On July 27, 2569, at the Ministry of Public Health, Permanent Secretary Dr. Somruks Jungsaman provided updates on the investigation into a meal function held near the neonatal ICU at Ang Thong Hospital. The ministry ordered provincial health officials to examine the matter, with the provincial health office establishing an investigation committee the previous week after the incident came to light. The case has been divided into two parts: medical treatment and the meal arrangement held in the ward.

Dr. Somruks explained that a committee was formed to review the medical treatment aspect. As a pediatrician himself, he confirmed that the infant's care—from diagnosis through death—followed standard medical protocols. Neonatal ICU patients are kept in incubators, and any interaction with them requires staff to wash hands, wear gloves, open the incubator, perform the procedure, and then close it again; these are standard infection-control measures.

"The room is a neonatal ICU, but a meal function was held there," Dr. Somruks said. "Standard practice at all inpatient facilities—whether general or ICU wards—is to have staff eat meals outside the patient care area so they can closely monitor patients." He noted that the meal was apparently organized to mark the transfer of outgoing and incoming pediatricians, which resulted in activities outside the designated area. While details remain unclear, he described the arrangement as inappropriate and warranting an investigation expected to conclude by Friday, July 31.

When asked about potential penalties, Dr. Somruks said he preferred to await the investigation results before speculating. The meal event involved the entire pediatrics department—typically comprising two to three doctors and ten to fifteen nurses—and he emphasized that ICU wards have strict operational standards designed for patient safety and infection control. "This likely will not result in revocation of professional licenses, but holding a meal function in an ICU is inappropriate. We need to see the specific details of how it was conducted," he concluded.

Gulf Development Public Company Limited (GULF) is advancing its social mission to improve living standards through the "GULF Sparks, Life Starts" program, which invites the public to nominate areas without electricity access for free solar panel installation. Nominations are open from July 27 to August 28, 2025, with no installation costs to selected communities. The program leverages GULF's renewable energy expertise to bring solar power systems to remote villages, island communities, and border areas across Thailand.

To date, GULF has already installed solar systems in over 20 remote communities nationwide, generating more than 100 kilowatts of electricity and benefiting approximately 10,000 people. These installations have reduced inequality, created educational and health opportunities, and enabled income generation and sustainable livelihood improvements. Interested parties can nominate locations at https://forms.gle/Dun55vSdrLem1WPi8 or contact Gulf SPARK on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GulfSPARK.TH/. Final selection of beneficiary areas remains at the company's discretion.

On July 27, 2025, Winit Wisetsuwannaphumi, director of the Office of Fiscal Economics and spokesman for the Ministry of Finance, announced that the Cabinet approved the 2025 state welfare card registration program. The initiative aims to ensure existing cardholders continue receiving benefits while databases are updated in coordination with verification agencies to improve accuracy and inclusivity.

The Cabinet's key decisions include: existing 2022 beneficiaries will maintain their benefits until September 30, 2025 (extended from July 31), and all 2025 beneficiaries will begin receiving benefits on October 1, 2025. Four eligibility criteria have been adjusted: students in non-formal education systems are now excluded; partners in ordinary partnerships and shareholders in social enterprises or community enterprises are excluded; securities and debt instrument account holders with minimal value or no ownership are excluded; and motorcycles over 15 years old (excluding high-value or collector bikes) and vehicles over 20 years old (with similar exceptions) are excluded.

The appeals period has been extended to August 31, 2025 through four channels: the official website, the Pao Tang app, the Government app, and five registered banks including Krung Thai, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Government Savings Bank, Thai Postal Savings Bank, and Islamic Bank of Thailand. The deadline for correcting information at verification agencies has been extended to September 20, 2025. The Ministry of Interior supports field operations through provincial and district mechanisms and has established One Stop Service centers to assist beneficiaries with e-KYC verification and rights review.

While Thailand has a comprehensive public healthcare system, access to medical services in remote areas remains a significant challenge, particularly in mountainous regions and areas with poor transportation infrastructure. This hampers the delivery of medicines, medical supplies, and diagnostic samples, as well as emergency patient care during disasters when roads are cut off.

True Corporation's Research and Innovation Center has introduced True SkyBridge, an autonomous air logistics platform designed to deliver medicines and medical supplies to remote areas in both normal and crisis situations. The platform recently demonstrated its success in real-world operations in Nan Province through collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and network partners, proving that distance will no longer be a barrier to healthcare.

Ekkaraj Panjvinin, head of research and innovation at True Corporation, stated that the innovation originated from the intention to use technology to solve real problems and benefit Thai people. The company ensured that the innovation had potential for broad expansion and could improve both the industry and people's quality of life, making healthcare the top priority. "We're not just making drones, but creating a platform that connects all stakeholders into an ecosystem and truly solves the problem," he said.

