Thailand's Ministry of Defense is organizing the country's first defense industry exhibition, THAIDEF-EX 2026, uniting government, private sector, and researchers to drive the defense industry toward sustainable self-reliance.

The opening ceremony for THAILAND Defence Industry Exhibition 2026 is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. at the multipurpose building of the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense in the Sri Saman area. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will preside, accompanied by the deputy prime minister, defense minister, relevant cabinet members, senior government officials, military commanders, the national police commissioner, entrepreneurs, and defense industry network representatives.

This inaugural Thai defense industry exhibition operates under the concept "Power of Self Reliance" to strengthen Thailand's defense sector in line with government policy on national security and economic development. The initiative promotes Thai entrepreneurs, supports research and technology, and fosters collaboration between government, private, and educational sectors to build genuine self-sufficiency and national competitiveness.

Beyond showcasing defense industry capabilities, the event serves as a mechanism for driving future economic and industrial growth. It provides researchers, technology developers, and Thai entrepreneurs opportunities to commercialize innovations, create economic value, generate employment, and enhance national competitiveness.

Running from July 8-10, 2026, the exhibition will feature defense industry products and innovations from government and private agencies, along with keynote speeches, expert seminars, technology demonstrations, business matching sessions, and networking activities for knowledge exchange.

The Ministry of Defense believes THAIDEF-EX 2026 represents a crucial step in mobilizing all sectors to strengthen Thailand's defense industry sustainably while balancing security, technology, and economic development toward long-term self-reliance and national interest protection.

The Ministry of Interior has announced a reduction in land transfer and mortgage registration fees to 0.01 percent to help citizens purchase homes and boost the real estate sector through June 30, 2025. Deputy Interior Minister Palpeer Suvannavee signed two ministerial announcements dated June 30, 2024, covering registration fees for residential and commercial properties under the Land Code, as well as condominium units under the Condominium Act.

The measure aims to ease the burden on citizens seeking to own homes and promote real estate transactions that benefit the national economy. The reduced 0.01 percent fee applies to transfers and mortgages of single houses, duplexes, townhouses, or commercial buildings, or land with such structures, with purchase prices and property valuations not exceeding 7 million baht and mortgage amounts not exceeding 7 million baht. The same 0.01 percent rate applies to condominium unit transfers and mortgages meeting the same financial criteria.

Income tax withholding, specific business tax, and stamp duty remain subject to rates set by law. The measure applies to Thai nationals and takes effect from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, following Royal Gazette publication. The Land Department is prepared to serve citizens utilizing this measure to support home ownership and stimulate real estate activity, thereby maintaining economic stability and supporting the broader real estate sector and related businesses.

Additional information is available from Land Department offices nationwide or the department's hotline at 0 2141 5555.

At least four people died in a disaster after millions of Mexican football fans gathered in downtown Mexico City to celebrate their national team's World Cup 2026 performance. Mexico advanced past the round of 32 with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador on June 30, marking the team's first knockout-round win in 40 years. Reports indicate that millions of Mexican fans flooded the streets of Mexico City in celebration, but the event spiraled into chaos as crowds became dangerously congested, leading to people falling and trampling one another. The Mexico City health authorities initially confirmed three deaths: a 44-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman who died at the scene from asphyxiation, and a 48-year-old woman who died at a hospital, also from asphyxiation. A fourth death was later reported—a 30-year-old man who was hospitalized with severe seizures and gastrointestinal bleeding. Despite medical efforts to save him, he died. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the attorney general's office would investigate the incident and authorities would assess whether any safety measure changes were necessary before Mexico's Round of 16 match against England.

Thomas Tuchel, England's manager, commended his team's determination as they overcame an early deficit to secure a 2-1 victory against DR Congo. Meanwhile, DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre expressed disappointment over his team's late falter but recognized they are in a development phase.

In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers' Round of 32 match on July 1, England edged out DR Congo 2-1 to advance to the Round of 16, where they will face hosts Mexico on July 5.

DR Congo took the lead through Bryan Ciphenga in the 7th minute, but England mounted a comeback with Harry Kane scoring twice in the 75th and 86th minutes.

Tuchel commented: "We started as badly as possible, but we maintained our confidence and worked hard. We need this attitude. When things get difficult, let them be difficult, but we must not lose patience or confidence."

Desabre said: "We're disappointed because we truly believed we could win. However, we must praise all our players. This is DR Congo football. We may lack experience in some areas, but we are learning and developing. We will move forward calmly."

Nonthaburi – Police have apprehended Napphrasa Vonghan, known as Sam, age 39, a murder suspect in the case of a young friend whose body was found weighted in a barrel submerged in water. Sam surrendered at a residence on Wat Lad Pla Duk Alley in Bang Khurad District, Nonthaburi, after family contact arranged his voluntary submission to authorities.

The victim, Uthen (nickname Jia) Punyacharoen Nont, age 39, had disappeared for months. Police later discovered he was murdered, with his body stuffed into a barrel filled with concrete and weighted, left in a large pond over 300 meters wide in Moo 11, Bang Bua Thong Subdistrict, Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi.

Police executed arrest warrant W.974/2569, dated July 1, 2569, charging Sam with intentional murder, concealing and disposing of a corpse to hide the death or cause of death, and destroying or rendering evidence useless. After questioning at the investigation room, Sam denied involvement in Uthen's death. He will be held in custody and transferred to Nonthaburi Provincial Court for formal detention proceedings.