Thailand's women's volleyball team, fielding a mixed roster of emerging talent and veterans, narrowly defeated Indonesia to claim the opening match of the SEA V Cup 2026 in Vietnam. The first leg of the women's volleyball tournament took place at the Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi from July 31 to August 2, 2026. In their first match on July 31, Thailand faced Indonesia, extending their unbeaten record against the Indonesians across their five most recent meetings.

Coach Kiattipong Rattakeankrai sent a blend of young and established players onto the court, led by captain Nattanichcha Chaisaen, alongside Sasipapon Chantvisut, Warisara Sithalert, Kanyarat Khunchuang, Nannapat Mulacham, and Kaewkalya Komultala, with Kalayarat Khamvong as the libero. Indonesia countered with a similarly mixed lineup, led by experienced spiker Medi Yogu.

The match saw Thailand start strong in the first set, opening a lead and holding on to win 25-21 despite a late fade. Indonesia rebounded in the second set with strong serving and blocking while Thailand struggled with unforced errors. Coach Kiattipong brought in Piew Atchcharaporn Khongyos to help, and Thailand clawed back to 24-24, but ultimately fell 32-34 after a grueling deuce.

In the third set, the coach deployed his main lineup, including Sasipapon and Atchcharaporn, along with Wimolrat Tanaphan to strengthen the offense. Thailand played more composed volleyball to win 25-21. In the fourth set, despite repeated errors, Thailand sealed the victory 25-21, taking the match 3-1 in sets with scores of 25-21, 32-34, 25-21, and 25-19.

Thailand next faces the Philippines on August 1 at 4 p.m. at the Dong Anh Gymnasium in Hanoi, with live coverage on ONE 31.

FUKUOKA, Japan — Japanese prosecutors have decided not to indict a 28-year-old Thai woman arrested at Fukuoka Airport after methamphetamine was found hidden in coffee sachets in her luggage, Thai authorities said.

The woman was detained on 12 July after airport officials discovered the drugs in items she had agreed to carry for a Thai person living in Japan. Her family appealed for assistance, saying she may have been used by a cross-border drug-smuggling network.

Areepak Ngeonbamrung, deputy secretary-general and spokesperson for Thailand's Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said Japanese police had informed Thai authorities that prosecutors would not pursue a case against her.

While officials are still seeking the full reasoning behind the decision, preliminary information indicates that prosecutors believed the woman had no intent to smuggle drugs and was not involved in an international trafficking network. She had no previous record of drug-related offences and was believed to have been unaware that narcotics had been concealed in the items she was carrying, Areepak said.

Japanese immigration police will now coordinate with Thailand's Department of Consular Affairs to confirm that she has been cleared of the drug case and arrange her return to Thailand.

The ONCB said it would focus on tracing those behind the suspected trafficking network. Thailand's Narcotics Suppression Bureau will handle any further criminal investigation.

Authorities are also examining whether the woman could face any customs-related charges in Thailand once she returns, as well as the role of a male delivery rider who brought the parcel to her home. Investigators said CCTV footage showed that the rider delivered the parcel by car and had apparently been hired for the job. Police said they had identified further details of his movements but had yet to hear from him.

A photo of the package in question along with a standard receipt message from Grab, a popular delivery service. Investigators will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to seek an arrest warrant.

The Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) and the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand organized a youth tennis tournament for players under 14 years old to earn Asian youth ranking points at the LTA ATF Asian Fourteen & Under 2026 event, Court 4, held at the National Tennis Development Center in Muang Thong Thani on July 31, 2025.

Thai rising star Nichavaran Ploykem Suk, seeded first in the girls' singles draw, won the title as expected by defeating Japan's Shiori Izuka 7-5, 6-0 in straight sets. This marks her second championship at the tournament following her Court 2 victory, and she earned 200 Asian youth ranking points, while Shiori Izuka took runner-up with 133 points.

Nichavaran also captured a second trophy in girls' doubles, partnering with Jantratta Thranisorn to defeat Taiwan's Emma Yeh and Hong Kong's Chu Yow Leung 6-4, 6-2 in the final.

In the boys' singles final, Thailand's Anantnithi Pongsirilert lost to Sri Lanka's third-seeded Revan Amarasinghe 7-5, 3-6, 5-7 in a heartbreaking three-set defeat, earning 133 points as runner-up, while Amarasinghe claimed 200 points as champion.

