Ex-Official Flags Weaknesses in Election Commission Ruling

A former Election Commission member has identified seven critical weaknesses in the agency's ruling that allowed two senators to register in a broad business category instead of their specific trades, potentially constituting criminal misco

30 Jul Khaosod

Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, a former Election Commission member, dissected weaknesses in the Commission's qualification ruling on July 30, 2025, posted on Facebook. He argued that if the Commission made an error—whether through negligence or intent to help the candidates—it could constitute criminal misconduct by state officials acting improperly.

The case centers on whether senators Sompan Phrasak (noodle vendor) and Daeng Kongma (pork butcher) registered in the correct business category. They registered in Group 10 (other enterprises outside medium and small businesses) rather than their trade-specific categories. The Election Commission affirmed both candidates met qualifications after finding sufficient evidence.

Somchai identified seven critical weaknesses in the ruling:

1. The Commission based its decision solely on self-declaration, witness signatures, and district-level checks, with no government agency disputing qualifications.

2. Further investigation focused narrowly on whether the candidates had engaged in their trades for over 10 years, treating a 10-year record as proof of qualification.

3. The Commission failed to define Group 10 (other enterprises) under the law governing medium and small enterprises.

4. Proper interpretation of Group 10 requires referencing the 2002 Ministerial Regulation on medium and small enterprise definitions: service businesses like noodle shops classified as small (S) have up to 50 workers and assets not exceeding 50 million baht; medium (M) have 51-200 workers and 50-200 million baht in assets. Retail businesses like butcher stalls classified as small (S) have up to 15 workers and assets not exceeding 30 million baht; medium (M) have 16-30 workers and 30-60 million baht in assets.

5. Group 10 should only include enterprises that are neither small (S) nor medium (M)—meaning noodle vendors with over 200 employees and 200+ million in assets, or butchers with over 30 employees and 60+ million in assets.

6. If the Commission's ruling was erroneous due to carelessness, it constitutes negligent misconduct harming the state. If intentional aid to candidates was involved, it is criminal misconduct by state officials failing their duties.

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National

Voucher Economy Reshapes Thailand's Travel Industry

Thailand's tourism sector is leveraging e-vouchers as a sophisticated revenue management tool rather than simple discounts, with accommodation voucher purchases surging 50% as travelers increasingly plan ahead for weekday and low-season tri

30 Jul Khaosod

Macalister reports that the "Voucher Economy" is emerging as a critical strategy for Thailand's tourism sector in 2025, enabling businesses to manage revenue and drive sales without impacting standard pricing. E-voucher accommodation purchases on the platform have surged 50%, reflecting tourists' shift toward advance planning and preference for weekday and low-season travel.

Neeranuch Traichakvanit, managing director of Macalister Thailand, stated that while Thailand's tourism industry continues to grow, operators face mounting pressure to drive sales as consumers increasingly seek value and lower prices. E-vouchers have evolved beyond simple promotional tools to become sophisticated revenue management instruments, allowing businesses to optimize sales, manage demand, and sustain growth without discounting regular prices.

"Many previously viewed vouchers as mere discounts, but for operators they are demand management tools that drive sales without requiring standard price reductions," she explained. Operators now strategically deploy vouchers across different periods—boosting low-season sales, offering time-limited packages, and setting redemption conditions to increase utilization rates while preserving brand pricing integrity.

Beyond pricing, vouchers help operators forecast revenue and plan marketing and cost management more efficiently, particularly valuable for service businesses with high fixed costs like hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Consumer behavior has shifted markedly: travelers now proactively purchase vouchers for accommodations, dining, spas, and activities to budget and book at optimal times, rather than waiting for seasonal promotions.

Macalister's 2025 sales data shows accommodation voucher purchases grew 50% year-over-year, with Pattaya leading in popularity. Surveys reveal tourists increasingly favor weekday and low-season travel, indicating vouchers have become integral to travel planning rather than mere discount-seeking tools.

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National

Thai Embassy Investigates YouTuber Hlun Solo's Death in Georgia

Thai authorities are investigating the death of popular travel YouTuber Hlun Solo, whose body was found in a Georgia hotel after he went missing for two weeks. Embassy officials have traveled to Tbilisi to determine the cause of death while

30 Jul Khaosod

BANGKOK — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has expressed condolences to the family of Thai travel YouTuber Boworntat Pengsuk, known as "Hlun Solo," while Thai embassy officials have travelled to Georgia to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

Speaking at Government House on Thursday morning, Sihasak said the Foreign Ministry and the Thai Embassy in Ankara, Türkiye, which oversees consular affairs in Georgia, had dispatched officials to Tbilisi to investigate the case.

Thailand will await the completion of the Georgian investigation and a report from the Thai embassy team before reaching conclusions about the cause of death, Sihasak said.

