The Rak Dharma Party is pushing for reforms to the Hajj Promotion Act to strengthen protections for pilgrims and close loopholes exploited by fraudsters. On July 4, 2569, Deputy Party Leader Najmuddin Umar stated that many pilgrims losing the opportunity to perform this sacred religious duty represents an unacceptable tragedy that proves the state must urgently update relevant laws to prevent citizens from becoming victims of fraud repeatedly.

Umar explained that the Rak Dharma Party has recognized this problem for some time and submitted a draft Hajj Business Act to Parliament beginning May 28, 2569, making it the first political party to propose amendments to the current Hajj Promotion Act of 1981, which is now obsolete and insufficient for protecting citizens.

The new legislation's core objective is to shift the law's focus from "promotion" to genuine "regulation and consumer protection" for pilgrims. It includes stronger oversight measures for hajj service providers, stricter penalties for violators, and an insurance system or compensation fund to reimburse victims without requiring them to await court proceedings.

"It's time for Parliament to fast-track this bill into the consideration agenda because every day the outdated law remains in effect only increases opportunities for fraudsters to exploit the faith of Muslim pilgrims," Umar stated.

The party pledged to continue pushing the legislation to completion, establishing a standardized, transparent hajj industry oversight system that genuinely protects pilgrims' rights. Umar called on all political parties to collaborate in advancing the bill and requested the Prime Minister's endorsement, noting it is a financial bill. He also thanked all parties assisting with the case of 150 residents from three southern provinces who were defrauded by operators and unable to perform umrah on July 3, 2569.

Miss Earth Thailand organization held a strategic planning meeting led by Dr. Nong-Sirikarn Unsnkran, organization president, and Noy-Naruepon Narupiti, vice chair, joined by competition manager Mek-Jirrkitti, TV host Tao Teevipol, Miss Earth Fire Thailand 2025 Mor Love-Surangkhana Khunnern, and Mister Earth 2025 representatives Bhak Paphangkorn, Bobby Panachai, Earth Voradorn, Berth Nattha, Thom Tasuwan, and Brand Ambassador Yot Rawangphan to refine competition strategy.

Dr. Nong explained the competition's new direction: "We need strategic adjustments to empower contestants to demonstrate genuine spirit and implement projects that truly benefit the world. This meeting brainstormed major issues including improving quality of life, strengthening family institutions to reduce workplace stress, addressing global warming, PM 2.5 pollution, and overwhelming waste management through practical solutions that can drive real behavioral change. We aim to partner with government and private sectors so contestants become part of sustainable global community and environmental progress. If we don't care for the world, the world won't care for us. This competition isn't just pageantry—it's building confidence and getting everyone involved in protecting our planet together," Dr. Nong concluded, inviting interested applicants to register from today through August 9, 2026.

Miss & Mister Earth Thailand 2026 Schedule: Today–August 9, 2026: Application period opens August 3, 2026: Official press conference August 16, 2026: Audition round August 19–23, 2026: Hybrid training camp activities August 24–28, 2026: Full training camp at N Sirinart Hotel, Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani August 26, 2026: Swimsuit round at N Sirinart Hotel, Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani August 30, 2026: Final round at CDC Crystal Design Center

A woman was shocked to receive a mysterious invitation to a baby shower, only to discover that the father of the unborn child was her own husband. Adding to her shock, she realized her husband's family knew about the affair all along.

Sometimes infidelity is exposed through unexpected events, as in the viral story of Lorelia, who uncovered her husband's betrayal through a baby shower invitation.

Lorelia shared her story on TikTok, explaining that she initially felt confused upon receiving an invitation to a baby shower from an anonymous person, as she didn't recognize the woman's name on the card. Driven by curiosity, she investigated further and was devastated to find photos from the expectant parents showing her husband posing with the pregnant woman.

In that moment, everything became clear. Lorelia realized her husband had been unfaithful and had even fathered a child with another woman. What shocked her even more was that the baby shower was being held at her husband's parents' house.

This realization made Lorelia certain that her husband's family was already aware of the affair. She felt betrayed not only by her husband but also by the family she had grown close to. Instead of immediately venting her anger, Lorelia did something unexpected—she decided to attend the party herself.

