Prachuap Buri—A critical human-wildlife conflict has escalated around Thap Lan National Park as over 80 wild elephants, fleeing severe drought conditions, migrated across two provinces from Nakhon Ratchasima into Prachuap Buri. The massive herd descended on agricultural areas in Ban Tung Phi, Nadi District, destroying farmland and compounding existing tensions over land rights disputes at the national park.

When park officials responded to reports of elephants feeding on crops, they found nearly a dozen elephants destroying banana plantations, coconut trees, and other fruit plants belonging to local residents. Officers successfully drove the herd back into the forest to ensure public safety.

When surveying the damage, reporters met Jiam To Suengnoen, 80, and his wife Rabiang To Suengnoen, 75, owners of a 5-acre mixed fruit farm that was devastated. The couple, still shaken, described how during heavy rain one evening, Rabiang spotted nearly 10 large elephants attacking banana, coconut, durian, and mangosteen plants near their home. Frightened, they fled to the second floor. Rabiang then opened a window and pleaded with the elephants: "Please stop. Leave some fruit for us to eat. You can go now." Remarkably, the herd paused and looked back at her.

During the crisis, a young elephant fell into a pond beside the house and cried out in distress. The mother elephant used her intelligence and trunk to safely lift her calf from the water before the entire herd was driven back into the forest.

Jiam expressed despair that this was the third elephant raid on his farm this year, and the most severe. The herd consumed over 50 banana plants he had carefully nurtured through a severe drought, only to lose them just as the rainy season promised a harvest. He appealed to government agencies for urgent assistance.

Prasatsat Chanthep, director of Thap Lan National Park, revealed that this represents the largest elephant gathering on record for the area. Approximately 60 elephants migrated from Nakhon Ratchasima's Korat and Udomthani subdistricts, joining 20-30 resident elephants in Prachuap Buri, forming a herd exceeding 80. The director identified three main factors driving the behavioral change: severe drought, erratic climate patterns during the rainy season, and habitat loss within the forest.

Young players from a prominent Thai professional football club have collectively posted critical messages about their organization after salaries failed to arrive, with some not receiving pay for nearly six months. Following earlier instances where former players from the same club publicly demanded unpaid wages, the situation has not improved. Young team members are now continuously posting salary complaints online. The players' posts use different wording but convey the same frustration—comments like "How are we supposed to survive?", "Only 900 baht left, can't even sleep at a temple", "I can't work without pay", and "Five months without salary and nothing changes." One lengthy post pleaded for empathy toward workers, noting personal financial hardship and asking for someone to help address the situation. However, the club has yet to respond or provide any updates to resolve the players' concerns.

Director-General of the Government Public Relations Department (PRD) Sudruetai Lertkasem on 8 July 2026 attended a preparatory meeting for Thailand’s hosting of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the Inter...

On July 8, 2026, Suriya Ya, 40, met with police at Samut Prakan City Station to file charges after her son, Boss, a sixth-grader, was severely beaten by a teacher, resulting in bruises and fever with no justifiable cause.

After the incident, she took her son to the hospital where doctors confirmed bruising on his elbow and left shoulder. The mother is demanding two key things: first, a clear explanation from the teacher and school about why such violence was used on a child, as the teacher claimed in a message it was only light disciplinary tapping and didn't expect the child's skin to bruise so easily—an excuse she finds unacceptable. Second, she wants concrete measures from the school and relevant agencies to address her child's physical and mental wellbeing from this violent incident, and assurance that the school will be a safe place for students.

She is pursuing charges against the teacher for assault and violations of the Child Protection Act of 2003.

Suriya Ya explained that on the day of the incident, the classroom television broke, so the teacher had students move to an upper classroom. While her son was retrieving items from the second floor, the teacher came down speaking inappropriately, scolded him for taking too long, and immediately began hitting him without cause. Other students were also struck by this teacher.

When she tried to contact the teacher through the school's group chat for his phone number, only the homeroom teacher helped. After receiving a message from the teacher claiming her son might have fragile skin that bruises easily, she rejected this excuse entirely. She emphasized that if punishment is warranted, the teacher should give a warning first, not resort to physical violence.

Her son is currently ill and running a fever. The school administration and principal have not yet contacted her—only the homeroom teacher has coordinated. She plans to invite the school and teacher to meet and clarify measures at the police station. Disciplinary action remains the school's responsibility.

On July 8 at Parliament Building Room 402, the government assigned the National Sports Development Fund to coordinate with relevant agencies to secure funding for the national youth football tournament, Prime Minister Youth League, and to advance modern sports science and technology, specifically DNA genetic testing, for developing and enhancing Thai athletes' capabilities.

The operational approach was presented to the parliamentary sports committee, with Deputy Parliament Speaker Lertsakdi Patthanasakul and Sports Committee Chair Chakphan Piyaprompibuol and fellow commissioners listening and exchanging views to ensure efficient project implementation and maximum benefit for youth sports development.

The meeting included representatives from the Sports Authority of Thailand, Department of Physical Education, National University of Sports, Thai Football Association, and National Sports Development Fund. Participants included Physical Education Department Director Mongkol Vimlarat, National Sports Development Fund Manager Thanukiat Chanchoem, National University of Sports Director Patthinawitch Pothikas, Professional Sports Development Director Nantapol Tongnilphan, and Thai Football Association Secretary-General Ekkapol Pholnavy.

The meeting established a five-agency collaboration framework where the National Sports Development Fund provides budgets and promotes sports science including DNA testing for athlete development. The Thai Football Association organizes Prime Minister Youth League from district to national levels while linking athlete databases with FIFA Talent ID. The Physical Education Department drives regional competitions and athlete data collection, the National University of Sports provides facilities and develops coaches and referees, while the Sports Authority of Thailand selects and advances athletes to professional clubs and national teams, creating a comprehensive youth football development system.

Deputy Parliament Speaker Lertsakdi Patthanasakul stated, "We must thank the National Sports Development Fund, especially its manager, for driving the Youth League competition with genuine understanding of the project's vision and goals. Emphasizing youth football development foundations is a crucial starting point that gives us hope Thai youth will receive systematic development with a pathway to the senior national team. We appreciate all agencies for dedicating time to this integrated effort toward concrete and sustainable youth football advancement."

National Sports Development Fund Manager Thanukiat Chanchoem stated, "Our fund's role in the Prime Minister Youth League is to secure budget support for all participating agencies' operations while addressing problems from past tournaments, particularly incorporating DNA testing.

Police Officers Honored For Outstanding Crime Prevention Work

On July 8, 2026, Deputy Police Commissioner General Charun Gophattana presided over a meeting with the committee established under Royal Thai Police Order No. 83/2569 (dated February 27, 2025) to select outstanding police officers for 2569. The committee and relevant officials met on July 6 to assess police personnel who performed exceptionally in crime prevention and law enforcement support work during 2569.

Selection results by rank are as follows: Police Captain rank: Police Captain Pramote Chanbunkaew, Commander of Phetchkasem Police Station; Police Lieutenant rank: Police Lieutenant Kittiphan Thanstangjunchay, Deputy Commander of Tao Poon Police Station; Sergeant rank: Police Sergeant Rachata Pumphanmuan, Sergeant of Metropolitan Police; Deputy Sergeant rank: Police Corporal Piyaswat Sawatdimasai, Deputy Commander of Lumpini Police Station; Constable rank: Police Corporal Kritthakorn Longlor, Shift Commander of Phra Khanong Police Station.