Prime Minister Anuthon Chanyungwong declared that anyone involved in the local civil service examination cheating scandal will face full legal consequences, regardless of their seniority or party affiliation. Speaking at Government House on July 14, 2569, Anuthon confirmed that police have arrested three suspects—Sergeant Phichit, Dr. Win Thanapochraphokhin, and Sataporn Thanapochraphokhin—in connection with a large-scale corruption scheme affecting local government civil service recruitment exams. Preliminary investigations are underway and prosecution proceedings will follow.

After discovering that one of the accused had previously served as part of a minister's staff, Anuthon announced stricter vetting procedures for all future appointments to principal, deputy, or advisory positions. He pledged that senior cabinet members will conduct comprehensive background checks, stating that no one currently flagged had problems at the time of their appointment.

When asked whether even party leaders would face consequences, Anuthon reaffirmed: "Absolutely. If anyone from the party is involved, no one is exempt. Whether it is me or anyone else, they must be handled according to the law and prosecuted."

Concerning the screening of ministerial advisors and staff, Anuthon noted that conduct checks are ongoing, but emphasized that past political allegiances and personal favors will not protect anyone. "This is not a place to repay debts of gratitude," he stated bluntly. "Anyone can become a minister because the people elected them. Past favors should be set aside. I will not be indebted to anyone, and no minister can appoint someone out of obligation or gratitude. It is absurd to reach the rank of minister and then staff a team with 20 to 30 advisors."

When asked if he is concerned the scandal might implicate him, Anuthon acknowledged his worry, questioning why ministers even need extensive advisory teams if such arrangements enable corruption.

Mongkol Kitti, chairman of the Bangkok Flies group and founder of the Kaokham Party, posted a statement defending an individual against criticism that he impersonated an official while dressed in full military uniform, giving media interviews and following Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during a beer warehouse fire in Lat Phrao, despite not being a government employee.

Kitti praised candidate Chitpong Kattapong, running for Bangkok district representative with his group, for helping disaster victims and responding to the Lat Phrao warehouse fire from 11:47 p.m. on July 12 to 4:15 a.m. on July 13, 2569.

Kitti explained that Kattapong kept him informed throughout the incident via his secretary, but because Kitti was ill and taking sleeping medication, he did not visit the scene that night, arriving the following morning instead. His secretary authorized Kattapong to provide full assistance on the ground. Kitti stated that Kattapong reported to him from start to finish, and he called on the public to recognize Kattapong as an exemplary citizen.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul rejected calls to resign over the Lat Phrao beer bar fire during a 1 p.m. statement on July 14, 2025, at the Government House, instead announcing plans to review and revise entertainment zoning regulations. He acknowledged that enforcement has been strict but noted repeated violations occur because operators intentionally break rules to maximize profit, adding that the affected venue's license has been seized and cannot operate again.

Anutin said zoning rules in Bangkok are the responsibility of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and police, and that only two properly designated nightlife zones exist in the capital—one at Khao San and one at RCA. He expressed frustration with contradictions in current entertainment law, questioning why live music must stop at midnight while karaoke is permitted, or why dancing is forbidden but patrons can sit and listen to music. He also pointed out the illogic of distance-based restrictions from schools and temples, noting that nearly every location in Bangkok falls within two kilometers of a temple.

When asked whether he would resign given 30 deaths from the fire, Anutin dismissed the question as emotionally driven and unprofessional, saying officials must act with integrity. He emphasized that times have changed and the government must balance Thai traditions and culture with economic reality, as artists and entertainers depend on their work to earn a living. Anutin reiterated that recurring violations stem from operators' deliberate disregard for regulations, not lack of enforcement, and said relevant agencies must submit revised proposals to better align the law with modern circumstances.

