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Community

Youth Learn Traditional Thai Khon Dance to Preserve Heritage

PTT Oil and Retail partnered with the Kukrit Foundation to teach Thai youth traditional khon dance and cultural arts through hands-on activities, aiming to preserve Thailand's heritage for future generations.

Youth Learn Traditional Thai Khon Dance to Preserve Heritage
26 Jul Khaosod

To give Thai youth access to and help preserve Thailand's valuable arts and culture, PTT Oil and Retail Company (OR) partnered with the Kukrit Foundation 80 under the royal patronage of Princess Sirindhorn to organize the "OR Creates Opportunity to Preserve Thai Culture" program at the Kukrit Institute Theatre. Pichaporn Vongsri, Corporate Communications Manager, represented OR and presented participation certificates.

The program, conducted under the "OR Creates Opportunity DDD" concept with a "Good Community" focus, emphasizes raising awareness of Thai values through active learning methods and group activities that stress hands-on participation and close engagement. The aim is to foster pride in Thai culture and ensure it is passed on to the future. Participants explored cultural heritage through four main activity stations:

— Traditional Thai Costume and Khon Dress: Learning the art of wearing traditional Thai attire and khon costumes, and practicing how to wear the sarong according to ancient traditions. — Thai Music House: Becoming familiar with various types of Thai musical instruments and practicing basic melodies and rhythms. — Four-Region Dance Skills: Training in regional folk dances unique to each area of Thailand, reflecting the lifestyle and way of life of Thai people. — Open the Khon Curtain: Practicing and performing khon, an elite art form recognized as a valuable world heritage.

Youth participants engaged in fun group activities, answered knowledge questions from the activities, and received souvenirs from Cafe Amazon. Through this initiative, OR aims to provide opportunities and encourage youth to learn and uphold Thai arts and culture as a national identity, particularly khon—an important cultural heritage—and to preserve Thai roots. The program also helps develop focus and confidence, promotes productive use of leisure time, and instills in youth a love and appreciation for Thai culture, encouraging them to sustain it as part of Thai society.

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National

Iconic Siam Launches Art DNA Hub to Explore Thai Visual Arts

Iconic Siam launches ART DNA HUB, a knowledge center exploring Thai visual artists' creative processes and techniques through partnership with the National Research Council, aiming to preserve and transmit artistic knowledge across generati

Iconic Siam Launches Art DNA Hub to Explore Thai Visual Arts
26 Jul Khaosod

Iconic Siam, a world-class landmark on the Chao Phraya River and Global Hub of Art & Culture, is advancing support for Thailand's art community by launching the ART DNA HUB: Visual Arts Talent Development Hub in partnership with the National Research Council (NRC). This knowledge hub offers the public, students, artists, and enthusiasts the chance to explore the thinking processes and creative methods behind Thai artists' work through the "Art DNA" concept—essentially decoding the artistic DNA that shapes each artist's unique identity, approach, techniques, and skills before transmitting this knowledge systematically across generations.

The ART DNA HUB opening ceremony was presided over by Danuphon Punnakanat, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, alongside Professor Dr. Suphachai Pathumnakaul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; Professor Dr. Sutthiporn Jitmitra, Chair of the Advisory Working Group for the Hub of Talents and Hub of Knowledge development; Dr. Wipharut Deaung, Director of the National Research Council; Sompon Pantong, Director of the Fine Arts Department at the Ministry of Culture; Manyachaya Daphuadee, Manager of the Arts Center at Iconic Siam; and numerous National Artists including Preechar Thawtong, Kamol Tat Sananchali, and Decha Warachun, along with participating artists and international artist networks.

The ART DNA HUB project aims to build a learning ecosystem connecting National Artists, skilled expert artists, contemporary artists across generations, and artist networks to facilitate knowledge exchange through collaborative creative processes. It will organize Art DNA Workshops to decode knowledge from artists' real experience, create a digital archive database for visual arts research and intergenerational knowledge transmission, and foster cooperation between domestic and international art networks. Under the framework of "decode–transmit–develop–advance," the hub seeks to develop visual arts professionals capable of generating new knowledge, advancing artistic innovation, and linking knowledge with design, technology, culture, and management disciplines to create economic and social value based on Thai cultural capital, while supporting the creative economy in line with national strategy and sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Visitors will experience learning through Art DNA Workshops, learning spaces, and interaction with over 60 artists including National Artists, contemporary artists, and artists from diverse disciplines who share their creative processes by decoding artistic heredity to develop concepts and advance contemporary works reflecting individual identity. The project will document knowledge and working processes throughout to create a database for future learning.

