Portugal coach Roberto Martinez admitted his team are underdogs against Spain in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16, while explaining why he substituted Cristiano Ronaldo late in the game.

Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 on July 3 to advance to the Round of 16, where they will face Spain on July 6.

After the match, Martinez commented on his team's performance and the upcoming Spain contest, saying: "We're satisfied and proud, and now we need to begin our recovery period because the next match is coming soon."

"The first half was the best first half we've played in this World Cup in terms of intensity, structure, and our determination to control the game against a team that possesses the ball more. We just lacked goals. In the second half, the game unfolded in two different ways."

"I love talking about dreams because since childhood we've dreamed about this, and of course we must keep dreaming. As a coach, I need to pave the way to make that dream reality. I know we're not favorites against Spain because teams that have won the World Cup before have psychological advantages. But I believe we've developed and grown both internally and externally. It's a very difficult match. Our dream continues."

Martinez also explained his decision to substitute Ronaldo late in the game despite the score being level: "We were taking a big risk playing with two forwards, but we needed an extra midfielder. So we took Ronaldo off."

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said: "We didn't deserve this result. Conceding a goal in the final minutes of the match is not easy, but we should have handled this situation better."

Actress Tookkie Sudaratana, also known as Tookkie Chingroy, posted about receiving criticism that she is 'too old' and unsuitable for her current work. She responded with a playful caption stating: 'People tell Tookkie I'm too old and not right for their job. Well, I've been alive a long time so of course I got older. But my younger cast mates call me sister, and I call my older colleagues sister too. So who's old exactly? That's absurd!' She also shared a post featuring a song by M Wittawas titled 'You're the Best Mom.' The post garnered overwhelming support from fans in the comments section, with many sending heart emojis and words of encouragement such as 'You're not old, talent is talent no matter where it comes,' 'You're amazing,' and 'Tookkie can still play many roles and make people laugh—people who aren't old are just those who died first.'

Prime Minister Anuthim Charnveerakul and Interior Minister opened Government House as a special exception to welcome the model anti-corruption youth ambassadors team, supported by the National Anti-Corruption Fund (NACF) on July 3.

Julaphakwat Srisuwanrawong, project coordinator from Sarasas Suksa School, represented the 10-school youth ambassador delegation. The students had the opportunity to sit in the Prime Minister's chair and receive guidance from him. The PM emphasized the importance of honesty and integrity as fundamental virtues in both studies and work, and blessed the young people for academic success and future contributions to national development.

"We feel deeply honored and grateful to the Prime Minister for this special opportunity," Julaphakwat said. "The highlight was when the PM wore the youth ambassador sash alongside the children for a photo at Government House's front steps, demonstrating support for the NACF-backed anti-corruption youth ambassador program, which shares the same goal of developing the nation's future leaders to combat corruption and build a genuinely corruption-free Thailand."

Suphanija Phuwong, a model anti-corruption youth ambassador from Sarasas Suksa School, expressed her excitement: "I was thrilled that the Prime Minister gave us this opportunity, especially when he said he would wear the ambassador sash with us. It's wonderful that national-level leaders recognize the importance of our anti-corruption campaign. I hope our country will be free of corruption in the future, and we as ambassadors will neither engage in corruption nor spread this knowledge to friends nationwide as we grow."

Banjob Piyertham, another youth ambassador from Sarasas Suksa School, shared: "Joining the program has greatly changed our thinking because we've seen the consequences of corruption and prevention strategies for our generation. I've learned that corruption is closer to us than we thought. Before, when I saw news about corruption costing tens of millions, I thought it was far from us. But through this program, I realized it's very close, and we ourselves can fight corruption, become a voice, and set an example for others."

The model anti-corruption youth ambassador program, supported by the National Anti-Corruption Fund, launched 500 youth ambassadors from 10 model educational institutions to raise youth awareness of corruption's harms and impacts. The program develops communication and media production skills to promote honesty and integrity values in society, targeting secondary school students through practical learning workshops. These workshops provide anti-corruption content alongside modern communication and media production training to reach all audiences.

