Superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he has not yet made a decision about his future with the Portuguese national team, offering his congratulations to Luka Modrić following Portugal's 2-1 victory over Croatia in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 on July 3rd.

Reports had suggested Ronaldo would retire from international football after this World Cup, based on statements made by his sister Katia Aveiro. However, Ronaldo recently addressed the matter in an interview, saying: "I don't make hasty decisions. I will decide after the competition ends, not right now."

The 41-year-old striker also spoke about Luka Modrić, his former Real Madrid teammate who is expected to play in what could be his final World Cup. "I've played with Modrić for many years," Ronaldo said. "I'm pleased to see him still performing at the highest level. I told him congratulations, Luka, and I wish him the best of luck in the future of his career."

Highway police intercepted and arrested a group of Chinese nationals illegally entering Thailand who were suspected of involvement with a scamming operation. The suspects had disguised themselves among regular passengers on a southern tour bus to evade official scrutiny. On July 3, Police Major General Porsak Laorujiralai ordered officers led by Police Colonel Phakphol Suchart and Police Lieutenant Colonel Klai Sambatphibun to conduct the operation. Four suspects were successfully arrested at a checkpoint outside the Tha Sae Highway Police public service unit in Tha Khaam subdistrict, Tha Sae district, Chumphon province.

The operation began after informants reported that four Chinese men suspected of involvement with a scamming gang were planning to enter southern Thailand by posing as tour bus passengers to avoid official inspection. Officers set up surveillance along various routes until they spotted a tour bus matching the informants' description. They stopped the vehicle at the Tha Sae checkpoint to conduct thorough passenger inspections.

When questioned, the four suspects could not produce passports or legal residency documents for Thailand. During interrogation, all four confessed to entering Thailand without authorization and without proper legal documentation.

The suspects were initially charged with entering and remaining in Thailand without permission and have been handed over to Tha Sae Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Mukdahan Hospital reported that Phra Bhikkhu Sakon Khlangsungnoen, who sustained critical injuries and was being treated in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), passed away at 9 p.m. on July 2, 2024, bringing the death toll to 10 monks. The hospital has transferred Phra Bhikkhu Somkiat Maneepattanachy, also critically injured, to Sarophit Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani for specialized care after medical teams determined he required expert treatment. The hospital expressed deep condolences to the deceased monks and sent support to the injured, their families, and all those affected. Medical teams continue to closely monitor the injured, particularly the critically wounded, while police continue their investigation to pursue legal action and coordinate compensation efforts for victims.

The government is inviting all employers and insured workers to register immediately to vote in the Social Security Board election on September 27 this year through three channels: the Social Security Office website, the SSO Plus application, or in-person registration at Social Security offices by July 15. Deputy Government Spokesperson Pattarasus Tongsluaykorn explained that elected representatives will directly participate in policy-making, establishing management foundations, and overseeing social security fund operations to ensure transparency and maximum effectiveness. The government aims for the election to be fair, transparent, and open, bringing in a new board to drive policies on healthcare, pensions, and sustainable fund management. The spokesperson noted that this election is expected to attract double the usual number of candidates, with an estimated 400-plus applicants from the insured workers' side and over 130 from the employers' side. All candidates must be active employers or insured workers who have consistently contributed for at least 36 months from July 2023 to June 2026, and the government has imposed strict qualifications barring individuals with conflicts of interest, government officials, and political party members from running. Among the 11 million eligible insured voters, only about 600,000 have registered so far, while only about 4,000 of the 400,000 eligible employers have registered.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's superstar forward, has set a record as the oldest player to ever score in a World Cup knockout round at 41 years and 147 days old. Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot to earn Portugal a 1-1 draw against Croatia in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 on July 3rd. The record-breaking goal is Ronaldo's first in a knockout stage after six World Cup appearances. At 41 years old, Ronaldo has also become the first footballer to score more than 25 goals combined in World Cup and European Championship tournaments.

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup match held at Toronto Stadium in the United States on the morning of July 3, 2026, Portugal faced Croatia in the final round of 32. Both teams battled fiercely, with Croatia seizing the initiative to take a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute through Ivan Perisic's goal. Portugal subsequently intensified their attack, and in the 68th minute, they were awarded a penalty kick, which Cristiano Ronaldo converted without error to equalize the match at 1-1. After the scores were level, the game became increasingly open.