On July 18, 2025, authorities received a report of two teenagers wielding knives who forced their way into the quarters of a Buddhist monk at Wat Phothiraj Samakkhi (also known as Wat Ban Taban) in Muang District, Surin Province, early in the morning. The temple, which houses seven resident monks, had only one monk in the targeted wooden cell—27-year-old Phra Pravet, a native of the temple.

Phra Pravet recounted that the attack occurred around 2:00 a.m. while he was chanting. He heard a motorcycle arrive near the temple gate, and when the temple dogs began barking, he peered through cracks in the wooden wall and saw two teenagers, aged approximately 14-15, climbing toward his cell. They called out "Luang Phi!" (Venerable Brother) three to four times before forcefully kicking open the door. When the door opened, one attacker lunged forward and grabbed his neck, brandishing a kitchen knife measuring approximately 15-20 centimeters, and demanded money while threatening him.

When the attacker briefly lost focus, Phra Pravet fought back and wrestled for the knife, resulting in a violent struggle that caused him to fall from the elevated cell. He then ran to alert other monks in an adjacent cell. Seeing the situation turn against them, the attackers fled on an automatic motorcycle along the Surin-Si Kharin Highway without stealing anything.

Phra Pravet sustained minor injuries, including knife cuts on his fingers and foot, and bruising on his knee from the fall. He noted this was the first such incident at the temple. He could clearly remember the face of one attacker—a small-framed boy aged 14-15. He suspects the attackers may be drug-addicted local teenagers.

After reporting the incident to Muang Surin Police Station, Phra Pravet filed an official complaint. Police are currently investigating and pursuing the suspects for prosecution. Closed-circuit camera footage from a nearby shop captured two motorcyclists passing at 2:09 a.m., though the night-time recording was dark and unclear.

Phra Pravet's 63-year-old mother, Nang Pow, expressed deep concern when she learned of the attack at 5:00 a.m. and rushed to the temple. She is grateful her son sustained only minor injuries and is urging police to quickly arrest both teenagers to prevent them from attacking other temples or residents. She suspects they are drug-addicted youth in the area.

H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, is scheduled to attend the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Related Meetings, and the activities to comme...

The Social Security Office (SSO) is investigating medical care standards in the case of a patient with chest pain who was refused an EKG test and subsequently died. The patient's widow posted on social media demanding justice for her husband, who died after treatment at a private hospital in Ratchaburi province that operates under the Social Security system. She reported her husband experienced radiating chest pain from his fingertips to his left chest and profuse sweating for about a week before going to the hospital.

According to the widow, upon arrival at San Camillo Ban Pong Hospital, a nurse took his history and referred him to the internal medicine department. However, that department asked him to return for blood and cholesterol tests first, then he was redirected to an orthopedics specialist due to his previous tendon injury history. Although the patient insisted his current symptoms were different and suspected a heart condition—given his high cholesterol risk factor—the orthopedist recommended he see an internist. When he met with a general practitioner, no heart auscultation was performed and he was denied the requested EKG test.

San Camillo Ban Pong Hospital established an investigation committee and suspended the treating physician. On July 18, the hospital issued a statement expressing condolences and confirming it has appointed a fact-finding committee with relevant experts to review all medical processes with transparency and fairness. The hospital suspended the treating doctor pending completion of the investigation.

Niyada Senimanomay, Deputy Secretary-General of the Social Security Office and SSO spokesperson, stated that the Medical Service System Administration is reviewing the hospital's service standards. She emphasized that diagnosis and treatment for coronary artery disease is already a covered benefit, and emergency cases can receive treatment without co-payment for the first 72 hours under all three health fund schemes: Social Security Fund, Universal Health Coverage (Gold Card), and civil servant medical benefits. The SSO expressed sympathy to the deceased's family and affirmed it will investigate whether the treatment met professional standards and contractual requirements.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Paibul has instructed the Internal Trade Department to monitor the southern durian situation closely. Southern durian output in 2025 totaled 752,515 tons, representing a 30 percent increase. To date, 35 percent of the harvest has been sold, leaving 489,199 tons in storage. Early-season price declines were triggered by weak Chinese market demand stemming from quality problems—immature fruit arriving in China prompted buyers to delay orders—alongside competition from durian grown in other Thai regions such as Udon Thani, Surin, and Nakhon Ratchasima.

As prices fell, the Internal Trade Department implemented market-support purchases and launched consumer-promotion campaigns. Grade AB durian currently ranges from 85 to 105 baht per kilogram; Grade C from 60 to 80 baht; and Grade D from 40 to 55 baht.

Investigations into viral media reports of durian priced at 5 baht each found these to be small, cracked local-variety fruits—not premium Monthong durian—typically used for durian jam and stuffed pastries. In Udon Thani, quality-grade durian has been affected by heavy rains causing mold and insect damage; the Commerce Ministry has absorbed affected stock for processing.

The Internal Trade Department plans to manage 300,000 tons of southern fruit through advance purchase contracts (3,700 tons), consumer campaigns (9,000 tons), regional distribution networks (281,000 tons), retail outlets, postal-service shipping support, and value-added processing. Medium-term efforts include targeted tourism campaigns and partnerships with food businesses and brands to feature durian in new menu items, with promotional events scheduled in Chumphon, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces.

Durian exports for 2025 (January 1–July 5) totaled 908,047 tons across 55,831 shipments, generating export revenue exceeding 104.2 billion baht.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Watcharapol Khaokhram chaired the first 2025 meeting of the marine shrimp industry management committee at the Department of Fisheries to establish guidelines for strengthening Thailand's shrimp sector throughout the value chain. The meeting brought together government officials, private sector representatives, and shrimp farmers from across the country to develop sustainable, competitive strategies.

The committee reviewed progress on resolving Malaysia's temporary shrimp import suspension, with the Department of Fisheries in ongoing talks with Malaysian counterparts. Following discussions between the agriculture ministers of both nations, they agreed to expedite evaluation of sanitary and phytosanitary measures to normalize shrimp trade. The department was tasked with addressing remaining operational obstacles and implementing a national action plan for marine shrimp development through 2570 (2027).

The initiative emphasizes farmer knowledge transfer, shrimp breed development, production efficiency improvements, and adoption of appropriate farming technology. The government also approved a 25-million-baht program from the farmer assistance fund to link markets, distribute surplus production, and stimulate domestic consumption, offsetting export slowdown and Malaysia's import restrictions. Deputy Minister Watcharapol stressed that sustainable industry growth requires coordinated support from government, private business, and farmers, combining market development with enhanced production capacity and competitiveness.

Police arrested a 30-year-old suspect named Thung living just 50 meters from the crime scene on July 18 following a thorough investigation by Region 4 police and provincial officers. Investigators found significant evidence including blood stains on blankets and a knife sheath similar to the weapon left at the body of Somsakdi, or "Tong," age 35, who had been stabbed seven times. Although Thung initially denied any involvement, a urine test revealed drug residues, and he was detained on drug possession charges pending further investigation.

Local authorities conducted an underwater search in the pond behind Thung's hut for the victim's severed head and missing genitals but recovered only animal bones. Thung is reportedly a long-time psychiatric patient with a known preference for eating dog meat and a reclusive lifestyle. The victim had a history of petty theft and was frequently recorded on surveillance cameras stealing from neighbors in the area.

Local village officials expressed shock at the incident, noting that both the victim and suspect were respected community members. While police have gathered circumstantial evidence linking Thung to the crime, residents await the formal investigation results to identify the true perpetrator, as fear and anxiety grip the community.