"I would like to express my condolences to the family of the deceased. This is an unexpected incident, as Hlun had travelled to many countries," Sihasak said.

Regarding repatriation of Hlun's body, Sihasak said the process would begin once the investigation is complete, with arrangements depending on the family's wishes.

Hlun had been out of contact for more than two weeks before his body was found inside a hotel. Georgian authorities and the Thai embassy took action as soon as they learned of his disappearance, Sihasak said.

Hlun had been travelling in Georgia and continued filming content during his trip. Thai officials are monitoring the case but Georgian authorities will lead the investigation and report their findings first.

No conclusions have been reached regarding the cause of death. Reports have suggested either an attack or suicide, but Sihasak said authorities must complete their investigation first.

Responding to reports from Georgian media claiming the death was a suicide, Sihasak declined to draw conclusions at this stage, saying the findings would be shared with family members once authorities complete their work.

Asked whether Thailand should issue new travel warnings following several foreign tourist deaths in Georgia, Sihasak said the Foreign Ministry regularly provides safety information about dangerous or conflict-affected areas. He advised travellers to contact the Foreign Ministry for current information and coordinate with the relevant Thai embassy if needed.

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National

Thai YouTuber's Grandmother Grieves Over Son's Death in Georgia

Thai YouTuber Hlun Solo, 26, died in Georgia while travelling, with authorities confirming his death after days of uncertainty; his grandmother rejected online speculation of suicide, describing him as devoted and hardworking.

30 Jul Khaosod

The grandmother of Thai travel YouTuber Hlun Solo has tearfully accepted that her grandson died in Georgia after the family received official confirmation from Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while rejecting speculation that he took his own life.

Relatives of Hlun, whose real name was Bowornthat Pengsuk, had spent days awaiting confirmation after he disappeared while travelling in Georgia. Late on Wednesday night, the Foreign Ministry informed the family that a body found at a hotel in the country was that of the 26-year-old traveller.

The confirmation plunged the family into grief at their home in Kalasin province, where relatives gathered to comfort one another. Hlun's grandmother, Som Pengsuk, described him as hardworking, cheerful and deeply devoted to his family.

"He was a good person, diligent and grateful," she said. "Whenever I wanted something, he would always try to get it for me. Whenever he travelled abroad, he would bring me gifts and food from the countries he visited."

Before leaving for Georgia, Hlun asked what she wanted as a gift, Som said. She told him she wanted a karaoke set so they could sing together at the end of the year.

"He promised me he would get it," she said through tears. "I thought we would be singing together later this year, but now that will never happen."

Som also rejected online speculation that her grandson may have died by suicide.

"He never drank alcohol or smoked. I simply cannot believe that he would commit suicide," she said.

Family members have raised questions about the circumstances of Hlun's death, including the timeline of events and why relatives were not contacted sooner, despite the hotel having his passport details.

Georgian authorities are conducting an autopsy to establish the cause of death. The family has not yet decided whether Hlun's body will be returned to Thailand for funeral rites or cremated in Georgia, saying they are awaiting further coordination with authorities.

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Police

Boy Dies Trying to Rescue Sister From Nan River

A 10-year-old boy drowned in Nan River while attempting to rescue his 8-year-old sister in Phichit province on July 29; his body was recovered the following day and search efforts for the girl continue.

30 Jul Khaosod

Police in Mueang Phichit district received a report on July 30 at 11:00 a.m. of a child's body found in the Nan River near Wat Wang Madeuea in Tha Lo subdistrict. Rescue workers recovered the body of a 10-year-old fourth-grader on the riverbank as relatives and onlookers gathered in distress.

According to investigation, the day before, the boy and his 8-year-old sister had been playing with three to four friends along the riverbank. Around 2:00 p.m., the girl went into the water to wash off mud and sand but slipped and began struggling in the river. Her older brother saw her fall in and jumped in to help, but he could not swim and both children went under. Another girl who witnessed the incident attempted a rescue but was unable to help either. She managed to get back to shore and ran to call for villagers, but both siblings had already disappeared.

Authorities have since recovered the boy's body. Search efforts for the girl are ongoing.

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Weather

Thailand Issues Flood Alert for Yang River Basin Today

Thailand's National Water Resources Office has issued a flood alert for the Yang River basin in Roi Et Province, where water levels are expected to overflow today due to heavy monsoon rains. Authorities have deployed equipment and evacuatio

30 Jul Khaosod

The National Water Resources Office Region 3 has warned that the Yang River basin in Salapum District, Roi Et Province, risks overflowing today as water levels continue to rise. The monsoon trough crossing the northern and northeastern regions, combined with a strong southwest monsoon, has brought heavy rainfall across multiple areas, raising the risk of flash floods, stream flooding, and river overflow. Current water levels stand at 7.97 meters, only 0.83 meters below the overflow mark, and with rainfall expected to continue, authorities anticipate water levels will breach the banks within the day.

