The owner of Somphol Tourism has apologized and clarified that the man who boarded the opposing white bus and assaulted the driver was not an employee of the company, stating that he was hired separately through another driver to help load luggage. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on July 21 on the motorway when the company was transporting a group of 10 vehicles on a study trip from a Pathumthani local government organization to Chanthaburi, with one lead vehicle provided by the organization itself.

Somphol explained that his convoy was traveling in the second lane from the right at approximately 80 kilometers per hour when the opposing bus suddenly changed lanes, causing his lead bus to swerve to the far right lane and forcing following vehicles to brake suddenly. All parties pulled over to sort out the situation, during which the first bus driver approached the other vehicle to inquire, but Somphol acknowledged that heated words may have been exchanged. He emphasized that the man who boarded the opposing bus and committed the assault was not a company driver or luggage handler, but rather someone hired externally.

Somphol stated that the company conducts regular training on traffic discipline, criminal background checks, and alcohol and drug screening before employees work, but since the assailant was not a company member, such checks could not be performed. He announced that future measures will be implemented to strictly vet or prohibit the hiring of outside personnel, with a meeting to be held once all staff return from their current assignments in other provinces. Somphol also apologized to the public and viewers for the behavior of the individuals involved, while asking for understanding that the person in the video was not a company employee.

Phra Kru Prasit Sarnakun, known as Luang Por Pin Inthasaro, was a distinguished former abbot of Wat Ubonwanaram in Daeangsadawk district, Ratchaburi province, and a student who inherited advanced Buddhist knowledge from Luang Por Kong at Wat Bang Krapom. Born February 23, 1901, in Klongnai, Samphran district, Nakhon Pathom province, to parents Nai Long and Nang Pring Imsarani, he was placed in monastic education at a young age before attending Phra Pathom College. After his father's death, he left school to help support his mother. At age 21 in 1922, he was ordained at Wat Bang Chang Nuea, receiving the religious name Inthasaro. He studied both Pali and Dhamma extensively at Wat Thongnopakun in Bangkok, earning the rank of senior Dhamma scholar and passing five difficult Pali examinations. He became skilled in Dhamma preaching, astrology, and Buddhist occult knowledge, later teaching at multiple temples including Wat Thongnopakun, Wat Thalo in Kanchanaburi, Wat Amronrat Samakhom, Wat Prasatsit, and Wat Ubonwanaram. In 1938, he established the first Pali studies program in Daeangsadawk district at Wat Prasatsit, and with Phra Kru Lom, he founded the Sri Prommin school at that temple in 1941. After transferring to Wat Ubonwanaram, he helped raise funds to build Ubonwanaram School (Nim Phin Mukprachanugul). He also assisted in constructing several other schools in the area. In 1947, following Phra Uthikan Nim's retreat from the abbacy, the sangha and temple committee unanimously appointed him as abbot. As abbot, he continued to develop and enhance Wat Ubonwanaram. Beyond his fame as a preacher, he earned widespread reverence for his Buddhist occult knowledge, being frequently invited to perform consecrations and blessings. He compassionately helped all who came to him with troubles and hardships. The residents of Daeangsadawk district recognized him as a highly virtuous monk of exceptional spiritual merit, possessing a generous and compassionate heart—outwardly appearing as a monk-developer and teacher of Dhamma and Pali, but also well known throughout the district for his excellence in preaching and religious instruction. He served as a shelter and refuge for the people of Daeangsadawk for many years until 1952.

The Thai Meteorological Department issued a seven-day regional weather forecast for July 22–28, 2025. From July 22–25, heavy rain is expected in parts of the northern, upper northeastern, eastern, and western southern regions due to a low-pressure system over northern Vietnam combined with the southwest monsoon affecting the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. Waves in the upper Andaman Sea and northern Gulf of Thailand will reach 1–2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. The lower Andaman Sea will see approximately 1-meter waves, also exceeding 2 meters during storms. From July 26–28, the eastern and western southern regions face heavy to very heavy rain as a monsoon trough passes through Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam into a low-pressure system in the central South China Sea, with strengthening southwest monsoon conditions. Waves will intensify across the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. A separate low-pressure system in the Pacific is expected to strengthen into a depression and move over the northern Philippines on July 24–25. Public warnings emphasize caution in eastern and western southern regions during July 26–28 for sudden flash floods, flash floods, and overflowing banks, particularly in foothill and low-lying areas near waterways. Regional forecasts detail thunderstorms at 40–80% coverage across all regions with heavy rain in parts. Northern region: 60–80% thunderstorm coverage with heavy rain July 22–25 and 28; low 23–27°C, high 29–36°C. Northeastern region: 40–60% thunderstorm coverage with scattered heavy rain throughout; low 24–26°C, high 30–37°C. Central region: 40–60% thunderstorm coverage with heavy rain in western areas July 22 and 27–28; low 24–27°C, high 30–37°C. Eastern region: July 22–25 sees 40–60% thunderstorm coverage; July 26–28 sees 60–70% coverage with heavy to very heavy rain in places; winds 15–35 kph initially, 20–35 kph later; waves 1–2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in storms; low 24–28°C, high 30–36°C. Southern region (east coast): July 22–25 shows 20–40% thunderstorm coverage with moderate winds and 1-meter waves offshore.

