Feast within ICU for infant suspected in death of five day old baby boyLegacyThe parents of a newborn boy who died at a hospital in Ang Thong requested an investigation into his death, raising concerns about a feast held inside the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The couple sought assistance from the Paveena Foundation for Children and Women. They also requested a forensic examination of their son’s body, which was transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Police General Hospital for an autopsy. According to the parents, their son was born prematurely on July 17 at eight months’ gestation. He was admitted to the NICU and placed in an incubator for close monitoring after birth. The father said a doctor met him shortly after midnight on the day the baby was born and explained that the infant was breathing more rapidly than normal, which could lead to fatigue. The doctor recommended inserting a breathing tube, and the father signed a consent form for the procedure. Photo by Sergey Novikov via Canva The couple said medical staff later informed them that their son’s condition had stabilised and they visited him on July 20 at about 1.30pm. According to the parents, they found five dining tables set up inside the NICU, with doctors, nurses and other staff eating meals in the unit. They claimed one table was positioned only a short distance from their son’s incubator. The couple said a nurse asked them to leave because staff were having a meal. They questioned whether dining inside the NICU was appropriate given the controlled environment required for newborn patients. According to the parents, they raised their concerns with medical staff but were told the gathering would not affect the babies receiving treatment. They also alleged that catering staff entered the unit to serve food without wearing face masks or other protective equipment. Photo via Nation The following day, July 21, the hospital contacted the couple to inform that their son’s condition had worsened overnight. When they arrived at the hospital at about 10am, doctors informed them that the baby had died. According to the parents, doctors said the infant may have developed a bloodstream infection, while the medical documentation listed pulmonary hypertension as the cause of death. The couple also alleged that hospital staff released their son’s body for funeral arrangements and later contacted them to encourage them to proceed with the cremation. Photo by pkanchana via Getty Images Although they held funeral rites, the parents postponed the cremation because they wanted an independent investigation into the cause of death and whether the gathering in the NICU had any connection to the incident. According to the family, the preliminary forensic examination identified a fracture to the baby’s right ankle and an injury to the left front of the skull. However, the cause of death has not yet been determined. Forensic specialists collected blood, tissue and liver samples for further examination. The final results are expected within about two weeks. At the time of publication, the hospital had not issued a public statement responding to the family’s allegations. The story Feast within ICU for infant suspected in death of five day old baby boy as seen on Thaiger News.

On July 24, officers from Rong Kwang Police Station in Phrae province responded to a fatal shooting at a residence in Ban Pak Huai Oi, Baan Wieng subdistrict, Rong Kwang district. The victim, 45-year-old Yut (surname withheld), was found dead inside the home with a shotgun wound to the torso. The shooter, 69-year-old Wichai (surname withheld), the homeowner and victim's father-in-law, stood waiting to surrender along with the shotgun used in the incident. Police took him into custody for legal proceedings. Initial investigation revealed that the victim had visited his father-in-law's home to plead for reconciliation with his separated wife, but negotiations failed and a severe argument erupted. During the confrontation, the victim challenged the older man to shoot him, causing the father-in-law to lose his temper momentarily. He fired one shotgun round, killing the victim on the spot, then surrendered to authorities.

On July 24, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yotchanun Wongsuwan announced good news for faculty and personnel under the ministry, revealing success in unlocking a talent mobility policy.

Yotchanun said the ministry has now fully unlocked the Talent Mobility issue by signing a new ministerial announcement on guidelines for personnel movement and exchange. The core concept is to create opportunities for capable personnel to work in suitable locations where they can maximize their potential and create the greatest benefit, fostering new knowledge exchange without being bound by old regulations.

Previously, many personnel wished to help other universities or organizations but worried about civil service rules, record damage, or career advancement impacts. The ministry therefore issued a new announcement to dismantle these barriers.

