Police have identified the origin of a mysterious wooden coffin containing female remains discovered beneath the foundations of an ancient ordination hall at Wat Thatthong, a royal temple on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok. Investigators believe the deceased woman may have been a major donor who funded the construction of the hall; her descendants are suspected of burying her there after her death. On July 18, Lieutenant Colonel Chakrawut Don, an investigator from Klong Toei Police Station, responded to reports of skeletal remains found at the temple and led a team including forensic officers, a Chulalongkorn University medical examiner, and volunteers from a charitable foundation.

The 155-year-old Limpaphon ordination hall was undergoing restoration to raise its floor to three levels when workers encountered the coffin while jackhammering out the concrete foundation beneath the main altar. The deteriorated red wooden coffin contained female skeletal remains, preliminarily estimated to have been buried at least 50 years ago. The coffin also held a stainless steel tray and four 50-satang coins dated 2500 BE, which were collected as evidence.

When interviewed, Jetsada, a 21-year-old worker, explained that he discovered the red coffin while operating the hydraulic jacks used to lift the ordination hall and immediately notified authorities. Lieutenant Colonel Chakrawut stated that initial findings rule out murder, and the evidence suggests the deceased was likely a major donor to the temple who was buried beneath the main platform by her descendants in accordance with Buddhist tradition.

The NBTC selection committee unanimously voted 4-0 that Chairman Dr. Sorn Boonbaisairattana is disqualified under Section 8(2) of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Act, meaning he has forfeited his right to serve as an NBTC commissioner under Section 18 of the Act as amended in 2022. Suphinyha Klangngarom, a former NBTC commissioner and head of the Consumer Council's communications subcommittee, argued that while Dr. Sorn may be considered ineligible from a practical standpoint, his formal removal requires royal approval and publication in the Royal Gazette. She called on Dr. Sorn to immediately cease his duties and notify the NBTC office, similar to her own previous decision when facing disqualification. Klangngarom emphasized that while Dr. Sorn may contest the decision in administrative court, he should first step down to avoid operational and financial complications for the agency. She also stressed that proper government procedure requires official documentation submitted by a responsible agency to the Prime Minister for royal endorsement, and noted that five other NBTC board members are now watching how the situation unfolds.

Three loud explosions rattled the carport before flames engulfed the house, and the owner ran for safety. Firefighters arrived and sprayed water to contain the blaze, which is believed to have started from a solar battery storage system malfunction. At 2 p.m. on July 18, 2025, Muang Samut Prakan police received a report of a residential fire in Soi Mangkol Khandee, Praksai Nai subdistrict, in Samut Prakan province. They coordinated with Praksai Nai municipal firefighters, who dispatched two fire trucks to battle the flames.

The scene was a two-story house with smoke and flames pouring from the ground-floor carport area. Fire spread up to the carport roof and into the lower floor of the house. The homeowner suffered minor injuries but managed to evacuate with two dogs. Firefighters used two water jets and took about 20 minutes to bring the fire under control.

The homeowner reported hearing three successive explosions from the carport—where solar battery storage was installed—before seeing intense flames and immediately fleeing to call for help. Neighbors and nearby residents confirmed hearing sounds similar to battery explosions multiple times before the fire ignited in the carport and rapidly spread into the house. They suspect the cause to be a short-circuit in the solar battery storage system, and officials will conduct further investigation to determine the exact cause.

Thai entertainer Ingfa Warahah has admitted to overworking herself to the point of collapse, experiencing symptoms including numbness in her head and feet, nausea, and loss of bodily control during a film blessing ceremony. Although fans have expressed concern, she currently has no time for a medical checkup due to a packed work schedule and thanks supporters for their worry while urging everyone to take care of their own health.

Regarding the deadly Ladprao bar fire, Ingfa expressed sincere condolences to the deceased and their families, hoping the tragedy will prompt greater awareness of safety standards in entertainment venues. She stressed the importance of checking emergency exits and escape routes whenever entering any establishment, and noted that many entertainment venues have since released safety awareness clips featuring sprinkler systems.

