A woman posted a viral clip on social media claiming she was sexually assaulted by a motorcycle taxi driver after leaving a JAY B concert at Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani. She alleged the driver took a shortcut through a narrow soi, touched her thigh twice, and that she jumped from the moving vehicle in fear, suffering injuries that required nine stitches. The post went viral with over 10 million views, prompting concern from JAY B and his fanbase, who subsequently investigated the claim by reviewing CCTV footage at Pak Kret Police Station. The investigation revealed the woman had fabricated the entire incident.

On July 21, 2026, at Pak Kret Police Station, Phat (alias), 56, a motorcycle taxi driver employed in Muang Thong Thani, came forward to file a police report. The driver revealed that on the night of July 12, 2026, the woman had hailed him for a ride to a hotel near Chaeng Wattana Road, Soi 21. He chose to take a shortcut along Khlong Bang Phood to save distance—only 2 kilometers instead of the usual 8-kilometer route—which would have cost 200 baht instead of the 80 baht he eventually charged her. He said she even gave him 100 baht, and he complimented her on being both beautiful and kind-hearted. The driver stated he was unaware of the post until Muang Thong Thani's security center informed him, as the viral post had drawn millions of views and countless comments.

The driver explained he could not have committed the alleged assault because his motorcycle taxi has a clutch, and the soi is only 80 centimeters to 1 meter wide—too narrow to ride one-handed without risking falling off the bridge. The security center instructed him to file a police report on July 19, 2026, as evidence. The following day, the woman's sister contacted him to arrange a reconciliation meeting at a hotel, explaining that her sister suffers from mental health problems. The driver, displaying compassion, agreed to meet and expressed willingness to forgive if the matter could be resolved amicably. He stressed that the woman's false accusations caused him significant harm and requested an apology for the damage to his reputation from the fabricated social media post.

On the evening of July 21, 2569, authorities including Lt. Col. Kittishai Krainara, the superintendent of Muang Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat, along with a medical examiner from Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital and officials from the Prachachart Foundation, investigated a townhouse in Soi Thai Bandit along the Nakhon Si Thammarat-Ban Tarn Road in Tambon Phothisaden, Muang District. Upon arrival, a strong stench of decomposition was detected. Police found an unidentified male body slumped against a pillow on the second-floor bedroom. The corpse was heavily decomposed and appeared to have been dead for at least 3-4 days. The homeowner, known as "Off," a transgender woman, has been missing for three days and cannot be contacted, though calls are being routed through but not answered. Strange occult rituals were observed inside the home, including the spirit house wrapped in white cloth, possibly intended to sever the deceased's spirit from the household shrine or to perform other occult practices. Initial autopsy was inconclusive due to the body's advanced decomposition; a detailed examination is required. According to investigation details, Off had called police about 2-3 days prior requesting assistance in removing a boyfriend from the house, but officers found no one present. A neighbor reported that since Off's father died over a year ago, Off had become reclusive, keeping the house draped with cloth and rarely seen by others. The neighbor also noted that Off practiced occult rituals and was involved with mystical activities. Police are now urgently searching for Off to determine the identity of the deceased, locate relatives, and proceed with legal action.

PHUKET: Phuket authorities have launched yet another investigation into brown seawater off Patong Beach, with officials again suggesting a phytoplankton bloom may be responsible despite longstanding concerns over wastewater entering the bay.

A 13-member family in Chai Nat province is appealing for the restoration of their state welfare benefits after being disqualified due to a system error showing them owning three motorcycles, even though they sold one more than 20 years ago. The Ministry of Finance has announced results of the 2025 state welfare program eligibility verification, allowing those denied to request a review by July 31, 2025, with corrections due by August 16, 2025, before final results are announced on September 21, 2025, and benefits resume October 1, 2025.

On July 21, 2025, a reporter visited a home in Khao Tha Phra Subdistrict, Muang District, Chai Nat, and met 48-year-old Somchit, who was stripped of her welfare benefits. She explained that her household of 13—seven adults and six children aged 3–17—lives together with many unemployed members, making survival difficult. She used to collect and sell garbage from a landfill, earning 500–600 baht per sale, but after the landfill closed permanently, she switched to construction work. Now she collects garbage from neighborhood bins, accumulating it over 6–7 days to sell for only 300–400 baht, often borrowing money from neighbors to cover expenses. She received the 300-baht monthly state welfare benefit since the program began, which was vital to her family's survival. However, the 2025 eligibility check found her disqualified because the system listed her owning three motorcycles, exceeding the program's asset limits.

