Wat Phra Mahathat becomes Thailand’s ninth World Heritage SiteLegacyUNESCO has unanimously inscribed Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a World Heritage Site, making it Thailand’s ninth World Heritage Site and the first cultural World Heritage Site in southern Thailand. The decision was made during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, held from July 19 to 29 at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Centre (BEXCO) in Busan, South Korea. Thailand’s delegation, led by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin and Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaised, presented the nomination to the committee. Photo via Ministry of Culture The proposal highlighted the temple’s Outstanding Universal Value as an architectural masterpiece reflecting the history of cultural and artistic exchange across Southeast Asia. It also recognised the site as a Living Heritage, citing traditions such as the long-standing Hae Pha Khuen That cloth procession that continues today. Suchart described the inscription as a major achievement for Thailand after more than a decade of work to secure UNESCO recognition. He said the government would develop a sustainable management plan for the site, balancing conservation with cultural tourism to benefit local communities. Suchart said he was proud the temple had been recognised for its Outstanding Universal Value, noting that it had served as a regional centre of Buddhism during the eighth century. Photo via Amazing Thailand To mark the inscription, the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Cultural Council, Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan and Mahamakut Buddhist University, Srithammasokkarat Campus, have organised three commemorative events at the temple. The celebrations include an ordination ceremony for nine men who played key roles in promoting the World Heritage nomination, led by former Nakhon Si Thammarat governor Phanu Uthairat, who established the project’s steering committee in 2009. Organisers will screen the World Heritage Committee proceedings and the announcement of the decision, accompanied by a Thai translation. They will also compile a detailed record of the meeting to preserve as a historical archive of the inscription. A merit ceremony and the ringing of victory gongs will also take place at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan and surrounding temples to mark the historic designation. Photo via Ministry of Culture In similar news, Chiang Mai’s decade-long dream of becoming a UNESCO World Heritage city is entering its most crucial stage yet as Thailand has formally submitted the northern city’s nomination to UNESCO. The story Wat Phra Mahathat becomes Thailand’s ninth World Heritage Site as seen on Thaiger News.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Patthadarasmi Tongsuaykorn announced that the Thai Student Loan Fund (GYSF) continues to support borrowers by providing access to education and assistance for those facing repayment difficulties. The fund aims for borrowers to complete their studies and fulfill their social responsibility by repaying loans, ensuring funds circulate to help future generations of students.

The GYSF has launched an online self-service debt restructuring process that allows borrowers with outstanding balances to adjust their repayment plans and reduce the risk of legal proceedings. Borrowers can verify their identity using the ThaID app or Pao Tang app, update personal information, and check their debt balance and installment schedules through the electronic contract system (e-Contract) on the fund's website.

Tongsuaykorn warned borrowers to carefully verify that anyone contacting them about debt collection is authorized by GYSF, as scammers may impersonate fund representatives. Borrowers must never transfer money to personal bank accounts and should never share personal data, passwords, or OTP codes with unauthorized persons, as GYSF will never request such information via phone or social media.

The safest payment methods are through mobile banking apps of any bank or directly at Bangkok Bank counters and service centers by providing national ID and payment amount. Borrowers uncertain about procedures can contact GYSF's official LINE account for verification.

BANGKOK — 26 July 2026, People's Party MP and opposition whip Parit Wacharasindhu has challenged Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Bhumjaithai Party figures to explain allegations surrounding an alleged Senate election collusion case, warning that the opposition could take legal action against the Election Commission (EC) if the case is dropped.

Speaking at Parliament on 26 July 2026, Parit responded to Bhumjaithai Party MP Supachai Jaisamut's claim that a defamation lawsuit against iLaw director Yingcheep Atchanont over the Senate case was ready.

Parit said those who should be preparing themselves were the people accused in the case, rather than the opposition. He urged Anutin, Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office Suksomruay Wantanayakul and former deputy House speaker Supachai Phosu to answer questions raised publicly about the alleged Senate election collusion.

