Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce is preparing to host the THAI SELECT Festival 2026 on July 21, 2026, at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal, New York. The festival aims to promote Thai cuisine and elevate the Thai SELECT brand in the U.S. market, one of Thailand's most strategic export destinations, while positioning Thai food as an important soft power asset and creating business opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs globally.

The ministry has invited Princess Ubolratana to serve as patron of the opening ceremony, honoring Thailand's efforts to promote Thai cuisine and the Thai SELECT symbol internationally. Thai food represents a major economic driver for the country, particularly in food exports and Thai restaurant businesses abroad, with the United States being a high-value market characterized by strong purchasing power and openness to international cuisine. New York, as a global hub for culture, lifestyle, and consumption, provides an ideal platform for visitors to experience quality Thai food under the Thai SELECT brand and discover flavors, culture, and innovations recognized worldwide, reinforcing Thailand's position as the "Kitchen of the World."

The 2026 festival operates under the theme "Thai SELECT Playground – Play with Thai Flavors," inviting participants on a journey through Thai taste experiences that blend food, arts, culture, and creativity. The event will feature 15 Thai SELECT-certified restaurants in New York presenting authentic and innovative Thai dishes, along with appearances by international celebrities Mai Phakkamai and Apo Nuttavit, who will serve as ambassadors of Thai soft power, meeting fans and promoting genuine Thai flavors to global audiences.

The THAI SELECT FESTIVAL 2026 represents the Department of International Trade Promotion's commitment to advancing Thailand's food export strategy and restaurant business through international recognition and elevation of the Thai SELECT brand as a globally recognized symbol of authentic Thai taste, creating trading opportunities and economic value while strengthening Thailand's food industry in the global market.

A 22-year-old man who went missing while foraging in a forest in Buriram province has been found alive after surviving seven days in the wilderness by drinking water collected in elephant footprints and from forest vines.

Kitamet "Palm" Koisamran disappeared on 11 July 2026 after becoming separated from a friend while searching for wild produce in Dong Yai Forest in Non Din Daeng district. Nearly 100 people, including rescue workers, wildlife officials, local leaders, volunteers and villagers, spent days searching the dense forest on foot and by motorcycle, but were unable to locate him. The search was complicated by thick vegetation and the presence of wild animals, including elephants.

Palm's parents also joined the search. As hopes faded, they turned to spiritual beliefs, praying to forest spirits and consulting a traditional fortune teller, who told them their son was still alive and would eventually emerge from the forest. Their hopes were realised on the evening of 17 July, when a married couple in Sra Takhian subdistrict, Soeng Sang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, found a man matching Palm's description. The couple said he appeared exhausted and had scratches on his arms and legs. They took him to their home, gave him shelter and notified Thap Lan National Park officials, who coordinated with his family.

The location where Palm was found is about 60 kilometres from where he went missing. Palm told rescuers he had separated from his friend after leaving to relieve himself. When he returned, he could no longer see his companion's lights. He said he shouted for help and set off firecrackers to attract attention but received no response. He then tried to find his way out of the forest, only to become increasingly lost.

During the ordeal, he encountered several herds of wild elephants but said they did not attack him. Palm said he survived the week without food, relying only on water collected in elephant footprints and water from forest vines until he finally came across local residents and asked for help. "I'm happy to be alive and to see my parents again," he said, adding that he would never enter the forest to forage again.

His mother described her son's survival as a miracle and thanked rescue workers, officials and villagers who joined the search. She said the family plans to have Palm ordained as a Buddhist monk to fulfil a vow made during the search and added that they would not allow him to venture into the forest again.

Thailand's Industrial Estate Authority (IEAT) announced results of spot checks on 19 target factories at Amata City industrial park in Rayong, confirming no illegal wastewater discharge was found. The authority warned that any factory violating environmental regulations will face immediate operational suspension with no exceptions.

IEAT Governor Sumet Tangjaisaithit revealed findings from inspections of drainage systems discharging into public waterways and neighboring areas near Amata City Rayong. The investigation focused on target factories near wastewater treatment plants 3 (under construction) and 4, and areas adjacent to Phu Tai Canal. All 19 factories inspected showed proper separation of wastewater from stormwater systems and strict compliance with regulations, with water quality management meeting industrial park standards before discharge into the central treatment system.

