Police in Uthumphon Phisai district, Sisaket province, responded to a report of deaths on the evening of July 18 at 11:13 p.m. Officers found a 27-year-old woman, identified as Ms. A, and her 2-year-old daughter, Ms. B, dead in a single-story concrete house. Both bodies showed signs of prolonged death, with the child's face discolored.

A handwritten note was found expressing despair, stating "I'm sorry, I can't handle this anymore, there is no happiness." The note was accompanied by 3,527 baht left for the mother's care. An autopsy of the child revealed scratch marks around her neck, suggesting the mother may have asphyxiated her daughter before taking her own life.

The aunt revealed that the mother had been withdrawn and isolated with her child, rarely socializing with relatives. She mentioned the mother had spoken of marital difficulties, with the husband reportedly spending time with friends. A phone call overheard in the afternoon of July 18 contained the statement "If you don't care, let's divorce," which may have triggered the tragic act. The mother had prepared a curry dish that remained uneaten, suggesting the decision was made suddenly after midday.

The Nida Poll survey center at the National Institute of Development Administration released findings on July 19, 2024, regarding "foreigners breaking the law," surveying 1,310 people aged 18 and older across all regions and income levels between July 13-15, 2024, about unlawful behavior by foreign residents in Thailand.

When asked about the dangers of foreign residents' illegal activities in Thailand, respondents ranked the following threats:

1. Foreign investment in illegal businesses or money laundering operations: 94.05% said highly dangerous, 5.42% fairly dangerous, 0.30% not very dangerous, 0.15% no answer, and 0.08% not dangerous.

2. Hiring Thai nominees to hold land ownership: 82.14% said highly dangerous, 14.81% fairly dangerous, 2.14% not very dangerous, 0.76% not dangerous, and 0.15% no answer.

3. Hiring Thais as legal guardians for foreign children to obtain Thai nationality: 81.76% said highly dangerous, 14.20% fairly dangerous, 3.05% not very dangerous, 0.76% not dangerous, and 0.23% no answer.

4. Operating hub businesses where foreign investors monopolize and control all transactions within their own ethnic networks, depriving Thais of income: 81.29% said highly dangerous, 15.65% fairly dangerous, 1.91% not very dangerous, 0.92% no answer, and 0.23% not dangerous.

5. Hiring Thai nominees to open businesses or hold majority shares: 81.21% said highly dangerous, 15.88% fairly dangerous, 2.37% not very dangerous, 0.46% not dangerous, and 0.08% no answer.

6. Large-scale settlement creating foreign communities or towns: 77.48% said highly dangerous, 17.79% fairly dangerous, 3.89% not very dangerous, 0.61% not dangerous, and 0.23% no answer.

7. Foreigners working beyond their authorized work permits: 72.98% said highly dangerous, 23.13% fairly dangerous, 3.51% not very dangerous, 0.23% not dangerous, and 0.15% no answer.

8. Foreigners entering occupations reserved for Thais, such as driving, tour guiding, or conducting tours: 65.42% said highly dangerous, 27.86% fairly dangerous, 5.65% not very dangerous, 0.69% not dangerous, and 0.38% no answer.

The Finance Ministry has announced that 9.51 million applicants have qualified for the 2025 State Welfare Card program out of 18.82 million registrants. Existing cardholders who qualified can begin using their benefits from August 1, 2025, while new recipients must complete additional steps to activate their cards.

New recipients must undergo identity verification (e-KYC) between July 17, 2025, and January 12, 2026, through either the Pao Tang mobile application or registration at one of five participating banks: Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Government Savings Bank, Krung Thai Bank, Bank for Housing and Community Development, and Islamic Bank of Thailand. Those seeking to appeal their eligibility status can submit requests between July 17–31, 2025, with results announced on September 21, 2025. New recipients who complete all requirements can begin using their welfare benefits from October 1, 2025.

On July 19, authorities reported a house fire in Soi Somdet Phra Chao Taksin 11, Thonburi district, Bangkok, that claimed two lives—a man and woman—along with numerous cats. The deceased were identified as Anuchiт Sunthorkitti, an ASEAN-level fine art photographer, and his wife. The fire occurred on July 18 and is preliminarily attributed to electrical short-circuiting at the lower floor breaker panel, with 73 pet cats found dead and 17 rescued. Students and photography professionals have posted tributes to the master photographer and his wife.

Anuchiт Sunthorkitti was a renowned Thai master of fine art photography who defined himself not as a photographer or artist, but simply as "a man observing the world's changes." He and his wife were known for their compassion in caring for stray cats left at their home for decades.

Born in 1964 in Saraburi Province, Sunthorkitti studied at Bangkok Christian College and earned a bachelor's degree in industrial education with a focus on architecture in 1987. He initially worked in architectural design and interior decoration, then taught architecture and art history from 1992 to 2000. He began self-studying photography in 1985 using a Pentax K1000, initially exploring relationships between nature, environment, and humanity, particularly birds and wildlife. In 2008, he transitioned to digital photography and computer-based post-processing, developing greater creative control over his final presentations.

In 2009, he developed his signature style called "Dynamic in the City," exploring urban environments, movement, and human emotion through spatial composition, color, light, and time. His architectural background profoundly influenced his photographic language, particularly his focus on relationships between people and space, and emotions created by light, shadow, and surroundings. Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station became one of his key subjects, which he viewed as a repository of stories about time, travel, and human life.

Bangkok, 16 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) advises foreign visitors that the Thai Cabinet has approved updated details for visa exemption and Visa on Arrival measures. The five ...

On July 18, police arrested Somchai, 63, a taxi driver, after he struck retired officer Veeraphat Saisisuk on Rama III Road in Bangkok's Bang Kho Laem district on the morning of July 17. The victim sustained severe injuries and died at Charoen Krung Hospital. After the incident, Somchai fled the scene, but investigators found his red Toyota taxi at a repair shop in the Lad Krabang area and traced him to his son's house. He faces legal charges for hit-and-run resulting in death.

Vereraphat Saisisuk was a former officer at Wat Phraya Krai Police Station who, despite retiring 13 years earlier, maintained a deep commitment to public service. He volunteered every morning to direct traffic at the Rama III Road median near Soi 8, helping ensure the safety of commuters during his decades of dedicated service to the community.