Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin revealed that the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee has officially begun in Busan, South Korea, from July 19-29, 2026, bringing together delegates from 196 member nations, UNESCO officials, advisors, and international organizations to review key agenda items including the inscription of new World Heritage sites, conservation status monitoring, and international cooperation frameworks.

Suchat will lead the Thai delegation, accompanied by Dr. Raveevan Puridej, Permanent Secretary of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry; Bannarak Soemthong, Secretary-General of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning; Arthapol Charunchantsara, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation; and other relevant officials.

Thailand's priority is the inscription of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a cultural World Heritage site, with the committee scheduled to review it on July 25-26, 2026. If approved, it would become Thailand's sixth cultural World Heritage site and ninth World Heritage site overall, reflecting the international recognition of Thai cultural heritage.

The minister emphasized that the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, as the central coordinating agency for Thailand's World Heritage Convention obligations, will closely monitor the proceedings and coordinate with all relevant agencies to prepare additional documentation and liaise with UNESCO and advisory bodies to ensure the nomination meets international standards and criteria. Suchat stressed that Thailand's participation demonstrates the government's commitment to fulfilling its World Heritage Convention obligations and the ministry's role in advancing the nation's heritage conservation policy through multi-sector collaboration, with the ultimate goal of successfully inscribing Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn as a new World Heritage site while ensuring balanced and sustainable development that preserves this valuable legacy for future generations.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and a delegation including the Interior Minister visited the CP Center office in Beijing on July 19, 2026 (Beijing local time, one hour ahead of Thailand), where they met with senior executives of the Charoen Pokphand Group led by Senior Vice President Suphachai Chearavanont.

Anutin described CP as a source of national pride, being China's first foreign investor and a model of Thai business success in the Chinese market. He emphasized the company's focus on long-term investment and creating shared value between the two nations, and expressed hope that Thai entrepreneurs could learn from CP's experience and expertise. The Prime Minister chaired the opening of the Thailand–China (Sichuan) Investment and Economic Forum 2026 and inaugurated the Board of Investment's new Chengdu office.

On July 18, Anutin also hosted a luncheon with over 140 Thai private sector executives and business leaders, expressing confidence in the private sector's ability to conduct business abroad. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting and facilitating Thai private sector expansion in China to create sustainable business opportunities and growth.

The Charoen Pokphand Group, established in 1921, is a major Thai conglomerate operating in eight core business segments—agro-industry and food, retail, telecommunications, digital services, real estate, automotive, medical devices, and finance—across 23 countries and economic zones worldwide. Headquartered in Bangkok, the company employs over 456,000 people globally, with primary operations spanning agro-industry, food, retail, distribution, and digital and telecommunications services.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand, a major racing team with 40 years of continuous success in Thai motorsports, backed by Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd., delivered a strong performance at Round 2 of the RAAT Thailand Endurance Championship 2026. The team fielded a full roster of drivers to test their mettle in the grueling 8-hour endurance race, showcasing both machine and driver prowess. The standout result: first place overall in the TC2 class at Chang International Circuit in Buriram province, demonstrating the team's continued durability and performance throughout the competition.

The 8-hour challenge tested the limits of car performance, driver skill, and team strategy. Every team member rose to the occasion, adapting tactics as conditions evolved throughout the race. Competition was fierce and unpredictable, but all TOYOTA GAZOO Racing drivers performed superbly, finishing strong and delivering an impressive display of endurance racing.

In the TC2 class, the team entered two Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport vehicles. Car number 19, driven by Suttipong Smitchart, Natthawut Charoensukkha-Watthana, Nathapong Hottongkham, and Manat Kulapanon, captured back-to-back victories and claimed first place in both class and overall, completing 229 laps. Car number 20, piloted by Kran Suppong, Akkrapong Akkaninirodom, Nadol Watthanathum, and Kritsdi Vasurath, finished fourth in class and 19th overall with 184 laps.

In the TC3 class, the team fielded Toyota Yaris ATIV number 29 with drivers Naratsami Abhivat, Aitan Attadathorn, and Shiba Kentaro taking turns at the wheel. They secured second place in class and sixth overall, covering 217 laps. In the TC N+ category, Toyota Yaris ATIV HEV number 39 was driven by Mario-Sittichae Gangnimit and Songsak Kornsirisuksant in a hybrid-powered effort, finishing fourth in class and 16th overall with 185 laps.

