The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation organized a media tour promoting ecotourism destinations in national parks across Chumphon and Ranong provinces from June 29 to July 1, 2025. Led by Director-General Arthapol Charoenchansai, the delegation visited Ngao Waterfall National Park with media representatives, guided by park chief Chalit Sinrojthanakorn.

Visitors explored the Prang hot mineral springs, a natural thermal bathing site with temperatures between 40-44°C, featuring pristine, odorless water. The facility offers private relaxation zones with amenities including botanical walkways, pavilions, restaurants, and 17 natural mineral pools.

Sinrojthanakorn noted the park's continuous development in sustainable tourism, earning the Friendly Design Award 2024 for "Tourism for All" and Green National Park certification at the highest gold level for environmental management excellence.

The Ngao Waterfall National Park spans 417,500 rai (668 square kilometers) across Ranong and Chumphon provinces. It serves as a crucial watershed source and biodiversity hotspot, notably home to the Royal Crab (Phricotelphusa sirindhorn), a newly discovered species found nowhere else globally, distinguished by pure white carapace and claws with purple-black eye sockets. The park also harbors Dara Philastra, a newly identified plant species with striking star-shaped flowers of 6-7 petals, and other rare orchids including Ranong's provincial flower that blooms in early year.

A shocking accident occurred along the Mukdahan-Ubon Ratchathani road in Na Si Nuea subdistrict, Mukdahan province, when an 11-year-old boy took his parents' pickup truck without permission and lost control, crashing into a Buddhist alms-gathering procession. The collision resulted in 10 monks' deaths and numerous injuries.

On July 3, 2569, Tueanjai Kongsombat, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, revealed on a news program that a multidisciplinary team met following the incident to determine appropriate welfare protections for the child.

Investigations found the boy was registered as a person with disability, classified as Type 7 disability. According to Tueanjai, the child had been registered as disabled prior to the incident. Once registered, support services related to skill development and school preparation would typically be provided. However, on the day of the accident, the child was reportedly unwell and not attending school.

"Special needs children require sensitive care. The multidisciplinary team is coordinating with legal authorities," Tueanjai stated.

Type 7 disability under Thai law refers to autism spectrum disorder, characterized by difficulties in social development, communication, language, and behavior resulting from brain abnormalities. This causes limitations in daily living, with symptoms typically evident from early childhood.

PHUKET — Police have tracked down and arrested a British tourist accused of assaulting a tuk-tuk driver in Patong after the incident went viral on social media, with immigration authorities revoking his permission to stay in Thailand.

Patong police identified the suspect as 33-year-old British national Shane Daniel Correia. Officers brought him in for questioning on Friday before proceeding with legal action on assault-related charges. Immigration police in Phuket were later notified to take action under the Immigration Act.

The case stems from an incident at around 05:00 on 2 July, when a 48-year-old tuk-tuk driver from Trang province was allegedly assaulted outside a hotel on Na Nai Road in Patong, Kathu district. The victim filed a police complaint at 06:13, saying the suspect fled the scene in a car after the attack.

Police said Correia had been granted permission to remain in Thailand for business purposes. However, authorities determined that his alleged conduct posed a threat to public safety and social order, making him a prohibited person under Section 12(7) of Thailand's Immigration Act.

On 3 July, the commander of Immigration Division 6 issued an order revoking Correia's permission to stay in the kingdom under Sections 12(7) and 36 of the Immigration Act. He was informed of his right to appeal before being handed back to Patong police and later transferred to the Phuket Immigration Detention Centre for further legal proceedings.

Police are preparing to interrogate the owner of a popular tutor center accused of defrauding applicants seeking civil service positions. The suspect falsely claimed to have connections with high-ranking government officials and promised to use various techniques to help applicants pass exams and secure positions in multiple agencies including the Ministries of Education, Public Health, and Agriculture, as well as the Department of Local Administration. Charges of 150,000-300,000 baht per client were collected, but victims discovered they were never actually placed in government positions as promised.

