Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin announced on July 26, 2025, that Thailand has discovered the Hipposideros rotalis (Laotian Leaf-nosed Bat) for the first time within the country. The discovery was made in the Sam Wale Stone Forest recreation area in Bueng Kan province, a significant finding that underscores the government's ongoing commitment to natural resource conservation and biodiversity protection.

The discovery is the result of work by the Forestry Research and Development Bureau under the Forest Department, conducted as part of a biodiversity survey project for vertebrate animals in the Sam Wale Stone Forest area. The research team, supported by the National Science and Technology Development Agency, began surveys in early 2025 and identified this bat species for the first time in Thailand, despite previous reports indicating it was found only in Laos.

Minister Suchat emphasized that the discovery reflects the ecological abundance of the Sam Wale Stone Forest ecosystem and provides valuable scientific data for understanding Thailand's biodiversity. Although this bat species is classified as having low extinction risk, the finding confirms that Thailand's forests retain significant potential for discovering scientifically important species in the future.

"The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment prioritizes surveying and conserving newly discovered wildlife and plant species because they reflect the completeness of our national natural resources. We will continue forest management alongside research support to preserve biodiversity and pass on rich natural resources to future generations," the minister said.

The Forest Department plans to strengthen management of the Sam Wale Stone Forest recreation area and continue supporting biodiversity research to generate new knowledge and enhance the effectiveness of Thailand's natural resource conservation efforts.

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — The Fine Arts Department has opened a permanent exhibition on Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat, following its recognition as Thailand's sixth cultural World Heritage site, while Chiang Mai is being eyed as the country's next potential addition in 2027.

Phanombut Chandrachoti, director-general of the Fine Arts Department, said Wat Phra Mahathat had put Thailand in the global spotlight as the country's sixth cultural World Heritage site.

He said the recognition was expected to attract a surge of Thai and foreign tourists, bringing significant economic benefits to the area.

The Fine Arts Department will continue working with Nakhon Si Thammarat authorities to conserve and restore Wat Phra Mahathat and introduce measures to ensure its preservation meets UNESCO requirements. Any new construction, including shops and other facilities, must also be carefully planned to ensure it does not diminish the site's cultural value, he said.

"I would like to congratulate the people of Nakhon Si Thammarat and all Thais. This is the third consecutive year that we have received World Heritage recognition," Phanombut said. "Hopefully, we will have another piece of good news in 2027."

Under the proposed timeline, Chiang Mai is expected to be submitted for consideration after being included on UNESCO's Tentative List since 2015.

Phanombut said several other Thai sites have also been placed on the Tentative List and could potentially be considered in the future.

He expressed hope that the World Heritage recognition would bring more visitors to Wat Phra Mahathat and encourage everyone to help preserve the temple and its sacred relics for future generations.

Prime Minister Anuntin Charnvirakul, Interior Minister and Phumi Jai Thai Party chairman, posted on Facebook stating he had traveled to Udon Thani to bid farewell to MP Harang Thuraphon of the party. Anuntin presided over the royal cremation ceremony for Harang Thuraphon, the Phumi Jai Thai MP for Udon Thani District 3, at Wat Pa Phra Tham Visuddhimongkhol in Ban Nong Sa Khrai, Chiang Wang Subdistrict, Phen District, Udon Thani Province. Harang died from a chronic illness on July 20 at the age of 69.

The parents of a 28-year-old Thai woman detained at Fukuoka Airport in Japan after crystal methamphetamine was allegedly found hidden in a coffee packet have appealed for authorities to investigate the person who hired her to carry the parcel. The woman, identified as Juthathip, 28, travelled to Japan on 11 July with her 28-year-old boyfriend, Sarawut, and another friend. The three reportedly worked as freelance luggage carriers, transporting goods for Thai people living in Japan.

Upon arrival at Fukuoka Airport on 12 July at around 07:00, Japanese authorities searched their luggage and allegedly found crystal meth hidden inside a coffee packet belonging to Juthathip. She was subsequently detained. Her parents, Thanatsak, 53, and Kanyavee, 45, said they believed their daughter may have been deceived into carrying the drugs. They also urged relevant authorities to investigate whether the person who arranged for the parcel to be transported to Japan was part of an organised operation.

Sarawut said Juthathip had created a Line group called THIENTHIEN SHOP last year to offer a luggage-carrying service for Thai people living in Japan and those wishing to send goods there. On 10 July, a Line user named "ing ing" contacted the group and asked Juthathip to carry a parcel to Japan. The goods, weighing about 12kg, were packed in a brown box sealed tightly with tape.

