Theeraphan Wannarat, National Artist in Visual Arts (Fashion Design) for the year 2019, is a royal dressmaker who has designed and tailored royal attire for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother ...
Theeraphan Wannarat, National Artist in Visual Arts (Fashion Design) for the year 2019, is a royal dressmaker who has designed and tailored royal attire for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother ...
Singapore is testing a state-funded dating app called Firstdate that would offer free meals to matched singles under 35, part of efforts to boost the nation's historic low birth rate. The Government Technology Agency is still in early feasi
Singapore is exploring a government-run dating platform designed to help single people find partners and boost birth rates, with the state offering to pay for first dates. The Government Technology Agency (GovTech) is surveying public opinion on the initiative through the CrowdTask online platform.
According to survey details, the platform is called Firstdate and targets singles under 35. Users complete a 10-minute questionnaire to be matched based on compatible interests and values. Successfully matched couples would receive free meals at selected restaurants for their first date. All users must verify their identity through Singpass to prevent fake accounts and catfishing.
A prototype website states: "We cover your first date. No fake accounts. No drama."
However, a GovTech spokesperson told The Straits Times that the concept is still in early-stage feasibility studies with no decision yet on full development. The idea originated from GovTech's annual Hackathon, where employees propose innovations to solve social problems. Most of the hundreds of prototype projects studied each year never advance beyond the concept stage.
In late April, a second survey was released asking Singaporeans about dating motivations and obstacles. The survey mentioned potential government measures including networking events, casual dinner matching, group activity trips, Singpass verification to reduce catfishing, and subsidies for dating expenses such as meals.
Both surveys have since been removed from CrowdTask.
The surveys come as Singapore faces a historic low birth rate crisis. The total fertility rate dropped to 0.87 children per woman in 2025, down from 1.24 a decade earlier. On April 29, the National Population and Talent Division established a task force to study declining birth rates, with findings expected in early 2027.
A wild elephant from Khao Yai National Park demolished a home in Nakhon Ratchasima while searching for food, though the elderly resident escaped unharmed. Officials say food scarcity in the park may be driving multiple elephants to forage o
Nakhon Ratchasima — A wild elephant from Khao Yai National Park broke into a home in Ban Khao Wong, Nong Nam Daeng Subdistrict, Pak Chong District, and destroyed it while foraging for food. Fortunately, the elderly homeowner was not injured.
Khao Yai National Park officials and volunteer elephant handlers immediately responded to assess the damage. The elephant, identified as Plai Biang Lek (also known as Plai Ngong Thong), had ventured outside the national park's boundaries searching for food. Park staff and volunteers collected scattered rubble and conducted preliminary repairs before coordinating with other agencies for further reconstruction assistance.
The homeowner recounted that the elephant entered the village during the night, stopped at her house, and pushed its head through the doorway. When officials arrived, the elephant began demolishing the house wall before fleeing.
This incident is part of a persistent problem of wild elephants leaving Khao Yai National Park. Over the past several weeks, approximately five wild elephants, including Plai Biang Lek, have been venturing outside the park boundaries to forage. Experts believe the cause may be declining food sources within the park or the elephants' habitual behavior of regularly seeking food outside protected areas.
Her Majesty the Queen presented the trophy at the Queen's Cup Thailand Championship 2025 on July 5 at Riverdale Golf Club in Pathum Thani, where Thai-Taiwanese golfer Ekkapritsa Woo won with a 23-under par score. The royal visit also includ
Her Majesty the Queen presented the trophy to the champion of the Queen's Cup Thailand Championship 2025 on July 5 at 2:10 p.m. at Riverdale Golf Club in Pathum Thani province. The Queen observed the professional golf championship and presented the award to the winner, while also watching training sessions for junior golfers, professional golfers, and female professionals. She reviewed advanced technology aimed at developing Thai golf to world-class standards. Pathum Thani Governor Ekawit Meephian and Professional Golf Association of Thailand President Pongrat Lueang-thamrongjareun welcomed the royal visit.
