The Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) and the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand hosted the LTA ATF Asian Fourteen Under 2026 youth tennis tournament for players under 14 at the National Tennis Development Center in Muang Thong Thani on July 29, 2025.

In girls' singles, top seed Nuchcharatcha Ployketsomsukt, ranked 67th in Asian youth, defeated fellow Thai competitor Chantharatana Thanisorn 6-2, 6-0 in the semifinals and advanced to the final to face fourth seed Sang Yuk Ying from Hong Kong, ranked 99th in Asian youth.

In boys' singles, sixth seed Pichphong Chinapan, a first-tournament champion from Thailand, defeated fellow Thai player Patchravut Anantnasuwong 7-5, 6-3 in the semifinals to progress to the final against third seed Revan Amarasing from Sri Lanka.

Other semifinal results: Girls' singles—Chanyya Nimvachirasoontorn lost to Shiori Itsuka (Japan) 2-6, 2-6; Sang Yuk Ying (4-Hong Kong) defeated Emma Ye (6-Taiwan) 6-4, 7-6(4); Alice Cardoze (5-Australia) defeated Chu Yao Liang (2-Hong Kong) 7-6(7-3), 6-7(2-7), 6-1. Boys' singles—Anantnathee Pongsirileert defeated Prattakorn Pachirattana 6-3, 6-2; Cameron Pretteley (1-Hong Kong) defeated Jesse Chu (Hong Kong) 7-5, 6-4; Revan Amarasing (3-Sri Lanka) defeated Dante Wong (8-Hong Kong) 6-0, 6-0.

Ann Pattira, wife of prominent actor Chakrit Yamnam, has released an update on her son Phi Pothi's serious illness. The boy has been diagnosed with three simultaneous conditions: mycoplasma bronchitis, Kawasaki fever, and MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children)—an extremely rare case occurring in fewer than 5% of patients. His parents were devastated by the severity of his condition.

In her post, Ann wrote: "Phi Pothi is now safe, but he must remain in the hospital for continued observation. I apologize for canceling his two scheduled events and for disappointing his fans who had registered to meet him. Phi Pothi has been diagnosed with mycoplasma bronchitis, high fever from Kawasaki disease, and MIS-C all at once—a case so rare that it's almost never seen or found in fewer than 5% of patients. His condition is quite severe and difficult. At that time, we as parents could barely stand, but we had to be strong to get through everything. Thank you to everyone who has shown concern and sent encouragement through every channel. My condition as a mother hasn't been ready to answer questions these past few days."

Following Ann's latest update, Phi Pothi has passed the critical danger phase but continues to stay in the hospital for close observation. He has received an outpouring of support and well-wishes from fans and entertainment industry colleagues hoping for his swift recovery.

Thai nationals in Georgia are joining forces to search for Huluun Solow, a prominent travel YouTuber who has lost contact with her family for roughly two weeks, with growing fears she may have entered Abkhazia, a special autonomous territory. Georgian state authorities confirmed they are conducting a full-scale investigation.

On July 29, 2025, Vanich Niiwong, also known as Odd Jetski, a tourist from Nakhon Ratchasima currently traveling in Georgia, disclosed details about Huluun Solow's disappearance. The tourist community learned of the case through social media posts and alerts that circulated widely, triggering alarm among Thai travelers and residents in Georgia. Everyone expressed deep concern. Thai tourists and businesspeople held discussions over coffee to coordinate help, but when they contacted her brother, he had no information about her content creation plans, making it harder for people in the area to assist the search.

Vanich stated that Georgian state authorities are now acting with full vigor, focusing on clues provided by Thai nationals and Huluun Solow's most recent social media posts. Sutin Saeoung, a Thai businessman who operates tour services in Georgia, is acting as a liaison with the YouTuber's relatives and has begun maintaining a daily log of the search. No further updates have been released. The major concern now is whether Huluun has traveled into Abkhazia, a special autonomous region, which would greatly complicate efforts to locate her.

Phra Kru Suwan Selaphon, known as Luang Pho Sai Akkhavanso, is a highly respected Buddhist monk at Wat Tha Khanu in Thong Pha Phum district, Kanchanaburi province, and a devoted disciple of Luang Pho Doem of Wat Nong Po in Nakhon Sawan. Originally named Sai Kiawatsit, he was born on Sunday, October 18, 1914, in the Nang Loeng area of Bangkok, to parents named Perm and Chan Kiawatsit. In his youth, his parents sent him to school through eighth grade before he entered railway service. Around 1957, while working as a railway official, he contracted a serious neck infection that resisted treatment from both traditional healers and modern physicians. He then became a disciple of Phra Kru Niwas Thamkhan (Luang Pho Doem Putsaro), abbot of Wat Nong Poi in Takhli district, Nakhon Sawan, who healed him completely. This miraculous recovery inspired his faith in Buddhism, and he requested to be ordained as a Buddhist monk, receiving his upasampada ordination on July 18, 1945, at Wat Khao Thong in Phayuhakiri district, Nakhon Sawan, where he was given the monastic name Akkhavanso.

After his ordination, he studied under Luang Pho Doem at Wat Nong Bua for five years until his teacher's death in 1951, after which he began his tudong pilgrimage. Wat Tha Khanu had been established by Luang Pu Puk Uttamapalo, a Mon-born monk from Photharam district in Ratchaburi, who served as its first abbot until his death in 1929. His successor, Luang Pu Te Neng Obhaso, a Burmese-born monk, oversaw the temple until 1951 before returning to Myanmar permanently. With no permanent leader, the temple fell into disrepair despite monks occasionally sent from Kanchanaburi city.

