The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bangkok, Thailand Survivors of the deadly fire at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district on the night of July 12th, 2026, have described scenes of sudden panic, thick smoke, and desperate attempts to flee as the blaze rapidly engulfed the popular entertainment venue, killing at least 27 people and injuring over […] Survival Stories Describe Chaos and Narrow Escapes After Bangkok Pub Fire Claims 27 Lives, Injures Over 60 Others -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin has ordered the prosecution of influential figures and capitalists who have illegally encroached on forest land, reclaiming it as state property under the Prime Minister's urgent policy directive. On July 13, 2025, Suchart launched an aggressive enforcement operation at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants headquarters to advance Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's policy to eliminate powerful interests and restore forests to national ownership. He assigned Pol. Col. Surpol Boonma, secretary to the minister, along with Deputy Permanent Secretary Niphon Jamnongsirisak and National Parks Director Arthapol Jaroenchansaa to lead a task force in filing formal complaints against organized forest encroachment networks operating in Lam Son National Park, Ranong Province, and submit evidence to investigators.

Minister Suchart revealed that investigations discovered illegal deforestation in the Khao Pak Trien area in Kamphaen Subdistrict, Suksamnuay District, Ranong. The Prime Minister and Interior Minister have prioritized the case, ordering the National Parks task force to work with the Forest Department in a thorough investigation. Officials uncovered serious irregularities in land title documents (Form 3 Kor) overlapping pristine forest and national park boundaries across multiple plots. A ministerial oversight committee was established to expedite solutions and pursue prosecution to the fullest extent.

National Parks Director Arthapol Jaroenchansaa detailed the initial case, revealing that three land plots with the clearest evidence and satellite imagery have been selected for prosecution. The three Form 3 Kor documents were issued on June 24, 1994, but show massive "land expansion" anomalies. Plot 1 originally registered as 6 rai was remeasured at over 45 rai, with 15 rai 1 ngan 80 square wah encroaching into the national park. Plot 2 measured over 57 rai with 45 rai 96 square wah intruding into park boundaries. Plot 3, listed as only 1 rai, remeasured to over 50 rai with 4 rai 2 ngan 48 square wah additional encroachment. All plots claim agricultural use, but satellite imagery from before 1994 shows natural forest, coastal areas, and sandy terrain with no signs of farming activity.

Additionally, over 12 rai 2 ngan 68 square wah of unauthorized clearing and cultivation were discovered outside the title documents but within park boundaries. The total first-phase encroachment amounts to approximately 78 rai. The issuance of these three Form 3 Kor documents is clearly illegal, as the land was designated as Lam Son National Park in 1983—a protected area under law and Royal Decree 43 (1994), violating forest protection regulations.

Young artist Lek Ratchamet returned to his hometown of Phetchaburi to host a fan meet and officially close his debut album "Soundtrack of My Life." The Genie Records artist selected his birthplace to wrap up nearly two years of sharing his life story through five songs: "Soundtrack of My Life," "Jai Pen Nai Gai Pen Bao," "Lok Thang Thi," "Fah Kwang Thang Khaeng," and "Ob Uan." The album received overwhelming support, particularly the viral hit "Jai Pen Nai Gai Pen Bao" with 160 million views and "Lok Thang Thi" with over 64 million views.

The event bustled with activity from afternoon, featuring an 18-meter road closure in the heart of Phetchaburi town and over 20 local vendor booths. Lek himself deep-fried his signature fish cakes at a booth to distribute free samples to fans, while the first 10 minutes featured a flash sale giveaway. Artists BOVINI and O from FULL band joined to perform and delight the fans who traveled to witness the album closing at Lek's birthplace—a symbolic return to where all his dreams began.

Choosing Phetchaburi represented bringing "Soundtrack of My Life" full circle, from a fisherman's boy who sang on fishing boats and at restaurants to a professional artist who proved himself through his work and voice. Lek expressed his overwhelming gratitude for the response, admitting he initially expected only 300–500 attendees but was humbled by the massive turnout. Many fans traveled from far provinces, some taking 7–8 hours or even the train. Lek emphasized this first large-scale event meant everything to him, and he struggled to express his thanks to people from across the country who showed up to support him.