Sarawut said he was unsure whether his girlfriend had opened the box to inspect its contents. The same customer had previously hired her to transport goods in May, so they did not initially suspect anything unusual. After the group arrived in Japan, airport officials questioned all three travellers. Sarawut and his friend were questioned from around 08:00 to 19:00 before being released, while Juthathip remained in custody. They were not initially told what offence she was suspected of committing.

The following day, Sarawut contacted the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Fukuoka and was told to wait for Japanese police to provide further information as the investigation was still ongoing. The consulate later informed the family that a stimulant substance had been detected, although it was initially unclear which item it had been found in.

On 22 July, the family received a notice from the consulate stating that crystal meth had allegedly been found hidden inside a coffee packet. The group had carried a total of nine boxes to Japan. Customers collected all the parcels except the one sent by the Line user "ing ing", who did not contact them to collect it and subsequently blocked their communication channels.

The customer had paid Juthathip 3,600 baht for the service. The payment was reportedly made from an account under the name HO THI MAI. Kanyavee said the family was informed by the Thai consulate on 22 July that her daughter had been arrested at Fukuoka Airport on suspicion of importing crystal meth. Shocked by the news, the family went to Bang Bua Thong Police Station in Nonthab.

BANGKOK — Thai customs officials have arrested an Indian passenger at Suvarnabhumi Airport for allegedly smuggling around 6kg of etomidate, a controlled substance reportedly used in so-called "zombie vapes." Phanthong Loykulnant, director-general of the Customs Department, said on Sunday that officers from the Suvarnabhumi Airport Passenger Control Customs Office, together with the airport's Investigation and Suppression Division, searched and arrested an Indian male passenger who had travelled from Mumbai, India, to Thailand.

A search revealed Category 2 psychotropic substance etomidate with a total weight of approximately 6,000 grammes including packaging, valued at more than 4.2 million baht. The alleged smuggling violates Thailand's Narcotics Code, the Customs Act of 2017 and other relevant laws.

Etomidate is a short-acting anaesthetic used exclusively in medical settings. It was previously classified as a specially controlled drug before being upgraded in late July 2025 to a Category 2 psychotropic substance, listed in the same category as ketamine. Authorities have raised concerns about its alleged use in e-cigarette liquids, sometimes referred to as "zombie vapes" or "K vapes."

The substance can affect the brain rapidly, initially causing a dream-like state, detachment from reality and euphoria. However, consuming large amounts can cause irregular heart rhythms, seizures, temporary paralysis and respiratory depression, potentially leading to unconsciousness, shock or death. The Customs Department warned the public and young people about the serious, potentially life-threatening dangers associated with e-cigarettes containing such substances.

Thai police are renewing warnings against accepting paid courier work to transport packages overseas, cautioning that drug trafficking networks deliberately target couriers to smuggle narcotics without their knowledge. The alert follows a case in which a 28-year-old Thai woman was arrested at Fukuoka Airport in Japan after crystal methamphetamine was discovered hidden inside a coffee bag in her luggage. Her family has stated she has no history of drug involvement and believe she may have become a victim of an international smuggling operation. The family acknowledged that their daughter failed to inspect the package before accepting it, and has asked authorities to investigate the person who gave her the package and determine any links to drug trafficking networks.

On July 26, 2025, Areepakdi Ngernbarun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and ONCB spokesperson, reiterated that the office has continuously warned the public not to accept packages or courier work to transport luggage or parcels overseas. This risk applies to all professions—including flight crew, tour guides, and even people running online courier pages—whether helping friends, relatives, or acquaintances, or accepting payment in exchange for delivering bags or items to others abroad. Even if the person giving the package claims to be a friend, relative, or acquaintance, the courier cannot know what is inside and risks unknowingly carrying illegal items. If customs or law enforcement officials discover prohibited goods, tax-evaded merchandise, or narcotics in the luggage, the person carrying it will be held legally responsible and may face prosecution, even if they claim ignorance of the contents.

Regarding the case in the Bang Bua Thong police area where the family filed a complaint, the ONCB has officers from ONCB Region 1 ready to coordinate information with police and provide assistance if needed. Areepakdi also disclosed that international drug trafficking networks deliberately target high-risk individuals or those with potential to transport items by luggage to destination countries, such as flight crew members, or those who openly run online courier pages. These networks seek people who frequently travel abroad or who publicly announce on social media that their luggage still has capacity for additional parcels. Such connections often serve as entry points for trafficking networks to exploit.

The networks typically establish trust first by sending a legitimate shipment to test whether it reaches the destination smoothly. If successful, they then begin hiding narcotics inside subsequent packages, having calculated that after several successful deliveries, they will make a profit. Areepakdi further noted that people accepting courier work through online pages often never meet the person they are dealing with face-to-face, communicating only through online chat.