When asked about her workload, Ingfa revealed that she receives numerous job offers from multiple provinces and feels the pressure deeply, contrary to assumptions that she earns high fees. She emphasized doing the work with heart rather than just completing assignments, and expressed emotion over the response to her recent events. Regarding her collapse, she described it as her worst episode yet, with symptoms including numbness, nausea, abdominal pain, and a feeling of losing control, though she has not yet had time for a proper health checkup.

Acknowledging her reputation for working hard since returning from recent engagements without rest, Ingfa asked fans not to worry and apologized for causing concern, noting that she witnesses fan dedication firsthand. She encouraged everyone to take care of themselves and use her work ethic as an example to follow.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with Wang Xiaohui, Communist Party Secretary of Sichuan Province, at the Chengdu Century City Convention Center on July 18, 2025. Both sides agreed to elevate cooperation in trade, investment, science, technology, innovation, tourism, and local-level partnerships to tangibly connect Thailand's economy with western China's market. Wang noted that Thailand is strategically important to Sichuan, which maintains sister-city relationships with five Thai provinces and sees growing numbers of Thai tourists annually. Bilateral trade between Thailand and Sichuan reached approximately 41 billion yuan in 2025, a 112 percent increase, reflecting rapid economic growth. Sichuan also hosts the most Thai restaurants in western China, demonstrating strong demand for Thai food and culture, which can be leveraged to boost Thai agricultural exports, food products, and service industries. Prime Minister Anutin emphasized the importance of his official visit to three major cities—Shanghai, Chengdu, and Beijing—and his meeting with President Xi Jinping to reaffirm Thailand's readiness to strengthen bilateral cooperation across all levels, from central government to provinces, cities, and the private sector. He praised China's western development strategy, particularly Sichuan's emergence as a regional economic, transportation, science, technology, and innovation hub with over 80 million people. Sichuan represents both a large market for Thai goods and a source of quality investors Thailand seeks to engage more closely. Thailand has maintained a consulate general in Chengdu for over 20 years and formally opened a Board of Investment (BOI) office there, which will serve as a key mechanism for providing information, facilitating services, and connecting Chinese investors with investment opportunities in Thailand. The Chengdu BOI office will attract investments in target industries such as electric vehicles, electronics, digital technology, advanced technology, clean energy, and future industries, creating jobs, upgrading Thai labor skills, transferring technology, and strengthening the country's production base. The Prime Minister assured Chinese businesses already investing or planning to expand in Thailand that the Thai government will support and facilitate their operations within legal frameworks and national interests. More than 150 Thai business executives and entrepreneurs participated in economic activities in Chengdu, demonstrating Thai business interest in western China's market potential and providing opportunities to find business partners, develop distribution channels, and build new business networks. Spokesperson Ratchada noted that this visit will open new markets for Thai goods and services, attract investment, and advance technology transfer.

On July 18, 2025, police arrested Phra Suriya, also known as Suriyan, 65, at a well-known temple in Bangkok's Jatujak district on the strength of a criminal court warrant issued May 7, 2025. The case stems from 2024, when a victim was contacted via a mobile app by a scammer posing as a foreign singer. The suspect built a romantic relationship with the victim through what is known as a romance scam, then claimed to be sending gifts but said he faced expenses and needed money transferred to designated accounts multiple times. Total losses exceeded 200,000 baht.

After discovering the fraud, the victim filed a report at Bueng Kum Police Station. Investigators found that one of the receiving bank accounts belonged to Suriyan, obtained a court warrant, and discovered he had fled by ordaining as a monk at a temple in Jatujak. During questioning, Suriyan confessed to all charges. He claimed that in 2566 while working and living in the Huai Lampong area, a man named Bom—whose real name and surname are unknown—convinced him to open two bank accounts in exchange for 300 baht in wages and one meal. Suriyan handed over both accounts to Bom, later attempted to recover them but was unsuccessful and lost contact. He decided to ordain as a monk three years ago.

Authorities conducted a laicization ceremony before transferring him to Bueng Kum Police Station investigators. He faces charges of abetting fraud by impersonation, assisting in computer fraud, and knowingly allowing others to use his bank accounts, savings account cards, or electronic payment accounts. Legal proceedings continue.