On June 29, Surapong Intharawat, Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), announced progress in the investigation of state officials accused of misconduct and corruption in connection with a 2025 local government recruitment exam scheme. The alleged fraud involved rigging recruitment tests to favor certain contractors and candidates, enabling over 3,000 individuals to be hired as local government employees in exchange for bribes starting at 300,000 baht each.

The NACC office stated that it has completed preliminary investigations and compiled evidence to present to the commission for formal inquiry and prosecution within the coming week. The case involves charges of officials performing or failing to perform their duties improperly or with corruption, causing damage to the public. The NACC will coordinate with investigation officers on related offenses including document forgery and false data entry under the 2017 Computer Crime Act.

Parallel investigations into the financial transactions and asset audits of those involved are underway. The commission will cooperate with any fact-finding committee established by the Ministry of Interior. The NACC has set a work framework to complete the investigation within 3-6 months given the high public interest in the case. Further updates will be announced periodically.

At 2 p.m. on June 29, a reporter met with Ms. Kannika (surname withheld), 23, at an apartment building on Sai Wad Soi 3, Pak Nam subdistrict, Mueang district, Samut Prakan province. The victim presented CCTV footage, a daily record log, and medical certification showing a fractured lip after being punched by a male resident while she was holding her infant son.

Ms. Kannika explained that on June 28 around midday, while she was resting in her room with her young son, the child suddenly woke startled by noise. The male resident from the same building was talking loudly on his phone on the stairwell leading to the second floor without concern for others. Disturbed that her sleeping child had awakened, she muttered insults out loud in frustration. The man apparently heard her, interpreted it as directed at him, and came to her room door cursing at her with crude language. When she came out to speak with him, a heated argument ensued. Without warning, he struck her face violently while she was still holding her baby in her arms, showing no concern that the child could be harmed if she fell.

After the incident, she went to Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station to file a complaint and request action against the man. However, after police called the man in for questioning, they told her that she was at fault for cursing at him first. Shocked and confused, she tried to explain that the man's loud phone call had startled her sleeping child, but police dismissed her explanation. They even warned her that if she pursued the case in court, she would still be found at fault.

Felt unjustly treated—struck and bleeding yet deemed responsible—she is appealing through the media to senior police officials at Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station for justice and intends to pursue the case against the perpetrator to the fullest extent.

A man from Kunming, Yunnan province, China posted a complaint on June 28 after his luxury red Ferrari, valued at 3.6 million yuan (approximately 17.6 million baht), was damaged by four children climbing and playing on it. The car owner explained that while he was away on business, he parked his vehicle in a designated parking area. Upon returning, he noticed scratch marks and checked security camera footage, which showed four children climbing onto the car's roof and gleefully sliding down for several minutes. He immediately returned to inspect the damage and found numerous scratches—both short and long—along with a cracked bumper, totaling at least 14 damage points concentrated on the roof and front fender area. After reporting the incident and attempting mediation with the children's parents, the parents initially offered only a few hundred yuan before increasing their offer to 1,000 yuan (approximately 4,800 baht), and finally proposing a total compensation of 5,000 yuan (approximately 24,000 baht). The car owner felt the parents were not genuinely taking responsibility and decided to pursue legal action, demanding full repair costs. The car has already been serviced twice with expenses approaching 30,000 yuan (approximately 146,000 baht). Many internet users have shown support for the car owner's decision to pursue legal action, with comments such as "They must pay in full," "Don't let disobedient children off the hook so easily," and "Children behave badly because parents don't discipline them, so parents must take full responsibility."

ANG THONG — 29 June 2026, A rare Garuda sculpture in a flying posture has been found at a temple hall in Ang Thong, drawing attention for its unusual design. Unlike traditional depictions of the mythical figure in seated or standing poses, this soaring Garuda is believed to be one of a kind. A temple official has revealed some of its history, but the reason behind its distinctive design remains known only to the artisan.

On Monday, reporters visited Sri Maha Pho Temple in Rong Chang subdistrict, Pa Mok district, Ang Thong province, to inspect the striking stucco sculpture, estimated to be around 60 to 70 years old. The "Flying Garuda" is positioned on the pediment of the temple's refectory and stands out from the more common seated or standing Garuda figures typically seen in Thai religious architecture.

