Zhejiang Province is leveraging biotechnology and biological research to upgrade the lingzhi mushroom industry across cultivation, strain selection, processing, and quality verification, strengthening the local farming economy. Within a 2,500-square-meter demonstration zone at the Changchun Agriculture Expo, over 30 economic and medicinal mushroom varieties are displayed under technical support from Zhejiang Agricultural University. The facility is open to the public, farmers, and entrepreneurs for training in cultivation techniques, with experts offering guidance and purchasing products for processing.

The Lingzhi Research and Development Center, established in 2023 in Lingjia Village within the Jingye High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, now operates approximately 400 greenhouses and has become a major hub for producing lingzhi spores, a highly nutritious component. Experts noted that farmers initially lacked experience, but with support from biologists, plant geneticists, and data analysts, they have continuously refined cultivation techniques. Over three years, the center has produced approximately 1.5 million lingzhi fruiting bodies annually and over 15 million wood ear mushrooms, generating economic value exceeding 300 million yuan and creating over 2,000 local jobs.

The research team of Professor Li Wei, a leading mycology expert in China, provides technical support to the center. Their work has been applied across 28 provinces and 45 demonstration bases nationwide, supporting 22 leading enterprises and creating cumulative economic value exceeding 432.397 billion yuan. Local companies have developed a complete industrial chain encompassing strain selection, standardized cultivation, processing, quality inspection, and product standardization. Products are certified as organic and health products, with lingzhi mushrooms from Changbaizhan receiving geographic indication (GI) recognition in 2025, significantly boosting consumer confidence and doubling demand.

Researchers have also developed technology to verify the origin and authenticity of lingzhi spores using near-infrared spectral data, isotope information, and artificial intelligence, creating a fast, low-cost, user-friendly testing kit that confirms whether products are authentic lingzhi from Changbaizhan or contain adulterated materials from other regions.

Khwan Alai, a Chulalongkorn University Political Science scholarship student and older schoolmate, has paid tribute to Hulun Solo, her younger classmate, revealing that Hulun's scholarship was no simple achievement—he had to be exceptionally talented. She expressed pride in him for never using his lack of resources as an excuse to stop striving to improve his life.

Hulun Solo, a 27-year-old Thai travel YouTuber, passed away after rising from poverty to graduate from Chulalongkorn University's Political Science program and become a prominent social media content creator.

Khwan, also a scholarship student and senior in Political Science at Chulalongkorn, posted a tribute to Hulun. Many who knew or followed Hulun's story have expressed their condolences on social media. Among them is Khwan Pimpapson Thiamseewat, daughter of Tasanawan Seneewong Na Ayutthaya and Sorappong Chatri, who shared a photo of Hulun with a heartfelt message:

"Hulun was a younger schoolmate in Political Science at Chulalongkorn who reminds me of my political science friends who came from the provinces to study in the dormitory, but were incredibly talented and determined. They made even Bangkok kids like me feel ashamed. That was Hulun.

We were both scholarship students, but Hulun's scholarship wasn't something anyone could easily obtain. He had to be exceptionally talented," she wrote.

"Hulun had a deep bond with his grandmother, just like I do with mine. My grandmother dresses like that, fights through life like that, gardens like that. You can see how much grandmother and grandchild loved each other. Your grandmother should be incredibly proud of herself and of Hulun—that he never used the excuse of lacking resources to stop striving to improve his life, even though doing so would have been far easier and more comfortable."

Khwan concluded her tribute by thanking Hulun for using his entire life as inspiration for many. "People naturally aspire to goodness. No matter how difficult their circumstances, they will find a way to do good. May Hulun find eternal peace. Thank you for using your whole life as a beautiful inspiration for so many, in a way that was dignified and truly admirable." Entertainment figures and netizens alike have joined in expressing their condolences.

The Thai Embassy in Turkey revealed that Hulun Solo's assets remain intact following his death in Tbilisi, Georgia. A Georgian news agency reported finding his body in a hotel room in the capital.

