The Thailand Cycling Association is upgrading the fourth round of the national youth BMX championship with multiple modernizations aimed at raising competition standards and fairness. The association will introduce a hydraulic gate start system to replace the previous electromagnetic system, improving precision in athlete releases. The track layout has been redesigned with wider lanes and longer straightaways compared to round three, allowing riders to demonstrate their full potential and making races more exciting and fair.

General Decha Hemakrasri, vice president of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), president of the ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF), and chairman of the Thailand Cycling Association, announced that semi-final rounds have been added for categories with three heats to ensure fairer selection of finalists and give athletes more racing opportunities to gain experience and develop skills. The association is also expanding prize distributions and organizing raffle drawings of commemorative items for all participants to inspire young cyclists and their families.

Training sessions will be held on Saturday, August 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., divided by age groups, with the main competition beginning Sunday, August 2, at 7:30 a.m. The opening ceremony will start at 8:30 a.m., with live streaming on Facebook and YouTube via the Thailand Cycling Association channels. General Decha emphasized that this round represents an important platform where young BMX athletes who have trained diligently can compete fairly and showcase their abilities to earn trophies and recognition.

The government, through the Ministry of Commerce, is advancing measures to reduce the cost of living for citizens while supporting grassroots entrepreneurs through the "Thai Help Thai x Local Low Cost" program running August 1–15, 2026. The initiative involves a network of more than 130 local wholesale and retail shops, totaling roughly 800 branches nationwide, offering consumer goods at special prices alongside expanded sales channels for SMEs and community product manufacturers.

According to Deputy Spokesperson Lalida Perisiwiwat of the Prime Minister's Office, participating shops will sell essential consumer goods at special prices, with featured items receiving discounts of up to 60 percent, including rice, fish sauce, seasoning sauces, and everyday household products. The Department of Business Development will formally launch the program on August 1, 2026, at Tani Gee Superstore in Nadi, Udon Thani Province.

The program's key strength is using local retail networks as a mechanism linking producers with consumers in each area, enabling SMEs and community products to access expanded distribution channels and reach more customers, thereby keeping money circulating within provincial and community economies. "The 'Thai Help Thai x Local Low Cost' program aims to simultaneously reduce the financial burden on citizens and create market opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs, using more than 800 local shops as a distribution network connecting community producers directly with consumers," Lalida said.

The deputy spokesperson noted that local shops are crucial engines of grassroots economics because they are close to consumers, understand local needs, and can efficiently distribute small business products to market. The program thus not only helps reduce living costs in the short term but also strengthens local entrepreneurs and creates long-term growth opportunities for community enterprises. The government invites the public to participate in purchasing discounted goods from the program and to follow store lists, branches, and participating products through the Department of Business Development and Ministry of Commerce. Discounts of up to 60 percent represent the maximum available, though specific products and discount rates may vary by store and branch.

PHUKET: Authorities have launched legal action to reclaim more than 126 rai of land worth an estimated B2.1 billion after uncovering an alleged foreign nominee network centred on a British national accused of illegally controlling property on Koh Por in Koh Lanta district, Krabi.

PHUKET — A 27-year-old South African tourist was arrested at Phuket International Airport after six bullets and a magazine were allegedly found in his luggage.

At 22:00 on 25 July 2026, Sakhu police were notified by Phuket International Airport officials that ammunition had been detected in the luggage of a foreign tourist at the X-ray screening area for departing passengers in the international terminal.

Police officers were dispatched to the airport after informing Sakhu Police Station chief Pol Col Salan Santisasakul.

Officers found airport staff had detained a man identified as Morne Dannhauser, 27, a South African national.

A search allegedly found six rounds of ammunition of an unspecified calibre and one magazine in his luggage.

Police took the suspect and the seized items to Sakhu Police Station, where he was informed of his rights and the charges against him. The South African Embassy was also notified.

Authorities will proceed with legal action in accordance with Thai law.

Anthony Hudson, head coach of Thailand's national football team, spoke following Thailand's opening AFF Cup Group B preliminary match. Thailand defeated Laos 5-0, with goals from Kondogbia Yamyok (two), Theerasak Phayapimay, Yodsak Borappha, and Saracha Yooyean.

"I'm satisfied with today's match because we started this tournament with a victory, and the team has many new players," Hudson said. "Another positive is that nobody was injured and everyone played according to the tactics we set out. I want to thank the fans who traveled to support us at the stadium. I was deeply impressed by their effort and cheering."

Hudson added that the team will return to Thailand immediately to recover and prepare for the next match. "We need to focus match by match and always give our best. Saracha's condition needs another check, but initially it doesn't look serious—likely just a minor impact."

"I personally acknowledged my concerns about players' fitness before the tournament began, but I believe everyone will be increasingly ready in the coming days. I'm impressed with the young players from U23, just as I am with the experienced players on this squad. I confirm that my player selection is not determined by age, but rather by potential and readiness," Hudson stated.

Player of the match Theerasak Phayapimay commented on young goalkeeper Chavalit Saeleao: "Saf has good ability and needs to keep developing. I want to encourage him."

Thailand's next match is AFF Cup Group B's second preliminary round against Malaysia (ranked 136th globally) at Rajamangala Stadium on August 1, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available online, and the match will be broadcast live on TrueVisions Now.

Port FC is preparing its roster for the 2026/27 season across five competitions, and has signed Thai-English striker Jude Bellingham. The 22-year-old will travel to Thailand before joining the squad in Indonesia for the ongoing PIALA PRESIDEN 2026 tournament.

Bellingham's contract with Grimsby Town, an English League Two side, expires after the 2025/26 season. Despite interest from European clubs and several Thai League teams, he chose Port FC's four-year contract, viewing it as the best option given the chance to play in elite competitions like the AFC Champions League Elite while remaining in Thailand to prepare for his national team commitments in the Asian Cup 2027 finals in Saudi Arabia in January 2027.

Bellingham began his career as a youth player for Swindon Town before impressing Chelsea, which brought him into their academy at age 12 in 2015. At 18, he made his senior debut under Thomas Tuchel in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals, helping Chelsea beat Brentford 2-0 in 2021. He then moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2023 but was unable to break into the first team, leading to a move abroad with Córdoba in Spain's Segunda División during 2024/25, followed by a return to English football with Grimsby Town in 2025/26, where he has played 29 matches across all competitions.

On the international stage, Bellingham was previously a prospect for England, having represented the Three Lions at youth levels under-15, under-16, under-18, and under-19. He has now officially chosen to play for Thailand's senior national team, his mother's birthplace, following coordination by FAT President Nualpan Lamsam, former Port FC chairman, and will become a key player under coach Ange Postecoglou.