historical aerial photographs clearly show the land remained natural forest, coastal zones, and sandbars with no evidence of agricultural activity prior to 1994.

Officials have also identified an additional 12 rai of cleared and cultivated land outside documented title areas but within park boundaries, bringing the total encroached forest in the initial phase to approximately 78 rai. Authorities will continue investigating the remaining 26 overlapping plots in coordination with national oversight agencies including the NACC, NAPO, and DSI, and are preparing civil cases to recover damages to natural resources.