The heart of True SkyBridge is not the drone itself, but a platform that integrates all aspects of medical logistics, from aircraft and AI systems to flight control centers, hospitals, health authorities, and regulatory agencies such as the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

True SkyBridge differs from typical platforms as an open system that can connect with drones from multiple brands and types, allowing for easier fleet management and future expansion. The platform is powered by an AI system that not only controls autonomous flight but also analyzes and makes decisions throughout each mission, from assessing urgency and weather conditions to analyzing airspace restrictions, payload weight, and selecting optimal routes.

For emergencies such as blood transport for surgery or urgent medical supplies, the system automatically prioritizes tasks to ensure critical items arrive first. The platform also features a Disaster Resilience Mode that instantly adjusts operations during floods, landslides, or road cutoffs by prioritizing the transport of life-saving equipment, AED machines, blood, medicines, and emergency supplies.

Another highlight is the Cold-Chain Intelligence system designed for transporting blood, vaccines, and medical samples that require strict temperature control. The platform monitors and records temperature throughout the route and immediately alerts if conditions approach critical levels. True SkyBridge is also designed to integrate with existing healthcare operating systems, allowing medical personnel to order missions, track progress, and confirm delivery results from their hospital systems.

Bangkok, 27 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is celebrating the inscription of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat on the UNESCO World Heritage List as Thailand’s ninth World Heritage property and sixth cultural property. TAT is carrying this historic recognition forward through “The Twelve Sacred Discoveries Nakhon Si Thammarat: A Journey to World Heritage” campaign, a year-round programme inviting visitors to discover the site’s living Buddhist heritage across the seasons.

The World Heritage Committee inscribed the property at its 48th session, held from 19–29 July 2026 in Busan, Republic of Korea, following a recommendation by the International Council on Monuments and Sites. Recognised for its Outstanding Universal Value under criteria (ii) and (vi), Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan has served as a major regional Buddhist centre since its foundation in the eighth century.

Religious and architectural traditions from northeastern India, central Java, Sri Lanka and the Mon region of southern Myanmar were integrated into the monastery’s buildings, rituals and cultural practices. Its distinctive artistic and architectural expressions subsequently exerted an enduring influence across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Religious and local traditions have continued at the monastery for more than 1,500 years, including the annual cloth-wrapping ceremony for the Great Reliquary and the Nora dance drama.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “TAT will build on this recognition to position Nakhon Si Thammarat as a leading destination for living heritage, where faith, culture and community remain central to the visitor experience. Our focus is to create lasting value through responsible tourism, strengthen local participation and ensure that the significance of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan is understood, respected and sustained for generations to come.”

The inscription brings Thailand’s World Heritage portfolio to nine properties, comprising six cultural and three natural properties. The cultural properties are the Historic City of Ayutthaya; Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns; Ban Chiang Archaeological Site; The Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati Monuments; Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period; and Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan. The natural properties are Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries, Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex and Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex.

The inscription is being celebrated across Nakhon Si Thammarat through a two-day programme concluding today, 27 July. Organised by the province with government agencies, private-sector partners and local communities, the programme includes Nora and Khon performances, merit-making and alms-giving, Buddhist chanting, ordination ceremonies, meditation sessions and exhibitions. Nora and Khon are both recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Together, the activities present the historical, religious, artistic and cultural significance of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan while reflecting its continuing role as a centre of worship and community life. They also celebrate the traditions and cultural identity of Nakhon Si Thammarat and southern Thailand.

Running alongside the celebrations, TAT is hosting a commemorative photo booth from 25–30 July near the sacred Bodhi tree and Sai Kaeo courtyard, opposite Phra Wihan Luang and in front of the souvenir centre. Visitors may register to receive an instant photograph and digital image marking Thailand’s newest World Heritage inscription and share the story with wider audiences.

Beyond the commemorative programme, TAT will extend the recognition throughout the year through “The Twelve Sacred Discoveries Nakhon Si Thammarat: A Journey to World Heritage” campaign. Under the concept “Discover the Past. Share the Faith. Shape the Future.”, the campaign invites visitors on a journey through the province’s Buddhism, ancient civilisation and enduring traditions.

Each month and season will reveal a different dimension of the royal monastery, from its architecture and inherited wisdom to Buddhist teachings and stories of faith. Guided by the local saying, “everyone should pay homage to Phra That of Nakhon Si Thammarat at least once in their lifetime”, the campaign will encourage deeper understanding of the property while supporting responsible visitation, heritage conservation, local participation and sustainable economic opportunities.

Participation in the commemorative activities is free of charge. Further information is available from the TAT Nakhon Si Thammarat Office at +66 (0) 7534 6515–6 or through the Facebook page TAT Nakhon Si Thammarat Office.

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