PHUKET — 11 July 2026, Two British tourists narrowly survived after getting into difficulty while swimming at Nai Thon Beach in Phuket, despite red-flag warnings indicating dangerous sea conditions.

Police said the incident occurred at about 12:20 on Friday, when lifeguards stationed at Nai Thon Beach in Sakhu subdistrict, Thalang district, spotted the two men struggling in the rough surf and immediately launched a rescue.

The tourists were pulled from the water unconscious and brought ashore, where lifeguards administered first aid until both men regained consciousness.

They were later identified as Preston, 34, and Scott, 40, both British nationals.

Emergency responders from the Sakhu Subdistrict Administrative Organisation transported the pair to Thalang Hospital for further treatment.

Hospital officials later confirmed that both tourists were in stable condition and remained under close medical observation.

Authorities urged visitors to exercise extreme caution when swimming during the monsoon season, when strong waves and dangerous currents are common. They also reminded beachgoers to obey lifeguards' instructions and strictly observe red-flag warnings, which indicate that entering the water is unsafe.

Getting ready to welcome their first child, actress Minnie Panditthakorn and young billionaire businessman Hiso Sarawuth Sererathongkul have opened up about their pregnancy journey following their luxurious wedding ceremony on May 17, 2025.

While promoting the film "Muay Deva: High Stakes" at M Studio on Ratchayothin Avenue, Minnie expressed her excitement about becoming a mother. "I'm very excited. I originally wanted to have the moment of bringing my child to the wedding, but it came too late," she shared. "But being called 'mom' feels like it will be a bigger change. My friends told me, 'You're a mom now, you need to slow down.' I'm about three months pregnant now. Honestly, I'm tired, but I've always gotten tired easily anyway."

Speaking about her lifestyle changes, Minnie noted that while she's usually very active, she's now been restricted from riding motorcycles and has switched to driving a car instead.

Regarding her husband's reaction, she said he's over the moon about becoming a father. "He really wanted to have a child and was ready. It's another chapter in our lives," Minnie explained. "He's someone who gives me a lot of freedom. He supports whatever I want to do." She added that she plans to continue working and will even bring the baby to work with her.

On the pregnancy itself, Minnie revealed she's been craving many different foods and has already gained about five kilograms. "I know the baby's gender and Hiso's family knows, but I haven't told anyone else. We want to do a baby shower guessing game," she said.

The actress also confirmed that both she and her husband were aware they might have had to wait longer to conceive, noting that they started trying before their wedding. "My husband takes great care of me now. He's even more attentive since learning about the pregnancy."

At 10:24 a.m. on July 11, 2025, Mae Taeng Police received a report of a pickup truck colliding with a motorcycle on a rural road near Phudin House, Mule 9, Mae Hob Phra subdistrict, Mae Taeng district, Chiang Mai. Police and Mae Hob Phra Subdistrict rescue units rushed to the scene.

Two victims were found at the accident site. A 12-year-old girl sustained a deformed right leg with open wounds and was quickly transported to Mae Taeng Hospital. The second victim, a 64-year-old woman, suffered severe injuries with her right foot severed. The severed foot was thrown onto a nearby house roof. She was rushed to the hospital but died shortly after arrival.

At the scene, authorities found an overturned motorcycle with collision marks on the road and a pickup truck that had veered off the road in front of a house. The pickup truck driver, a resident of Lampun province, remained at the scene and was questioned by police. He was taken into custody pending further investigation into the cause of the accident.

A large fig tree collapsed onto the Naga Bridge at Kham Chanod Island around 3:30 a.m. on July 9, causing nearly 4 meters of damage to the sacred structure that serves as the main pathway to the shrine of Sri Suthod and Sri Prathum. The incident occurred at night, which fortunately prevented major disruptions. The collapse is believed to have been caused by severe weather conditions with strong winds or heavy rainfall, combined with the weight of the ancient tree in the Kham Chanod forest.

Lottery enthusiasts visiting the sacred site spotted lucky numbers appearing at various locations: figures 42, 24, 49, 94 visible on the tree trunk; numbers 73, 37 from candle wax at the altar table; and what they considered particularly auspicious numbers 450, 054 from the incense sticks. At a lottery vendor near Kham Chanod Island, an elderly woman seeking to purchase ticket 944—the last digits of a pickup truck involved in a fatal accident with a monk—found that number sold out, settling instead for ticket 244, the only remaining option.

On July 11, Prompong Nopruedee, former spokesman for the Pheu Thai Party, characterized the travel by former Prime Ministers Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck Shinawatra, and Paetongtarn Shinawatra to meet senior leaders in Southeast Asia as an important opportunity for Thailand in the face of intensifying global economic competition.

While acknowledging that some groups view the mission with suspicion and disagreement—a normal occurrence in a democracy—Prompong argued that such political discord should not overshadow opportunities to generate income, create jobs, and improve citizens' living standards.

Prompong clarified that the mission is conducted on a personal basis and does not represent government or party operations, nor is it a political power measurement or a vehicle for hidden interests. He noted that although the three former premiers hold no official positions, their concern for the nation and its people makes it commendable if they bring ideas that could benefit the country through coordination efforts.

He emphasized that in today's rapidly changing world of innovation and modern economics, Thailand should capitalize on every beneficial opportunity—whether from the government, private sector, or Thai nationals with foreign networks—to open markets, attract investment, build confidence, and expand economic cooperation.

"Former prime ministers should be viewed as quasi-economic envoys of the private sector, helping create opportunities to earn foreign revenue," Prompong said. "Political conflict and biased blame only erode progress. We should focus on the end goal: economic opportunities, job growth, and improved people's incomes."

Prompong called on the government to swiftly translate these opportunities into concrete results across trade, investment, exports, tourism, and modern economic development, while simultaneously upgrading agriculture, SMEs, community enterprises, and Thai labor to enhance competitiveness and distribute income broadly.

"Thailand must convert every opportunity into commerce, every cooperation into investment, and every beneficial connection into people's income," he concluded. "The nation's success is meaningful only when people have jobs, earn more, entrepreneurs access new markets, farmers sell well, and Thailand's economy grows alongside improved quality of life for all Thais."