The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Commerce Ministry reported successful results from the Business Matching activity held on July 9, 2026, at the Vinpearl Landmark 81 hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Twenty-two Thai companies and 21 Vietnamese companies participated, conducting 160 business negotiations that generated a total trade value of 275.46 million baht, equivalent to approximately 8.10 million US dollars. This demonstrates the potential of Thai films, series, and content to expand markets and create business partnerships in Vietnam.

The negotiated trade value breaks down as 17.51 million baht in immediate value, 121.45 million baht expected within one year, and 136.51 million baht expected within 2-5 years. Business discussions covered licensing sales, content distribution, theatrical releases of Thai films, digital platform distribution, and joint production projects between companies from both countries.

According to DITP Deputy Director-General Porawit Silaouen, Vietnam represents a high-potential market for the Thai film and content industry, driven by growth in the entertainment media sector and strong consumer demand for foreign content, particularly Thai films and series. Vietnam serves not only as an important export market but also as a potential partner for long-term collaboration in distribution, co-production, intellectual property development, and regional market expansion across ASEAN.

"The success of these business negotiations reflects that Thai content has significant potential and continues to attract Vietnam's market," Porawit said. "The department will continue supporting Thai entrepreneurs in expanding markets, building business partnerships, and developing new forms of collaboration to increase trade value and strengthen the competitiveness of Thailand's content industry in foreign markets."

The Thai Film Festival in Vietnam 2026, held July 9-11, marked the third consecutive edition, integrating trade promotion activities with audience expansion for Thai content through Business Matching, Networking Receptions, and film screenings. Five Thai films were screened: Midnight Incense, Death Whisperer 1, Ghost Board, Our House, and Human Resource, accompanied by meet-and-greets with directors, actors, and film representatives to build awareness and promote Thai content in Vietnam. The event held special significance as Thailand and Vietnam mark 50 years of diplomatic relations.

DITP will continue promoting Thailand's content industry by organizing the Thailand Content Market 2026 (TCM 2026) on July 20-22, 2026, at the Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, serving as an international business platform connecting Thai film and content entrepreneurs.

KHON KAEN — A Cambodian construction worker has been arrested for allegedly stealing electrical cables from a shopping mall construction site in northeastern Thailand, with police saying he admitted selling the metal inside the wires to support his family back home.

Police in Khon Kaen announced the arrest of the 34-year-old Cambodian national on Friday following an investigation into the theft of electrical cables from the newly completed Central Campus Khon Kaen development. The stolen cables were valued at about 10,000 baht.

Investigators said they searched the suspect's accommodation at a workers' camp and found aluminum stripped from electrical cables, clothing and shoes matching those worn by the suspect during the theft, as well as pieces of the stolen cables.

During questioning, the suspect allegedly confessed to cutting the cables to extract aluminum and copper, which he then sold to scrap dealers. He told police he sent the money to his family in Cambodia.

Police are coordinating with the contractor to determine how long the suspect had been employed at the site and with the provincial labor office to verify whether he was legally working in Thailand.

The suspect has been charged with theft, while investigators are tracing the scrap shop where the stolen metals were allegedly sold and are considering additional charges if any labor law violations are found.

On July 10, 2569 (2026), Paveena Hongsukul, chairwoman of the Paveena Foundation for Children and Women, brought 11 families with girls aged 10-15 from a school in Sri Sawat district, Kanchanaburi province, to the Kanchanaburi Provincial Police Command to file charges against the school principal for sexual misconduct involving groping. Maj. Gen. Pacharavee Ruangpoo, commander of Kanchanaburi Provincial Police, facilitated the filing of complaints at the provincial command rather than at Sri Sawat Police Station where the incidents occurred.

The situation came to light when one parent learned of the principal's behavior and gathered information from other parents, discovering that more than 20 students had experienced similar abuse. They approached the foundation for assistance.

Paveena stated that 11 girls and their families filed complaints today, though additional students and parents are preparing to file reports. The victims will be placed under care at the Kanchanaburi Child and Family Shelter to prevent intimidation during the investigation process, beginning July 13 onwards. Parents will provide statements to investigators immediately.

Maj. Gen. Pacharavee said police are coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure the victims' welfare and will conduct comprehensive interviews with all victims and parents to ensure justice.

Parents disclosed that their children were called to the principal's residence under the pretext of exchanging old uniforms for new ones, where abuse occurred. The principal allegedly threatened victims, claiming that reporting the incidents would result in expulsion and loss of educational funding. Some children were allegedly abused repeatedly over several years, with incidents numbering in the hundreds.

