Rescue teams have recovered one body from the fishing vessel Chok Kanya, which capsized at sea 3 nautical miles off Koh Kood after losing contact on June 28. Four crew members remain missing. Underwater search divers inspected the sunken vessel at 25 meters depth in normal visibility and current conditions, finding the captain's cabin door slightly ajar with no signs of disturbance inside, personal items in their normal places, and the crew quarters door wide open with a phone charger still plugged in and bedding neatly arranged. Five life jackets and two gas cylinders were found on the upper deck. Based on the undisturbed condition of belongings and the life jackets left behind, rescue teams will analyze the evidence to plan expanded search operations in a wider radius. At 1:27 p.m., volunteers recovered a male body washed ashore on Koh Kood beach in Trat province. Family members confirmed the deceased is Thit Yim, a 47-year-old Cambodian crew member from the Chok Kanya. Sea and beach search operations are ongoing.

On July 17, a male customer became agitated at a porridge shop on Ban Kaset Road in Khon Kaen municipality and hurled a bowl of noodles before sweeping condiments and containers onto the floor, alarming the owner, staff, and other customers. Security footage revealed that after the man walked back to his car, he returned because he had left his car keys on the table, then swept more items to the ground a second time, sending glass shards that struck a female customer who had just entered—though she was not seriously injured. He then drove away.

Shop owner Wisawachit, 35, posted a warning saying the incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. when three men came to order food. One appeared intoxicated, repeatedly changing his mind about what to eat. Staff politely invited him to wait at a table while his food was prepared, but he misunderstood this as being thrown out and became angry, using foul language before causing the disturbance. The owner said he submitted CCTV footage to investigators at Khon Kaen City Police Station to proceed with charges due to concern for staff and customer safety.

Employee Thipsuda, 61, explained that the intoxicated customer stood at the counter for a long time, changing orders multiple times between noodle soup, noodle stir-fry, and instant ramen. Staff politely told him they understood his order and invited him to sit and wait while his food was prepared. The customer misunderstood this as being asked to leave and became upset, repeatedly complaining he was being kicked out despite the staff not responding. When the customer's companion paid the bill, he threw a 1,000-baht note at the employee's hand and said, "Take it, and don't treat other customers like this again." The man then lifted his food bowl and dumped it on the floor, swept containers and condiments across the ground, and walked back to his car.

Realizing he had left his keys at the table, he returned, grabbed them, and swept the remaining items onto the floor again before getting in his car, staring out the window briefly, and driving away. Staff believed he was intoxicated. Thipsuda added that all employees were shocked and frightened because they did not know if the man was armed. The second sweep of condiments sent glass fragments that hit an incoming female customer, who fortunately was not seriously hurt and did not press charges. The shop owner is handling the case with police. Staff remain fearful that the man might return, and believe he may be a past customer based on his statement.

Witthayakorn Maninetr, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, revealed that southern Thailand's 2025 durian harvest reached approximately 752,000 tons, a 30% increase from the previous year. Currently, about 35% or 260,000 tons have reached market, leaving 490,000 tons to be managed in coming months.

Southern durian prices have fallen due to multiple factors: China's market slowdown, increased domestic fruit availability in China, competition from rival exporters, and durian shipments from other Thai growing regions like Uttaradit, Sisaket, and Nakhon Ratchasima. A critical issue is quality: some batches shipped to China proved underripe, causing Chinese buyers to pause orders. The ministry emphasizes quality control from orchard to export, particularly the starch content standard of 32%, noting that fruit harvested at 34-36% starch reaches consumers in better condition and commands higher prices. Major production areas in the south include Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Yala, with Chumphon alone producing over 300,000 tons.

The Commerce Ministry plans to manage and absorb approximately 300,000 tons of southern fruit including durian, mangosteen, rambutan, and longkong. Previous forward-purchase contracts covered over 3,700 tons, with live-commerce and promotional activities targeting 9,000 tons. Distribution will extend through fresh markets, wholesale centers, modern retail chains, and local shops nationwide, aiming to move over 200,000 tons. The ministry coordinated with Talad Morakot, a major wholesale market, to encourage mid-size and small retailers to buy durian directly.

For lower-quality fruit damaged by heavy rain, poor care, or surface defects, the ministry partnered with large cold-storage facilities and processing plants to absorb at least 15,000 tons of whole fruit or 5,000 tons of pulp. Externally blemished but internally sound durian will be promoted for consumption and processing, encouraging consumers to prioritize internal quality over appearance. The ministry is also organizing promotional events for southern durian targeting tourists and buyers from the Middle East and Central Asia, with visits planned to Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces for product trials.

The Media Development Fund unveiled the semi-documentary short film "BUAKAW THE SERIES: Dust, Sweat And Glory" on July 17, 2025, at Rattana Bundit University, in partnership with the Banchamek Foundation, Thailand's Tourism Authority (TAT), the Thai Boxing Commission, the Thai Amateur Muay Thai Association, the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA), and the university. The film tells the life story of Lieutenant Colonel Samart Banchamek, known as Buakaw, one of the world's greatest Muay Thai boxers, aiming to inspire audiences by showcasing values of determination, discipline, perseverance, and self-development while promoting Muay Thai as Thailand's cultural heritage and international soft power.

Dr. Thanakorn Srisiksai, manager of the Media Development Fund, explained that the film uses creative media to transmit inspiration and convey lessons about discipline, determination, resilience, and never giving up through the real-life story of a role model, enabling youth and citizens to apply these principles in their own lives while raising awareness of Muay Thai's significance. Buakaw Banchamek himself participated in the project, sharing his experiences from childhood through training, overcoming obstacles, and becoming a world champion. He expressed excitement and gratitude for the filmmakers' efforts in capturing his personal journey, explaining that every step toward victory required immense patience and perseverance.

Buakaw noted that he also served as an assistant director and guide in conveying his authentic story, with the film drawing partly from his real experiences and partly from the director's creative interpretation. The production is not limited to Thai language; it has been translated into multiple languages to reach international audiences. Director Isara Nadi stated that the film will allow viewers to experience Buakaw's struggles, determination, and inspiration under the theme "Every success begins with small steps that never stop moving." The project comprises six episodes of 25 minutes each, documenting Buakaw's journey from his first steps in boxing to becoming a world champion.

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.