Pathum Thani police have apprehended a 33-year-old man identified as Viswakorn from Wang Nam Yen district, Saraburi province, in connection with a call center scam targeting two prestigious university students. The suspect was arrested on a beach-parallel road in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, following a warrant from Thanburi Provincial Court dated July 17, 2026.

Investigations revealed that Viswakorn owned the bank account used by the call center gang to receive fraudulent transfers from victims on multiple occasions. However, the suspect denies any connection to the scam, claiming that a woman named Lin, whom he met at a Chon Buri resort, borrowed his account credentials for gaming and online gambling purposes without his knowledge. He stated he only discovered the account's involvement in the fraud after police arrived.

Police initially brought the suspect to Prat Nam Chula Longkorn Police Station in Pathum Thani for further investigation and evidence expansion before proceeding with legal charges.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the scene of a fatal house fire in Soi Somdet Phra Chao Taksin 11 on July 18, 2026, announcing that 17 cats rescued from the blaze will be transferred to a Bangkok animal shelter while authorities seek new homes for them.

Chadchart inspected the scene alongside officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the Thon Buri District Office and other agencies.

The fire was reported at 05:59 hrs, with firefighters arriving at 06:05 hrs and bringing the blaze under control by 06:14 hrs.

Two elderly residents, a man and a woman who were living on the second floor of one of the houses, died in the fire. Authorities believe they succumbed to smoke inhalation.

Chadchart said firefighters were able to rescue all occupants from the neighbouring house, but the flames had already spread rapidly by the time emergency crews arrived.

The governor said the deceased couple were known for caring for a large number of cats, estimating that they had been looking after around 100 animals.

Following the fire, officials found 73 cats had died.

A total of 19 cats survived. Two were taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment, while the remaining 17 cats were temporarily placed under the care of the Thon Buri District Office before being transferred at 12:00 hrs on July 18 to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Dog Control Centre (Prawet), also known as the Prawet Dog and Cat Shelter, where they will await adoption.

"Although firefighters arrived quickly, it is not always possible to save lives because of factors such as smoke inhalation and the speed at which a fire spreads," Chadchart said, offering condolences to the victims' family.

He also urged the public to remain vigilant about fire hazards to help prevent similar tragedies.

People interested in adopting the rescued cats can contact the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Dog Control Centre (Prawet) on weekdays between 08:00 hrs and 15:00 hrs, call 02-328-7460, or visit the BKK Adopter Facebook page for more information.

A wife has hired the team of Boy, a prominent private investigator known for sensational infidelity cases, to track her husband's movements after suspecting he was having an affair. The investigator, who has previously made headlines with unconventional evidence-gathering methods, has now captured what he calls the most shocking case yet: photographic evidence of the husband and his mistress parked next to a white spirit house (shrine) at night, recorded at approximately 9:46 p.m.

The wife, Ms. Benja, became suspicious of her husband Somchai's behavior and hired Boy's team to conduct surveillance. The team followed the couple and discovered they had driven to a secluded spot near a roadside spirit house, where they engaged in intimate activities with apparent disregard for the sacred object nearby. According to Boy, the evidence is irrefutable because not only does his camera equipment document the incident clearly, but "the spirit house itself stands as a witness to the event."

Boy's team conducted a daytime inspection of the location on June 24th and confirmed the tire tracks from the parked vehicle near the spirit house. Ms. Benja and her legal team are now compiling all photographic and video evidence to submit to her lawyer for use in divorce proceedings and a damages claim against the mistress, Ms. Chum Chim. Boy stated confidently that the case is airtight given both the camera footage and the presence of the spirit house as a silent witness.

