On July 20, Air Vice Marshal Praphas Saonjai, Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force and director of the Thai-Cambodia Joint Information Center (JIC), led a delegation to Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket provinces to monitor security along the border. He received briefings on operational readiness, regional security situation, troop preparedness, and public safety measures from military commanders.

After the briefing, Air Vice Marshal Praphas met with troops and distributed morale-boosting gifts to representatives from the special task forces operating in the border areas. He praised all personnel for their sacrifice and dedication amid challenging circumstances while upholding national sovereignty and security.

The air force chief emphasized three operational principles: maintaining personnel and equipment safety for mission readiness, preventing friendly casualties through integration and accurate intelligence, and strict compliance with international law and rules of engagement while targeting legitimate military objectives with proportionality and minimal civilian impact.

Air Vice Marshal Praphas stated that Thailand is now more prepared than during the previous two incidents, holding advantageous terrain with superior capabilities across land, naval, and air forces, making any Cambodian assault unlikely. He expressed confidence in the military's weapons, positions, and personnel, noting that the three armed forces operate jointly according to Thai military doctrine with close coordination.

Specific military targets during critical phases are prioritized with high-impact assessments. All strikes are conducted with maximum efficiency based on rules of engagement and international law. He noted that no country has condemned Thailand, dismissing fake news as unsustainable, and urged the public to rely on official security briefings rather than misinformation.

The Kickboxing Association of Thailand, led by KATPRO founder Dr. Suprani Kuptasa, has established professional kickboxing tournaments to develop athletes on the path to professional careers. The International Professional Kickboxing Tournament and Ranking Selection Fights held in Phuket met world-class competition standards under K-1 rules and garnered overwhelming response from Thai and international athletes.

The association has now announced the KATPRO World Series grand finals, scheduled for July 27, 2025, at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on Rama Intra Road in Bangkok. Champions will earn $2,000 USD (approximately 67,260 baht), while runners-up receive $1,000 USD (approximately 33,630 baht).

Eight K-1 rules matches have been confirmed for the finals: At 54 kg, Zhafloun Yuldachev (Uzbekistan) faces Tony Christian Hutapea (Indonesia), and Theerapat Pawanna faces Siwam Chaohan (Indonesia). At 57 kg, Arsen Soyrkas (Uzbekistan) takes on Safiolloh Sharipov (Tajikistan). At 60 kg, Jaflon Madrimov (Uzbekistan) meets Ulan Uulu Adilet (Kyrgyzstan). At 65 kg, Aziz Babayev (Kyrgyzstan) opposes Rafik Babazade (Azerbaijan). At 67 kg, Fakriddin Eminov (Uzbekistan) fights Zhang Cui (China). At 71 kg, Beksod Nasretdinov (Uzbekistan) faces Variya Kalid Abdulrahman (Iraq). At 81 kg, Danila Prokofev (Russia) takes on Elkan Aliyev (Azerbaijan).

Three Muay Thai matches are also scheduled: At 66.6 kg, Gorkpai S. Yingcharoenkachang faces Mark Markarov. At 52.1 kg, Mangkorn Jeen A. Bunchuan meets Diesel Lek S. Sritong. At 58.9 kg, Grammy S. Sakdikumaung fights Tawanduedt Sisyaycho.

Dr. Suprani Kuptasa emphasized that KATPRO is a collaborative effort among members of international federations in Professional Kickboxing World Games, designed to ensure entertainment and athlete development. She invited fight enthusiasts to attend the competition, guaranteed to feature intense matchups, on July 27, 2025, at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. Weigh-ins are scheduled for July 26, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at The Bazaar Bangkok Hotel, Ground Floor.

KATPRO stands for Kickboxing Association of Thailand (KAT) Professional, representing Thailand's new professional kickboxing platform established by the Kickboxing Association of Thailand to elevate Thai kickboxers to international standards under recognition of the World Kickboxing Organization (WAKO).

On the night of July 19, 2025, police from Nonthai Station in Nakhon Ratchasima received a report of a blue sedan that had lost control and careened off Highway 290 into a wooded area near a vehicle repair shop in Kamphaeng Subdistrict, Nonthai District. Rescue unit Hook 31 was immediately dispatched to assist. At the scene, the sedan was found completely overturned with its roof and cabin submerged in a water-filled pit. The vehicle doors could not be opened, forcing rescuers to search for an entry point. They discovered the driver's side door could be opened slightly, revealing the driver and three passengers floating inside the water with debris scattered throughout the vehicle. Due to the narrow door opening, rescuers had to bring in cutting tools to extract the four injured occupants from the submerged vehicle. After providing emergency first aid, three victims were transported to Noon Hospital via Kamphaeng Subdistrict and Nonthai Hospital ambulances. The fourth victim, in more serious condition, was transferred to Maha Raj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. A tow truck later recovered the vehicle from the water. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident and will interview the driver and passengers once their condition improves to file a formal report.

At 11:00 a.m. on July 20, 2026, officials at the Nai Khlong Bang Plakod Subdistrict Administration Organization in Samut Prakan received reports of a two-story rental building experiencing structural settlement and potential collapse. Residents living in the 24-room building, which sits in Soi Yai Pae village, successfully evacuated themselves to safety without injury.

