BANGKOK: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has hailed a 9-year-old Phuket student after he claimed two world coding titles and was ranked No.1 globally at an international competition in Italy.
BANGKOK: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has hailed a 9-year-old Phuket student after he claimed two world coding titles and was ranked No.1 globally at an international competition in Italy.
A charity concert featuring artist Sek Loso raised 80,000 baht for musical instruments and sports equipment at Wat Bang Poon School in Pathum Thani on July 18, 2025. The event, organized by restaurant owner Chalongkan Rungsangyakorn, aimed
A popular Pathum Thani restaurant, Somwang Gai Yang, hosted a charity concert featuring artist Sek Loso to fundraise for musical instruments and sports equipment for Wat Bang Poon School students. On July 18, 2025, the restaurant organized the charity concert after learning that many children at the school love playing music but lack adequate instruments because the school's equipment is damaged and insufficient, along with inadequate sports gear. The concert aimed to generate funds to help students acquire musical instruments and sports equipment for learning and practice.
The event was filled with enjoyable activity as community members came together to support the children, providing them access to musical instruments and sports equipment to use their free time productively and stay away from drug use.
The event also included an auction of charcoal artwork by artist Eed Footbat, a musician and visual artist who created a portrait of Sek Loso. The auction attracted enthusiastic bidding from attendees.
Suphorn Gosaletcottum, owner of the restaurant Kruaruaymit in the Talat Thai area of Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani, won the artwork auction at 25,000 baht and donated an additional 10,000 baht to support the school. In total, the fundraising campaign collected 80,000 baht, which the school principal received in person.
Chalongkan Rungsangyakorn, owner of Somwang Gai Yang, revealed that he learned about the school's needs from the principal and decided to organize the charity concert to mobilize community support. "After learning that some of the school's musical instruments were damaged and insufficient for students interested in music and arts, I wanted to contribute by helping provide music equipment so students can develop their musical abilities and use their free time productively, engaging in meaningful activities away from drug use," he explained.
An 85-year-old woman collecting plastic bottles from the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya fell from her boat and went missing on July 18; rescue teams found only her empty boat filled with bottles but suspended the underwater search without f
An 85-year-old woman who regularly collected plastic bottles from the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya went missing on July 18, 2025. Officials from the Ayutthaya United Association at Chot Chang reported that the elderly woman fell from her boat and disappeared in the river at Ratchakram subdistrict, Bang Thai district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province while collecting plastic bottles. Water rescue teams were immediately dispatched to search.
When they arrived, they found only an orange fiberglass boat floating near the riverbank. The boat was nearly full of plastic bottles and bags she had collected, but the 85-year-old woman was nowhere to be found. Rescue teams coordinated with the Chao Phraya diving team and Ayutthaya rescue units to conduct simultaneous surface and underwater searches, expanding the search area along the river current from afternoon until dusk. However, they found no body and temporarily suspended the search pending further planning.
The fish raft owner reported that the elderly woman was a familiar figure in the community, earning a living by collecting scrap items and plastic bottles from the river daily. He last saw her paddling her boat around noon as usual. When he left to refuel his boat and returned ten minutes later, he found only her empty boat floating on the river. Authorities believe she fell into the water, possibly losing consciousness due to the intense heat and losing her balance. Though her family often warned her about the danger due to their concerns, she would regularly paddle out to collect bottles whenever no one was home, until this tragic incident occurred.
Metropolitan Police arrested two drug couriers in Samut Sakhon on July 18 after intercepting a pickup truck carrying 600,000 methamphetamine pills destined from Saraburi.
