At the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, UNESCO officially inscribed Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a cultural World Heritage Site, making ...
At the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, UNESCO officially inscribed Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a cultural World Heritage Site, making ...
A 38-year-old man has been arrested in Chumphon after fatally stabbing a 48-year-old salad vendor on Petchkasem Road; the suspect confessed to the killing and police recovered an 8-inch knife at the scene.
At 3:51 p.m. on July 25, Ta Sae Police Station in Chumphon received a report of assault resulting in death at Nong Nui Salad Shop on Petchkasem Road in Ta Khaam subdistrict, Ta Sae district. Officers responded and found the body of Naree Chulkham, 48, a local vendor, who had been stabbed with a knife and lay dead in a pool of blood inside the shop.
Investigators identified the suspect as Sutin Rakkeua, 38, from Hin Kaew subdistrict, Ta Sae district. Police quickly tracked him down and made an arrest, recovering an 8-inch knife believed to be the murder weapon.
During initial questioning, the suspect confessed to stabbing the victim before fleeing the scene. Police are holding him at Ta Sae Station for further investigation to determine his true motive and gather additional evidence before formally filing charges and proceeding with legal action.
Thailand's National Sports Development Fund will overhaul budget allocation starting 2027, shifting from historical baselines to a merit-based system that ranks sports associations by athletic potential and capability.
The National Sports Development Fund has introduced allocation criteria based on athletic potential for the first time, ending the practice of distributing budgets based on historical baselines beginning in fiscal year 2027. This follows Thai Triathlon Association President Dr. Wijit Sittinavawin filing a petition with the Central Administrative Court requesting disclosure of sports budget allocation data from fiscal years 2024–2026.
The fund expressed gratitude to all sports associations for their feedback on budget allocation, payment delays, and operational procedures. It confirmed that all concerns raised have been continuously acknowledged and that reforms have already begun for fiscal year 2027 under the management committee's supervision, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Thongsri, with Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Punprachaiwong as vice chair. The committee approved these reforms at its ninth meeting on July 23, 2025.
The reform includes two key initiatives. First, the fund has revised budget allocation criteria to account for the different potential and needs of each sport. Previously, allocations were based on historical baselines, raising concerns about fairness given the varying missions, costs, and development potential of different sports. The new system establishes clear, transparent, and auditable allocation standards based on each sport's actual capability and requirements.
Second, the fund has established a tiered allocation framework for 10 sports associations in the first phase, drawn from 90 associations using the title "of Thailand." Budget allocations are grouped into four capability levels, with the highest-potential sports receiving up to 35 million baht per association, and tiers below determined by assessed potential. The new approach employs zero-based budgeting principles to ensure efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and equitable distribution across all funding sources, departing from discretionary decisions tied to previous allocations.
A Bangkok court granted bail to three members of the "Pho Thai Thippy" gang accused of illegally registering birth certificates for nearly 1,500 foreign children. The Chinese nationals and Thai suspect were ordered to surrender passports an
On July 25, 2569, the Criminal Court on Ratchadamri Road heard the first custody hearing for four suspects including Mong (Mongkhol), Vor (Vorthmet), known as "Pho Thai Thippy," Hu, and Chinese national Xi in connection with an illegal birth registration scheme. Prosecutors from Huai Khwang Police Station presented charges of joint use or presentation of false evidence and submission of falsified or forged data to computer systems. All four defendants denied all charges.
The court approved temporary detention for all four suspects. Xi Tang, 39, and Zhenshan Hu, 40, both Chinese nationals, requested release on bail in two separate cases (2063/2569 and 2064/2569). The court granted bail at 41,250 baht per case per person, imposed travel restrictions prohibiting departure from Thailand without court permission, and ordered their passports seized and reported to immigration authorities.
Mongkhol, 50, in case 2064/2569, was granted bail at 17,500 baht with a cash security requirement. Vorthmet, 25, in case 2063/2569, did not request bail and was immediately remanded to Bangkok Special Prison.
The "Pho Thai Thippy" network was found to have illegally registered birth certificates for nearly 1,500 foreign children, with the gang claiming affection for Thailand and desire to grant citizenship to the children.
A 25-year-old engineering student was cremated four days after being shot dead by two unidentified gunmen in Nonthaburi; his grandmother urged police to accelerate the stalled investigation.
