Transport Deputy Minister Pattrapong Pattraprasit is pushing to establish direct flight routes from China and Europe to Surat Thani Airport to boost tourism to Samui Island while developing seamless air and ground transportation systems. Pattrapong chaired a meeting with Suparerk Tongsuk, president of the Samui Tourism Promotion Association, and working groups to plan new international routes and improve baggage handling services for travelers. The key discussion centered on direct flight routes from China and Europe to Surat Thani Airport, targeting visitors from these regions to reduce congestion at major airports and distribute travel more evenly across the region. The initiative also includes seamless baggage transport systems. Efforts are underway to coordinate between airlines and private companies so passengers can clear customs and collect luggage at the port rather than the airport, with services extending to hotel delivery or final destinations, creating convenience and satisfaction for travelers. This coordination will enhance the travel experience, increase visitor numbers to Samui and surrounding areas, establish new tourism logistics standards, and create integrated air and ground transportation links. Pattrapong noted that direct international flights to Surat Thani Airport and seamless baggage systems will significantly boost revenue for the airport, Surat Thani province, and neighboring areas. He has instructed the airport authority to coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure convenient, efficient, and seamless travel for the public.

The Office for Managing and Developing Knowledge (Public Organization), or OKMD, is inviting the public to participate in the "Letter for Later" project, which provides space for people to record stories, thoughts, feelings, and life lessons by writing letters to themselves or future generations. These contributions will feed into the new OKMD National Knowledge Center (NKC) on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, scheduled to open in three years.

OKMD Director Dr. Tawarat Sootabut stated that Letter for Later is part of preparations for the NKC opening, designed as an open public learning space that integrates knowledge, technology, creativity, and public participation. It will become a landmark for learning and a new creative district in Bangkok, promoting lifelong learning and developing future skills for people of all ages.

Dr. Tawarat emphasized that the NKC is designed as more than just a learning center—it is a space where everyone can help build and share knowledge by connecting learning from books, research, technology, and real-world experiences. This allows learning to remain vital and reflect society's changes across different eras.

"We want this to be a learning space for everyone, and everyone can help build knowledge for society. The stories recorded through Letter for Later today will not only reflect the writer's life but will also become knowledge that helps future generations understand the way of life, thoughts, and hopes of people in this era deeply," Dr. Tawarat emphasized.

The director noted that Letter for Later represents the start of opening opportunities for public participation in building the National Knowledge Center even before it opens, transforming real-life stories into valuable knowledge for social learning and becoming part of the content that will grow alongside the NKC.

The project's special feature is giving people a chance to participate in the National Knowledge Center before it opens by recording their own stories, experiences, and perspectives to pass on as knowledge and inspiration to future generations.

The project has three main objectives: raising awareness about the OKMD National Knowledge Center, opening space for public participation through sharing stories, thoughts and life lessons, and collecting stories, experiences, and perspectives to pass on as knowledge and inspiration for future generations.

"Future learning doesn't come from expert knowledge alone but from the exchange of people's experiences, thoughts, and life lessons—all valuable knowledge that should be recorded, shared, and applied to society. Letter for Later is therefore not just a letter-writing activity but an invitation for people to help build the nation's knowledge through their own stories, because we believe that today's stories are the knowledge that will best help future generations understand our society," Dr. Tawarat said.

Interested participants can join from June 30 to September 20, 2569, through two channels: writing letters online at theletter.okmd.or.th or writing at designated Letter Stations.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry is accelerating tourism promotion by launching the 'Thailand Travel Plus' program to support domestic travel. The state will cover 50% of accommodation costs, capped at 3,000 baht per booking, along with a 500-baht digital coupon for meals, transportation, and tourism services through the 'Pao Tang' mobile app, available across all 77 provinces. The ministry will also subsidize domestic airfares—400 baht per trip to major cities and 600 baht to secondary cities—booked directly with participating airlines. Additional measures include extending Indian tourist visas from 15 to 30 days to attract high-spending travelers and destination wedding groups, while enhancing tourist safety through AI technology, smart cameras, and facial recognition systems integrated with tourism police. The ministry will also promote Thailand internationally via Thai and foreign influencers to showcase new attractions and amplify Thai soft power. Minister Surasak emphasized that the government will accelerate implementation to stimulate travel, generate income for businesses, distribute revenue to grassroots economies, and reinforce Thailand's reputation as a quality, safe tourism destination.

