On July 10, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister's Office Minister Praradorn Prishananantakul posted a video clarification through his personal Facebook page addressing allegations from the 'Lomfa Akad' page questioning how severe the government's alleged budget cuts to Haad Yai were. Praradorn said he traced the claim to Songkhla MP Jury Noomkaew of the Democratic Party.

At a special meeting of the government-private sector committee on July 8, PM Anuthon Chaiyaphichayakul and the Interior Minister convened to address flooding issues in Haad Yai, Songkhla province. The Songkhla private-sector committee had proposed a 99.5 million baht budget to solve irrigation canal problems in the area.

Praradorn noted the real issue was that Mayor Nakhon Haad Yai Narong Porn Na Patthalung complained that the proposed budget didn't prioritize the municipality despite it being the hardest-hit flood area. He explained that he consulted various agencies, particularly Haad Yai Municipality, about their budget requests and found they rejected those proposals in favor of using accumulated funds.

After meeting with Deputy PM Piphath Ratchakij and relevant agencies, Praradorn confirmed the government would use a central budget of 457 million baht to fix Royal Canal No. 1 before October and the rainy season arrives.

Praradorn challenged Haad Yai residents to verify the facts, stating: "I want to tell Haad Yai people complaining about government neglect: do you know what your municipality requested in the 2024 budget? Not canal repairs or drainage—they requested four smart classrooms, roads, and 8 million baht for a jet ski. I was shocked. I'm not lying. I have all the data to share so you hear the other side of the truth."

He added that people should fear dishonest politicians who hide facts. Some MPs claim the government cut budgets, but that's untrue—the real issue is that Haad Yai Municipality has over 200 million baht in accumulated funds sitting unused.

"I don't fear capable people—we can debate data," Praradorn concluded. "I fear skilled liars because it's dangerous. They know just a bit of truth but exaggerate it with sad faces and false stories. I ask Haad Yai residents to consider information from the government's side as well."

Three crew members of the Mayuree Naree—Panidit Tumkaew (42), Nopphadon Wongsuwarn (33), and Suradej Maenpeun (32)—filed suit at the Central Labor Court on Rama IV Road against Precious Shipping Public Co. Ltd. (PSL), Precious Flowers Co. Ltd., Great Circle Shipping Agency Co. Ltd., and Captain Sathapon Hoksai. The crew alleges wrongful termination and seeks compensation for occupational hazards and psychological harm under Thai Civil and Commercial Code sections 420 and 425.

The dispute stems from orders to navigate the Hormuz Strait on March 11, 2026, during U.S.-Iranian military tensions. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had declared the strait closed to foreign vessels, yet the employer sent the ship through anyway. The Mayuree Naree was attacked, resulting in casualties. All three crew members have since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are unable to work.

Attorney Kanthaphat Singtong stated that the crew received only two months of compensation (February-March) before being terminated in April, despite their nine-month contracts. The employer denied responsibility in prior negotiations. The crew argues they have lost their livelihoods due to trauma and fear of loud noises, requiring ongoing medical care. Panidit noted he worked for the company since 2015—11 years—and received regular wages until the incident. The employer claimed termination was for medical leave due to PTSD's impact on daily functioning, but the crew contends they deserve full contractual compensation and medical coverage.

Asia Era One Limited has issued a clarification regarding news coverage of its submission of a letter exercising contractual rights related to the three-airport high-speed rail project investment agreement. Some reporting may have created misunderstandings about the project's status, the company's intentions, and the contractual process.

Asia Era One emphasizes that the letter represents an exercise of rights outlined in the investment agreement to protect contractual interests and provide factual information about project implementation according to agreed procedures. The company clarifies that this does not constitute a decision to withdraw from the project or immediately terminate the contract. Project considerations remain subject to contractual and legal processes.

Since signing the investment agreement, both parties have identified certain facts and constraints affecting project implementation, particularly regarding a public drainage canal in the Makkasan area, which concerns project development and land utilization. The parties have continuously discussed and established implementation approaches to allow the project to proceed under changed circumstances.

Significant changes in economic, financial, and investment conditions have made it necessary to jointly consider contract amendments with relevant agencies. This process remains under review and affects project readiness in multiple areas.

Regarding investment promotion, the project received Board of Investment (BOI) principal approval in 2565. Throughout this period, the company has received continuous BOI cooperation in implementing various procedures. However, the investment promotion certificate expired in 2567. Reapplication for the certificate requires clearer project details and conditions, some of which remain under discussion regarding contract amendments, affecting this procedural step.

These matters should not be interpreted as BOI withdrawal of support or disapproval of project implementation.

Exercising contractual rights is part of the process available to both parties under the investment agreement framework. Project implementation approaches remain subject to contractual and legal processes and cannot automatically be interpreted as breach of contract, abandonment, or fault of either party.

Srisadi Jinsatit, Chief Executive Officer of Asia Era One Limited, revealed that throughout this period, the company has continuously cooperated with the State Railway of Thailand, the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee Office (EECOPCO), and relevant agencies to jointly consider appropriate approaches for project implementation within the framework of the contract, law, and national interest.

Asia Era One Limited remains committed to project implementation and believes that collaboration among all stakeholders will lead to appropriate, fair approaches that maximize benefits for the nation, people, and all stakeholders. The company continues to uphold good governance principles, transparency, and accountability.

