Kasem Bundit University and the Esports Association of Thailand have signed an academic cooperation agreement on sports science to elevate university-level esports standards. Rector Dr. Wallop Suwannadi and Esports Association chairman Santi Lohtong signed the memorandum at The Stage on July 21. Dr. Suwannadi stated that the university is committed to developing esports alongside academic education, emphasizing knowledge creation, student development, and integration of sports science, technology, and innovation to prepare youth for quality careers in esports. The partnership will provide competition opportunities at university, national, and international levels.

Santi Lohtong said the cooperation will establish standardized systems for developing quality esports athletes and personnel, linking education and sports practically while opening pathways for students to compete nationally and internationally. Beyond competitions, the partnership will focus on curriculum development, staff training, research, and application of modern sports science and technology to build quality esports professionals and support industry growth. Both organizations will implement esports projects and activities throughout the academic year to promote learning, skill development, and university-level competitions.

The Judicial Commission of the Court of Justice has approved the appointment of Phaopanji Chobnam, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Court of Justice, as the new secretary-general, replacing Theerathay Charoenvorakul who is being transferred back to judicial service, effective October 1, 2024. On July 20, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., Adisak Tantiwongse, president of the Supreme Court, chaired the 19th meeting of the Judicial Commission of the Court of Justice. The meeting reviewed and approved personnel transfers effective October 1, 2024. Phaopanji holds a bachelor's degree in law with second-class honors from Thammasat University and a master's degree in law from the same institution, along with a Thai legal certificate. He has previously served as deputy secretary to the Court of Appeal, presiding judge of Buriram Provincial Court, presiding judge of Kanchanaburi Provincial Court, presiding judge of the Criminal Division, deputy secretary-general to the Supreme Court President, and deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Court of Justice. Phaopanji has completed several advanced training programs, including the 8th E-Government Course for Senior Executives, the 30th Advanced Justice Administration Course, the 12th Advanced Budget Administration Course, and the 2nd Cybersecurity Certificate Program for Senior Executives.

On July 21, 2026, a candidate for village headman submitted documents requesting that the Kham Khuean Kaew district chief accelerate efforts to install new village leadership in Moo 5, Song Phuea Subdistrict, which has operated without a headman for more than a year. Virat Klobklin, a resident of Kok Saaad Village, explained that the previous headman's term ended in early 2025, with a new election scheduled for April 30, 2025, attracting two candidates including himself. However, during verification, he discovered 37 ghost names—deceased or fictitious persons—had been added to the village household registry. He submitted a complaint to the district office requesting investigation, but received no response. On April 25, 2025, he led residents to the district office demanding updates, though the district chief delegated the matter to Deputy District Officer Ekaphop Medharm.

The deputy later informed Virat that 22 names had been removed from the rolls, leaving 15 unexplained. Virat said he had also filed a complaint with the Good Governance Center, which extended the investigation deadline by 60 days, but no progress materialized. Now, more than 15 months have passed with no election scheduled. Virat further noted that during the recent Tambon Song Phuea municipal election, the remaining ghost names were still active on voting rolls, and the winning margin was only a few votes. He urged the district and relevant agencies to resolve the ghost name issue and hold the village headman election without further delay.

Police investigators are preparing additional arrest warrants for two suspects in a local government examination fraud case, who are believed to hold positions higher than the already-arrested Cha Phichit. As of July 21, the Central Investigation Police Bureau reported that investigators are carefully gathering evidence to present to a review committee, with plans for another meeting on July 22 to assess whether documentation is solid enough to request court-issued arrest warrants.

Of the original 11 suspects already implicated, all have cooperated fully with authorities and remain available for questioning. Their cases have been forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for investigation. However, police are pursuing a separate investigative track focusing on higher-ranking officials, currently targeting two individuals with positions superior to Cha Phichit. Whether arrests can proceed depends on building clear, connected evidence linking them to the scheme. If documentation is insufficient, the case file will be submitted to the NACC for consideration under its authority.

