Five days have passed with no sign of missing Russian siblings who disappeared with a Honda ADV 150 motorcycle early on July 26. Rescue officials at Suwangborirom Dharma Temple in Pattaya established a command center to receive public tips and mobilized over 100 rescue volunteers in the ongoing search, while two suspects remain uncaptured.

At 9:00 a.m. on July 31, rescue authorities opened a command center for assistance and tracking. Over 100 volunteer rescuers stood ready to deploy immediately upon receiving new information. Operation Chief Suthipong Boonmachai revealed the search had entered day three. Despite the lack of clear leads pinpointing the missing persons' location, all units continue searching suspected areas including wells, smoke clusters, and incompletely surveyed zones. A field kitchen was established to provide meals for all rescue personnel from government, police, media, and volunteer organizations.

Throughout the three days, Boonmachai noted that citizens have continuously reported tips. While no evidence has directly led to finding the missing persons, the information has provided clearer understanding of the suspects' behavior and enabled efficient targeting of search areas. Police urged the public to report any sightings of suspects or their vehicle, or any useful information to the command center near Chakang Cemetery.

Regarding the suspect manhunt, unconfirmed reports of Pong and Thang's capture were denied by officials. On July 30 at 1:08 p.m., officers detected suspect activity in Mueang District, Chanthabury, before they headed toward Sa Kaew Province. At approximately 1:00 a.m. on July 31 at Khao Lam checkpoint in Soi Dao District, Chanthaburi, while police and military manned a control point, a motorcycle arrived. The driver wore a helmet resembling a police helmet while the passenger wore a black shirt. They accelerated through the checkpoint and escaped before officers could intercept them.

Initial confirmation identified the two as Pong and Thang, the wanted suspects. A white plastic bag visible in CCTV footage, which they were carrying, allegedly contained police uniform-like clothing for their escape. This matter remains under investigation and further fact-checking.

Rueangdej Sirikij, director of the Testing Center for Education and Psychology at Srinakharinwirot University, surrendered to the Central Investigation Police Bureau (CIB) on July 31 to face interrogation as one of 13 suspects in a local civil service exam cheating case. According to investigators' reports, Dr. Aswin Chotipanang, an advisor at Kasetsart University, allegedly coordinated efforts to have Rueangdej obtain exam papers and answer files for local civil service candidates, which were then taken to a residence in Nonthaburi province to be altered. Rueangdej reportedly entered through the back of the CIB building to avoid media attention.

Police say they used evidence gathered during Rueangdej's previous interviews combined with other evidence from the charges. The interrogation is ongoing, and he is expected to be released without bail as he appeared voluntarily. Rueangdej faces seven charges: dereliction of duty, forgery of government documents, falsifying documents as a government officer, conspiracy to cause loss or damage to another person's documents, conspiracy to forge government documents, conspiracy to open sealed documents without authority, and conspiracy to enter false data into a computer system.

Three to four other suspects from the Nonthaburi residence appeared for interrogation the same day, while several others requested postponement. All face charges including fraud, violations of Section 188, and breaches of the Computer Crime Act.

BANGKOK: The government is moving to assist low-income applicants disqualified from the 2026 State Welfare Card programme after they were listed as company directors, shareholders or business partners despite claiming they have no actual ownership or involvement in those businesses.

Starting August 1, drivers with unpaid traffic citations will be unable to renew their vehicle tax registration or receive valid tax stickers until all fines are settled. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploaitale Laksameesangchan announced that the government is advancing road safety measures under the 2022-2027 Road Safety Master Plan, which aims to reduce traffic deaths to 12 per 100,000 people in line with UN guidelines. The National Police Office and the Department of Land Transport have signed an agreement to implement a new traffic citation system aligned with administrative court rulings to improve law enforcement efficiency.

The upgraded system will give the public clearer access to their citation details, including copies of the citation, warning letters, postal receipts, and officer information before payment. Starting August 1, after a citation is issued, officials will send formal warning notices. If unpaid within the specified period, the citation data will be linked to the Department of Land Transport. The entire process is expected to take approximately 60-90 days from the citation date. Citizens who discover unpaid traffic citations can check details and pay fines through the transport registry immediately. However, those with outstanding citations can pay annual vehicle tax but will not receive an official tax sticker until all fines are fully paid.

The Pracharacha Pol (KPI Poll) released survey results on July 31 showing that most Thais want the state welfare card program to continue, with 31.7% proposing increased spending limits to match living costs. The survey, conducted July 25-28 among 2,000 respondents nationwide aged 18 and above, found that 24.4% consider the vehicle ownership restriction the most problematic eligibility criterion, while 15.0% cite the annual income cap of 100,000 baht. However, 14.6% believe the overall criteria are clear and appropriate. More than half of respondents (53.1%) disagree with the reduced number of eligible recipients, fearing worthy individuals lose benefits, though 40.6% support it for better budget targeting. Regional opinions differ sharply—Bangkok residents approve the screening at 72.3%, while the Northeast disapproves at 68.7%. When asked about improvements, 27.7% want clearer explanations for rejections, and 25.1% want government agencies to coordinate data-sharing rather than placing the burden on applicants. Looking ahead, 31.7% propose increasing assistance to match living costs, while 29.1% want more precise eligibility criteria and improved databases to identify worthy recipients.

The Department of Foreign Trade is advancing Thai SMEs through the DFT+ program in Songkhla, connecting business networks and hosting trade-matching events while studying border logistics capabilities to prepare entrepreneurs for global markets. Department Director Arada Fuengthong has assigned Deputy Director Chanintr Rimcharoen to lead over 100 SME operators and government and private sector executives in relationship-building and trade network activities in Songkhla Province from July 22-24, 2026.

The DFT+ (Local to Global) initiative, officially launched on July 10, 2026, is funded by the SME Promotion Fund and aims to develop Thai entrepreneurs comprehensively through knowledge, networking, and connections to international trade opportunities. Since launch, entrepreneurs have completed two of five intensive training sessions before field activities in Songkhla Province. Participants will learn from logistics experts, engage in team-building activities, exchange experiences, and establish cooperation networks—essential foundations for business expansion and future trade partnerships.

A key highlight occurs on July 23, 2026, when SME operators will negotiate with business networks in Songkhla and nearby areas, including buyers, traders, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers, to expand markets and sales channels both domestically and internationally. The deputy director noted that Business Matching serves as a critical mechanism linking entrepreneurs with potential partners and driving actual transactions. The activity has generated strong business interest, creating preliminary negotiation value exceeding 10 million baht, with expectations for additional transactions and partnerships ahead.

The department also arranged study visits to the new Sa Dao Customs checkpoint, Thailand's highest-value land border trading post handling road transport to Malaysia and connections to Singapore. Entrepreneurs learned about X-ray Fast Scan inspection systems and the National Single Window (NSW) and ASEAN Single Window (ASW) systems, which the Department of Foreign Trade has integrated with electronic certificates of origin, reducing inspection time and facilitating FTA benefits.

The group also visited Padang Besar customs checkpoint, a rail transport hub connecting Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore that handles large container and oversized cargo shipments, helping reduce logistics costs. These visits provided entrepreneurs with knowledge of border trade infrastructure and capabilities.