On July 15, 2025, Praphan Khunmee, a former senator and ex-chair of the Senate's ICT committee, spoke about the NBTC selection committee's delayed decision on whether Dr. Sorin Boonbhaichaipruk, chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, meets legal qualifications. The committee is expected to rule at a Friday, July 17 meeting.

Khunmee claims documentary evidence shows Dr. Sorin failed to fully resign from medical work as required. Although he submitted a self-certification on January 8, 2021 claiming he had quit his profession, records show he remained a university employee until April 12, 2021 and continued treating patients at Ramathibodi Hospital's Faculty of Medicine through 2024. He also worked as an hourly-paid physician at Ramathibodi from January 8 to April 12, 2021, without formally resigning.

This may violate sections 8(2) and (3) of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Act, which prohibit commissioners from holding government positions or independent professional roles with conflicting interests. According to the law, such violations constitute forfeiture of office under section 18.

Khunmee and General Ananttaporn Kajancharatana have submitted evidence to the selection committee, including a May 17, 2024 letter from Mahidol University's former rector confirming Dr. Sorin's employee status and patient care duties from December 20, 2020 to April 12, 2021. Tax records (Form ภ.ง.ด.90) for 2021–2023 show he continued receiving income from Ramathibodi Hospital and Merck Ltd., a pharmaceutical company, while serving as NBTC chairman—a position requiring full-time, independent service.

Khunmee questioned why Mahidol's latest inspection results have not been presented to the selection committee, suggesting the government is hiding unfavorable findings. He called on the committee to base its decision on factual evidence and urged Dr. Sorin to openly address the accusations rather than avoid scrutiny.

A chef has sparked a social media debate after posting images of grilled shrimp on Facebook with comments suggesting they came from an unsold batch that had been reheated multiple times. The post, which went viral on July 15, drew widespread criticism and jokes from online users who identified the shrimp as "ko shrimp"—a species with a disproportionately large head and meager meat that becomes even more rubbery when cooked.

When reached for comment, the chef clarified that he intended only to share professional observations, not attack the restaurant. He admitted he initially mistook the shrimp for tiger shrimp because six came on a plate for just 50 baht, purchased from a market in Pa Tong sub-district, Kathu district, Phuket. Upon peeling the shrimp, he found the meat far smaller than expected and unusually tough, suspecting repeated reheating from unsold inventory.

The chef acknowledged that ko shrimp's resemblance to tiger shrimp could easily mislead consumers who fail to inspect them carefully. The restaurant named in the post has not yet issued a response to the allegations.

On July 15, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Peerasak Lertrakarnon, head of the Department of Family Medicine at Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Medicine, explained that age-related body odor has a scientific basis but does not affect all elderly people and is not solely the result of poor hygiene.

**What Causes Age-Related Body Odor?**

As people age, the body undergoes multiple changes, including alterations in skin function, hormones, skin cell turnover, and the composition of skin lipids. Research has found that older adults begin to accumulate a substance called 2-Nonenal (documented since 2001), which results from the oxidative breakdown of fatty acids on the skin. This compound produces a distinctive smell often described as resembling dried grass, old paper, or a musty odor—the origin of the term "age-related odor." It typically appears from around age 40 onward and may become more pronounced in advanced age.

**Do All Elderly People Have Age-Related Odor?**

No. While age is a factor, the intensity of odor varies among individuals and depends on multiple factors including genetics, overall health, personal hygiene habits, water intake, diet, exercise, medication use, and chronic diseases. Many elderly people do not experience abnormal body odor at all.

**Some Diseases Can Also Change Body Odor**

If body odor changes rapidly or an unusual smell appears alongside other symptoms, it may signal a condition requiring medical attention, such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, infection, chronic wounds, or oral health problems. Anyone suspecting abnormal changes should consult a doctor.

**Bathing Alone May Not Be Enough**

Managing age-related odor requires a comprehensive approach including daily bathing and body cleaning, thorough drying especially in skin folds, regular clothing changes, frequent laundering of towels and bedding, adequate water intake, balanced nutrition, appropriate exercise, management of chronic diseases, and regular health checkups. Family members should assist elderly relatives who have limited self-care ability with bathing, clothing changes, and bedding cleaning on a regular basis.

