Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin announced on July 21 that a major demolition operation on July 20 successfully removed 50 illegal structures from Nai Nui Beach in Phuket's protected forest area. The operation, undertaken as part of the government's "Phuket Model" policy, was conducted in cooperation with multiple agencies including the Interior Ministry, military, and police. Suchat emphasized that the action enforces the law against violators and aims to restore order, not damage tourism, with the recovered land valued at approximately 2 billion baht. The minister stated he personally led the operation and will accept sole responsibility for any legal challenges, noting that the land titles were previously invalidated by the Supreme Court in 2014 and are legally considered part of the forest. He revealed that helicopter surveys identified 8-9 additional illegal encroachments in the area, with plans to demolish them progressively, including structures within Sirinath National Park. Suchat addressed the search for a local influential figure, sarcastically noting that despite public announcements, the person has not dared to appear publicly. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to reclaiming approximately 300-400 rai total and converting it into recreational forest for public use, stating he welcomes any lawsuits as he takes full responsibility for the operation.

King Power Rangnam has opened a new trendy "Thai Fashion Brands" zone showcasing collections of clothing and accessories from Thai fashion labels including Merge, Cuppa, Knitcircle, Lunné, Gongdid Design, Pinable, and other leading Thai brands. These are duty-free items that shoppers can take home immediately without a flight. The zone features signature pieces that mix and match easily with any style, offering everyday looks curated by each brand.

Starting now, visitors can shop the "Thai Fashion Brands" zone on the second floor of King Power Rangnam with special Cash Card promotions: purchase a 5,000-baht Cash Card and receive an additional 2,000-baht gift card for a total of 7,000 baht to spend, or buy a 10,000-baht Cash Card and receive 4,500 baht extra for a combined 14,500 baht.

Merge offers heritage-inspired jeans celebrating Thai identity with campaigns like "Thai Pride Merge Ride" and the "Thai Bold" collection using Thai flag colors. Cuppa presents seasonal silk knit tops with collections like "Paper Collection" inspired by origami and "Pie Collection" featuring cute pastry-themed designs. Knitcircle specializes in sustainable fashion using 100% recycled materials with seasonal color-gradient techniques and the "Leaf Collection," alongside "The Coastal Knits – Resort Wear Edit 2025" capturing island summer beauty. Lunné creates minimalist leather bags handcrafted by Thai artisans using high-quality European leather, with signature styles like the Kith Bag and Klara Tote available in timeless classic tones. Gongdid Design emphasizes comfort with the "Dear Summer 2026" collection evoking childhood memories through signature pleating techniques and hand-embroidered floral details on organic linen in pastel tones. Pinable offers multifunctional bags with the "One Bag, Many Ways" concept, featuring earth-tone designs with interchangeable accessories and must-have styles like the Polly Tote laptop bag, Bouclé belt-style tote, and Momo clutch.

Rider helps police catch sexual assault suspect in PhitsanulokLegacyA food delivery rider’s helmet camera footage helped police arrest a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman waiting at a traffic light in Phitsanulok yesterday, July 20. Police arrested the suspect, identified as 36 year old Nattaphong, near a railway line. Police said he gave inconsistent statements during questioning before charging him with committing an indecent act in public and taking him into custody for legal proceedings. Photo via Phitsanulok Hotnews The incident happened at an intersection near Phitsanulok Technical College, where rider Seksan Janmanee noticed a man behaving suspiciously while he was waiting at a red light. According to Seksan, the man repeatedly walked around the junction instead of crossing the road. Suspecting something was wrong, he began recording with his helmet camera. Moments later, the man allegedly approached a woman who was waiting on her motorcycle at the traffic lights and reached between her legs, causing her to startle and pull away. Photo via Facebook: Nutty Story Seksan shouted at the man and warned that he would report the incident to police. The man apologised with a wai before walking away. Speaking about the incident, Seksan said he intervened immediately after witnessing the alleged assault. “I saw the man acting suspiciously because he wasn’t crossing the road and kept walking around the area. I thought he was going to ask people waiting at the traffic lights for money, but instead I saw him sexually assault the woman. I stepped in immediately, and my helmet camera had recorded the incident.” After posting the footage on Facebook to warn the public, many women commented that they had experienced similar alleged sexual assaults by the same man in different parts of Phitsanulok. Local officials coordinated with police to identify the suspect after the video was shared, leading to his arrest.

In similar news, a Thai woman took to social media to urge netizens to help her locate a man who groped her while she was travelling on a motorcycle with her friend in Phuket. The suspect was an Asian man aged between 25 and 30 years old and approximately 160 to 175 centimetres tall. The story Rider helps police catch sexual assault suspect in Phitsanulok as seen on Thaiger News.

