On July 12, 2569, Wat Suang Arom in Nakhon Pathom held a mass ordination ceremony presided over by Luang Pho Pae, with eighteen novices vowing to uphold Buddhist discipline and spread the teachings during their monastic practice. The ceremony included a procession around the ordination hall accompanied by traditional music and celebration before the novices entered the temple to be formally ordained as Buddhist monks.

After the ceremony concluded, villagers dispersed throughout the temple to seek blessings and lottery numbers from various sacred shrines, including statues of Phra Seua Phra Thong, Tao Thong Ngiw Rai, and others believed to grant good fortune. The golden-eyed shrine in particular was crowded with people drawing divination lots, shaking fortune sticks, and examining holy water droplets to divine lucky numbers. One 58-year-old woman from Bangkok Khun Thian brought her grandchild to receive blessings and drew numbers 416, 507, and 16 from various methods before heading to purchase lottery tickets, reporting that she had gained both merit from her grandson's ordination and lucky lottery numbers in one visit.

Justice Minister Rutthapol Nanwarat announced on July 13, 2025, that the National Drug Control Board and the Office of Narcotic Enforcement are intensifying efforts to track all drug-related cases, particularly the Airmina case. The Airports of Thailand (AOT) has upgraded inspection equipment and K9 units for international travelers and crew, while banning crew from side income through cargo smuggling and implementing random bag checks.

General Suriya Singhamoal, secretary of the National Drug Control Board, reported ongoing progress in heroin smuggling cases to Australia and cannabis cases to Australia and Taiwan, with arrests made across smuggling networks. In the Airmina case, Australian police have intensified operations and traced suspects to the source, though the alleged ringleader has fled abroad. The investigation remains incomplete, as higher-level orchestrators have not yet been identified, though authorities from the Royal Thai Police, the Drug Control Board, and the Special Investigation Department continue collaborating. Suriya warned that both professional couriers and students unknowingly become involved in international smuggling operations, which violates customs law with penalties up to 10 years imprisonment and fines based on cargo value.

Police at Si Khio Station in Nakhon Ratchasima received a report from villagers about skeletal remains discovered at the edge of Nong Kum village, Tambon Mitraphap, Si Khio District. Officers coordinated with rescue personnel and related agencies to investigate. The deceased was identified as Khane Gampolgrang, 45 years old, found in a desiccated state with only bones, clothing, and personal items remaining. Family members examined the scene and belongings, confirming the remains matched the man reported missing on June 30—approximately 10 days earlier. Authorities collected the body and transported it to Si Khio Hospital for detailed autopsy examination. The victim's relatives revealed they had conducted daily searches after Khane disappeared, as he regularly went fishing. Initially, they found only his motorcycle at the scene. Upon notification of skeletal remains in the area, they discovered his bag and belongings, confirming his death. Police will continue the investigation and await the autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death.

BANGKOK — 13 July 2026, Authorities have confirmed the identities of 10 people killed in a fire at a brewery near Lat Phrao Soi 1 in Chatuchak district, while efforts continue to identify 17 other victims.

The 10 confirmed victims were named: Aphinun Phengsri, Phitsanu Taengsopha, Suwitcha Sirisilung, Top Sarobol, Phonepaseut Pounqppany (a Lao national), Nipaporn Chaemchaeng, Atcharaporn Sutthisin, Kanokthip Srisuk, Nahathai Satcharaloet, and Apinya Sukthongla.

Authorities are still verifying the identities of the remaining 17 people killed in the blaze.

A total of 63 people were injured and taken to 16 hospitals across Bangkok. Of those, 22 were classified as seriously injured, 33 as moderately injured and eight as having minor injuries.

The injured were admitted to hospitals including Rama IX Hospital, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Police General Hospital, Paolo Kaset Hospital, Petchvej Hospital, Phyathai Phaholyothin Hospital, Ladprao General Hospital, Rajavithi Hospital, Vimut Hospital, and Ramathibodi Hospital.

The fire occurred at a brewery near Lat Phrao Soi 1 in Chom Phon subdistrict, Chatuchak district. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the blaze and confirm the identities of the victims.

PHUKET: Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee personally led raids on three Phuket hotels on Saturday (July 11), less than 24 hours after the deadline he had extended for operators to seek legalisation under a special government consultation programme expired.

On July 13 in Songkhla, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva discussed preparations for a no-confidence motion, noting that the party had used its 'Monitoring State' platform to audit government budget spending. He said no-confidence preparations are proceeding normally, and the opposition will consult with allied parties on corruption concerns and new issues related to government technology projects, particularly the 400-billion-baht energy transition loan, which he claims involves selective procurement practices that inflate state costs—especially in solar cell projects.

Abhisit stated that the party's monitoring platform reveals the same companies appearing repeatedly in various projects, restricting price competition and disadvantaging the state and public, ultimately enabling corruption. When asked whether the party had identified target ministers for the no-confidence debate, Abhisit said information on some ministers was still being gathered and conclusions had not yet been reached pending further opposition caucus discussion.

He emphasized that the party must maintain disciplined parliamentary performance with only 21 MPs while ensuring full transparency oversight of all policies. Abhisit also highlighted alternative proposals, such as reducing energy costs through excise tax cuts, which could eliminate the need for borrowed funds and achieve results within four months, as well as land bridge projects offering the same investment value with greater benefits for southern Thailand.