The Social Security Office (SSO) is moving swiftly to verify claims and provide comprehensive benefits to workers and insured persons affected by a fire at a beer hall restaurant on Ladprao Soi 1 in Bangkok's Jatujak district early on July 12, 2025. The fire, which broke out at 12:02 a.m., claimed 27 lives (18 women, 9 men) and injured 63 others, including 22 in critical condition, 33 in moderate condition, and 8 with minor injuries.

Labor Minister Julphand Amornvivat expressed deep condolences to victims' families and directed the SSO to accelerate investigations and coordinate closely with relief efforts. He ordered the office to ensure that affected employees and insured persons receive full benefits from the social security and compensation funds as quickly as possible under the law.

SSO Secretary-General Kanchana Pholakaew appointed officials to inspect the scene and provide urgent assistance to the injured and bereaved families. She stated that the SSO stands ready to process funeral expenses, death benefits, medical treatment costs, and compensation claims according to each case's specific circumstances and eligibility criteria.

She also assigned SSO personnel to visit injured victims at Paolo Kesat and Ladprao hospitals to offer encouragement and facilitate benefit access. The labor minister has instructed entertainment venues, restaurants, and other high-traffic businesses to prioritize safety measures and maintain all equipment and systems to prevent accidents and create safe working environments.

The SSO reaffirmed its commitment to fully support injured victims and the heirs of deceased persons by providing comprehensive, accurate benefits and relief to affected families as soon as possible.

The Cabinet has designated Friday, October 16, 2025, as a special public holiday in Bangkok to facilitate the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings 2026, scheduled for October 12–18, 2025. The Bank of Thailand has correspondingly ordered all financial institutions to close on that date as well. The central bank has announced that BAHTNET, Thailand's domestic interbank fund transfer system, will be shut down on October 16, disrupting certain financial transactions for the public and businesses.

Affected services include: (1) BAHTNET fund transfers, (2) inter-bank check clearing and deposit services, and (3) bulk electronic payment transfers between banks.

The Bank of Thailand advises individuals and businesses planning large transfers, cross-bank check deposits, or payroll payments to process them before October 16 or defer them to the next business day. On that date, the central bank will also suspend market operations with partner financial institutions and will not publish benchmark interest rates for the interbank market. BAHTNET will resume normal operations on Monday, October 19.

However, the general public can still conduct routine transactions through alternative channels such as mobile banking, ATMs, and cash deposit machines. Financial institutions are expected to communicate these changes to customers so the public and businesses can plan ahead. Anyone with questions should contact their bank directly.

A man traveling from Kanchanaburi to Phetchaburi met a tragic end when his pickup truck plunged into an irrigation canal in Ratchaburi on July 13, 2569 (2026). At 8 a.m., police received a report of a submerged Isuzu pickup truck with bodies trapped inside near the Chao Phraya irrigation canal embankment in Muang Ratchaburi District. Officers and rescue teams from the Prathammaraj Foundation and Sawang Ratchaburi Foundation arrived to find a male victim attempting to escape through the cabin window, with his arm and head halfway out of the smashed glass. A second body, an unidentified woman in her mid-20s to 30s wearing blue pajamas, was found in the front passenger seat. The rear of the vehicle was crushed.

The male victim was identified as Atthapol, 34, from Uttaradit Province, who had been traveling from Kanchanaburi to Phetchaburi. Clear skid marks at the canal's edge indicated the truck had lost control and plunged into the water. No external injuries or signs of foul play were found on either body. The female victim remains unidentified and had no identification documents. Authorities have transported both bodies to the hospital and are conducting a full investigation. The cause of the accident—whether due to drowsiness, tire failure, or other factors—has not yet been determined and awaits detailed forensic examination.