Nadech Kugimiya, the debut brand presenter for CC DOUBLE O, appeared at the campaign launch "THE NEW BASIC – Impossible to Ignore" at CC DOUBLE O on the second floor of CentralWorld shopping center. He updated attendees on his wedding celebrations with actress Yaya Urasaya, counting down to the final Bangkok reception. He shared insights into the wedding invitation design, married life, and how their bond has deepened since marriage.

When asked if the groom looks even more handsome now, Nadech responded: "I believe so because when my brother [referring to another celebrity] got married, he looked good. Now it's my turn. I'm fully prepared. However, since this Bangkok event is happening very close to our Norway wedding, we've been quite rushed. I apologize to many people for not being able to personally hand out the invitations, but we've tried to invite everyone to be part of this third important day in our lives."

Regarding the praised wedding invitation design, Nadech explained: "We were fortunate to have a media team design it for us. They really brought our and Yaya's imagination to life. They beautifully blended Thai artistic details with international elements, creating a charm that reflects the care we put into these details."

On the concept behind the Bangkok invitation design, he said: "It comes from storytelling. We're inviting people to hear the story from our Khon Kaen wedding, through our Norway wedding, to our pre-wedding photo shoot, and to the moment I asked Yaya to be in the same invitation. Each guest invited will be part of the next chapter in our lives. The Bangkok event will have a simple white tone."

When asked if creating a third wedding theme was more challenging, Nadech replied: "It's not difficult. I feel we've become better at deciding and are much clearer now. We don't overthink things anymore. If we like something from the start, we just commit to it."

Reflecting on each celebration, he shared: "Our Khon Kaen wedding was fun and truly captured the identity of Isan people—even our wedding dress colors expressed that. The Norway wedding felt like a real wedding for the two of us who've journeyed together through various experiences. It felt like we were starting a new chapter in our life's journey, which was beautiful. The Bangkok event is a celebration of our happiness and love with the people we cherish."

On the viral vows from the Khon Kaen wedding, Nadech recalled: "It was huge. My friends told me I had to say them, so I did. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have passed—no money would help. I actually looked at Instagram beforehand, so I was clear on it. It wasn't something I memorized without understanding. When I arrived at the venue, it was the final round, and I had to read them. At first it was fun, but later I got nervous."

When Yaya mentioned recording his vows, Nadech joked: "It's fine. We'll record them onto a disc. If the disc gets damaged or lost, I'll have it engraved on a stone and place it above my pillow. Before bed, I'll recite it and bow three times."

Savills Thailand assesses Bangkok's condominium market in the first half of 2025 as still in market rebalancing, with developers exercising caution and prioritizing inventory clearance over new launches, resulting in limited new supply. Only 16,000 units are projected for the full year, below pre-COVID averages.

According to Prapaporn Boonkitcharkul, deputy managing director of Savills Thailand, the overall Bangkok condo market continues its rebalancing period. Developers remain cautious about investment, resulting in limited new supply concentrated among major developers, while mid-sized and smaller operators focus on liquidity management and clearing stock rather than launching new projects.

Demand shows clear segmentation across market tiers. Luxury condominiums in central business districts maintain strong sales and absorption rates from affluent buyers, long-term investors, and foreign purchasers. Mid-range and lower-segment markets face pressure from sluggish purchasing power recovery and strict lending standards, prompting developers to compete on price and promotions to accelerate inventory clearance.

Savills expects the market to gradually recover in the second half of 2025, with growth concentrated in well-located projects offering differentiated products and competitively priced units, reflecting that successful market-aligned development will be critical amid continued competition.

In the second quarter, only five new projects launched with 2,260 units valued at 15.6 billion baht from just two registered developers—Sansiri and AP (Thailand)—with no new launches from mid-sized or smaller developers, indicating investment caution and liquidity focus.

For the first half overall, 15 new projects comprising 12,248 units launched, up 72.52% year-over-year, but driven by only a few large projects and not yet reflecting overall market recovery.

Luxury and super-luxury segments remain strongest, particularly penthouses and large units in Sukhumvit central, Thonglor, Ekkamai, Chidlom, and Lumphini, attracting owner-occupants, investors, and foreign buyers due to limited land supply and maintained pricing.

Conversely, mid-range and lower segments suffer from weak domestic purchasing power, high loan rejection rates, and fierce price competition, with developers accelerating clearance through price cuts and promotions, some pricing near levels from a decade ago to drive purchase decisions.

Savills projects 16,000 new condo units launching throughout 2025, down 6% from 2024 and below pre-COVID averages, reflecting developers' cautious investment approach. Major developers are diversifying into tourism and economic cities like Phuket and Pattaya, driven by tourism recovery and foreign purchasing power.

On July 6, Dr. Nathapol Nobphrajarenggul, an ecologist at the National Science Museum's (NSM) Natural History Institute, revealed that a Thai research team led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chaleumpol Suwan-aphakdi from Kasetsart University's Department of Botany, in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Trevor R. Hodkinson from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, discovered five new water lily species (Nymphoides). This discovery reinforces Thailand's position as a critical global biodiversity repository, with countless organisms still awaiting scientific identification.

Dr. Nathapol explained that Thailand previously had records of approximately 5-6 Nymphoides species scattered across wetlands, marshes, rice fields, and swamps nationwide. However, the latest study integrated morphological characteristics with cytogenetics analysis, enabling more precise species classification and leading to the identification of five new species:

1. Sai Ting (Nymphoides chumphonense Suwanph.) - Found exclusively in Chumphon Province, featuring heart-shaped leaves with dark purple-tinged edges and white flowers 1.2-1.5 cm in diameter. It's a traditional vegetable consumed fresh with chili paste and sold in local markets, currently classified as near-threatened.

