Lanta & News
No. 01 · ENDLESS
National

Fuel Prices Jump 0.90 Baht Per Liter Tomorrow

Most fuel grades rise 0.90 baht per liter starting tomorrow, with petrol climbing to 45.68 baht and gasohol 91 to 36.32 baht, while premium grades remain stable.

Fuel Prices Jump 0.90 Baht Per Liter Tomorrow
22 Jul Khaosod

On July 22, 2025, PTT Station announced a retail fuel price adjustment. All petrol and gasohol grades will increase by 0.90 baht per liter, except premium gasohol 95 and premium gasohol 99, which remain unchanged. All diesel grades will also rise by 0.90 baht per liter, except premium diesel. The new prices are: petrol 45.68 baht/liter, gasohol 95 at 36.69 baht/liter, gasohol 91 at 36.32 baht/liter, and E20 at 31.69 baht/liter. Premium gasohol 95 stands at 47.79 baht/liter and premium gasohol 99 at 49.79 baht/liter. For diesel, B7 is 36.69 baht/liter, B20 is 31.69 baht/liter, and premium diesel is 50.05 baht/liter. These prices do not include Bangkok maintenance tax.

No. 01 of Read at source → Next
National

Opposition Demands Transparency From Parliamentary Speaker on Saksiam Case

Opposition lawmakers demand the parliamentary speaker reveal committee details and timeline for reviewing a petition seeking a Supreme Court inquiry into the anti-corruption body's handling of Saksiam Chidchob's stock manipulation case.

Opposition Demands Transparency From Parliamentary Speaker on Saksiam Case
22 Jul Khaosod

On July 22, 2025, Prithiyathorn Wacharasindhu, a Pheu Thai list MP and coordinator of the opposition coalition in parliament, sent a letter to Parliamentary Speaker Sompon Zareum requesting updates on a petition submitted by the opposition and senate members asking for the case to be referred to the Supreme Court for an independent inquiry into the National Anti-Corruption Commission's handling of Saksiam Chidchob's stock manipulation case. Prithiyathorn stated that after last week's interview in which the speaker confirmed he had just signed off on establishing a screening committee to consider the petition, the opposition is requesting four actions: (1) disclosure of committee members and their terms of reference, (2) clarification of the timeline for the committee's work and recommendations, (3) invitation for petition representatives to provide information to the committee to ensure thoroughness and fairness, and (4) public release of meeting minutes and the committee's findings after it begins work. Prithiyathorn added that while the speaker has stated he serves no individual or political party and has no intention of shelving the opposition's petition, he is questioning whether the speaker will truly follow through on his "say and do" party slogan and cooperate with the opposition on these four points.

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Breaking

Chinese Embassy Pressures Bangkok Film Festival to Remove Taiwan Logo

Chinese Embassy officials allegedly pressured organizers of Bangkok's Taiwan Documentary & Film Festival to remove Taiwan's Ministry of Culture logo from promotional materials, but festival organizers refused and suggested the embassy follo

Chinese Embassy Pressures Bangkok Film Festival to Remove Taiwan Logo
22 Jul Khaosod

The Thai director of the Taiwan Documentary & Film Festival in Bangkok has alleged that diplomats from the Chinese Embassy sought to pressure organisers into removing the name and logo of Taiwan's Ministry of Culture from the festival's promotional materials.

"[On Monday], someone claiming to be an official from the Chinese Embassy called both cinemas hosting our film festival. They said they were uncomfortable seeing the logo of Taiwan's Ministry of Culture and requested that we remove it," organiser Thida Philtpolkarnpim told Khaosod English. She said the caller spoke Thai with a Chinese accent and became threatening, raising his voice when she refused to comply.

"Then today [Tuesday], another official from the Chinese Embassy went directly to one of the cinemas. Our team spoke with him, and he made the same request."

The festival is co-organised by Taiwan's Ministry of Culture, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand (TECO Thailand) and other partners.

"We replied that we could not remove it because we are simply the organisers doing our job," Thida said. "If they have any issues, we asked them to follow the proper procedures—either by speaking directly with Taiwan or through Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

She said the Chinese official remained outside the cinema for some time before leaving, telling organisers that he would report the matter to his superiors and seek to escalate it into a national-level issue.

Khaosod English contacted the Chinese Embassy on Wednesday morning and afternoon to ask about the alleged incident and why the embassy had not instead raised the matter through Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No response had been received by the time of publication.

A staff member at TECO Thailand confirmed the incident to Khaosod English on Tuesday afternoon. The staff member said TECO representative Peter Lan would address the issue during his opening remarks at the festival's launch at House Samyan at 18:00 on Wednesday.

Thida said she informed TECO Thailand of the incident on Tuesday and was told that if the Chinese Embassy wished to object officially, it could lodge a complaint with Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which would then communicate with the Taiwan office through established diplomatic channels.

