On July 3, 2569, the Criminal Investigation Bureau and Revenue Department coordinated a major operation against a counterfeit liquor network. Led by senior officials including Pol. Lt. Gen. Natthsakdi Chaovenasai and coordinated with revenue authorities, the operation announced results of investigating an illegal liquor manufacturing and distribution ring.

The investigation began when officers discovered a retail outlet in Chachoengsao province engaged in illicit counterfeit liquor sales. Deeper investigation revealed a sophisticated criminal organization with specialized divisions handling procurement, manufacturing, packaging, warehousing, and distribution to evade police detection. The counterfeit spirits were distributed to retailers across the region at suspiciously low prices.

Officers conducted searches at eight locations: five liquor retailers in Chachoengsao Province, two residential buildings in Bangkok's Bang Khun Thian and Bang Bon districts used as production facilities and money collection points, and one warehouse in Samut Prakan Province.

The operation seized over 6,700 completed bottles of counterfeit foreign brand spirits and approximately 478,054 pieces of related equipment including bottle capping machines, packaging boxes, stickers, and bottle seals.

Three suspects were arrested: Abhiwat (surname withheld), age 37; Yupha (surname withheld), age 50; and Wuthichai (surname withheld), age 54. They face charges under the Trademark Act B.E. 2534 for possessing counterfeit trademarked goods for sale. All three initially denied knowledge that the goods were counterfeit, claiming ownership of legitimate products. Investigators remain unconvinced and continue expanding the investigation to pursue other network members, including financial backers, raw material suppliers, and distributors.

Rev. Lt. Yongyut Phoompredesha noted that this successful operation resulted from close coordination between the two agencies, preventing distribution of over 6,700 bottles of illegal imported spirits. Preliminary assessment indicates the government lost approximately 2.2 million baht in tax revenue, with distribution networks identified across eastern Thailand tourist areas.

The government is proceeding with structural reform of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports under Prime Minister Anupthane Chanweerakul's directive to create an independent Sports Ministry while integrating tourism operations with the Ministry of Culture.

On July 2, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phanthajareonwongkul disclosed to sports media that the establishment of a separate Sports Ministry has progressed clearly and concretely since he took office. The process has moved rapidly, and barring any setbacks, the Cabinet is expected to approve the operational framework at its Tuesday, July 7, 2026 meeting via the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC). The Sports Ministry will definitely become an independent entity, though tourism's planned merger with Culture initially raised questions about the combined ministry's name—whether it would be called the "Ministry of Culture and Tourism" or "Ministry of Tourism and Culture." After careful consultation among all stakeholders and comparison with ministry structures in other countries, the decision was made to call it the "Ministry of Culture and Tourism."

Surasak further noted that while the original three-year implementation roadmap could be significantly accelerated, potentially creating an independent Sports Ministry by end of 2025, he personally believes this timeline is too ambitious. The new Sports Ministry will more likely emerge in 2026. If the sports policy reform succeeds, sports will become an exceptionally important national priority for Thailand going forward. He expressed confidence that this restructured framework represents the correct direction.

CATIA LA MAR, Venezuela — A Venezuelan security guard has been rescued alive after spending eight days trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed building following last week's devastating twin earthquakes.

The survivor, identified as Hernán Gil, was pulled from the ruins of the Galerías Playa Grande shopping centre in Catia La Mar after a rescue operation lasting more than 100 hours from the moment rescuers detected signs of life.

Gil had been trapped beneath an estimated 140 tonnes of rubble after the building collapsed during earthquakes on 24 June. Despite his ordeal, officials said he was in remarkably good condition. A Costa Rican Red Cross medic explained that Gil survived because he was inside a small concrete security booth in the basement car park when the building came down, which formed a protective pocket around him.

One rescuer reported that Gil had not even suffered a broken or torn fingernail. Another described the operation as one of the most technically complex rescue missions ever faced.

Rescue teams from Venezuela, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Portugal and the United States participated in the effort. During the operation, crews supplied Gil with water, an IV drip, a face mask and protective goggles through a narrow opening. The rescue tunnel collapsed several times during the work, highlighting the danger faced by both Gil and the rescue workers.

A small camera eventually captured Gil looking toward rescuers, one eye reddened and his face covered by a protective mask. Despite his ordeal, Gil remained alert and even requested his preferred flavour of electrolyte drink. A Mexican Red Cross worker noted that Gil helped encourage the rescue team, telling them he was glad they had returned to stay with him.

The rescue came as Venezuela continued searching for survivors following the 24 June earthquakes, which have killed more than 2,000 people, injured thousands more and left many others missing.

SCB WEALTH is advancing its "Go Global" strategy to expand world-class investment opportunities for wealthy clients. The bank is launching two new offshore investment product categories: foreign mutual funds and structured notes with embedded derivatives, denominated in US dollars. According to Sorchai Sunetta, CFA and Deputy Head of High Net Worth and Affluent Banking at Siam Commercial Bank, the initiative aims to provide WEALTH clients with convenient access to offshore assets through dedicated financial advisors trained to international standards, with comprehensive product offerings available through the InnovestX platform.

