Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin expressed concern on July 31 about deteriorating water quality at Bung Sai Lake in Phichit province, an important natural water source and tourist attraction. He instructed the Pollution Control Department to urgently track and assess water quality, identify pollution sources, and coordinate with all relevant agencies to devise corrective measures and restore the water body.

Chomklin directed the Pollution Control Department to deploy drone technology to survey the area around Bung Sai Lake to gather spatial data, locate pollution sources, and analyze factors affecting water quality. This information will support targeted corrective measures with concrete results.

Dr. Surin Vorakitthammong, director-general of the Pollution Control Department, reported that the Region 4 office in Nakhon Sawan has continuously monitored five sampling points at Bung Sai Lake during fiscal 2025. Results from the first three quarters show that the central point (BS05) exhibits Category 5 water quality, indicating severe degradation.

The department conducted an aerial survey using drone technology on August 11, 2025, to identify pollution sources and factors affecting water quality, supported by the Phichit Provincial Administration and coordinated with provincial natural resources and environment office, Phichit Municipality, and local administrative organizations. Dr. Surin stated that aerial imagery will be analyzed alongside water quality test results to develop targeted restoration measures, enabling sustainable use and long-term ecosystem preservation.

On July 30, Senator Sompan Palasak from Group 10 filed a defamation complaint at Muang Amnat Charoen Police Station against Yingluck Achananth, director of the Internet for People Law Project (iLaw), and associates. The complaint stems from public Facebook posts that Sompan says falsely suggested he lacked qualifications to run for senator and misrepresented the legal requirements for Group 10 candidates—a category covering business operators outside small and medium enterprises.

Sompan stated that the posts damaged his reputation, causing him humiliation and public contempt. He emphasized that his qualifications were properly verified during the registration process, including submission of documentation proving knowledge and experience in his business sector. The Election Commission (EC) rejected challenges to his candidacy under ruling 17/2568, and he has since served as a senator without issue.

Sompan criticized Yingluck for failing to verify facts thoroughly and for applying what he calls "iLaw principles" rather than standard legal interpretation used by the EC and the public. He pointed out that iLaw's website information has already triggered electoral complaints in other provinces, with the EC dismissing those cases as well. Sompan stressed that while he operates a fish-ball noodle shop called "Big Fishball Noodle," he did not misrepresent his business on his application as Yingluck claimed. He argued that the EC, not Yingluck, has authority to evaluate candidate qualifications, and expressed dismay that Yingluck's posts included mocking and ridicule of his senate position, damaging his reputation, profession, and family honor.

Deputy Prime Minister Pokphand Nilpraphan has revealed progress on legislative reforms aimed at enhancing Thailand's competitive capacity. The government is currently collaborating with three major private sector institutions through a public-private committee to identify laws that hinder business operations. The private sector has proposed approximately 100 laws for amendment, with most suggestions coming from the Federation of Thai Industries and Thai Chamber of Commerce. Rather than developing a comprehensive masterplan—which would be time-consuming and slow to adapt—the government is requesting that the private sector clearly specify which laws are problematic and which phrases require revision. Once draft amendments are finalized, they will immediately be opened for stakeholder feedback before being submitted to the Cabinet for approval and assignment to relevant agencies.

The government will prioritize law reforms according to the "7 Leading Thailand" strategy, particularly focusing on industries that directly impact competitiveness, such as tourism and manufacturing. Business representatives have emphasized that high operating costs make Thailand increasingly uncompetitive against other nations. Pokphand noted that while initially estimated to take two months, significant progress has already been made, with clearer outcomes expected within another one to two months. However, he cautioned that competitiveness challenges extend beyond legal frameworks; structural costs—particularly high energy prices—also require simultaneous attention alongside legislative reforms.