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Weather

Japan Swelters Through Fifth Consecutive Record Heat Day

Japan endured its fifth consecutive record heat day exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, with central cities like Tokyo reporting dangerous spikes in heat-related emergency cases and deaths.

Japan Swelters Through Fifth Consecutive Record Heat Day
26 Jul Khaosod

Japan recorded its fifth consecutive "kokushobi"—or "cruelly hot day"—on July 25, a new meteorological term introduced this year to warn of extreme heat exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. This marks the longest consecutive streak of blistering temperatures since record-keeping began in 2010. Six cities in central Japan, including areas in Aichi and Gifu prefectures, have surpassed the newly established extreme heat threshold.

Japan's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Agency reported that between July 13–19, nearly 11,000 people sought emergency treatment for heat-related illness, with 14 deaths upon hospital arrival. The country typically records around 1,300 heat-related deaths annually, and authorities aim to halve that figure within four years. On July 23 alone, Tokyo recorded 453 heat-related cases in a single day—the highest single-day total since records began over a decade ago.

Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and severity of extreme heat events in Japan and worldwide to human-caused climate change. Japan is experiencing its hottest summer on record in 2025, with a peak temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius recorded in Isesaki, north of Tokyo, on August 5.

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Police

Police Officer Shot, Returns Fire in Pattani Attack

A Yala police officer was ambushed and shot in the leg by four gunmen in Pattani on July 26, but returned fire before the attackers escaped by boat and motorcycle.

Police Officer Shot, Returns Fire in Pattani Attack
26 Jul Khaosod

Four armed gunmen ambushed and shot a Kotabalaru police officer from Yala province who was on leave in Thung Yang Daeng district, Pattani on July 26, 2569. The officer sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and returned fire before the attackers fled the scene by both boat and motorcycle, with their exact escape route still unknown. The wounded officer was initially treated at Thung Yang Daeng Hospital in stable condition and later transferred to Pattani Hospital for continued care. Police have coordinated with relevant agencies to establish checkpoints and roadblocks along suspected escape routes while collecting ballistic evidence and examining the scene to identify and prosecute those responsible.

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Community

Child Boxer's Father Defends Match Pairing, Denies 50-Fight Record

A muay thai match between under-15 boxers in July drew criticism for pairing opponents with vastly different experience levels, leaving one unable to walk from the ring. The winner's father defended his son's performance, clarifying he has

Child Boxer's Father Defends Match Pairing, Denies 50-Fight Record
26 Jul Khaosod

A youth muay thai match held on July 25, 2026, at Wat Makham temple's Baan Klang Municipal Dome stadium drew criticism over a significant skill gap between competitors aged under 15. The bout between Phuntri Lae Chok Charoen Ratchasih and Jonphonhao Okorat in the 28 kg weight class ended with Jonphonhao winning decisively, using all available techniques before Phuntri had to be carried from the ring unable to walk.

Public backlash focused on the mismatch, with observers claiming an experienced young boxer had been paired against an inexperienced one. Piyapong Promkun, Jonphonhao's father, responded on Facebook with a statement defending his son. He noted that Jonphonhao is currently in grade 3, not yet 9 years old, and has fought only 10 bouts with more than 5 losses. He stressed that his son has always accepted referee decisions without complaint, and that winning bigger should be met with good sportsmanship, not complaint after losing.

The father appealed for perspective, emphasizing that wins and losses are normal in sports, and asked people not to use children's competitions for personal content or to teach poor sportsmanship. He also disputed claims that his son had fought 50 or more bouts, noting the family had only recently transferred schools and the term was incomplete. He credited the boxing coach's hard training for his son's performance and asked people to view the situation from that perspective.

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National

PM Anutin Pledges Legal Action Against Yingcheep Over Leaked Names

PM Anutin confirmed he will sue iLaw director Yingcheep Atchanont over the leak of his name and nine Bhumjaithai politicians in a Senate harassment case.

