The Interior Ministry is preparing to modernize Thailand's entertainment venue law and establish zoning restrictions. Permanent Secretary Arthit Sampantarattana said the prime minister recognizes that existing laws have become outdated as circumstances change. Zoning designations in Bangkok will be determined by the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Commissioner, while provincial authorities will handle their respective regions, with the prime minister directing agencies to accelerate the process.

When asked whether enforcement would intensify given widespread violations, Arthit explained that many establishments register as restaurants but operate as entertainment venues by selling alcohol and allowing dancing, which constitutes illegal operation without proper licensing. The ministry intends to review whether current laws and measures adequately address the situation. He emphasized that the core problem stems not from business operations themselves but from inadequate safety standards, leaving venues unable to properly respond to or care for patrons during emergencies.

Regarding jurisdiction between the Interior Ministry and police, Arthit noted that the Ladphrao beer hall obtained permission to operate as a restaurant through a district office, while the Interior Ministry will oversee legal compliance. A urgent meeting is being arranged by a deputy permanent secretary to coordinate efforts, expected to take place soon.

RAYONG: Police have arrested the supervisor of a Muay Thai boxing camp in Rayong province for allegedly procuring teenage boxers for a foreign sponsor and other pedophiles.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) deputy secretary-general announced plans to request additional answer sheet data from the Ministry of Interior and has advised local authorities to postpone hiring remaining candidates pending clarification of the investigation.

Speaking at 2:15 p.m. on July 15, 2025, at the Department of Local Administration following a local civil service exam committee meeting, Suchart Kruakitanon, NACC deputy secretary-general, said the commission will report its findings to an inquiry committee to establish facts. Work will be expedited in coordination with the Ministry of Interior.

When asked how the NACC will examine 800,000 answer sheets, Suchart said the investigation is ongoing and any problems will become additional test issues. He stressed the need to prioritize this investigation immediately because some candidates have already been hired and the matter has broad implications.

Regarding whether additional charges will be filed, Suchart said the matter will be reconsidered once the inquiry committee is formally established. The committee has been working for two weeks since the NACC elevated it to a special case due to its widespread impact. The commission is committed to full investigation.

On how candidates awaiting hiring will proceed, Suchart said the meeting recommended postponing hiring pending clarification. Since the investigation is ongoing, local authorities considering hiring the next batch must ensure clarity first. He noted that while some candidates may have done nothing wrong, those awaiting hiring must await verification given the complaints. He suggested that if candidates pursue legal remedies to seek protective orders, the court should provide justice to those affected, as this case impacts hundreds of thousands of test-takers.

Gulf Development Public Company Limited, represented by Sitamon Ratanawaladee, Director of Strategic Planning, received a certificate of honor from Tetch Bunnag, Secretary-General of the Thai Red Cross Society, in recognition of the company's donations and support for the Rama IX Centre for Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery at Chulalongkorn Hospital under the Thai Red Cross. The recognition was presented during the "40 Years of Rama IX Centre: International Standards Toward Sustainability" event held on July 13, 2025, at Chulalongkorn Hospital. The company is inviting the public to donate and receive commemorative items from the "Empowering Me" charity campaign, with all proceeds supporting the center's operations and reflecting GULF's commitment to combining infrastructure development with improved quality of life for disadvantaged Thais and equitable healthcare access.

Marking the center's 40th anniversary, GULF has brought back an exhibition of 10 symbolic paintings titled "Empowering Me – A Power of Identity Beyond Appearances: This Is Me, Beautiful As I Am," created by university students nationwide. The artwork conveys the dreams, resilience, and true identity of individuals with facial and cranial differences, aiming to foster understanding and acceptance of diversity in society.

GULF and Chulalongkorn Hospital have jointly set up a booth inviting public donations in exchange for commemorative items inspired by the "Empowering Me" concept, including acrylic keychains, canvas shoulder bags, and blankets. Interested donors can contribute and receive merchandise through various Thai Red Cross channels, including the website www.iredcross.org, with donations eligible for double tax deduction. All contributions will be directed without overhead costs to support the center's operations in caring for, treating, rehabilitating, and improving the sustainable quality of life for patients.

