Eye care specialists are warning contact lens wearers, particularly on long-haul flights, of significant risks including dry eyes and serious infections. Ophthalmologists caution those wearing contact lenses during air travel, especially on long-distance flights, because cabin air is dry with lower oxygen levels than normal, which can cause dry eyes, irritation, and increased risk of eye infections.

On long-haul flights such as intercontinental travel, the dry cabin conditions can cause both eyes and lenses to lose moisture, resulting in discomfort, a foreign body sensation, redness, irritation, or eye pain. Cabin pressure adjustments further reduce oxygen supply to the eyes, and when combined with dryness, may increase the risk of microscopic corneal abrasions or cause lenses to stick to the eye surface, potentially leading to infection—especially in crowded enclosed spaces with many passengers.

Experts note that if these conditions are severe and go untreated, they can cause temporary vision impairment and, in rare cases, permanent vision loss. Dr. Arjun Hura, a corneal and anterior segment surgeon from the Maloney-Shamie-Hura Vision Institute, recommends not sleeping while wearing contact lenses on planes due to significantly increased infection risk. Those with existing red eyes, irritation, light sensitivity, or existing eye infections should wear eyeglasses instead.

For travelers who must wear contact lenses during flights, experts recommend maintaining clean hands before touching lenses, using approved contact lens solution, replacing solution with fresh solution each time, using clean cases, and avoiding rinsing lenses with tap water to reduce infection risk. Additionally, apply artificial tears when experiencing dry eyes, replace contacts with fresh pairs when necessary, or temporarily discontinue wear if unusual symptoms appear to prevent serious eye health complications.

Short-haul flights are safer—avoid sleeping on the plane.

Wearing contact lenses on flights is acceptable for short to medium-haul flights if passengers have healthy eyes and do not plan to sleep during the flight.

Entrepreneur Ton Hom Sakuntalah addressed rumors about her foot massage business at the Thaimart marketplace platform launch event, clarifying that despite nearly 10 million baht in investment, the shop has not yet returned a profit. She explained her hands-on approach of personally washing customers' feet, emphasizing the business operates as a legitimate massage establishment with no illicit services. Ton Hom responded to beauty queen Bai Fern Patskon's announcement of stepping down as Ubon Ratchathani's Miss Universe PD representative, requesting that Bai Fern provide her own explanation while reaffirming her support for all contestants, especially contestant 'Rot Mel.' Regarding public perception that the business is highly profitable, Ton Hom stated it remains in a low season and is still in the investment phase, with recovery expected to take 2-3 years. She attributed generous staff compensation to the startup phase rather than profits. She highlighted her genuine passion for foot massage service, explaining that customer satisfaction brings fulfillment money cannot buy. Currently, the main challenge is finding reliable massage therapists, as experienced staff frequently leave. She acknowledged initial age restrictions on therapists due to the five-story building, but learned that expertise requires more experienced practitioners. She called for clearer communication with staff about resignation timelines to allow adequate replacement time.

Bangkok — Police K-9 dogs were deployed to inspect passenger baggage on flights bound for Australia on Tuesday as Thai authorities stepped up airport security measures.

At 06:30 on 7 July, police officers and sniffer dogs conducted drug detection checks on baggage belonging to passengers departing on Thai Airways flight TG461 to Melbourne, Australia. No illegal items were found during the inspection, police said.

The deployment followed an order from the Ministry of Transport instructing the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to strengthen security measures at airports. The measures include instructing airlines to tighten controls over passenger belongings, including prohibiting the acceptance of items that could pose security risks, as well as additional training for X-ray screening officers.

Authorities will also enhance intelligence operations and increase the use of K-9 units from the Royal Thai Police to support airport inspections. The move comes as Thailand works to ensure compliance with international aviation security standards and improve screening procedures for outbound travellers.

A tragic accident claimed the life of a man cutting bamboo for a grilled chicken shop when he fell against a power line and was electrocuted. Police received the report at 1:30 PM on July 7, 2569, of a body found along a dirt road near a bamboo grove in Ban Kham subdistrict, Muang district, Nong Bua Lamphu province, approximately 2.5 kilometers from the residential area.

The deceased, identified as Winai, 59 years old, lay with his head turned toward the road and arms extended toward the bamboo stand. His body bore severe electrical burn marks running from top to bottom, with skin peeling away across approximately 20 centimeters. Both his hands were clenched. Near the body, officers found a machete about 50 centimeters long. One freshly cut bamboo stalk lay parallel to the road, while another had fallen across a high-voltage power line. The base of the bamboo had been severed from the root.

