National Artist Professor Kamchorn Sunpongsheet, a scholar and artist of exceptional knowledge, passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, July 3, 2026, at age 89. The Department of Cultural Promotion and Cultural Promotion Fund received notice from his family. Sunpongsheet, who was honored as a National Artist in the field of visual arts and painting in 2020, will have Buddhist chanting ceremonies held at Sala 6 of Wat Thatsutong Royal Temple in Bangkok's Watthana District. The water-sprinkling ritual will be held on July 4, 2026 at 4:00 p.m., followed by funeral chanting at 6:00 p.m. Additional evening chanting sessions are scheduled for July 5-8 at 7:30 p.m. The cremation ceremony will take place at the Meru of Wat Thatsutong on July 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. The Department extends deepest condolences to his family and those who revered Professor Kamchorn Sunpongsheet, whose paintings were distinguished by their unique character, reflecting ideas, emotions, and sentiments with profound depth and creativity. His work demonstrated the significant value of art to Thai society.

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Phuket – The Phuket immigration in Phuket, working in coordination with Chalong Police Station, have revoked the visa of a 37‑year‑old Ghanaian national following repeated complaints from local residents about disruptive behavior, including intoxication, harassment, and sleeping in temples. The Phuket Immigration Office told the Phuket Express that the crackdown reflects a broader policy to […] Ghanaian Man Deported after After Public Complaints in Phuket -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

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Phuket — Officials have launched a coordinated operation to protect public land after discovering illegal encroachment at the Khao Daeng grazing area in Rawai. The operation, carried out around 12:30 p.m., was directed by Phuket Governor Chotinarin Kerdsom, Deputy Governor Pol. Lt. Col. Khetarat Chansilp, Acting Provincial Clerk Siwatch Rawangkul, and Rawai Mayor Tems Kraitas. […] Phuket Authorities Crack Down on Encroachment of Public Land in Rawai -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

On July 3, 2025, Pattaya residents from all sectors—businesspeople, entrepreneurs, local politicians, public figures, baht bus operators, and numerous civil society networks—gathered at the Blue Zone event space in Bali Hai to demonstrate their support for the "SAVE PATTAYA" campaign. The collective action aimed to defend the city's reputation and image after critical coverage in a television program that organizers said could harm Pattaya's standing as an international tourist destination.

During the event, participants voiced their position and called on independent academics and related media figures to apologize to Pattaya residents, taking responsibility for statements and content deemed damaging to the city's image. Local leaders delivered speeches asserting that "Pattaya is not a lawless town and has no mafia," noting the city's electoral history has been peaceful. Organizers urged society to recognize the facts and avoid generalizing the city's image based on potentially misleading information or opinions.

Throughout the event, Pattaya police provided support to ensure the peaceful and lawful expression of public views while maintaining safety.

Eight members of Tunisia's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad tested positive for banned substances, with most experts believing the violations were unintentional rather than deliberate performance-enhancing doping. The positive results likely stem from contaminated meat consumed at the team's training camp in Mexico. Tunisian players, who lost all three opening round matches, tested positive for clenbuterol in preliminary samples. While official confirmation is pending secondary testing, clenbuterol is widely known as a respiratory medication but is also misused in bodybuilding to reduce fat and maintain muscle mass. Officials have indicated the positive results are unlikely linked to intentional performance enhancement but rather to the consumption of contaminated meat at the Mexican training facility.

Mexico has a troubling track record with similar contamination cases. During the 2011 Gold Cup, five Mexican athletes tested positive for clenbuterol but were later exonerated. That same year, 109 athletes at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico also tested positive. FIFA imposed no sanctions in either case, as evidence clearly indicated food contamination as the cause.

FIFA has declined to comment, and Tunisia's football federation has not yet responded to the situation. England's national team, which will also compete in Mexico, is taking precautions by bringing their team chef to prepare meals and closely monitor food safety. Every dish will be inspected to ensure players avoid consuming any contaminated substances. According to WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), clenbuterol detected in urine at levels below 5 nanograms per milliliter is reported as an atypical finding rather than a positive result.

Labor Minister Julphand Amornviwatana chaired the third 2026 meeting of the Foreign Workers' Management Policy Committee on July 3, 2026. The meeting included senior labor ministry officials and representatives from the Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry, Public Health Ministry, the Internal Security Command, the National Security Council, and the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

After the meeting, Julphand stated that to properly manage the foreign labor supply and prevent shortages that could harm businesses and Thailand's economy, the committee approved in principle extending work permits for Laotian, Myanmar, and Vietnamese nationals. Their current permits, which were approved on November 11, 2025, expire on December 11, 2026. Under the proposed extension, these workers would be allowed to remain in Thailand temporarily and work for one additional year, through December 11, 2027.

Julphand emphasized that the Labor Ministry and relevant agencies will implement the process carefully and transparently while keeping all stakeholders informed. According to Somchai Mrakotsriwan, the Employment Department Director, the committee's decision will next be submitted to the cabinet for final approval. Workers can only proceed with permit renewal once the cabinet approves the measure and the Interior and Labor ministries issue their respective announcements.

Somchai urged employers, businesses, and eligible foreign workers to monitor updates on the Employment Department website at www.doe.go.th or contact the Bangkok Employment Offices 1-10, provincial employment offices nationwide, or the Employment Department hotline at 1506 option 2 for further information.