Parit said he was confident that the information presented was already contained in case files held by the EC and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). He said the evidence was not limited to witness testimony but also included alleged financial trails, flight bookings and hotel reservations that could be independently verified. He added that claims made by witnesses about meetings at specific hotels and on specific dates could also be checked through objective evidence.

Parit dismissed concerns that some witnesses were Senate candidates with vested interests, saying many were reserve senators or candidates who had already lost in the election and would not become senators even if the entire Senate were removed.

"If the information they provide is untrue, those involved should simply come out and explain it," Parit said, arguing that the failure to respond could increase public suspicion. He also warned the EC against selectively pursuing cases based on political affiliations, describing a potential scenario as "sacrificing light blue to protect dark blue" — a reference to allegedly protecting more powerful figures within the Bhumjaithai political network.

Parit said he expected the EC to forward the case to court so that the evidence could be examined through the judicial process. If the EC drops charges against some or all of the 229 people involved, he said legal action could be considered against EC officials for alleged abuse of authority.

Parit also warned that if Anutin and other government figures failed to answer the opposition's questions, the opposition could launch a no-confidence debate, while also using parliamentary questions and committee investigations.

Meanwhile, iLaw director Yingcheep Atchanont said he had access to only a small portion of the evidence contained in the EC and DSI files, which he estimated at around 90,000 pages. Yingcheep said the information available to him represented only about 5% of the EC's material, while the evidence he had publicly disclosed so far was only a fraction of what he possesses.

The Prime Minister has instructed officials to provide full assistance to the public. People with disabilities, bedridden patients, and elderly citizens holding state welfare cards can now authorize others to verify their identity and exercise their rights on their behalf. As of July 26, 2026, Deputy Spokesperson Ploytaley Luksameesangchan announced that all applicants—both existing and new—who qualified for the 2025 state welfare registration program and require e-KYC verification can authenticate themselves through two channels: the Pao Tang app or through registration units at five state banks: Krung Thai Bank, Government Savings Bank, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), Government Housing Bank (GHB), and Islamic Bank of Thailand. The verification process runs from July 17, 2025, through January 12, 2026.

For elderly, bedridden, or disabled individuals unable to verify their identity themselves, they may authorize a representative to complete e-KYC verification only at the five designated state banks. Required documents include a power of attorney form (downloadable from the program website), original ID card with certified copy signed by the grantor, ID card of the authorized representative with certified copy, and a copy of the disability ID card or medical certificate if applicable.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister have instructed state officials and the five state banks to provide full convenience to the public and expedite assistance, ensuring citizens are not negatively affected by the system. The government urged officials to prioritize public hardship and serve as a reliable support, rather than leaving people to fend for themselves. Citizens can obtain information about the 2025 state welfare registration program through official channels of the Ministry of Finance or by contacting the State Welfare Card Customer Service Center at 0-2109-2345 during business hours.

Film Rattapoom, once at the height of his fame as a solo artist under RS Records, appeared on the talk show Khon Lom Luk with host Ananda Phonworaphut to discuss a major turning point in his life. At his peak, Film recalled landing at least 20 endorsement deals annually, appearing in commercials for everything from shampoos and face cleansers to toothpaste. "I was doing everything back then," he said. "People would be lined up outside my house. It felt short—just five years into this golden period when I hit the storm."

When asked if he saw the news coming, Film revealed he knew beforehand. "If I was going to be a father, I was happy," he explained. "I was shocked but also strangely delighted. But I had to tell my mother first because she is my heart." Film shared that his mother initially reacted with some surprise but ultimately felt joy, as she had been wanting a grandchild.

However, the situation escalated when news of the paternity became public. "When it became news, it turned into something completely different from what we all understood," Film said. "It became clear there were many others in similar situations." The shock deepened when the other party withdrew his name as the father and refused to take a DNA test despite Film's willingness to submit to one and even his court request for testing.

Film addressed the lasting impact of a now-infamous phrase about DNA being visible in one's face. "That one sentence has haunted me. I was taught well by my parents. I would never hurt anyone or speak poorly of anyone," Film stated. "I was only about 22 or 23 at the time. I never intended my words to affect anyone, but they did."