The temple's abbot and Ecclesiastical Sub-district Head of Bang Sadet, Phra Kru Viboon Photharangkan, said the Garuda sculpture has been in place for many decades. According to historical records, it dates back to the tenure of a former abbot. While other parts of the temple have undergone renovations over the years, the refectory housing the Flying Garuda has remained unchanged.

An 87-year-old lay administrator at the temple said the refectory featuring the Flying Garuda, also referred to as the "Swooping Garuda," is likely at least 50 years old. He recalled watching the sculpture being created in his youth during the tenure of Abbot Phra Sansoen. According to him, it was crafted by an artisan named Krit, although the reason the craftsman chose to depict the Garuda in a flying posture remains unknown.

Former Fine Arts Department director-general Anek Sihamat said the area surrounding Sri Maha Pho Temple was an ancient settlement dating from the late Ayutthaya period to the early Rattanakosin era. Traces of historic religious structures remain visible today, including an ancient chedi, or stupa, behind the temple and temple bases decorated with Ayutthaya-period stucco crown motifs.

Regarding the refectory's pediment, Anek explained that royal artisans traditionally depicted Garuda figures in either seated or standing postures, making flying depictions extremely rare. He believes the Flying Garuda was the work of a local folk artisan who wanted to create a unique interpretation. As seen on the pediment, the Garuda is portrayed soaring with both feet raised while holding a naga, a mythical serpent, between its legs.

Garuda sculptures placed on temple pediments are traditionally believed to protect sacred buildings from harm, symbolise divine power and represent the official royal emblem of the Thai monarchy. The refectory also bears the inscription "Traimit Upatham."

BANGKOK — 29 June 2026, Türkiye's ambassador to Thailand said Ankara hopes the Royal Thai Navy will consider Turkish frigate proposals as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral defense ties, while stressing that Türkiye respects Thailand's procurement decision and is applying no pressure.

Speaking at the Turkish Embassy on Sathorn Road, Ambassador Jülide Kayihan said Türkiye is seeking closer military cooperation with Thailand after expanding defense ties with Indonesia and Malaysia.

She said Türkiye's defense industry manufactures a broad range of military equipment, including frigates, tanks, armored vehicles, fighter aircraft, integrated air defense systems, drones and missiles. The equipment has been deployed by the Turkish military and meets NATO standards, as Türkiye is a member of the alliance.

The ambassador said Türkiye is aware that the Royal Thai Navy is evaluating proposals for a new frigate program. While Ankara hopes Turkish companies will be given the opportunity to cooperate with the Thai military, it fully respects Thailand's decision-making process.

One of the bidders, Turkish state-owned defense company ASFAT, has offered to build the frigates entirely in Thailand, along with transferring the ship design license. The proposal includes full technology transfer, allowing Thailand to independently construct future vessels of the same class, as well as an offset investment program.

Another Turkish bidder, TAIS, has proposed its I-Class frigate, which is currently in service with the Turkish Navy. Indonesia has also recently ordered two I-Class frigates.

The Burapha Command denies issuing a curfew in Ban Nong Chan, clarifying that the nighttime area restriction at markers 46-47 was implemented after outsiders were found creating content in the military zone. On June 29, 2026, Maj. Gen. Natthawut Somphrom, commander of the Kok Sung Task Force, issued an urgent announcement under martial law authority prohibiting public access to military-occupied areas at markers 46-47 on the eastern side of Sri Penh Road in Ban Nong Chan, Non Makmuang subdistrict, Kok Sung district, Sakaeo province, to prevent ill-intentioned groups. Two strict measures were implemented: (1) All members of the public are banned from entering the area between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following day, and (2) Only residents with farmland may enter during daylight hours (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and must carry identification and register with officials each time. The announcement took effect immediately. Meanwhile, military engineers have accelerated installation of additional barbed wire barriers to seal off natural passages at the border checkpoint between markers 40-41 in Ban Nong Chan. The Burapha Command, First Army Region, later clarified that while the area falls under martial law, it is not technically a curfew, as curfews refer to prohibitions on leaving residences. Rather, this is an additional measure restricting access to markers 46-47 at night because outsiders have been entering to create content, necessitating this preventive security measure.