Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, also Transport Minister, revealed that on July 22, 2025, he chaired the first meeting of the committee monitoring solutions for housing communities on State Railway of Thailand (SRT) land. Representatives from the SRT, Community Organization Development Institute, SRT Asset Company Limited (SRTA), and public sector joined the meeting to track progress and address housing difficulties for residents living on SRT property—a priority for the Transport Ministry because it affects the quality of life and residential security of tens of thousands of households across the country. Problem-solving efforts must proceed on both legal and land-use dimensions while upholding fair treatment through inclusive consultation.

Pipat reported progress on resolutions from the June 4 meeting, including renewal of 24 SRT land-lease contracts, of which 2 have been completed and 22 are underway, plus the transfer of 10 leases from SRTA to the SRT to secure long-term tenure rights. The committee also tracked remedies for communities affected by rail system development, such as reviewing land-lease rates, resolving delivery delays, adjusting rates for inflation, approving housing projects, boundary surveying, and resolving tax and rent payment issues.

Pipat stated the meeting also discussed continuity of the Cabinet resolution from February 1, 2023, addressing housing for communities on SRT land across 35 provinces, covering roughly 300 communities or 27,000 households. The SRT and Community Organization Development Institute will consult with the public to establish clear implementation guidelines and present them to the SRT board for consideration.

PHUKET — A group of foreign tourists were caught on video trading punches in Phuket's famous Soi Bangla in Patong early on July 22, 2026, following a night of drinking and socialising.

The incident reportedly took place at around 02:00 on July 22 in Bangla Soi, Pa Tong subdistrict, Kathu district, according to the Phuket Times Facebook page, which shared footage of the brawl.

The video shows several foreign tourists arguing before the confrontation escalated into a physical fight, prompting panic among people in the area.

Shop staff and both Thai and foreign tourists rushed to intervene and separate those involved to prevent the situation from escalating further.

The page captioned the footage: "Some exciting sports action at Bangla Stadium after 02:00 last night. They're fighting among themselves."

The video quickly attracted attention online, with many users sharing the footage and jokingly referring to the area as "Bangla Stadium."

Comments included jokes such as, "Bangla Stadium: the meeting point for testing strength and madness," while another user suggested setting up a proper ring with energetic music for the "show."

Others joked that the fight looked like a street boxing match and questioned why the tourists did not simply go to one of Patong's boxing stadiums instead.

The incident has also prompted discussion online about the image of Phuket's popular tourist destination.

IconSiam, a world-class Chao Phraya River landmark, is positioning itself as a comprehensive lifestyle destination committed to supporting Thais' sustained health throughout the year. The venue is converting River Park and IconSiam Park into a full wellness destination for health enthusiasts by blending fitness with entertainment and modern lifestyle trends aimed at inspiring people to take charge of their own health. The development creates a health-conscious community along the scenic Chao Phraya riverfront, offering a relaxed and fun atmosphere to motivate regular exercise.

IconSiam has already generated momentum through diverse health and fitness activities that have been enthusiastically received. These include ICONSIAM Dance Together: Aerobic Dance x Random Dance in partnership with Fitness First Club ICON and The Diva Thailand, transforming the riverside into a vibrant dance space with spectacular lighting and sound, featuring performances by dance artists FAVIQ and Y2Z. For sports enthusiasts, the Road to HYROX by Fitness First Club ICON program gives strength athletes a dedicated space to train for the global competition. An International Yoga Day celebration in partnership with global fashion brand ALO brought health lovers together for exclusive yoga sessions overlooking the Chao Phraya on IconSiam Park Level 2. The venue also hosted Busking performances by emerging artists like ATLAS and iZ, inviting fans to enjoy close-up shows.

