Thai rock band FLURE, active for over 24 years, announced their first-ever headline concert "FLURE LIFE" to an enthusiastic response from fans, with first-round tickets selling out in just 30 minutes on August 22. Following persistent fan requests, organizers DM and Cat Radio, alongside Cat Radio, decided to add a second show on August 24 after the band completed intensive rehearsals. Tickets remain available through I Have Ticket's website and app at 2,600 baht for reserved seating and 1,800 baht for standing room.

Band members shared their vision for the concert. Drummer Airt Asumdej Limtrakarn apologized for the long wait but promised "the best version of FLURE you've ever seen." Guitarist Wee Warranut Phuapairojn explained that "FLURE LIFE" resonates because many fans have told them they grew up with their music. Guitarist Teddy Theerdol Theodore Gaston emphasized the concert's meaningful storytelling and spiritual depth, while bassist Un Ratpol Treethat noted the setlist includes rarely-performed songs. Lead vocalist Kiu Suwira Boonrod concluded, "We'll prove that music and age are unrelated—music lets us all return to childhood, creating a moment where our music takes everyone back to their happiest, most joyful times."

The concerts will showcase songs and experiences accumulated throughout FLURE's musical journey. Doors open at 5 PM with the show starting at 7 PM at Thunder Dome, Muang Thong Thani on August 22 and 24.

Experts are sharing natural rat-repellent methods using everyday kitchen ingredients to help keep homes clean and disease-free. According to international reports, summer brings an uptick in unwanted pest invasions as rising temperatures accelerate rodent reproduction cycles, increasing the risk of rats entering homes and gardens.

While rats damage property and carry disease-causing pathogens, experts view natural deterrents as a safer, eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides that could harm people, children, and pets if accidentally ingested or touched. Natural rat-control methods typically use ingredients easily found in kitchens—affordable and free from toxic residue.

Onions Effectively Repel Rats

Experts say onions are a basic ingredient that can help rats avoid indoor areas. According to Better Homes & Gardens magazine, "Rats are different from humans. Rats dislike the smell of onions and garlic. Placing freshly sliced onions in rings, or crushed garlic at entry points where rats typically access the home, helps repel them."

Jordan Foster, a pest control expert from Fantastic Pest Control, agrees with this recommendation, noting that "you can plant onions in your garden or place them where rats commonly enter. When rats detect the smell, they avoid that area." He also suggests planting onion-family vegetables like onions and garlic around the house perimeter to reduce rat and certain pest invasions.

Since onions are found in nearly every kitchen and cost very little, this represents another budget-friendly rat-control method. However, caution is needed: if pets—especially dogs—are in the home, avoid placing onions or garlic where they can reach them, as both plants are toxic to dogs. Fresh onions also spoil easily, so they should be replaced regularly to prevent odors and hygiene issues.

Natural Rat-Deterrent Mixture Recipe Using Onions

The Times of India recommends mixing onions with other ingredients to create a natural rat-repellent blend.

Ingredients: - 1 medium onion - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper - 12-15 black peppercorns - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon chickpea flour - Half a lime - Small amount of sugar - Small amount of water (if a thicker consistency is desired)

Instructions: Cut an onion in half and place it on a plate. Grind the black peppercorns finely, then mix with cayenne pepper, baking soda, and chickpea flour. Add lime juice and stir together. If the mixture is too dry, add a little water until you achieve a thick paste consistency. Spread the mixture over the cut onion surface and sprinkle a small amount of sugar on top.

According to The Times of India, the sugar attracts rats, while the pungent smell and spicy taste of the other ingredients irritate them, causing them to avoid the area. Once prepared, wrap the onion in paper and place it in room corners, storage areas, cabinets, doorways, or anywhere rats are commonly found. Replace every 2-3 days.

Industry Minister Weerawuth Silparachai presided over the opening of the DIPROM Community SkillUp practical training workshop in Suphan Buri province for fiscal year 2569. The program focuses on developing professional skills through three main curricula: herbal mosquito repellent and spray production, Thai-patterned herbal compress manufacturing, and high-tech grain compress production—all with commercial potential appealing to both Thai and international consumers.

The initiative aims to cultivate grassroots entrepreneurs by equipping participants with knowledge and skills for supplementary income or small business development, thereby expanding the nation's entrepreneurial base and strengthening local economies. By processing local agricultural and herbal products, the program adds value to raw materials, transforming basic commodities into higher-value products with diverse market applications and creating value across the entire production chain from farmers to retailers.

