THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Bunditpatanasilpa Institute (BPI) showcased Nora dance, traditional Thai costumes and creative performing arts, captivating Dutch and international audiences at the Thailand Grand Festival 2026 in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Thailand's BPI under the Ministry of Culture continues to advance its mission of promoting Thai arts and culture internationally. By showcasing expertise in traditional Thai dance, music, performing arts and cultural heritage, the institute brings these cultural treasures to both the Thai diaspora and international audiences. The initiative aims to reflect Thailand's cultural identity, raise global awareness and enhance the value of Thai cultural arts worldwide.

Assistant Professor Dr. Somkiat Poomipak, President of the BPI, assigned the Faculty of Performing Arts to lead a troupe of performers at the festival. The event, held from July 2-6 at Lange Voorhout in The Hague and organized by the Royal Thai Embassy, attracted strong interest from Dutch and international audiences, earning praise for the elegance and beauty of Thai performing arts.

Performances featured traditional and contemporary productions, with highlights including Nora, the southern Thai dance-drama inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021, alongside traditional Thai costumes. The program opened with "Charm of Siam" followed by traditional Nora dance and creative productions including "The Flight of Kinnaree and Nora Sacrificial Dance," "The Rhythm of Isan Wooden Castanets," "The Graceful Fan Dance," and "The Bouquet of Thai Arts." All performances received warm reception from audiences.

On July 5, the Faculty of Performing Arts also organized a cultural workshop in The Hague for Thai diaspora members, introducing them to fundamentals of Thai performing arts and the creative performance "Puen Thai." The session aimed to promote learning about Thai cultural arts while strengthening connections between overseas Thais and their heritage.

The BPI continues its role as Thailand's leading educational institution for arts and culture, preserving and promoting Thai performing arts internationally while fostering cultural exchange and strengthening ties between Thailand and the global community.

JAS, the exclusive broadcaster of FIFA World Cup 2026 in Thailand, partnering with the Monomax application under MONO, is hosting a new fan experience at "FIFA WORLD CUP FAN PARK THAILAND 2026: LIVE THE GAME, SHARE THE MOMENT." The green space in central Bangkok will bring football fans together to cheer the World Cup quarterfinals with entertainment and lifestyle activities for everyone on Sunday, July 12, 2025, from 6:00-10:00 a.m. at Vachirabenjatas Park (Rail Park) in the Caterpillar Plaza area.

The event embraces a "New Sport Lifestyle" concept, blending world-class sports viewing with relaxation, exercise, and quality time in a green environment, transforming an ordinary Sunday morning into a celebration for football fans and families. The live broadcast on large LED screens will feature the World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and Switzerland, kicking off at 8:00 a.m. Before the match, fans can enjoy a Pre-Match Talk session diving into key tactical points with famous Thai football commentators and analysts: Games-Suphawut Srakwan (Games), Kuay-Nattapol Damrongratchavattana (Tan Kuay), Yak-Jitakorn Srikamkruea (Yak Doi Daeng), and Je-Warapat Arunphakdi, who will discuss tactics and team preparations to enhance the viewing experience.

Admission is free. Fans can watch the live broadcast in a relaxed atmosphere on Sunday, July 12, 2025, from 6:30-10:00 a.m. at Vachirabenjatas Park (Rail Park) in the Caterpillar Plaza area. For more details, visit the JAS Group Facebook page.

Atthawit Rakkachamuang, managing director of Bokor Sor (BKS), announced that the company will reduce fares by 3 satang per kilometer per seat starting July 11, 2025, in compliance with the Department of Land Transport's directive. The reduction applies to Category 2 routes (Bangkok to other provinces) and Category 3 routes (between provinces), following a fuel price drop to 34.94 baht per liter. The move aligns with government and Transport Ministry policy to reduce living costs for the public.

Passengers who purchased BKS tickets on or after July 11, 2025, at the pre-reduction price can request refunds with their tickets at BKS ticket counters nationwide. Travelers can inquire about routes and book tickets through the BKS website (https://tcl99web.transport.co.th), Facebook (www.facebook.com/BorKorSor99), Line (ID: @BKS99), BKS ticket offices nationwide, or by calling 02-936-3660.

