Phayao residents have spotted a curious phenomenon on Doi Pa Chom Piang: white powder or mist drifting from a plant's flower clusters, resembling smoke rising from the tree. Botanists are being asked to investigate further to identify the plant species and determine whether the white substance is produced naturally or represents a natural phenomenon.

On July 3, a Facebook user known as "Khao Mun Gai Lung Dam - Paa Chao" posted videos and photos from a nature walk on Doi Pa Chom Piang, showing a plant with white particles dispersing from its flower clusters that resembles smoke billowing from a tree. The footage has generated considerable interest among viewers.

Based on initial observations, the plant appears similar to species in the ginger family and thrives in humid mountain forests. It has an upright stem, long narrow alternating leaves, and small white branching flowers at the branch tips. However, the exact species cannot yet be determined and requires further examination by a botanist.

"Paa Chao," who discovered the phenomenon, explained that while surveying a nature trail, she observed the white mist dispersing from the plant in intervals. The hikers ahead of her group noted a substantial amount, while her group trailing behind also observed it but in smaller quantities. Initially thinking it was smoke from a fire, upon closer inspection she found no burning smell, no burn marks, and no recent rainfall in the area, leading to speculation that the white substance is either naturally produced by the plant itself or a natural phenomenon.

A mother is fighting for her son's innocence in a high-profile murder case, believing he has become a scapegoat. Naphon (Sam) stands accused of shooting Uthen, whose body was placed in a cement-weighted drum and disposed of in a massive 300-rai pond in Nonthaburi province. On July 3, the mother visited her detained son at Bang Bua Thong Police Station, pleading for authorities to locate and prosecute the real perpetrator. She emphasized that Sam is a gentle-hearted person who becomes frightened at the sight of blood and has never been aggressive toward adults. Police are conducting an urgent case review as four other individuals present at the scene remain under investigation. The mother hopes to secure bail but lacks sufficient funds and is appealing to the courts for fair treatment of her son, insisting he confessed to police that he did not commit the crime. Despite her own serious health condition, she remains determined to clear his name.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Maiskak as it tracks across the northern South China Sea. The storm currently has maximum sustained winds near 74 kilometers per hour and is moving northwestward, expected to pass through the Paracel Islands before making landfall in southern China between July 4-6.

While Maiskak will not directly enter Thailand, it will enhance the monsoon trough and trigger increased rainfall across many regions, with heavy to very heavy downpours expected in some areas through July 4-6. Authorities are monitoring 51 provinces for potential impacts and have heightened alerts for landslides and flash flooding in 15 high-risk provinces over the next two days.

The public is advised to monitor official weather warnings and alerts continuously and follow safety recommendations. Emergency assistance is available 24/7 through the safe call line 1784. The Meteorological Department has issued warnings of heavy rainfall nationwide as the tropical storm and monsoon system combine to bring severe weather conditions.

The Board of Investment is positioning Thailand as a comprehensive manufacturing base for all electric vehicle technologies, with recent investment approvals breaking through 137 billion baht to establish Thailand as a regional production and export center. Nrut Terdsteesakdi, Secretary-General of the Board of Investment and Secretary of the National Electric Vehicle Policy Board, opened the International Electric Vehicle Technology Conference and Exhibition (iEVTech) 2026, organized by the Thai Electric Vehicle Association (EVAT) under the theme "Driving Thailand's EV Future: Powering a Competitive & Connected Supply Chain."

The iEVTech conference is an international EV industry forum attracting numerous international organizations including the Asian Electric Vehicle Federation, China EV100, and EV associations from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, China, and Hong Kong, along with leading companies in EV supply chains from various countries. This reflects Thailand's role as a center for ASEAN electric vehicle cooperation, linking regional policies, standards, and supply chains.

Terdsteesakdi outlined Thailand's automotive industry development strategy and achievements in establishing champion production bases at different periods, from one-ton pickup trucks to internal combustion engine vehicles, to globally standard eco cars, and now the transition to the era of "clean energy vehicles and smart vehicles." This particularly includes promoting production of various EV types (xEV) such as mild hybrid (MHEV), hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), battery electric vehicles (BEV), and other future technologies.

Investment promotion measures have been updated to cover all vehicle technologies, enabling all manufacturers to invest and grow together in Thailand. Simultaneously, efforts focus on building a comprehensive future automotive supply chain connecting manufacturers, component producers, batteries, smart systems, software, research and development centers, and testing facilities to elevate Thai entrepreneurs' roles in global supply chains and ensure sustainable industry growth.

These efforts have maintained Thailand's position as the region's strongest automotive production base and among the world's top rankings. For electric vehicles, Thai consumers have responded positively—in 2025, all EV types comprise over 44% of new vehicle registrations, compared to just 3% five years ago. HEV vehicles lead at 21.8%, followed by BEV at 19.6% and PHEV at 2.9%, showing all technologies can advance together, with hybrids serving as a transitional technology to full electrification.

As of May 2025, there are 198 approved EV industry investment promotion projects worth over 137 billion baht combined, covering electric vehicle production, batteries, critical components, charging stations, and battery swapping facilities. This includes BEV manufacturer investments of 39.5 billion baht (18 projects), HEV vehicles 29.9 billion baht (7 projects), PHEV 9.429 billion baht (7 projects), and other EV types like electric buses and electric motorcycles 3.1 billion baht (18 projects). Additionally, battery and energy storage system (Battery & ESS) investments total 33.5 billion baht (57 projects), with component manufacturer investments also contributing significantly.

Four northern Taiwan cities—Taipei, New Taipei, Jilong, and Taoyuan—launched a major tourism campaign in Bangkok on July 2 to deepen Taiwan-Thailand travel connections and boost northern Taiwan's tourism appeal. Tourism associations and media presented the region's attractions to Thai media, businesses, and travel industry professionals, supported by interactive exhibits and 20 branded tuk-tuks touring Bangkok streets to reach the city's residents.

The event drew over 60 local Thai travel operators and 40 representatives from the four northern Taiwan cities. Beyond highlighting each city's unique attractions, organizers promoted upcoming festivals, cultural activities, and seasonal events designed to position northern Taiwan as a year-round destination. These festivals serve as bridges connecting each city's identity and showcasing northern Taiwan's enduring charm, helping Thai travel businesses develop new tour packages.

Prominent Thai travel influencers Ratto and Mim Like This shared personal experiences from their visits, covering dining, sightseeing, nature tourism, and special activities. Their firsthand accounts gave attendees a vibrant, diverse picture of northern Taiwan and sparked interest in visiting.

Wu Hsiang, director of the Taipei Tourism and Information Bureau, noted that Taipei and Bangkok share similarities as vibrant, creative global cities with convenient flight connections of under four hours. Thai visitors increasingly choose both independent travel and family trips to Taipei. The city blends traditional culture with modern fashion, offering historical sites like Dadaocheng and Longshan Temple alongside lifestyle landmarks such as Xinyi shopping district and Taipei 101. Taipei is renowned for diverse dining from night market street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, and hosts year-round events including the Taipei Lantern Festival, Dadaocheng summer festival, Taipei trend and music festival, and a spectacular New Year's Eve countdown.