The victim's wife, Phuea, tearfully recounted that she had left home before Winai that morning. She knew he was hired to help build a grilled chicken shop for a neighbor and would ride a three-wheeled motorcycle to the job. A neighbor found him dead and called to inform her.

Neighbors explained that Winai had been working on the job for two days and had gone to cut bamboo from a relative's grove surrounding the property. Authorities questioned family members about the cause of death, but they saw it as a tragic accident.

Investigators determined that the bamboo stalk bore signs of electrical contact and charring at its tip. Authorities believe Winai cut the bamboo until it fell and contacted the high-voltage power line, which hangs approximately 10 meters above ground. Because fresh bamboo contains moisture, when Winai attempted to pull the bamboo away from the line, the high-voltage electricity traveled through the wet bamboo, through his body, and into the ground, causing his death. His body was subsequently released to family members for funeral arrangements.

The Meteorological Department issued a weather forecast on July 7, 2569, predicting heavy rainfall in the Eastern and northeastern regions over the next 24 hours, caused by a low-pressure system over northern Vietnam and moderate southwest monsoon winds. Residents are warned to stay vigilant against heavy rainfall accumulation that could trigger flash floods and forest runoff, especially in hillside and basin areas. Maritime conditions show moderate winds with waves of 1-2 meters in the Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand, approximately 1 meter in the lower Gulf, and exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm zones. Boat operators are advised to exercise caution and avoid areas with thunderstorms.

Regional forecasts (18:00 today to 18:00 tomorrow): Northern Region: 40% thunderstorm coverage, primarily in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, and Phetchabun. Low 23-26°C, high 31-35°C. Southwest wind 10-20 km/h. Northeastern Region: 60% thunderstorm coverage with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani. Low 23-25°C, high 28-35°C. Southwest wind 10-20 km/h. Central Region: 30% thunderstorm coverage, mainly in Uthai Thani, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi. Low 23-27°C, high 34-36°C. Southwest wind 10-25 km/h. Eastern Region: 40% thunderstorm coverage with heavy rain, particularly in Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Low 23-27°C, high 32-35°C. Southwest wind 15-35 km/h. Waves 1-2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in storms. Southern Region (East Coast): 30% thunderstorm coverage in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, and Narathiwat. Low 23-27°C, high 33-36°C. Southwest wind 15-35 km/h. Waves 1 meter nearshore, 1-2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in storms. Southern Region (West Coast): 30% thunderstorm coverage in Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. Low 24-26°C, high 32-35°C. Southwest wind 15-35 km/h. Waves 1-2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in storms. Bangkok and Vicinity: 30% thunderstorm coverage. Low 27-29°C.

Over 300 angry coconut farmers from Prachuap Khiri Khan stormed Bang Saphan District on July 7, 2025, demanding that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explain its approval of frozen coconut milk and coconut cream imports. Network leader Pongsak Bunrak and farmers arrived with sound-equipped pickup trucks to submit a letter to Bang Saphan District Chief Manit Vongjinda, requesting coordination with relevant agencies.

The farmers specifically called on the FDA to provide clarification about approvals for importing frozen coconut milk and ready-to-drink coconut cream, which they believe are major factors driving down domestic coconut prices. The coconut farmer network had previously submitted a request through the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Health Office on May 27, 2025, asking for import approval criteria, procedures, and historical import statistics for frozen and processed coconut milk from 2023-2025. However, they have yet to receive a written response. The provincial health office sent an urgent letter to the FDA on June 9, 2025, requesting factual clarification following complaints from affected coconut farmers.

Without an official response, the farmer network submitted a letter to the district chief requesting that FDA Secretary-General Supattra Bunserm visit the area by July 14, 2025, to directly address farmers on five key points: approval criteria for coconut milk imports; authorization standards for importers; why imported products don't clearly indicate raw material origin; impact calculations on domestic coconut quotas; and protection measures for Thai farmers.

The network reiterated seven earlier proposals submitted to the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister and Commerce Minister on March 24, 2025: suspending all coconut and coconut product imports until large coconuts reach at least 18 baht per fruit and dried coconut reaches at least 35 baht per kilogram. They also called for releasing import data, establishing a national coconut committee with farmer representatives, converting imported coconut products to equivalent whole coconut units before approval, requiring clear raw material origin labels, and restricting processing outside AFTA and WTO frameworks. The network scheduled another gathering for July 14, 2025, at Bang Saphan District Hall to await responses.