In boys' doubles, second-seeded Pichphong Jinapaen and Malaysia's Mason Gyrus Ho defeated Anantnithi Pongsirilert and Kong Phop Saelim 6-4, 2-6, 12-10 in a super tiebreaker to win the Court 4 boys' doubles title. This marks Pichphong's second consecutive boys' doubles championship, having also won on Court 3 paired with Anantnithi.

Missing Russian siblings found murdered and buried in PattayaLegacyTwo Thai men arrested today, July 31, in Sa Kaeo over the disappearance of two Russian siblings in Pattaya reportedly confessed to killing them and burying their bodies. The case attracted public after the Russian mother, Sarina Nazimova, reported her children, 22 year old Diana Nazimova and 17 year old Roman Nazimova, missing at Huay Yai Police Station on July 28. Police said CCTV footage showed the siblings for the last time near a bridge on the Map Ta Phut-Na Jomtien Motorway. The pair were seen speaking with an unidentified man and being followed by another motorcyclist shortly before they disappeared. On July 29, residents alerted police after seeing four men carrying digging equipment near an abandoned crematorium close to the bridge at about 10pm on July 28. Thana “Pong” Kirdthong | Photo via Amarin TV Officers searched the area and found the motorcycle rented by the Russian siblings dismantled and buried in two separate pits. A registration plate recovered from the site confirmed it belonged to the missing pair’s motorcycle. Police expanded the search and deployed K-9 units to look for evidence and the missing siblings. During the investigation, residents identified a local man known as Pong as a possible suspect. They said the location where the motorcycle was buried was close to Pong’s residence. According to the reports on Thai media outlets, Pong was the motorcyclist seen following the siblings before they disappeared. Police also said he had previous convictions related to child abduction and illegal firearm possession. Police later searched a house in Pattaya believed to be connected to the investigation, but Pong was not found. Photo via Amarin TV On the evening of today, July 31, officers arrested Pong, identified as 43 year old Thana Kirdthong, together with 39 year old Thongchai “Thong” Srinin in Wang Sombun district, Sa Kaeo province. Police said the pair were arrested while allegedly attempting to leave the country. According to investigators, Thongchai told police that Thana shot both Russian siblings before the bodies were buried on a mountain. Police believe the burial site is near Khao Chi Chan in Sattahip district, Chon Buri. Police said Thana later admitted killing the two siblings during questioning. According to police, he said he shot Roman and assaulted Diana, causing her death. Police also said he denied sexually assaulting Diana. Investigators said Thana told officers the motive was to steal the motorcycle rented by the siblings. Police are taking both accused to the crime scene to reconstruct the events and identify the location where the victims’ bodies are believed to have been buried. Photo via Amarin TV The story Missing Russian siblings found murdered and buried in Pattaya as seen on Thaiger News.

Prime Minister Anuthon Charnweerakul said the Interior Ministry's local exam cheating problem is rooted in human misconduct rather than systemic flaws, and has been fully resolved. He stated that personnel involved have faced arrest warrants, summonses, prosecution, investigations, and reassignment to remove their authority over the matter, with fraudulent exam results annulled. Anuthon emphasized that August-September is the standard civil service transfer season across all ministries, and he is granting each minister the authority to nominate qualified candidates for vacant positions, with senior-level appointments requiring Cabinet approval.

CHIANG RAI — Heavy rainfall has caused the Lao and Korn rivers to overflow their banks and flood homes in parts of Chiang Rai, affecting at least 50 households, while authorities warn that water levels could rise further.

The flood situation in Chiang Rai remained under close watch following continuous accumulated rainfall in upper areas of the province. The heavy rain caused water levels in the Lao and Korn rivers to rise rapidly.

The overflowing water subsequently inundated homes in Pa O Don Chai subdistrict, Mueang district, with at least 50 households initially reported affected. Ten households in Rong Khun village, Moo 1, located along the Lao River, were flooded, while another 40 households in San Sali village, Moo 5, along the Korn River, were affected.

Local administrative organisations and relevant agencies were surveying the damage and preparing to provide assistance to affected residents. Pa O Don Chai Mayor Sirimongkol Khamdee said several days of continuous rain had caused the Korn River to overflow and flood nearby homes. Meanwhile, water levels in the Lao River behind Rong Khun Market had risen rapidly, inundating riverside and low-lying areas at several locations.

Chiang Rai Governor Chuchip Phongchai has ordered the provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office and all relevant agencies to closely monitor the situation, speed up damage assessments and provide assistance to residents as quickly as possible. Authorities have also been instructed to maintain continuous surveillance as water levels remain at risk of rising further.