Renowned film director Madeeya Chuekiatti Saksiveerakul, chair of the Thai Film Directors Association, participated in a forum titled "Know Before You Accept Work" held on July 3rd at the Bangkok Arts and Culture Center. Before the discussion on unpaid wages, he spoke candidly with media about the event.

When asked about the forum, Madeeya said: "I'm honored to organize this event with the Labor Ministry. As chair of the directors association, I've received complaints from countless industry professionals who've been cheated, defrauded, and exploited. Yesterday I testified in court about entertainment industry issues—people accepting work and not getting paid is rampant. The cumulative damages in our entertainment sector have reached into the hundreds of millions of baht. Whether it's outright non-payment or vanishing investments, we need help. The directors association helps mediate disputes, and the Labor Ministry has been invaluable. Often, small-time workers are cheated of their wages, but going to court costs tens of thousands in legal fees. The Labor Ministry operates labor courts and has a worker protection department. What's great is that anyone facing employment problems can walk in to the Labor Ministry directly for mediation or to file a labor court case. This is tremendously helpful—when workers understand their rights and know what protections and benefits they have, they work with much greater peace of mind."

When asked about existing labor laws, Madeeya explained: "The laws already exist, but many don't know their rights. For example, some don't realize whether they're signing an employment contract or a contract for services. Once people attend forums like this, they'll understand what type of arrangement they're in and can properly seek justice if disputes arise."

On urgent priorities, Madeeya said: "The most urgent issue right now is raising awareness about employment contracts. Before starting work, people should communicate via chat or phone calls, which can serve as contractual evidence. We're also developing a platform for contract templates and legal guidance. Most people complain to the association, though they could work directly with the Labor Department—we can't accompany everyone personally (laughs). People need to know their rights upfront. The problems stem from lack of contractual awareness and legal literacy—that's critical. Next is working hours, which we're pushing hard on. Film shoots currently run 14 to 16 hours daily, which still happens. I believe everyone is becoming more aware and pushing for change, but what truly helps is legal backing."

On employer accountability, Madeeya stressed: "We need dialogue first—between workers, the association, production houses, broadcasters, and capital investors. We must reach agreements, like telling employers, 'We can't sustain this workload,' and jointly establishing standards. The Labor Ministry is ready to support these efforts."

On July 4, 2025, Regional Task Force 3 Commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Songprod Sirisukha led a team including Deputy Commanders Pol. Col. Detcho Sosuwannakul, Pol. Col. Prinyah Klinkaset, and Pol. Col. Chinawut Tangwonsaless, along with station officers, to conduct a stakeout at a Thai massage shop in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province.

International law enforcement agencies had provided intelligence on the suspect, a 45-year-old South Korean national named Kim, who was hiding in the Pattaya area under an international warrant. He is accused of operating an illegal call center gang and managing multiple online gambling websites including Shinseae, LIGHT, Gangnam, Bangatkan, and BLUE that offered services such as baccarat and slots, victimizing numerous users in South Korea.

Investigators determined that Kim frequented the massage shop, so officers conducted a stakeout. When a man matching Kim's description entered the establishment, officers presented the arrest warrant and notified him of temporary revocation of his residence permission. They then escorted him to a nearby residence where they discovered multiple computers.

Initial inspection revealed the backend management system of the gambling website, displaying user account information and agent IDs such as mid777, mia777, and akka1111. Investigators found records of total bets placed, the margin between bets and winnings, and rolling transaction volumes. Evidence suggests Kim generated approximately 124 million baht in annual revenue from managing the gambling websites.

Authorities seized all computers for further investigation and analysis. Kim was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Division for legal proceedings and extradition handling.

On July 4, 2025, police and forensic teams responded to discover two bodies inside a sedan parked in Soi Bang Wak 15, Bangkok, shocking nearby residents. The deceased are preliminarily identified as one man and one woman found inside the vehicle. Officers discovered a condom in the car during the initial investigation, with the full condition of the bodies and other details still under detailed examination. Police have secured the scene to gather evidence and document photographs. The cause of death remains undetermined pending results from the medical examiner and forensic analysis. Authorities plan to accelerate witness interviews, speak with associates of the deceased, and review surrounding CCTV footage to reconstruct events before concluding their investigation and proceeding with legal action.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has issued a directive establishing measures to control baggage and cargo handled by crew members of certified air operators. The directive aims to strengthen oversight of airlines and crew conduct, preventing misuse of crew status for unauthorized cargo acceptance or transport. The announcement follows the Second Meeting of the Narcotics Prevention and Suppression Committee on July 3, 2025, which established guidelines for enhanced crew supervision and preventing improper use of crew privileges.