Key benefits of the new policy include: full cross-agency work capability, allowing temporary assistance or exchanges between universities and other agencies; uninterrupted service record, ensuring continuous service time counting without losing employment rights; unobstructed career advancement, allowing normal salary raises and academic position applications (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor); and scholarship repayment time counting, where time spent working in other agencies counts toward any required scholarship repayment period.

This unlocking represents a crucial opportunity for personnel to break free from old frameworks, gain experience, build inter-agency networks, and collectively advance Thailand's research and education systems. Yotchanun stated: "I have always believed human capital is the most important cog in driving the nation forward. The ministry is committed to continuously developing people, removing various barriers, and building the best ecosystem to allow all our talented people to grow and demonstrate their full potential without limits."

At 13:15 on July 24, 2569 (2026) at Government House, Justice Minister Rutthapol Naowarattana provided an update on the Forex case investigation. He disclosed that the DSI informed him that Phawut Pongvitthapanu, a Pheu Thai party-list MP, has requested to postpone his clarification statement on the charges. The Minister said he does not know the reason for the postponement and was not informed when it would be rescheduled. This is considered a legal procedure, and the DSI will issue another summons.

When asked how many times the DSI can issue summons, Rutthapol replied that normally it is twice. Once that is exhausted, whether an arrest warrant is issued depends on whether DSI finds just cause based on Phawut's reason for postponement.

Asked whether the delay constitutes obstruction, the Minister said he does not know Phawut's reasons, but acknowledged that if there are urgent matters preventing him from appearing, that falls under DSI's consideration.

Regarding investigation progress, Rutthapol confirmed that investigators have traced over 28 million baht in financial transactions. Importantly, they have discovered a server belonging to QRS Global Company that contains comprehensive records of all company transactions. When asked who owns QRS Global, he deferred to the DSI for details. On whether the financial trail connects to any political party, Rutthapol said it remains unclear.

Thailand's June 2025 exports reached $34.66 billion, up 20.8% from the same month last year and representing 24 consecutive months of growth, according to Nanthapon Jiralertsapong, director of the Office of Trade and Commercial Policy. Excluding oil, gold, and strategic materials, exports grew 23.1%. For the first six months of 2025, total exports hit $196.74 billion, up 17.6% year-on-year.

Industrial goods remain the primary growth driver, particularly electronics, phones, electrical appliances, automobiles, and auto parts, supported by global AI infrastructure and data center investments as well as pre-tariff rush buying ahead of U.S. trade policy uncertainty. Agricultural and agribusiness exports remain down 6.5% overall but show signs of recovery in selected categories: rubber (+12.5%), sugar (+39.3%), canned and processed seafood (+17.5%), pet food (+22.3%), and processed chicken (+8.2%).

Industrial exports expanded 25.1%, marking 27 consecutive months of growth, with standout performers including computers and components (+57.4%), mobile phones and components (+186.1%), electrical circuits (+23.2%), chemicals (+27.8%), electrical transformers (+42.1%), and batteries (+232.4%), reflecting sustained global technology sector demand.

Major export markets showed strong performance: the United States led with 44.3% growth for the 33rd consecutive month, followed by ASEAN-5 (+40.5%), Japan (+22.7%), the European Union (+22.3%), and China (+4.9%). Secondary markets also performed well, with Latin America (+50.7%), Oceania (+32.7%), and Africa (+9.9%) leading growth, while the Middle East (-6.9%), South Asia (-6.3%), and CLMV nations (-5.6%) contracted.

June imports totaled $41.19 billion, up 50.3%, resulting in a trade deficit of $6.53 billion. The first six months accumulated a deficit of $31.74 billion.

The Office of Trade and Commercial Policy projects continued export growth in the second half of the year driven by AI-related electronics demand, though geopolitical risks and U.S. tariff policies remain concerns. The Commerce Ministry will accelerate negotiations on Thailand-EU and ASEAN-Canada trade agreements while discussing tariff issues with the United States, and will address nominee ownership and illegal investment problems to ensure export stability and strengthen Thailand's long-term competitiveness.