PHUKET: Phuket authorities have launched yet another investigation into brown seawater off Patong Beach, with officials again suggesting a phytoplankton bloom may be responsible despite longstanding concerns over wastewater entering the bay.

A 13-member family in Chai Nat province is appealing for the restoration of their state welfare benefits after being disqualified due to a system error showing them owning three motorcycles, even though they sold one more than 20 years ago. The Ministry of Finance has announced results of the 2025 state welfare program eligibility verification, allowing those denied to request a review by July 31, 2025, with corrections due by August 16, 2025, before final results are announced on September 21, 2025, and benefits resume October 1, 2025.

On July 21, 2025, a reporter visited a home in Khao Tha Phra Subdistrict, Muang District, Chai Nat, and met 48-year-old Somchit, who was stripped of her welfare benefits. She explained that her household of 13—seven adults and six children aged 3–17—lives together with many unemployed members, making survival difficult. She used to collect and sell garbage from a landfill, earning 500–600 baht per sale, but after the landfill closed permanently, she switched to construction work. Now she collects garbage from neighborhood bins, accumulating it over 6–7 days to sell for only 300–400 baht, often borrowing money from neighbors to cover expenses. She received the 300-baht monthly state welfare benefit since the program began, which was vital to her family's survival. However, the 2025 eligibility check found her disqualified because the system listed her owning three motorcycles, exceeding the program's asset limits.

Somchit confirmed that one of those three motorcycles was sold over 20 years ago, but the buyer never transferred ownership, leaving her name still registered with the Chai Nat Provincial Transportation Office, inflating her vehicle count above the program's threshold. "I feel hopeless, disappointed, heartbroken, and very stressed," she said. "That 300 baht a month matters so much to us—it buys rice to feed the children. My partner earns the main income but it's still not enough, and we have many children. Without that help, life becomes very difficult."

Although the state opened a window for appeals, Somchit admitted feeling discouraged and unwilling to apply, knowing she still appears to own three motorcycles in the system and fearing rejection. She pleaded with relevant agencies to review her case fairly, noting her family is genuinely poor and the motorcycles are only work vehicles. If she regains her welfare benefits, it would ease her burden and help her buy food and care for her family during periods of irregular income and high living costs.

Thai swimmers took home a total of seven gold medals, 21 silver and 19 bronze at the 2026 Asian Age Group Championships held at the Thai National Sports Authority pool in Huamark on July 21, the final day of competition. Thanawit Tossakul, secretary-general of the Thai Aquatic Sports Association, said the Thai diving team performed exceptionally well at this Asian Age Group event, particularly standouts Ariya Suwannapong and Lilly Prathip. However, it was regrettable that these two athletes were ineligible for the 2026 Asian Games because they did not compete in the most recent Southeast Asian Games, though both have confirmed their participation in the upcoming Malaysian SEA Games.

With strong competition from China and Japan in swimming, the event was challenging for Thailand, yet Thai swimmers in the 13-14 age group delivered impressive performances and won gold medals. Overall, the Thai youth swimming team this year competed only against the top-tier Asian programs and performed commendably. When compared with other Southeast Asian nations, they are competitive, and Thai youth statistics are even stronger.

"Sky Kingpoyam, who broke Chulamnak Rathpong Sirisaannont's 32-year-old record, did something excellent. You can see he has a good physique, determination and focus. He trains in England and is believed to be a key player for Thailand's swimming future," Thanawit said.

A highlight was Kittiphoom Pornpaisalwijit in the boys' 13-14 age group 50-meter breaststroke, who performed outstandingly, finishing with a one-lap technique in 29.76 seconds to win gold and set a new Thai national record in his age group.