After the race, team director and driver Suttipong Smitchart said, "The 8-hour endurance race is a true test of the car, the drivers, and the team. Everyone performed at their best, and we continuously adapted our strategy to match changing circumstances throughout the competition. This result reflects the strength of our team, and we will take every lesson learned from the track to develop our cars further, following the MAKING EVER-BETTER MOTORSPORTS-BRED CARS concept. Toyota GAZOO Racing develops from the racetrack to create better cars. We thank everyone for their support."

Motorsports fans can continue following TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand's progress on Facebook and Instagram (TOYOTAGAZOORacingTeamThailand). The team's next program is the Asia Cross Country Rally 2026 (AXCR2026), running 2,000 kilometers from Pattaya to Phitsanulok, scheduled for August 9–15, 2026.

Midnight Mambas have successfully won the JB League 2026 JV championship for players aged 10-11 after narrowly defeating Electric Eagles 2-1 in the finals series. The championship series was filled with excitement and suspense as both teams competed evenly, splitting victories in the first two games and forcing a decisive game three. Midnight Mambas ultimately prevailed in the decider, winning 66-42 to claim the season's trophy amid joy from teammates and families.

Beyond the championship match, the event featured special activities including the JBD Exhibition Match where Team Swish defeated Team St. Arena Center 60-46, followed by the JB League All-Star 2026 match in which Team Sukhumvit narrowly edged Team Thonburi 45-43, and a 3-point contest that drew roaring applause and entertained spectators.

Individual awards were presented to standout players throughout the season: MVP was Arti Theerkon Chumchit (Electric Eagles), Finals MVP was Tachi Nopnarin Chaijrun (Midnight Mambas), Top Scorer was Chae Chae Surakup (Rhino Chargers), Most Assists went to Phumijai Kittanat Duangmag (Shadow Sharks), Defensive Player of the Year was Kinkin Kittikun Chaturacherjkun (Shadow Sharks), Sportsmanship Award went to Tross Napchon Boriborn (Golden Raptors), and the 3-point Contest winner was Hommi Theertor Krueathiva (Black Panthers).

The atmosphere throughout the competition was filled with smiles, determination, and athlete spirit from all the young players, as well as enthusiastic cheering from families and fans along the sidelines, reflecting JB League 2026's success as a quality platform that develops potential and creates valuable experiences for young basketball athletes.

RATCHABURI — A private hospital in Ratchaburi has dismissed a senior physician after a 30-year-old man died of a heart attack hours after allegedly being diagnosed with a panic attack and denied an electrocardiogram (ECG) requested by his family.

The case drew widespread public attention after the victim's wife, teacher and influencer Benyaporn Phanphet, known online as "Kru Sai," shared her story on social media, claiming her husband's death could have been prevented had he received appropriate treatment.

According to Benyaporn, her husband sought treatment at San Camillo Hospital in Ban Pong district after experiencing severe pain radiating from his arm to his chest, accompanied by excessive sweating. He was reportedly referred between several departments before an orthopedic doctor suspected a heart condition and referred him to a general practitioner.

She alleged that despite the family's repeated requests for an ECG, the physician declined, saying the symptoms were more likely caused by stress or a panic attack. The family also offered to pay for additional tests or transfer him to another hospital but said their requests were refused.

After returning home, the man collapsed later that evening and died.

An autopsy later found that he had severe coronary artery disease involving two blocked arteries.

The family has filed a formal complaint, seeking an investigation into the medical treatment.

In its first statement issued on Saturday, the hospital suspended the physician, a doctor in his 70s who had worked at the hospital for more than a decade, pending an internal investigation and external reviews by the Medical Council of Thailand and independent experts.

On Sunday, the hospital issued a second statement announcing that the doctor had been dismissed with immediate effect.

The hospital said its internal fact-finding found that the physician had communicated with the patient and relatives using inappropriate and impolite language, violating hospital regulations requiring staff to treat patients respectfully. The conduct was also found to be inconsistent with the Medical Council's code of professional ethics.

The dismissal took effect on 19 July.

The hospital said it would continue to cooperate with ongoing investigations and provide assistance to the bereaved family, while expressing its deepest condolences and accepting public criticism and recommendations.

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Patong – Thai immigration police have arrested a Belgian national wanted under an INTERPOL Red Notice for attempted murder and organized crime, ending his brief hideout in Phuket. Immigration Officers told the Phuket Express. They detained the suspect — identified only as Mr. Reid (alias) — outside his condominium in Patong. The arrest followed a […] Alleged Belgian Gang Boss Wanted for Murder Nabbed in in Patong -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.