On July 21, 2025, Mae Tha Witthaya School in Lamphun posted a condolence message regarding the death of student Phasinee Sudsakhon (nickname: Khai Muk), a Grade 8/2 student. The school administration, faculty, staff, and students expressed their sorrow and remembrance. Phasinee died in a traffic accident on July 20 when she was struck by a pickup truck near the Bang Jak gas station in Na Khruea Subdistrict, Mae Tha District, Lamphun Province. Police have taken the truck driver into custody to investigate the circumstances of the accident.

A criminal court dismissed charges against Sararat, known as Am Cyanide, in the death of a vegetable vendor, finding that evidence failed to establish a link to the crime. This is the fifth case from a series of shocking cyanide poisoning deaths.

On July 21, 2025, at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, the court heard arguments in case number Or.857/2568, where prosecutors accused 39-year-old Sararat of premeditated murder. The prosecution alleged that the defendant poisoned the victim's food with cyanide, intending to kill vegetable seller Rosjarintr, known as Phi Noi, to settle a 60,000-baht debt and compel the victim's husband to repay a higher amount. According to the prosecution, the defendant mixed cyanide into a vegetable salad, which the victim consumed before collapsing and dying at a hospital. The defendant denied the allegations.

The court determined that although multiple deaths had been linked to cyanide poisoning during March 2023, the medical evidence lacked weight. The attending physician testified that the victim's blood showed severe acidosis from infection or poisoning, but could not confirm cyanide specifically or rule out other sources. The witness could not determine whether the poison entered the body through the victim's own actions or another method. A store employee testified to seeing the defendant bring a vegetable salad to the victim, though the witness could not accurately describe the defendant's vehicle or answer cross-examination questions about the defendant's car model, undermining credibility.

Regarding the alleged motive of a 60,000-baht debt, the court found contradictions in the evidence. Records showed the victim had pawned a vehicle to the defendant for 100,000 baht and had already repaid 50,000 baht. After the victim's death, the defendant initially claimed the victim's husband owed 600,000 baht in vehicle pawn fees, later negotiating down to 300,000 baht, which the husband paid in full to recover the vehicle. The court ruled that the prosecution's evidence failed to establish a sufficient motive for the alleged crime.

The court concluded that the prosecution's evidence did not establish a coherent link proving the defendant committed the alleged offense and dismissed the charges.

Reporters noted that this case follows four previously adjudicated Am Cyanide murder cases: Case 1 resulted in a death sentence for the poisoning death of Siriphorn (Koi) near a waterway in Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province. Case 2 involved the death of female police officer Nipha (Sarawat Poo); the court sentenced the defendant to death, later reduced to life imprisonment based on cooperation with authorities. Case 3 concerned the death of engineer Nitya in Nakhon Pathom Province; the court dismissed charges due to insufficient evidence of cyanide possession or intent for gain. Case 4 involved the death of Lieutenant Colonel Sukanda (Pong Noi), a former assistant finance sergeant at Phu Phra Man Police Station in Khon Kaen Province, poisoned through a beverage; the court sentenced the defendant to death, later reduced, and Sararat remains imprisoned for life.

Alek Teeradej transforms into a dark sorcerer in the horror-drama "Confessions of a Spirit Doctor," with a full trailer now released ahead of its August 12 theatrical debut. The film "Next Door," produced jointly by Chasing Light, Ad.Venture, and The Ghost Radio, has earned an invitation to screen at the Thai Film Festival in Vietnam 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. Director Kong Kiartti Khomsiri and actor Kachabel Saran Ratchot Phueak Phiphatchana attended the festival, participating in Q&A sessions and warmly engaging with Vietnamese audiences. The Thai-Lao co-production horror film "Gongkoy: WRECKED," directed by Anny Chai Kaewlao, features top-tier actors from both countries including Ariya Sutharmmawong (Nana), Nipha Yakkanegi (Anita), Anongkan Pilaiwong (Mew), Kudtawon Akkaracha, and Nattapat Dilertsakcool (Megga). A special team-up event will also feature four young actors from the popular series "Double Helix"—Sun Zheng, Lee Sithong, He Jiasu, and Fa Seviangkeo—performing at the "Intertwined by Fate 'Double Helix' Concert in Bangkok" on July 25 at Thunderdome, Muang Thong Thani. Tickets are available through Ticket Melon. The horror-drama "Confessions of a Spirit Doctor" tells the story of Phra Toh (Alek Teeradej), a man whose fate plays tricks on him until he loses everything, then renounces Buddhism to enter the world of dark magic and sorcery, becoming a disciple of Mo Tian (Chakrit Yamnam), a powerful spirit doctor. The cast also includes Denis Jelilchsa Cappon, Am Amrinthorn Nitiphon, Boom Rannya Siyanonth, Wen Falconer, Neung Chalat Na Songkhla, and Baem Ganpimuk in special guest roles. The film arrives August 12.