Lanta & News
No. 01 · ENDLESS
National

Natural Resources Minister Leads Boat Alms Ceremony Promotional Campaign

Thailand's Natural Resources Minister leads promotional campaign for a boat alms-giving ceremony scheduled for July 24-26 at Bangkok's historic Rattanakosin area, featuring 225 monks from 40 temples across three canal routes as part of roya

Natural Resources Minister Leads Boat Alms Ceremony Promotional Campaign
15h ago Khaosod

On July 15, 2569, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin and senior ministry officials participated in filming a promotional video for a boat merit-making ceremony to promote the upcoming royal birthday celebration. The government has scheduled the "Waters of Life: Under the Umbrella of Royal Grace, Preserving the Rattanakosin Way" event for July 24–26, 2569 at Sanam Luang park and the area surrounding Koh Rattanakosin, as part of a royal initiative to develop canals and waterways.

The event aims to provide citizens with the opportunity to make merit offerings in honor of His Majesty, express their loyalty and gratitude for the Royal kindness, and preserve and promote the cultural and artistic values of riverside life and the identity of Rattanakosin. For the boat alms-giving ceremony, 225 Buddhist monks from 40 temples will receive alms across three canal routes: Khlong Rong Koh Rattanakosin, Khlong Prem Prachakon, and Khlong Saen Saep. Cabinet members, government officials, private sector representatives, and the general public participated in the ceremony, demonstrating unified cooperation across all sectors in honoring the Monarchy and preserving Thai waterside cultural traditions.

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Police

Highway Police Officer Reassigned Over Volunteer Soldier Gun Arrest

A Highway Police captain has been reassigned to headquarters following public outcry over his arrest of a volunteer soldier carrying unauthorized ammunition on July 10.

Highway Police Officer Reassigned Over Volunteer Soldier Gun Arrest
15h ago Khaosod

The Central Investigation Command, led by Police Major General Natssakdi Chauvanasai, has issued an order reassigning Police Captain Vichai Mograt from Highway Police Station 2 to headquarters following public controversy over the arrest of a volunteer soldier carrying ammunition without authorization on July 10 at approximately 9:30 p.m. The officer was accused of transporting a firearm in a city, village, or public area without proper authorization and without legitimate urgent cause. The Highway Police Bureau is conducting a factual investigation to ensure fairness to all parties involved. The reassignment is effective immediately under Section 66 of the National Police Act 2008 and relevant regulations governing police personnel secondment.

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National

Authorities Expand Investigation Into Local Civil Service Exam Cheating Scandal

Authorities are investigating 5,814 civil service exam candidates with abnormal scores for fraud, with the NACC reviewing their qualifications while police pursue masterminds behind the large-scale conspiracy affecting approximately 6,000 p

Authorities Expand Investigation Into Local Civil Service Exam Cheating Scandal
15h ago Khaosod

The Central Committee for Local Government Employee Examinations (GSTS) under the Department of Local Administration has declared its integrity in the major fraud case involving local civil service recruitment. The committee will submit 5,814 exam candidates whose scores were abnormal to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for verification against the original answer sheets. The committee also decided to send all 5,814 names to the Central Civil Service and Local Government Employee Committee to consider whether their appointments should be revoked. A joint meeting is scheduled for July 23, 2026, with representatives from provincial administrative organizations, municipalities, and subdistrict councils to review and decide the matter.

On the criminal investigation side, Prime Minister Anution Chanyaweerkulkul and the Interior Minister attended a case review meeting with the Central Investigation Police, NACC representatives, and the Office of the Ombudsman. Police have found evidence and arrested three initial suspects, but all three have maintained their denials. Investigators are now pursuing leads to identify the masterminds and other members of the conspiracy. Additionally, investigators are preparing to summon 11 more local government officials. The NACC has also accepted the case for fact-finding investigation and elevated it to special case status due to the involvement of senior-level officials.

This marks significant progress in the civil service exam fraud case. The Prime Minister and Interior Minister have previously stated that anyone involved, regardless of their status, will face consequences, and that no one connected to Bhumjaithai Party members will be spared—all will be prosecuted under the law. The exam fraud case is considered major and notorious because it involved a large-scale conspiracy affecting approximately 6,000 people with preliminary damages estimated at over 4.5 billion baht. Significantly, the case has implicated senior officials including directors-general, deputy directors-general, deputy governors, and provincial administrative organization secretaries. The scale of the conspiracy has raised suspicions about whether politicians or ministerial-level figures are orchestrating the scheme from behind the scenes.