On December 26, 1952, Luang Pho Sai arrived from Nakhon Sawan on tudong and established himself at Wat Tha Khanu. Impressed by his disciplined practice, the local people provided excellent support, and in February 1953, he continued his pilgrimage into Myanmar. He returned on July 25, 1953, spent the rainy season at the temple until November 6, 1953, and was formally invited by villager Boon Tham Nok Lek to remain as abbot.

After the 1954 retreat, Boon Tham traveled to Nakhon Sawan with the villagers to request that Luang Pu Sai become the permanent abbot. Upon receiving permission, he returned with the faithful community on November 17, 1954, and immediately began restoring the temple. He was officially appointed abbot of Wat Tha Khanu through a letter of appointment signed on January 1, 1955, by Phra Wisutthirangsi (Di Buddhachoti) of Wat Nuea, the provincial sangha leader for Kanchanaburi. Subsequently, he was appointed as a ceremonial chair-bearer in 1955, an upajjhaya (preceptor) in 1960, assistant tambon sangha leader in 1968, and ampher sangha leader of Thong Pha Phum in 1971. In 1968, he received the monastic title Phra Kru Suwan Selaphon from the royal bestowment.

Working alongside devoted villagers, Luang Pho Sai led the restoration of Wat Tha Khanu until it became fully developed once again, earning the award for model temple development in 1973.

The government is preparing to dissolve central government offices operating in the provinces after discovering overlapping duties with provincial governors and budget waste. Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapart revealed that the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission will propose to the cabinet that it close regional branch offices and shift services to online and computer systems instead. Multiple state agencies currently maintain provincial branches in various provinces, creating work that duplicates the authority and responsibilities of provincial governors. Significantly, these branch offices lack legal backing under civil service regulations. The Public Sector Development Commission has decided to transition these offices from physical branches to online and computer technology services for the public. This restructuring aims to tighten the bureaucracy, reduce redundancy, and correct legal violations. The government will support affected personnel through transfers back to central offices or voluntary early retirement programs. "Establishing central government offices in provincial areas is actually illegal because there is no legal framework to support it," Pakorn said. "We will propose that the cabinet end these roles and return to online systems instead of maintaining numerous branches that waste the budget. The world has changed—the need for branch offices has diminished greatly because we can use computer technology to manage documents and work instantly, and it also makes corruption prevention easier through standardized nationwide inspection systems." The government is also reviewing compensation structure reforms for local administrators after discovering salary and benefit disparities harming the central civil service. Local officials in some areas earn more than ministry permanent secretaries who oversee nationwide policies and major responsibilities. This inequity stems from local governments setting their own revenue-based salary standards without aligning to the civil service standards that apply to central officials. The government plans to assign the Comptroller General's Department to establish centralized accounting to standardize work practices and local budget spending for efficiency and transparency. "How can a municipal clerk earn more than a ministry permanent secretary who oversees the entire nation and manages enormous tasks?" Pakorn said. "We must make major adjustments by deploying technology and reducing unnecessary personnel to align the entire structure with inspectable management standards. We aim to introduce new working methods suited to the changing world, with neutral accounting standards so the government can verify that budget spending is worthwhile and truly benefits the people." Pakorn also discussed promoting birthplace tax policy to incentivize large companies to support their home provinces.

Longan is an important cash crop that provides income and employment for many farmers, especially in northern Thailand's growing regions. Late July marks the peak harvest season when longan trees naturally produce their highest yields. Lamphun Province is a major longan-growing hub in the north.

Nirot Sancharai, 76, owner of Sancharai Orchard and chairman of the Agricultural Productivity Learning Center in Wiangnonlong District, Lamphun, says that previous market oversupply, price crashes, and sluggish exports forced many farmers to abandon their orchards. This has reduced supply entering the market this July, suggesting prices may improve this year.

However, Sancharai's main concern is preparing for "Super El Niño," which threatens intense heat waves, erratic rainfall, and potential water shortages. While countries like the USA and France face severe El Niño impacts, Thailand's exposure remains unclear.

Climate change signals are already visible in Lamphun: premium-grade AA longan production has plummeted from 80 percent to just 20 percent due to declining rainfall, directly affecting crop quality and quantity. This year, experts warn temperatures could reach 45°C. In such conditions, even people struggle to cope, and Sancharai worries about whether longan trees can withstand such extreme heat. Fortunately, Sancharai Orchard benefits from its location on a flood plain near Ping River with two water sources: the Ping River with a dam and shallow groundwater wells.

The orchard has invested in climate adaptation: installing two additional water pumps and upgrading to mini-sprinkler heads that disperse water in 360-degree patterns or misting nozzles to create fine droplets covering the entire canopy. Mini-sprinklers are mounted 2 meters above the treetops to simulate rainfall, raising relative humidity, lowering temperatures, and preventing sunburn on leaves and fruit. The system operates during peak heat hours, with daily watering schedules adjusted to match changing climate conditions.

Sancharai began farming in 1982 after studying agriculture and fruit cultivation in Israel, initially applying that knowledge to mangoes through pruning and irrigation techniques, but the technology and market were too limited at the time. He then replaced all mango trees with longan on 86 rai, selecting the hardy Ido variety, which resists diseases and pests well and bears fruit faster than other varieties. His continuous innovation earned him Thailand's Outstanding Farmer Award in 2020 for excellence in transforming traditional agriculture into modern farming. His key contributions include:

1. Being the first to use potassium chlorate (KClO3) for off-season longan cultivation, allowing sales at higher prices than seasonal fruit. 2. Inventing compact, high-density longan cultivation on 6-by-6-meter spacing to address harvest challenges posed by 20-year-old trees with thick trunks.