CAA Director-General Monnat Chavanapreyur stated that the directive requires all air operators to implement systematic crew baggage control measures with strict inspection protocols, risk management, and disciplinary procedures. Airlines must establish controls specifying types, sizes, weights, and conditions of items crew can carry. The directive prohibits crew from accepting deposits, carrying items, or transporting goods for other individuals without compensation authorization, except when performing duties assigned by the airline.

Airlines must implement risk management systems, random inspections of crew baggage, awareness training, tip-reporting systems, fact investigation procedures, and clear disciplinary measures. These measures must be integrated into safety management systems (SMS), compliance monitoring systems, and airline security plans. When violations are suspected, airlines must assess risks, consider temporary duty suspension, and report to CAAT without delay. CAAT will also enhance training for personnel involved in baggage screening and aviation security, coordinating with airlines, airport operators, and relevant government agencies to align with international standards.

The Viral Hits successfully hosted Jin Xuanyu's first fan meeting and fan sign event in Bangkok 2026 titled "FIRST TOUCH" at Calypso Theatre, Asia Theatre The Riverfront, managed by Max Patravit Duangsanit. The event marked a special moment for Thai fans awaiting a close encounter with Jin Xuanyu under the "FIRST TOUCH" concept, designed to foster warmth, memorable experiences, and closeness between artist and fans through fan meetings, hi-touch sessions, group photos, one-on-one photo opportunities, and fan signing activities executed with meticulous attention to detail.

The venue radiated love and support from fans who traveled to attend the event. From registration through the stage performances, fans cheered enthusiastically and created memorable moments throughout, transforming FIRST TOUCH into a fan meeting brimming with smiles, joy, and lasting impressions from both the artist and attendees.

Jin Xuanyu expressed heartfelt appreciation for the warm reception from Thai fans, thanking them for their energy, love, and cheers throughout the event. The artist noted that the atmosphere in Thailand brought him closer to fans and created a particularly special memory of his visit.

Another highlight was the opening performance by emerging boy group QENRYX under Viral Hits Music Vision, whose energetic showcase added vibrancy to the event and showcased the potential of Thailand's next generation of artists on an Asian-level platform.

Max Patravit Duangsanit, The Viral Hits' executive, revealed that the event's success exceeded expectations. "We wanted FIRST TOUCH to transcend a typical fan meeting and become a space where artists and fans could share intimate, joyful moments and create truly special memories," he said. "The fan response was outstanding, with continuous support and a warm atmosphere. Every cheer and moment fans shared with the artist made this event meaningful. At The Viral Hits, we prioritize event quality, safety, management systems, and fan experience because we want everyone to feel confident and happy attending our events."

The newly debuted Thai boy band QENRYX is making waves, with their debut music video "Say Yes Tonight" reaching 1.3 million views in just 11 days and continuing to climb steadily. Released by Viral Hits Music Vision after their June 22 debut at Siam Paragon's Infinite City Hall, the official music video crossed one million views in just six days, generating significant online buzz and solidifying QENRYX's position as a notable new T-POP group.

While fans have voiced strong appreciation for the group, some constructive criticism emerged in comments. Fans suggested the label could better showcase individual talents, with concerns that the song doesn't fully highlight each member's strengths. Specific feedback included praise for member SafE's vocal ability but noted her talents weren't sufficiently featured, suggestions that Captain's rapping style needs refinement, observations that Therin's dancing skills are strong despite being positioned as center, and comments that Jeerun's visual presence and dancing ability could be better utilized. Fans also recommended the label work with more skilled producers and songwriters to craft better material that allows each member to shine. The label responded positively to the feedback, acknowledging the criticism and committing to developing the group's potential further.