Public expectations are high that the investigation will be expanded to expose those behind the operation completely and thoroughly, not merely at the lower operational levels.

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National

Thailand Real Estate Enters Buyer's Market, DDproperty Reveals Top 5 Locations

Thailand's real estate market has shifted decisively toward buyers, with developers slashing prices and promotions to clear inventory as new project launches slow. DDproperty data shows the buyer advantage may be temporary—supply continues

Thailand Real Estate Enters Buyer's Market, DDproperty Reveals Top 5 Locations
15h ago Khaosod

Vithaya Abiraksviriya, Thailand country manager for Think of Living and DDproperty, announced that the real estate platform has analyzed market data to support buyers, investors, and agents in making more informed decisions. The overall market currently shows clear signs that negotiating power has shifted to buyers in both new and secondary home markets, as developers accelerate inventory clearance amid slowing new project launches.

In the first five months of 2025, new project values declined by approximately 10 percent while new units fell by 30 percent. Developers are responding by competing through promotions and price cuts to convert stock into cash. Meanwhile, the secondary home market is heating up, with transaction values approaching 50 percent of all real estate deals, reflecting sellers' willingness to reduce prices for faster closures.

Although buyers currently hold negotiating power, DDproperty estimates this advantage may not last long as new supply continues to decline. Bangkok's townhouse absorption rate has improved from roughly six years to about four years of inventory clearance, though still above the two-year timeframe typical of healthy markets. If supply continues shrinking, buyer competition will likely intensify.

Website visitor numbers have dropped from an average of three million monthly to about two million—nearly 30 percent—yet customer inquiries to agents remain steady, resulting in almost double the visitor-to-inquiry conversion rate compared to early last year. This reflects a highly motivated buyer pool ready to decide immediately when finding suitable properties at acceptable prices.

The rental market shows similarly strong conversion rates, with tenant demand continuing to rise. DDproperty identified market gaps by comparing listings against inquiries by price segment: rental properties at 20,000–30,000 baht per month and purchase properties at 5–10 million baht remain in strong demand relative to supply, creating opportunities for developers, investors, and agents.

Vithaya noted that secondary market sales—where over 80 percent of transactions flow through agents with rising trends—present significant opportunities for agents. The rental market also offers growing potential as high tenant turnover and changing consumer behavior favoring rentals over purchases, especially post-COVID, have become normal for younger generations. Agents who can compete effectively will be those who transition into advisory roles.

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Police

Water Authority Worker Arrested in Colleague's Slaying

A Bangkok Water Authority worker was arrested after confessing to killing a colleague with a wooden object over a disputed 40,000-baht withdrawal at a Khlong Toei dormitory on July 15.

Water Authority Worker Arrested in Colleague's Slaying
15h ago Khaosod

Police received a report at 8:10 a.m. on July 15, 2025, of a male body discovered in a bathroom at the Bangkok Water Authority's Khlong Hualamphong dormitory in Khlong Toei district. The deceased, identified as Ampai, 54, a water authority employee, was found lying face-up in a pool of blood. A coworker stated he found the bathroom door locked from outside around 7 a.m., retrieved a key from the dormitory, and discovered Ampai's body upon returning. The coworker called another employee, Golf, 42, to help remove the body before notifying police. Golf later fled the scene.

Investigators tracked Golf through CCTV footage to a hotel in the Samrarn Rat police precinct area where they apprehended him. During questioning, Golf confessed to killing Ampai by striking his head twice with a wooden object found at the scene. Golf admitted he had withdrawn approximately 40,000 baht from Ampai's mobile phone the previous night. When Ampai discovered the unauthorized withdrawal and refused to let the matter go, Golf attacked him and then hid the body in the bathroom.

Police filed charges of murder and concealing, moving, or destroying a corpse to cover up a death. Golf was handed over to investigators for legal proceedings.

