The National Sports Development Fund is pressing ahead with its review of criteria for classifying high-potential sports and establishing budget allocation guidelines for associations bearing the "of Thailand" designation in fiscal year 2027. The goal is to ensure allocations are appropriate, transparent, equitable, and consistent with the nation's sports development strategy, emphasizing efficient resource use and maximum impact.

The meeting was chaired by Thanuthep Janchum, manager of the National Sports Development Fund, and attended by representatives including Pol. Col. Intarat Yod Bangtai, advisory consultant to the subcommittee; Dr. Kittipong Potimoo, representative of the Thai Paralympic Committee; Pol. Lt. Col. Surpong Ariyamongkol, representative of the Sports Association Federation; and Santi Lohtong, representing the "of Thailand" sports associations, among others.

The meeting reviewed empirical data and documents submitted by sports associations, analyzing each association's potential, past performance, development plans, and key metrics to group sports appropriately and set funding levels matching each association's capacity.

In the first round of evaluation, ten sports associations submitted complete documentation and were grouped by potential as follows:

Group 1 (Highest Potential): 1 association—Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association

Group 2 (High Potential): None

Group 3 (Moderately High Potential): 2 associations—Thai Aeronautics and Aviation Sports Association Under Royal Patronage and Thai Cheerleading Association

Group 4 (Developing Potential): 7 associations—Thai Cab Baddy Sports Association, Thai Polo Association, Thai Wushu Association, Royal Motorcar Club of Thailand Under Royal Patronage, Thai Surfing Association, Thai Tug of War Association, and Thai Transplant Athletes Association

Sports associations may appeal their evaluation scores within 15 days of notification by submitting supporting evidence to the National Sports Development Fund. Following the subcommittee's assessment, results will be submitted to a screening subcommittee for approval, then to the fund's management board for final budget allocation approval for fiscal year 2027.

Among regular sports associations using the "of Thailand" designation, 52 have submitted complete documents, 10 have been evaluated, 42 are under review, and 38 have yet to submit. Among disability sports associations, 32 sports classifications have submitted documents while 22 have not.

PHAYAO — Police have arrested a 65-year-old man accused of stealing a young woman's underwear from a dormitory in Phayao province after CCTV footage identified him as the suspect.

Investigators at Muang Phayao Police Station received a complaint on 15 July 2026 from Thikamphon Chaiya, 26, from Mae Chan district in Chiang Rai province.

She reported that underwear she had hung out to dry in front of Room 7 on the second floor of Sriwan Place dormitory in Tha Wang Thong subdistrict, Muang district, had disappeared.

CCTV footage showed an elderly man entering the dormitory, taking the victim's underwear from the drying rack and leaving the premises. The footage was submitted to police as evidence.

Police investigators traced the suspect through CCTV recordings and identified him as Pleng, 65, from Dok Khamtai district in Phayao.

A search of his home uncovered a motorcycle, helmet and clothing matching those seen in the surveillance footage. Officers also found women's underwear hanging on a clothesline, while another item was being worn by the suspect.

Police said the suspect confessed to the theft and admitted he had committed similar offences on several previous occasions because of a personal fetish.

Officers seized the evidence, took the suspect to the crime scene for a reconstruction, and later transferred him to Muang Phayao Police Station for further questioning before legal proceedings.

The Commerce Ministry's "Thai Rice Curry Helps Thailand" initiative, or 40-baht curry program, was designed to ease the public's cost of living as curry prices climbed past 50 baht per plate. The program targeted 100,000 restaurant sign-ups nationwide, offering ingredient subsidies of 3,000–10,000 baht per establishment for at least three months. Despite good intentions, the plan sparked opposition from restaurant operators and vendors countrywide. Ultimately, Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Suthammaphanth and the Commerce Minister suspended the program to review it and hear new perspectives. Critics contend the measure addresses the wrong problem, as restaurant costs involve far more than the price of pork, chicken, and vegetables—they also include gas, electricity, labor, rent, and rising transport costs. Short-term subsidies may provide temporary relief, but once the program ends, restaurants must shoulder their original costs while consumers expect prices to stay at the subsidized level. Moreover, a uniform nationwide price ignores regional cost variations; restaurants in high-rent urban and commercial zones would find it hard to compete if forced to sell at 40 baht. Many establishments might cut portion sizes or food quality, ultimately hurting consumers. The right approach is for the government to tackle root causes—controlling energy prices, raw material costs, and transport expenses—because if costs fall, curry prices will naturally decline through market forces. Currently, 30–40 baht curry already exists in many areas: community markets, hospitals, schools, and welfare shops. Although the 40-baht program never launched, stepping back demonstrates the government listens to all sides. The Commerce Minister, working closely with people's livelihood concerns, shows wisdom by remaining open to criticism and refining proposals before deciding—a path that reduces conflict and helps state policy address problems more effectively.

