At 9:50 a.m. on July 13, 2025, Democrat MP for Bangkok Thae Phiphop Limjitrakul assessed the performance of Parliament Speaker Sophon Sararum after three months in the role. Thae Phiphop said that while the speaker may work hard, Parliament should function as the nation's legislative factory, with budgets tied to improved lawmaking, not merely ceremonial activities like flag honors. He questioned whether procedures had genuinely accelerated or parliamentary efficiency improved.

Thae Phiphop called for a more transparent Parliament designed for the public, not just dressed up in fine words about institutional ethics. He noted that many areas of Parliament remain closed to the public, preventing citizens from accessing their representatives. "If I grade this objectively, it's a failing mark," he said. "We've passed very few laws, used committee processes minimally, and some committees lack live broadcasts. Where is the transparency? Where is public participation?"

He stated the opposition is ready to work competitively and that the party seeks structural solutions through legislative reform, not piecemeal fixes. On the speaker's neutrality, Thae Phiphop acknowledged that true neutrality is difficult, as everyone has some bias, but praised former Speaker Chuan Leekpai for setting clear principles and opening space for differing views.

Thae Phiphop criticized the censoring of parliamentary speech as "the lowest point in principle." He urged the speaker to open the floor to all speakers, as scrutiny actually elevates the government by strengthening it through accountability. "Don't view the opposition as rivals," he concluded. "Everyone has a duty. Give everyone the chance to perform it."

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) is alerting the public to beware of scammers impersonating MEA staff who make phone calls claiming to upgrade Smart Meters or register patients for medical equipment exemptions, while demanding processing fees, installation charges, or requesting money transfers. These fraudulent activities cause confusion and may harm the public.

MEA reaffirms that enrollment in the "MEA Caring for Patients with Smart Meter Plus" program and registration for electricity payment exemptions for patients requiring medical equipment carries no fees at any stage. MEA has no policy allowing staff to request money transfers or bill payments through personal bank accounts under any circumstances. If contacted by such fraudsters, the public should immediately end the conversation and verify information with MEA before taking any action.

To serve the public, MEA offers registration through two channels: in-person application at any of MEA's 18 district offices with medical documents, and online registration via the MEA e-Service system, available 24/7 with real-time status tracking. Both methods are completely free with no charges or fees.

MEA urges the public to follow information only from official MEA communication channels and not to trust individuals claiming to collect money or request personal information. Anyone encountering suspicious behavior can verify information with MEA before proceeding to prevent fraud victimization and ensure safe electricity service usage in the digital age. The public can verify correct information through MEA's official online channels: Line MEA Connect (@MEAthailand) marked with a green shield icon, or by calling the MEA Call Center at 1130, available 24/7.

BANGKOK — 13 July 2026, Thai youth have once again made their mark on the international stage after a 12-year-old Thai boy won gold and silver medals in computer programming at the International STEM Olympiad – Grand Final Round in Rome, Italy, following an online preliminary stage that attracted more than 10,000 participants from around the world.

Nipun Skyz Lua, a Year 7 student, competed in the Grand Final held from 2–8 July in Rome, where 714 participants from 54 countries took part. The competition's online preliminary stage attracted more than 10,000 participants from 150 countries.

Competing in two coding disciplines, Nipun secured medals in both events: • Gold medal — Code Combat • Silver medal — Code Mentum

Both competitions tested far more than coding proficiency, placing a strong emphasis on analytical thinking and problem-solving using the Python programming language under strict time limits.

In the Code Combat category, contestants were required to apply core programming concepts, including variables, conditional statements (if/else), loops and functions, to design efficient sets of instructions that enabled a computer to solve assigned challenges accurately and effectively.

The Code Mentum category presented even more advanced challenges, focusing on algorithm design and complex problem-solving. Competitors were required to develop the most accurate, efficient and fastest solutions to increasingly difficult programming tasks.

