Phayao Governor Escalates Drug War, Tightens Cargo Controls, Links Female Flight Attendant to Chiang Kham. On July 7, 2025, Pol. Maj. Gen. Pongsawat Chaiyabal, Phayao Provincial Police Commander, accompanied by Pol. Col. Wishit Pluemjai, traveled to Chiang Kham district for a meeting on managing drug problems across five back-mountain districts of Phayao province. The meeting included commanders from Chiang Kham, Phu Sang, Chun, Pong, and Chiang Muang districts, along with deputy commanders and investigation teams from all five districts. Held at Chiang Kham Police Station, the discussions focused on intensifying inspections of various vehicles, trucks, private cargo shipments, and parcel delivery services throughout the province.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Pongsawat reported that from October 1, 2024 to July 5, 2025, authorities arrested 1,377 suspects in major drug cases and seized over 14 million methamphetamine tablets, 600.63 kg of crystal meth, 66.02 kg of heroin, and 237.66 grams of ketamine. Police also confiscated assets valued at over 475 million baht linked to drug offenders. Despite Phayao's status as a drug trafficking transit route, the governor pledged close monitoring to prevent further damage to the province.

Regarding the case of a Phayao flight attendant arrested for attempting to smuggle heroin into Australia, Pongsawat revealed that after the Deputy Police Commander's announcement about someone hiring the flight attendant to transport drugs to Australia, the investigation expanded and traced the heroin's origin to Chiang Kham district. Investigation teams discovered that the suspect who procured the drugs for the flight attendant had entered Chiang Kham district on June 17, 2025, renting accommodation and a motorcycle to retrieve drugs hidden in an elephant-patterned cloth bag. On June 20, 2025, the suspect boarded a long-distance bus from Chiang Kham station to Bangkok to deliver the bag to the flight attendant.

Health authorities in Maha Sarakham are distributing anti-parasitic medication to over 4,500 students and new university enrollees after detecting liver fluke infections. The province is launching a campaign promoting fully cooked fish and fish sauce to prevent the disease, which is a major risk factor for cholera duct cancer. Governor Chumpitch Detcharaj ordered health offices and related agencies to intensify disease prevention measures, including inspections of papaya salad shops, restaurants, and food businesses serving raw fish or raw fish sauce, while promoting the use of cooked fish sauce to reduce long-term infection risks.

On July 7, Dr. Hascha Nuoyitong, the provincial health officer, explained that liver fluke parasites are found in freshwater fish with scales from the cyprinid family, such as snakehead, catfish, and common carp. Parasite larvae embed themselves in fish scales and tissue. When people eat undercooked freshwater fish dishes like fish egg salad, fish salad, or raw fish sauce, larvae enter the body and migrate to the bile ducts in the liver. Chronic infection significantly increases the risk of cholera duct cancer, particularly common in the Northeast region.

Dr. Hascha emphasized that liver flukes are found only in scaled freshwater fish of the cyprinid family and are not found in other fish species. However, this does not mean seafood or salmon are safe, as each fish type may carry its own parasites. Therefore, consuming any raw food—whether freshwater fish, seafood, pork, or beef—carries disease and parasite risks, and all food should be thoroughly cooked.

Dr. Hascha noted that the high number of infections this year does not indicate an unusual outbreak but rather reflects expanded screening among new students. Universities already conduct health screenings, and this year the province added liver fluke testing to the program, resulting in more detections. Additionally, the province switched to detecting parasite antigens in urine using a technology developed by Khon Kaen University, which is faster and more sensitive than traditional stool examination. The test takes only about 15 minutes and can screen many people simultaneously, detecting infections even with low parasite counts or before the parasite reproductive stage, unlike stool testing which depends on finding parasite eggs and the examiner's experience.

Following the screening, all infected students will receive anti-parasitic medication with one year of follow-up monitoring to prevent cholera duct cancer.

A date palm orchard in Samut Songkhram is buzzing with success, as visitors and fruit enthusiasts flock to Mae Klong Date Palm Home in Lad Yai Subdistrict. While Samut Songkhram is traditionally known for coconuts, pomelos, and longans, dates are now gaining traction in the region. The orchard cultivates four premium varieties—Barhi yellow, Barhi red, Medjool, and Konaysi—across four rai, using salt-enriched soil supplemented with salt marsh compost to enhance sweetness. This year's drought has reduced yields of the Konaysi variety, causing overwhelming demand and prompting customers to pre-order for next year. Other varieties remain productive. Farm owner Anchalee Virasagayphong, 38, daughter of 62-year-old Anong Netsagulnee, reports that all trees are thriving and beginning to bear fruit beautifully. The orchard now welcomes visitors free of charge to explore the scenic grounds. Fresh dates are sold for 100 baht per kilogram, while date juice and dried dates are also available. For inquiries, call 090-993-1225.

