Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin on July 27 announced that UNESCO's World Heritage Committee unanimously approved the registration of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a new cultural world heritage site. He emphasized this represents a major cultural achievement for Thailand, achieved after deliberation by a global committee of representatives.

Chomklin attended the meeting in Busan, South Korea, where he represented Thailand alongside Culture Minister Sabida Thaiset and related agencies. He noted the application process spanned five governments starting in 2019 under General Prayut Chan-o-cha, then Srettha Thavisin, Yingluck Shinawatra, and finally Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's administrations.

The minister stressed that the success reflects 1,500 years of cultural heritage and 32,000 ancient artifacts that required UNESCO documentation. He urged critics to approach the achievement with maturity rather than politicizing Thailand's cultural pride, noting the approval required community and local leader cooperation. Chomklin added that Thailand plans to propose seven temples around Chiang Mai's ancient walls as a heritage site next, similar to Luang Prabang in Laos. He appealed to media to highlight this positive news, pointing out that UNESCO recognition has boosted visitor numbers from 30,000 to 200,000 during major festivals.

In Buriram province, a 64-year-old single mother named Paveenrisaa Sunanthochai has come forward seeking help after losing her welfare card benefits in a new round of screening. The system flagged her as having debt exceeding program limits, though her debt stems entirely from borrowing to treat her disabled son's medical condition. Since grade 5, her son suffered from an enlarged spleen requiring surgery, which eventually left him partially paralyzed despite treatment attempts beginning years ago.

Every day, the mother leaves her disabled son at home and works day-labor jobs to earn money for rice and basic food for both of them. Though she volunteers as a village health worker earning 2,000 baht monthly and receives 600 baht in disability benefits, her son's disability allowance is recent. The state welfare card, which provided 300 baht per month, was her lifeline in lean months, allowing her to buy essentials like rice, eggs, and canned fish.

The loss of that benefit has devastated her already precarious finances. Monthly expenses for utilities, food, rice, and supplies for her son's care already strain her meager income. She has filed an appeal but is uncertain of the outcome. She is calling on the government to reconsider the program's debt threshold and examine the genuine hardship of her circumstances and the medical origins of her obligations.

Anyone wishing to donate rice, dry food, or diapers for disabled persons can contact 084-280-9378.

True Corporation is upgrading 5G and 4G infrastructure to handle increased mobile demand during the 2025 Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, a 125-year milestone for this internationally recognized Thai tradition. The festival's main events run July 28–30, 2025, featuring candle processions at Thung Si Muang both day and evening, showcasing traditional candle carving, dancing, and regional northeastern culture. True will deploy mobile base stations (COWs), boost capacity at high-traffic zones, and prepare networks at key transport hubs including the airport, bus station, shopping centers, and main routes leading to event areas.

To ensure continuous service quality, True has deployed teams of network engineers on-site coordinated with its AI-powered Business Network Intelligence Center (BNIC), which monitors and manages network traffic 24/7 in real time. The company is committed to supporting Thailand's important festivals through quality digital infrastructure, enhancing the experience for both Thai and foreign visitors while preserving Thai soft power on a global stage.

Globlek Securities (GBS) expects Thailand's stock market to decline this week following global trends, with main pressure coming from geopolitical tensions after Yemen-based Houthi groups backed by Iran attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea. The attacks have disrupted energy supply confidence, pushing crude oil prices higher and reviving market concerns about accelerating inflation, leading GBS to forecast the index trading range at 1,600-1,650 points this week. The broader market is supported by strong domestic economic fundamentals, with Thailand's Board of Investment reporting investment promotion applications in the first half of 2025 valued at over 1.47 trillion baht, up 37%, expected to create over 82,000 jobs and generate 1.2 trillion baht in annual export value. Investors should also monitor U.S. trade policy risks, including the Trump administration's tariffs on 60 countries at rates up to 12.5% against Thailand on forced labor allegations, uncertainty over USMCA renewal, rising global interest rates with the Fed expected to hike in September at 83% probability, and the elevated VIX Index at 18.70 reflecting fragile market sentiment. Domestically, watch for Commerce Ministry trade announcements, automotive production data, industrial production indices, Bank of Thailand economic reports on July 31, and the Monetary Policy Committee meeting on August 26; internationally, track the Federal Reserve meeting on July 28-29, U.S. economic data throughout the week, and China's industrial profit reports on July 27. GBS research director Watcharon Jongyariyong recommends investors focus on quality stocks with strong fundamentals while remaining cautious amid external headwinds.

A 70-year-old food delivery rider has vowed to take legal action against an MG sedan driver who punched him at a gas station in Minburi, Bangkok on July 26. The incident began when the rider parked his motorcycle in an empty EV charging spot while collecting a fried banana order. When he returned, an MG sedan owner was waiting to use the charging spot. The rider quickly took a photo and moved his bike, but the driver and his wife in the MG began honking and verbally abusing him, escalating to physical violence when the man got out and punched the rider in the face, causing a cut under his right eye that required six stitches.

The victim reported the incident to Minburi Police Station and received medical treatment. He stated he has been a delivery rider for 10 years and has never experienced such an attack. His left eye is now in significant pain, preventing him from eating or sleeping, and he has been forced to stop working. He disputes the driver's claim that he spat on them, pointing out he was wearing a face mask. The victim emphasized he is pursuing this case through the legal system to its conclusion, and urged people not to bring their home behavior into public society.

At 10 a.m. on July 27, 2025, at Government House, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presided over a cabinet meeting. Two cabinet members reported their absence: Deputy Education Minister Akranun Kannikittinan and Deputy Interior Minister Jaejsathit Thaisathit.

Before the meeting, reporters asked whether Anutin would exercise his right to sue Yingluck Achananont, director of the Internet for the People (iLaw) project, over her disclosure of names of those involved in the Senate seat-buying scheme. Anutin replied that pursuing legal action is everyone's right.

When asked whether iLaw would release more data, Anutin smiled and said, "Go ahead."

Government Spokesman Paradon Prissananantakul, a Democrat Party deputy from Ang Thong, confirmed that he would proceed with the lawsuit against Yingluck, saying he would announce the filing details later.

When asked about Yingluck's recent participation in an opposition coalition seminar marking the second anniversary of the Senate election and discussing Senate seat-buying evidence, Paradon dismissed it as an old matter.

When pressed on whether the lawsuit would be filed this week, Paradon said they would discuss it further.

Responding to Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva's statement that he does not want a silencing lawsuit, Paradon stated: "This is not a silencing suit. It's about party damage—not just personal damage but damage to the entire party, which is why we must proceed."

When asked if legal action would be taken against other individuals, Paradon said no decisions had been made yet.