Hat Yai Mayor Narongporn Na Pattalung, nicknamed "Plad Paen," gave a detailed interview on July 10 addressing the controversy surrounding equipment purchases for flood preparedness and questions about the municipality's accumulated funds.

Regarding allegations about an "smart classroom" project, Narongporn confirmed it occurred under former mayor Sakorn Thongmuni, not during his tenure, and suggested inquiries be directed to his predecessor. Concerning requests for disaster relief equipment, particularly jet skis, the mayor stated the municipality formally requested funding due to operational necessity. However, the central authorities completely cut this budget allocation during the e-bidding review process.

"Whatever we request gets cut," Narongporn said, noting that only four rubber boats, three ten-wheel trucks, and one road project remain approved, with budgets extending through 2027 and facing potential further cuts through three to four more committee reviews.

When asked if the budget cuts were discouraging, the mayor responded pragmatically that they would work with whatever funding is provided and manage resources accordingly.

Addressing government claims that Hat Yai still has over 200 million baht in reserves, Narongporn challenged officials to verify the figures, explaining that the 200 million figure was from two to three months earlier. He detailed that the municipality spent funds on emergency repairs to schools, roads, health centers damaged by flooding, computer equipment replacements, canal dredging, and water pump purchases. Current accumulated reserves now stand at only 42 million baht, which he invited authorities to audit.

Meanwhile, Songkhla opposition MP Juri Numkaeo noted that Hat Yai suffered severe flooding affecting over 200,000 residents with extensive infrastructure damage. He stated that 160 million baht of the original 200 million in reserves had already been spent on repairs, leaving the municipality with insufficient funds, while nearly all requested budget allocations were cut.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin reported that 12 monks were on a bamboo rafting trip upstream on Khlong Yan when the raft capsized near Ban Bang Jam in Tambon Ta Kook Nuea, Amphoe Wiphavadi, Surat Thani Province. The incident resulted in 11 monks being injured and one monk missing. The minister immediately ordered all agencies under the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, particularly Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, to coordinate with local authorities in deploying personnel and equipment for a comprehensive search and rescue operation while providing urgent assistance to the injured.

The minister emphasized that personnel safety must be prioritized and ordered close monitoring of the situation with continuous progress reports until the search and rescue mission is completed. He instructed all agencies to mobilize their full resources and capabilities to locate the missing monk as quickly as possible.

As of 2 p.m., rescue teams were continuing the search for the missing monk while the 11 injured monks were being transported to Wiphavadi Hospital for treatment. Multiple agencies including the Surat Thani Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, Tachana District Disaster Prevention Office, Ta Kook Nuea Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Wiphavadi Hospital, Wiphavadi Police Station, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park personnel, volunteers, and related organizations coordinated in the search and rescue efforts. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

At 3 p.m. on July 10, 2026, Phra Khru Thaworn Sratakun, abbot of Wat Worraprot Sangkhavat in Chonburi Province, along with the volunteer team "Wihkhavehe - Young Hearts Doing Good," delivered rice, dried food, household supplies, and bedding to Sompon, 68, at her home in Bang Plasoi subdistrict, Chonburi. She lives in poverty, running a vintage coffee stand outside her house to support her 40-year-old son, who has been paralyzed on one side since being shot at age 25 and cannot work.

The coffee equipment she uses was inherited from her late brother and has deteriorated over time. Her daily sales amount to only 100-200 baht—insufficient for household expenses, food, water, electricity, and her son's care. The worn tables, chairs, coffee-making equipment, and utensils are barely functional but she cannot afford replacements.

Sompon shared tearfully that her son was shot by assailants at age 25, leaving him paralyzed and dependent. She has been the sole breadwinner ever since. Despite inheriting the coffee business from her brother, the old equipment prevents her from earning adequately. "Every day I make only 100-200 baht, and some days nothing at all," she said through tears. "What I need most isn't money—it's equipment like a cart, tables, coffee-making tools, and supplies to run the business properly and provide for my bedridden son."

Abbot Phra Khru Thaworn noted that the family faces genuine hardship. Sompon struggles alone, earning just hundreds of baht daily from coffee sales, sometimes nothing. Without capital to buy inventory and facing deteriorating equipment, her situation grows increasingly difficult. He called on benefactors to donate coffee-selling equipment or funds for repairs and supplies. Those wishing to help can contact Sompon directly at 099-055-2282.

Natural Resources Minister Suchat Chumklin is advancing the "Phuket Model" by strictly enforcing laws against all protected area encroachers without exception, ordering demolition operations on luxury hotels and villas following final court verdicts to reclaim over 25 rai of forest land for the state.

On July 10, 2026, Suchat assigned Deputy Police General Surpol Boonma, the ministry secretary, along with senior officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants to coordinate with Sirinat National Park and Phuket's enforcement office to execute court orders. The team also worked with Interior Ministry Deputy Secretary General Peer Suvannavee to monitor enforcement operations against forest encroachment in two cases at Sirinat National Park in Thalang District, Phuket.

This marks the second case under the government's "Phuket Model" initiative led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Deputy Police General Surpol stated the operation aligns with the premier's policy prioritizing natural resource recovery, land use regulation, and combating protected area invasions to establish new law enforcement standards where all are equal before the law and national resources belong to the people, not powerful interests.

National Parks Department Director Arthapol Charoenchunsa reported the operation covers two Sirinat cases with final court rulings. The first involves a 13-rai hotel property in Sakoo Subdistrict where the Supreme Court ordered revocation of land certificates and demolition of 39 luxury hotel and villa structures. Phuket's land office has already revoked documents and the park has begun enforcement demolition.

The second case, covering about 12 rai in Chaoley Subdistrict within the Khao Rup forest reserve and Sirinat park, involved forged documents used to obtain title deeds. The land office has revoked the title. Although the occupant filed an administrative complaint, the eviction ruling stands. Officials posted notices giving 15 days to comply; failure will trigger immediate demolition under national park law.

Suchat emphasized all agencies must vigorously implement the "Phuket Model" with fair, transparent, and decisive law enforcement to reclaim forests, mangroves, and public beaches for the state, reiterating the government under the prime minister will not tolerate natural resource encroachment.

The 2026 Ch7HD Sports Student Volleyball Championship opened its knockout-style qualifying rounds with teams bringing their best game, knowing defeat means immediate elimination. Both women's and men's divisions featured competitive matches with intense results in the opening round.

In the women's division, five matches were held on Wednesday, July 8, with victories including Wat Nong Kho School defeating Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organization School, Tesaban 3 School beating Chaiyachim Phol Witthayakhom 3-0, and Sarakham Witthayakhom defeating Dan Khun Thod 3-0.

The men's division opened on Thursday, July 9, with equally intense competition in four matches. Kham Thalae School won 3-0 against Muang Rangsit School, while Roi Et Provincial Administrative Organization Sports School defeated Nakhon Nont Sports School 3-1.

Qualifying rounds continue through July 14 at Chanthanyingyong Building in Bangkok with free admission starting at 9:00 AM. Matches are live-streamed on Ch7HD and BUGABOO.TV. The draw for Champions League groups is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, with competition running July 20 through August 6. The semi-final and final matches are set for August 14-15, 2026.