Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin announced that the government prioritizes continuous conservation and restoration of natural resources to maintain forest abundance and the country's biodiversity. This commitment has yielded concrete results with the discovery of the Hipposideros rotalis (Laotian Leaf-nosed Bat) in Thailand for the first time, found within Sam Wua Lin Limestone Forest Park in Bueng Kan Province.

Suchat reported that the Forest Department's Research and Development Office made the discovery through a vertebrate biodiversity survey project supported by the Science, Research and Innovation Promotion Office. Researchers began surveying the area in early 2025 and identified this bat species in Thailand for the first time, despite it being previously reported only in Laos. The minister stated that this finding reflects the ecosystem's richness in the forest park and provides valuable scientific data for studying the country's biodiversity. Although the species is classified as low-risk for extinction, it confirms that Thailand's forests retain potential for discovering academically important species in the future.

"The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry prioritizes surveying and conserving new wildlife and plant species as they reflect the completeness of our natural resources. We will continue managing our forests while supporting research to preserve biodiversity and pass on abundant natural resources to the next generation," Suchat said. The Forest Department will strengthen protection of Sam Wua Lin Limestone Forest Park and continue supporting biodiversity research to create new knowledge and enhance the country's natural resource conservation efforts.

PHUKET: Phuket officials have inspected the Chabad House in Patong as part of a multi-agency operation examining its fundraising activities, land ownership and business structure.

On July 27, Deputy Superintendent Pholwat Thumsing of Nong Krap Police Station in Rayong received a report of a capsized boat with a missing child in a large pond at Moo 5, Nong Bua Subdistrict, Ban Khai District. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene. The pond is known to be extremely deep, reaching 4 to 5 meters in some areas. A rowing boat and fishing equipment were found floating in the water. A 13-year-old boy was rescued by a villager and pulled from the pond with water aspiration symptoms; he was rushed to the hospital. Another boy managed to swim safely to shore. After approximately 30 minutes of underwater search efforts, rescue teams located the body of a 13-year-old boy submerged in the water. The body was brought to shore and medical personnel were contacted for an autopsy. Investigation revealed that all three boys had set out together to fish in the middle of the pond. During the outing, the boat lost balance, capsized, and sank. The incident was compounded by the pond's significant depth and the fact that the boy who died was not a strong swimmer. The deceased boy's grandfather expressed heartfelt regret, stating he had warned his grandson many times not to fish at this particular pond due to safety concerns. Despite the family having no shortage of food at home, the boy's youthful restlessness prompted him to invite friends out fishing, resulting in this tragic accident. Police have sent the body for a detailed autopsy and are conducting an investigation in accordance with the law before returning the body to the family for religious funeral rites.

PATTAYA — Four transgender women have been arrested in connection with the alleged robbery and assault of a 53-year-old Australian tourist in Pattaya on 27 December 2025, police said.

The Australian man reported to Pattaya police that he was attacked by a group of transgender women who allegedly assaulted him and stole his belongings.

The incident raised concerns over the image of Pattaya as an international tourist destination. Police said they continued investigating and tracking down those involved.

On 29 June 2026, the Pattaya Provincial Court approved arrest warrants for four suspects on charges of jointly committing nighttime robbery and assault causing physical and mental harm.

Pattaya Tourist Police investigators later located the suspects, with some allegedly leaving the area while others continued living in Pattaya.

The suspects were identified as Peeraphong, 19, and Pimphisa, 20, who were arrested outside condominiums in Pattaya; Chanachai, 20, who was arrested outside a restaurant in Maha Sarakham province; and Pongsakorn, 18, who was arrested at a residence in Ratchaburi province.

Police said all four acknowledged they were the individuals named in the arrest warrants and appeared in video footage from the scene, but denied the charges.

They were handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings, police said.

Alpine Sports Group, through Rand Development Company Limited, has officially launched ALPINE BOOST in partnership with Srinana Prom Marketing Public Company Limited, the manufacturer of the Jele brand. The new Sport Jelly is designed under the "Boost Your Performance" concept to serve athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and active lifestyle enthusiasts with a product that cares for the body throughout all stages of exercise—before, during, and after activity—to support performance, maintain energy levels, and prepare the body for the next session.

Dr. Taveevat Taveephol, Chief Executive Officer of Rand Development Company Limited's Business Group, stated that consumers are increasingly prioritizing health and quality of life, making wellness a central part of modern living, whether through exercise, rest, body recovery, or proper nutrition choices.

"ALPINE BOOST reflects Alpine Sports Group's vision of building on our sports expertise to develop products that provide comprehensive health experiences, and to advance a Wellness Ecosystem that connects sports and quality of life. We believe good health doesn't come from exercise alone, but from continuous, multi-dimensional body care that enables everyone to live their full potential," he said.

Adisak Sunthonsuk, Managing Director of the Hospitality Business Group at Rand Development Company Limited, noted that Alpine Sports Group has years of experience caring for customers through various sports businesses including golf courses, football fields, and tennis courts. This has given them genuine insight into the pain points of athletes and fitness enthusiasts, such as energy loss during activity, fatigue from sweating, risk of cramping, and suboptimal post-exercise recovery.

"ALPINE BOOST was developed from a real understanding of athletes' lives, recognizing that good performance starts with proper body care at every stage. We designed the product to support body preparation before exercise, during activity, and after exercise—maintaining energy levels, ensuring physical readiness, and addressing every activity need. The product format is easy to consume, refreshing, portable, and suited to modern lifestyle," he explained.

ALPINE BOOST consists of three formulas, each designed to address the body's needs at different exercise stages:

READY FORMULA (Lemon Salted Flavour) prepares the body before exercise with potassium chloride (KCl) to replace minerals lost through sweat, adding refreshment and reducing fatigue and cramping risk. Ideal for outdoor activities or sports requiring continuous effort.

ENERGY FORMULA (Mixberry Flavour) combines BCAA and L-Carnitine to supplement energy during exercise, support activity continuity, and enable the body to move at full efficiency. Suited for sports or activities requiring energy enhancement during workouts.

RECOVERY FORMULA (Lychee Flavour) combines BCAA to support muscle recovery and repair after exercise and reduce fatigue.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on July 27, 2025 that he is waiting for the Senate to formally approve the removal of Dr. Sorin Bunyibhaichaphruk, chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), on grounds of disqualification. Anutin stressed that the process follows legal procedures requiring a Senate vote, and that once the Senate issues its decision, he must comply with it—there is no way to violate the law or constitution. The NBTC chairman declared this morning that he does not accept the selection committee's finding that he lacks qualifications. Anutin said each official must do their own job. When the selection committee issued its disqualification motion, he consulted with Deputy Prime Minister Pokrarn Nilpraband, who said they must wait for the Senate meeting to proceed. "Once the matter reaches me from the Senate, I must sign off on it. I have no discretionary power," the prime minister said.