A wife has hired the team of Boy, a prominent private investigator known for sensational infidelity cases, to track her husband's movements after suspecting he was having an affair. The investigator, who has previously made headlines with unconventional evidence-gathering methods, has now captured what he calls the most shocking case yet: photographic evidence of the husband and his mistress parked next to a white spirit house (shrine) at night, recorded at approximately 9:46 p.m.

The wife, Ms. Benja, became suspicious of her husband Somchai's behavior and hired Boy's team to conduct surveillance. The team followed the couple and discovered they had driven to a secluded spot near a roadside spirit house, where they engaged in intimate activities with apparent disregard for the sacred object nearby. According to Boy, the evidence is irrefutable because not only does his camera equipment document the incident clearly, but "the spirit house itself stands as a witness to the event."

Boy's team conducted a daytime inspection of the location on June 24th and confirmed the tire tracks from the parked vehicle near the spirit house. Ms. Benja and her legal team are now compiling all photographic and video evidence to submit to her lawyer for use in divorce proceedings and a damages claim against the mistress, Ms. Chum Chim. Boy stated confidently that the case is airtight given both the camera footage and the presence of the spirit house as a silent witness.

On July 18, 2026, the owner of Kruang Thong Chinese Restaurant filed a complaint with Pak Chong Police in Nakhon Ratchasima after a customer hired them to organize a complete wedding package. The restaurant arranged 130 Chinese-style dining tables, a wedding procession, a music stage with full sound, lighting, and color effects, all according to a signed contract for 325,000 baht. After the wedding, the owner received only 130,000 baht, leaving a balance of 195,000 baht unpaid. When the restaurant owner contacted the bride to collect the remaining payment, she claimed her foreign husband did not bring the dowry money as previously agreed, saying she therefore had no funds to pay the outstanding balance. The restaurant owner decided to file a formal complaint with police to pursue legal action, citing severe financial hardship from absorbing all the upfront costs. The restaurant owner is awaiting contact from the couple to negotiate a settlement of the unpaid amount.

Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce is preparing to host the THAI SELECT Festival 2026 on July 21, 2026, at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal, New York. The festival aims to promote Thai cuisine and elevate the Thai SELECT brand in the U.S. market, one of Thailand's most strategic export destinations, while positioning Thai food as an important soft power asset and creating business opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs globally.

The ministry has invited Princess Ubolratana to serve as patron of the opening ceremony, honoring Thailand's efforts to promote Thai cuisine and the Thai SELECT symbol internationally. Thai food represents a major economic driver for the country, particularly in food exports and Thai restaurant businesses abroad, with the United States being a high-value market characterized by strong purchasing power and openness to international cuisine. New York, as a global hub for culture, lifestyle, and consumption, provides an ideal platform for visitors to experience quality Thai food under the Thai SELECT brand and discover flavors, culture, and innovations recognized worldwide, reinforcing Thailand's position as the "Kitchen of the World."

The 2026 festival operates under the theme "Thai SELECT Playground – Play with Thai Flavors," inviting participants on a journey through Thai taste experiences that blend food, arts, culture, and creativity. The event will feature 15 Thai SELECT-certified restaurants in New York presenting authentic and innovative Thai dishes, along with appearances by international celebrities Mai Phakkamai and Apo Nuttavit, who will serve as ambassadors of Thai soft power, meeting fans and promoting genuine Thai flavors to global audiences.

The THAI SELECT FESTIVAL 2026 represents the Department of International Trade Promotion's commitment to advancing Thailand's food export strategy and restaurant business through international recognition and elevation of the Thai SELECT brand as a globally recognized symbol of authentic Thai taste, creating trading opportunities and economic value while strengthening Thailand's food industry in the global market.

A 22-year-old man who went missing while foraging in a forest in Buriram province has been found alive after surviving seven days in the wilderness by drinking water collected in elephant footprints and from forest vines.

