Thai-foreign couple fails to settle 195,000 baht wedding catering billLegacyA catering business owner filed a police complaint, alleging that a Thai-foreign couple failed to pay 195,000 baht for catering services provided at their wedding in Nakhon Ratchasima province. The caterer, 39 year old Somsak Taemsuay, reported the matter to Pak Chong Police Station yesterday, July 16. He also spoke to several media outlets, saying he hopes to recover the outstanding payment from the couple. According to Somsak, he received the booking from a Thai woman identified only as Paphada on June 9 for a wedding reception held on July 7. He said the order covered catering for 130 tables at 2,500 baht per table, bringing the total cost to 325,000 baht. Somsak said he met Paphada at her home in Ban Rai subdistrict, Thep Sathit district, to discuss the menu and venue arrangements on June 10. Following the meeting, she paid a deposit of 130,000 baht. Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวปากช่องนิวส์ According to Somsak, he also provided complimentary beverages and arranged a live band to perform during the morning wedding ceremony because of the size of the booking. The catering company completed the service on the day of the wedding and sought payment of the remaining balance after the event. Somsak alleged that the couple asked to settle the outstanding amount the following day. However, he said the payment was never made. Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวปากช่องนิวส์ According to the caterer, Paphada later told him that her foreign husband had not provided the dowry he had promised, leaving her unable to pay the remaining 195,000 baht. After several unsuccessful attempts to recover the outstanding balance, Somsak filed a police complaint. Despite taking legal action, Somsak said he hopes the matter can be resolved through negotiation rather than court proceedings. He added that the unpaid bill has placed financial pressure on both him and his business. Police said they plan to summon the couple for questioning and discussions regarding the dispute. A date for the meeting has not yet been announced. Photo via Facebook/ ข่าวปากช่องนิวส์ The story Thai-foreign couple fails to settle 195,000 baht wedding catering bill as seen on Thaiger News.

On July 17, Pol. Lt. Gen. Achayon Kraitong, commander of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, led a multi-agency operation in communities along Khlong Phra Khanong in partnership with the Metropolitan Police, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, the Department of Special Investigation, Bangkok authorities, and community networks. The operation resulted in three arrests and the seizure of 3.3 grams of crystal methamphetamine, with additional community sweeps conducted. Officers also distributed essential supplies to 19 bedridden patients and elderly residents to provide relief and strengthen public morale.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Achayon explained that the "Safe Community" program builds on previous initiatives by integrating cooperation between police, government agencies, community partners, and residents in areas still affected by drug trafficking. The goal is to strengthen preventive and suppressive measures while creating mechanisms for community participation and long-term vigilance.

The commander emphasized that the program's objective extends beyond arrests and prosecution to sustaining safe neighborhoods, protecting children and youth in drug-free environments, and ensuring lasting quality of life. He called on all segments of society to participate in safeguarding their communities from drug threats, as solving the problem requires collective effort. The public is encouraged to report drug-related information to the police hotline 191, local police stations, or the narcotics hotline 1599 available 24 hours daily, with strict confidentiality assured.

Rescue teams have recovered one body from the fishing vessel Chok Kanya, which capsized at sea 3 nautical miles off Koh Kood after losing contact on June 28. Four crew members remain missing. Underwater search divers inspected the sunken vessel at 25 meters depth in normal visibility and current conditions, finding the captain's cabin door slightly ajar with no signs of disturbance inside, personal items in their normal places, and the crew quarters door wide open with a phone charger still plugged in and bedding neatly arranged. Five life jackets and two gas cylinders were found on the upper deck. Based on the undisturbed condition of belongings and the life jackets left behind, rescue teams will analyze the evidence to plan expanded search operations in a wider radius. At 1:27 p.m., volunteers recovered a male body washed ashore on Koh Kood beach in Trat province. Family members confirmed the deceased is Thit Yim, a 47-year-old Cambodian crew member from the Chok Kanya. Sea and beach search operations are ongoing.

On July 17, a male customer became agitated at a porridge shop on Ban Kaset Road in Khon Kaen municipality and hurled a bowl of noodles before sweeping condiments and containers onto the floor, alarming the owner, staff, and other customers. Security footage revealed that after the man walked back to his car, he returned because he had left his car keys on the table, then swept more items to the ground a second time, sending glass shards that struck a female customer who had just entered—though she was not seriously injured. He then drove away.

Shop owner Wisawachit, 35, posted a warning saying the incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. when three men came to order food. One appeared intoxicated, repeatedly changing his mind about what to eat. Staff politely invited him to wait at a table while his food was prepared, but he misunderstood this as being thrown out and became angry, using foul language before causing the disturbance. The owner said he submitted CCTV footage to investigators at Khon Kaen City Police Station to proceed with charges due to concern for staff and customer safety.

