On July 21, 2025, at the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECSD), Krathai Ich-yan (also known as Kanthat Lo-sathapon), a Democrat Party MP from Trang province, arrived with legal counsel to meet with ECSD officials and investigators to acknowledge charges related to fraudulent tax invoices. He faces charges of using illegally-issued tax invoices for tax credits and deliberately evading value-added tax through false sales records, following the close of the parliamentary session. After investigators presented the charges, Krathai denied all allegations. He was fingerprinted and released, with a summons to report to the prosecutor's office on Friday, July 24, for further legal proceedings. Upon leaving, when asked about his appearance, he briefly stated "I came to submit documents to the police" before departing immediately. Three other defendants in the same case—the limited partnership Khemmaphihu, Disathanin Ich-yan (also known as Nithatsana Lo-sathapon), and Phrurin Rapi Ich-yan—have already been referred to the prosecutor. Krathai is the fourth defendant, as a managing partner with authority at the time of the offenses. The case originated from a complaint filed by the Revenue Department at Yan Ta Khao police station in Trang before being transferred to the ECSD's investigative unit in late January 2025. Investigators issued summons for four parties on charges of using illegally-issued tax invoices for tax credit claims, with total damages assessed at 6,670,979.75 baht.

On July 21, Dr. Surin Worakitdamrong, director-general of the Pollution Control Department (PCD), announced that Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchath Chomklin has tasked the PCD with intensifying surveillance and suppression of illegal dumping of garbage, hazardous waste, and industrial residue. The department is deploying aerial technology alongside ground inspections to improve detection of high-risk areas, protect the environment, safeguard public health, and strengthen law enforcement.

Dr. Surin explained that the PCD's Environmental and Pollution Control Office 13 in Chachoengsao is coordinating with the Ministry's Digital Technology and Drone Centre, along with provincial natural resources offices in Chachoengsao and Chonburi, to conduct aerial surveys of illegal waste disposal sites. The target areas cover the Eastern and Central regions and other urgent locations, focusing on high-risk zones, areas with previous complaints, and sites with improper waste disposal practices. A geographic database will be created to support surveillance, law enforcement, and environmental data management across relevant agencies.

Dr. Surin reported that surveys conducted on July 18 in Chachoengsao and Chachoengsao provinces identified multiple dumping sites across several districts. Data collected from these surveys will be used for detailed investigations and strict legal proceedings against offenders, with systematic efforts to address illegal waste disposal in at-risk areas going forward.

The Cabinet has approved August 12 of each year as a significant national day and permanent public holiday, commemorating the birthday of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. On July 21, 2025, deputy government spokesperson Ms. Ploytale Laksameesangchan announced that the Cabinet had approved this measure, establishing August 12 as the birthday commemoration of Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and designating it as Mother's Day with ongoing public holiday status. The decision follows the passing of Queen Sirikit on October 24, 2024, which brought profound grief to all Thai citizens. In recognition of her continuous royal benevolence toward the nation and people, all Thais honor her memory on August 12, her birthday. The royal family has graciously permitted the holding of annual ceremonies to perform merit-making and almsgiving in commemoration of her birthday. The Prime Minister's Office determined it fitting to establish this date as an annual public holiday.

The Kamphaeng Phet Transport Office was busy on July 21, 2026, as residents lined up to cancel vehicle ownership in preparation for the new round of State Welfare Card eligibility. Transport office staff managed queues, provided document guidance, and processed applications smoothly to speed up the process and reduce crowding.

Nangcheliow, 65, was among those canceling vehicle registration. She explained that although she had sold her car years ago, her name remained listed as the owner in the system. Upon hearing that the welfare card criteria would be revised, she rushed to correct her status. She emphasized that the State Welfare Card is essential to daily life because it helps ease the financial burden of buying food and household goods. Learning of the new criteria gave her hope and relief.

Cheliow also expressed her view on proposed welfare reforms, saying she opposes any shift to a "half-price" co-payment scheme if it replaces the current card for those who don't meet the new eligibility threshold. She argued that low-income and elderly people generally cannot afford to top up accounts for such a system, and she urged the government to keep the State Welfare Card in its present form.

Senator Premsak Piayura has called for a thorough investigation into the former secretary-general of the Teachers and Education Personnel Welfare Promotion Office (OCSC), saying that resignation should not end accountability for improper use of government funds and administrative management. On July 21, 2569, Senator Premsak commented on Education Minister Prasert Chantharangthong's appointment of Somchai Wisetchaksina, head inspector of the Education Ministry, to act as OCSC secretary-general from July 18, replacing Peeraphun Hamerarud who resigned. The senator emphasized that this resignation followed his parliamentary inquiry into alleged mismanagement by the former secretary-general, which became a significant pressure point.

This is a critical opportunity for the Education Ministry to recruit a new OCSC secretary-general through a transparent and verifiable process, preventing a repeat of past problems. Senator Premsak proposed that candidates should be individuals with direct knowledge, ability, and experience in education—not outsiders unfamiliar with the ministry's operations, particularly businesspeople who might face conflicts of interest in procurement or budget management, as illustrated by past issues including textbook shortages in over 2,000 schools despite the semester being underway for more than a month, an unprecedented event in history. The Education Ministry has also faced complaints about potentially irregular fund disbursements and duplicate payments currently under internal review.

When asked whether a retroactive investigation of the former OCSC secretary-general was necessary, Senator Premsak stated it was essential, as resignation should not absolve responsibility. If improper use of government funds, conflict of interest, or damage to state administration is found, the matter must be investigated and prosecuted under the law.

"Resignation should not end everything. Government funds must have someone accountable, and this must serve as a lesson for future office holders. The next OCSC secretary-general should prioritize the interests of teachers, education personnel, and the nation—not view the organization as a channel for business profit or personal gain," the senator said.

Senator Premsak added that previous Senate urgent inquiries have shown tangible results, and when the Senate convenes on August 24, if problems or lack of transparency persist in state agencies, he is ready to use Senate mechanisms to conduct full investigations and speak for the people, ensuring long-standing accumulated problems are not overlooked again.

A 65-year-old woman from Muban Saked Klang village in Pua district, Nan province, died after traveling down from Doi Saked to verify her identity and scan her face for state welfare benefits at the Agricultural Bank of Thailand branch in Pua on July 20. She collapsed while waiting in line in the afternoon and despite emergency responders' efforts to revive her, she died around 4:30 a.m. the following day. Her sister expressed the family's distress, saying the incident should never have occurred since the woman had already received her welfare card in a previous registration but was required to make the difficult journey down from the highland area to reconfirm her status.

The case has sparked broader concerns in the community. Neighbors report that many other residents who previously received welfare benefits have recently had them revoked—some simply because they had outstanding loans with the agricultural bank taken out to build homes, farm, or send children to school, while others lost benefits because their names appeared on vehicle registrations for old, deteriorated cars no longer in use. Residents from Doi Saked, most of whom own no private vehicles and must hire shared taxis at costs of 200 to 1,000 baht per trip to reach town, say they willingly bear these expenses to maintain their 300-baht monthly welfare benefit, which is essential to their livelihood.

Many residents are awaiting clarity on the welfare appeals process and are urging the government to expedite benefit restoration for eligible applicants and reform the system to better reflect the realities of life in remote areas, hoping to prevent further tragic losses.