She added that the festival had been held for seven years without incident before the alleged interference surrounding this year's eighth edition.

The festival proceeded on Wednesday evening without further incident.

Peter Lan, representative of Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Thailand, was asked about the alleged attempted intervention by the Chinese Embassy and said "We have all the supports from various partners. [There was] no call from [the Thai] Foreign Ministry," he said, adding that Thailand has freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

No. 03 of Read at source → Next
Regional

Memorial Held for Eight Killed in Cambodian Rocket Attack

Families and officials commemorated the first anniversary of a Cambodian rocket attack that killed eight people at a petrol station in Sisaket province's Ban Phue village on July 24, 2025, with survivors and bereaved relatives calling for l

Memorial Held for Eight Killed in Cambodian Rocket Attack
22 Jul Khaosod

SISAKET — Families, local residents and security officials gathered on Wednesday to commemorate the first anniversary of a Cambodian rocket attack that killed eight people at a petrol station in Thailand's border province of Sisaket.

A merit-making ceremony was held at the PTT petrol station in Ban Phue, Kantharalak district, where a BM-21 multiple rocket launcher strike hit on July 24, 2025, during the first day of armed clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces along the border. The attack killed eight people, injured 13 others and caused extensive damage to the petrol station and nearby properties.

Buddhist monks chanted prayers and dedicated merit to those who lost their lives, as grieving relatives gathered to remember the victims and pray for lasting peace along the border. Kamonrat Phonsettalerd, the owner of the petrol station, said the ceremony was held two days before the actual anniversary because monks were available on Wednesday. She said memories of the attack remain vivid and loud noises still leave her startled.

She said border communities continue to struggle to rebuild their livelihoods and remain concerned that fighting could erupt again. Residents have rehearsed evacuation plans and are prepared to leave immediately if authorities issue another warning. Busaba Khamwang, the mother of one of the victims, said the pain of losing her son had not faded despite the passage of a year.

"No amount of assistance can replace my child," she said, adding that her greatest wish is for the violence never to happen again. Another survivor, Komsan Prachan, who lost his wife and two children in the attack, returned to the petrol station for the first time since the tragedy.

He said revisiting the site brought back painful memories of his family. Although he has received government compensation, he said no financial assistance could erase the loss, and urged that renewed fighting be avoided to spare others from similar suffering.

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Police

Police Hunt Black VW Driver in Cockfighting Enthusiast's Murder

A cockfighting live-streamer was shot dead outside a grocery store in Trang Province on July 21; police are searching for a black Volkswagen sedan with fake plates believed used by the assailant, who may have tracked him from a cockfighting

Police Hunt Black VW Driver in Cockfighting Enthusiast's Murder
22 Jul Khaosod

Police are hunting a black Volkswagen sedan with forged license plates in connection with the fatal shooting of Thaninchay, a cockfighting live-streamer, who was killed outside a small grocery store in Na Bin La, Muang District, Trang Province on the evening of July 21. Investigators suspect the assailant tracked the victim from a cockfighting arena.

On July 22, family members held a spirit-calling ceremony at the crime scene. The victim's girlfriend, Ms. Kamolrat, tearfully told reporters she had prepared a meal for him the previous day, but he never returned to eat it. She urged police to quickly apprehend the perpetrator and not let the case go cold, emphasizing that her boyfriend was a good man with no conflicts. They had been together for over five years and were saving to marry next year. She works at a nail salon while he was planning to supplement his income by tapping rubber.

Ball, a close friend who worked as a cockfighting commentator with the victim since first grade, described him as well-mannered, polite, and previously a mechanic before entering the cockfighting business about 2–3 years ago. He earned approximately 18,000 baht monthly plus annual bonuses and harbored no known disputes with anyone. Investigators believe at least two perpetrators were involved, with one possibly tracking the victim's movements before coordinating with the shooter. The attackers used a meticulously prepared forged license plate and appear to have followed him until he stopped to buy food, when they returned to attack. The victim earned income working for a group with servers based in Malaysia.

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National

PM Reaffirms Thailand-China Ties, Pledges Investment Support

Thailand's Prime Minister pledged continued investment support and strengthened ties with China at the Thailand–China Cooperation Expo 2026 in Bangkok, emphasizing the two nations' deep 1,000-year relationship and commitment to mutual prosp

PM Reaffirms Thailand-China Ties, Pledges Investment Support
22 Jul Khaosod

Prime Minister Anupong Paojinda presided over the opening and delivered a keynote address at the Thailand–China Cooperation Expo 2026 on July 22, 2025, at Impact Challenger Hall in Muang Thong Thani. The event was attended by senior Thai and Chinese business leaders, including representatives from the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and China's enterprise trade association.

