BANGKOK — July 3, 2026: The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Maysak, which is expected to bring heavier rainfall to many parts of Thailand despite not making direct landfall in the country.

Through the National Disaster Warning Centre, the DDPM said the storm is forecast to pass over Hainan Island before making landfall in southern China between July 4-6.

Although Maysak will not move directly into Thailand, the agency warned that it will strengthen the southwest monsoon, resulting in increased rainfall nationwide, with isolated heavy to very heavy rain in some areas.

As of Friday, the storm's centre was located over the northern South China Sea, with maximum sustained winds around 74 kilometres per hour, moving north-northwest.

According to forecast tracks, Maysak will cross Hainan Island before moving ashore in southern China between July 4-6. While Thailand lies outside the storm's direct path, its circulation is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, increasing rainfall across much of the country.

Authorities urged residents, particularly those in areas prone to flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides, to closely monitor official weather forecasts and disaster warnings and follow instructions from local officials.

The DDPM also encouraged the public to stay updated through official weather bulletins. Emergency assistance is available 24/7 via the department's 1784 hotline.

On July 3, 2026, Chiang Mai Provincial Police Commander Pol. Lt. Col. Yuttana Gaenjun received a complaint from Suphaknanth Thaokhao, representing a group of affected residents from Doi Lo district in Chiang Mai. The group requested an accelerated investigation into the embezzlement and misappropriation of village fund money, which has caused widespread losses totaling more than 60 million baht.

The police commander assigned Pol. Lt. Col. Damnern Kanaong, an expert from the Royal Thai Police Office, to lead the investigation team to track suspects and pursue charges as quickly as possible.

The case originated on July 1, 2026, when 32 residents from 54 villages across four subdistricts—Doi Lo, Santisuk, Yangkhram, and Song Kwae—filed a report with Doi Lo Police Station against officials responsible for managing village cooperative funds. They reported suspicious financial activity and provided evidence including bank transfer slips and payment documents to investigating officer Pol. Sgt. Maj. Sanga Thamsiri.

The victims requested that Chiang Mai Provincial Police provide additional investigation support due to the large number of affected people and the case's complexity. They want authorities to bring charges against the suspects quickly and recover the misappropriated funds to compensate the community.

Pol. Lt. Col. Yuttana disclosed that he has assigned Pol. Lt. Col. Damnern to coordinate a task force combining provincial investigation officers and local police to jointly pursue the case. Given the large number of victims involved, the investigation will focus on identifying and apprehending the suspects as expeditiously as possible.

Two renowned Russian base jumpers created an online sensation on July 3 when Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus scaled the 443-meter Empire State Building in New York City. The male climber proposed at the summit, where the couple displayed a banner stating "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace" and kissed with Manhattan's skyline as their backdrop.

New York police revealed both were detained after spending at least 10 minutes atop the building and faced multiple charges including trespassing, reckless endangerment, property damage, unauthorized area access, and disorderly conduct. The building's spokesman confirmed the stunt was unauthorized but did not affect tenants or observation deck visitors.

According to initial reports, the couple accessed the 103rd floor through a restricted water tank maintenance area. It remains unclear exactly how they traveled from the 102nd to 103rd floor before descending from a 60-meter telecommunications tower towering above the building.

During their descent, the male climber proposed on one knee. Both embraced and kissed before sharing images and videos on social media. Police also released bodycam footage showing officers climbing stairs to negotiate, asking what language they spoke. The woman responded in Russian.

The incident garnered widespread attention partly because both are renowned climbers and subjects of the documentary "Skywalkers: A Love Story," which chronicles their love story and adventures on skyscrapers worldwide.

His Majesty the King has graciously granted royal medical care to injured monks and has accepted the remains of deceased monks following a pickup truck collision with a Buddhist alms-gathering procession. The Palace announced on July 3, 2569 at 1:24 p.m. that a pickup truck struck a Buddhist alms procession traveling on Highway 2034 at the 6-kilometer marker along the route between Mukdahan Province and Don Tan District, in the Ban Na Wiang Kaek area of Na Si Nuan Subdistrict, Muang District, Mukdahan Province on July 2, 2569. Preliminary reports indicate that 10 monks have died and several others have sustained injuries. In this matter, His Majesty the King has graciously and benevolently accepted all injured monks as royal patients under royal medical care and has accepted the remains of the deceased monks under royal care.

On July 3, 2025, at 11:40 a.m. in Ayutthaya Province, Artis Samphantharat, Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry, discussed the progress of establishing a disciplinary committee to investigate five civil servants from the Department of Local Administration following the discovery of suspected corruption in a local government civil service competitive examination.

He stated that the order establishing the severe disciplinary committee would be signed shortly and is currently under review, with the appointment of both a committee chair and members expected to proceed as quickly as possible.

Artis said the Interior Ministry will fully handle its responsibilities and any individuals involved—including employers, private sector entities, or those connected to the system—will be prosecuted according to the Prime Minister's directives. He emphasized that although the Interior Ministry has many departments, when problems occur at the Department of Local Administration, they must be resolved according to the Prime Minister's orders.

He added that anyone found to be involved will face individual disciplinary proceedings, with timelines reviewed by a new committee. He confirmed that action will be thorough and those responsible will be held accountable for their actions. "Everyone reaps what they sow," he stated.

When asked whether previously delayed committee actions disrespected ministerial authority, Artis said the Interior Ministry committee voted to suspend proceedings, while other agencies voted to allow passed candidates to report for duty, requiring compliance with the meeting's resolution.

When asked if those already appointed can be recalled if wrongdoing is discovered later, Artis confirmed that those who committed fraud but were already appointed must be called back. He acknowledged that some appointees were involved in the corruption process, meaning they are culpable even if they resigned beforehand, as the fraudulent process is not concluded.

On July 3, 2025, officers from the Anti-Corruption Division and the Office of the Ombudsman conducted a raid at a district office in Saraburi province, arresting a 43-year-old deputy district chief named Mr. Prin (surname withheld) on charges of demanding and accepting improper payments as a government official. The arrest took place at the district office.

The case stems from January 2025, when the victim sought to transfer two inherited firearms registered to his late mother at the district office. During the process, the deputy district chief demanded 10,000 baht in alleged processing fees, later reducing it to 5,000 baht while claiming an additional 1,000 baht was needed for a license fee under law.

The victim questioned whether the charges were legitimate and filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman, offering full cooperation with authorities. On May 26, 2025, undercover officers recorded a conversation and monitored a transaction in which the victim handed over 6,000 baht to the suspect. The evidence was subsequently submitted to investigators.

After reviewing the evidence, investigators determined there were sufficient grounds to believe the suspect had committed the offense and issued an arrest warrant due to concerns he might tamper with evidence or obstruct the investigation.