The Thai Meteorological Department issued weather forecasts on July 30, 2569 for the next 24 hours, warning of very heavy rainfall in parts of the northern, eastern, and western southern regions. The northeastern, central, Bangkok metropolitan, and eastern southern regions are expected to experience heavy rain in some areas. A monsoon trough passing over the north and northeast, combined with a strengthening southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand, is driving the conditions.

Public warnings include dangers from very heavy downpours and accumulated rainfall that may trigger flash floods and flash flooding, especially in mountainous areas near waterways and in low-lying zones. Northern Andaman Sea waves are expected to reach 2–3 meters, exceeding 3 meters in thunderstorm areas. Lower Andaman and northern gulf waters will see approximately 2-meter waves, rising above 2 meters during storms. Mariners are urged to exercise caution, avoid thunderstorm zones, and small boats should remain ashore in the upper Andaman region.

Detailed forecasts list 39 provinces across all regions with heavy to very heavy rain and specific temperature, humidity, and wind conditions for each area through the next 24 hours.

Thai YouTuber Bawornthad Peng-suk, known as Hlun Solo, who mysteriously disappeared in Georgia after traveling there on July 13, has been found deceased, his family confirmed on July 30. His brother Somsak Butsri posted on Facebook at 1:35 a.m. Bangkok time stating that the family had located their brother but found him in a condition from which he will not return. The family thanked all those who shared posts, followed the case, coordinated efforts, offered encouragement, and provided assistance across all channels during the search period, noting that the compassion and goodwill from everyone held great meaning for them. They also expressed appreciation to all government agencies and organizations both in Thailand and abroad, as well as those who participated in coordinating and assisting in tracking their brother. At this time, the family is requesting privacy to handle various matters and asking the public to refrain from speculation or sharing unconfirmed information out of respect for their brother and family.

At 9:50 p.m. on July 29, reporters gathered at the residence of Himlun Solo—real name Bowortat Berngsuek—a Thai backpacking YouTuber who vanished mysteriously in Georgia. While social media and reports from Georgia have circulated about his fate, family members remain unconvinced without official confirmation from the Georgian consulate.

Himlun's grandmother, Soam Berngsuek, stated she still believes her grandson is alive and urged all relevant authorities and the public to help locate him and bring him home safely. She called on him to return immediately if he hears the news, as family members await his arrival.

Regarding rumors that he died by suicide, she flatly rejected the notion, describing her grandson as a cheerful, kind-hearted person beloved by others with no enemies or conflicts. She noted he was actively saving money to build and renovate a house, making suicide inconceivable. She prayed for divine protection.

Himlun's aunt, Ponsawan Muangnikom, 40, echoed that the family cannot believe he is dead because no one—no official body or authority—has confirmed it or provided evidence such as photographs, a body, or passport documentation.

Himlun's sister, Boworlak Berngsuek, said the family and relatives cannot confirm or verify his death and have no answer to how or why. No relevant authority has issued official confirmation or notification; only various Facebook pages helping search for him have reported news. Without 100 percent official verification of death, the family refuses to accept it.

On July 20, residents of the Sala Daeng-Ban Chon soi in Mueang Rayong district were awakened around 2 a.m. by dozens of consecutive gunshots that terrified the neighborhood. Police investigators found two 5.56 mm shell casings and one unfired round near the village entrance and collected them as evidence. Using CCTV footage, officers identified a sedan used in the incident and traced it to a 24-year-old suspect named Ton. After obtaining a search warrant from Rayong Provincial Court on July 24, police found him absent from his home in Ban Khao district.

On July 29, facing police pressure, Ton surrendered and turned over an M16A1 rifle used in the shooting, a 30-round magazine, and the purple sedan used as the getaway vehicle. In his confession, Ton said he and his friend Nat had been drinking at Mae Rampung Beach that evening. He asked Nat to retrieve the loaded M16 rifle, and while driving home after drinking, Ton impulsively fired it into the air out of recklessness and intoxication.

Police have charged Ton with firing a weapon in public, illegal possession of military-grade firearms and ammunition, and violations of the Weapons Act. His accomplice Nat has not yet surrendered; police will request an arrest warrant if he does not come forward voluntarily.