RAYONG — Thai authorities detained 43 foreign workers, including five Chinese nationals, during an inspection at a factory construction site in Rayong province on Tuesday after receiving complaints.

The operation was carried out at around 13:00 by the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), the Rayong Provincial Employment Office and officers from the Special Branch Police Bureau.

Officials inspected a factory construction site in Nikhom Phatthana district. They detained 36 Myanmar nationals, two Cambodians and five Chinese nationals.

The Rayong Provincial Employment Office said the inspection was conducted in line with the government's policy to intensify checks on foreign workers, screen undocumented migrants and ensure that migrant labor is properly regulated.

Authorities said the provincial employment office has ordered more thorough inspections across the province to enforce labor regulations.

Special Branch officers, who were deployed from Bangkok, said they had been instructed by their superiors to assist in the operation, noting that illegal entry by foreign nationals, particularly Chinese citizens, is considered a matter of national security.

The detained workers were taken in for further legal proceedings while officials investigate whether they had entered Thailand or were working in the country in violation of immigration and labor laws.

After holding traditional Thai-Isan wedding ceremonies and hosting a celebration in Norway, Thai entertainment couple Nadech Kugimiya and Yaya Urasaya Sperbund returned to Thailand for a wedding reception at the Naphaly Grand Ballroom at Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok on July 18. The event invited important people in their lives to celebrate and wish them well, with global star LISA creating buzz with her attendance. Fans were also invited to be part of the celebration.

The atmosphere was filled with warmth and joy, featuring an after-party and concert performances by celebrity artists, including the groom singing and showcasing his physique. Before the reception started, Nadech and Yaya opened up about the most memorable moments of their special day and reflected on their love journey, thanking everyone for their support.

Asked if their marriage turned out as imagined: Nadech: "Far better than I imagined. I'm very lucky to have her as my wife. She continues to guide me in the right direction, making me want to be a better person for her and our future." Yaya: "I feel blessed. When we started getting to know each other, I could already picture this day clearly. It turned out just as I dreamed."

Do they remember their first meeting? Did they immediately know this was the one? Nadech: "I did. After finishing the series Duang Jai Akorn, I wanted to be her boyfriend and worked hard to woo her. My English wasn't strong, so I practiced speaking with her constantly and did everything to make her happy." Yaya: "Back then there was no Line. I remember he sent a message saying 'Hey shawty!' which was cute. During the drama shoot he didn't talk to me much, just looked at me. But our chemistry was there from the first meeting. I realized he was flirting when he sent that message."

Why did he fall in love with her? Nadech: "I fell for her bright and cheerful charm that brought life to my world. She's dedicated to her work and has a certain appeal I can't quite explain. We gradually fell in love while working together, especially during the series Game Rai Game Rak—that was it! As for how I courted her, I liked sitting next to her on the van, sharing earbuds listening to music, and dreaming of her falling asleep on my shoulder. I mostly played foreign love songs, carefully curating playlists to avoid sad songs. Since we were filming together and spending over 12 hours a day together, our feelings naturally seeped into each other."

Do they remember the first day they officially became a couple? Yaya: "We don't have a clear first date because we fell in love before officially becoming a couple. As a Pisces, I fall hard and fast. I felt this was the one because our energies matched—it really locked in. Even though we couldn't understand each other at first and had to use Google Translate, he's genuine with himself and everyone around him. Being with him puts me at ease and lets me be completely myself."

What about Nadech hasn't changed from the first day until now? Yaya: "Everything, really. But what I love most is his heart. He does everything with sincerity, and his heartbeat just goes... Yaya, Yaya, Yaya. (laughs)"

How did they adapt to each other so well? Nadech: "We continue to learn from each other. There's no fixed formula for married life. We have to observe each other, notice our own feelings, and learn to improve and develop so we always move in the same direction." Yaya: "I believe in a relationship, you have to love every version of the person you choose. If you encounter anything difficult, you have to be like a breeze under their wings supporting them."

The Department of Internal Trade is tackling falling durian prices in southern Thailand with four key measures to boost distribution of 300,000 tons of output. Director-General Withayakorn Maneenate outlined the strategy following a field inspection at Marakot market in Chumphon, working to execute Deputy Prime Minister Supachee Suthermpunthu's fruit management policy. Southern durian production is now over 50 percent into the season, with Chumphon province alone accounting for roughly 70 percent, or 243,000 tons.

The four-point action plan includes: (1) accelerating product distribution from farms to market by coordinating with the Department of Land Transport and ensuring compliance with the GMS Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement, while encouraging more Thai trucks to purchase durian and connecting foreign buyers for continuous purchasing; (2) maintaining Thai durian quality through strict harvest standards, grading, and compliance with production benchmarks to build buyer confidence and protect the nation's durian brand; (3) promoting value-added processing through community enterprises and producers to create products such as fried durian and durian sweets, while linking market channels; and (4) intensifying marketing and communications to attract traders to Marakot market for expanded distribution.

Marakot market manager Thanet Samgtawon confirmed the facility is prepared to handle the southern durian influx as eastern region production winds down. Vendors at the market report that Chinese consumers remain highly interested in Thai durian, especially the golden pillow variety for its trusted quality and flavor, while the Sri Saket volcanic durian has earned recognition as a premium product among discerning buyers.