Thailand's Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin announced that no Thai world heritage sites were proposed for inclusion on the UNESCO Endangered List following the 48th World Heritage Committee meeting on July 21-22, 2025, demonstrating Thailand's effective conservation and management practices. The minister noted that Thailand faces an important development in the coming days with the consideration of Wat Phra Maha Dhat Woramahaviharn in Nakhon Si Thammarat for world heritage status, which would be Thailand's sixth cultural site and ninth overall, and mark a historic first for southern Thailand. The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, serving as Thailand's coordinating body for the world heritage convention, integrates cooperation with all relevant agencies to monitor and assess conservation status while implementing management measures aligned with international standards, ensuring the outstanding universal value of Thailand's heritage sites is maintained. The 48th Committee meeting's decision to exclude Thai sites from the endangered list reflects Thailand's continued commitment to its obligations under the World Heritage Convention and demonstrates the effectiveness of ongoing conservation efforts. However, inscription as a world heritage site represents the beginning rather than the conclusion of responsibilities, requiring state parties and responsible agencies to develop efficient area management plans covering both conservation and sustainable development with ongoing monitoring and coordination among all stakeholders.

Coach Wang Thawatchai Damrungthongtraakul, head coach of Thailand's U-23 national team, stressed that the squad must think big despite drawing Japan in Group A of the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya. Thailand will compete against Japan, Kyrgyzstan, and Hong Kong in round-robin matches, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

"The draw put us with Japan, a top-tier Asian team and U-23 champions, while Kyrgyzstan and Hong Kong are also quality opponents," Wang said. "We need to study their data and form carefully and prepare our team as thoroughly as possible, especially regarding player selection."

Wang explained that his coaching staff has been monitoring all squad candidates across multiple training camps, including those playing for the senior national team in the 2026 ASEAN Cup and players currently based at clubs, focusing on fitness and conditioning.

"We have a preliminary plan for team building across each camp," Wang continued. "We've submitted initial squad names and will submit a final roster of 23 players after coordinating with the federation and clubs to request player releases for the Games."

The coach emphasized setting high goals and aiming for the deepest possible run. "Facing the Asian champion Japan is tough work, as are Hong Kong and Kyrgyzstan. We must prepare well," he said.

Regarding fitness, Wang expressed confidence, noting that the tournament timing coincides with the start of the domestic season when players' fitness is typically good. "If we get all the players from our various camps, tactical understanding will improve significantly," he added.

Wang concluded with an appeal to Thai football fans: "We hope fans will follow and cheer for this Asian Games tournament in Nagoya. Any fans who travel to support from the stadium would be wonderful. We want everyone to join in and encourage all our players."

PHUKET: Nightlife venue operators in Phuket have formally asked the provincial government to expand designated entertainment zones, saying wider legal zoning would allow more businesses to obtain licences, reduce uncertainty and support the island’s tourism economy.

An AI-generated image claiming to show a crocodile at a school in Satthahip district, Chonburi province, sparked widespread panic on July 23, 2025, following heavy overnight rainfall that caused flooding in the area. The image was shared through a Facebook page after someone submitted it for verification, causing significant concern among students, parents, and residents.

District Chief Natthawut Anuyodthai ordered officials and rescue teams to conduct a thorough search of the school and surrounding areas, but found no evidence of a crocodile or any traces. Meanwhile, Thana Thanathat Pramoenpong, a Member of Parliament from Chonburi's District 10, arrived to verify the situation and investigate the image's origins.

Authorities traced the photo's source to a student at Singhasamutt School who admitted creating the image using artificial intelligence technology before sharing it in chat groups, from which it spread widely and was mistaken for a real incident. Officials confirmed no crocodile was present at the school and urged the public to fact-check sources, verify image credibility, and exercise caution before sharing, especially AI-generated content, to prevent unnecessary panic and reduce the burden on rescue personnel responding to false reports.

At 10:10 a.m. on July 23, 2025, the Sai Sangan Police Station in Nakhon Ratchasima received a report from Khorat Police of a trailer truck involved in a hit-and-run collision on Highway 224 near Hin Khon, which then fled toward Sai Sangan district. Lieutenant Colonel Saksit Kongsaktrakul, superintendent of Sai Sangan Police Station, ordered traffic and prevention officers to set up a roadblock and instructed them to exercise caution as the vehicle showed no intention to stop and was traveling at high speed.

As the truck passed through a traffic light intersection in Sai Sangan subdistrict, it struck another vehicle. Officers pursued the fleeing truck along the Sai Sangan-Nong Kee route before it turned back onto the Don Khwan road in Sai Sangan district. The high-speed chase, with officers following closely, alarmed residents and motorists along the way, resembling a scene from an action film. The truck eventually turned into the parking area behind Sai Sangan Police Station.

Officers identified the driver as Saengsawang Wong, 49, who exited the vehicle without resistance. A search revealed methamphetamine inside the truck, and his urine tested positive for amphetamines. Lieutenant Colonel Saksit revealed that the suspect, with a history of drug involvement, had caused the initial collision and fled in fear across three districts: Khopburi and Sai Sangan in Nakhon Ratchasima, and Nong Kee in Buriram province, striking four vehicles along the way over a distance of more than 80 kilometers in approximately two hours.

During his escape, the suspect's wife called him urging him not to flee, warning that he might cause an accident. The driver then headed to Sai Sangan Police Station to surrender voluntarily. Authorities are continuing their investigation for further legal proceedings.

Mentally ill Thai woman fabricates sexual assault allegation against taxi riderLegacyA motorcycle taxi rider in Nonthaburi is taking legal action against a female passenger fabricated allegations that he attempted to sexually assault her during a journey. The false claim gained widespread attention after the woman posted on social media that she had narrowly escaped an attempted sexual assault after attending a fan meeting for South Korean singer Jay B at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani. According to her original post, she hired a motorcycle taxi to travel from the venue to a hotel about four kilometres away. She alleged the rider diverted onto a dark, isolated road and touched her thigh twice during the journey. The woman also claimed she recorded part of the incident before jumping from the motorcycle to escape, sustaining injuries that required nine stitches. Photo via Amarin TV Her account attracted widespread support online, including a message from Jay B, who commented on her post asking, “Did you sleep well? Where are you?” Fans also expressed concern and offered encouragement. However, some of the singer’s supporters later questioned the account and conducted their own review of the incident. They subsequently accompanied the motorcycle taxi rider to Pak Kret Police Station to file a complaint after concluding the allegations were false. The rider, identified as Phat, told KhaoSod on July 21 that he later met the woman’s older sister at the police station. Photo via KhaoSod According to Phat, the sister apologised on behalf of the family and said the woman had been experiencing mental health problems, which she claimed contributed to the false allegation. The sister also asked to negotiate over the legal proceedings and accepted responsibility for the online abuse directed at the rider. These claims have not been independently verified. Phat told reporters he had taken the woman via a shortcut that reduced the journey to about two kilometres instead of the usual eight-kilometre route. Photo via KhaoSod He said he intended to reduce the agreed fare from 200 baht to 80 baht because of the shorter journey. According to Phat, the passenger instead paid him 100 baht, and he thanked her by saying she was “beautiful and kind.” The rider said he does not use social media and only became aware of the allegations after staff at the Muang Thong Thani security centre informed him. He was later questioned by police, during which he denied any wrongdoing. Phat said he is prepared to forgive the woman if she apologises publicly. He added that any compensation awarded through legal proceedings would be donated to organisations supporting stray dogs and cats, as well as people in need. The story Mentally ill Thai woman fabricates sexual assault allegation against taxi rider as seen on Thaiger News.