Gulf Development Company is advancing its sustainability mission by partnering with Siriraj University Nature Park at Mahidol University to upgrade and install a 3.6 million baht rooftop solar power system (Solar Rooftop). The project promotes clean energy adoption at the park while elevating Thai medicinal plant research to industrial standards and creating learning opportunities for vulnerable children and the general public.

Anuporn Prakobpanpaikao, managing director of Gulf1 Limited and assistant CEO of Gulf Development, stated that the company is committed to leveraging solar expertise to create shared value for society, reducing inequality, and sustainably improving quality of life. The Solar Rooftop installation supports clean energy use in education and research on medicinal and rare plants, while expanding learning opportunities for vulnerable children through nature-based healing and therapeutic classroom activities. The initiative also connects clean energy to social networks, especially remote communities and educational institutions that lack reliable electricity access—which are crucial for developing human resources and driving economic growth.

The solar system will cover two main buildings: the Research and Plant Museum Building and the Seminar Building, with electricity generation beginning February 10, 2025. It is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 69 tons annually—equivalent to planting over 3,153 large trees per year—and reduce the park's annual energy costs by more than 550,000 baht. The hope is that this solar installation will support research operations and provide environmentally friendly energy while promoting nature-based learning for children, youth, and the public.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nattaniya Toraksa, director of the Siriraj University Nature Park project at Mahidol University, noted that the park spans over 140 acres and houses Thailand's most valuable and rare medicinal plants—over 1,000 species. The park's mission is to advance medicinal plant potential and maximize natural ecosystem benefits to improve human health and promote bio-economy through interdisciplinary collaboration and research, education, and academic services.

Gulf's solar installation marks a significant turning point in developing the park into a 'Nature-based Innovation Lab' that will attract researchers and partners from diverse fields to experiment with and develop innovations using natural resources.

BANGKOK — 17 July 2026, The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will launch its new air-conditioned suburban rail service, SRT BANGKOK CONNEX (BNEX), linking Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and Ayutthaya from 1 August, with fares starting at 30 baht.

The service will operate daily (Monday to Sunday) and is intended to provide an affordable and convenient travel option for both commuters and tourists. The route has been extended to originate from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, allowing passengers to connect easily with Bangkok's suburban and urban rail networks.

Acting SRT Governor Anan Phonimdaeng said the launch of SRT BANGKOK CONNEX represents a significant expansion of the previous weekday-only Don Mueang–Ayutthaya service, aiming to better meet passenger demand. The trains use refurbished KIHA 40/48 diesel railcars imported from Japan, which have undergone extensive maintenance and interior refurbishment to provide air-conditioned carriages with more comfortable seating and spacious interiors.

On weekdays (Monday to Friday), the service will operate six trips a day (Nos. 9001–9006), with the first departure at 05:15 to accommodate commuters travelling to Bangkok and surrounding areas. On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), services will begin at 09:05, with four trips operating daily (Nos. 9003–9006), targeting both Thai and international tourists wishing to enjoy a leisurely visit to the historic city of Ayutthaya.

SRT is introducing a three-month promotional fare from 1 August to 31 October to help reduce passengers' travel costs. During the promotion, passengers travelling from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Don Mueang, Rangsit or Khlong Phutsa stations will pay a flat fare of 30 baht, while journeys to Bang Pa-in, Ban Pho and the terminus at Ayutthaya will cost no more than 50 baht. SRT said it remains committed to improving the safety and punctuality of Thailand's railway services.

Khon Kaen woman breaks down after losing lifetime savings in hospital theftLegacyA Thai woman appealed for help after over 300,000 baht in cash and gold was stolen while she was in a hospital in Khon Kaen in March, saying the investigation has made little progress. The victim, 63 year old Sompong Sriwiwat, became emotional while speaking to the media, explaining that she had spent a lifetime saving the money and valuables but lost them in a theft occurred at Khao Suan Kwang Hospital at about 4am on March 3. Sompong stated that she had not received any meaningful update on the case since reporting the theft, so she decided to seek help from the media outlets. Sompong said she had been admitted to hospital after experiencing chest tightness linked to asthma and hypertension. Doctors advised her to remain in hospital for three to four days so her condition could be monitored. Photo via Facebook/ Sineenat Chatpangta According to Sompong, her husband stayed with her during the admission but slept in an area designated for relatives, away from her bed. She told reporters that medication caused her to sleep deeply during the night of March 2. When she woke the following morning, she discovered that her bag, which had been placed on a cabinet beside her bed, had disappeared. The bag reportedly contained cash, a gold necklace with a Buddhist amulet, a gold bracelet and a mobile phone. A total value of the loss was over 300,000 baht. Khao Suan Kwang Police Station officers were called to the hospital and reviewed CCTV footage from the ward. The footage showed a man entering the ward, taking the bag and leaving the building. The suspect was wearing a black T-shirt, long jeans, trainers, a hat and a face mask, making identification difficult. Photo via Facebook/ Sineenat Chatpangta After the case received media attention, Khao Suan Kwang Police Station issued a statement explaining the progress of the investigation. Station superintendent Peeranat Ngamlertrattanachai said officers had not neglected the case. He said investigators questioned hospital staff and patients who were in the ward at the time, but no witnesses saw the incident. According to Peeranat, CCTV footage showed the suspect, believed to be between 40 and 50 years old and about 170 centimetres tall, walking through the ward and looking around several beds before taking Sompong’s bag. Photo via Channel 7 Police later recovered the abandoned bag outside the hospital after the suspect fled towards Friendship Highway. Only Sompong’s mobile phone remained inside. The superintendent added that investigators had coordinated with police in neighbouring districts after similar thefts were reported at other hospitals in the province. Peeranat acknowledged that identifying the suspect has been the main challenge in the investigation. He assured Sompong that officers are continuing to work on the case and urged her to remain confident that police will identify and arrest the person responsible.

