The Tourism Authority of Thailand's Nakhon Sawan office invites locals and visitors to participate in "The Legend of Phichit: The Return of the Crocodile Princess," an experiential event celebrating the mysterious Tham Thong Cha La Wan, a legendary tale of the crocodile princess in Phichit's river basin. The festival will be held July 4-5, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Suan Somdej Phra Sirindhon (Siri Kitti Garden) in Bung Si Fai, Phichit province.

This event elevates Phichit's cultural heritage and local identity through creative tourism experiences designed to attract visitors. Participants will enjoy highlighted activities that transport visitors back through time into the heart of the legend through atmospheric recreations of the mysterious golden cave. The program features spectacular light, sound, and color shows that will bring the legend to life, along with adventure activities exploring the cave, food stalls, contemporary music performances, cultural shows, and chances to win prizes at various booths.

Attendees are invited to help uncover the mystery, trace the story of the crocodile princess, and experience Phichit's charm from an exciting new perspective. For more details and updates, follow the Tourism Authority of Thailand Nakhon Sawan-Phichit office on Facebook.

The Meteorological Department forecasts increased rainfall across Thailand over the next 24 hours, with heavy downpours expected in some Eastern and Western Gulf regions due to a monsoon trough shifting southward through the Upper North and Northeast, combined with strengthening Southwest monsoon winds over the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. The public is warned of dangers from heavy to very heavy rainfall and accumulated precipitation that may trigger flash floods and flash landslides, particularly in foothill areas near waterways and low-lying regions. Northern waters see 2-3 meter waves, exceeding 3 meters during thunderstorms. The lower Andaman Sea and upper Gulf experience approximately 2-meter waves, exceeding 2 meters during storms. Mariners are urged to navigate with caution and avoid thunderstorm areas, while small vessels in the upper Andaman Sea should remain ashore. A depression in the Central South China Sea is intensifying and expected to move toward Hainan Island and southern China between July 4-6, with no direct impact on Thai weather. Regional forecasts show 60-80% thunderstorm coverage across northern, northeastern, central, eastern, and southern regions with temperatures ranging from 23-26°C lows to 31-36°C highs, and Southwest winds at 10-35 km/h depending on region.

Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira has confirmed his dismissal from Nottingham Forest of the English Premier League, acknowledging his surprise at the sudden ending and the club's failure to provide advance warning. Pereira took charge of Forest mid-season in February on an 18-month contract, before leading the team to secure Premier League survival and reach the UEFA Europa League semi-finals. However, the club is now preparing to appoint Austrian manager Oliver Glasner as the new head coach, with Pereira's contract containing a clause allowing early termination. In his statement, Pereira said: "Today marks the end of my time as head coach of Nottingham Forest. While this decision was unexpected and came without prior notice, I respect the club's right to make what they believe is best. Of course, I am disappointed and sad. I remain confident in what we were building together, and I leave with pride. We guaranteed Premier League survival, reached the Europa League semi-finals, and created moments I will remember forever."

Thailand's Ministry of Defense is organizing the country's first defense industry exhibition, THAIDEF-EX 2026, uniting government, private sector, and researchers to drive the defense industry toward sustainable self-reliance.

The opening ceremony for THAILAND Defence Industry Exhibition 2026 is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. at the multipurpose building of the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense in the Sri Saman area. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will preside, accompanied by the deputy prime minister, defense minister, relevant cabinet members, senior government officials, military commanders, the national police commissioner, entrepreneurs, and defense industry network representatives.

This inaugural Thai defense industry exhibition operates under the concept "Power of Self Reliance" to strengthen Thailand's defense sector in line with government policy on national security and economic development. The initiative promotes Thai entrepreneurs, supports research and technology, and fosters collaboration between government, private, and educational sectors to build genuine self-sufficiency and national competitiveness.

Beyond showcasing defense industry capabilities, the event serves as a mechanism for driving future economic and industrial growth. It provides researchers, technology developers, and Thai entrepreneurs opportunities to commercialize innovations, create economic value, generate employment, and enhance national competitiveness.

Running from July 8-10, 2026, the exhibition will feature defense industry products and innovations from government and private agencies, along with keynote speeches, expert seminars, technology demonstrations, business matching sessions, and networking activities for knowledge exchange.

The Ministry of Defense believes THAIDEF-EX 2026 represents a crucial step in mobilizing all sectors to strengthen Thailand's defense industry sustainably while balancing security, technology, and economic development toward long-term self-reliance and national interest protection.

The Ministry of Interior has announced a reduction in land transfer and mortgage registration fees to 0.01 percent to help citizens purchase homes and boost the real estate sector through June 30, 2025. Deputy Interior Minister Palpeer Suvannavee signed two ministerial announcements dated June 30, 2024, covering registration fees for residential and commercial properties under the Land Code, as well as condominium units under the Condominium Act.

The measure aims to ease the burden on citizens seeking to own homes and promote real estate transactions that benefit the national economy. The reduced 0.01 percent fee applies to transfers and mortgages of single houses, duplexes, townhouses, or commercial buildings, or land with such structures, with purchase prices and property valuations not exceeding 7 million baht and mortgage amounts not exceeding 7 million baht. The same 0.01 percent rate applies to condominium unit transfers and mortgages meeting the same financial criteria.

Income tax withholding, specific business tax, and stamp duty remain subject to rates set by law. The measure applies to Thai nationals and takes effect from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, following Royal Gazette publication. The Land Department is prepared to serve citizens utilizing this measure to support home ownership and stimulate real estate activity, thereby maintaining economic stability and supporting the broader real estate sector and related businesses.

Additional information is available from Land Department offices nationwide or the department's hotline at 0 2141 5555.

At least four people died in a disaster after millions of Mexican football fans gathered in downtown Mexico City to celebrate their national team's World Cup 2026 performance. Mexico advanced past the round of 32 with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador on June 30, marking the team's first knockout-round win in 40 years. Reports indicate that millions of Mexican fans flooded the streets of Mexico City in celebration, but the event spiraled into chaos as crowds became dangerously congested, leading to people falling and trampling one another. The Mexico City health authorities initially confirmed three deaths: a 44-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman who died at the scene from asphyxiation, and a 48-year-old woman who died at a hospital, also from asphyxiation. A fourth death was later reported—a 30-year-old man who was hospitalized with severe seizures and gastrointestinal bleeding. Despite medical efforts to save him, he died. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the attorney general's office would investigate the incident and authorities would assess whether any safety measure changes were necessary before Mexico's Round of 16 match against England.