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National

Only 4 Liver Fluke Cases Confirmed Among 2,200 Maha Sarakham Students

Only 4 confirmed liver fluke cases were found among 2,200 screened students in Maha Sarakham Province, though initial testing flagged 451 positives. Thailand's infection rates have declined significantly since 2016, but the parasite remains

Only 4 Liver Fluke Cases Confirmed Among 2,200 Maha Sarakham Students
16h ago Khaosod

On July 15, Dr. Wicharn Bounkittikul, director of the Department of Disease Control's epidemiology division, announced screening results for liver fluke infections among university students in Maha Sarakham Province. Of 2,200 students screened using urine test kits, 451 tested positive; however, laboratory confirmation using Modified Kato Katz and FECT techniques on 309 stool samples found only 4 confirmed cases of liver fluke infection.

The screening also detected other parasites, including 4 cases of intestinal fluke, 5 cases of roundworm, 2 cases of hookworm, and 1 case of whipworm. The Department of Disease Control will only provide deworming medication to patients with confirmed positive results and plans to collaborate with the Department of Medical Sciences to refine urine test kit procedures.

Dr. Wicharn noted that Thailand's overall liver fluke situation has improved steadily, with infection rates among people aged 15 and older in high-risk areas declining from 16.27% in 2016 to 2.53% in 2024. However, the Northeast and Northern regions remain under close surveillance. In 2024, the department screened 240,220 people and treated 6,074 confirmed cases.

Dr. Yongjeurh Lersirithawaror, director of the general communicable disease division, explained that liver fluke is a "silent threat" that can remain dormant in the body for 20–30 years, initially causing no symptoms. The parasite's larvae live in the flesh, scales, and fins of freshwater fish; consuming undercooked fish allows larvae to mature in the bile ducts, causing chronic inflammation and increasing the risk of bile duct cancer by 5.5–6.4 times compared to uninfected individuals.

Prevention measures include eating only thoroughly cooked freshwater fish, avoiding raw or undercooked fish dishes, selecting fermented fish products from regulated producers, and seeking screening if you have a history of consuming raw fish or live in high-risk areas. Dr. Yongjeurh also warned that widespread misconceptions—that lime juice, chili, pickled foods, or alcohol kill the parasite—are false and offer no protection.

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National

Nua Tae Founders Deny Misusing Employee Social Security Funds

Nua Tae restaurant founders denied misusing employee social security funds, attributing wage delays to cash flow problems during rapid expansion, though an Islamic bank loan recently allowed them to pay all outstanding salaries in full.

Nua Tae Founders Deny Misusing Employee Social Security Funds
16h ago Khaosod

Veerachai Srutthai and Napasool Rambuth, founders of Company B Limited (Nua Tae restaurant), addressed questions about unpaid employee salaries and unreimbursed social security deductions, and clarified the company's future direction. Bangtote explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant employed 500–600 staff. When many venues were forced to close for safety reasons and mass layoffs occurred, the founders decided no employee should be left without work. They sold company shares to raise 60 million baht for payroll, though this decision marked the beginning of the company's long-term problems.

To attract new investors, the founders agreed to achieve sales targets high enough to enter the stock exchange. This forced rapid expansion beyond their original plan of no more than five locations. However, the accelerated growth revealed operational weaknesses and unforeseen costs accumulated rapidly. Six to seven months ago, the founders ran out of resources and stopped taking salaries themselves. For the last two to three months, they struggled to pay staff on time, delaying wages by approximately two months—a situation they deeply regretted.

Bangtote clarified that they did not misappropriate employee social security contributions. Rather, due to cash flow problems, they had insufficient funds to pay both salaries and social security contributions, not a matter of diverting money. An Islamic bank recently provided financial relief, allowing the company to pay all outstanding employee salaries in full. He confirmed that no employee has any deficiency in benefits, and all can claim full social security coverage. Going forward, the company will cover any shortfalls so employees can claim from the company directly. As of now, all salaries are paid in full and social security benefits are completely accessible.

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Tourism

Ning Chanya Stars in Kung Fu Soccer After Three-Year Wait

Actress Ning Chanya makes her international film debut in martial arts action film "Kung Fu Soccer," a "Shaolin Soccer" spinoff following a women's football team that uses kung fu to win a tournament. The film premieres in Thai cinemas afte

Ning Chanya Stars in Kung Fu Soccer After Three-Year Wait
16h ago Khaosod

Actress Ning Chanya is thrilled to finally debut on the international stage in the martial arts action film "Kung Fu Soccer," a spinoff of Stephen Chow's legendary "Shaolin Soccer." The film reunites her with co-stars Dilraba Dilmurat, Zhang Xiaofei, and EXO's Lay Zhang in an action-packed adventure about a grassroots women's football team that harnesses kung fu to win the prestigious Supreme Invincible Cup tournament.