On July 25, a cremation ceremony was held for Jarukit (Ja), a 25-year-old former mechanical engineering student who was fatally shot by two gunmen on July 21 in a Pak Kret alley in Nonthaburi Province. Many of his classmates and senior students attended the funeral amid deep sorrow. Police from Pak Kret Station were present to maintain order throughout the ceremony. At 5 p.m., Vichai Bandasakdi, mayor of Pak Kret Municipality, and Korn Midee, Member of Parliament for Nonthaburi District 4, presided over the cremation.
Leelawardee, 65, the victim's grandmother, expressed her concern that the investigation may stall, as several days have passed without any solid leads on either of the two shooters. She appealed to police to intensify their efforts to bring the killers to justice, noting that today marks the final day of her grandson's funeral rites. The family remains without answers as to who perpetrated the brutal attack.
Five ranger personnel were killed in a coordinated attack on a checkpoint in Narathiwat's Rangae District on July 22, prompting the Defense Minister to inspect the site and order accelerated efforts to apprehend those responsible.
At 2:30 p.m. on July 25, 2025, Defense Minister Adul Buntham Charoen, accompanied by Army Chief of Staff Chaiphruk Duangprapath and senior security officials, arrived in Narathiwat province to assess the situation following an attack on the Buke Samee checkpoint in Rangae District on July 22. Armed assailants fired weapons and threw pipe bombs at the checkpoint, killing five ranger personnel and wounding several others.
The Defense Minister traveled to the 45th Ranger Regiment special unit in Tan Yong Mas, Rangae District, to attend a joint security meeting, receive briefings on intelligence, case progress, suspect tracking efforts, and area security measures. He ordered all units to strengthen security vigilance and accelerate apprehension and prosecution of those responsible.
At 3:30 p.m., the Defense Minister visited Rangae Hospital to encourage 10-year-old Habib Hinah, who was injured in the attack, and instructed relevant agencies to provide full medical care, assistance, and compensation according to victims' rights.
In an interview, the Defense Minister stated that the Prime Minister had tasked him with closely monitoring the situation and directing all agencies to integrate investigations with the Royal Police to expedite tracking the perpetrators, noting progress is being made. He emphasized that the attack reflects well-planned coordination and deliberate targeting of officials, adding that the government, military, and all security agencies will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.
The Defense Minister also ordered accelerated assistance and full compensation for victims' families and the injured, while bolstering morale among operating forces. The Army will provide full support to personnel and families of the deceased. He appealed to the public to provide any tips or information related to the case.
Popular actors Teetee Wanpichit and Por Suphakan donated 100,000 baht to a school orchestra after meeting the students at work events, combining their acting success with charitable support.
Popular actors Teetee Wanpichit and Por Suphakan have donated 100,000 baht to the Luuk Thoong orchestra from Prakon Chai Witthayakkom School, bringing both career success and charitable giving together. The pair appeared at the Baby Bright "Chemistry of Kiss" event at True Digital Park on July 25, explaining that they had seen the students volunteer at their work events and learned the band needed funding for activities. Once they began earning income, both wanted to give back to society and felt fulfilled helping others.
Regarding their upcoming "Duang Go Round Concert Presented by True5G," the actors confirmed it is 70 percent ready, guaranteeing that guest performers will be different across both concert days and promising surprises fans will not expect. The pair also discussed balancing multiple work opportunities, noting they try to accept as many projects as possible while preparing for the concert, learning choreography and lyrics despite the demanding schedule. Teetee revealed the guest list was carefully chosen and proved difficult to finalize, while Por expressed excitement about the concert being a dream for both of them, with less than 20 days remaining before the show.
A Thai passenger's confrontation with loud Italian students on a Bangkok BTS train went viral with over 15 million views, resonating with commuters who felt she voiced a widespread frustration about disrespectful foreign tourist behavior in
The BTS dispute was not extraordinary because a group of teenagers made noise on a train. Bangkok commuters see worse every day. What made the video travel so far was the feeling behind it: that a Thai passenger had finally said aloud what many people usually swallow.
A video of a Thai passenger confronting a group of Italian students on the BTS Skytrain has prompted backlash far beyond the carriage where it was filmed, attracting more than 15.4 million views on X alone as of Saturday. The group has since been identified as students travelling with an Italian tour operator. The company, the Embassy of Italy in Bangkok and several student representatives have apologised.