On July 3, 2025, Tanawat Nareerom, chairman of a volunteer assistance group, led multiple victims to Muang Buriram Police Station with supporting documents including bank transfer slips, payment photographs, loan agreements, and chat exchanges. The tutor center operation allegedly involved former teachers and senior administrators. Victims from various provinces have suffered losses dating back to 2564 (2021), with total damages exceeding millions of baht.

Investigators at Muang Buriram Police Station are accelerating interviews with victims and witnesses while gathering evidence to prepare a formal summons for the accused tutor center owner. The suspect will be interrogated and informed of charges according to legal procedures. Failure to respond to two summonses will result in an arrest warrant. Any individuals found to have participated in the scheme through evidence will face additional charges and legal prosecution. Tanawat is also preparing to file a separate civil suit in court, and victims with additional evidence are encouraged to file complaints.

Industry Minister Warawuth Silpabucha announced the formation of a joint steering committee with the Thai Chamber of Commerce to drive Thailand's industrial economy forward. Both parties have agreed to establish a directing committee to set direction, monitor results, and accelerate key industrial initiatives. They will meet every two months and establish working groups to push concrete results.

The chamber proposed seven urgent priority issues for government support: (1) Addressing declining sales in Thailand's pickup truck industry, which represents 60% of total vehicle production, employs 800,000 workers, and uses over 90% locally-sourced components, through stimulus measures and tax incentives; (2) Promoting the Made in Thailand strategy with a 200 billion baht government procurement target, expanding beyond construction to rail systems, aerospace, and medical industries; (3) Advancing Thai agricultural machinery to position the country as an ASEAN leader and address labor shortages; (4) Improving industrial waste management through new legislation and circular economy initiatives; (5) Upgrading the Buy Thai program to boost local products and help Thai manufacturers compete with imports; (6) Strengthening Thailand's halal industry competitiveness in ASEAN and global markets, where the sector grows 6.7% annually; and (7) Formalizing cooperation mechanisms through joint working groups.

Pimjai Lee-Issaranukul, chamber president, noted that Thai industry faces mounting pressure from global economic slowdown, geopolitical volatility, supply chain disruption, and rapid technological change, making this a critical juncture for economic development.

The Department of Business Development, in coordination with the Immigration Bureau, conducted inspections on July 1, 2025, at IT Square in Bangkok's Silom district, investigating two high-risk entities suspected of using Thai nominees to operate foreign-controlled businesses.

According to Poonpong Nayanagaronn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, the agencies received information from Immigration about irregular financial flows potentially linked to foreign business operations. Inspectors found evidence suggesting violations of the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542.

The first entity, registered as a Thai company on June 27, 2024, with 4 million baht capital, has 60% Thai shareholders and directors, and 40% Chinese ownership. It provides legal, accounting, tax, and company registration services. Officials discovered eight Thai and two Chinese employees, with a Chinese shareholder providing statements. Investigators found multiple indicators of nominee usage, including undocumented marital claims between Thai and Chinese shareholders, questionable business control arrangements, and irregular payment structures requiring further investigation.

The second entity, registered August 25, 2024, with identical capital structure (51% Thai, 49% Chinese ownership), offers education consulting and overseas study guidance. During inspection, no shareholders or directors were present. Thai staff reported that Chinese nationals controlled operations, while they handled only visa services. Some payments went directly to Chinese bank accounts via WeChat, suggesting nominee arrangements.

Both companies have been ordered to submit clarification and supporting documents regarding investments, capital sources, management, and business operations. If evidence confirms Thai nominees were used or that foreigners illegally operated businesses in circumvention of Thai law, the department will pursue criminal prosecution and coordinate with relevant agencies for further action. The department emphasized its commitment to preventing and suppressing nominee schemes to ensure fair business competition and protect Thai interests.