The Queen later visited the clubhouse at hole 18, where association officials briefed her on the tournament. She then proceeded to the tee at hole 18 to observe the leading group's competition. After the final round concluded, the Queen presented the championship flag and trophy to 26-year-old Thai-Taiwanese golfer Ekkapritsa Woo, who won with a score of 23-under par.
The Queen's Cup Thailand Championship 2025 took place July 2-5 at Riverdale Golf Club, designed to develop Thai golfers' potential for international competition and elevate Thailand's professional golf standards. The Professional Golf Association of Thailand organized the event with over 300 golfers competing, with 144 advancing to the final rounds. The tournament featured 72-hole stroke play with a cut after 36 holes, allowing golfers ranked 60th and better to continue competing.
The Queen then visited All Thailand Golf Center to observe youth golfers' putting technique training before visiting the High Performance Center, where she watched professional female golfers' swing analysis and national team members practicing various swing distances at the driving range.
Swedish pop star Zara Larsson will perform her "Midnight Sun Tour" in Bangkok on November 1, 2025, bringing her fourth studio album to Thai fans for the first time with tickets on sale starting July 20.
Swedish pop star Zara Larsson is bringing her "Midnight Sun Tour" to Bangkok on November 1, 2025 at UOB Live, M Sphere Studio, ending the wait for Thai dance music fans. The global tour features her fourth studio album "Midnight Sun," which takes listeners back to the fun and genuine spirit of her earliest work while adding the experience and confidence she's built over 20 years in entertainment. The album showcases Larsson's 27-year-old life filled with passion, longing, ambition, and pride, yet also tinged with vulnerability and uncertainty.
"This album brings me back to where I started, those early days of making music, because it's both fun and authentic," Larsson said about the project. "I felt no pressure—I just wanted to make songs that were fun and told real stories. If people listen to this album and love it, they love the real me. I'm incredibly proud and excited about this work."
The album reunites Larsson with collaborator MNEK, known for their hit "Never Forget You," along with producers and songwriters Margo XS and Helena Gao. Their collaboration produced standout singles including "Midnight Sun" and "Pretty Ugly." The album overall evokes Scandinavian atmosphere and Swedish summer nights, blending both joyful and melancholic memories that have shaped Larsson's artistry.
Ticket sales begin July 20 for fan club presales. Mastercard holders in Thailand can purchase from July 21-22, UOB Mastercard holders on July 22, and Live Nation Tero members on July 23. General sale opens July 24 through www.ticketmaster.co.th.
France advanced to the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay, but Cherki blasted Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantanashev for allowing the South American team to play aggressively without proper discipline throughout the matc
Rayan Cherki of the French national team criticized the referee in France's 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, saying the Uzbek official failed to control the match. Referee Ilgiz Tantanashev frustrated the French players by allowing the game to become increasingly aggressive without issuing adequate discipline. Despite the physical nature of play, France remained composed and secured the win.
After the match, Cherki, who came on as a substitute in the second half, stated: "I don't know how Paraguay committed 30 fouls on us without a single yellow card being shown. Today's match showed everyone that French football isn't just about technical skill. But whoever faces us needs to understand what they're up against—this is what you have to prepare for."
Three major international woodball tournaments opened July 5 at Chiang Dao Woodball Club in Chiang Mai, with competitions running through July 9 featuring university teams and national champions.
On July 5, 2026, at Chiang Dao Woodball Club in Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province, John Chew-Siang Weng, president of the International Woodball Federation, officially opened three major woodball tournaments: the IWBF University Woodball Championship 2026, the Thailand Open International Woodball Championship 2026, and the Thai National Woodball Championship for fiscal year 2026. Dr. Patthanachart Kridiburon, president of the Thai Woodball Sports Association, attended the ceremony. All three competitions are taking place at Chiang Dao Woodball Club in Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province, from July 4-9, 2026.