But the intensity of the response cannot be explained by a loud group of teenagers alone.
For many Thai viewers, the video felt familiar: a local commuter enduring behaviour they find disruptive, hesitating to say anything, then watching someone finally speak up. The passenger's approach, including her decision to film the confrontation, has also drawn criticism. Yet many people saw her as voicing a frustration they had experienced but rarely expressed directly.
"The reason many Thais are upset about this video is because it feels very relatable," said a Bangkok woman we interviewed who asked to remain anonymous. We'll call her Ann.
"Every Thai has experienced foreigners being loud on public transport or acting disrespectfully."
Ann said she did not believe the woman should necessarily have recorded the group since they were underage, but understood why viewers responded with such anger.
"She was someone who spoke up for us, and said what a lot of Thais are feeling."
And that feeling is why this incident has become so important to Thais.
Public transport is not expected to be silent in Bangkok. BTS guidance does not ban conversation, but it asks passengers not to make loud noises or disturb others. The dispute, therefore was not simply about whether the students were talking. It was about the sense that other people's comfort in a shared space had been dismissed.
One line in the video landed particularly badly:
"Sorry for bringing money to your country."
The remark came after the passenger asked the group to quiet down. Whatever the speaker intended, many viewers heard it as a suggestion that the group's spending power should buy tolerance for its behaviour.
For Ann, that was the moment that changed the argument from an everyday dispute into something deeply personal.
"For many Thais, it came across as implying that Thailand should be grateful simply because foreigners spend money here," she said.
"There is an unequal power dynamic with Western tourists, where we're expected to accommodate them or be thankful that they choose to visit Thailand. That feels demeaning."
Thailand's tourist economy is central to the country, and visitors are welcomed in overwhelming numbers every year. But that welcome also carries an unspoken expectation: guests should behave as guests.
MG Primus celebrates 11 years in Thailand with service discounts up to 15% and free gifts, marking its evolution from Best Auto Sales to become a leading nationwide MG dealer. The promotional campaign runs through September 30 across five s
MG Primus is celebrating its 11th anniversary with strong growth in the Thai market and a series of special campaigns and events running through September 30. Managing Director Jirapol Rujiwipat noted that over 11 years, MG Primus has developed robust products and operations alongside partner companies MG Sales (Thailand) and SAIC Motor-CP, having delivered over 30,000 vehicles and completed more than 300,000 after-sales service visits. The company, formerly known as Best Auto Sales, rebranded to reflect organizational growth and now stands as a leading MG dealer nationwide.
To mark the occasion, MG Primus is offering multiple incentives including 10% labor discounts and 15% parts discounts for service customers spending 2,500 baht or more, plus complimentary premium water bottles. New vehicle purchases come with additional 11th-anniversary gifts. Promotions run across all five service centers: Phetchkasem 65, Bangna km 5, Chonburi Bypass, Pattaya Nacho, and Chiang Mai Hang Dong through September 30. The company pledged continued comprehensive customer care throughout vehicle ownership, emphasizing that quality service extends beyond the delivery date.
Phuket authorities launched a sweeping enforcement campaign targeting unlicensed jet ski operators and nominee businesses across the island. The operation, led by Deputy Governor Romdon Hayiawa, aims to regulate the jet ski industry and eli
The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Phuket– Authorities in Phuket have intensified efforts to regulate the island’s jet ski industry, targeting unlicensed operators and nominee businesses in a sweeping enforcement campaign. On Saturday (July 25th), Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom assigned Deputy Governor Romdon Hayiawa to lead the operation, joined by Adul Raluekmul, Director of the Phuket Regional Marine Office, Teerapong Phannak, Senior […] Phuket Launches Crackdown on Illegal Jet Ski Operators and Nominee Businesses -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.
Phuket launched its inaugural Parkland & Music Fest 2026 at Phuket Gateway, a three-day event running July 24–26 themed around a whimsical "Sugar Candy" concept transforming the venue into a vibrant celebration space.
The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Phuket – Phuket officially opened its doors to a dazzling new celebration last night as the Phuket Parkland & Music Fest 2026 launched at the Phuket Gateway in Mai Khao, Thalang. The three-day festival, running from July 24–26, transforms the provincial landmark into a vibrant “Candy Land” under the whimsical theme “Sugar Candy.” At 7:00 […] Phuket Welcomes the World with Phuket Parkland & Music Fest -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.