This approach reflects SCB WEALTH's commitment to elevating the international investment experience, enabling clients to manage portfolios that better mirror global asset structures across geographic diversification, currency risk management, and exposure to long-term global economic growth themes. Against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty—from Middle Eastern conflicts affecting energy-dependent economies to volatile interest rates driven by central bank policy challenges and competing pressures of inflation and economic growth—portfolios have become increasingly complex. Many countries also face elevated sovereign debt burdens, making comprehensive portfolio strategy essential.

Despite these challenges, compelling investment opportunities exist in foreign markets, particularly in sectors and countries benefiting from technology and AI advancement, most of which are located overseas. WEALTH investors can leverage offshore investment strategies to diversify currency risk through foreign-currency-denominated assets while efficiently accessing growth-oriented opportunities.

SCB WEALTH currently offers two main categories of offshore foreign asset investment products: (1) Foreign mutual funds established by global asset management companies (Offshore Funds) offering WEALTH clients access to premier global funds covering diverse assets and investment strategies in US dollars; and (2) Offshore Structured Notes—investment instruments with embedded derivatives designed to align payoff structures with market outlook and client risk tolerance, issued by foreign financial institutions and distributed through the bank's platform and InnovestX.

Example products include Callable Inverse Floaters that provide interest rate-inverse returns, Fixed Coupon Notes (FCN) paying fixed returns tied to various securities, Knock-in Knock-Out (KIKO) notes with principal and returns tied to underlying assets like stock prices, and Shark Fin Notes (SFN) offering principal protection.

Thailand's Taekwondo Association has set a goal to capture one gold medal at the 20th Asian Games, while the Thai Sports Authority supports measures to help the national team reduce injuries during training and ensure athletes are fully prepared before competition.

Thailand's taekwondo team will compete in the 20th Asian Games taking place September 19 to October 4, 2025, in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The association is sending 10 athletes total—8 in sparring competition and 2 in poomsae (forms). The sparring team is led by Yu Ballangk Thabtimdan, who won a gold medal in the men's 63-kilogram division at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, and will compete in the men's 68-kilogram division this time.

Recently, Thanathit Raktabut, secretary-general of Thailand's Taekwondo Association, announced that the team will compete at two events in Chuncheon, South Korea: the World Cup Team Championship series (July 14-16, 2025) and the Korea Open (July 18-22, 2025), before returning to Thailand for another two months of training. The association aims for one gold medal from sparring and one bronze medal from poomsae.

Thanadit further noted that throughout training camp, the Thai Sports Authority has provided comprehensive support, including sports science oversight and sports psychologists to work with athletes. A collaboration between the association and Mahidol University, supported by the Thai Sports Authority, has implemented a program analyzing athlete injury data with specialist doctors providing close care. "When we know where athletes are injured, we can customize training plans for each person," he said. "This program has been in use for over two months and has proven invaluable, enabling athletes to arrive at these Asian Games in optimal condition."

Taekwondo competition at the 20th Asian Games runs October 1-3, 2025, with 11 gold medals available: 8 in sparring, 2 in poomsae, and 1 in virtual taekwondo.

Thailand's 10-member taekwondo team comprises 8 sparring athletes: Siriwich Mahammad (58kg men), Yu Ballangk Thabtimdan (68kg men), Kritayachon Prompatchai (80kg men), Jack Woody Mercer (87kg+ men), Patchrakanya Pulkoed (49kg women), Nattakamol Wasana (57kg women), Sashikarn Thongjanthor (67kg women), and Kanyaluk Chunsukklin (67kg+ women), coached by Saichhai Che. The two poomsae athletes are Navin Pintasutr (men's single) and Thitaree Kaewolararawasu (women's single), coached by Lee Nah Yeon.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is inviting tourists to explore two exceptional national parks in Ranong province: Mu Ko Ranong National Park and Khlong Kraburi National Park, highlighting their ecotourism appeal.

Mu Ko Ranong National Park, formerly named Mu Ko Payam National Park until 2010, covers 356.70 square kilometers and is managed by two ranger stations on Koh Chang and Koh Sai Dam islands. Located on Thailand's Andaman coast, the park features extensive mangrove forests recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997—Thailand's fourth such designation and the world's first mangrove biosphere reserve. It is also under consideration for designation as a natural world heritage site protecting the Andaman marine conservation area.

Key attractions include Koh Chang (Turtle Bay), Koh Khom, Koh Thalu, nature trails, and a giant mangrove tree over 200 years old standing approximately 30 meters tall with a circumference of about 2 meters—Thailand's largest dwarf mangrove specimen. The park offers kayaking through mangrove scenery, accommodation, and camping facilities.

For waterfall enthusiasts, Khlong Kraburi National Park in Ranong is a must-visit destination. Covering 169.49 square kilometers, it was established in 1999 and spans three districts. The park's landscape features three distinct zones: the Kraburi River (Thailand's border with Myanmar), mangrove forests along riverbanks and islands, and wet evergreen forests including three national forest reserves.

The park's main attraction is Phunyaban Waterfall, a three-tiered cascade flowing from a small stream within the La-Un-Ratchakrut National Forest Reserve, easily accessible from the main highway. Recently, both Phunyaban Waterfall and Haad Yai Hot Spring received excellent-level tourist destination quality certification from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.