Senator Phisit Abhiwatthanapos accused the Pheu Thai Party of creating and spreading false information to deceive youth and damage institutions. He emphasized that the government already has rehabilitation plans and criminal record expungement procedures for youth. On July 10, 2025, at parliament, Senator Phisit addressed Nattapong Ruengpanya, Pheu Thai's list MP and party leader, alongside Sirikanya Tansukul, a list MP and deputy party leader, who issued a statement clarifying a Facebook post regarding the draft Peace-Building Society Enhancement Act.

Senator Phisit, directly addressed in the dispute, provided clarifications on the allegations, requesting that Pheu Thai stop distorting the bill's appendix and related senator disqualification cases. He stated that the appendix was barely modified, with only additions regarding violations of the Aviation Act of 1978 and 2015, unrelated to elections or senator disqualifications.

He criticized Pheu Thai for claiming the post was not fake news while displaying fake news behavior. He noted that while the party claims to uphold the parliamentary system, they refuse to accept parliament's majority vote approving the bill. He urged them to post-then-delete-then-deny strategy, stating that as the country's second-largest party enjoying public trust, they should not undermine that confidence. "If you're wrong, admit it clearly," Phisit said, "don't turn your party page into an IO page."

Regarding Nattapong, Phisit noted he often uses youth as a pretext while pushing Article 112 issues. The Senate added a clause to Article 11, paragraph two, stating the law does not grant amnesty in all Article 112-related cases. Phisit emphasized that youth rehabilitation processes for criminal cases already exist under the Juvenile and Family Court's authority.

Phisit clarified they don't intend to create new standards allowing certain ideologies to mislead uninformed youth. The Juvenile and Family Court already has assistance processes under Articles 90/1 and 132, applicable to all cases, not just Article 112 violations. If youth confess with a rehabilitation plan, they avoid imprisonment. Upon completing the plan, the court dismisses the case and the youth has no criminal record. The Senate does not want Article 11's amendment to conflate Article 112 defamation cases with political disputes, nor to create new standards misleading youth into thinking both issues are identical when they are fundamentally different.

Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok launches Sunset Sound Bath for Wellness WednesdaysLegacyRoyal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok is continuing its Wellness Wednesdays series with Sunset Sound Bath, an immersive sound healing experience held in collaboration with Stillwave. The July edition is designed to support holistic wellbeing through mindfulness, soothing vibrations, and sunset views over the Chao Phraya River. Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok said the Wellness Wednesdays series was created to inspire healthier living while making use of the hotel’s peaceful riverside setting.

Following previous wellness activities, the hotel will host Sunset Sound Bath on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, led by Taechit Choeuyphuang, founder of Stillwave. The session invites hotel guests and the local community to pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves through sound, meditation, and mindful presence. Taking place during golden hour, the experience is designed around the transition from day to evening. Guests will be surrounded by views of the Chao Phraya River as the sunset creates a calm setting before the guided sound bath begins. A sound bath does not require previous meditation experience. Participants rest comfortably while listening to crystal singing bowls and other therapeutic instruments. The vibrations help create a meditative environment intended to encourage relaxation, mindfulness, and a pause from the pace of daily life. Many people choose sound bath experiences to encourage relaxation, reduce stress, support mindfulness and emotional balance, promote mental clarity, create a restorative space, and support an overall sense of wellbeing.

“Wellness is no longer simply about exercise. It is about creating moments to slow down, reconnect, and recharge,” said Lilly Pattarachokchuy, director of marketing communications at Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok. “Through Wellness Wednesdays, we hope to transform our beautiful riverside spaces into meaningful experiences where both hotel guests and the local community can nurture body and mind. “Partnering with Stillwave allows us to introduce a unique practice that perfectly complements the peaceful atmosphere of the Chao Phraya River at sunset.” Taechit said sound can help participants become more present. “Sound has a unique ability to help us become fully present. A sound bath creates a space where participants can simply pause, let go of daily distractions, and experience deep relaxation through the gentle vibrations of therapeutic instruments. “Combined with the serenity of the riverside at sunset, the experience becomes an invitation to reconnect with both yourself and the present moment.” The session will take place on Level 26, overlooking the Chao Phraya River. The elevated venue offers a quiet setting above the city, with panoramic riverside views intended to enhance the calming atmosphere of the sound bath.

Event details Event: Wellness Wednesdays: Sunset Sound Bath Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm Venue: Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok Participation fee: 999 baht net per person Includes: Guided sound bath session, wellness refreshments, and complimentary parking A reservation is required, and spaces are limited. Wellness Wednesdays is part of Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok’s ongoing commitment to creating experiences beyond traditional hospitality. Through partnerships with wellness practitioners and curated activities throughout the year, the hotel aims to offer guests and the local community opportunities to reconnect with themselves while enjoying the Chao Phraya River setting. For more information or reservations, contact Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok via Facebook, Instagram, or call +66 (0) 2266 0123. Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok, 2 Charoen Krung Road Soi 30, Siphya, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Website: Marriott.com/BKKSI Press Release  The story Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok launches Sunset Sound Bath for Wellness Wednesdays as seen on Thaiger News.