The affected area is estimated at 66.95 square kilometers across Roi Et and Yasothon provinces, covering multiple subdistricts with primarily agricultural land. Authorities have mobilized machinery, boats, sandbags, and evacuation vehicles to manage the situation and protect farmland and homes. Heavy rainfall has been recorded across Thailand, with the north seeing up to 172 millimeters in Nan Province and the northeast reaching 141 millimeters in Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

Forecasters warn of continued heavy rainfall through August 4, particularly in the northeastern upper region and western coastal areas. National reservoir levels currently stand at 44,906 million cubic meters (56% capacity), with usable water at 20,784 million cubic meters (37% capacity). Authorities remain on alert for flash floods, stream flooding, landslides, and river overflow across multiple provinces through July 31, and have issued warnings for exceptionally high sea levels in major river areas that could compound flooding in Bangkok and coastal provinces.

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National

A5 Partners With GUNKUL on Solar Rooftop Initiative

A5 Group's residential management company partners with GUNKUL to install customized solar rooftop systems for residents, supporting Thailand's "Community Solar" policy and enabling households to reduce energy costs while selling excess pow

30 Jul Khaosod

Upper Class Solution, a residential management and homeowner services company under the A5 Group, has partnered with GUNKUL, a clean energy partner, to install Solar Rooftop systems for A5 residents, responding to the government's "Community Solar" policy. The initiative aims to provide residents with convenient, safe, and customized access to clean energy suited to individual homes.

Nattawat Luangwisesth, Head of Business Unit at Upper Class Solution, announced that the company is collaborating with GUNKUL Engineering Public Company Limited, a specialist in energy and electrical systems, to advance a project supporting solar roof installation for A5 residents and interested customers. The partnership supports access to clean energy and responds to the state's "Community Solar" policy, enabling households to generate electricity for domestic use, reduce energy expenses, and sell excess power back to the grid according to set criteria and conditions. This represents an important mechanism for promoting household participation in the transition to clean energy and driving Thailand toward a low-carbon society.

"We believe a good solar rooftop must be designed to integrate seamlessly with both the home and the lifestyle of its residents. With an understanding of each home's details and varied energy usage patterns, Upper Class Solution can select systems suited to each individual residence and oversee every step through a single point of contact, making the transition to clean energy simple and confident," Nattawat said.

The collaboration reflects A5's approach to extending beyond residential development toward enhancing residents' quality of life across all dimensions, by creating an ecosystem of services tailored to real living needs. This is achieved by combining GUNKUL's clean energy expertise with Upper Class Solution's home care services to deliver a complete solution that ensures both efficiency and long-term safety.

Varinthip Rosarpituk, Chief Operating Officer of the Energy Business Group and Investment Strategy at GUNKUL Engineering Public Company Limited, stated that government support measures for solar rooftop installation make this an opportune time for clean energy investment to better meet residents' needs than ever before.

With over 40 years of experience in the clean energy sector, GUNKUL designs systems appropriate to each A5 resident home's characteristics and energy usage patterns. The service is therefore detailed and flexible enough to accommodate all types of installations, from consultation and standards-compliant installation to after-sales service. Solar roofs are not merely a matter of saving on electricity bills, but of creating long-term energy stability for families amid the unpredictable volatility of the global energy situation.

A5 residents and customers who install Solar Rooftop systems through Upper Class Solution under this joint program will receive comprehensive care services, including clean energy consultation and coordination, system design and sizing appropriate to space and usage patterns, cost-benefit analysis and cost-reduction guidance, and support documentation for participation in government measures.

As a special benefit from Upper Class Solution, installers can pay for the system in up to three interest-free installments: order confirmation, installation, and final payment within one month of installation. The package includes a solar panel warranty of up to 25 years and fire insurance for one year.

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National

Thai Chamber Backs Trade Deal Push on US Tariff Exemptions

Thailand's Chamber of Commerce backs the government's push to secure tariff exemptions for Thai goods in trade negotiations with the US, prioritizing products with high local content like agricultural and food items to boost rural economies

30 Jul Khaosod

The Thai Chamber of Commerce supports Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthammaphand's efforts to accelerate negotiations on the Agreements on Reciprocal Tariff (ART) between Thailand and the United States, according to chamber chair Phot Aramwattananont. A clear trade framework would reduce business uncertainty and allow operators to plan production, investment, and exports with greater confidence while ensuring Thai tariff rates remain competitive against rival nations.

