The Foundation for the Promotion of Arts and Crafts under the patronage of Queen Sirikit will present a khon performance of the Ramakien, episode Sida, running from November 5 to December 10, 2026, at the Thailand Cultural Centre's main auditorium.

This year's casting drew an extraordinary response from talented young classical Thai dancers nationwide, with 1,135 applicants joining the selection process—a record-breaking turnout that reflects youth enthusiasm for khon and commitment to preserving this national art form in honor of Queen Sirikit's royal vision.

The audition atmosphere was energetic throughout, with passionate young performers from across Thailand showcasing their skills across categories including male khon, demon khon, and monkey khon on July 4, as well as male drama and female drama roles on July 5 at Srinakharinwirot University's Faculty of Fine Arts in Nakhon Pathom. A panel of distinguished experts, including National Artist Suppchai Chansuwannakul and other renowned specialists, conducted rigorous judging all day.

Of the 357 selected performers, each will receive intensive training from master choreographers to develop the precise, elegant movements required for this prestigious stage production. Selection criteria evaluated fundamental dance ability, quick problem-solving during performance, character-specific skills, and physical suitability for each role.

Auditions included basic movement forms, solo pieces with accompaniment, and improvised choreography to character prompts, allowing participants to demonstrate their full range of talent. Results will be announced July 10 on the Srinakharinwirot University website (www.bpi.ac.th). Ticket sales for the Ramakien, episode Sida, open August 12, 2026. For details, contact the Khon Performance Facebook page.

Students and staff from a prominent Bangkok high school filed a formal complaint on July 12, 2569 with Akkarapop Luang Prasert, founder of the Sai Mai Must Survive advocacy page, against a teacher accused of sexual misconduct. The teacher, described as LGBTQ, is alleged to have engaged in indecent behavior and touched the genitals of multiple students and teaching staff, causing some victims to suffer from depression and suicidal ideation.

One student representative disclosed that the harassment began in Grade 10, describing incidents of thigh touching and attempted genital contact that forced him to relocate to the back of the classroom out of fear. He later discovered that nearly 20 other students from various classrooms had experienced similar treatment. Victims remained silent due to intimidation and concerns about academic consequences. Records also indicate the teacher exhibited identical behavior at a previous school, prompting a complaint and transfer.

Another student reported being locked in a classroom by the teacher and subjected to inappropriate sexual conversation and touching. When the matter was reported to school administrators, the complaint went unaddressed with no clear accountability measures taken.

A parent whose son, under the accused teacher's care, was subjected to attempted pants removal, reported that the child now suffers severe depression with suicidal thoughts and cannot attend classes normally. Although the school offered financial assistance of 10,000 baht, the parent views this as hush money that contradicts their son's deteriorating mental state.

Akkarapop Luang Prasert announced plans to guide parents and students through formal legal proceedings with age-appropriate questioning protocols. He will coordinate with the Office of the Basic Education Commission and the Ministry of Education's Safety Center to expedite factual investigation. He called for the teacher's immediate suspension pending investigation and stated that anyone assisting in covering up the allegations must also face prosecution. He emphasized that schools must be safe spaces and pledged close monitoring of the case.

On July 12, 2569, Deputy Police General Pattanasak Bupphasu, commander of the Crime Suppression Division, ordered officers to apprehend an 18-year-old suspect identified as Mr. A (alias) under arrest warrants from Maha Sarakham Provincial Court (No. 755/2569) and Nong Bua Lamphu Provincial Court (No. 119/2569) for nighttime theft. The suspect was arrested in Soi Phloen Chit 69/7, Bang Khen District, Bangkok, and a red-and-black Yamaha XMAX 300 motorcycle was seized as evidence.

The case began in late June when a motorcycle owner reported the theft of a Yamaha XMAX 300 from a dormitory in Maha Sarakham on June 25, 2569. Police gathered evidence and obtained arrest warrants. After learning the suspect had fled to Bangkok, Crime Suppression Division officers tracked and located him in the Bang Khen area.

During interrogation, Mr. A admitted to being a vocational student facing severe illegal debt and creditor pressure. He confessed to stealing two motorcycles in Nong Bua Lamphu within two days to raise money for debt repayment. After learning of police pursuit, he fled to Maha Sarakham and stole the third motorcycle to use as transportation to escape to Bangkok, where he was ultimately apprehended. The suspect has been transferred to Maha Sarakham Police Station for further legal proceedings.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its most critical phase with only four matches remaining—the semifinals, third-place playoff, and final—to determine which nation will claim football's ultimate prize. JAS (Jasmine International), exclusive Thai broadcaster of FIFA World Cup 2026, has partnered with MONO, operator of the Monomax platform, to deliver comprehensive final-stage coverage. Thai football fans can watch all four historic matches free on MONOMAX SPORTS TV channel 29, while Monomax members enjoy premium Full HD streaming on multiple devices with no interruptions. This free-to-air offering ensures nationwide access to the world's greatest sporting event while bridging the gap between traditional television and streaming platforms.

