A tragic incident has claimed the life of a young worker who had been employed at a prominent university's wastewater treatment facility for only three days. After attending a Buddhist merit-making ceremony in the area, he was driving a white Isuzu pickup truck back to his accommodation late at night when the vehicle lost control and plunged into the wastewater pond, causing him to drown.

On July 28, 2025, police in Tha Sala subdistrict, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, received a report of a body found in the university's wastewater treatment pond. Deputy Inspector Anant Bunphet, the investigating officer at Tha Sala Police Station, rushed to the scene with Police Captain Monsakdi Srisuwan, the station commander, along with investigative officers, hospital physicians, and emergency rescue personnel.

The deceased was identified as Verayut (surname withheld), 39 years old, who worked as an employee at the university's wastewater treatment facility. His body was found floating in the treatment pond after being missing for approximately one day.

According to the investigation, Verayut had attended a Buddhist merit-making ceremony in the area and disappeared during the night of July 27. A white Isuzu pickup truck was later discovered partially submerged in the wastewater treatment pond, but his body was not immediately found. The following morning, rescue teams deployed divers in search efforts, which initially proved unsuccessful until his body surfaced in the wastewater.

Preliminary investigation suggests the accident likely occurred because Verayut was unfamiliar with the route back to his accommodation, having worked at the facility for only two to three days. After the merit-making event, he may have socialized and consumed alcohol with friends before attempting to drive alone back to his lodging within the treatment facility area. The vehicle lost control and plunged into the wastewater pond, resulting in his death. After the autopsy was completed, family members were contacted to claim the body for funeral arrangements according to tradition.

At 7:00 a.m. on July 28, 2025, Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin led senior officials from the ministry in a Buddhist chanting ceremony and alms-offering to 175 monks to present royal merit to His Majesty the King on the occasion of the Royal Birthday on July 28, 2025. The officials also participated in a loyalty pledge to be good civil servants and strength for the nation, joining civil service, military, police, state enterprise, and government agency personnel, with Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anuthins Charnweerakul presiding over the ceremony at Sanam Luang. The ministry expressed profound reverence for His Majesty's continued preservation and advancement of natural resource and environmental initiatives, and his numerous charitable works to bring relief and improve the quality of life for the Thai people sustainably.

Deputy Police Chief Niran Lumsri, the most senior deputy commissioner, submitted an urgent letter to Police Chief Kittiratch Panpetch on July 27, 2024, formally declining a transfer to another government agency and requesting to remain with the Royal Thai Police until retirement. The letter came following a Prime Minister's Office announcement on July 24 regarding the royal appointment of Police Chief Samaraon Nualma, who will assume the top position on October 1, 2024.

In his letter, Lumsri cited Section 93 of the National Police Act, which states that transfers require the officer's consent. He emphasized that with only two years of service remaining before retirement and 37 years already served in the police force, he lacks experience in other government sectors. Lumsri argued that his expertise in investigation, crime prevention, and management—developed entirely within the Royal Thai Police—would be better utilized by remaining in the organization rather than transferring elsewhere with limited time left to contribute meaningfully. He stressed his commitment to good governance and efficient service delivery, concluding that his continued presence in the police force would serve the public interest more effectively than a late-career transfer to an unfamiliar agency.

Prime Minister Anutin Chaiyawongsa dismissed speculation about coalition tensions on July 28, 2025, responding to reports that he had posted a photograph with Bhumjaithai Party members and Buriram United Football Club chairman Newin Chidchob. Anutin laughed off questions about whether the coalition leadership had resolved any internal disputes, rhetorically asking journalists why they were manufacturing stories about party conflicts. He insisted there were no issues to clarify, saying the relationships within his political family had remained stable for years.

Anutin challenged media to stop asking provocative questions that might misrepresent innocent statements. When asked about a cryptic social media post by Kruna Chidchob containing a message about removing "untrustworthy" people, Anutin defended the sentiment and turned the criticism back on analysts and political commentators who he said lacked credibility and professional integrity. He argued that such commentators were often failed individuals without genuine expertise, and that reporters should focus on quality journalism rather than manufacturing discord within the government.

Four foreign tourists arrested with cannabis at Phuket AirportLegacyFour foreign tourists were arrested today, July 28, at Phuket International Airport after customs officers allegedly found more than 33.6 kilogrammes of cannabis concealed inside their luggage before they were due to leave Thailand. The four suspects were identified as 19 year old Sean Cassidy Buzzi, a Swiss national, 18 year old Shaina Myriam Khadija El Gharib, a French national, 18 year old Marcus Frimpong, a Swiss national, and 26 year old Alassane Justin Luciano Ahmada Djae, a French national. Photo via MGR Online Customs officers seized more than 33.6 kilogrammes of cannabis flowers and processed cannabis allegedly concealed inside the suspects’ suitcases before they were allegedly smuggled out of the country. During questioning, all four admitted the luggage and the seized cannabis belonged to them, according to customs officials. Photo via MGR Online The suspects were charged with attempting to export goods from Thailand without completing customs procedures before being handed over, along with the seized cannabis, to investigators at Sakhu Police Station for legal proceedings. Photo via MGR Online The latest arrests follow a series of similar cannabis smuggling cases at Phuket International Airport this month. On July 9, a Thai woman and a Filipina were arrested after customs officers allegedly found 32.1 kilogrammes of cannabis flower concealed in their luggage as they attempted to leave Thailand. Customs officers arrested a Russian man on July 8 after allegedly finding more than 17 kilogrammes of cannabis flowers and cannabis resin in his luggage as he prepared to leave Thailand. A Belgian woman was arrested on July 7 after officials allegedly found more than 31 kilogrammes of cannabis in her luggage during a departure inspection. Earlier, on July 1, two Uzbek nationals were arrested after customs officers allegedly found more than 26 kilogrammes of cannabis products concealed inside their luggage before they were due to depart Thailand. The story Four foreign tourists arrested with cannabis at Phuket Airport as seen on Thaiger News.

BANGKOK — Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has ordered a fact-finding investigation after the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok requested Thai authorities examine an incident where a Chinese national allegedly faced excessive force from a security guard at a book festival event.

Speaking on Tuesday, Sihasak said authorities would first establish the facts before taking further action. "We have ordered an investigation to determine exactly what happened. Incidents like this can occur," he said.

The Chinese Embassy had urged Thai authorities to promptly investigate the case, which arose from an altercation at the International Novel Festival 2026 in Bangkok.

When asked about Thai social media users criticizing the Chinese Embassy's Facebook statement, Sihasak said the embassy had the right to issue a public explanation. "We understand people's feelings, but it is better to establish the facts and ensure fairness for all parties," he said.

Asked whether Thailand would coordinate with the Chinese Embassy on the matter, Sihasak said discussions should wait until the investigation concludes. "Let's establish the facts first. Once the investigation is finished, we can discuss the matter. We must ensure fairness for all sides," he said.

The controversy began when a Chinese attendee was forcibly removed from reserved seating by event security staff, sparking heated debate online in Thailand and China.

Organizer GMMTV later acknowledged that the outsourced security worker used excessive force, apologized for the incident, and suspended the staff member pending investigation results. The company also denied claims that it had filed legal action against the Chinese attendee.