Thailand will send 3×3 men's and women's basketball teams to compete in a major Asian-level tournament in China to accumulate world ranking points before heading to Japan to pursue two medals at the Asian Games.

The 20th Asian Games will take place from September 19 to October 4, 2025, in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Basketball Association of Thailand president Nipont Chuaritmontean announced that the Thai national basketball teams, supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, will compete in three categories: women's 5×5, men's 3×3, and women's 3×3.

Regarding the 5×5 competition, Nipont noted that while the host nation designated 12 teams for the men's final round, Thailand ranked 14th in Asia and fell short of qualification despite Syria (ranked 13th) withdrawing. The women's 5×5 team, ranked 9th-10th in Asia, qualified and will feature new players to strengthen the roster.

For the 3×3 category, limited to athletes age 23 and under, Thailand's women's team previously won bronze at the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia and will retain two players from the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou with a Serbian coach. The men's team will also feature two returnees from Hangzhou mixed with emerging talent. Officials are targeting two medals from the 3×3 events.

Before the Asian Games in September 2025, the association will send both 3×3 teams to compete in approximately 4-5 major world ranking tournaments in China during August 2025, serving as crucial preparation and selection benchmarks.

Shark Pranchai has been undefeated for nearly 8 years in the 130-pound division, with his last loss dating back to September 12, 2561 (2018), when he lost on points to Tuan Kamnuannat. At that time, many things in the world had not yet happened or had just begun—Liverpool had not yet won the Premier League, Rodsai had not yet become a ONE world champion, Lionel Messi had not yet won the FIFA World Cup, and Yotkaew had not yet reached 100 pounds.

This Saturday's RWS event will see Shark Pranchai make his fourth title defense of the Rajadamnern Championship super featherweight crown against Yotkaew Jitmeuangnon from Jitmeuangnon camp. Yotkaew is a formidable challenger who has held numerous Thai boxing titles across multiple weight classes, including 7-Color Ring championships and Omnoi Stadium titles, but has yet to capture the prestigious Rajadamnern belt.

The bout promises to be one of Shark's toughest tests yet. Yotkaew has built an impressive record and is hungry to dethrone the long-reigning champion. Tonight's fight will determine whether Shark can extend his nearly 8-year unbeaten run in the 130-pound division or if the rising challenger will claim the Rajadamnern crown.

Deputy Education Minister Akkanut Kannitinant presided over the opening of the NPRU E-Sport Secondary Cup 2026 training program for esports competitors and content creators on July 25, 2569, alongside Education Ministry task force member Paramee Waijongjaroeng, Kanchanaburi Secondary Education Area Office Director Paichiaya Pimmsari, Thapmongkhon Rangsit School Director Siwarutt Payuha, and faculty members. The competition drew strong interest from regional secondary schools, with 33 teams competing, reflecting collaborative support for learning that meets the digital era's needs.

Deputy Minister Akkanut stated that while the world prioritizes esports, Thailand lacks adequate budget support—this event received minimal initial funding for meaningful youth development. "Understanding modern teenagers' needs, I am determined to create spaces for creative activities for children and youth," he said. "I will push this at the ministry level for concrete results soon. Our first goal is to make Kanchanaburi a regional esports model to serve as a pilot before expanding support to esports-loving students nationwide."

Akkanut also posted on his Facebook page that he played the game Realm of Valor with youth at the esports event because he believes education leaders should not wait for children to adapt to us—we must adapt to understand their world. In a rapidly changing era, speaking the same language as the new generation means understanding their thoughts, interests, and lifestyle, not just using the same words. Playing games together is not merely fun but an opportunity to bridge the age gap and create natural conversation. As deputy minister overseeing education, he believes good policy must start with genuinely listening to and understanding young people, because when we understand them, we design education that better serves the future.

A Chinese restaurant has clarified its involvement in a catering event held in a neonatal intensive care unit at Ang Thong Hospital, emphasizing that the restaurant only provided food while hospital officials selected and arranged the venue. The case stems from the death of a newborn five days after birth. Parents, including Paveena Honsakul, chair of the Paveena Honsakul Foundation for Children and Women, had raised concerns after doctors and nurses held a gathering in the sterile neonatal ICU on the hospital's fifth floor. The child died the next day from a blood infection, despite doctors initially saying the infant was safe.