Metropolitan Police Division 1 tracked a methamphetamine trafficking gang moving 600,000 pills from Saraburi to Samut Sakhon. Officers set up an interception operation and spotted two couriers, who then fled in a pickup truck but ultimately could not escape. At 6:30 p.m. on July 18, 2025, Police Lieutenant Colonel Worasak Pisitbannakorn, Commander of Division 1, authorized an arrest operation led by officers including Sublieutenant Natthaprakan Luangluksami and others. They arrested Chawwlit, 28, and Nisittrakaan, 28, along with 600,000 methamphetamine pills in a construction yard on Chumchon Pattana 1 Road, Phanthayanusinghe Subdistrict, Muang District, Samut Sakhon. The arrest followed intelligence that a trafficking network from Saraburi was arranging a drug delivery in the area. When officers approached the suspects for inspection, both attempted to flee, abandoning their vehicle and running to a nearby construction yard before being apprehended. Initial questioning revealed the two were paid 15,000 baht each to deliver the drugs. Police will continue their investigation and expand charges accordingly. The suspects and drugs have been handed over to prosecutors for legal proceedings.
A 32-year-old sound engineer from Nakhon Phanom with 60% burns from a bar fire is now communicating at Lopburi Hospital, but his wife pleads for the bar owner to provide support after the business has ignored them completely.
On July 18, 2025, at Phranangklao Hospital in Lopburi, Deputy Hospital Director Dr. Worawat Kaewwichian and Dr. Sakorn Nanthapakaporn, a plastic surgery specialist, revealed the condition of Benz Thipmonee, a 32-year-old sound engineer from Nakhon Phanom who worked at a beer bar in the Ladprao area. He was one of the injured from the fire, having been transferred from Paolo Hospital and treated under the gold card health insurance scheme. With 60 percent of his body burned, he is receiving treatment in the ICU.
Dr. Worawat explained that Phranangklao Hospital has equipment and facilities equivalent to those in Bangkok hospitals. Transferring patients to Lopburi for treatment was a wise decision to avoid concentrating too many severely injured patients in one facility, which would overwhelm medical resources and personnel. Psychiatric support has also been arranged for family members. The injured patient can now communicate and respond to questions from doctors. Medical expenses are covered entirely by the gold card scheme.
Dr. Sakorn stated that close monitoring is ongoing, with burn care materials supported by the Red Cross. He asked the family to have confidence in the hospital's capabilities and coordination with central medical teams. The patient remains in critical condition, with doctors providing their best efforts. The burns affected the patient's airway, necessitating a breathing tube with nutritional support, alongside wound care to prevent infection.
Meanwhile, Prapakarn, 31, the patient's wife, tearfully shared that she is somewhat relieved by the good care. Her husband is showing signs of response and can communicate. His kidney function has improved and he can urinate on his own, though bowel management still requires medical care. He is the only infection-free patient in the ward, and she is allowed to visit both morning and evening to give him strength. Her husband responds with his eyes, which clearly show his relief.
"My husband worked at the beer bar for more than three years as a trusted sound engineer. After the accident, I tried contacting the bar owners multiple times through their page, but never received a single reply—no lawyers, no staff, or partners asked about his condition, treatment location, or compensation. They abandoned us completely. I had to quit my job to care for my husband and our two children, ages 7-8, and rent a temporary home to save money."
Prapakarn also shared a glimmer of hope: "Foundation for Good Deeds," led by Bumpen Pannadda Wongphudee and Khot, donated diapers and provided an initial assistance of 20,000 baht for accommodation, food, and other expenses during her husband's treatment in Lopburi. She expressed gratitude to rescue workers, Paolo Hospital, and Phranangklao Hospital for their excellent care.
"I want to appeal to the beer bar to show kindness to those who lost everything. My husband provided great value when he worked there. When misfortune strikes, they should care for us too. Don't abandon us to face this alone."
Thai esports team Bacon Time defeated Vietnam's FPT Polytechnic 4-3 in a thrilling best-of-seven series to advance to the APL 2026 RoV Championship finals in Da Nang.
