On July 7, the Surin Task Force's Lower Drug Suppression Unit, working with the Mekong River Peace Maintenance Patrol Unit, conducted an inspection at Vatchara Pier in Na Waeng Subdistrict, Khemarat District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, following intelligence reports of drug smuggling along the border. Officers conducting water patrols discovered eight suspicious sacks abandoned on the riverbank and brought their boat to shore for inspection. Inside the sacks, authorities found 193 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (ice), a Class 1 narcotic worth approximately 400 million baht. No suspects or individuals claiming ownership of the seized items were found at the scene. Authorities believe the smuggling network detected the police presence and abandoned the drugs to escape. All seized materials have been stored at the Khemarat Boat Station and transferred to investigators at Khemarat Police Station for legal proceedings.

PHUKET: Emirates has expanded its Phuket operations by launching a third daily service between Dubai and Phuket, increasing the airline’s schedule to 21 flights a week and introducing its Airbus A350 on the new route.

An arrest was made of a former agricultural officer who allegedly conspired with farmers to file false reports of rice field flooding in order to receive compensation under the farmer income guarantee program. On July 7, Phumiwisal Kaemsakul, secretary of the Anti-Corruption Commission, along with Narongwit Suwannsithi, director of the ACC's Region 6 office, ordered officers Somboorn Inthahtab and Awin Banjolard, along with investigator Wisut Saensamran, to arrest Sompon at his residence in Moo 6, Wang Bua subdistrict, Khlong Khlung district, in Kamphaengphet province, based on a court arrest warrant for fraud and corruption charges in Region 6. The suspect allegedly used his official position to convince multiple farmers to submit false statements and fabricated documents claiming they were rice field tenants eligible to receive aid from the rice farmer income protection program and had suffered damage from flooding. In his official role, the suspect accepted and certified false farmer registration documents and natural disaster relief program documents for 2010-2011, certifying that the farmers qualified to receive assistance. Although the suspect knew the certifications were fraudulent, he proceeded to collect money from the farmers. The suspect has been taken into custody and transferred to the Anti-Corruption Court for Region 6 for further legal proceedings.

Coach Ya Natthapond Srisamutnag, head coach of Thailand's national women's volleyball team for players under 18, achieved impressive results by defeating Japan 3-2 in sets to clinch third place at the Asian Championship and secure an Asia quota for the World Championship. However, following the tournament, the seasoned coach shocked everyone by announcing he will no longer coach any Thai national team regardless of age group, though he remains available for club-level work.

The Under-18 women's volleyball coach said: "I want to thank the athletes, coaching staff, and all parties who supported the team, as well as the schools—Suranaree, Bodindecha, Nakhonnom, Wangjanchan, and Sukhothai—whose cooperation gave us more training time. It's gratifying that all parties collaborated, and we achieved success by qualifying for the World Championship and reaching the podium as planned."

"In closing this announcement, I'm stepping back from all national teams. I'm considering my own situation and won't coach the national team in any division anymore, though there may be opportunities to see you all again if someone invites me to coach Thailand League."

"I want to tell fans, especially the keyboard coaches commenting on sports, that you won't see me in any national team anymore. I ask that the younger players on this team grow up and replace their seniors properly. I believe it's time for these seven champions to step up, and I've given them plenty of guidance already."

A shocking near-collision unfolded at the Khaotao Soi railway crossing in Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri Province, when a raised-cabin pickup truck tried to race through as the barrier was descending. The barrier came down on the truck's roof, trapping the vehicle dangerously close to the rails just as an oil tanker train approached at speed.

The train operator responded immediately, sounding the horn continuously and applying emergency brakes hard enough to lock the wheels and cause them to skid audibly across the tracks. Bystanders screamed in panic as the massive train bore down on the stalled truck. The train came to a halt only inches away, with a slight bump to the pickup's front bumper—an incredibly close call that could have been catastrophic.

After the video went viral on social media, many users condemned the driver's reckless decision to ignore safety signals, noting how the action endangered everyone involved. Authorities surveyed the site and installed additional warning signage to strengthen safety measures and prevent future attempts to cross during barrier closure.

According to Cha, 34, who recorded the video, the warning system and barrier were functioning normally when a foreign driver in the pickup accelerated through the closing barrier. The train operator documented the vehicle's details before continuing to Laem Chabang Port. The pickup driver fled the scene without reporting the incident. No injuries were reported.

A homegrown sensor network called Tower Light is transforming how Thailand's high-rise buildings detect seismic risk — and it's already proving its worth in the field. When a 3.3-magnitude earthqua...