Park Hang Seo, the new head coach of Phlang Kanchana FC, has earned widespread appreciation from the team's players after contributing $1,000 of his own money to the team's common fund for shared expenses. The common fund typically accumulates through fines levied on players for lateness, unexcused training absences, tardiness, yellow cards, and red cards. These funds are traditionally used for activities that bring the team together, such as coffee breaks, monthly parties, birthday gifts, and similar social occasions. Club president Dr. Prawat Kitthammakoolnit announced the contribution on his personal Facebook page, expressing admiration for Coach Park's action. He noted that while the common fund normally relies on player fines, Park's personal contribution of $1,000—not 1,000 baht but 1,000 US dollars—exemplified genuine leadership.

Since July 11, Tropical Storm Baroui has unleashed heavy rainfall across Trat Province, affecting multiple areas. The Huai Raeng Reservoir in Ban Chumpol subdistrict, Bo Rai district—which holds a capacity of 36.80 million cubic meters—has now overflowed its spillway. The upstream catchment area received more than 100 millimeters of cumulative rainfall in 24 hours, causing floodwaters to surge down Huai Raeng canal, breaching the spillway by 0.8 meters, or 102 percent. These waters will flow into the Trat River before emptying into the Gulf of Thailand. Additionally, floodwaters have rapidly passed through the Wang Thong and Chang Toon weirs, raising water levels in Satoer canal to 8.45 meters and overtopping embankments by 45 centimeters, with flooding already reported in some areas. Trat Province recorded the second-highest cumulative rainfall nationwide at 155.4 millimeters over 24 hours.

Muang Trat District Officer Krienngkai Pannyapongthon identified two critical risk zones: inflows from Sarasiset Reservoir (Khao Rakhum) potentially entering the city, and floodwaters in the Trat River fed from upstream districts Bo Rai and Khao Saming. To prepare and manage the flood, authorities have conducted continuous surveys and inspections and deployed new water management techniques. The Sarasiset Reservoir, which formerly had only one outflow into town, now has a second outlet directing water to the sea and Trat River through irrigation channels toward Cape Takkaw, significantly reducing water entering the city. The district officer noted that dredging operations within the city from the Three-Way Large Canal junction to the Trat River bridge have been completed, improving water flow efficiency. These combined measures will substantially reduce flood risk in Muang Trat.

As of this morning, Trat Province's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reported the latest impact: damage across three districts totaling 98 destroyed houses and one capsized fishing boat. Local government organizations are coordinating rescue efforts, clearing obstacles, and maintaining 24-hour surveillance. Muang Trat District suffered 63 damaged houses across eight subdistricts, with Wang Krachae subdistrict hit hardest at 26 houses. The Sukhumvit Road experienced flooding at two points but has since cleared, though water pumps remain operational. Huai Raeng subdistrict recorded 23 damaged houses, with canal water levels rising slightly but not yet overtopping. Other affected subdistricts include Chamrak (4 houses), Tha Prik (3), Takang (3), Noen Thai (2), Laem Klat (1), and Tha Kum (1), with additional impacts in Nong Samet, Nong Khanthorn, and Nong Sone subdistricts.

CHONBURI — Moo Deng, the globally beloved pygmy hippopotamus at Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo, has joined the pre-match excitement by predicting that France and England will meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.

The prediction event was held on 14 July at the zoo's hippopotamus exhibit in Si Racha district, Chon Buri province, ahead of the World Cup semi-finals.

Narongwit Chodchoy, director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, and the animal keepers prepared fruit platters carved with the names and decorated with the national flags of the four semi-finalists — France, Spain, England and Argentina — allowing Moo Deng to make her selections.

For the first semi-final between France and Spain, Moo Deng headed straight to the fruit platter representing France, drawing cheers from tourists gathered to watch the event.

She then chose England's fruit platter over Argentina's in the second semi-final prediction, forecasting a France-England showdown in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.

Narongwit said the activity was organised to entertain visitors while also promoting animal enrichment. Using fruit as dietary enrichment encourages the animals to move, exercise, reduce stress and display natural behaviours while receiving an appropriate diet.

The zoo stressed that Moo Deng's prediction activity was organised solely for entertainment and public relations purposes, regardless of whether her predictions prove correct, and was not intended to promote or encourage gambling, which is illegal in Thailand.