Proudpran Samanmit, deputy director of the Sports Authority of Thailand's professional sports and boxing division, along with Nathapol Antrasena, director of the Boxing Committee's office, announced a pilot program for safe youth boxing for children under 15 years old. A demonstration of youth boxing matches featuring protective head guards and elbow pads was held at the Central Zone event of the Thai Boxing Heritage Tournament in Ang Thong Province on July 3rd.

Samanmit stated that current boxing legislation already mandates protective equipment for fighters under 15. Given the recent surge in youth boxing interest, the committee organized this pilot program to ensure proper and safe practices with protective gear. She acknowledged that additional legal matters require discussion, noting that while youth boxing has existed for a long time, authorities must find common ground that protects children while advancing Thai boxing.

"We will continue public outreach and consult with the human rights commission, presenting medical and sports science data," she said. "Youth boxing must develop but remain safe with proper protective equipment for those under 15. We have distributed equipment across regional sports authorities. Boxing community acceptance may come gradually as practitioners adjust to wearing protection. This requires everyone to consider our children's welfare."

Nathapol endorsed the policy, explaining that the Boxing Committee has distributed equipment nationwide and adjusted protective gear to suit boxers' ages. The committee established age restrictions: children under 7 are banned from boxing; ages 7-10 may box with rounds reduced to one-and-a-half minutes with two-minute rest periods; over 10 years old may box three rounds of two minutes with required protective gear. He emphasized that developing youth from early ages, particularly ages 8-11, is critical for proper athletic foundation.

Nathapol concluded that further discussions with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security are needed, with boxing professionals providing input before drafting new legislation. The goal is unified acceptance from all parties while ensuring Thai boxing advances and children remain safe.

Iran held funeral ceremonies on July 4 for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader of Iran, who died at age 86 following an airstrike at the onset of conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran. Khamenei's coffin was displayed at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran for public mourning. It remains unclear whether current Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei will attend his father's funeral. Millions of people are expected to take to the streets in a display similar to the 1989 funeral of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Iran deliberately chose July 4—the 250th anniversary of American independence—to begin the multi-day funeral ceremonies. U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, claimed the U.S. had handled Iran "smoothly" and said they gave Iran a week to conduct the funeral. Meanwhile, crowds in Tehran chanted "Death to America!" and some called for revenge, with mourners carrying large flags bearing anti-American slogans.

Dr. Rawiwan Phurideach, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and chair of the environmental impact assessment committee for the Landbridge project, led a team of experts and government representatives to Ranong and Chumphon provinces on July 3-4, 2026. The committee gathered factual information and environmental data to review the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the transport infrastructure project linking the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea.

The inspection began in Ranong, where the committee heard concerns from Laem Son National Park officials before surveying Koh Khai Bay and Ranong Port to assess marine resources, ecosystems, and community land use. In Chumphon, officials traced the project corridor, evaluating land conditions, land use patterns, environmental impacts, and potential effects on local residents. The team also assessed measures to protect rare and endangered wildlife species along the proposed rail and highway routes, particularly in sensitive conservation areas.

Dr. Rawiwan stated that the environmental committee, one of three subcommittees under a vice-prime-ministerial-chaired panel, has responsibility for comprehensive environmental impact review. The committee examined both coastal zones subject to marine reclamation and inland areas along the proposed routes, with particular attention to protected areas. Field findings will be compiled into academic recommendations and mitigation measures to protect natural resources, ecosystems, and community livelihoods while supporting infrastructure development that creates sustainable economic opportunities.

