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.

Bangkok – The Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) is advancing its human development strategy by creating a comprehensive learning ecosystem that connects education, technology, and business. The initiative aims to provide young professionals opportunities to learn from real-world experience, develop their potential through actual business challenges, and grow into future leaders who can create value for their organizations, society, and country.

A key component of this strategy is the True Alpha Internship 2026 program, operated by True Corporation Public Company Limited, which implements action-based learning principles. The program transforms traditional internships into an 'Innovation Sandbox' using a Hackathon-style format. Twenty-six students were selected and divided into five cross-functional teams to work like startup teams, developing ideas, testing prototypes, and presenting solutions to real business challenges faced by CP and True, with close mentorship from executives and experts.

Recently, the program held a major milestone event titled 'True Alpha 2026: Mid-demo Pitching' at the CoE Digital & AI Innovation Lab at True Digital Park West. All five teams pitched their business innovation projects to a panel of senior executives including Dr. Thirapol Thanomsakdiyuth, Chairman of the Corporate Sustainability and Strategic Development Committee at CP; Sarinthara Wongsuphaluksana, Head of Human Resources at True Corporation; Ekkaraj Panjveenan, Head of Digital at True Corporation; and Kittipong Veeratecha, Head of Brand and Communications at True Corporation. Each team presented their projects and answered questions to refine their concepts before advancing to the final pitching round scheduled for July 30, 2026.

Dr. Thirapol Thanomsakdiyuth stated that CP's approach to developing future leaders aligns with Senior Chairman Thaninut Chearavanont's vision of creating 'leaders who develop leaders.' He emphasized that organizational sustainable growth comes not only from advanced technology but from people who are ready to learn, think critically, take action, and develop the next generation. "CP Group is creating a learning ecosystem that exposes young talent to real business challenges from the start, because we believe leadership cannot be developed in classrooms alone but through solving problems, collaborating with diverse teams, and learning from real experience," he said.

Sarinthara Wongsuphaluksana, Head of Human Resources at True Corporation, noted that the True Alpha Internship Program is distinctly different from conventional internships. It simulates a startup Hackathon work environment, giving participants the opportunity to think, create, experiment, and develop innovative solutions in a real-world context.

At 1 p.m. on July 3, 2569 at Parliament, Sirikunnya Tansakul, Pheu Thai party list MP and deputy party leader and prime ministerial candidate, addressed rumors that a backup prime minister with the abbreviation 'S.' from the Democrat Party is being held in reserve in case of political accidents, with some suggesting this could be her.

Sirikunnya stated that if this were true, it would require a massive party defection, which she does not believe is the case. She suggested that those circulating the rumors may not be aware of the 2560 Constitution, which prohibits nominating candidates outside those previously proposed during elections. Even with alternative mechanisms, she noted, extreme circumstances would be required for such an appointment, making the rumors more likely speculation than fact.

When asked whether political conflicts might be driving these rumors, Sirikunnya said that if conflicts do exist, they would more likely stem from internal divisions within the ruling coalition parties rather than other factors. She emphasized that no external event could change the prime minister except internal party conflicts.

Sirikunnya further explained that if coalition partners defect or switch sides, this would constitute a different scenario entirely, not a backup prime minister arrangement. She suggested that internal conflicts within the ruling coalition—similar to previously reported tensions between party leaders and spiritual leaders—are the more probable cause.

When pressed on whether a failed budget or rejected royal decrees could trigger a prime ministerial change, Sirikunnya responded that such circumstances would require political accountability from someone with a strong sense of integrity. She noted that Thailand's political history rarely sees prime ministers resign due to policy failures alone.

"We don't often see this in Thai politics—a prime minister resigning because of a wrong political decision," she said. "I believe internal coalition conflicts are the primary driver, or if anything changes, it would more likely stem from disputes among coalition partners. The budget situation is one indicator of this."

Sirikunnya acknowledged that coalition partners whose budgets were reduced may harbor some dissatisfaction, as some line items were cut without opportunity for revision. She explained that once the budget passes the cabinet and public hearing phase, there is typically room for adjustments, but this round appears to have had a tight schedule with no subsequent revisions, leaving some coalition ministers with significant budget cuts and no chance to address them.

Regarding a shadow cabinet meeting planned for next week, Sirikunnya noted that many issues need consideration, as one meeting was skipped. However, topics for July 8 consideration would need to be selected carefully, including matters of local administration fraud and proposals to reduce future corruption risks in local personnel management.

Justice Minister General Rutthapol Naovorat denied evading opposition lawmakers' questions at Government House on July 3, 2569, after Democrat Party MP Pritsth Wattrasindhu alleged he avoided answering live parliamentary questions about the Senate election fraud probe being handled by the DSI. Rutthapol clarified that over the past three days he had been occupied with pre-scheduled meetings on the 2570 fiscal year budget bill, preventing his attendance at the parliamentary session. Regarding the live verbal question about the Senate case, Rutthapol noted that while such questions are typically urgent matters, the issue in question had occurred two years ago and could have been scheduled in advance. When asked if the Senate election case contains additional issues beyond those questioned, Rutthapol stated he lacked detailed knowledge because he operates at the policy level and suggested inquiring directly with responsible officials.

Zhao Hua and her sister operate a cozy café in Mengla County, Yunnan Province in southwestern China, selling coffee beans from their own farm while proudly preserving Wa ethnic cultural heritage. Café visitors can watch traditional Wa women demonstrate weaving, an ancient craft passed down for generations.

Zhao's parents were among the first to plant coffee in the county. She named her brand "Picar Coffee" to honor a beloved pickup truck that traveled mountain roads transporting fresh coffee beans, furniture, sugar cane, and other goods—reflecting the simple, hardworking spirit of local people.

Picar Coffee is now a favorite on Mengla's specialty coffee street. Zhao's viral videos have introduced this remote border town and its local coffee to a wider audience, with her beans now exported to Japan, Australia, and many other countries.

Mengla's coffee connection began in 1958 and expanded seriously in the 1980s. Li Meiying, secretary and director of the Mengla County Tea and Bioresources Industry Center, vividly remembers as a child watching officials and villagers terrace hillsides and plant coffee saplings. "As a child, I watched earlier officials lead everyone in planting coffee, and today I help bring our coffee to the world stage. This legacy will continue," Li said.

Among Mengla's lush hills, Guan Yong's large Lizuk Estate seamlessly combines eco-tourism, coffee culture, rural retreats, tasting experiences, and online sales. While working in Kunming, Guan tasted specialty coffee for the first time and was inspired. In 2017, he returned home and chose an unexpected path—opening a café first, then building a roastery, developing processing, and eventually creating his own Lizuk Estate. "I wanted to understand what gives coffee its true flavor," Guan explained, studying the market before tracing back to the source—the farm—enabling him to create a smart business model serving consumer needs.

From pioneering villagers terracing hillsides and planting the first coffee trees, to Li promoting the industry, to entrepreneurs like Zhao and Guan returning home to build their own brands—this is success passed from generation to generation.