Editor's Note: The following article is written by H.E. Mr. Zhang Jianwei, the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 51st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand.

July 1, 2026 marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 51st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand.

Over the past 105 years of trials and hardships, the Communist Party of China has led the Chinese people in achieving a great leap from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong, and has brought about two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. In particular, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China has historically eradicated absolute poverty, comprehensively entered a stage of high-quality development, and steadily maintained its position as the world's second largest economy. Its international influence has been significantly enhanced, deeply interconnected and mutually reinforcing with the rest of the world, continuously creating broad development opportunities for Thailand and other countries across the globe.

The Communist Party of China has always pursued an independent foreign policy of peace. It is dedicated to pursuing happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation and human progress and world harmony. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, China is committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind, actively implements the four major global initiatives, and advocates a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation. China is unwavering in its role as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, and a provider of public goods. It has always been a trustworthy and reliable partner for Thailand.

Concerted efforts over the past 51 years have yielded fruitful results. No matter how the international landscape has evolved, China and Thailand have always stood together and forged ahead side by side. The two countries respect each other's development paths and firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. Our mutually beneficial cooperation has yielded remarkable results. Bilateral trade volume has increased by more than 6,000 times compared with the early days of diplomatic relations. China has been Thailand's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years, and is also Thailand's largest export market for agricultural products, a major source of investment, and a leading source of tourists. The two countries have also maintained close coordination on regional and international affairs, jointly promoting peace and development, and have worked together to address risks.

At 11:00 AM on July 1, 2025, rescue workers from Thammaratmaneerat Station responded to a report of a ten-wheeler dump truck losing control and striking a garland vendor at an intersection in Muang District, Chachoengsao Province. The victim was trapped beneath the vehicle. Rescuers quickly used two hydraulic jacks to carefully lift the truck before extracting the injured man.

The victim, 50-year-old Eik (surname withheld), a garland vendor, sustained multiple injuries including a fractured right leg. After initial first aid at the scene, he was transported to Chachoengsao Hospital for detailed medical evaluation.

According to the driver, retired Sergeant Major Somneuk Hancha, former commander of Bang Nam Prio Police Station in Chachoengsao, he was heading to pick up goods in the Saensuk area when he reached the traffic intersection during a red light. He attempted to brake but found the brakes had failed. To avoid hitting other vehicles, he swerved onto the sidewalk but failed to notice the garland vendor standing in the road median and struck him with force.

Police are conducting a detailed investigation of the scene, interviewing the driver and witnesses, and inspecting the truck to determine the exact cause of the accident and take appropriate legal action.

On July 1, 2026, applicants filed nominations nationwide for Social Security Board representative positions at the Bangkok Social Security Office Area 3 in Din Daeng district, with submissions beginning early in the morning on the first day of applications.

Among the applicants was Dr. Boonruk Aranyapol, an independent candidate and leader of the "Return, Don't Ask" workers' group, running as a representative for the insured persons' faction. He was accompanied by supporters offering encouragement. Dr. Boonruk stated he aims to represent workers by proposing solutions and improving appropriate benefits through four main policies: halting the CARE formula and confirming use of a separate calculation method to protect Article 33 contributions from being forfeited when transitioning to Article 39 status; implementing the Best 60 Months policy, which uses the best 60 months as the calculation base to boost old-age pensions; pushing for three legal amendments; and launching Open SSO to make fund operations transparent through live broadcasts.

Meanwhile, a team of housewives and security guards—three members in total—filed nominations together as representatives for the insured persons' faction. They expressed their aim to represent housewives, security personnel, and all workers to reflect problems they face and improve fair benefits.

On the first day of applications, nationwide nominations showed 34 applicants for insured persons' representatives and 11 for employers' representatives. Each applicant receives a number based on application order; simultaneous applicants are assigned numbers by lottery. The Social Security Office will accept applications nationwide through July 15, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including public holidays.

Bangkok, 1 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) today marked the launch of flydubai’s new Dubai–Bangkok service, ahead of the “Amazing Thailand Takes Off with flydubai Roadshow 2026” on 7–8 July in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, reinforcing TAT’s Airline Focus strategy to expand air capacity, strengthen market access, and promote Thailand as a preferred destination for Middle East travellers.