A woman's car parked in front of a neighbor's unoccupied house in Thailand was damaged by falling construction materials, but she faced a dead end seeking compensation through mediation, police, and legal channels due to high lawyer fees an
On July 5, 2025, a Facebook user vented her frustration after her vehicle parked across from her residence suffered damage when construction materials from the opposite house fell onto the car's roof. She stated she has video footage as evidence but was unable to reach a settlement regarding the property owner's liability.
The poster explained: "What's funny about Thai law is this: we parked our car across from our own house (not a regular parking spot), in front of a house where nobody lives most of the time. Then one day the owner shows up, and suddenly building materials from the opposite house deteriorate and fall on our car roof. We have video evidence and all, but we can't do anything about it.
1. Reported to a mediator: The mediator said the homeowner refused responsibility, telling us to pursue a lawsuit ourselves. 2. Filed a police report: Police said they could only file a daily record but couldn't accept a criminal complaint since it's a civil matter. 3. Hired a lawyer: We could sue, but lawyer fees usually exceed the car damage costs. Even if we reach court, we can only claim actual repair expenses (for example, if repairs cost 10,000 baht and lawyer fees are 30,000 baht, who would want to sue?).
No matter which route we take, we lose. We live in an era where laws are useless, police exist but can't help, and we can't do anything to wrongdoers either. So what's the point of being a good person? What's the point of respecting the law?"
After the post went viral, many people commented and debated various angles. Some questioned whether parking in front of someone else's house—even if unoccupied—was appropriate, suggesting this itself could spark disputes. Others cited property liability laws, arguing that if damage results from deteriorating building materials or components that fall and cause harm, the property owner may bear responsibility for the damage incurred.
Singer Jeang of Big Ass fell through a cracked stage floor during a concert at Machang Market in Chachoengsao on July 4th, reopening a previous leg injury but completing the performance despite the fall.
Singer Jeang of the band Big Ass fell through the stage floor while performing at Machil Market in Moo 8, Mabpong Subdistrict, Phanthong District, Chachoengsao Province on the evening of July 4th. The incident shocked spectators, with bandmate Moo reporting that Jeang struck the ground, particularly on a leg that had previously suffered injury, reopening the old wound.
Following up on July 5th, reporters visited the market and inspected the auxiliary stage connected to the main platform. The flooring, approximately 10 centimeters thick, had cracked open with a hole roughly 1 meter wide. The stage stood approximately 1.20 meters high.
Suthathip, a fan who was positioned directly in front of the stage, recounted: "I was filming the concert normally when it happened during the song 'Goodbye.' Jeang made a light jumping motion, and the stage gave way right where he was jumping. He fell and hit the ground hard. I even went down to film him lying there. His team quickly pulled him back up onto the stage to sit down. I was terrified and thought he'd need to go to the hospital. But Jeang asked to continue performing.
"Despite the pain, Jeang came back out and kept singing for all the fans. Everyone was worried and wanted him to go to the hospital, but he insisted on finishing the show. That's the rare spirit of a true artist. I'm concerned about his injuries and want to encourage him to rest and recover well. There's another big concert coming up soon, so please take care of yourself first. This message comes with worry from a fan in Chachoengsao."
Thai rock band FLURE added a second concert date for "FLURE LIFE" after first-round tickets sold out in 30 minutes, with shows scheduled for August 22 and 24 at Thunder Dome in Bangkok.
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.
Pol. Lt. Col. Charoensai Srisaslaksana, a decorated detective and former deputy tambon chief of Don Yai Hom, died July 4 after collapsing at his home. The renowned investigator was known for solving major criminal cases during his career wi
Pol. Lt. Col. Charoensai Srisaslaksana, a renowned former detective and former deputy tambon chief of Don Yai Hom, lost consciousness at his home on July 4 and was rushed to the hospital. He passed away peacefully at approximately 7:45 p.m. the same day. A merit-making ceremony will be announced at a later date.
Charoensai was a distinguished police investigator who graduated from the Police Cadet School in Samphran, Class 32. He was instrumental in solving numerous high-profile criminal cases that shocked the nation. Throughout his career in investigation and forensic work, he gained extensive experience in case examination and criminal tracking before eventually serving as commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2.