Chinese Deputy Ambassador Wu Zhuoou opened remarks in Mandarin before switching to Thai, wishing the expo success and hoping it would create sweet feelings for Thai citizens akin to the song "Tianmimimi" that the PM graciously performed at a reception hosted by Chinese Premier Li Qiang. He concluded by borrowing the PM's phrase "Jianguo taiguo, jianguo zhongguo"—advancing Thailand, advancing China—and moving forward with the Thailand–China Cooperation Expo 2026.

The PM noted that the deputy ambassador had just taught him Thai, jokingly questioning whether his official title was ambassador or deputy ambassador, commenting on the ambassador's strong Thai language skills. He expressed hope to learn some Chinese, acknowledging that his limited Mandarin proficiency sometimes necessitates singing instead.

Anupong emphasized that the expo occurs at a crucial moment, as Thailand-China relations are forming to achieve stability and strength, with mutual support between the two nations as siblings and one family. He stated that in a world facing multiple challenges, both countries must define cooperation direction and set the tone of bilateral friendship for maximum national and public benefit.

The PM noted that strengthening Thailand-China relations is not difficult because of their deep, long-standing bond passed down through generations, fostering mutual understanding and continued support. He highlighted that last year both nations celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations, though he emphasized this formal milestone masks a much deeper 1,000-year relationship. The ties between Thailand and China stretch back so far that their origin is beyond memory, he said, describing their long coexistence as enduring and inseparable.

No. 06 of Read at source → Next
Police

New Police Chief Takes Seven-Year Term to Overhaul Force

General Samran Nualmaa was unanimously appointed Thailand's new national police chief on a seven-year term starting October 1, positioning him to undertake major reforms of the Royal Thai Police force.

New Police Chief Takes Seven-Year Term to Overhaul Force
22 Jul Khaosod

From October 1 onwards, the Royal Thai Police will enter a new chapter with General Samran Nualmaa taking the helm as the new national police chief, following a unanimous 12-0 vote by the Police Civil Service Commission on July 22. The decision was approved based on a proposal from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister, who chairs the commission.

General Samran had been widely expected to get the position as the succession race drew to a close, with no real competitors. There had been earlier calls to support the deputy police chief based on seniority, making General Nirandon Luemsri, the most senior deputy, a serious contender. However, the rules for appointing the national police chief do not mandate strict seniority—instead combining seniority with competence and capability.

When competence came into question, General Samran stood out. His police career began at the police academy and progressed through numerous stations, covering investigation work, suppression operations, and traffic duties. He rose to become superintendent of the academy before commanding the special inspection and operations unit that oversees the 191 emergency hotline, including both crime prevention and VIP protection divisions. He also commanded the special operations unit 191 "Arintharaj" in handling serious violent crimes in the city, and later served as Bangkok Police Commander overseeing the capital.

With broad government backing and support from senior figures, Samran's appointment was eventually secured, despite earlier proposals to bring in a transitional figure for one or two years given his long remaining service life. The advantage many see in his seven-year tenure is the opportunity to conduct comprehensive reforms and overhaul an organization plagued with numerous systemic problems. Chiefs serving only one or two years often accomplish little, whereas seven years allows a committed leader to restructure and revitalize the entire organization.

No. 07 of Read at source → Next
Police

Female Guard Assaulted After Workplace Complaint Mix-Up

A female security guard's boyfriend was beaten by three motorcyclists on Bangkok's Chan Road in June after she mistakenly accused a coworker of filing a complaint that led to her reassignment, with attackers apparently targeting the wrong p

Female Guard Assaulted After Workplace Complaint Mix-Up
22 Jul Khaosod

On July 22, a female security guard and her boyfriend appealed for justice after he was attacked by three men on motorcycles on Chan Road in Bangkok's Sai Mai district on June 25. The guard, identified as Ms. A (alias), explained that she and her boyfriend had worked at the same company for 8–9 years. On June 23, a customer filed a complaint about her work performance on Facebook and tagged senior management. This led to her immediate reassignment. Misunderstanding the situation, the guard accused a coworker in the company LINE group of filing the complaint, though she later clarified she was not involved and chose not to respond further.

On the morning of June 25, while riding behind her boyfriend's motorcycle, three attackers on motorcycles cut them off and began beating the boyfriend, shouting "You're a unit head now, huh?" The boyfriend was struck in the face multiple times while unable to defend himself. A passerby's intervention caused the attackers to flee. The boyfriend suffered facial injuries and body bruises lasting several days. The guard believes the attackers mistakenly thought her boyfriend was the supervisor responsible for her transfer.

After the incident, the guard requested CCTV footage from the location but was told none covered the exact attack site. She then filed a report with investigators at Yannawa Police Station to pursue legal action, though the case has not progressed.