Vachiranyan Thalavong claimed two silver medals in the 13-14 age group girls' category from the 50-meter freestyle in 26.59 seconds and 50-meter breaststroke in 32.48 seconds. Nattakrit Leekitchakanon, a 2026 Youth Olympic athlete, won silver in the 50-meter breaststroke, 17-18 age group girls in 32.10 seconds. Tithirat Charoenthap won silver in the 1,500-meter freestyle, 17-18 age group girls, and the team closed with a mixed 4x100-meter medley relay silver in 4:05.94.

In summary, the Thai youth swimming team earned seven gold medals, 21 silver medals and 19 bronze medals.

Deputy Police Commissioner attends Bangkok drug prevention ceremony and receives commendation plaques.

On July 21, Police General Siam Boonsom delegated Police Lieutenant General Theeradet Thammasudhee, Deputy Police Commissioner and Assistant Director of the Anti-Drug Operations Center, to attend the Bangkok United Against Drugs festival organized by the Bangkok Health Office and Narcotics Control Board. The award ceremony was presided over by Dr. Leelakphat Leelareungsang, Bangkok Deputy Governor, at the Prince Palace Hotel's Ratchapol Ballroom in Pom Prap Sattru Phai District. Attending officials included representatives from Region 6 headquarters and various anti-drug divisions.

Police stations receiving commendation plaques for outstanding prevention achievements in fiscal year 2568 ranked as follows: first place Ratsadornburana Police Station, second place Phra Khanong Police Station, and third place Makkasan Police Station. For suppression achievements: first place Phetchkasem Police Station, second place Minburi Police Station, and third place Makkasan Police Station. Approximately 400 representatives from partner agencies attended the event.

The Bangkok Health Office and Narcotics Control Board organized the drug prevention and problem-solving project in Bangkok under the direction of the Bangkok Deputy Governor, aiming to develop knowledge, experience, and approaches to addressing Bangkok's drug problems. The ceremony featured various activities and presented commendation plaques to organizations demonstrating outstanding performance in drug prevention and suppression efforts during fiscal year 2568.

On July 21, 2026, the Community Network for the Land Bank (KNTH), led by Bunbangorn Chanacho, submitted a formal complaint to the Prime Minister's office, joined by representatives from agricultural and community enterprises across Tak, Chiang Rai, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Ratchasima, and other provinces. The delegation requested that the government sustain and support the Land Bank Administration (public organization), or TBB, citing its critical role in addressing land inequality and poverty.

The petition follows a previous cabinet resolution setting September 30, 2026, as the Land Bank's dissolution date, which has sparked concern among farmers and vulnerable communities who depend on its land allocation and housing assistance programs affecting hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries nationwide. Representatives highlighted that the Land Bank has successfully distributed over 416 rai of farmland to 108 farming households in Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai, enabling sustainable agriculture and household income generation.

The network has urged the government and cabinet to maintain and strengthen the Land Bank's mandate as the primary agency supporting impoverished citizens lacking agricultural land, ensuring long-term food security, fair resource distribution, and stable livelihoods for farmers across Thailand.

Police arrested the suspects at 7 p.m. on July 21, 2025, at Lam Luk Ka Police Station in Pathum Thani. The 18-year-old, identified by the alias "A," was apprehended under a court warrant, along with the 16-year-old youth. The shooting occurred early on July 20 at an intersection near Wat Don Yai in Lam Luk Ka. The victim and a friend were returning home on a motorcycle after refueling when the two suspects, riding on another motorcycle, opened fire. A 9-millimeter pistol was used, striking the victim once in the right eyebrow and once in the hip, proving fatal.

Investigators determined the attack was motivated by a conflict that began ten days earlier. The 18-year-old claims he was assaulted and mob-attacked, prompting him to purchase the firearm online for 15,000 baht. Police revealed the suspect has a prior arrest record from May 7, 2023, on weapons charges when he was a minor. That investigation had led to the seizure of over 10 firearms. Authorities will coordinate with interdisciplinary teams to investigate the 16-year-old suspect before pressing charges of premeditated murder, unauthorized possession of firearms and ammunition, carrying firearms in public without authorization, and related violations.