Training graduates can connect with related business sectors including Thai traditional medicine networks, massage shops, spas, health and beauty retailers, and community gift shops, expanding marketing channels and income opportunities. According to DIPROM director Nattaniya Netysupha, the 150 program participants are expected to increase their average monthly income by approximately 10,000 baht per person, or 120,000 baht annually, generating total economic value of at least 18 million baht yearly.

The program particularly benefits elderly residents, housewives, farmers, and vulnerable groups with limited formal employment access. By providing practical vocational skills, it offers community members alternative income sources, reduces unemployment, and decreases rural-to-urban migration, ultimately strengthening family and community institutions long-term.

On July 5, 2025, at Wat Ban Nam Khun in Tambon Ta Kao, Amphoe Nam Khun, Ubon Ratchathani Province, devotees and disciples of the seven deceased monks gathered for continuous chanting throughout the day to pay their final respects. They also participated in constructing a temporary cremation platform for the monks' funeral rites.

The atmosphere was filled with compassion as prominent monk Luang Ta Sinthrap Jarandham led nuns in setting up a food distribution station with boxed meals. Luang Phi Aof and online preacher Samanen For joined in distributing over 1,000 som tam and ice cream servings to attendees as a gesture of care for the Buddhist community members who came to pay respects. Merit-making ceremonies will continue through July 7, with a special royal cremation ceremony scheduled for July 8, 2025.

Nang Sorn Ngon Ngen, village headman of Moo 14, Tambon Ta Kao, noted that Buddhists from all directions have continuously arrived to make merit and pay their respects, including groups from Chanthaburi Province who learned of the event en route and stopped by to participate.

The temple and organizing committee have emphasized transparency in donations, with detailed daily records of all receipts and expenditures. They confirmed that the temple has no policy of opening bank accounts for online donations.

Divers at Ko Tao in Surat Thani province were thrilled to encounter whale sharks measuring approximately 3-4 meters long at two popular dive sites simultaneously—Chumphon Pinnacle, a world-class deep dive site to the northwest, and Sail Rock, one of the Gulf of Thailand's most beautiful and famous dive locations to the southeast. Divers were able to photograph and film the whale sharks swimming gracefully among schools of fish, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed the encounter.

Ramluk Asvachin, chairman of Ko Tao Tourism Business Association, revealed that June through September each year represents peak season for whale shark sightings at Ko Tao, with consistent reports of encounters at multiple dive sites including Chumphon, Sail Rock, Hin Khao, Khong Tung Ku, Luan Pairinthorn, and other dive areas. Some days see whale sharks at multiple locations, and numerous instances have recorded simultaneous sightings at two dive sites within the same timeframe. Both Thai and foreign divers eagerly anticipate this season due to the frequent daily opportunities to encounter whale sharks.

"Consistent whale shark sightings are an important indicator reflecting the richness of Ko Tao's marine ecosystem, food sources, and biodiversity. This success also results from collaborative conservation and marine resource restoration efforts between government agencies, private sector partners, dive operators, and local communities," Ramluk stated.

She added that Ko Tao continues to be recognized as one of the world's premier diving destinations. Regular whale shark encounters during this season not only captivate tourists but also reflect the quality of marine resources and reinforce Ko Tao's image as a diving destination that grows sustainably alongside conservation efforts.

Dive operators urge all divers to follow responsible whale shark viewing practices: do not touch, do not chase, do not feed, and maintain appropriate distance to avoid disrupting the animals' natural behavior and to preserve Ko Tao's marine abundance for the future.

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angsakulgiartti outlined enhanced security measures for airports following a cabinet drug prevention committee meeting chaired by the Prime Minister on July 3rd. Siripong, representing Deputy PM Pipat Ratchakitprakarn who was conducting provincial fieldwork, said the Transport Ministry will implement the committee's recommendations with additional enforcement measures.

He confirmed that before the arrest of a Thai flight attendant in Australia, the airport had already enforced stringent international screening standards, and drug smuggling arrests have been ongoing at the airport with contraband detected on both arriving and departing flights. "Going forward, we will intensify screening procedures significantly because we believe these smuggling networks may have learned our inspection methods and are continuously adapting to evade detection," Siripong said.

Regarding concerns about how crew member smuggling would be controlled, the Deputy Transport Minister explained that airports already screen crew through X-ray scanning, but if violations are discovered, enforcement will be escalated. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand will issue additional regulations to all airlines, including prohibiting crew from carrying items due to risk factors. Additional measures include enhanced training for X-ray machine operators, strengthened intelligence operations, and deployment of over 60 additional K9 units from the Thai National Police to supplement existing customs K9 units. The ministry will issue further policy directives to airlines.