At 5:00 a.m. on July 3, 2026, Deputy Inspector Wirulkij Tantrakul of Ayutthaya Police Station received a report of a sedan that had veered off course and struck a rain tree on the Asia Road parallel route at kilometer marker 22, just before Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi's Hanthara Campus in Ayutthaya province. Officers and rescue teams responded to find a severely damaged Toyota Vios with Bangkok registration pinned against the tree. The driver, 26-year-old Theerapon (surname withheld), was in critical condition. Despite rescue efforts and emergency medical intervention, he succumbed to his injuries.

The investigation revealed tire marks stretching over 30 meters along the road edge before the vehicle lost control and struck the tree. No other vehicle was involved, and the exact cause is still under investigation.

When family members arrived at the scene, the driver's wife—holding their five-month-old son—embraced her husband's body amid overwhelming grief. According to relatives, the victim had been visiting friends and called his wife around 3:30 a.m. to say he was heading home. The tragic timing was particularly devastating: he was less than one kilometer away, and the family had only welcomed their newborn five months earlier.

Investigators documented the scene and gathered evidence. The body was transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Pathum Thani for autopsy, with a detailed investigation into the accident's cause ongoing.

The 22nd ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week (ASEW 2026) concluded successfully in Bangkok, with Haier Energy launching comprehensive smart energy solutions covering residential, commercial and industrial (C&I) sectors, balcony solar systems, and portable energy products. The company signed strategic partnerships with over ten ecosystem partners, reflecting its localized business capabilities and efforts to establish a strong clean energy ecosystem in Southeast Asia. Thai energy officials and PEA representatives visited Haier Energy's booth, commending the company's role in promoting green economic cooperation between China and Thailand. Supported by government policies, rising energy costs, and carbon reduction targets, the renewable energy market in Southeast Asia is experiencing rapid growth, with increasing demand for safe, efficient, and flexible energy solutions. Haier Energy's comprehensive energy solutions have been deployed in major Thai projects including high-end residential developments and international schools, earning recognition as a "New Energy Demonstration Enterprise" from Thailand's Urban Planning and Environment Association. At the event, the company signed strategic partnerships with partners from real estate, green transportation, distribution channels, and infrastructure sectors to expand renewable energy applications and integrate clean energy into urban development, industry, and daily life. Haier Energy uses Thailand as its regional business hub while expanding to Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian countries. The company has developed comprehensive in-country operations covering marketing, technical support, operations and maintenance, finance, and supply chain management. Local teams provide end-to-end services from site surveys and system design to installation and after-sales support, with specialized training and marketing resources for partners. Partnerships with ICBC Leasing Thailand and Bank of Ayudhya provide partners flexible financial solutions and reduce investment burdens, while local manufacturing ensures efficient and timely product delivery.

On July 3, 2025, government spokesman Ratchada Thanadirek revealed that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is monitoring the case of a Thai airline flight attendant detained in Australia for alleged drug smuggling. This incident has prompted a comprehensive review of security screening measures across Thailand's aviation system. Transport Minister Pattraphong Pattraprasit outlined five key enforcement measures: (1) implementing Zero Trust principles requiring airline crew, captains, staff, and all airport workers to undergo the same screening standards as ordinary passengers with no exemptions; (2) increasing K9 dog inspections on all incoming and outgoing flights, particularly on high-risk routes and times; (3) implementing secondary gate screening for high-risk destinations before boarding; (4) conducting stricter criminal and drug history background checks for airport terminal workers; and (5) enhancing intelligence sharing between the Transport Ministry, Justice Ministry, police, customs, and security agencies. Future improvements will include advance passenger data systems, biometric databases, and enhanced staff training on evolving smuggling methods. Government spokesman Ratchada stated the administration is conducting full-scale operations to combat drugs through border interdiction, network disruption, and enhanced airport security to prevent Thailand from becoming a drug trafficking hub. This afternoon, the Prime Minister will chair the second meeting of the ONCB committee with relevant agencies to coordinate anti-drug efforts. Drug seizure statistics from April 1 to June 10, 2025 show 59,609 arrests, 272.79 million methamphetamine tablets seized, 17,729.83 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 276.77 kilograms of heroin, and 2,639.32 kilograms of ketamine.