On July 18, 2026, the owner of Kruang Thong Chinese Restaurant filed a complaint with Pak Chong Police in Nakhon Ratchasima after a customer hired them to organize a complete wedding package. The restaurant arranged 130 Chinese-style dining tables, a wedding procession, a music stage with full sound, lighting, and color effects, all according to a signed contract for 325,000 baht. After the wedding, the owner received only 130,000 baht, leaving a balance of 195,000 baht unpaid. When the restaurant owner contacted the bride to collect the remaining payment, she claimed her foreign husband did not bring the dowry money as previously agreed, saying she therefore had no funds to pay the outstanding balance. The restaurant owner decided to file a formal complaint with police to pursue legal action, citing severe financial hardship from absorbing all the upfront costs. The restaurant owner is awaiting contact from the couple to negotiate a settlement of the unpaid amount.

Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce is preparing to host the THAI SELECT Festival 2026 on July 21, 2026, at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal, New York. The festival aims to promote Thai cuisine and elevate the Thai SELECT brand in the U.S. market, one of Thailand's most strategic export destinations, while positioning Thai food as an important soft power asset and creating business opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs globally.

The ministry has invited Princess Ubolratana to serve as patron of the opening ceremony, honoring Thailand's efforts to promote Thai cuisine and the Thai SELECT symbol internationally. Thai food represents a major economic driver for the country, particularly in food exports and Thai restaurant businesses abroad, with the United States being a high-value market characterized by strong purchasing power and openness to international cuisine. New York, as a global hub for culture, lifestyle, and consumption, provides an ideal platform for visitors to experience quality Thai food under the Thai SELECT brand and discover flavors, culture, and innovations recognized worldwide, reinforcing Thailand's position as the "Kitchen of the World."

The 2026 festival operates under the theme "Thai SELECT Playground – Play with Thai Flavors," inviting participants on a journey through Thai taste experiences that blend food, arts, culture, and creativity. The event will feature 15 Thai SELECT-certified restaurants in New York presenting authentic and innovative Thai dishes, along with appearances by international celebrities Mai Phakkamai and Apo Nuttavit, who will serve as ambassadors of Thai soft power, meeting fans and promoting genuine Thai flavors to global audiences.

The THAI SELECT FESTIVAL 2026 represents the Department of International Trade Promotion's commitment to advancing Thailand's food export strategy and restaurant business through international recognition and elevation of the Thai SELECT brand as a globally recognized symbol of authentic Thai taste, creating trading opportunities and economic value while strengthening Thailand's food industry in the global market.

A 22-year-old man who went missing while foraging in a forest in Buriram province has been found alive after surviving seven days in the wilderness by drinking water collected in elephant footprints and from forest vines.

Kitamet "Palm" Koisamran disappeared on 11 July 2026 after becoming separated from a friend while searching for wild produce in Dong Yai Forest in Non Din Daeng district. Nearly 100 people, including rescue workers, wildlife officials, local leaders, volunteers and villagers, spent days searching the dense forest on foot and by motorcycle, but were unable to locate him. The search was complicated by thick vegetation and the presence of wild animals, including elephants.

Palm's parents also joined the search. As hopes faded, they turned to spiritual beliefs, praying to forest spirits and consulting a traditional fortune teller, who told them their son was still alive and would eventually emerge from the forest. Their hopes were realised on the evening of 17 July, when a married couple in Sra Takhian subdistrict, Soeng Sang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, found a man matching Palm's description. The couple said he appeared exhausted and had scratches on his arms and legs. They took him to their home, gave him shelter and notified Thap Lan National Park officials, who coordinated with his family.

The location where Palm was found is about 60 kilometres from where he went missing. Palm told rescuers he had separated from his friend after leaving to relieve himself. When he returned, he could no longer see his companion's lights. He said he shouted for help and set off firecrackers to attract attention but received no response. He then tried to find his way out of the forest, only to become increasingly lost.

During the ordeal, he encountered several herds of wild elephants but said they did not attack him. Palm said he survived the week without food, relying only on water collected in elephant footprints and water from forest vines until he finally came across local residents and asked for help. "I'm happy to be alive and to see my parents again," he said, adding that he would never enter the forest to forage again.

His mother described her son's survival as a miracle and thanked rescue workers, officials and villagers who joined the search. She said the family plans to have Palm ordained as a Buddhist monk to fulfil a vow made during the search and added that they would not allow him to venture into the forest again.