The Entertainment Critics Club announced the 34th Thailand's Best Film Awards on July 16 at the Army Club with the theme "Make It Happen," aiming to propel Thai cinema onto the Asian stage. The film Phee Chai Dai dominated the awards, taking home the best film trophy. Director Ratchaphumi Bunyabanchachok won best director and best new filmmaker for the same film. Earn Fatima (Fatima Dechawalikit) won best female lead for Flatgirl: Levels Between Us, while Jin Jetsadee Watthanasein took best male lead for The Stone Prince. Two new award categories were introduced this year—Best Asian Film and Best Asian Animated Film—to encourage regional industry exchange and boost Thai cinema's international recognition. Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Thanit Jitnukul and Adirek Wattlila. The ceremony was presided over by Chotika Akkakich, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture.

Deputy Police Chief Pallop Aarmla held an emergency meeting with senior officers including Region 3 Commander Prasong Anmani, Chalongkrung Station Commander Thanakorn Ngamyen, and other investigators to track progress in the case of a gunman who fatally shot a Meenburi Polytechnic College student in Chalongkrung Police Station's area. Investigation and examining officers reported detailed case updates during the meeting.

Comprehensive investigative guidelines were established to analyze all information, identify connections between events, trace the sequence of circumstances before and after the incident, and examine potential conflicts and motives. Investigators were instructed to urgently review CCTV footage from the crime scene and surrounding areas, including the suspect's escape route, and cross-reference findings with other witness evidence for maximum clarity. Integration between investigation and examination units was emphasized to ensure thorough and swift evidence collection.

Deputy Police Chief Pallop ordered all relevant units to conduct a full-scale investigation using all available legal measures and technology to track and apprehend the suspect, with continuous progress reports to ensure swift prosecution.

Following the government lottery draw on July 16, the first prize winning number was announced as 639214. A lucky winner from Buriram province claimed the first prize of 6 million baht. Reporters confirmed the winner was 71-year-old Nueay from Ban Dan district, Buriram province, who was surrounded by family and neighbors who came to congratulate him and take commemorative photos.

Nueay explained that he originally intended to buy a ticket ending in 15 from a local shop, but that number had already sold out. He decided instead to purchase a ticket ending in 14, buying just one. When the lottery results were announced, he could hardly believe his eyes—his ticket matched the first prize. With his 6 million baht in winnings, he plans to pay off debts, make merit through religious donations, build a new house, and set aside funds for his retirement. After years of consistent charitable work and dreaming of this moment, his determination has finally been rewarded with this major stroke of luck.

On July 16, 2025, at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, Special Case Investigation Bureau officers brought Ms. Mallika Maakslud, executive and director of QRS Education Limited (the Thai operator of QRS Global), before the court on charges of fraud in foreign exchange trading. She was held in custody and subsequently applied for bail with collateral, but the court rejected her request. The court found that the charges carry severe penalties, involve substantial damages, and reflect organized criminal activity with divided responsibilities. Considering the gravity of the offense and its wide-ranging economic impact, along with concerns she might flee or tamper with evidence, the court denied her release pending further investigation. Mallika was transferred to Central Women's Prison.

At 5:07 p.m. on July 16, 2026, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen received Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal (sister of King Charles III of the United Kingdom), and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, her husband, at Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall in Dusit Palace during their official visit to Thailand.

Following the reception at 5:58 p.m., the royal couple granted an audience to Buddhist monks and various dignitaries who presented offerings, including:

– Venerable Thep Watchardhamma (Sila Sirijon), abbot of Wat Phra That Muen Hin in Kalasin Province, and members of the sangha, who presented Buddha images and auspicious items on the occasion of His Majesty's birthday on July 28, 2026.

– Venerable Thep Wachirwithayanusin (Wrah Punnyavaro), abbot of Wat Pho Thong in Bangkok, and other dignitaries, who presented Buddha images and carved elephant tusks with wooden bases.

– Venerable Prom Wachirodom (Suthat Worathasee), abbot of Wat Molilokyaram in Bangkok, along with monks and individuals, who presented Buddha images, auspicious items, and gifts.

– Mom Rajawongse Chiyakorn Abhakorn, chairman of the Abhakorn Royal Family Foundation, presenting a seated Buddha image and commemorative coins marking the centennial of Admiral Prince Chumporn's death, along with special stamps, historical books, and traditional medicine texts.

– Surasak Pansangcholapkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, presenting sports honors awards to Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of her support for Thai sailing athletes who won gold medals at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in 2026 in the Keelboat SSL47 category and achieved runner-up status in the IRC Zero sailing competition.

BANGKOK — 15 July 2026, Firefighters in Bangkok rescued an overweight cat that became stranded in a high place and was unable to climb down on its own, in an incident that amused social media users.

The rescue took place on 15 July in Charoen Krung Soi 44 in Bang Rak district after officers from the Bang Rak Fire and Rescue Station responded to a report of a cat trapped above ground.

Firefighters safely retrieved the cat and brought it back to the ground without injury.

The Bang Rak Fire and Rescue Station described the call-out simply as involving "a fat cat afraid of heights", a remark that quickly drew light-hearted reactions online. Many social media users joked that while the cat had managed to climb up without difficulty, it became too frightened to make its way back down.

The incident also highlighted the role of Bangkok's firefighters, who respond not only to emergencies involving people but also assist animals in distress. The rescue was completed safely, and the cat was returned unharmed.