On July 12, 2569, Deputy Prime Minister Yotsanan Wongswaddi and the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation led a delegation to Nakhon Phanom province to inspect and deliver policies for the establishment of the School of Medicine at Sri Chotburi district under Nakhon Phanom University. University President Satit Limpongphand and Rector Thawatchai Suphadist welcomed the delegation, alongside former Transport Ministry Deputy Secretary Monphon Charoensri, a Nakhon Phanom MP from the Pheu Thai Party, and senior provincial officials.

Before the policy handover, university administrators and students greeted the delegation. Nakhon Phanom University presented key achievements including medical school development, the Wellness Hub initiative, research and innovation projects, and the university's role in raising living standards and grassroots economic development in Nakhon Phanom and surrounding areas.

Yotsanan, chairing the medical school establishment progress meeting, outlined comprehensive support for Nakhon Phanom's development, emphasizing technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence. He proposed making Nakhon Phanom a development hub for the Northeast, connecting the Indochina region, particularly as a wellness center. The location's strategic position bordering China, Vietnam, and Laos offers high potential. He cited international examples of prosperous cities far from capital centers that thrived through sector-specific development hubs, with universities serving as mechanisms to reduce inequality and ensure sustainable growth.

Yotsanan later addressed approximately 500 students, delivering a lecture and outlining key policies for new directions in education and economic development. He discussed the new economic structure, noting that despite policy emphasis on growth engines, technology, artificial intelligence, and tech startups, these cannot stand alone without a solid grassroots foundation. A large-scale economy disconnected from grassroots enterprises provides no real benefit.

Regional economies must remain resilient regardless of global downturns. Nakhon Phanom will serve as a model. The Ministry of Higher Education aims to expand community economic areas from approximately 20,000 to 47,000 locations within four years, deploying researchers and university personnel throughout to elevate local resources and enterprises. University projects must source over 70% of inputs from local resources and genuinely distribute income to communities.

Yotsanan highlighted research successes, such as women's groups in Takua Pa district, Narathiwat province, which transitioned from unemployment to economic self-sufficiency through university intervention.

The Thai government has tightened regulations on cosmetic clinics following enforcement of a new Medical Council announcement on advertising by medical professionals in the beauty industry, effective July 3, 2025. Doctors advertising cosmetic services must now clearly display their full legal names and professional medical license numbers; if using nicknames, these must appear alongside their real names in identical format, size, and color to allow the public to verify their identity and credentials and reduce the risk of fraud or using unlicensed practitioners.

Simultaneously, the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office has instructed the Consumer Protection Board to strengthen oversight of the cosmetic business sector and coordinate with the Medical Council, the Department of Health Service Support, and the National Police to investigate and prosecute unlicensed individuals falsely claiming to be doctors, as well as businesses violating the law. Cases of illegal botox and filler injections by unlicensed practitioners pose serious health risks to consumers.

The government has warned the public that botox injections, fillers, and cosmetic procedures are medical treatments that must be performed by licensed doctors in legally authorized medical facilities. Before seeking services, consumers should verify two critical points: whether the provider is a genuinely licensed doctor and whether the facility is a legally authorized medical establishment. Citizens who encounter unlicensed practitioners or suffer harm from cosmetic services can report tips to the Consumer Protection Board hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect app, the Consumer Protection Board website, or provincial Ombudsman offices for prompt investigation and legal action.

Ranong and Chumphon are popular destinations showcasing the charm of both the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand coasts, seamlessly blending lush mountains, natural hot springs, and beautiful ocean views. These natural features are maintained by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Department director Arthapol Charoen Chansat stated that the forests and seas within national park areas in Ranong and Chumphon represent highly biodiverse ecotourism zones. "We have forests, woodlands, mangrove forests, natural hot springs, and seas perfect for coral diving," he said. "The department balances conservation and tourism to stimulate the local economy while ensuring sustainable environmental stewardship."

This initiative led to a traveling media awareness campaign promoting ecological tourism in Chumphon and Ranong national parks from June 29 to July 1, 2025. The campaign began in Ranong, known as the "natural spa city" for its abundant rainfall nurturing lush forests year-round and its reputation for health and natural wellness tourism.

Official Challit Sinrojanakorn, head of Haew Suwat National Park, guided media to Phraeng Hot Spring, one of Thailand's finest mineral hot spring destinations. The spring maintains temperatures of 40-44°C, is crystal clear with no sulfur odor, and offers 17 natural pools for private and shared bathing with full amenities.

Challit noted the park has continuously improved tourism infrastructure to serve all visitor groups equitably. The facility won the 2024 Friendly Design Award for "Tourism for All" and the Green National Park award at the Gold/Green Plus level for environmental management, among numerous other honors.

Assistant park director Arunlak Niyom explained that Haew Suwat National Park covers 417,500 rai across Ranong and Chumphon provinces. Its signature feature is the spectacular Haew Suwat waterfall, visible from the main road before park entry, and serves as a crucial watershed for Ranong Province.

The area exhibits exceptional biodiversity, including the discovery of "Phu Chao Fah" crab, a new freshwater species found nowhere else on Earth. The crab features pure white carapace and claws with distinctive purple-black eye sockets and mouth, inhabiting rocky crevices with flowing water.

New plant species include "Dara Pilas," a world-new flower resembling a sparkling star with six or seven petals, plus rare wild orchids and "Gomassum" flowers—Ranong's provincial flower, which bloom in early year.