According to the competition's award system, gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to top-performing contestants based on their results in each category, rather than representing first, second and third place overall.

Nipun's achievement highlights that international coding competitions are designed not simply to assess how well students memorise programming languages, but to evaluate logical thinking, analytical ability and the capacity to translate ideas into instructions that computers can execute.

Winning one gold medal and one silver medal at the age of just 12 marks another significant achievement for Thailand and showcases the potential of Thai youth in science, technology and computer programming on the global stage.

PHUKET: A sea snake washed ashore on Kamala Beach on Saturday afternoon (July 11), prompting concern among tourists before lifeguards safely captured the animal and released it back into the sea.

On July 13, 2569, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister visited the scene of the Ladprao beer hall fire alongside Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The PM reported that survivors were rescued and transferred to hospitals, with initial casualty figures at 34 injured. He assured families that medical treatment would be provided under state welfare law and existing regulations.

When asked about claims that fire exits were locked to prevent customers from leaving without paying, Anutin deferred to the National Police Office and forensic teams conducting the investigation. He stated he did not wish to prejudge the matter, though he personally observed multiple structural blind spots in the venue that would make escape difficult in the event of a fire. The establishment operated under a restaurant license permitting live music until midnight, with the fire occurring around 5 p.m.

The PM clarified that the venue was licensed as a restaurant rather than an entertainment venue, which is why it could operate in that location—outside designated entertainment zones. He acknowledged that similar establishments throughout Bangkok may be using food service licenses while operating as semi-bars, and suggested that police and local officials must investigate inspection records and compliance procedures going forward.

Regarding compensation, Anutin confirmed that injured and sick persons would receive full care, and that various government funds would assist bereaved families. The official death toll was updated to 27, with critical cases requiring intensive medical treatment.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is accepting public comment on four electricity rate scenarios for the September–December 2025 billing period, with average rates ranging from 3.95 to 4.73 baht per unit, from July 13–20, 2025. On July 13, 2025, ERC Secretary Poolpat Leesmatthaipibul announced that the meeting approved opening comment periods on variable electricity rates (FT charge) for four cases, with average rates (excluding VAT) between 3.95–4.73 baht per unit.

Case 1 applies the FT adjustment formula, reimbursing all of EGAT's accumulated cost burden, setting the FT retail rate at 94.82 satang per unit. This reflects September–December 2025 cost trends (FAC) of 46.27 satang per unit. EGAT's actual accumulated fuel and power purchase cost burden (AF) totals 31,268 million baht (48.55 satang per unit), which the utility absorbed during the energy price crisis. Full repayment is scheduled by December 2025 to restore normal financial status. Combined with the base rate of 3.78 baht per unit, Case 1 results in an average rate of 4.73 baht per unit—a 78-satang or 20% increase from the current 3.95 baht per unit.

Case 2 applies the period FAC (EGAT's proposal), with an FT retail rate of 46.27 satang per unit reflecting September–December 2025 cost trends. EGAT absorbs the accumulated AF burden of 31,268 million baht (48.55 satang per unit) on behalf of consumers. Combined with the 3.78 baht base rate, Case 2 yields 4.25 baht per unit—a 3-satang or 8% increase from the current rate.

Case 3 adjusts pool gas pricing per energy ministry policy. PTT and EGAT lower the spot LNG price to $17.6 per million BTU, reducing the average natural gas price estimate to 363.53 baht per million BTU (down 11.4 baht). The FT retail rate drops to 41.27 satang per unit, a 5-satang reduction from Case 2. EGAT again covers the 31,268 million baht accumulated AF. Case 3 results in 4.20 baht per unit—a 25-satang or 6% increase.

Case 4 combines gas price adjustment with use of claw-back funds to cushion consumer impact, reducing the FT retail rate to 16.23 satang per unit while maintaining the 41.27 satang cost-trend component. EGAT absorbs the accumulated AF burden on behalf of consumers.