PM Anutin Pledges Legal Action Against Yingcheep Over Leaked Names
26 Jul Khaosod

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Chaiyawongse has confirmed he will pursue legal action against Yingcheep Atchanont, director of the internet law project iLaw, over allegations involving the disclosure of the PM's name and nine Bhumjaithai Party politicians in a Senate harassment case. After the "Raksa Phaendin" Facebook page posted in support of the legal action, saying "We ask the PM and those involved to sue Yingcheep and iLaw to the fullest extent," Anutin responded with a comment: "Noted and will comply."

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National

Former Senate Candidate Exposes Vote-Buying Scheme in Election

A former Phuket senate candidate testified that a People's Power Party operative organized votes and arranged accommodation for candidates ahead of the 2023 Senate election, directing them to wear yellow shirts and surrender documents at a

Former Senate Candidate Exposes Vote-Buying Scheme in Election
26 Jul Khaosod

On July 26, 2025, the Opposition Bloc Committee held a forum at Parliament titled "Two Years After Senate Election: Deep Dive into Vote-Buying Case Evidence (Part 2)," led by Priset Watchrasisindhu, with participation from academics, civil society, and former senate candidates.

Police Colonel Somyos Seehahbuea, a former candidate from Phuket's Group 15, testified that after passing the provincial selection round, he booked a flight for June 19, 2023, to prepare for the national-level selection on June 26. However, between June 21-22, another candidate told him that Wongsakorn Chankij, a former House candidate from Phuket's District 2 representing People's Power Party, had arranged the flights and hotels. Somyos was told to submit his ID copy to Wongsakorn's team, and he was transported with approximately 10 others to Siam Paragon, then to a hotel in the Sathorn area, including a boat dinner.

On June 24, Wongsakorn's team directed the candidates to a hotel via Future Park without initially revealing the location, later directing them to Grand Thara Hotel in Pathum Thani. At the hotel, candidates from Phang Nga, Phuket, and Krabi met separately by province, where they were given ballot numbers for the first round and cross-voting numbers. They were instructed to wear yellow shirts with loyalty symbols and to surrender their senate documents to Wongsakorn's team for later collection at Muang Thong Thani. Somyos refused to surrender his documents and objected to the organized structure. When candidate Suphsakdi questioned why he wasn't selected as a representative, he was told it was due to computer randomization—a claim Somyos disputed as unlawful party interference.

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National

Legislator Pushes HR Professionalization Bill to Boost Thailand's Competitiveness

A Thai legislator is advancing a bill to establish professional standards for HR practitioners, aiming to boost the country's competitiveness and attract foreign investment by aligning the sector with 18 other regulated professions.

Legislator Pushes HR Professionalization Bill to Boost Thailand's Competitiveness
26 Jul Khaosod

Chakraphat Phaenkhae, a list-based MP for the Pheu Thai Party, met with the Professional Association of Human Resource Management Thailand (PMAT) to advance legislation setting professional standards for HR practitioners. The meeting included Vorapong Ravirat, chair of the Institute for Human Resource Development and former PMAT president; Marisa Chaoprueattipongs, deputy chair and former PMAT president; and Jinda Pasuk, board member and former chair of the Bangkok Personnel Management Club.

Chakraphat stated that the bill's objective is to establish clear professional standards for HR practitioners, similar to those already defined for 18 other professions in Thailand. He acknowledged that his initial view—that HR roles do not require formal professional qualifications—changed after careful review of the draft law and consultation with stakeholders. He emphasized that standardizing the HR profession will benefit Thailand overall, particularly by strengthening competitiveness for both Thai entrepreneurs and foreign investors who require professional personnel management systems.

Chakraphat committed to supporting the HR community's legislative efforts and pledged to present the matter to the Pheu Thai Party leadership, including the party's policy committee, while engaging relevant MPs and civil society organizations. He stressed that his support is motivated solely by the goal of elevating professional standards and enhancing Thailand's competitive capacity, with no personal interests involved.