No. 08 of Read at source → Next
National

Civil Society Submits Huas Case Evidence to Opposition Coalition

A civil society group submitted evidence on the Huas political scandal to opposition leaders, naming nine officials including the Prime Minister for review as the Election Commission continues its investigation with a mid-August deadline.

Civil Society Submits Huas Case Evidence to Opposition Coalition
22 Jul Khaosod

A public interest group called Internet for Public Law (iLaw) has submitted evidence related to the Huas case to Priset Vachrasindhu, chair of the opposition coalition coordination committee. The group compiled the evidence starting in 2568 (2025) and argues that while the Election Commission has reviewed it, the opposition has a duty to scrutinize the government since senior officials face allegations in the case. Nine individuals—including the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, ruling party MPs, and a former House deputy speaker—have been named for opposition review.

The outcome of the opposition's investigation into the Huas case remains to be seen. Election Commission chair Nrong Klanvarindr stated there is nothing to worry about, confirming that the examination is proceeding on schedule with four more rounds of consideration remaining and substantial progress already made. Commissioner Sithichote Intrawisase, one of seven commissioners, confirmed progress with seven charges filed and additional charges being pursued. Critical aspects involving political figures remain under review, with the commission expecting to conclude by mid-August.

The Huas case is a major political scandal that has damaged parliament, the legislature, and democratic processes. After the Election Commission received the case, it established an investigation committee that recommended charging 229 individuals: 186 senators and senate candidates, and 43 political network members. However, a later subcommittee found the charges baseless and referred the case to seven commissioners for final review on whether to prosecute. Given the extensive evidence presented over years and broad public awareness, the article suggests all 229 individuals should be charged and tried in court rather than selected for prosecution.

No. 09 of Read at source → Next
National

Opposition Fears Senate Election Case Will Be Truncated

Opposition leaders worry the Senate election fraud case could be weakened through selective prosecutions targeting only low-level operatives while sparing political masterminds and networks.

Opposition Fears Senate Election Case Will Be Truncated
22 Jul Khaosod

The Senate election fraud case is a critical test of the justice system and the Election Commission's impartiality. iLaw has submitted evidence gathered since 2025 to the opposition and publicly named nine politicians allegedly involved, calling on society to monitor and push the case to completion in court. The opposition stressed that Senate vote-buying is not the act of a few individuals but a systematically planned network. Opposition leader Itthm-Priset Watcharasinthu pledged to use all available mechanisms, including parliamentary debate and a no-confidence motion against the government, while pressing the Election Commission on whether it will prosecute the case comprehensively. The opposition's concern extends beyond the risk that all 229 accused could have charges dismissed; they fear three truncation scenarios: first, charging only low-level operatives while leaving political planners and networks untouched; second, filing cases in only some provinces when evidence shows multi-regional coordination, fragmenting the full network picture; and third, prosecuting only peripheral figures while protecting core power centers, despite both requiring prosecution. The case hinges on equal legal enforcement—whoever the evidence points to must be investigated and acted upon factually without discrimination or political pressure. Society must watch not just the accused's names but whether the Election Commission allows the case to be gutted midway or sends it fully to court so the truth emerges and confirms the law applies equally to all.

No. 10 of Read at source → Next
National

New Direct Flight Links Udon Thani to Tokyo via Bangkok

Thai VietJet launches a new connecting flight service from Udon Thani to Tokyo via Bangkok, allowing passengers to check baggage through to their final destination. The route positions the northeastern airport as a regional hub while suppor

New Direct Flight Links Udon Thani to Tokyo via Bangkok
22 Jul Khaosod

Udon Thani Airport is launching a new international route to Tokyo via Suvarnabhumi Airport, positioning the northeastern hub as a regional aviation center. Thai Viet Jet will operate the service to Narita Airport with the Sky ConX connecting flight service, allowing passengers to check in and load baggage once in Udon Thani before retrieving it at their international destination.

Deputy Transport Minister Pattrapong Pattraprasit presided over the ceremony, describing the project as a crucial step toward making Udon Thani a fully-fledged international airport and supporting Thailand's goal of becoming a world-class aviation hub. The initiative will enhance travel convenience, strengthen international flight networks, and expand economic, trade, investment, and tourism opportunities across the Northeast.

Udon Thani Airport is currently seeking formal recognition as an international airport and upgrading its infrastructure to meet global standards, including improvements to passenger building B to accommodate immigration, customs, and control agencies. The airport can handle over 3.9 million passengers annually and currently operates more than 30 domestic flights daily. The new Tokyo connection via Sky ConX will strengthen Udon Thani's role as the Northeast's aviation hub and gateway to the Mekong subregion.

The Transport Ministry is also preparing logistics support for the World Horticultural Exposition scheduled for Udon Thani in 2569–2570 (2026–2027), using an integrated transport system with shuttle buses to accommodate the expected surge in visitors.

No. 11 of Read at source → Next
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