On July 20, residents of Khlong 8 in Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani province, shared video clips of large crocodiles measuring more than 2 meters long appearing in the canal near Phuetchanya Temple, causing significant panic in the area. A 49-year-old traditional massage therapist stationed at a floating massage clinic in the irrigation canal witnessed the first crocodile between 2 and 2:30 p.m. Initially it appeared to be a log, but closer observation revealed the animal's nose, eyes, and mouth at water level before it sank—a behavior distinct from logs which drift with the current. The first crocodile measured approximately 1.5 to 2 meters, while a smaller second specimen of about 1 meter emerged near the floating clinic, roughly 3 meters away.

The witness distinguished the animals from fish by their natural crocodile behavior of surfacing only the top of the head to breathe, with eyes and nostrils visible while the body remains submerged. He immediately warned residents to avoid entering the water and avoid areas near the canal pending further verification. Pattama Puranasurang, a staff member at the temple, noted unusual fish behavior before the sighting—the fish refused to eat their regular pellet food and huddled on one side of the canal, even though monks later provided 4-5 sacks of fish food. She also recalled seeing a suspicious object floating about a week earlier when water levels were higher. The crocodile sighting has alarmed local water spinach gatherers, who have temporarily halted harvesting for safety, and residents remain anxious despite most not having witnessed the crocodiles themselves.

A Nida Poll survey on illegal foreign activity reveals that most Thai citizens view money laundering and illegal business investment as the most dangerous forms of foreign crime, followed by nominee land ownership, shell businesses operated for foreigners, fraudulent Thai citizenship schemes, and currency manipulation. These activities directly harm Thailand's economy by siphoning capital from the system and allowing revenue to leak abroad. Many ordinary Thais have witnessed such conduct firsthand—from money laundering to nominee schemes, large foreign settlements, and illegal occupations—showing these are real problems across the country, not merely media stories. The survey identified government corruption as the leading factor enabling foreign crimes, cited by over 67 percent of respondents, with weak penalties, legal gaps, political corruption, and official neglect also playing major roles. This reveals the problem is rooted in internal structural weaknesses, not foreigners alone. While Thailand needs foreign investment, tourists, and skilled labor to drive its economy, these must be coupled with strict and fair law enforcement. Legitimate businesses should be promoted while lawbreakers face prosecution without exception. The government must urgently plug identified loopholes by combating official corruption, modernizing laws for transnational crime, increasing penalties for nominee schemes and money laundering, creating transparent oversight, and enforcing laws fairly. Failure to act risks undermining investor confidence, damaging Thai entrepreneurs, and causing long-term economic harm. The time has come for serious government action to prevent Thailand from becoming a safe haven for criminals and to protect Thai citizens' interests and the nation's future economy.

Presenters Jeff Satur and Mean Nichanun led celebrations at the national championship finals of the 'est COLA 3×3 Basketball U-League 2026,' where male and female champions were crowned to advance to international competition. The event at Mega Bangna shopping center included performances by Gen Z artists such as Jackie Chakrin, Aston Ratiphat, and Mark Notharit, as well as a celebrity exhibition match featuring the presenters, entertainers, and national basketball players. Both presenters praised the competing teams for their dedication and passion, emphasizing that the 'est AWESOME PLAYGROUND' provides a platform for young people to showcase their skills and pursue what they love, whether or not they won the trophy.

An electrician has died after an electrical control room explosion at an NGV pump station in Chachoengsao caused a concrete wall to collapse on him. Pump staff reported detecting a burning smell and called in the electrician for inspection when, without warning, a sudden explosion occurred and the building's wall collapsed across the road. Officers and emergency responders rushed to the scene after receiving the alert at 3:30 p.m. on July 20, finding the electrical control room severely damaged with brick fragments scattered throughout the area. Upon inspection near the third pillar, rescuers discovered 40-year-old Santi pinned under the collapsed wall, crushed under up to two stories of concrete. He was already deceased when removed from the rubble. Subsequent searches found no additional victims. Authorities have determined that pump staff first detected a burning smell and summoned the electrician to inspect the electrical control room, but the explosion occurred while he was performing his duties. The exact cause of the blast remains under investigation by relevant officials.

Images of poor and struggling villagers, elderly citizens, and those living hand-to-mouth have flooded appeals for the 2025 state welfare card, or poor card, in a heartbreaking display. Faces full of desperation reflect their pleas for the government to relax requirements and allow them to qualify. Applicants must submit documentation proving their poverty. The Anuthin government has introduced numerous strict criteria and complex details for this year's poor card eligibility, citing the need for thorough verification to ensure aid reaches the truly poor. However, concerns abound about limited government budgets and whether funds will be exhausted. Registration results show 18.82 million applicants, with 9.51 million passing the criteria and over 9 million rejected—effectively cutting eligibility in half. Compared to the previous 13 million poor card holders, substantial numbers have lost their status, sparking widespread criticism of overly rigid rules, such as immediately disqualifying anyone listed as owning a car or motorcycle, despite many being over 20 years old or non-functional, or affecting struggling students. The government's verification process proved insufficiently detailed, lacked consistency, and failed to coordinate across relevant agencies, resulting in flawed implementation. Many citizens were unfairly excluded. Recently, however, the government agreed to review its decision, extending the appeal deadline to September 20, 2025, and will adjust rules to exempt vehicles over 20 years old and motorcycles over 15 years old, as well as restore benefits for all students in and out of the formal system. The hope is that the government will now plug these gaps and remedy the previous poor execution.