Argentina's defending champions advanced to the World Cup semifinal for the third consecutive time after defeating 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in extra time on July 12. The team will face England in the semifinal on July 15 (July 16 at 3:00 AM Thailand time). Coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged multiple areas needing improvement, saying "We must accept reality—there are many things we need to improve. But winning always makes everything better, even though we could have played better. Reaching another semifinal is historic." The 48-year-old coach downplayed the significance of facing England versus other opponents, stating "Whether it's England or Norway, we'll face a team that plays excellent football with a strong coach. Right now, physical recovery is the most important thing." Switzerland coach Murat Yakin praised his team's commitment despite playing with only 10 men, saying "This team showed tremendous determination. Even with just 10 players, we gave our all. I'm very proud of everyone."

Zlatan Ibrahimović, the former Swedish national team striker, has criticized English winger Noni Maddison's performance, saying he makes constant mistakes that make it seem like England is playing with one fewer player on the field. Maddison started in England's 2026 World Cup semi-final qualifier against Norway, which England won 2-1 in extra time to advance to face Argentina on July 15 local time. However, he was substituted out immediately after the first half ended. Ibrahimović commented during halftime that the change somewhat disrupted England's flow, since Jude Bellingham is England's most alert player. "But I think they're playing with one fewer player because of Maddison being on the pitch," Ibrahimović said. "Every time he gets the ball, he makes a poor decision and just wanders around." He added: "If I were Tuchel, I would have taken him off because he did nothing in those 45 minutes. Even the halftime break didn't help him. He played, but wasn't truly effective every game. England started down one player."

After archaeologists discovered ancient human skeletal remains and intact black Phimai pottery in Kroburee District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, officials from the Fine Arts Department's Nakhon Ratchasima office recovered additional artifacts including glass beads, iron tools, and stone axes predating the late Iron Age from the Mun Dam area in Jrakai Stone Subdistrict. Some pieces have been transferred to Maha Veeravongse National Museum for safekeeping.

Most recently, Pairojn Summat, headman of Nong Suea Bong Village, displayed over 50 polished stone axes and other artifacts he collected for more than a decade. The collection also includes iron implements, fused metal, orange glass beads, and ceramic vessels. Summat explained that while working as a hired bulldozer operator for land preparation over the years, he regularly encountered ancient artifacts buried underground and began preserving them out of personal interest.

Around 2010, while leveling farmland, he discovered iron tools, skeletal remains, and ancient pottery near an area called Non Kao at the village edge. Local authorities contacted the Fine Arts Department, which confirmed several pieces were black Phimai pottery and collected samples for study. Summat continued collecting similar items—particularly the stone axes found frequently—hoping that one day experts could authenticate them and help establish a district museum. He aims to preserve these artifacts so future generations can study this region's ancient past.

Singer Puay has ended her contract with My Music Record after struggling under mounting pressure from the public and industry backlash. The turmoil began when a viral video with 77 million views—featuring Puay in an incident involving a married couple—spread rapidly across social media, with viewers dubbing the content "pink floral mattress" and "Doraemon pillow" footage. Puay was forced to resign from her factory job in Rayong after the video caused her embarrassment, and she filed a Computer Crime Act complaint against the woman who recorded it.

Record label executive "Mor Mind" subsequently posted a video recruiting Puay to join My Music Record, prompting fierce criticism from musicians and songwriters who questioned the appropriateness of the move. The label stated they wanted to provide Puay a second chance at life and career, believing everyone deserves an opportunity to prove themselves. However, following the announcement, the public backlash became too much for Puay to bear.

In a statement, My Music Record confirmed that Puay requested to terminate her artist contract due to feeling overwhelmed and distressed by the situation. The label has agreed to end the contract amicably, with no hard feelings or disputes between the two parties. My Music Record wished Puay success in her future endeavors and thanked all supporters, media, and the public for their feedback and encouragement.

On July 12, 2569 at Parliament, Priset Vachrasindhu, a Thai Raksa Chat Party MP and chairman of the opposition coalition coordination committee, spoke before launching a two-year commemoration event on Senate election fraud evidence. He argued that "Senate fraud" is a more accurate term than "Senate manipulation" because the evidence shows not merely coordinated candidate placement and vote-trading networks, but deliberate use of money and benefits to hire candidates and voters, aiming to seize state power.

Priset emphasized the case's critical importance for Thailand's political future, warning that those who gain power through improper means tend to abuse that power similarly. If certain senators entered office improperly, it raises questions about whether their legislative actions—including law review, constitutional amendment votes, and independent agency appointments—also constitute abuse of power.

He noted the 2560 Constitution created conditions enabling Senate fraud as a pathway to establishing a manipulated political system. When political groups use illegal methods to interfere with Senate elections, placing controllable members in office gives those groups the ability to dictate independent agency appointments and weaken oversight mechanisms.

Priset stated that multiple sectors have compiled evidence for the Election Commission (EC) and the Special Cases Inquiry Department (DSI). The EC must decide by September whether to refer the case to court following an investigative panel's finding of 229 suspects. The DSI has accepted it as a special case based on vote-buying and money-laundering charges.

He expressed concern that the case may not reach court. Four of seven EC commissioners are Senate-appointed, mostly from the government side. The EC's 36th subcommittee recently ruled that none of the 229 suspects had committed offenses—contrary to public sentiment. The DSI similarly concerns him: after prolonged investigation, it charged only eight people by late 2568, before prosecutors returned the case in early 2569.

Petchrada K.C. Tan, a former architect turned jiu-jitsu athlete, has made Thailand proud once again by capturing the gold medal in the women's adult black belt rooster division (48.50 kg) at the 2026 IBJJF Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Japan. She became the first Thai athlete to win a major IBJJF championship title in the adult black belt division, defeating South Korea's Lee Mi-Hyun with an ankle lock submission.

The Thai jiu-jitsu competitor announced that she has a busy competition schedule ahead. Next month in August, she will travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to compete in the JJIF World Professional Jiu-Jitsu tournament.