Semifinal Schedule: • Wednesday, July 15, 02:00 – France vs. Spain • Thursday, July 16, 02:00 – England vs. Argentina

Third-Place Playoff: • Sunday, July 19, 04:00

Final: • Monday, July 20, 02:00

The 2026 World Cup Final will make history with the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup Final, to be held at New York-New Jersey Stadium. The unprecedented spectacle will feature global superstars including Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and BTS performing live under the direction of Coldplay's Chris Martin. This 11-minute performance will transform the championship match into more than just a title decider—it will unite football, music, and world-class entertainment on a single stage, broadcasting unity to viewers worldwide.

Thai fans are invited to witness the championship match—expected to draw the highest viewership of World Cup 2026 and rank among the most-watched sporting events globally. Watch all four historic final matches free across Thailand on MONOMAX SPORTS TV channel 29, or enjoy premium Full HD streaming via the Monomax app. As the World Cup concludes, the football season for Thai fans continues: this August, follow the English Premier League in full with a Sports Premium subscription for just 5,999 baht annually, featuring the new season plus extensive global sports coverage.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva presented a critical analysis of the Land Bridge project during a parliamentary seminar held at Buri Sri Phu Hotel in Hat Yai on July 12, 2026, under the theme "Clear Southern Skies: Reviving Economy, Building Security, Improving Quality of Life."

Abhisit distinguished between the Land Bridge project and the party's alternative proposal, Southern Connect. He explained that the Land Bridge was designed primarily to create a new shipping route between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand for foreign vessels. However, Abhisit expressed concern that the massive infrastructure project was based on unproven assumptions about user demand.

Citing studies by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTPP), Abhisit argued the Land Bridge is not economically justified. "The time and cost savings are minimal," he stated, "because cargo must be loaded and unloaded multiple times, and the actual distance saved is very small."

Abhisit compared the project unfavorably to the Suez and Panama Canals, which save shipping companies weeks and months of travel time. "Ours only saves days or hours at best," he noted.

He cautioned that even industrial development—such as heavy industry or petrochemical facilities—would require asking whether the southern region should bear the costs. He also raised environmental and safety concerns about large vessels operating in Andaman tourist areas.

As an alternative, Abhisit proposed the Southern Connect plan: a comprehensive infrastructure network combining dual-track rail systems, electrical rail networks, and port developments that would link Thailand and Malaysia while benefiting southern residents. The system would connect with Malaysian and Singaporean rail networks and potentially integrate ports at Ranong and Ta Thap in Songkhla province.

"Southern Connect offers diverse land and rail infrastructure that connects both regions with potentially lower investment than Land Bridge, while better serving southern communities and facilitating the transport of local goods," Abhisit concluded.

At 9:15 a.m. on July 12, 2569, the opposition political parties coordination committee in the House of Representatives held a forum marking two years since the Senate selection, addressing outstanding issues. The event included analysis of voting slip manipulation and ballots, review of vote-counting procedures, and presentation of evidence in Senate rigging cases involving alleged coordination and hiring. Four witnesses from rigging cases in Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lamphu, and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces testified alongside academics and experts including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prinyah Thevaniramit from Thammasat University Law Faculty, former Election Commission official Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, and Democrat Party leader Pristh Vatcharasindhu.

Pristh opened the forum analyzing Senate selection slip-making procedures, distributing sample ballots to demonstrate how the rigging scheme operated following coordination and hiring agreements. He emphasized the case's significance for Thailand's political future, noting that if allegations prove true, those entering state power through rigged Senate selection would likely abuse their authority over legislation, constitutional amendments, and independent agencies. He also highlighted how the 2560 Constitution enables systematic Senate rigging that weakens oversight mechanisms.

Four provincial witnesses then described the coordination process. The first witness reported a Pathum Thani hotel reservation where people were lodged and fed, with a prominent party member allegedly instructing recruiters to bring as many people as possible, offering compensation and covering travel costs. The witness stated voting results exactly matched predetermined voting slips with no changes. This witness also reported being told about coordinating the next election, with a new generation party group seeking cooperation to become a core government coalition party while controlling independent organizations.

The second witness, from tourism and hotel sectors who passed provincial screening, said he was approached after scoring highest in his group. A current senator allegedly tried recruiting him to a meeting at a Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya hotel with the prominent party group and organizers, though he left early before committing.