On July 2, 2025, Deputy Superintendent Songsa Thammasiri of Doi Luang Police Station in Chiang Mai received a complaint from villagers across four subdistricts—Doi Luang, Santisuk, Yangkham, and Song Kaew—totaling over 15 people from 54 villages. They filed charges against Ms. Noi (alias), the village fund official in Doi Luang District, accusing her of refusing to deposit loan repayments into the district fund and embezzling approximately 30 million baht.

Ms. Oi (alias), 45, a resident of Tambon Doi Luang, explained that villagers had been borrowing from the Doi Luang District Village Fund for over two years due to its low interest rates. When repayment came due in fiscal year 2025, some members borrowed money from outside lenders in tens of thousands of baht to give to Ms. Noi, the fund officer, intending to deposit it and take out new loans.

Ms. Oi stated that villagers borrowed tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of baht and gave the money to Ms. Noi through bank transfers and cash. However, when the scheduled loan approval date arrived, villagers discovered no payments had been recorded in the fund and they could not borrow again. Upon realizing they had been defrauded, villagers filed complaints with police investigators and requested them to track and recover the funds and apprehend Ms. Noi.

Doi Luang Police Station revealed that dozens of victims have filed reports, with embezzled funds totaling tens of millions of baht. Investigators have requested victims prepare documentation of transfers and evidence to be compiled. Officials will then examine the evidence and summon Ms. Noi for questioning and to arrange restitution to the villagers.

On July 2, 2025, Prisit Wattrasinthon, opposition list MP and Pheu Thai deputy party leader, posted on Facebook about an oral parliamentary question scheduled for that day. He stated that the opposition had coordinated early in the week to question the Justice Minister, even accommodating the government's advance notice request beyond normal protocol requirements.

Wattrasinthon pointed out that over the previous 1-2 days, the government never reported that the Justice Minister had conflicting foreign engagements or unavoidable tasks. He noted that in previous weeks, whenever ministers faced genuine scheduling conflicts, the government promptly notified the opposition, who would agree to ask another minister instead to preserve their questioning quota.

However, Wattrasinthon continued, the moment he formally notified the parliament vice-president that his oral question would address the progress of Special Case 24/2568—a major fraud investigation—the Justice Minister suddenly became unavailable, citing a meeting to monitor establishment of an international justice process learning center.

"If this meeting was scheduled in advance, the minister would have informed us 1-2 days ago," Wattrasinthon stated. "The only conclusion is that the minister decided this morning to attend the meeting after seeing the question topic, to use it as an excuse to avoid answering."

Wattrasinthon emphasized that under the Constitution Article 164, all ministers are accountable to parliament for matters within their jurisdiction. Since Thursday oral questions are a standing weekly agenda item, the Justice Minister's absence citing this scheduling conflict is unconvincing and clearly demonstrates the government is evading parliamentary scrutiny of the fraud case.

Wat Roi Phra Phutthaba Phumirom expressed shock after sharing photos of alms offerings to monks from Nam Khun district, Ubon Ratchathani, just hours before a fatal accident. An 11-year-old boy drove his parents' pickup truck into a group of monks conducting a pre-Buddhist Lent pilgrimage, with five monks killed at the scene on the Mukdahan-Don Talan road. The temple's Facebook post commemorated the monks' 20-day journey, which began at Wat Roi Phra Phutthaba Phumirom in Mueang Mukdahan and was scheduled to conclude in Nam Khun district, Ubon Ratchathani on July 20, 2025. The temple offered condolences for the loss of life and injuries, noting that surviving monks and villagers were taken to the temple for temporary shelter.

The 1st batch of Navy recruits from the Naval Military Education Department's recruit training center have composed and produced a music video for the song "Forging Steel in People." The track conveys their emotions and what they've gained from joining the Navy, embodying the center's identity of "tempering body and mind to serve the nation" in building strong character.

Song: Forging Steel in People Performers and credits: Phr. Anphon Kamnuansak: Solo guitar Phr. Amnouy Khundaeng: Acoustic guitar, arrangement Phr. Natchapol Kaemratana: Lead vocals (middle range), arrangement Phr. Jitiwat Winsuntiea: Drums Phr. Pornpipat Sukthong: Lead vocals (lower range), arrangement Phr. Thongkham Sinsasitsai: Bass

Lyrics excerpts: Once in a lifetime, like lightning written by fate A red ID card that changes one person's life Some chase dreams for those behind them Some must bear disappointment from resignation Reminding myself repeatedly, I will make it through Telling myself over and over, I will make it through

From ordinary person to naval officer So many things requiring quick understanding Cast aside procrastination, forget exhaustion Everything must be done well—there is no such word as "can't"

Steel that seems hard is no match for the human spirit Enduring hardship through torment This ship will not abandon you—we go together My friends, let's reach the shore together, it's not far now

Born only once, must fight it once more With dreams of becoming a naval officer To serve the nation as a Thai man's duty Discipline and determination without losing heart For parents and siblings, waiting for little brother first Promise to you, young lady, not long now

View the music video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DFGseBmP3/

On July 2, 2026, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchati Chomklin presided over a handover ceremony for raw materials to produce patient turning sheets under the Upcycling for Life project, partnering with the Foundation for Coral Reef and Marine Life Conservation under Princess Siriwannavaree Narissara Rajakhanya. The initiative operates under a strategic cooperation framework for marine resource and environmental management toward sustainable social development, supporting the Princess's mission to conserve coral reefs, protect endangered marine species, and restore marine resources while engaging the public in addressing ocean waste and resource efficiency.

The ceremony included Admiral Suwin Jaengyodsuuk, foundation vice chairman, and senior officials including the ministry's permanent secretary and representatives from leading institutions.

Minister Suchati stated the project exemplifies transforming "ocean waste" into "social value" through a circular economy approach. PET plastic bottles and marine waste materials are processed using knowledge, technology, and innovation into products beneficial to patients and medical personnel, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.

The patient turning sheets, made 100 percent from upcycled materials, provide body support, reduce friction, minimize pressure ulcer risk, offer good ventilation, are durable, and ease caregiver burden when moving patients. This innovation demonstrates how environmental conservation creates tangible improvements to people's quality of life.

Minister Suchati added that raw materials come from multi-sector cooperation: waste sorting by ministry personnel following Green Office guidelines, marine debris collection from beaches and river mouths, and fishing net scraps from coastal communities. Materials are sent to a school waste bank in Tha Khwam subdistrict, Chachoengsao province, where students learn waste management and resource value before private sector partners produce the patient turning sheets for medical use.

Director General Dr. Pinsak Surasawadeekul of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources noted that plastic waste in the ocean significantly impacts ecosystems, tourism, and coastal communities. Field surveys also reveal many bedridden patients lack quality medical equipment due to high costs. The Upcycling for Life project serves as a model for creating new value from discarded resources, reducing environmental problems while improving patient and caregiver quality of life, demonstrating collaboration among government, private sector, academia, and civil society in conserving marine resources and advancing the nation's sustainable development.