Venezuela's twin earthquake disaster has claimed at least 2,954 lives, the Venezuelan information ministry reported on July 5. The number of injured has risen to 16,592, while the unofficial missing count has dropped from over 50,000 to 41,000 people. Additionally, 16,309 people have been left homeless by the successive earthquakes. Authorities stated that nearly 30,000 officials have been deployed alongside 3,281 international rescue workers to assist those affected by the twin seismic events.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand, a major racing team with a track record of success, earned three championship titles at the TSS The Super Series by B-Quik 2026, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Bangsaen Grand Prix. The team competed across four classes from July 1-5, 2026, at Bangsaen Street Circuit in Chachoengsao Province.

In the TSS Super Car GTC class, the GR Supra GTC No. 24 driven by Natthawuthi Charoensukhawattana and Na Dol Wattanadharm claimed first and second places, while the Corolla Altis GTC No. 37 piloted by Natthapong Horthongkham and Manat Kulpalanant finished second and first respectively.

The TOYOTA GR Supra GT4 No. 19, driven by Arto-Sutthipong Smitchat and Jump-Kran Suphapong, dominated the GT4 Am class with first and second place finishes. In Super Touring, the Yaris ATIV No. 25 driven by Narrsami Abhiwat and Itan Attadahorn secured podium positions in the Touring-NA class.

Sutthipong Smitchat, team director and driver, praised the effort: "Bangsaen is a challenging circuit for cars, drivers, and crew. Everyone performed excellently, and these results reflect our strong teamwork. We continue under the 'Making Ever-Better Motorsports-Bred Cars' philosophy, bringing lessons from the track to develop better everyday vehicles."

The team will next compete in the RAAT Thailand Endurance Championship 2026 on July 18-19 at Chang International Circuit in Buriram Province.

A 45-year-old security guard named Phaeng, also known as Thian, has been arrested for stabbing a 36-year-old colleague at a shopping mall in Bangkok's Pathumwan district on July 3rd. Pathumwan Police received a report at around 4:40 p.m. of a man injured by a knife wound in the mall's parking area. The victim, a security guard, was stabbed in the left abdomen and was transported to Phetchvej Hospital for treatment.

Investigators tracked the suspect using security camera footage and witness accounts. The attacker, identified as Phaeng, a 45-year-old security guard, fled the scene after the stabbing. Officers apprehended him the same day at approximately 6:30 p.m. near the mall's smoking area and recovered a black knife measuring 19 centimeters in length.

During interrogation, Phaeng confessed to the attack and stated the motive was romantic jealousy. He alleged that the victim had been courting a young woman that Phaeng was interested in, which sparked his anger and led to the assault. Police have charged him with grievous assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a knife in public without justification. He was transferred to Pathumwan Police Station for further legal proceedings.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has addressed speculation that the national team might use Viagra to enhance blood vessel dilation during their 2026 World Cup round-of-16 match against Mexico. Reports had suggested the medication could help combat the effects of Mexico City's high altitude—7,220 feet (2,240 meters) above sea level—which causes breathing difficulties and reduced physical performance even for elite athletes. Viagra works by expanding blood vessels in the lungs after blocking enzymes that cause constriction, potentially relieving fatigue and dizziness caused by thin air and lower oxygen levels. When asked by British media whether English players would actually take the drug, Tuchel smiled and replied, "I haven't received any data supporting this claim, so it's simply not true." Midfielder Jordan Henderson joked about the possibility, saying, "I wonder if Viagra would help... I'm just joking, just having a laugh." However, he acknowledged that playing at such high altitude does have some effect on performance. "You definitely feel it," Henderson explained. "There's a sensation you experience. I felt it a bit myself, even when we first landed and came to the hotel, or just walking around. I noticed the difference. During training today, I personally felt it in the first 10-15 minutes, but as training went on, I stopped thinking about it much and just focused on the session instead."

Researchers at Kasetsart University have discovered five previously unknown species of water lily (Nymphoides, family Menyanthaceae) in Thai waters, underscoring the country's botanical wealth and the importance of fundamental science research in educational institutions. The research team, led by Associate Professor Chalermpol Suvannapdee from the Department of Botany at Kasetsart University's Faculty of Science, identified these five new species for global science. Previously, only five Nymphoides species had been documented in Thailand, but the new study reveals the country actually hosts ten species, with five being entirely new to science. The findings have been published in the international journal Aquatic Botany in 2026.

The discovery represents a collaborative effort involving Dr. Nattapol Nobphromjaroenkul from the National Science Museum Organization (NSMO) and Professor Trevor R. Hodkinson from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, combining expertise in plant taxonomy, morphology, and cell biology.

According to Associate Professor Chalermpol, these five newly discovered species each hold promise as decorative plants for bottle gardens, terrariums, and aquariums. The discovery emphasizes the critical need to conserve freshwater habitats that support these plants, illustrating Thailand's rich plant resources and the value of fundamental botanical research. The five species are:

1. Nymphoides chumphonense Suwanph. (Local name: Sai Ting), found in shallow freshwater areas of Chumphon and Surat Thani provinces, named after Chumphon. This species is used as traditional edible greens, served fresh with spicy dip and sold in local markets. It is classified as Endangered (EN) due to habitat loss and saltwater intrusion, with limited seed and fruit production.

2. Nymphoides crucioides Suwanph. & Hodk. (Local name: Bua Ba Hua Luuk Sorn), found in shallow freshwater and rice paddies in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Yala provinces. Named for its cross-shaped flowers, this species has potential as a decorative plant for bottle gardens, terrariums, and aquariums, with both aquatic and terrestrial forms. It is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) due to habitat loss and herbicide use.

3. Nymphoides miniata Noppornch. & Suwanph. (Local name: Ba Chi O), the world's smallest Nymphoides species, found in shallow freshwater and rice paddies in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Named for its distinctively tiny flowers, this species is suitable for decorative aquatic gardens and terrariums. It also has aquatic and terrestrial forms and is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) due to habitat loss and herbicide application.

4. Nymphoides thailandica Suwanph. (Local name: Ba Siam), a small water lily found in shallow freshwater areas and rice paddies in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Krabi, and Yala provinces. Named after Thailand, this species shows promise as a decorative plant for bottle gardens, terrariums, and aquariums, existing in both aquatic and terrestrial forms. It is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) due to habitat destruction and herbicide use.

5. Nymphoides thungyaiense Suwanph. & Noppornch. (Local name: Dao Roda), a relatively large water lily species found in shallow freshwater habitats in Tak Province, named after its discovery location.