When officials arrived to inspect the 10-by-20-meter elevated structure, they found severe cracks in concrete beams, columns, and stairways, with chunks of concrete littering the ground. Beneath the building's foundation, the concrete had fractured badly enough to expose rusted steel reinforcement. The support columns had tilted and cracked. Disaster prevention officers sealed the site with crime-scene tape and engineers issued a complete ban on building entry due to imminent collapse risk.

A tenant named Sophea, 41, discovered the damage while preparing food in her ground-floor room. Hearing the sound of cracking concrete, she quickly evacuated her bedridden mother using a wheelchair, carried her grandchild, and then went door-to-door alerting other residents. About 6 to 7 people occupying 3 or 4 rooms escaped safely, with everyone prioritizing their lives over possessions. The building, over 25 years old, had belonged to the tenant's late husband and served as income for her family.

The building owner, Nittaya, 56, explained that the structure was built more than 25 years ago and had deteriorated with age. Engineer Kritsada Magket, director of the subdistrict public works office, banned all access and use of the building pending further structural assessment. Officials said residents may be allowed to retrieve personal belongings once movement stabilizes, but only one or two people at a time.

Momentum is building for the historical drama series "When Light Fades," as four actors—Bass Asawapolpol, Lonchang Atthip Kosinkoed, Pean Tai Nattanich Pradisathan, and Kate Katreeya Bowens—gathered today to discuss the series and their roles.

**Is the series based on history?** Pean Tai explained: "It takes inspiration from a historical period and uses a specific timeline as a base, but the events are rewritten. It serves as a framework so we understand the era, people's values, and social structures. Then we zoom in on character relationships—not just between two men, but also between men and women in love, or parent and child, like Lonchang's relationship with Khun Teneng, or my own character as a father with a son in the military. This story delves deeply into character relationships."

**What was your first impression reading the script?** Kate shared: "When I was cast, I found out my character 'Mada' was quite different from myself, which felt interesting. Since Mada has diverse relationships—romantic, with a child, sibling dynamics—I wanted to make her as complete and layered as possible."

Lonchang noted: "I auditioned for two roles and ultimately got 'Rawin,' a student who flees into the forest and encounters a communist base. I was happy with it. When I auditioned opposite Bass, who played my comrade Yew, I realized Rawin is someone with conviction and ideology. I had to do homework to build that inner confidence and certainty before the audition."

Bass added: "I play Comrade Yew. During casting, I read opposite several potential Rawins—about five or six. When I worked opposite Lonchang, there was chemistry. What drew me to Yew initially was his quiet, introspective nature. I loved that because Korean dramas often have brooding male leads, and I wanted to try that. It felt like a challenge."

Pean Tai continued: "I auditioned for Yew as well, and it was the only role I auditioned for. The production team called back saying yes and that we'd work together. I became 'Dandin' instead—I laughed at that. Since I didn't get that audition, I reviewed the character list and found Dandin interesting. He's similar to Yew but carries internal drama from family relationships suppressed under military duty and loyalty."

**Did you do workshops together?** Bass explained: "We had several workshops, including weapons training since the series requires it. We learned proper, safe handling for shooting."

**Are there romantic scenes? How are they handled?** Lonchang said with a laugh: "They're intense. The first episode is already intense."

Bass described: "Since NC—the communist cadre—is set in the forest and it's my first time filming outdoors, we shot by a riverside. We had to communicate to make both actors as comfortable as possible. Once we're in character, things flow naturally."

Lonchang agreed: "When I'm in character, it flows on its own."

**What locations did you visit?** Kate mentioned: "We filmed in many places—Pathum Thani, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok. Each location was beautiful."

Pean Tai noted: "About 80-90 percent is forest scenes."

Bass added: "I'm in the forest basically 100 percent. The main set is in Pathum Thani, a military camp they built a whole village set for."

Lonchang concluded: "It was great for the actors. It helps us immerse ourselves in our characters and believe in the story.

The Commerce Ministry has ordered swift assistance for people disqualified from Thailand's 2025 state welfare card program because they hold shares, serve as directors, or are partners in businesses. Poonpong Naiyanaphakorn, director-general of the Department of Business Development under the Commerce Ministry, revealed that of 9.3 million people who failed to meet the welfare card criteria announced by the Finance Ministry on July 17, 2025, a significant portion were rejected due to business ownership or directorship. The ministry instructed department staff and provincial commerce offices nationwide to help and facilitate this group urgently.

Preliminary checks of the business database identified 139,804 applicants with business stakes—41,007 as partners in partnerships and 98,797 as directors or shareholders in limited companies spread across the country. The department forwarded this data to the Finance Ministry for further review. Those disqualified can file appeals between July 17 and 31, 2025.

The Commerce Ministry has coordinated with provincial offices to help people verify their business records for appeal purposes. Applicants can check their status personally or authorize someone else using a simple power of attorney stating the purpose as "verification of qualification status under the state welfare card program" and providing the applicant's ID number. The check is free.

After verification, the department will issue a letter with attached documentation of business ownership. Those wishing to verify their information can visit the Department of Business Development, regional offices in Bangkok (districts 2–5), or provincial commerce offices nationwide, or call the helpline at 1570. The Commerce Ministry is committed to assisting genuinely disadvantaged people in preparing their appeals with the necessary documentation.