Thai esports team Bacon Time has successfully advanced to the grand finals of the international RoV championship at the APL 2026 tournament in Vietnam. The Arena of Valor Premier League (APL 2026) esports competition took place on July 18 at Tian Son Stadium in Da Nang, Vietnam, in the Lower Bracket Final between Thailand's Bacon Time and Vietnam's favorite FPT Polytechnic. In the Best of 7 series, FPT Polytechnic opened strong with the first game, leading 1-0, but Bacon Time rallied with two consecutive wins to take a 2-1 lead. FPT Polytechnic then mounted their own comeback, winning two straight games to lead 3-2. Bacon Time fought back to tie the series at 3-3, forcing a decisive seventh game. In the final game, Bacon Time emerged victorious 4-3, securing their spot in the grand finals to face Deep Cross Gaming from Chinese Taipei on July 19.
Police identified skeletal remains found beneath a 155-year-old Bangkok temple as likely a wealthy female donor whose family buried her there following Buddhist tradition decades ago.
Police have identified the origin of a mysterious wooden coffin containing female remains discovered beneath the foundations of an ancient ordination hall at Wat Thatthong, a royal temple on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok. Investigators believe the deceased woman may have been a major donor who funded the construction of the hall; her descendants are suspected of burying her there after her death. On July 18, Lieutenant Colonel Chakrawut Don, an investigator from Klong Toei Police Station, responded to reports of skeletal remains found at the temple and led a team including forensic officers, a Chulalongkorn University medical examiner, and volunteers from a charitable foundation.
The 155-year-old Limpaphon ordination hall was undergoing restoration to raise its floor to three levels when workers encountered the coffin while jackhammering out the concrete foundation beneath the main altar. The deteriorated red wooden coffin contained female skeletal remains, preliminarily estimated to have been buried at least 50 years ago. The coffin also held a stainless steel tray and four 50-satang coins dated 2500 BE, which were collected as evidence.
When interviewed, Jetsada, a 21-year-old worker, explained that he discovered the red coffin while operating the hydraulic jacks used to lift the ordination hall and immediately notified authorities. Lieutenant Colonel Chakrawut stated that initial findings rule out murder, and the evidence suggests the deceased was likely a major donor to the temple who was buried beneath the main platform by her descendants in accordance with Buddhist tradition.
A 38-year-old beauty clinic manager in Bangkok was arrested for stealing 441,115 baht from customer payments over 16 months, confessing she pocketed cash that should have been deposited to the clinic's account.
On July 18, 2026, police arrested Ms. Sirinun, 38, at a housing estate in the Bangna district of Bangkok following an arrest warrant issued on July 15 by the Bangkok South Criminal Court on charges of theft of employer property.
The suspect began working as manager of the beauty clinic in early 2021, with responsibilities for operations, financial records, and management. The clinic's owners later discovered irregularities in revenue records. Upon investigation, they found that the suspect had been embezzling customer service and medicine payments since January 2022 through May 2023—a total of 238 instances causing damages of 441,115 baht. After collecting evidence, the clinic filed a complaint at Thung Mahamaek Police Station, and investigators obtained an arrest warrant.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed that when customers paid in cash, she was supposed to transfer all funds to the clinic's account but instead kept portions for personal use. She claimed she believed the small amounts would go unnoticed and continued the theft regularly. Following arrest, she was handed over to investigators at Thung Mahamaek Police Station for legal proceedings.
Thailand's broadcast regulator chief has been deemed legally disqualified by the NBTC selection committee, though formal removal requires royal approval and publication in the official gazette.
