Thailand's air conditioner and component exports to Europe surged 40.7% in May 2025, reaching $148.6 million—the highest in seven months—driven by an unusually severe and early heat wave across the continent. Nanthapong Jiralertpongse, director of the Office of Trade and Commercial Strategy at the Commerce Ministry, revealed that the spike reflects strong demand as European importers and retailers rushed to stock inventory ahead of the summer peak. Over the first five months of 2025, total air conditioner exports to Europe reached $783.9 million (approximately 250 billion baht), up 18.9%, with heat pump systems growing 70.6%, air conditioner components expanding 49.6%, and window-mounted models rising 21.6%.

Germany leads as the top export market with $30.8 million in exports, up 89.6%, followed by France (up 50.9%), the United Kingdom (up 58.2%), and Spain (up 42.2%). Northern European markets are showing even stronger gains, with Finland expanding 366.6% and Sweden jumping 177.3%, reflecting structural market shifts where only about 20% of European households currently own air conditioners, well below the global household average of 37% in 2022.

Looking ahead, demand for air conditioners in Europe is expected to remain strong through the third quarter as the continent faces a fresh, more intense heat wave beginning late June, with temperatures in many countries approaching 40°C. The World Meteorological Organization forecasts above-normal temperatures across Europe from July through September 2025, particularly in Southern and Central Europe, driven by intensifying El Niño conditions. However, growth in the European market remains subject to strict environmental policy conditions, prompting Thai manufacturers to focus on energy-efficient, high-performance air conditioners and heat pump systems that align with EU energy and carbon-reduction policies while closely monitoring increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

Luang Pu Chuam, the revered monk known as the "Deity of the Chao Phraya Source," has died peacefully at age 97 after 76 years in the monkhood. His disciples announced his passing on July 22, 2026, through a Facebook post expressing their grief at the loss of their beloved teacher. Originally named Chuam Sangkhadet, born April 29, 1929, in Takienlueun subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Sawan, he was ordained on July 5, 1949, at Takienlueun Temple. He was promoted to the rank of Phra Ratchakhana in May 2022 and received the ecclesiastical name Phra Ratchamongkol Wachirasat. Luang Pu Chuam was among the highest-ranking monks of the Pak Nam Po area and a direct disciple of Luang Pu Phu of Takienlueun Temple. He gained widespread fame for amulets believed to provide protection and safe passage, with devotees sharing stories of safety during accidents, including a naval officer from his hometown who wore his amulet during the HTMS Sukhothai incident. Though his amulets became highly sought after, he limited their production to avoid commercializing the practice. He spent his final days at Sri Sawat Hospital before passing away peacefully on July 22, 2026, at approximately 6 a.m.

Swiss man sexually assaults 14 year old Thai boy off Patong Beach in PhuketLegacyPolice arrested a Swiss man in Phuket yesterday, July 21, after he sexually assaulted a 14 year old Thai boy in the sea off Patong Beach. The boy’s mother sought assistance from the Paveena Foundation for Children and Women on July 18 after reporting the child sex abuse to Patong Police Station. The mother told the foundation that he incident occurred on July 10. She was concerned for her son’s safety because the accused allegedly knew where the family lived. She feared he might attempt to contact the boy again if the investigation was delayed. Paveena Hongsakul, founder of the foundation, accompanied the boy and his mother to Patong Police Station on July 20 to follow up on the investigation. Police later arrested the suspect the following day and identified him as a Swiss national but have not released his name. Photo via Kao Jor Leuk According to the boy’s account, he had accompanied his mother to her workplace in the Patong area before spending time on Patong Beach alone while his mother was working. The boy alleged that the Swiss man approached him, started a conversation and asked to take a selfie together. The foreigner then exchanged contact details with the boy and asked about his home address before inviting him to go swimming. According to the complaint, the foreign man offered to teach the boy how to swim but instead sexually assaulted him in the sea. The boy told investigators he was too frightened to resist or call for help. The mother said she noticed her son appeared distressed after returning home and later learned about the assault after speaking with him. Photo via Amarin TV She also told investigators that the accused continued contacting her son through the LINE messaging application, asking to meet him again. The conversations were provided to police as evidence. Police told Channel 7 that investigators recovered photographs and other information related to the case from the Swiss man’s laptop and mobile phone. Authorities have not disclosed further details as the investigation continues. The foreign suspect has been taken to Phuket Provincial Court for temporary detention while police continue gathering evidence. Investigators said they intend to present additional evidence to oppose any request for temporary release. The story Swiss man sexually assaults 14 year old Thai boy off Patong Beach in Phuket as seen on Thaiger News.

PHUKET: Phuket authorities are stepping up efforts to improve the quality of life for the province’s 7,288 registered people with disabilities, with a renewed focus on employment, welfare, access to funding and equal opportunities.

Mudmee, meaning “tied threads,” is an indigenous craft of northeastern Thailand, using the weft ikat technique. Mudmee is a kind of hand-woven fabric with patterns in weft ikat through a process o...

Authorities released details on July 22 of a car bombing that struck Tan Yong Police Station in Muang District, Narathiwat Province at 7:20 p.m. on July 21. Security officials determined the attack vehicle was a Toyota Saloon sedan, with an operational pattern consistent with previous car bombings in Thailand's southern border region. According to investigators, the perpetrators drove an explosive-laden vehicle to the front of the police station, then abandoned it to collide with the station's barrier wall before detonating. One perpetrator exited the vehicle and fled on a waiting motorcycle as the car crashed and exploded with force.

The blast resulted in minor injuries to Sergeant Major Abhisit Anuchart, commander of the prevention and suppression unit at Tan Yong Station. The attack vehicle, police vehicles, the station building, and government property sustained severe damage from the explosion and subsequent fire. Preliminary examination confirmed the explosive was a homemade device concealed in the vehicle, though the specific explosive type, container, and triggering method remain under forensic analysis.

Officials noted the attack's method closely resembles previous car bombings, including an incident at Sungai Kolok District Office in 2025 and another at the Sala Mai Tambon Protection Unit base in Pattani Province, in which perpetrators used explosive-laden vehicles to strike designated targets before escaping. The Command for Regional Security and Operations Sector 4 stated that authorities are actively gathering evidence and pursuing leads to bring the perpetrators to justice.