As previously reported, if the shooting case against MP Kamlasak Leevamaoh stalls without reaching those who ordered it, it will impact the overall situation across three southern provinces, and calls to dissolve the National Reform Council will not fade. The connections are undeniable.

While police investigations have stalled, the Democrat Party and parliamentary committees continue their work. Scrutiny of security agencies with relevant evidence is intensifying.

The emerging issue is tracing the M16 rifles used in the shooting, both seized by police, which will lead directly to the Royal Thai Navy Weapons Department.

Both M16 rifles recovered by police and used to fire on MP Kamlasak's vehicle are military-issued weapons. One rifle belonged to the Navy but was registered as damaged and marked for destruction, yet it turned up in the hands of the shooting team. How did this happen?

The problems are twofold: the weapon's naval origin and the fact that it was listed as destroyed but was still used to commit a crime. Records show 40 rifles marked for destruction—raising questions about how many other "phantom guns" are out there being used in various crimes.

The parliamentary committee on law, justice, and human rights, chaired by Rangsimanth Rom with Deputy Democrat Party Leader Thawi Sodsor serving as a member, has coordinated with the Royal Thai Navy Weapons Department to hold a joint meeting in Chachoengsao.

The discussion will cover the entire weapons management system, from procurement and control to disposition, as well as orders from responsible officials to destroy weapons. The committee will visit destruction sites.

The committee has also invited the Navy commander to explain how the M16 rifles were received, distributed, and allocated to operational units.

The investigation will trace the weapon from the crime scene back to its source, examining the distribution process and destruction procedures—and how it ended up in the hands of those targeting the MP. They may also uncover other weapons.

The more concealed this case becomes, the more it unravels.

MBK is advancing Thailand's golf sector with a 2 million baht donation to the Professional Golf Association of Thailand, aiming jointly to elevate and drive Thai golfers' potential for sustainable growth on the global stage. Wijaksana Praditsavanitchai, CEO and Executive Director of MBK Public Company Limited, presented 2 million baht to the Professional Golf Association of Thailand, with Pongrattana Lueangtharmjeering, president of the association, receiving the donation at Riverdale Golf Club. Wijaksana stated that MBK thanks the Professional Golf Association of Thailand for entrusting Riverdale Golf Club to host the historic Queen's Cup Thailand Championship 2026, a major and prestigious international tournament under Royal Patronage of Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudha. The 2 million baht donation reflects MBK's commitment to developing every aspect of Thai golf, with hopes that this support will sustainably advance the sport nationwide. Pongrattana responded that the association appreciates MBK's recognition of its work and ongoing backing, and will use the funds to maximize benefits for Thai golf development, athlete development, and international competition to build a strong and lasting foundation for Thai golfers globally.

On July 15, 2026, Kaew Odedt, mother of 18-year-old Laotian bar server Wiangporn Jindavongse who died in a fire, traveled to the police hospital's forensic institute to obtain documents for the Lao embassy in order to arrange her daughter's body to be sent back to Vientiane tomorrow.

Kaew disclosed that she had recently recovered from fainting and came to handle the paperwork. She must also return to Chachoengsao province to obtain a death certificate, since her daughter died at Chachoengsao Hospital. However, last night her daughter's spirit appeared in a dream to relatives, saying she wanted to go home because she was cold and was sleeping alone.

Today, when collecting her daughter's belongings from her room, Kaew found a piggy bank with a message written on it: "Don't touch this—it's dad's heart." She believes her daughter had been saving money in it for her father and did not dare to open it, intending to take it back to her father in Vientiane. Her daughter normally also set aside money for her mother.

"She had worked here for seven months, and on the day it happened, she told me she would take me on a trip because she had saved enough money. It was a beautiful place in Thailand, but in the end we didn't go," Kaew said, breaking down in tears immediately.

Kaew also shared that after the incident, she went to see her daughter at Rama 9 Hospital, where her daughter cried. She told her daughter to be strong for her mother and siblings and not to give up. However, when she was transferred to Chachoengsao Hospital, her condition worsened and she passed away.

Her daughter had a lovely nature and was beloved wherever she went. Customers at the bar felt sorry for her because she was kind to everyone. Kaew said she cannot speak properly about what happened, as she had only recently been discharged from the hospital after fainting. She is heartbroken over her daughter's passing, as her daughter's appearance changed drastically—her face was swollen and bruised.

However, when her daughter appeared in the dreams of those around her, she was wearing white clothes and her face looked normal. She said she was hungry and wanted to go home because it was very cold there. While Kaew did not have the same dream as other relatives, she felt her daughter came to see her last night. She sensed a burnt smell, like that of someone burned by fire, so she lit incense and spoke to her daughter's spirit, telling her not to worry. After that, the smell disappeared, and she became convinced that her daughter had come to visit her.