Water leakage beneath the construction tunnel for the southern Purple Line extension at Ratchayothin intersection has alarmed local residents, with cracks appearing in nearby structures. Prime Minister Anuthint Charnveerakul visited the site on July 9 and confirmed that water levels were under control, though officials were instructed to prioritize repairs to ensure public safety.

A local shop owner showed reporters fresh cracks near the construction site and expressed concern, particularly given recent earthquakes in the area. The merchant, who has operated there for about a year, noted visible ground subsidence and construction dust, along with vibrations during pile-driving operations. He called on authorities to accelerate inspections and urged contractors to work more carefully in this high-traffic area.

Mass Transit Authority Chairman Montri Dechaskulsoom told media the water seepage likely stems from a leaky sump pit or collection basin. Officials have moved quickly to fix it. He confirmed that latest inspections found no additional structural settlement or tilting, no new cracks, and that an adjacent overpass remains structurally sound. The authority coordinated with district engineers to inspect surrounding buildings and reassure the public. Regarding some cracks residents reported, Montri clarified that some were pre-existing, though the contractor has been ordered to conduct a thorough reinspection of all nearby buildings with district engineers.

On July 9, 2025, at the Paveena Hongsukul Foundation for Children and Women in Pathum Thani, parents representing 11 girls aged 11-15 from a Kanchanaburi school filed complaints against their school principal for sexual abuse and misconduct. The girls, students in grades 5-9, claim the principal called them individually under pretexts such as haircuts, clothing fittings, or chores—often to his teacher's residence—where he allegedly committed sexual abuse. Some victims report being abused since grade 3, occurring nearly daily over 100 times. The principal allegedly threatened to revoke their educational support if they told anyone.

The principal also reportedly purchased undergarments for students and deducted costs from government-subsidized clothing allowances, then requested the used items back, raising further suspicion about his motives. When students reported incidents to other teachers, they were dismissed and told to protect the school's reputation. The girls confirm at least 20 additional victims among their peers.

When confronted, the principal denied the allegations and blamed social media. He submitted a resignation letter on July 3, 2025, claiming to ease tensions and protect the school's image. Parents fear he may be attempting to evade prosecution.

Following the complaint, Paveena Hongsukul coordinated with Deputy Education Minister Akkranant Kankit, who oversees the Education Ministry's Rights Protection Center, to investigate. Officials including Dr. Aruni Jiramahascal and Dr. Trin Kandok arrived to meet with Paveena and the parents. The foundation will assist the families in filing a police report on July 10, 2025, with ongoing support from the Education Ministry.

A Texas woman named Lauren has gone viral online after removing her breast implants and discovering black mold inside the saline-filled devices. She had been experiencing chronic health issues including unexplained hives, nausea, vomiting, joint and muscle pain, headaches, severe anxiety, and depression—symptoms that largely resolved after explantation surgery. In videos shared on social media, Lauren displayed her original implants containing large black particulates, noting the implants had been in her chest near her heart for years. She removed them about five years ago and now warns others that "saline implants are not always safe."

Experts confirm that while fungal contamination of breast implants is rare, it can occur if the implant shell is damaged or leaks during surgery, creating conditions favorable for mold growth. Common fungi found include Aspergillus (typically black mold) and Candida species. Lauren is not alone—other patients have reported discovering orange-colored masses resembling fungal growth in their implants before developing symptoms consistent with Breast Implant Illness (BII).

However, BII remains controversial in the medical community, as no direct scientific evidence has established a causal link between breast implants and the reported symptoms. Consequently, BII is not officially recognized as a disease. Reported symptoms include joint pain, muscle pain, weakness, psychiatric issues, brain fog, fatigue, memory loss, chronic pain, hair loss, and skin rashes. Some women have described feeling "poisoned" by their implants, while others report unexplained weight gain. These symptoms can occur with both saline and silicone gel implants, leading increasing numbers of women to seek removal.