2. Bua Ba Hua Luuk Sok (Nymphoides crucioides Suwanph. & Hodk.) - Located in rice fields along ancient sand ridges in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Yala provinces. It has horseshoe-shaped leaves with white, cross-shaped four-petaled flowers (5-7 mm diameter) and thrives in both aquatic and terrestrial forms, showing potential as ornamental plants for terrariums, glass gardens, and aquatic displays. Currently near-threatened.

3. Ba Chiao (Nymphoides miniata Noppornch. & Suwanph.) - Thailand's smallest water lily species, possibly the world's tiniest, with heart-shaped leaves approximately 2.5 cm wide and deep purple-red tinges on green foliage. Its white flowers measure just 3-5 mm in diameter. Found in Prachuap Khiri Khan's ancient sand ridge rice fields, it grows in both aquatic and terrestrial forms with high ornamental potential. Currently near-threatened.

4. Ba Siam (Nymphoides thailandica Suwanph.) - Discovered in rice fields along ancient sand ridges in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Yala. It features heart to triangular-shaped leaves (2-4 cm) with dark purple-red tinges and white flowers (6-9 mm diameter). Capable of growing in both aquatic and terrestrial forms with ornamental potential. Currently near-threatened.

5. Dao Roda (Nymphoides thungyaiensis Suwanph. & Noppornch.) - Found in Umphang District, Tak Province, with heart-shaped leaves tinged reddish-brown and white five-petaled flowers densely covered in fine hairs (1.2-1.5 cm diameter). Critically near-threatened, with only one known natural population.

The research was published in the international Q1 academic journal Aquatic Botany, Volume 207, in 2026.

On July 6, Sunthorn Khemnak, mayor of Nong Khaem subdistrict in Saraburi province and chairman of the Saraburi Municipal Association, addressed social media allegations that the municipal clerk's office head had been engaged in position trading over many years, accumulating large cash assets exceeding 70 million baht and owning properties worth over 20 million baht. The mayor revealed that the official had only recently assumed office on July 1 and was questioned about the claims. The official denied involvement, stating that lottery activities were long discontinued and photos were merely taken for entertainment content creation. The mayor noted he had verified the official's background before appointment and found no prior investigations or legal cases. He questioned the credibility of the 70 million baht claim, reasoning that someone with such wealth would not need to work as a clerk. The mayor reported the matter verbally to provincial authorities but emphasized that the allegations lack concrete substantiation and remain merely social media rumors. He expressed concern about modern society where accusations alone can make someone a defendant in public opinion, with no one seeking apology once the matter is resolved.

CHIANG MAI — Tensions flared in Chiang Mai on July 6, 2026, after two protesters were injured when police clashed with demonstrators gathered outside the Chinese Consulate General to protest alleged toxic contamination from mining operations affecting Thailand.

Approximately 50 members of the People's Network to Protect the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong Rivers assembled at the consulate to deliver a petition demanding action against chemical pollution in local waterways. Their signs read "stop toxic mine" and "When will China be truthful?"

The group alleges that pollution originates from upstream mining operations in Myanmar involving Chinese investors. A scuffle broke out between demonstrators and police securing the area, leaving two protesters injured. The situation did not escalate further, and no additional violence occurred.

Since the Chinese Consulate General was closed, provincial administration officials and a consulate representative accepted the petition on behalf of the protesters. After submitting their demands, demonstrators held a moment of silence to honor those affected by the contamination and the violence, then dispersed peacefully.

The network renewed calls for the Chinese government and relevant authorities to investigate and address the toxic contamination affecting the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong rivers, citing severe damage to the environment and livelihoods of northern Thai communities.

A Laotian motorcyclist touring Bangkok was stopped by police who claimed he couldn't turn left on an expressway and threatened a 4,000-baht fine, ultimately collecting 500 baht without issuing a ticket. The incident sparked online criticism after a Facebook user posted dashcam footage of the encounter. Wattjak told Khao Sod Online that he and a friend were traveling from Laos to sightsee in Bangkok with pre-booked accommodation. While riding on the motorway toward Asoke intersection or Sukhumvit Road, he properly signaled left to follow the car ahead, but police blocked him and ordered him to stop. About 4-5 officers surrounded his motorcycle. He presented his vehicle and travel documents, confirming everything was complete and legal for cross-border travel. However, the officers stated: "This is an expressway. You can only go straight, no turning allowed." When Wattjak asked twice why turning wasn't permitted, officers avoided answering directly and instead gave him route directions to his accommodation. What raised suspicions was the officers' fine proposal, claiming maximum penalty was 4,000 baht. As a tourist and first-time visitor, Wattjak asked for leniency or a warning. "At first they said the maximum fine was 4,000 baht. I asked for mercy since it was my first time. The officer said he'd talk to the chief. When the chief arrived, he said, 'Half then—500 baht.' I tried once more for leniency, but ultimately paid 500 baht in cash. However, no receipt was issued," Wattjak said. He acknowledged initially thinking nothing of it, assuming officers were simply checking a foreign-registered motorcycle and wanting to avoid wasting travel time. But after reviewing the dashcam footage at his accommodation, he became suspicious—other vehicles turned left freely, and white directional arrows on the road clearly indicated left turns were allowed. When Thai acquaintances reviewed the clip, all agreed the location allowed normal left turns, suggesting the officers may have been "shaking down" tourists or pocketing money by exploiting foreigners' unfamiliarity with local roads. Wattjak concluded that he paid 500 baht to avoid hassle, but if officers truly insist on the 4,000-baht fine, he's prepared to fight and file a formal complaint, confident he violated no traffic laws.