The primary cause of water overflow into stormwater drains was traced to excessive use of treated water for irrigating green areas and soil subsidence near the treated water retention pond. "We have taken immediate countermeasures by ordering the industrial estate developer to block stormwater drains to prevent leakage into public water sources, and to urgently repair the retention pond system and restore affected areas to full condition as soon as possible, including rehabilitation of Phu Tai Canal and compensation for affected residents," the governor stated.

The authority emphasized balancing industrial development with environmental and social responsibility. IEAT stressed that all factories must strictly comply with factory laws and regulations. Governor Sumet reiterated that wastewater drainage systems must be completely separated from stormwater systems and require at least one water quality inspection point. Any violations will result in immediate legal action, penalties, and suspension of operations causing environmental and community harm.

Police updated the investigation on July 18 into a shocking murder case at a hut in Ban Dung district, Udon Thani province. The victim, 35-year-old Somsak ("Tong"), was brutally murdered with seven stab wounds to the body, and his head and genitals were severed and removed from the scene.

Officers led by deputy provincial police commander Natthapon Phayomnai and investigators conducted a detailed search of the crime scene and took into custody a 30-year-old suspect, known as Thung, who lived in a hut just 50 meters away. A search of Thung's hut uncovered significant evidence including bloodstains on bedding and a knife sheath matching the blade found near the victim's body. Thung initially denied involvement but tested positive for drugs and was detained on narcotics charges pending further investigation.

At 1:30 p.m., rescuers made a horrifying discovery: the victim's severed head and genitals were found hidden in a paint can at Thung's hut. The head had been split in two, burned, and preserved with dog bones. In an even more disturbing finding, officers discovered what appeared to be brain tissue pickled in a glass jar, suggesting the suspect may have intended to consume it. The case has shocked local residents and authorities continue to build evidence against the suspect.

Deputy Secretary-General Nathriya Thaveevongse revealed that the cabinet meeting on July 14, 2026, approved in principle the creation of a Sports Ministry, marking a significant step in reforming Thailand's public sports administration. The new ministry will enable unified, agile policy-making and sports development responsive to global changes and competition.

Thaveevongse explained that the Sports Ministry will streamline management across the entire sports ecosystem, from grassroots athlete development to elite and professional sports, while promoting sports science, innovation, and the sports industry as a driver of economic value and improved quality of life. A dedicated sports agency will accelerate planning, budget allocation, and inter-sector collaboration, allowing the country to develop a coherent long-term sports strategy, host international competitions, and establish Thailand as a regional sports hub.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry is coordinating with relevant agencies to plan the transfer of functions, structure, staffing, budget, and assets according to good governance principles, ensuring continuity and no disruption to public services. Subsequent steps include drafting legislation and subordinate regulations while soliciting public input before parliamentary consideration, ensuring the ministry's establishment is thorough, transparent, and maximally beneficial to the country and its people.

Deputy Prime Minister Yasothon Wongswat and Social Development Minister Nikom Somklang launched the "Five-Dimensional Poverty Alleviation and Social Status Elevation Plan" in sandbox format in Roi Et province on July 18, using science, research, and innovation as precision tools to combat poverty down to the household level. If successful, the program will expand nationwide, with senior officials from both ministries, local administrators, and Roi Et parliamentarians participating.

Yasothon explained that the sandbox's core is real-world implementation using a comprehensive Provincial Poverty Alleviation Platform (PPAP) centered on local universities and linked with provincial, local, civil society, and state agencies at all levels. The PPPConnext system has already identified and verified 1,243,449 poor individuals from 303,444 households across 20 provinces, analyzing problems across five capital dimensions: human, physical, financial, natural, and social capital.

To date, the research program has developed over 458 poverty-alleviation models generating income for 179,370 poor people, increasing total earnings by 979 million baht. Some 3,638 scalable technologies cover food processing, fishing, agriculture, and material value-added sectors, deployed through a network of over 70 university development centers nationwide. In Roi Et specifically, Roi Et Rajabhat University identified 53,795 poor households and implemented a "precision agriculture" vegetable-farming model in Kaset Wisai and Muang Roi Et districts using IoT sensors and automated drip irrigation, benefiting 514 households with average monthly income increases of 3,414 baht and reducing debt for 44.5 percent of farmers.