The welcome ceremony for flight FZ 1333, which departed Dubai International Airport at 01.35 and arrived at Don Mueang International Airport at 11.25 local time, featured a flag wave on arrival and souvenir presentations to passengers and crew. Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, led the welcome together with TAT executives and representatives from flydubai and Don Mueang International Airport.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “The launch of flydubai’s Dubai–Bangkok service strengthens Thailand’s air connectivity with the Middle East and supports TAT’s quality-led long-haul market strategy. The new route provides travellers from the UAE and connecting markets with more direct access to Bangkok and onward travel options across Thailand, while creating new opportunities for Thai tourism businesses to reach visitors seeking leisure, wellness, family, and business travel experiences.”

flydubai will operate one daily Dubai–Bangkok flight before increasing to twice daily from 15 September, adding approximately 10,292 seats to Thailand through 31 August. Together with its existing Dubai–Krabi service, the airline will offer up to 28 weekly flights between Dubai and Thailand after the September increase, supporting Middle East travel demand ahead of the year-end season. The airline operates Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with Economy and Business Class, supported by codeshare connectivity with Emirates.

To convert this capacity into travel demand, the roadshow will bring some 40 Thai tourism sellers into direct business discussion with around 160 travel companies from across the UAE, with at least 900 business appointments expected. The wider joint promotion will be supported by digital and e-commerce campaigns, flydubai retail outlet promotions, a UAE sales blitz, and a September familiarisation trip to Bangkok.

The Middle East remains a high-value long-haul market for Thailand, with 188,447 arrivals from 1 January to 21 June 2026. The UAE stands out for frequent outbound travel, average expenditure above 100,000 Baht per person per trip, average stays of 10–12 nights, large family groups, strong luxury accommodation demand, and a 65% repeat-visitor rate. Demand is moving beyond leisure towards personalised, lifestyle-led travel spanning wellness, medical tourism, gastronomy, shopping, and destinations beyond major gateways.

The post Amazing Thailand Takes Off with flydubai Roadshow 2026 marks new Dubai-Bangkok flight appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

At 6:30 a.m. on July 1, 2569, Thitiphong Khumphui, customs chief of Prachuap Khiri Khan, led a joint inspection of a southern railway passenger train at Prachuap Khiri Khan station following intelligence about smuggled, tax-evading goods being transported to Bangkok. The operation aligned with urgent government policy, the Customs Department, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives' crackdown on illegal commodities.

Officers conducted thorough baggage inspections and discovered suspicious items concealed in sealed parcels with other belongings stacked on top. Upon inspection, they found five wild boar carcasses, butchered into pieces totaling 250 kilograms, without import documentation or animal movement permits. They also seized eight cases of premium foreign spirits and wine containing 96 bottles, along with eight more cases, with combined damages exceeding 350,000 baht and no evidence of tax payment or proper customs clearance.

Authorities seized all contraband for prosecution under the Customs Act 2560, Excise Tax Act 2560, and the Animal Epidemic Act 2558. The animal remains will be transferred to the Department of Livestock for legal proceedings. Investigators are expanding their inquiry to identify and prosecute the masterminds and accomplices.

The Prachuap Khiri Khan customs, excise, and animal quarantine offices reaffirmed their commitment to suppressing tax-evading goods that damage the economy and public health. They are coordinating with multiple agencies including the military, police, civil administration, animal quarantine, plant inspection, fisheries, food and drug, and disease control checkpoints to intensify surveillance of vulnerable points along rail, road, and postal routes.

LINE MAN Wongnai CEO Yod Chinsupakul announced that the "Thai Helps Thai Plus (60/40)" subsidy program saw over 1.2 million participants using the delivery service between June 15-28, 2025, demonstrating strong uptake of the spending stimulus measure. Order values in late June increased more than 15% compared to the program's first day.

"The response in the first two weeks shows the measure genuinely stimulates everyday spending, with users averaging approximately 450 baht per person, creating continuous cash flow to restaurants nationwide," Chinsupakul stated.

Platform data revealed that consumers prioritized main meal categories, with single-dish meals, curry rice, and noodles dominating preferences. Crispy basil pork rice ranked as the top-selling dish in the program's first month, followed by chicken rice, boat noodles, and fermented pork sausage salad.

In beverages, matcha latte emerged as a popular choice, overtaking traditional Thai tea—suggesting the subsidy enabled consumers to purchase higher-priced items more freely.

As the government allocated an additional 1,000 baht in vouchers for July, LINE MAN announced expanded promotions including up to 5,000 baht in combined discounts and 5-kilometer free delivery zones to further reduce living costs and encourage restaurant spending.

The Thai Helps Thai Plus program remains available through delivery services until September 30, 2025, with users selecting participating restaurants and paying through the Pao Tang application according to program terms.