The private sector agrees with Supachai's approach to prioritize expanding the exemption list for Thai goods, especially those with high local content that use domestic raw materials and add value through Thai manufacturing. This would benefit Thailand's economy widely. For agricultural, food, and agro-industrial products—including fisheries and animal feed that represent Thailand's strengths and link large numbers of farmers, SMEs, and processors—the chamber strongly supports inclusion on the exemption list to maintain competitiveness and directly benefit rural communities and producers.

Focusing on high local-content products preserves added value within the country, supports employment, and strengthens domestic supply chains in line with the global shift toward regional value chains. The chamber stressed that negotiations should maximize benefits for Thailand by prioritizing goods that create domestic added value and support grassroots economies, while accelerating the ART and pushing key export items with high value—particularly those the US cannot produce sufficiently—onto the exemption list would reduce uncertainty, maintain competitiveness, and deliver concrete benefits to Thai citizens and US consumers through lower living costs.

No. 08 of ∞ Read at source → Next

National

Thailand Extends Maternity Leave for State Enterprise Workers to 120 Days

Thailand's Department of Labor Protection and Welfare is extending maternity leave for state enterprise workers from 98 to 120 days with full pay, aligning protections with the private sector under updated labor laws.

30 Jul Khaosod

On July 30, 2025, Sarojn Komkhai, Director of the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare (DLPW), announced that the department is opening public consultation on a draft announcement establishing minimum employment standards for state enterprises. The consultation seeks input from all stakeholders to improve the draft announcement and align it with the updated Labor Protection Act, bringing state enterprise worker protections in line with private sector employees. The key change in the proposed announcement is increasing maternity leave for female state enterprise workers from a maximum of 98 days to 120 days, with employees entitled to receive full wages during the leave period. This aligns with recent amendments to labor protection law and supports work-life balance and family stability while raising national labor protection standards. The DLPW invites employers, state enterprise employees, stakeholders, and the public to submit comments on the draft announcement between now and August 24, 2025, through the Law Portal at https://shorturl.at/Devxi. Those seeking additional details can contact the Labor Relations Office of the DLPW at 0-2660-2184.

No. 09 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Police

Military, Police Deny False Claims of Officer Custody

Military and police authorities denied false social media claims that officers were being detained for investigation, warning that spreading unverified information may face legal consequences and urging the public to verify news through off

30 Jul Khaosod

The Internal Security Command Region 4 Headquarters urged the public on July 30 to disregard false claims circulating on social media alleging that police officers were being detained for investigation. The command clarified that such information is untrue and no such actions are occurring. Spreading or sharing false information without factual basis can mislead the public, sow confusion, and undermine confidence in officials' work, and may constitute illegal activity. Those who spread or relay false information may face legal consequences if their actions cause harm to individuals, organizations, or public order and peace.

Following recent incidents, military and police units have held joint meetings, coordinated information sharing, and integrated their operations closely according to standard procedures to gather facts, support investigations, and expedite case resolution through proper legal channels. This collaborative approach has been standard practice during major incidents. Officials from both agencies expressed regret over losses and remain committed to working together professionally based on mutual trust, respect, and continuous cooperation, with the shared goal of protecting public safety and security in the southern border provinces.

The command asked the public to exercise critical judgment and verify information through official state agencies or credible news sources before believing or sharing it, to prevent misunderstanding and reduce impact on officials' work. Military and police personnel reaffirmed their commitment to work together with unity, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law and public interest, pushing forward with full force to build confidence, safety, and lasting peace in the southern border region.

No. 10 of ∞ Read at source → Next

National

Thai Volleyball Star Jabs Vietnam Over Distant Accommodation

Thai volleyball player Yamin Krisada Nilsai sarcastically criticized Vietnam for housing the Thai women's team over 90 minutes from the CV Cup training venue while keeping their own athletes nearby.

30 Jul Khaosod

Yamin Krisada Nilsai, a Thai male volleyball player, posted a comment after Coach Ott Kiatiphong Ratchakriangkai, head coach of Thailand's women's volleyball team, complained in an interview that the CV Cup host Vietnam had arranged accommodations far from the training venue. Coach Ott previously stated that Vietnam provided lodging for the three participating nations at considerable distance from the practice facility, requiring the Thai team to travel more than an hour and a half, while the host nation stayed much closer to the competition site. Responding to this issue, Yamin Krisada Nilsai posted his thoughts, saying "After hearing Coach Ott's interview, I'm asking why Vietnam arranged accommodations for our athletes so far away that it takes almost ninety minutes to reach the competition venue. That's something else. When Thailand hosts tournaments, we'll arrange lodging far from the venue with beautiful scenic views on a hilltop, laid-back atmosphere. Just joking around—the host stays close while guests stay far away, that's how it goes." Thailand's women's volleyball team is scheduled to play their opening match against Indonesia on July 31, 2026 at 4:00 PM.

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