Kitamet "Palm" Koisamran disappeared on 11 July 2026 after becoming separated from a friend while searching for wild produce in Dong Yai Forest in Non Din Daeng district. Nearly 100 people, including rescue workers, wildlife officials, local leaders, volunteers and villagers, spent days searching the dense forest on foot and by motorcycle, but were unable to locate him. The search was complicated by thick vegetation and the presence of wild animals, including elephants.

Palm's parents also joined the search. As hopes faded, they turned to spiritual beliefs, praying to forest spirits and consulting a traditional fortune teller, who told them their son was still alive and would eventually emerge from the forest. Their hopes were realised on the evening of 17 July, when a married couple in Sra Takhian subdistrict, Soeng Sang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, found a man matching Palm's description. The couple said he appeared exhausted and had scratches on his arms and legs. They took him to their home, gave him shelter and notified Thap Lan National Park officials, who coordinated with his family.

The location where Palm was found is about 60 kilometres from where he went missing. Palm told rescuers he had separated from his friend after leaving to relieve himself. When he returned, he could no longer see his companion's lights. He said he shouted for help and set off firecrackers to attract attention but received no response. He then tried to find his way out of the forest, only to become increasingly lost.

During the ordeal, he encountered several herds of wild elephants but said they did not attack him. Palm said he survived the week without food, relying only on water collected in elephant footprints and water from forest vines until he finally came across local residents and asked for help. "I'm happy to be alive and to see my parents again," he said, adding that he would never enter the forest to forage again.

His mother described her son's survival as a miracle and thanked rescue workers, officials and villagers who joined the search. She said the family plans to have Palm ordained as a Buddhist monk to fulfil a vow made during the search and added that they would not allow him to venture into the forest again.

Thailand's Industrial Estate Authority (IEAT) announced results of spot checks on 19 target factories at Amata City industrial park in Rayong, confirming no illegal wastewater discharge was found. The authority warned that any factory violating environmental regulations will face immediate operational suspension with no exceptions.

IEAT Governor Sumet Tangjaisaithit revealed findings from inspections of drainage systems discharging into public waterways and neighboring areas near Amata City Rayong. The investigation focused on target factories near wastewater treatment plants 3 (under construction) and 4, and areas adjacent to Phu Tai Canal. All 19 factories inspected showed proper separation of wastewater from stormwater systems and strict compliance with regulations, with water quality management meeting industrial park standards before discharge into the central treatment system.

The primary cause of water overflow into stormwater drains was traced to excessive use of treated water for irrigating green areas and soil subsidence near the treated water retention pond. "We have taken immediate countermeasures by ordering the industrial estate developer to block stormwater drains to prevent leakage into public water sources, and to urgently repair the retention pond system and restore affected areas to full condition as soon as possible, including rehabilitation of Phu Tai Canal and compensation for affected residents," the governor stated.

The authority emphasized balancing industrial development with environmental and social responsibility. IEAT stressed that all factories must strictly comply with factory laws and regulations. Governor Sumet reiterated that wastewater drainage systems must be completely separated from stormwater systems and require at least one water quality inspection point. Any violations will result in immediate legal action, penalties, and suspension of operations causing environmental and community harm.

Police updated the investigation on July 18 into a shocking murder case at a hut in Ban Dung district, Udon Thani province. The victim, 35-year-old Somsak ("Tong"), was brutally murdered with seven stab wounds to the body, and his head and genitals were severed and removed from the scene.

Officers led by deputy provincial police commander Natthapon Phayomnai and investigators conducted a detailed search of the crime scene and took into custody a 30-year-old suspect, known as Thung, who lived in a hut just 50 meters away. A search of Thung's hut uncovered significant evidence including bloodstains on bedding and a knife sheath matching the blade found near the victim's body. Thung initially denied involvement but tested positive for drugs and was detained on narcotics charges pending further investigation.

At 1:30 p.m., rescuers made a horrifying discovery: the victim's severed head and genitals were found hidden in a paint can at Thung's hut. The head had been split in two, burned, and preserved with dog bones. In an even more disturbing finding, officers discovered what appeared to be brain tissue pickled in a glass jar, suggesting the suspect may have intended to consume it. The case has shocked local residents and authorities continue to build evidence against the suspect.