BANGKOK — On July 8, 2026, activists gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok to submit demands urging the Chinese government to help resolve cross-border pollution and to investigate police use of force during a protest at the Chinese Consulate.

The demonstration was organized by the NGO Coordinating Committee (NGO-COD) and civil society networks. Protest leaders poured water collected from affected areas onto a map of Thailand and Myanmar to symbolically highlight environmental damage in the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong river basins.

Lertsak Kamkongsak, chairman of NGO-COD, read a statement urging China to prioritize resolving cross-border pollution. The statement referenced reports of contaminants in water sources and called for investigation into mining companies operating in Myanmar's Shan State. He emphasized that cross-border investment must be accompanied by environmental protection and corporate accountability to affected communities.

Toward the rally's conclusion, some participants wore masks depicting Wisarut Srichan, an activist injured during protests in Chiang Mai, to demand accountability and a transparent investigation into allegations of excessive police force. Leaders also called for a fact-finding inquiry through the House of Representatives.

The demonstration concluded peacefully. The Chinese Embassy announced it would close for half a day.

A chilling incident occurred in Toledo, Argentina when 42-year-old flight instructor Leandro Bertazzzo jumped from a training aircraft during flight, resulting in his death. His 22-year-old female trainee pilot, with limited flying experience, managed to control the aircraft and land it safely on her own. According to the trainee's account, before jumping, the instructor removed his headset, organized his belongings including his mobile phone, unbuckled his seatbelt, and opened the aircraft door—which was difficult to open—before jumping out. She immediately notified authorities and successfully brought the aircraft back to the airport for landing. The director of Flying Parrot Córdoba flight school praised her professionalism, noting that despite her shock, she demonstrated expert skill in flying back and landing the plane flawlessly. The instructor, known for being cheerful and good-natured, said to his student before jumping, "You know what to do. Just keep going." Local media reports indicate the deceased instructor had previously received psychiatric and neurological treatment, with only close family members aware of this information before the incident occurred.

A deputy governor from Northeast Thailand, who previously drafted Terms of Reference for local civil service exams, was found this morning as authorities searched his Rama 8 condominium for evidence in a corruption case. The official appeared at a durian festival at a major shopping mall later that day to open the event but refused to comment when approached by reporters, signaling he would provide no information before hurriedly departing. No evidence was initially found during the search.

The deputy governor previously served as an inspector with the Department of Local Administration and drafted the TOR for local civil service recruitment exams—a matter currently under investigation by relevant authorities. At 4:30 p.m. that same day, he appeared as guest of honor at a durian festival at a major shopping center. After the opening ceremony, reporters attempted to question him about the condo search, but he declined to be interviewed, waving his hand to signal he would provide no statement before leaving immediately without visiting any vendor booths.

No clarification has been posted on his Facebook account regarding the matter. However, his social media still shows advertisements for tutoring books on local administrative law and civil service decision-making principles, priced at 1,000 baht for two volumes. Previously, the deputy governor had posted that he served as one of the committee members drafting the TOR for the local civil service recruitment examination.

Priset Watcharasindhul insisted on establishing a joint committee to review the amended amnesty bill, arguing that a peaceful society cannot be built through double standards. He criticized Parliament for closing doors to youth, refusing to welcome or allow children to pass through, warning that the harder the doors are forced shut, the faster they will break. He asked to be a small stone to make closing the doors more difficult.

On July 8, 2025 at 4:55 PM at Parliament, Priset discussed how the Senate's amendments, particularly Section 11, would move the law further from the goal of promoting peace. He argued that amnesty mechanisms can help resolve political conflicts, but questioned whether Parliament truly understands which type of amnesty can achieve this.

Priset stated that creating a peaceful society cannot involve a double standard where political expression by one group—such as occupying government buildings or surrounding polling stations—is forgiven, while political expression by another group—even just sharing a Facebook post by someone under 18—is deemed unforgivable.

He explained that the current approach creates two standards of amnesty: one for those prosecuted under Article 112 of the Criminal Code and another for those prosecuted under other articles, including some carrying more severe penalties than Article 112. Pheu Thai Party has worked to prevent such double standards, previously questioning whether Article 11 mechanisms truly help youth.

"I respect the intention of those proposing this mechanism to genuinely help youth. But when we reached this point, the original intentions and majority voices were completely rejected by the Senate, which added a second paragraph to Article 112 explicitly prohibiting use of this mechanism to assist children and youth prosecuted under Article 112," he stated.