Initially, the 11 girls who filed complaints will be placed under care at the Kanchanaburi Child and Family Shelter awaiting interviews with multidisciplinary professionals beginning July 13. Other students and parents can continue filing complaints and providing information to police. The principal submitted a resignation letter several months ago, confirmed by the Kanchanaburi Education Zone 1 Office.

Dr. Prawat Kitthammagulnij, chairman of Phlang Kanchanaburi FC, announced that new head coach Park Hang Seo has arrived in Thailand and is ready to lead the team in Thailand League 2 immediately.

Phlang Kanchanaburi FC previously announced the signing of renowned South Korean coach Park Hang Seo as the new head coach to compete in the upcoming Thailand League 2 season.

Dr. Prawat, the club chairman, posted a video confirming Park Hang Seo's arrival in Thailand and his readiness to begin coaching Phlang Kanchanaburi FC in Thailand League 2. Dr. Prawat also posted a welcoming message: "Welcome to Thailand, Coach. Your discipline and toughness have now begun."

Park Hang Seo brings a successful track record from five years managing Vietnam's national team, including leading the U-23 team to the Asian Championship runners-up finish in 2018, winning the Southeast Asian Games gold medals in 2019 and 2021, the 2018 AFF Championship, finishing fourth at the 2018 Asian Games, reaching the final of the 2019 Asian Cup, and advancing to the third round of World Cup 2022 qualifying.

On July 10, 2025, Akkanat Kangkittinan, Education Minister and Pheu Thai Party MP for Kanchanaburi District 1, posted on Facebook urging residents to safeguard their province. Kanchanaburi, he noted, is one of Thailand's premier tourist destinations, renowned for its natural beauty, rich history, archaeology, and unique geographic significance—a heritage passed down from ancestors that must be preserved for future generations.

In recent weeks, reports have emerged of foreign investors purchasing large tracts of land across multiple areas of the province. Such transactions could lead to development projects or businesses with serious impacts on local livelihoods, environment, natural resources, and quality of life. Without careful and strict oversight, these decisions risk burdening the entire province for decades.

Akkanat urged all stakeholders—provincial officials, local administrative organizations, village headmen, and residents—to remain vigilant, monitor developments closely, and collectively protect Kanchanaburi's interests. He emphasized that leaders must stand with the people, as their positions are temporary while the land, forests, and rivers belong to future generations.

He warned against allowing short-term decisions to create long-term burdens, noting that once resources are destroyed or communities fundamentally altered, they cannot be recovered. Kanchanaburi's value lies not merely in tourism but in being a home to people, a land of history, culture, and nature that has sustained communities for generations.

While development is widely supported, it must be transparent, accountable, and responsive to public voices. It cannot trade irreplaceable resources for short-term profits benefiting only a few. Akkanat called on all Kanchanaburi residents—young and old, urban and rural—to care more deeply for their homeland, protecting its land, forests, rivers, history, and communities.

He encouraged residents to remain vigilant and not ignore potential threats to the common good. Using their rights within legal frameworks, they should verify information, voice opinions, and participate in decisions about their province's future. He reminded residents of a principle: "We borrow this land from our descendants, not inherit it from ancestors only to exhaust it."

Kanchanaburi's beauty tomorrow depends on decisions made today.

Ingfah Varahah, a senior member of the Miss Grand organization, hopes the ongoing controversy involving junior titleholder Ning Patma will be resolved constructively. She was asked about the situation after a blessing ceremony and the launch of the film "LADY BEE" at the Ganesha Shrine plaza in front of CentralWorld shopping mall.

"As a senior in the organization, I want this matter to end on a good note," Ingfah said diplomatically. "It's not an issue that should even be a topic of discussion in the first place. However, I don't know all the details and haven't spoken with her yet. I want to offer support to everyone involved. Ultimately, I hope everything resolves well. In the entertainment industry, peace of mind comes first. Ning still has a long career ahead of her as an artist, so I'm offering encouragement to all parties."

When asked for her advice on handling such situations in the entertainment field, Ingfah offered candid counsel: "It's difficult to put into words, but I believe actions speak louder. Sometimes we talk too much but accomplish too little, which undermines our credibility. Throughout my time here, I've believed we should speak less but strike harder—let people see through our work. No matter what happens, people will trust in who we are based on what they see."

Regarding concerns about the organization's image, Ingfah acknowledged: "Yes, I'm concerned. We want the organization's image to remain positive and avoid negative perceptions. But when something goes wrong, we address and improve it. People will see that themselves."

When asked if she has seen Ning since the news broke, Ingfah replied: "I haven't had the chance to meet her yet, but if I do, I'll offer my support."