On July 15, a naval task force unit in Chanthaburi and military ranger patrol team 541 conducted surveillance operations in Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi province. Officers spotted three suspicious individuals—two men and one woman—carrying bags and walking through a local longan orchard near Pong Nam Ron canal, prompting an inspection.

One suspect, 36-year-old Nophrat, confessed to being a guide hired by a Cambodian broker to help two Thai nationals illegally cross the border through a natural waterway in the Pong Nam Ron canal area. He was to receive 1,000 baht per person.

The other two detainees, 28-year-old Theerawat and 31-year-old Inchuar, admitted they had been working as administrators managing an online gambling website in Poipet, Cambodia, since early January, earning 13,000–15,000 baht monthly. They paid 6,000 baht each to the smuggler to return to Thailand because Cambodia has intensified its crackdown on scammers and illegal gambling operations, and they were alarmed by rumors of escalating border conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia. All three were referred to Pong Nam Ron police station for legal proceedings.

A nursing assistant's mother expressed deep concern three days after her daughter's death in the Ladprao beer hall fire that she has received no contact from the establishment's owners—not even an apology. The family has had to borrow 50,000 baht to cover funeral expenses, leaving them without their main breadwinner.

On July 15, 2026, reporters visited the home in Kokklang subdistrict, Lamphaiyamash district, Buriram province, where a merit-making ceremony was being held for Ms. Maneeratna Bomkhlang (nicknamed Jib), 38, a nursing assistant at a private Bangkok hospital and one of the victims of the Ladprao beer hall fire. Colleagues, acquaintances, relatives, and well-wishers have been steadily visiting to pay respects and offer support.

Her mother, Mayuree Bomkhlang, remains in deep mourning, unable to accept the loss of her beloved daughter. The family has scheduled chanting through the evening of July 17 and the funeral ceremony on Saturday, July 18 at Kokklang Temple. Sak Sarum, a parliamentary representative from Buriram's District 6, visited to offer condolences and present initial funeral assistance on behalf of the government.

Mayuree stated that since her daughter's death and the return of her body for the merit-making ceremony three days ago, no representative from the beer hall's owners has come to express condolences, apologize, or contact her about compensation. Not even a sympathy wreath has arrived. Although the bar owner's lawyer announced plans to provide 10,000 baht per victim for initial funeral expenses, no one has made contact.

She explained that her daughter was the family's main provider, supporting her parents and two younger siblings. The family has borrowed 50,000 baht, partly from her son-in-law, to cover funeral costs. She hopes that if compensation is received, it will help repay debts. However, she fears her daughter will receive no compensation, similar to victims from the two previous entertainment venue fires. She appealed to the bar owners to show compassion and help the bereaved families.

Nayoff, the husband of Ms. Maneeratna, stated that since his wife's death, no one from the bar has contacted them, apologized, or expressed condolences. He believes the establishment must have multiple owners who should take responsibility. He is concerned they will not receive compensation, as happened with victims of the two previous fires. He called on relevant government agencies to act as mediators in pressing the bar owners to take responsibility, noting that even the promised 10,000 baht funeral assistance has not been delivered. He also suggested that the bar's 40-million-baht fire insurance, which covers structure and property, should be used to compensate the deceased and injured. He urged the government to ensure justice for victims, as families alone lack the power to pursue such matters.

The Halal Institute at Prince of Songkhla University announced on July 15, 2025, that it is ready to host World HAPEX 2026, an international halal exhibition and academic conference scheduled for July 30 to August 2, 2026, at the university's 60th Anniversary International Convention Center. Under the theme "Halal Wellness and Innovation," the event aims to drive Thailand's halal industry forward through knowledge, research, innovation, and international partnerships.

Assistant Professor Dr. Niwat Kaewpradeep, the university's rector, presided over the announcement, joined by Assistant Professor Dr. Asman Tae-ali, director of the Halal Institute, and representatives from the southern border administration center, Songkhla provincial administration, and the provincial Islamic committee. Together, they pledged to promote Thailand's halal industry to the global market.

Dr. Niwat stated that Prince of Songkhla University is proud to be a driving force behind World HAPEX 2026, reflecting the university's role as a higher education institution advancing halal research, knowledge, and innovation while serving as a platform connecting researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, investors, and partners from Thailand and abroad to develop the Thai halal industry's competitiveness at the international level.

