Singer Cham Chamrampai has signed a contract renewal with Grammy Gold Records, marking 29 years with the record label that launched his successful career. "This contract means a lot to me," Chamrampai said. "It's been 29 years with this label. I went from being nobody to becoming 'Cham Chamrampai,' and I'm still 'Cham Chamrampai' under Grammy Gold. I ask for your continued support and love."

The renewal demonstrates the enduring loyalty between artist and label, having grown together for nearly three decades. Chamrampai also announced he is preparing new music for fans, with releases coming soon. He remains committed to creating quality work to thank his devoted listeners.

On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Mahachulalongkornraj University in Wang Noi District, Ayutthaya Province, held its sixth university council meeting for 2026 to consider the succession of its rector. Phraprombat Wachiratheeracharya (Somjin Sammapanyo), the current rector whose four-year term concludes this year, was unanimously reappointed for another term. He has dedicated himself to Buddhist religious work, particularly in academic affairs, education, and monastic university development.

Now 65 years old with 44 Buddhist years of ordination, he serves as assistant abbot of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, deputy head of the Bali Sangha, deputy head of the 5th Buddhist region, and rector of Mahachulalongkornraj University. Originally named Somjin Vanjanthorn, he was born on September 28, 1960, in Ban Guangngoi, Lam Plai Mat District, Buriram Province. He completed primary school at age 12, then ordained at Wat Ban Kaert in 1974, later transferring to Wat Sao Hai in Saraburi Province where he studied Pali Buddhist texts and earned the titles of second and first class Tham scholar.

In 1976, he moved to Wat Chai Chumpol Chana Songkhram in Kanchanaburi to study Pali, achieving the rank of seven-verse Pali scholar. In 1978, he transferred to Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen. In 1982, after earning his nine-verse Pali scholar rank, he was ordained as a fully-fledged monk, receiving the ecclesiastical name Sammapanyo.

He later earned a Bachelor of Arts from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in 1989, a Master's degree in Buddhist Studies from Mahachulalongkornraj University in 1991, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Banaras Hindu University, India, in 1994. Upon completing his doctorate, he joined Mahachulalongkornraj University's academic affairs office. His career progressed steadily: in 1997 he became director of academic affairs, in 1998 dean of the Graduate College, and in 2006 vice rector for academic affairs.

In 2013, he was appointed professor of Buddhist Studies in the Faculty of Buddhist Studies. In 2016, he became secretary of the Bali Sangha. He has devoted himself fully to religious work, particularly academic and educational endeavors. He has authored numerous academic works and books, including "The Development of Buddhist Ethics," "The Development of Ancient Indian Thought," and "Mahayana Buddhism." He has written extensive scholarly articles on topics such as Vajrayana analysis, metaphysical problems, Monastic Discipline, Madhyamaka philosophy, and Buddhist logic. His research includes studies on Buddhist ethics, Thai Tripitaka dictionary, and Buddhist principles integration for administrative development. In 2003, he received the royal award for contributions to Buddhism.

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.