Ang Thong Hospital has issued a statement expressing sincere condolences to the bereaved family. The hospital confirmed receiving complaints and concerns from relatives regarding the newborn's death and acknowledged a meal had been held in the ICU ward. Preliminary investigation found that while the dining area was separated from the patient care area by a clear plastic curtain, holding such an event adjacent to patient care was inappropriate and warrants review of staff conduct policies.

The hospital has initiated urgent action, including appointing an investigation committee, reviewing treatment protocols against standards, and consulting relevant experts to assess facts. A hospital team has expressed condolences to the family and pledged to address their concerns. The hospital confirmed it will thoroughly investigate and revise safety and infection control measures to restore public confidence.

The Chinese restaurant owner stated they were hired to provide catering for a farewell gathering based on information received, with the employer responsible for venue arrangement. The restaurant staff only learned of the ICU location upon arrival, expressing surprise at the venue. The owner noted that hospital medical personnel had approved the arrangement, and staff carried food into the room. The restaurant typically conducts such events in open areas, but the employer had arranged the ICU venue.

The Department of Land issued a statement on July 25, 2569, responding to reports that Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Democratic Party leader and list-system MP, called for a review of the Khao Kradong land dispute. The party is preparing to petition the Interior Minister, arguing the government has not complied with an administrative court ruling that found the disputed land belongs to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), and vowing to monitor the situation closely.

The Khao Kradong land dispute in Semet and Isaan subdistricts, Mueang Buriram district, Buriram province, has attracted sustained public and media attention, with various viewpoints raised about the Department of Land's handling. The Department has repeatedly clarified the facts, legal points, procedures, and outcomes, and says it has strictly followed all applicable laws, court verdicts and orders, and relevant administrative review processes while protecting both state and public rights and ensuring fairness to all stakeholders. However, because misleading information continues to circulate about the facts, the Department's jurisdiction, and its actions, the agency released a detailed summary:

1. Regarding cases in which the Department of Land and its director are bound by Supreme Court, Court of Appeals Region 3, and Central Administrative Court rulings that the disputed land belongs to the SRT:

1.1 Three civil cases—Supreme Court verdicts 842–876/2560, 8027/2561, and Court of Appeals Region 3 verdict 1112/2563—involve disputes over rights under the Civil and Commercial Code between plaintiffs and defendants. The Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Region 3 verdicts are binding only on the specific plots that villagers and the SRT litigated in those three cases alone. The Department of Land has fully implemented these verdicts, but cannot revoke title deeds for other plots because, although the verdicts show ownership under Section 145 Paragraph 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure and bind outsiders, they are only an initial presumption. Ordinary persons outside the case may defend their rights in civil litigation, so people must be given the chance to litigate and prove their superior rights. These verdicts cannot bind outsiders without new litigation against the relevant parties under Section 145 Paragraph 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The Supreme and Appeals courts did not rule on the entire 5,083-rai area, so claiming the verdict confirms ownership of all the land exceeds the verdict's scope. The SRT cannot apply the results of the three cases to other plots because each plot's acquisition history differs; villagers as owners must have a chance to defend their rights. The SRT's claim that the Department must revoke title deeds for the entire disputed area is therefore legally unfounded.

On July 25, Chaiachana Detchdecho, a Democratic Party list MP and deputy southern regional chief, responded after Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithadprasap announced the findings of a committee studying the Land Bridge project—a transport infrastructure initiative to link shipping between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The committee determined the project has low feasibility, risks burdening the national budget, and carries considerable risk.

Chaiachana thanked the committee for its comprehensive analysis and for reflecting the reality that the Land Bridge is an uneconomical investment for the country. He called on the government and cabinet to seriously consider the committee's findings when deliberating the matter in cabinet meetings.

"When the study clearly shows the project carries high risk and poor economic returns, the government should listen to expert voices and public opinion, and should not proceed with a project that may burden the nation's budget in the future," Chaiachana said.

He proposed redirecting the Land Bridge budget to develop southern rail infrastructure by accelerating rail connections to major southern ports—Padang Besar, Kantang, and Ranong—and expanding rail links to ports nationwide to boost logistics capacity, reduce transport costs, and strengthen national competitiveness.

Chaiachana also proposed developing Thungsong District in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a regional cargo distribution and inland container depot hub, similar to Ladkrabang, to efficiently link rail, road, and maritime transport.

"Future large government projects must be based on careful analysis, economic value, and public input," Chaiachana said. "We must thank the committee for listening to the people and urge the government to do the same, because every baht is public tax money that must deliver maximum benefit."