The rector further explained that World HAPEX 2026 is more than just a trade fair—it is a forum for knowledge exchange, translating research into innovation, building cooperative networks, and creating business and investment opportunities that will significantly contribute to sustainable economic development in the southern border provinces and Thailand as a whole.

Assistant Professor Dr. Asman Tae-ali noted that World HAPEX, now in its 15th year, aims to integrate academic knowledge, research, innovation, trade, and halal investment to promote Thai entrepreneurs' potential, connect them with international partners, and elevate Thai halal products and services to international recognition standards.

This year's event is expected to attract over 20,000 participants from 12 countries, including business owners, investors, academics, and halal experts, with more than 224 exhibition booths. During the four-day event, activities will include an international academic conference on "Halal Wellness and Innovation," the World HAPEX Leaders Roundtable 2026, memoranda of understanding (MOU) signing ceremonies, business matching sessions, the Halal Signature Drink Challenge 2026, Muslimah Day activities, and a halal public speaking competition to create business opportunities and expand international collaboration networks.

Representatives from the southern border administration center, Songkhla provincial administration, and the provincial Islamic committee also pledged their full support for the event to position Songkhla and the southern region as Thailand's halal economic hub and enhance Thai entrepreneurs' competitiveness in global markets.

PHETCHABURI — Archaeologists are preparing to lift a soil block weighing more than one tonne to safely remove the skulls of four ancient human skeletons, estimated to be 1,500–2,000 years old, from the Don Yai Thong archaeological site in Phetchaburi province.

The operation is being carried out by archaeologists from the Fine Arts Office 1 in Ratchaburi, working with conservation scientists from the Office of National Museums under the Fine Arts Department.

Reporters visited the excavation site at Ban Don Phlap, Moo 6, Samo Phlue subdistrict, Ban Lat district, on 15 July 2026, where excavations have continued since early July.

The site has already yielded four bronze drums, animal jawbones believed to belong to cattle or buffalo, and ancient human skeletons. On 2 July 2026, archaeologists also uncovered two gold rings. One bears a Brahmi inscription reading "Pusarakhitasa," meaning "one protected by the auspicious Pushya star."

According to Dr Uthen Wongsathit of Silpakorn University's Faculty of Archaeology, a specialist in ancient languages, the inscription is believed to date from the 5th–7th Buddhist centuries, or approximately 1,900–2,100 years ago.

The latest phase of the excavation focuses on Skeletons 1–4, whose skulls remain in the ground beneath ancient bronze ornaments covering the cranium. Other skeletal parts, including the torso, arms and legs, were removed earlier.

To prevent the fragile remains from breaking apart, the team is excavating around the skulls to create a rectangular soil block about 40–50 centimetres deep. Polyurethane (PU) foam is being applied on all four sides to stabilise the soil.

Workers are also digging beneath the block to insert a precast concrete slab, which will support the base before additional PU foam is injected underneath. Once reinforced, the entire soil block, together with the concrete base, will be lifted intact.

Archaeologists estimate the combined weight of the soil block and supporting slab at just over one tonne.

The work has proven particularly challenging because the first group of skeletons lies close to another burial containing Skeletons 5–8. Muddy ground conditions and groundwater continually seeping into the excavation pit have further complicated the delicate operation.

Transport Deputy Minister Pattrapong Pattraprasit is pushing to establish direct flight routes from China and Europe to Surat Thani Airport to boost tourism to Samui Island while developing seamless air and ground transportation systems. Pattrapong chaired a meeting with Suparerk Tongsuk, president of the Samui Tourism Promotion Association, and working groups to plan new international routes and improve baggage handling services for travelers. The key discussion centered on direct flight routes from China and Europe to Surat Thani Airport, targeting visitors from these regions to reduce congestion at major airports and distribute travel more evenly across the region. The initiative also includes seamless baggage transport systems. Efforts are underway to coordinate between airlines and private companies so passengers can clear customs and collect luggage at the port rather than the airport, with services extending to hotel delivery or final destinations, creating convenience and satisfaction for travelers. This coordination will enhance the travel experience, increase visitor numbers to Samui and surrounding areas, establish new tourism logistics standards, and create integrated air and ground transportation links. Pattrapong noted that direct international flights to Surat Thani Airport and seamless baggage systems will significantly boost revenue for the airport, Surat Thani province, and neighboring areas. He has instructed the airport authority to coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure convenient, efficient, and seamless travel for the public.