All these activities reflect IconSiam's commitment to creating spaces that enhance quality of life and deliver sustained health benefits year-round. The ICONSIAM Dance Together event returned on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at River Park Ground Floor, featuring warm-up and stretching by Soulfit Pilates experts, aerobic dance led by Fitness First Club ICON, performances by viral fitness icon P'Nong, and appearances by partner brands including B'lue, PURE, Prebo Pop, Samitivej Thonburi Hospital, De Lalita, Alpro, and Tao Kae Noi. The event continued with Random Dance from the Random Z Dance team in a free-entry celebration. For more information, call 1338 or visit www.iconsiam.com and Facebook: ICONSIAM.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenkul held a press conference at The Stories Square in Bangkok to announce the Buriram Marathon 2027, a world-standard running event. The ministry outlined its vision to harness mass participation sports events as an engine for grassroots economic growth and elevate secondary cities into Asia's premier sports tourism destinations.

Key attendees included Newin Chidchob, president of the Buriram International Circuit; Race Director Chotchanok Chidchob; Lieutenant General Chakratip Chaijinda, chairman of the Thailand Amateur Athletics Association; and Buriram Province Governor Piya Pidhnom.

Minister Surasak revealed that the Buriram Marathon, certified to international standards by World Athletics, is entering its second decade with full momentum. Over the past ten years, the sports festival has demonstrated concrete economic value to the region.

The ministry has adopted a three-pronged strategic approach based on the marathon's success:

1. Converting "People Power" into "Economic Power": The Buriram Marathon has generated over 5.2 billion baht in circulating revenue over the past decade by attracting domestic and international runners and tourists.

2. Elevating Secondary City Economics: Using secondary cities as strategic hubs to distribute income and foster sustainable grassroots economic growth. Buriram stands as a successful model for sports-driven urban development.

3. Community Participation: The event's distinctive strength lies in local involvement, with residents across Buriram Province collectively serving as hosts, transforming the sports competition into a festival of joy.

"I believe no other Thai province has achieved the level of community participation that Buriram has in hosting a major sports festival," Surasak said. "In this second decade, the Buriram Marathon will transcend being merely a successful running event to become a key platform for attracting sports tourists and a model for other provinces in developing their cities through sports, positioning Thailand as a leading sports tourism destination in Asia."

Beyond sports and economic dimensions, the press conference also featured a donation to the Thailand Amateur Athletics Association and the presentation of charity bib proceeds from the 2026 Buriram Marathon to Buriram Hospital.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Bangkok – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s nomination of Pol Gen Samran Nualma as the 16th Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) received unanimous backing from the National Police Commission on Wednesday. The 12-0 vote came after more than 90 minutes of deliberation, clearing the way for the veteran officer to assume the top police […] Police Commission Unanimously Endorses Pol Gen Samran Nualma as Next Royal Thai Police Chief -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

Police announced on July 22 the dismantling of a nominee property scheme involving 33 shell companies controlling 33 luxury homes worth over 1.27 billion baht. The operation was led by Lt. Gen. Natthasak Chaovanasai and other senior officers from the National Police Bureau's Anti-Corruption Division, following complaints from residents and data from the Department of Business Development (DBD) about large numbers of Chinese nationals residing in luxury villages in the Pattanakarn and Bangkok Kreet areas.

Investigation revealed that Piyanucha and her mother Sakorn served as nominees—listed as shareholders and directors—while actual control rested with Chinese national Hao Deng, who provided all capital. The network operated in three ways: purchasing two homes through nominee companies before transferring ownership to Chinese buyers; purchasing three homes and changing shareholding structure upon sale; and purchasing 28 homes through nominee firms for rent or resale via Chinese agencies. Officers seized land title deeds, sales contracts, 15 foreign passports, documents, company stamps, and approximately 1.4 million baht in Thai and foreign currency. Thirty pre-signed share transfer documents were also found, indicating the Thai nationals were merely lending their names.

Preliminary charges have been filed under the Foreign Business Act for using Thai nominees and violations of land law. Investigation continues into all Thai and foreign individuals involved, with results to be forwarded to the Land Department for asset forfeiture proceedings.