"GULF is proud to support the Rama IX Centre in enhancing the quality of life for young people with facial and cranial differences," said Sitamon. "The center plays a vital role in comprehensive patient care—physical, emotional, educational, and social skills development—enabling them to live confidently and reach their full potential. We are delighted that our support over the past decade has created opportunities and brighter futures for patients and families, benefiting Thai society and the healthcare system."

Over the past 10 years, GULF has improved patients' and families' quality of life through multi-faceted support of the Rama IX Centre, including: donating approximately 10 million baht toward patient care and transportation costs; providing over 20 million baht in educational scholarships under the "One Scholarship, One Dream, Build the Future" program, benefiting more than 500 youth and enabling three to complete undergraduate degrees; and organizing the "Empowering Me" art exhibition to showcase the identity and resilience of individuals with facial differences.

The Charoen Pokphand Foundation for Rural Community Development held an event titled "From One Opportunity to a Million Dreams," showcasing stories of youth who benefited from four major programs: vocational training in eldercare, royal scholarship programs for students, family foster care support in cultural communities, and egg-laying chicken projects for school meals. The foundation emphasized how developing one person creates positive ripple effects across families, communities, and society sustainably, through education, vocational development, food security, and support for disadvantaged children.

The event was presided over by Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phukphatsuk, a privy councilor and chairman of the foundation's board, alongside Supakij Chearavanont, chairman of the Charoen Pokphand Group, and senior executives from the group's companies at the True Tower Auditorium on Ratchadamri Road.

Over nearly 39 years, the foundation has been committed to developing people in line with the royal philosophy, implementing three core strategies: rural leadership development, food security, and social innovation cultivation. These efforts target all age groups—children, youth, and seniors—while strengthening communities nationwide.

One success story is the eldercare vocational training program, which opened opportunities for youth and adults to learn professional eldercare skills suited to Thailand's aging society. Many participants have translated their training into stable careers with steady income and improved family living standards. Ms. Yanida Juitung, one graduate, transformed from economic hardship to a secure profession, now supporting her family independently. "I didn't study just for myself, but to have a stable career and income to support my family," she said. "The foundation gave me this chance, and now I can send money home to help my parents and care for my siblings. That's my greatest pride."

Another success is the royal scholarship program, which provides educational opportunities for youth in remote areas. Tharathon Luangmani, a former border police school student, received a scholarship enabling him to complete a bachelor's degree in education from Chulalongkorn University. The scholarship relieved his family's financial burden, and after graduation, he became a physical education teacher at a private school, inspiring younger generations to pursue similar opportunities. "Everyone has dreams, but dreams become real only through action," he said. "Mistakes aren't endpoints—they're pauses for reflection and learning. With determination and resilience, anyone can build their own future."

For disadvantaged children, the foundation has operated the foster family support program in cultural communities since 2002, enabling orphans to grow up in loving, caring foster families.

Thailand's National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) has approved seven electricity measures aimed at reducing consumer costs while ensuring data centers and industries bear their fair share. The main points include: separating public electricity costs (such as street lighting) from household bills and establishing a new rate, funded partly by surcharges on data centers and large industrial users; reducing residential electricity rates to 3 baht per unit for the first 200 units while maintaining higher rates for additional consumption; extending the reduced rate to rental properties including rental homes, dormitories, and apartments previously charged temporary rates; expanding direct power purchase agreements (Direct PPA) for clean energy to industrial sectors beyond data centers through third-party access to the grid; setting separate electricity rates for data centers to reflect their actual infrastructure costs; and requiring large data center operators to post performance bonds on grid usage. The reforms aim to lower costs for ordinary consumers, promote clean energy adoption, and transition toward a competitive market while preventing large users from shifting their costs to the general public.