Employee Thipsuda, 61, explained that the intoxicated customer stood at the counter for a long time, changing orders multiple times between noodle soup, noodle stir-fry, and instant ramen. Staff politely told him they understood his order and invited him to sit and wait while his food was prepared. The customer misunderstood this as being asked to leave and became upset, repeatedly complaining he was being kicked out despite the staff not responding. When the customer's companion paid the bill, he threw a 1,000-baht note at the employee's hand and said, "Take it, and don't treat other customers like this again." The man then lifted his food bowl and dumped it on the floor, swept containers and condiments across the ground, and walked back to his car.

Realizing he had left his keys at the table, he returned, grabbed them, and swept the remaining items onto the floor again before getting in his car, staring out the window briefly, and driving away. Staff believed he was intoxicated. Thipsuda added that all employees were shocked and frightened because they did not know if the man was armed. The second sweep of condiments sent glass fragments that hit an incoming female customer, who fortunately was not seriously hurt and did not press charges. The shop owner is handling the case with police. Staff remain fearful that the man might return, and believe he may be a past customer based on his statement.

Witthayakorn Maninetr, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, revealed that southern Thailand's 2025 durian harvest reached approximately 752,000 tons, a 30% increase from the previous year. Currently, about 35% or 260,000 tons have reached market, leaving 490,000 tons to be managed in coming months.

Southern durian prices have fallen due to multiple factors: China's market slowdown, increased domestic fruit availability in China, competition from rival exporters, and durian shipments from other Thai growing regions like Uttaradit, Sisaket, and Nakhon Ratchasima. A critical issue is quality: some batches shipped to China proved underripe, causing Chinese buyers to pause orders. The ministry emphasizes quality control from orchard to export, particularly the starch content standard of 32%, noting that fruit harvested at 34-36% starch reaches consumers in better condition and commands higher prices. Major production areas in the south include Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Yala, with Chumphon alone producing over 300,000 tons.

The Commerce Ministry plans to manage and absorb approximately 300,000 tons of southern fruit including durian, mangosteen, rambutan, and longkong. Previous forward-purchase contracts covered over 3,700 tons, with live-commerce and promotional activities targeting 9,000 tons. Distribution will extend through fresh markets, wholesale centers, modern retail chains, and local shops nationwide, aiming to move over 200,000 tons. The ministry coordinated with Talad Morakot, a major wholesale market, to encourage mid-size and small retailers to buy durian directly.

For lower-quality fruit damaged by heavy rain, poor care, or surface defects, the ministry partnered with large cold-storage facilities and processing plants to absorb at least 15,000 tons of whole fruit or 5,000 tons of pulp. Externally blemished but internally sound durian will be promoted for consumption and processing, encouraging consumers to prioritize internal quality over appearance. The ministry is also organizing promotional events for southern durian targeting tourists and buyers from the Middle East and Central Asia, with visits planned to Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces for product trials.

The Media Development Fund unveiled the semi-documentary short film "BUAKAW THE SERIES: Dust, Sweat And Glory" on July 17, 2025, at Rattana Bundit University, in partnership with the Banchamek Foundation, Thailand's Tourism Authority (TAT), the Thai Boxing Commission, the Thai Amateur Muay Thai Association, the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations (IFMA), and the university. The film tells the life story of Lieutenant Colonel Samart Banchamek, known as Buakaw, one of the world's greatest Muay Thai boxers, aiming to inspire audiences by showcasing values of determination, discipline, perseverance, and self-development while promoting Muay Thai as Thailand's cultural heritage and international soft power.

Dr. Thanakorn Srisiksai, manager of the Media Development Fund, explained that the film uses creative media to transmit inspiration and convey lessons about discipline, determination, resilience, and never giving up through the real-life story of a role model, enabling youth and citizens to apply these principles in their own lives while raising awareness of Muay Thai's significance. Buakaw Banchamek himself participated in the project, sharing his experiences from childhood through training, overcoming obstacles, and becoming a world champion. He expressed excitement and gratitude for the filmmakers' efforts in capturing his personal journey, explaining that every step toward victory required immense patience and perseverance.

Buakaw noted that he also served as an assistant director and guide in conveying his authentic story, with the film drawing partly from his real experiences and partly from the director's creative interpretation. The production is not limited to Thai language; it has been translated into multiple languages to reach international audiences. Director Isara Nadi stated that the film will allow viewers to experience Buakaw's struggles, determination, and inspiration under the theme "Every success begins with small steps that never stop moving." The project comprises six episodes of 25 minutes each, documenting Buakaw's journey from his first steps in boxing to becoming a world champion.