"What we and Pheu Thai have repeatedly emphasized is that if we must create a door to help all groups affected by past political conflicts move toward peaceful society, that door must be wide open to everyone and treat everyone by the same standard. But what this Parliament is doing is telling some groups that the peaceful society behind this door does not welcome them and will not allow them to pass. When we suggested creating another door, perhaps requiring a longer detour with more conditions to prove, Parliament refused. So we asked for a small door just for children and youth to pass through, but Parliament still refused. Now the Parliamentary majority is essentially walking to that small open door and slamming it shut in their faces, adding multiple locks to tell society that the peaceful society beyond does not welcome them."

Priset continued his critique of the legislative approach to amnesty and youth protections.

A popular cafe in Chainat province is urgently seeking a new operator, offering a lease for 14.9 million baht after the original owner invested over 30 million baht. On July 8, the Facebook page "Saeng Ran.com" posted the announcement for Neramit Cafe Chainat, located in Oo Taphao subdistrict, Manorom district, Chainat province.

The property spans over 13 rai and features a landmark cafe with resort facilities and tourism attractions, all on a single integrated property in Chainat province. The investment of over 30 million baht (excluding land value) means the business can operate immediately with an established customer base, requiring no startup from scratch—a rare opportunity.

The complex is ideal for developing into a provincial landmark and tourist destination, featuring a European-style lighthouse, beautifully designed cafe, restaurant, seven relaxation pavilions, seven riverside rafts, seminar and event halls, glamping accommodations with four floating domes, two rotating domes, four bell tents, Japanese-style bungalows, activity zones with a miniature train costing 1.2 million baht to build, kayaking areas, carp ponds, large bathrooms, and numerous activity spaces.

Included in the lease are a complete Thai-European kitchen setup, two espresso machines with grinders, POS system, tables, chairs, complete restaurant equipment, pizza oven, refrigerators, freezers, dome tents with furniture, bell tents with furniture, seminar room with projector, kayaks, entertainment equipment, and numerous other items.

Highlights include no new construction investment needed, an existing customer base and reputation, and immediate business operation capability. The property suits cafe, restaurant, resort, seminar, wedding, and event operations. Monthly rent is only 60,000 baht with a three-month security deposit plus one month advance. Interested parties can contact Boonjitt via LINE or phone 081-807-2284. The Neramit Cafe Chainat page also confirmed the closure, inviting potential new owners to continue the dream of operating a cafe, restaurant, or resort.

Industry Minister Weerawut Silpaakha has instructed the Department of Industrial Works and Suphan Buri provincial industrial office to closely monitor the ammonia leak incident at an ice manufacturing plant and enforce strict compliance with applicable laws. Violators will face immediate shutdown orders.

The minister stated that he learned of the emergency from Suphan Buri provincial parliament members of the Bhum Jai Thai Party. He received reports from Prayot Lan-kong, director of the Department of Industrial Works, and Wichaya Ploi-thaptim, Suphan Buri provincial industrial officer, confirming that the incident occurred at Buanwan 2019 Co., Ltd. in Khao Phra Subdistrict, Dem Bang Nang Buach District, Suphan Buri Province. The company operates a small ice-cube manufacturing facility where ammonia from the cooling system of a 120-ton ice production machine leaked from its storage tank during manual valve maintenance.

Thirty-six people affected by the leak were hospitalized with non-severe symptoms. Provincial authorities ordered the evacuation of students from two nearby schools: Dem Bang Nang Buach Kindergarten (Ta Chang), located approximately 300 meters from the factory (1,000 students), and Thammacho Educational Institute, about 1,000 meters away (2,000 students), to safe areas. The leak was subsequently sealed and the situation returned to normal.

An investigation into the cause is ongoing. If violations are found, the Suphan Buri provincial industrial office will issue a shutdown order under Section 39 of the Factory Act.

"I have instructed the Department of Industrial Works and Suphan Buri industrial office to closely monitor this incident," the minister said. "They will enforce all applicable laws strictly and conduct immediate safety inspections of the approximately 28 other ice manufacturing facilities operating in Suphan Buri Province."

The minister also ordered factory operators to increase vigilance and conduct regular inspections of all equipment to ensure compliance with safety standards and prevent similar incidents in the future.