Prosecuting high-ranking officials requires particularly strong and comprehensive evidence to ensure proceedings follow proper judicial process.

Kru Sai, 30, the widow of Foom who died unexpectedly at just 31 years old, has responded forcefully to allegations following his death at a private hospital in Ratchaburi. Foom sought treatment for chest tightness but the attending physician refused to order an EKG despite Kru Sai and Foom's willingness to pay in full. Kru Sai further claims the doctor made discouraging remarks, accusing Foom of relying too heavily on information from Google and AI before discharging him. Foom later went into shock and died; an autopsy confirmed two coronary arteries were blocked.

The Health Service Support Department (HSSD) under the Ministry of Public Health, together with Ratchaburi Provincial Health Office, subsequently investigated the private hospital. Dr. Phuwadet Surakote, HSSD director, revealed that the patient came on July 16, 2025, complaining of left ring finger pain and was screened by a nurse for further assessment. The nurse gathered additional history and learned the patient had previously sought treatment for high cholesterol, then bought and took medication himself about two months earlier due to dizziness, prompting him to request a cholesterol check. The nurse escalated the assessment to semi-urgent and referred him to an orthopedic surgeon, who diagnosed tendinitis. For the cholesterol concern, he was sent to a general practitioner who assessed that the symptoms did not match coronary artery disease and therefore did not order an EKG, instead scheduling a blood test for glucose and lipids the following day since the patient had not fasted.

The hospital later received word to retrieve the patient from home, where he was found unconscious. The medical team performed advanced life support for approximately three hours before resuscitation was discontinued and the family was informed of his death.

Regarding developments, Kru Sai posted on Facebook (Saii Z' Panpetch) stating that Foom came in with chest tightness, profuse sweating, and pain radiating from his fingers to his chest. The first doctor, an internist, did not see him because no blood work or cholesterol tests had been done yet. The second was the bone doctor, as the nurse asked if he wanted to see an orthopedic specialist since the pain might be related to his tendon issue. The third was the general practitioner, as already stated. She added a detail: the follow-up appointment the doctor mentioned was not actually scheduled for "the next day" as claimed—the doctor initially said to return in 70 days, but Foom's wife requested an earlier check. The doctor even questioned why she thought cholesterol had risen and reiterated that this pain was different from tendon pain.

Kru Sai posted further, saying: "The dead cannot speak, so is this how you report to the HSSD? But my husband's wife is still alive and can speak. Have you no shame? Or if you want silence, why not kill this person too—but then don't say anything like this. Show some respect for the dead. He deserves sympathy." She appealed for support, saying Kru Sai is exhausted. While it is true that the dead cannot speak, the living widow can and will continue to do so, because her time stopped on that day—every detail and every word remains clear in her memory.

Chonburi — Pattaya City authorities are intensifying enforcement against illegal beach chair and mat rentals along Pattaya Beach, seizing contraband items and warning operators to stop unlicensed rental operations.

On July 21, officers from the special affairs and order maintenance division, along with municipal enforcement teams, conducted a comprehensive crackdown on illegal chair and mat rentals throughout Pattaya Beach, from North Pattaya Beach to South Pattaya Beach in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district. This operation aligns with the city administration's public space management policy.

Inspections revealed vendors using various methods to evade confiscation: hiding equipment under tarps, stashing items on motorcycle sidecars parked along nearby roads, and loading them onto pickup trucks. Officers successfully seized over 200 chairs and numerous mats, which are now in storage at Pattaya City. Equipment owners may retrieve their items by contacting municipal authorities and following government procedures.

Pattaya City officials have issued a clear warning to vendors to cease all illegal rentals on public areas. Businesses wishing to operate must do so on private property in compliance with law and allow customers to self-serve equipment. Authorities vowed to conduct daily inspections and enforce regulations continuously, with daily confiscation for any violations, to restore order and ensure the public can enjoy beaches fairly.