On July 7, 2025, at Parliament, Prasit Wattharasindhul, opposition list MP and deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, serving as coordinator of the opposition coalition, commented on the Senate's upcoming two-year performance statement. He questioned from whose perspective the Senate's achievements should be measured, noting that from the public's viewpoint, many would question why two years have passed since Senate selection without adequate progress on irregularity investigations that the public considers potentially fraudulent.

Prasit stated that the cases are currently stalled at two agencies: the Election Commission (EC), which will decide in early September whether to refer matters to court, and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). He expressed concern that the DSI may be delaying consideration pending the EC's decision, and worried that a dismissal by the EC could become justification for DSI inaction. He called for both agencies to proceed vigorously.

Regarding the Senate's actual accomplishments, Prasit noted that from the blue regime's perspective, the most obvious Senate achievement—advancing appointments to independent bodies—has not benefited the public. He highlighted concern that most current senators are involved in Senate selection disputes, yet have appointed 4-7 EC members and 4-9 Ombudspersons, creating conflicts of interest as the Senate oversees the EC's investigation of itself.

When asked about Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's comment about "world-forgetting ministers," Prasit agreed such ministers exist but added that some ministers have accomplishments the world cannot forget—for negative reasons. He specifically criticized the Digital Economy minister's problematic TH-AI Passport initiative and questioned whether the Interior minister is adequately investigating corruption and pursuing masterminds rather than just operational-level officials.

Thai entertainment company RS Public Company Limited (RS Group) has launched a new artist development project, "Artist Icon," introducing its first generation of six artists while sparking widespread online speculation over whether artificial intelligence (AI) is involved.

RS Music X, the group's music label, said Artist Icon aims to develop artists with distinct identities and musical styles tailored to modern audiences with diverse listening preferences.

According to the company, the project focuses on shaping each artist's unique character, personality, musical direction and personal story, allowing them to connect with different audiences through music that reflects a wide range of emotions, perspectives and experiences suited to today's digital media landscape.

The first six artists will gradually release new music in the coming months. RS Music X also plans to expand the project through music videos, social media content and fan events. The label said Artist Icon reflects RS's vision of leveraging its more than 40 years of experience in the music industry to develop a new generation of artists and drive the Thai music industry forward.

Following the announcement, however, the project quickly became the subject of discussion on social media, particularly on X, where many users questioned whether AI was being used in the creation of the artists.

One widely shared post read: "Wait, is RS creating AI artists?" The user added that, if true, it would be disappointing because many talented trainees and aspiring performers were still waiting for opportunities.

Online reactions were divided. Some users expressed concern that greater use of AI in the music industry could reduce opportunities for emerging artists. Others argued that RS should instead promote the talented performers already signed to the label, pointing to its existing roster of young artists and creators.

Meanwhile, another group urged people not to jump to conclusions, noting that RS Music X had only introduced the Artist Icon project and its six artists without providing further details about the concept or confirming whether AI plays any role.

RS Music X has not issued any statement addressing the speculation. Nevertheless, the discussion has made Artist Icon one of the most talked-about entertainment topics on Thai social media since its launch, with some users expressing excitement about the upcoming debuts while others continue to question AI's potential role in the project.

Prasit Wattcharasinthu, list MP and deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, acknowledged that while his party ranked first in popularity according to the Nida Poll, its approval score had declined from the previous survey. He stated that all survey results and public feedback serve as important information guiding the party to improve its work going forward, whether scores rise or fall.

When asked about voters expressing reluctance to support Pheu Thai anymore, Prasit said it is the public's right to determine which political party best addresses their needs. However, he emphasized that as opposition party leaders, their primary responsibilities include overseeing government performance to protect the public interest, as well as presenting an alternative vision. He said the party aims to show the public how, should the next election occur and voters become dissatisfied with the current government's performance, the alternative available could lead Thailand toward a better future. All such information, he concluded, helps the party improve its work.