Somchit confirmed that one of those three motorcycles was sold over 20 years ago, but the buyer never transferred ownership, leaving her name still registered with the Chai Nat Provincial Transportation Office, inflating her vehicle count above the program's threshold. "I feel hopeless, disappointed, heartbroken, and very stressed," she said. "That 300 baht a month matters so much to us—it buys rice to feed the children. My partner earns the main income but it's still not enough, and we have many children. Without that help, life becomes very difficult."

Although the state opened a window for appeals, Somchit admitted feeling discouraged and unwilling to apply, knowing she still appears to own three motorcycles in the system and fearing rejection. She pleaded with relevant agencies to review her case fairly, noting her family is genuinely poor and the motorcycles are only work vehicles. If she regains her welfare benefits, it would ease her burden and help her buy food and care for her family during periods of irregular income and high living costs.

Thai swimmers took home a total of seven gold medals, 21 silver and 19 bronze at the 2026 Asian Age Group Championships held at the Thai National Sports Authority pool in Huamark on July 21, the final day of competition. Thanawit Tossakul, secretary-general of the Thai Aquatic Sports Association, said the Thai diving team performed exceptionally well at this Asian Age Group event, particularly standouts Ariya Suwannapong and Lilly Prathip. However, it was regrettable that these two athletes were ineligible for the 2026 Asian Games because they did not compete in the most recent Southeast Asian Games, though both have confirmed their participation in the upcoming Malaysian SEA Games.

With strong competition from China and Japan in swimming, the event was challenging for Thailand, yet Thai swimmers in the 13-14 age group delivered impressive performances and won gold medals. Overall, the Thai youth swimming team this year competed only against the top-tier Asian programs and performed commendably. When compared with other Southeast Asian nations, they are competitive, and Thai youth statistics are even stronger.

"Sky Kingpoyam, who broke Chulamnak Rathpong Sirisaannont's 32-year-old record, did something excellent. You can see he has a good physique, determination and focus. He trains in England and is believed to be a key player for Thailand's swimming future," Thanawit said.

A highlight was Kittiphoom Pornpaisalwijit in the boys' 13-14 age group 50-meter breaststroke, who performed outstandingly, finishing with a one-lap technique in 29.76 seconds to win gold and set a new Thai national record in his age group.

Vachiranyan Thalavong claimed two silver medals in the 13-14 age group girls' category from the 50-meter freestyle in 26.59 seconds and 50-meter breaststroke in 32.48 seconds. Nattakrit Leekitchakanon, a 2026 Youth Olympic athlete, won silver in the 50-meter breaststroke, 17-18 age group girls in 32.10 seconds. Tithirat Charoenthap won silver in the 1,500-meter freestyle, 17-18 age group girls, and the team closed with a mixed 4x100-meter medley relay silver in 4:05.94.

In summary, the Thai youth swimming team earned seven gold medals, 21 silver medals and 19 bronze medals.

Deputy Police Commissioner attends Bangkok drug prevention ceremony and receives commendation plaques.

On July 21, Police General Siam Boonsom delegated Police Lieutenant General Theeradet Thammasudhee, Deputy Police Commissioner and Assistant Director of the Anti-Drug Operations Center, to attend the Bangkok United Against Drugs festival organized by the Bangkok Health Office and Narcotics Control Board. The award ceremony was presided over by Dr. Leelakphat Leelareungsang, Bangkok Deputy Governor, at the Prince Palace Hotel's Ratchapol Ballroom in Pom Prap Sattru Phai District. Attending officials included representatives from Region 6 headquarters and various anti-drug divisions.

Police stations receiving commendation plaques for outstanding prevention achievements in fiscal year 2568 ranked as follows: first place Ratsadornburana Police Station, second place Phra Khanong Police Station, and third place Makkasan Police Station. For suppression achievements: first place Phetchkasem Police Station, second place Minburi Police Station, and third place Makkasan Police Station. Approximately 400 representatives from partner agencies attended the event.

The Bangkok Health Office and Narcotics Control Board organized the drug prevention and problem-solving project in Bangkok under the direction of the Bangkok Deputy Governor, aiming to develop knowledge, experience, and approaches to addressing Bangkok's drug problems. The ceremony featured various activities and presented commendation plaques to organizations demonstrating outstanding performance in drug prevention and suppression efforts during fiscal year 2568.