The NBTC selection committee unanimously voted 4-0 that Chairman Dr. Sorn Boonbaisairattana is disqualified under Section 8(2) of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Act, meaning he has forfeited his right to serve as an NBTC commissioner under Section 18 of the Act as amended in 2022. Suphinyha Klangngarom, a former NBTC commissioner and head of the Consumer Council's communications subcommittee, argued that while Dr. Sorn may be considered ineligible from a practical standpoint, his formal removal requires royal approval and publication in the Royal Gazette. She called on Dr. Sorn to immediately cease his duties and notify the NBTC office, similar to her own previous decision when facing disqualification. Klangngarom emphasized that while Dr. Sorn may contest the decision in administrative court, he should first step down to avoid operational and financial complications for the agency. She also stressed that proper government procedure requires official documentation submitted by a responsible agency to the Prime Minister for royal endorsement, and noted that five other NBTC board members are now watching how the situation unfolds.
The Medical Council will investigate a Ratchaburi private hospital after a 31-year-old man died following discharge despite complaining of chest pain and requesting heart examination. An investigation into whether the physician's diagnostic
The Medical Council is preparing to investigate a private hospital in Ratchaburi province following the death of a 31-year-old man whose wife, a teacher, posted online demanding accountability. The woman claims her husband complained of chest pain and heavy sweating and requested a heart examination, but was not examined before being discharged. He died shortly after, sparking public criticism.
On July 18, 2026, Associate Professor Dr. Methi Wongsirsuwan, committee member and assistant secretary of the Medical Council, expressed deep sympathy for the deceased's family. He clarified that the Medical Council is responsible only for examining physicians' professional standards, while the Health Services Support Department oversees hospital standards.
Dr. Methi said the key issue under investigation is whether the physician's medical judgment in diagnosis and treatment decisions met professional standards. However, currently only one side's information has been heard, so facts from all parties must be gathered before drawing conclusions. The investigation can begin in two ways: if the family files a complaint with the Medical Council, which triggers an ethics investigation, or if the secretary-general considers the case affects professional standards or public trust without a complaint being filed.
"If the family has not yet filed a complaint, the Medical Council will closely monitor the situation and may coordinate with relevant parties to gather facts. If the case has merit, it can be accepted for consideration," Dr. Methi said.
When asked about potential misconduct if the facts match media reports, Dr. Methi said the key issue is whether the physician's exercise of professional judgment was appropriate and met standards, as well as communication and advice given to the patient and family. Inappropriate language or behavior would also be investigated. However, the determination must be based on information from all parties—the family, treating physician, and hospital—to be fair to everyone, and cannot be decided solely on media reports.
Dr. Methi advised the public that if they believe treatment is inappropriate or doubt a physician's judgment, they should report it through the hospital's complaint channels, such as the hospital inspector or administrator, immediately so treatment can be reviewed while the patient is still in care, potentially preventing serious outcomes. He also urged physicians to exercise careful judgment and consult experienced colleagues if uncertain about diagnosis or treatment to ensure patients receive appropriate, professional-standard care.
A solar battery storage system malfunctioned and exploded in a Samut Prakan carport on July 18, triggering a house fire that injured the homeowner but was contained within 20 minutes.
Three loud explosions rattled the carport before flames engulfed the house, and the owner ran for safety. Firefighters arrived and sprayed water to contain the blaze, which is believed to have started from a solar battery storage system malfunction. At 2 p.m. on July 18, 2025, Muang Samut Prakan police received a report of a residential fire in Soi Mangkol Khandee, Praksai Nai subdistrict, in Samut Prakan province. They coordinated with Praksai Nai municipal firefighters, who dispatched two fire trucks to battle the flames.
The scene was a two-story house with smoke and flames pouring from the ground-floor carport area. Fire spread up to the carport roof and into the lower floor of the house. The homeowner suffered minor injuries but managed to evacuate with two dogs. Firefighters used two water jets and took about 20 minutes to bring the fire under control.
The homeowner reported hearing three successive explosions from the carport—where solar battery storage was installed—before seeing intense flames and immediately fleeing to call for help. Neighbors and nearby residents confirmed hearing sounds similar to battery explosions multiple times before the fire ignited in the carport and rapidly spread into the house. They suspect the cause to be a short-circuit in the solar battery storage system, and officials will conduct further investigation to determine the exact cause.