GMM Grammy is sending Thailand's leading artists to perform at Thai Festival 2026 in Yangon, with a lineup including Ice Saranyu, Prae Chana, Gung Kanin, Drym'on Nichchakul, Surf Patchr, Jaa Pbthum, Boon Nopnath, and Prem Vorawut. The company is creating a powerful T-POP phenomenon that crosses borders, with Ice Saranyu and Prae Chana representing GMM Music, Gung and Drym'on from Channel 31, and Surf, Jaa, Boon, and Prem from GMM TV. The festival, organized by the Thai Embassy in Yangon in collaboration with GMM Grammy, Channel 31, and GMM TV, showcases Thai soft power including culture, food, music, and products at the Novotel Yangon Max hotel.

The event features numerous activities including Thai cultural performances, Thai product exhibitions, and shows by beloved artists. Ice Saranyu and rising star Prae Chana delivered screaming performances with nonstop dancing, while Gung and Drym'on teamed up to deliver powerful vocals and entertain fans with singing and dancing. Young actors Surf, Jaa, Boon, and Prem participated in exclusive interviews and surprise performances, creating warm moments as fans waited since early morning.

A major highlight was the "T-Pop Star Challenge, Myanmar Season 3," the largest Thai music singing competition in Myanmar, with Ice, Prae, and Gung serving as judges in the semifinals and finals. All three judges praised the contestants' Thai singing abilities.

Ice Saranyu expressed: "I'm honored to be part of Thai Festival 2026 in Yangon and to meet Burmese fans. I'm grateful to the Thai Embassy for including me in this significant Thailand-Myanmar event, and especially to judge T-Pop Star Challenge Season 3. I'm impressed and proud that Burmese people sing Thai songs so well, with great emotion and excellent performances."

Prae Chana shared: "It's an honor to judge this year's T-Pop Star Challenge, now in its third year. Being a judge reminds me of my own competition days. I'm impressed with all contestants' command of Thai language, both in singing and communication. It's wonderful to see a contestant sing one of my songs."

Gung and Drym'on expressed their joy at participating in the event.

Thailand's national women's ice hockey team arrived in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China on July 3, 2025, to participate in a training and exchange program running through July 16. The visit came following a formal invitation from the Heilongjiang Province Sports Bureau.

The program was coordinated and supported by the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association, which played a critical role in connecting Thai and Heilongjiang sports agencies. The initiative gives Thai female athletes the chance to train in a standard facility, learn China's athlete development methods, and build the foundation for long-term ice hockey cooperation between Thailand and China.

This visit is more than a training camp for Thailand's national women's team—it marks the beginning of a comprehensive long-term partnership. Plans include signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU), organizing official friendly matches in Thailand, exchanging coaching staff, developing youth programs, and collaborating on sports science initiatives.

The Thai Ice Hockey Association prioritizes athlete welfare and is committed to providing female athletes with proper, safe, and standard training environments. This program represents another major step in systematically developing Thailand's national women's team at all levels.

Both the Thai Ice Hockey Association and the Chinese Ice Hockey Association are members of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), reflecting development of the sport under international standards. Looking ahead, Thailand's Ice Hockey Association and the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association will work with Heilongjiang's foreign affairs office, sports bureau, mass sports promotion center, ice hockey association, and Harbin's sports authority to implement a three-year ice hockey development plan covering youth training, men's and women's national teams, coaching development, sports science, and continuous bilateral exchanges.

The Mexican Football Federation has confirmed that all national team players must return Rolex watches given to them by SteveWillDoIt, an American YouTuber and gambler, citing potential violations of official team sponsor rights. The federation also faces potential investigation by FIFA.

SteveWillDoIt won $2 million from betting on Mexico's victory over Ecuador and spent approximately $1 million on Rolex watches for players and coaching staff, which he delivered to the team's training camp before Mexico's Round of 16 match against England.

While the gift initially appeared to be typical influencer content, the Mexican Football Federation objected because the organization has Hublot, a luxury watch brand, as an official sponsor—creating a clear conflict of interest.

Mexico has now issued an official statement on social media confirming that players have reached a "mutual agreement" to return the watches. Additionally, FIFA has raised concerns about how an outsider was allowed access to the Mexican national team's training facility in the first place.