**Avoid Saying "You Smell"**

Many elderly people may not realize their body odor has changed because their sense of smell declines with age. Direct comments like "you stink" or "why haven't you bathed" can cause embarrassment, loss of confidence, and feelings of being a burden to the family.

**What Should You Say Instead?**

Dr. Peerasak recommends using care and concern as the foundation for communication, such as: - "It's hot these days. Let me help prepare a bath for you." - "Let's change into fresh clothes so you'll feel more comfortable." - "I've washed your blankets and pillowcases. You'll sleep well tonight."

If you suspect odor may be disease-related, invite your loved one to see a doctor for health reasons rather than mentioning the odor directly. Age-related body odor is not shameful and not something elderly people choose to experience. Sometimes what seniors need most is not perfume or deodorant, but understanding, attention, and gentle care from their family members.

PHUKET: A road crash in Thalang that left a 16-year-old motorcyclist injured has sparked heated debate online after a video of the incident appeared to show a car colliding with the teenager while changing lanes.

A severe storm struck a Thai border patrol police base in Ban Tua Kum village, Mueang district, Trat province, on July 12-13, toppling more than 10 large trees and causing extensive damage to the facility. Trees over 10 meters tall crashed onto the base, destroying a residential building, laboratory, bathroom, and damaging the roof, solar panels, drone netting, and flagpole. Nearby durian orchards also sustained significant damage. When the storm intensified, personnel took shelter in bunkers to safety, and fortunately no one was injured.

Following the incident, residents initially attempted to clear debris with chainsaws, but requested assistance from the Tua Kum subdistrict office to deploy machinery for large-scale tree removal. Trat City Municipality Mayor Surasak Phuttipat has been overseeing city repairs and safety improvements, with municipal workers clearing sidewalks, roads, and public areas. The municipality is also surveying and dredging waterlogged areas and drainage channels to prevent flooding and reduce disruption to residents, particularly after the heavy rainfall and strong winds of the past two days.

On July 1, 2026 at 5:48 p.m., His Majesty appointed General Oranong Piyanatvachirpat to represent him in conducting a golden Buddha casting ceremony and opening the "World Heritage, Dharma Heritage" learning center at Wat Arunrajvararam in Bangkok's Bang Kok Yai district.

The royal delegate presented commemorative gifts to 60 donors supporting the temple, distributed royal gifts to 10 local residents, and presented school bags to 50 student representatives from schools in Bang Kok Yai district out of 200 total recipients. The delegate then visited the monument of King Rama I to lay flowers and light incense in tribute, making merit offerings and expressing the Thai people's loyalty to the late king.

The "World Heritage, Dharma Heritage" program is designed to conserve, restore, and promote the value of Thailand's UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites while building knowledge and awareness of heritage preservation. The program has expanded from Ayutthaya province to establish a learning center at Wat Arunrajvararam in Bangkok, serving as a hub for learning about Thailand's cultural world heritage. The exhibition presents information on the significance, history, conservation, and management of all five of Thailand's cultural heritage sites using modern display formats.

Rev. Chomphon Nitisao, assistant abbot of Wat Arunrajvararam, revealed that the learning center features four zones. Zone 1 explains what world heritage is, its types, criteria for consideration, and the world heritage map of Asia. Zone 2 displays a chronology of Buddhism, Thailand's world heritage sites, and the tentative list alongside important Asian heritage sites, featuring Thailand's five cultural world heritage locations (Ban Chiang, Phimai, Sukhothai, and Ayutthaya) and a timeline of Asian Buddhist heritage. Zone 3 highlights Wat Arunrajvararam's prang and its outstanding universal value, authenticity, and integrity compared to similar world heritage sites. Zone 4 covers world heritage and dharma heritage management practices by the sangha, including Buddhist learning activities in heritage areas such as Ayutthaya and other temples.