The campaign continued to Ranong Archipelago National Park, headed by Suwanna Saad, covering 356.70 square kilometers along the Andaman coast with extensive mangrove forests.

The feel-good series "Fill The Beat" premiered last Sunday, the result of a collaboration between the Thai Media Fund and COUGAR COMPANY LIMITED, a boutique production house. The series tells stories of family, community, and music designed to bridge hearts across generations.

Directed by Chatchawal Wisawabumrungchai, with Saengrawee Jongsirathikul and Atthada Panichkul serving as producers, the series aims to be more than entertainment—a space for learning, listening, and mutual understanding among all ages.

The story follows Kheeta (Potter Phubej), a Gen Z music enthusiast passionate about rock, who must live with his Baby Boomer grandfather Tacharn (Tam Charusi), a lover of classical Thai music, in a charming canal-side community. What seems like an unbridgeable generational gap gradually transforms into a bond through music that becomes the universal language of all ages.

The cast spans multiple generations, including Gen Z representatives Potter Phubej (Kheeta), Jindaha Pholrojpanya (Pepe), and Sarin Tangjerayinpaisal (Win); Baby Boomer actors Charusi Fuangarm (Tacharn), Wiyada Komarakul (Kanda); Gen X representatives Piya Sastravahe (Leng), Ploy Jindachote (Aphon), and Atthada Panichkul (Champ); and Gen Y actor Atthakorn Sonyot (Potae).

Producer Atthada Panichkul stated: "I believe series have more power than just entertainment—they can spark real family conversations. Many families today have generational gaps because they grew up in different eras. We want 'Fill The Beat' to be a bridge that brings everyone back together through music, love, and connection—things all generations share."

Co-producer Saengrawee Jongsirathikul added: "The heart of this series is understanding. We want viewers of all ages to see themselves represented, whether young, working-age, or elderly. Ultimately, everyone needs acceptance, listening, and family love."

Director Chatchawal Wisawabumrungchai explained: "We tried to tell a warm, fun, and contemporary story by making classical Thai music the heart of the narrative. Music is a universal language that beautifully connects people across any era."

"Fill The Beat" is not just a feel-good series but a work reflecting the values of Thai family, community, and culture through songs that live in many memories. The 12-episode series airs Sundays at 9:00 AM on Workpoint Channel 23, with replays on VIU at 9:30 AM.

The Foundation for the Promotion of Arts and Crafts under the patronage of Queen Sirikit will present a khon performance of the Ramakien, episode Sida, running from November 5 to December 10, 2026, at the Thailand Cultural Centre's main auditorium.

This year's casting drew an extraordinary response from talented young classical Thai dancers nationwide, with 1,135 applicants joining the selection process—a record-breaking turnout that reflects youth enthusiasm for khon and commitment to preserving this national art form in honor of Queen Sirikit's royal vision.

The audition atmosphere was energetic throughout, with passionate young performers from across Thailand showcasing their skills across categories including male khon, demon khon, and monkey khon on July 4, as well as male drama and female drama roles on July 5 at Srinakharinwirot University's Faculty of Fine Arts in Nakhon Pathom. A panel of distinguished experts, including National Artist Suppchai Chansuwannakul and other renowned specialists, conducted rigorous judging all day.

Of the 357 selected performers, each will receive intensive training from master choreographers to develop the precise, elegant movements required for this prestigious stage production. Selection criteria evaluated fundamental dance ability, quick problem-solving during performance, character-specific skills, and physical suitability for each role.

Auditions included basic movement forms, solo pieces with accompaniment, and improvised choreography to character prompts, allowing participants to demonstrate their full range of talent. Results will be announced July 10 on the Srinakharinwirot University website (www.bpi.ac.th). Ticket sales for the Ramakien, episode Sida, open August 12, 2026. For details, contact the Khon Performance Facebook page.

Students and staff from a prominent Bangkok high school filed a formal complaint on July 12, 2569 with Akkarapop Luang Prasert, founder of the Sai Mai Must Survive advocacy page, against a teacher accused of sexual misconduct. The teacher, described as LGBTQ, is alleged to have engaged in indecent behavior and touched the genitals of multiple students and teaching staff, causing some victims to suffer from depression and suicidal ideation.

One student representative disclosed that the harassment began in Grade 10, describing incidents of thigh touching and attempted genital contact that forced him to relocate to the back of the classroom out of fear. He later discovered that nearly 20 other students from various classrooms had experienced similar treatment. Victims remained silent due to intimidation and concerns about academic consequences. Records also indicate the teacher exhibited identical behavior at a previous school, prompting a complaint and transfer.

Another student reported being locked in a classroom by the teacher and subjected to inappropriate sexual conversation and touching. When the matter was reported to school administrators, the complaint went unaddressed with no clear accountability measures taken.

A parent whose son, under the accused teacher's care, was subjected to attempted pants removal, reported that the child now suffers severe depression with suicidal thoughts and cannot attend classes normally. Although the school offered financial assistance of 10,000 baht, the parent views this as hush money that contradicts their son's deteriorating mental state.

Akkarapop Luang Prasert announced plans to guide parents and students through formal legal proceedings with age-appropriate questioning protocols. He will coordinate with the Office of the Basic Education Commission and the Ministry of Education's Safety Center to expedite factual investigation. He called for the teacher's immediate suspension pending investigation and stated that anyone assisting in covering up the allegations must also face prosecution. He emphasized that schools must be safe spaces and pledged close monitoring of the case.