British-American Tobacco (BAT), the English-American cigarette manufacturer and distributor of brands including Dunhill, Kent, and Rothmans, is preparing to lay off 5,500 positions—or one-fifth of its approximately 47,000 global workforce—as part of a major organizational restructuring aimed at reducing costs and improving operational efficiency.

According to Bloomberg, citing an internal BAT announcement, the company will lay off 5,500 employees by year-end while outsourcing 3,500 positions. BAT has partnered with Accenture to manage multiple business functions, including service centers that typically employ large numbers of staff. Positions in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Costa Rica, Mexico, Poland, Romania, and Malaysia have already been transferred to Accenture, while some operations in Pakistan have been outsourced to Systems Ltd, a Pakistani technology and business services company.

The reported layoff figures do not include BAT's U.S. operations, which operate through subsidiary Reynolds American. BAT faces declining demand for traditional cigarettes in many global markets while needing to invest in alternative nicotine products that are gaining consumer popularity as more smokers seek to quit. Like competitor Philip Morris International, BAT aims to generate more than half its revenue from smoke-free nicotine products such as the Vuse e-cigarette and Velo nicotine pouches.

The restructuring also involves closing traditional cigarette manufacturing plants. In January, BAT announced it had closed its eighth cigarette factory in South Africa due to illegal trade competition. The company forecasts a 2 percent decline in global cigarette industry volume this year. BAT's Chief Financial Officer Javed Iqbal stated in February that artificial intelligence and data analytics tools will also impact staffing levels. The company expects to complete most of its cost-reduction plan, valued at approximately 500 million pounds, within the coming year.

Rung Khao (Lanlaa Tharavidee), a 21-year-old Thai tennis player ranked 99th in the world, delivered an outstanding performance by defeating Austria's Lilly Tackett 2-1 sets to reach the second round of Wimbledon for the first time at the 2026 Grand Slam tournament held in England on June 29.

Lanlaa became the fourth Thai female player to reach the main draw round of a Grand Slam after Tamarine Tanasugarn, Luksika Kumkhum, and Mananchaya Sawangkaew. The two players had previously met at the 2026 Australian Open in January, where Lanlaa dominated with a 2-0 set victory (6-3, 6-0).

This match saw both players compete at a high level. The first set went to a tiebreak where Lanlaa prevailed 7-6 (7-3) to take a 1-0 set lead. The second set was equally competitive until Tackett mounted a comeback to win 7-5, forcing a decisive third set.

The third set proved grueling before Lanlaa secured victory 6-4. She ultimately won the match 7-6 (7-3), 5-7, 6-4, making history as she advanced to the Wimbledon second round for the first time while earning approximately 5.5 million baht in prize money.

Lanlaa faces a tough challenge in her next match against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who defeated Serbia's Teodora Kostovic (ranked 182nd) 2-0 sets.

Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Wariratana wore a Thai Amarin dress while attending an official reception ceremony at Hôtel des Invalides in France on June 29, 2026. Hôtel des Invalides is a large historic complex built since the 17th century during the reign of King Louis XIV to honor and provide care for war veterans, serving as an important historical and military site of the French Republic. Within the complex are the Cathédrale Saint-Louis-des-Invalides, the cathedral of the French military, and the Dôme des Invalides, which houses the tomb of Emperor Napoleon I. This location is considered a symbol of the highest military honor used by the French government for state ceremonies welcoming foreign leaders. Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana wore a slate-colored Thai Amarin dress with embroidered raised flowers decorated with hand-stitched sequins, designed by national artist Thirapan Wannarat of Tirapan boutique, with makeup by Phuthada Phothammachat and hairstyling by Sompon Thirin.

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Phuket – A coordinated anti-drug operation has resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of narcotics and assets valued at more than 300,000 baht. The operation began with a formal assembly of more than 50 officers at Chalong Police Station. The gathering was presided over by Pol. Lt. Col. Kittikhun Puangnakphan, a […] Three People Arrested with Drugs and Assets Worth Over 300,000 Baht Seized in Chalong  -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

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Phuket — On Monday (June 29th) Phuket officially welcomed its new governor, Mr. Chotnarin Kerdsom, as he assumed office today. Accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Paveerisa Kerdsom, President of the Provincial Interior Housewives Association, the governor arrived at the Phuket Provincial Hall to begin his duties. Our previous story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/06/16/sudden-transfer-ordered-for-phuket-governor/ The Thai Cabinet approved a […] Phuket Welcomes New Governor -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

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Phuket — Deputy Transport Minister Sornpetch Boonyamanee reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the long-awaited Kathu–Patong Expressway, announcing that the project is expected to reach the Cabinet for consideration in the fourth quarter of 2026. During a field visit to Phuket this afternoon, Mr. Sornpetch inspected progress on transport infrastructure, including the deep-sea port development, […] Kathu–Patong Tunnel Project Moves Closer to Approval -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.