On July 15, 2025, at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, police brought Dr. Win Thanapochraphon and Sergeant Pichit Thawngprom (also known as Jao Pichit) before the court for the first time in connection with an examination fraud and corruption case. On July 14, another suspect, Ms. Satphorn, was also detained and requested temporary release, but the court rejected her petition, forcing her into immediate detention.

Both Dr. Win and Sergeant Pichit have consistently denied all charges. Police opposed bail for both, arguing that the case involves an organized criminal network affecting government administration and multiple state and private agencies with widespread damages. Police also expressed concern that suspects might flee or interfere with witnesses and evidence, noting that some co-conspirators remain at large.

After the suspects filed bail requests while in custody, the court considered their petitions and rejected both. The court found that the charges carry serious weight and involve multiple organized co-conspirators with clear division of roles, causing extensive damage to public institutions and officials. The court determined there are reasonable grounds to believe the suspects may flee, tamper with evidence, or obstruct the investigation. Consequently, the court denied bail and ordered both suspects transferred to Bangkok Special Detention Center.

KTIS is advancing its bio-business initiatives by launching food packaging and containers made entirely from sugarcane bagasse under the brand "Ooy Plus," produced by subsidiary Environment Pulp and Packaging (EPAC). The company is expanding distribution channels through a partnership with Future Mart, a major wholesale center in Samut Prakan province, to serve restaurants, retail shops, and businesses in the area while meeting consumer demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable products.

Bumirat Wang Pridaleiskul, Vice President of Bio-Business for Thai International Sugar Corporation (KTIS), stated that the company is leveraging its integrated sugarcane and sugar operations across production, paper pulp, ethanol, and biomass power generation. Ooy Plus represents another value-added product utilizing sugarcane bagasse residue, combining business opportunities with environmental responsibility. The bagasse-based packaging is chemical-free, naturally biodegradable, and designed for modern consumers seeking eco-conscious alternatives.

Following positive market reception, KTIS is systematically expanding its sales channels. The partnership with Future Mart will serve as a distribution hub for food and retail businesses in Samut Prakan and surrounding provinces, improving market access and customer reach. The company believes Ooy Plus, with its tagline "Pure from the Source, Safe for Life," will raise standards in Thailand's packaging industry while supporting Bio-Circular-Green Economy growth and delivering long-term social and environmental value across domestic and international markets.

Thai students earned significant recognition at the World Mathematics Invitational (WMI) 2026, held on 13 July at Chiba Prefecture Cultural Hall in Japan, bringing home nine gold medals, five silver medals, 10 bronze medals, one merit award and several special prizes from a field of over 1,300 competitors from 25 countries. Standout performers included Grade 4 student Piyaphat Wanotthayan from Anuban Sisaket School, who achieved the second-highest score worldwide in his grade and received the STAR of WORLD award recognizing Thailand's top scorer, along with the Legend Award and Diamond Award; and Grade 5 student Phat Suwanwisan from Chulalongkorn University Demonstration Elementary School, who placed third globally and also won a Diamond Award. Thailand secured two Legend Awards—presented to contestants who have earned gold medals or Diamond Awards for three consecutive years—given to Thitaree Thamwijitrakul of Anuban Sisaket School and Theerawat Chantarotai of Knightsbridge House International School Nonthaburi, both of whom also won gold medals. Phumithep Klungurai, president and Vice President of the WMI committee, noted that the Thai team's performance demonstrated the potential of Thai students on the international stage.