Her sudden appearance transformed the atmosphere instantly. Her husband was startled to see his wife there. This was the moment when all the lies were finally exposed. Soon after this incident, Lorelia filed for divorce. During the divorce proceedings, she secured rights to the house, boat, and Porsche that she had owned during their marriage. Later, she discovered that her sister-in-law had intentionally sent her the invitation to reveal the truth that had been concealed all along.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthammaphand visited the 'Fragrant Coconut Community Enterprise' cooperative at Coconut Breeze in Damnernsaduak district, Ratchaburi province, to monitor progress and meet with coconut farmers and local operators. The initiative aims to strengthen Thailand's fragrant coconut industry across the entire supply chain, from product collection and marketing to processing, financing, and value creation from all coconut parts, while promoting circular economy principles and zero-waste concepts to stabilize prices and increase farmer income sustainably.

Suthammaphand stated that the field visit aims to monitor concrete and sustainable progress in solving fragrant coconut problems. Following market flooding and price pressure, the Commerce Ministry had assigned the Internal Trade Department to purchase products at market-leading prices and coordinated with private companies including fuel stations and Modern Trade to purchase over 10 million coconuts. However, with daily market supply reaching approximately 2 million coconuts, these measures alone proved insufficient, necessitating comprehensive systemic restructuring to ensure sustainability.

The minister identified another critical issue: the product collection system includes both standard and non-standard operators, leading to farmer price compression. The Commerce Ministry coordinated with parliamentary representatives and the Thai Fragrant Coconut Association to establish community enterprises as quality product collection centers offering fair-price selling alternatives while upgrading quality standards. Ratchaburi province serves as the pilot area, with plans to expand to major producing provinces including Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, and other coconut-growing regions.

Additionally, the Commerce Ministry requested cooperation with Kasetsart University to develop management models enabling sustainable long-term community enterprise operations, with knowledge transfer to other areas, particularly Ratchaburi, which is studying feasibility for establishing additional enterprises in Bang Pae district before nationwide expansion to major coconut-producing provinces. The ministry is also intensifying inspections of coconut processing operations and community enterprise purchasing practices.

Police arrested Mohamad Hassooran Mamu, 49, at Suvarnabhumi Airport's Gate 8 on July 4, 2569, after 150 pilgrims reported being defrauded. The victims had each paid 25,000 baht—totaling 3.75 million baht—for a 10-night, 11-day pilgrimage tour to Saudi Arabia scheduled for July 3-13, 2569. When the group arrived at the airport to check in, they discovered no flight reservations existed under any airline.

During questioning, Mamu admitted he lacked sufficient funds to conduct the tour and confessed to the scheme. Investigators found he had illegally operated a tour company without proper business registration or licensing. Police charged him under tourism law for conducting a travel business without authorization, which carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and a 500,000-baht fine. He was transferred to Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station for further legal proceedings.

On July 4, 2025, community networks representing the Yom, Ngao, Moei, and Salween river basins, along with academics and lawyers, released a statement opposing government efforts to expedite the Bhumibol Dam water augmentation project (Yom River diversion scheme). The groups addressed calls from authorities to rush the project, citing an October 2025 expiration of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.

The networks clarified that their 2023 court petition to the Chiang Mai Administrative Court did not aim to obstruct development or water shortage solutions. Rather, it invoked constitutional rights to ensure the EIA process and state decisions were legally sound, as both contain significant defects that could cause severe environmental, natural resource, and public rights damage.

The statement emphasized that this project extends far beyond a simple water tunnel. It would devastate ecosystems across the Yom, Ngao, Moei, and Salween rivers through upstream forest loss, tunnel excavation creating massive stone and mineral deposits, road construction, and disruption of local communities' livelihoods—costs that cannot be measured in monetary terms alone.

Criticially, the statement warned that the Salween River's condition has changed dramatically due to expanded gold, rare earth, and strategic mineral mining in Myanmar's upper regions. Testing has revealed cyanide and toxic heavy metal contamination across multiple areas. Diverting Salween water into Thailand's Chao Phraya basin risks introducing these contaminants into the nation's water system.

The statement further argued that the Yom diversion may not effectively solve the Chao Phraya basin's long-term water shortage, since the core issue stems from inadequate water management rather than insufficient water volume alone. The massive investment exceeding 100 billion baht warrants review based on current academic data, economic viability, and environmental impacts. There are also concerns about public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements potentially placing water resource management under private and foreign corporate control—a highly sensitive matter.

While acknowledging farmers' hardships in the lower Ping basin, the networks called on the government to address water management seriously but not at the expense of other regions' people and natural resources. Major project decisions must rest on rule of law, academic rigor, transparency, and genuine public participation. The government should not rush approval simply because the EIA expires; instead, it should use this opportunity to review all scientific evidence comprehensively and consider canceling the project, particularly given altered environmental conditions and water quality. Alternative, efficient, equitable water management approaches serving all river basins should be studied to ensure sustainable national water solutions.