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National

Doctor Reveals Daughter Had Emergency Appendix Surgery

Doctor Oat's daughter Alin underwent emergency appendix surgery at 2 AM after presenting with abdominal pain initially mistaken for food poisoning. She is recovering in hospital and her father has rescheduled clinic appointments to focus on

Doctor Reveals Daughter Had Emergency Appendix Surgery
26 Jul Khaosod

Doctor Oat (Dr. Smit Aryasukul) posted an update revealing his daughter Alin's condition. He explained that the previous evening she complained of abdominal pain and nausea, which was initially thought to be food poisoning. However, upon physical examination, doctors found tenderness at McBurney's point and a positive Rovsing's sign, confirming acute appendicitis. She underwent emergency laparoscopic appendectomy surgery at 2 AM.

In his post, Doctor Oat wrote: "Yesterday evening Alin complained of stomach pain and nausea. At first we thought it was food poisoning, but upon examination we found tenderness at McBurney's point and Rovsing's sign—pressing the left side caused pain on the right (thankful my surgical knowledge hasn't completely faded). We immediately took her to the hospital for confirmation."

He continued: "She received laparoscopic appendectomy surgery at 2 AM. I am deeply grateful to the entire medical team, nursing staff, radiology team, ER personnel, and all hospital staff for their efficiency and smooth coordination. However, she needs to remain hospitalized for recovery. I apologize to all patients whose appointments at my clinic need to be rescheduled." Entertainment personalities have been sending well-wishes for Alin's speedy recovery.

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National

Paetongtarn Celebrates Father Thaksin's 77th Birthday

Paetongtarn celebrated her father Thaksin Shinawatra's 77th birthday on July 26 with an Instagram tribute, while political allies and supporters across Thailand shared wishes for the former prime minister's health and leadership.

Paetongtarn Celebrates Father Thaksin's 77th Birthday
26 Jul Khaosod

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's 77th birthday was marked by birthday tributes from his daughter, former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and political figures and supporters on 26 July 2026.

Paetongtarn posted an Instagram Story wishing her father a happy birthday, sharing a video featuring moments from Thaksin's life and the times he had been by her side.

On the same day, former Lampang MP Thanatorn Lorthsunthorn and his wife, Raphassorn Niyamosot, also shared photos on Facebook showing them dining with Thaksin. Raphassorn, a former Lampang MP who resigned from the People's Party before joining Pheu Thai for the latest election, wrote a birthday message wishing Thaksin good health and describing him as an inspirational figure for younger generations.

Thanatorn also shared his wife's post, writing: "Happy 77th birthday, Mr Thaksin, the prime minister in our hearts."

The posts drew numerous birthday wishes from members of the public and Thaksin supporters in Lampang. Many shared stickers and messages wishing the former prime minister well, with some describing him as their favourite prime minister. Some supporters also said they believed Thaksin was well suited to help address Thailand's economic difficulties and people's cost-of-living concerns amid the current economic climate.

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National

Thai Woman Calls for End to Online Harassment of Italian Tourist

After reconciling with an Italian tourist involved in a viral incident, Thai woman Sugas is urging the public to stop online harassment of the woman, who is now receiving threats and insults despite apologizing.

Thai Woman Calls for End to Online Harassment of Italian Tourist
26 Jul Khaosod

Sugas, the Thai woman involved in a recent incident with Italian tourists, has called on the public to stop harassing the Italian woman involved after the two appeared to reconcile.

Sugas recently shared a photo of herself embracing the Italian woman, who was seen in a viral video during the incident involving a group of Italian tourists.

She said the woman had sincerely apologised and thanked everyone who had supported and stood by her after she was insulted and allegedly harassed. "We truly thank everyone who protected us and stood by us when we were insulted and harassed. We felt your goodwill and will never forget the encouragement we received," Sugas wrote.

She said she believed the tourists were now aware of how much their actions had affected others, through the legal process, public criticism and the consequences that followed.

However, Sugas said the Italian woman involved was now facing intense online harassment, including insults, threats and messages telling her to die. "This is the same thing we once experienced, and we don't want anyone to go through something like this, regardless of which side they are on," she said.

Sugas thanked everyone who had supported her and hoped the incident would serve as a shared lesson that both Thai and foreign nationals deserve respect. "No one should be insulted or harassed like what happened in this incident again," she said.

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