Phitsanulok lecturer attacked by 2 dogs in rubbish row with neighbourLegacyA nursing lecturer is seeking justice, alleging that his neighbour deliberately released two dogs to attack him during a dispute over rubbish burning in Phitsanulok province. The Phitsanulok dog attack involved 43 year old Alongkorn Aksornsri, a lecturer at the Faculty of Nursing, Naresuan University. He told Bright TV and other local media outlets that he has been unable to return to work because of physical injuries and psychological trauma following the incident. According to Alongkorn, the attack happened at about 7pm on July 25 in the village where he lives with his brother and 75 year old mother. The dispute began after his brother confronted a neighbour about burning rubbish, which produced unpleasant smoke and odours in the community. Photo via Facebook/ Phitsanulok Hotnews The disagreement escalated into a physical fight, with the two men exchanging punches in the middle of the road. Alongkorn said he stepped in to separate the pair. According to his account, the neighbour’s father and son restrained his brother while the neighbour released two Thai Bangkaew dogs from the property. Alongkorn alleged that one of the dogs knocked him to the ground and bit him on the back of the neck. He said he managed to escape and took refuge inside his house to avoid further injury.  He believes the dogs were intentionally released to attack him. Alongkorn was later admitted to Naresuan University Hospital, where he said doctors administered more than 20 rabies injections around the bite wound on his neck. Photo via Facebook/ Phitsanulok Hotnews In addition to the neck injury, Alongkorn said he suffered inflammation of the tendons in his left hand and has since experienced stress and panic whenever he hears dogs barking. The lecturer also claimed this was not the first dispute involving the neighbour. Residents have experienced problems involving the neighbour and his dogs since last year, and previous complaints to local administrative authorities had not resolved the issue. He further alleged that the neighbour threatened his mother by claiming to have connections with local police officers and warning that he could cause legal problems for the family. Alongkorn reported the incident to Mueang Phitsanulok Police Station before speaking publicly about the case. According to Bright TV, investigators are examining the incident and plan to summon the neighbour for questioning. Photo via Facebook/ Phitsanulok Hotnews The story Phitsanulok lecturer attacked by 2 dogs in rubbish row with neighbour as seen on Thaiger News.

PHUKET: More than 300 relatives visited inmates at Phuket Provincial Prison this week as the prison opened a series of special family visitation sessions to mark His Majesty the King’s birthday.

The nation has been shaken by news of the sudden death abroad of Hlun Solo, a young YouTuber and scholarship student who graduated in political science from Chulalongkorn University. He died in Georgia, but the cause of death has not yet been determined.

Reporters spoke with actor Mum Jokmok on a film set for "Suea Hoon Mangkorn Hao" about his reaction to the tragedy. Speaking with deep sadness, he admitted he had to quickly close the news after seeing it. The emotional moment intensified when he heard the Isaan-dialect words and tears of the grandmother mourning her grandson, which deeply moved him.

Mum expressed his sympathy, questioning why someone so young and healthy would die so suddenly. He speculated on possible causes—cardiac arrhythmia, stroke, or brain stem issues—while acknowledging the different legal and medical systems in Georgia versus Thailand.

"It's so tragic," Mum said in Isaan dialect. "Hearing her missing her grandson, thinking 'When will Hlun come visit again?'—it breaks your heart. We're both Isaan people. He studied hard, he went to Chulalongkorn. Just think about it." Mum admitted he would cry if he continued listening, describing himself as easily moved to tears. He reflected on how unimaginable it would be if it were his own child or grandchild, and worried about the grandmother's grief, the long journey to bring his body home, and the unfamiliar funeral procedures in a foreign country.

Mum also revealed that actress Sunalei, who was recently hospitalized for intestinal issues, was still so shaken by the news that she raised her hands in prayer, hoping it was nothing serious. He emphasized how connected people in the entertainment industry feel to one another, recalling a reporter friend who had recently passed away. "Even though we see each other all the time, when someone is suddenly gone, it hits hard," he said. "Let's all just stay healthy and live a full life together."