The story Khon Kaen woman breaks down after losing lifetime savings in hospital theft as seen on Thaiger News.

On July 17, 2025, the Meteorological Department issued a 24-hour weather forecast predicting scattered thunderstorms across Thailand, with heavy rainfall persisting in the northern and northeastern regions due to the southwest monsoon affecting the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. A low-pressure system is also centered over northern Vietnam.

Residents in the North and Northeast should be alert to dangers from heavy and accumulated rainfall, which may cause sudden flooding and flash floods, particularly in foothill areas near water channels and in low-lying zones.

For the Andaman Sea's upper section and upper Gulf of Thailand, waves will reach 1-2 meters high. The lower Andaman Sea will see waves around 1 meter, with thunderstorm areas experiencing waves exceeding 2 meters. Fishermen are advised to navigate cautiously and avoid thunderstorm zones.

**Northern Region:** 40% chance of thunderstorms with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lampang, Nan, Phrae, and Uttaradit provinces. Minimum temperature 22-25°C, maximum 31-33°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

**Northeastern Region:** 30% chance of thunderstorms, mainly around Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani. Minimum temperature 23-26°C, maximum 32-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

**Central Region:** 30% chance of thunderstorms, mainly in Lopburi, Saraburi, Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram, and Samut Sakhon. Minimum temperature 24-26°C, maximum 34-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

**Eastern Region:** 40% chance of thunderstorms with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Chanthaburi and Trat. Minimum temperature 23-27°C, maximum 31-34°C. Southwest winds 15-35 km/h. Waves 1-2 meters; exceed 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

**Southern Region (East Coast):** 30% chance of thunderstorms, mainly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Minimum temperature 23-25°C, maximum 33-36°C. Southwest winds 15-30 km/h. Waves approximately 1 meter offshore, exceeding 1 meter further out and 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

**Southern Region (West Coast):** 30% chance of thunderstorms, mainly in Ranong, Phang Nga, Trang, and Satun. Minimum temperature 24-25°C, maximum 32-35°C. From Phang Nga northward: southwest winds 15-35 km/h, waves 1-2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. From Phuket southward: southwest winds 15-30 km/h, waves approximately 1 meter, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

**Bangkok and Vicinity:** 40% chance of thunderstorms. Minimum temperature 24-26°C, maximum 34-35°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

On July 17, 2025, at the Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge checkpoint in Chiang Khong district, Chiang Rai province, Thai immigration and law enforcement officials received 22 Thai nationals (9 men and 13 women) extradited from Laos. The repatriation followed notification from the Thai Embassy in Vientiane on July 15 that Laotian authorities had arrested these individuals on charges of telephone fraud in the Boten Special Economic Zone, Luang Namtha province.

Screening revealed that all 22 individuals fell victim to online job recruitment scams. They were enticed by social media advertisements claiming various positions with monthly salaries of 18,000 to 25,000 baht, plus free accommodation and meals. They traveled to Laos hoping to work but were arrested by Laotian authorities before beginning employment. Investigators found no evidence of human trafficking among the group. Additionally, two individuals without Thai nationality were identified as having illegally exited Thailand without passing through official immigration checkpoints and will face legal proceedings.

Immigration Commissioner Jiraphop Puridech instructed officials to strictly apply screening procedures to distinguish victims from perpetrators and to follow the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) protocol fully. The Chiang Saen immigration checkpoint has intensified screening of travelers heading to neighboring countries, interviewing those at risk of labor exploitation and warning about online job recruitment scams. However, many continue to be deceived by false promises of high income and benefits, unaware that victims often face forced labor, illegal work, confinement, physical abuse, or unpaid wages.

Authorities will conduct further investigation to determine whether any of the 22 individuals are connected to online gambling networks or scammer gangs, with full legal action to be taken against all involved parties if evidence emerges.