Ning Chanya shared her excitement about the project, which required over a year of intensive training in football skills and physical conditioning. She revealed that her dedication resulted in injuries including torn ankle ligaments and a meniscus tear, which have since healed. According to Ning, the film goes beyond beautiful football—it transforms the pitch into an epic kung fu arena where goals could shake the heavens. The film premiered in China on July 11 and will soon arrive in Thai cinemas.

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Police

Police Rescue Two Students Held for Ransom in Call Center Scam

Police rescued two university students held captive in a Pathum Thani resort by an online scam gang that forced them to bind themselves and extorted nearly one million baht through 24-hour video surveillance and threats.

Police Rescue Two Students Held for Ransom in Call Center Scam
16h ago Khaosod

Police rescued two students from an online call center extortion gang that held them captive via 24-hour video call and forced them to bind themselves in a resort room, extorting nearly one million baht. On July 15 at 1 p.m., officers from Pak Khlong Rangsit Police Station in Pathum Thani, led by Pol. Col. Patthai Phamornpibul, raided a resort in Lak Hok subdistrict following a report from relatives. The two victims—Tae, 21, a second-year aviation student, and Pleum, 22, a second-year computer science student—were found in a room with their limbs bound with tape. They had been tricked by the scam gang to download an application and were held under video surveillance while the gang threatened them and forced them to contact their families for money transfers totaling nearly one million baht within 24 hours.

According to police investigation, the scammers used VPN and international internet connections to contact the victims. They used CCTV footage to track the first victim from his dormitory to a resort, then to another dormitory nearby. When police officers arrived and identified themselves, both victims were terrified and disbelieving, as the scammers had warned them that fake police might come. Tae reported that the criminals initially called claiming to investigate suspicious banking activity and money laundering, then demanded personal information and asset details. On Friday at 3 p.m., they threatened to help him avoid arrest in exchange for money and instructed him to liquidate assets—he reported having a gold bar worth 60,000 baht. The gang continued extorting money until real police arrived to rescue them.

One parent disclosed that their son initially called excitedly saying he had received a scholarship to study abroad and needed to arrange a U.S. visa, later requesting 350,000 baht to be deposited in his bank account. Trusting their son's future, the parent transferred the money but grew suspicious when unable to receive documentation about the visa process and asked for screenshots of the bank application to confirm funds were still in the account.

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Police

Bangkok Police Inspect Entertainment Venue Fire Safety Standards

Bangkok police and local officials inspected an entertainment venue on Sukhumvit 63, confirming it meets all fire safety standards including emergency exits, extinguishers, and evacuation procedures.

Bangkok Police Inspect Entertainment Venue Fire Safety Standards
16h ago Khaosod

On July 15, Pol. Lt. Gen. Withawat Chinkhram, commander of Police Region 5, and Pol. Col. Decha Phomsuwannaram, deputy commander, ordered officers led by Pol. Col. Rathannon Ekathitikulpat (Thong Lo Police Station commander) and Pol. Maj. Nattakitti Chokkouksong (deputy commander) to conduct a joint safety inspection with Watthana District officials, including District Director Pimpchuda Sakunsitthitada, at a service establishment on Sukhumvit 63 in Klongtan Nue subdistrict, Watthana District, Bangkok.

The inspection focused on fire prevention and suppression measures, emergency exits, emergency lighting, and fire extinguisher readiness, with strict adherence to government standards emphasized. Key requirements inspected included: regular checks of electrical systems and equipment; strict prohibition of fireworks and sparkling devices indoors; avoidance of highly flammable decorative materials such as foam and plastic fabric; fire extinguishers placed in clearly visible, easily accessible locations with adequate coverage; self-illuminated exit signs visible even during power outages; emergency exits that must not be locked and must open outward immediately; limiting occupancy to prevent overcrowding and ensure safe evacuation; and mandatory staff fire evacuation drills with clearly defined roles.

The establishment was found to be in full compliance with regulations. Officials reiterated the requirement for strict and continuous adherence to all fire safety measures.

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National

School Principal Under Investigation for Misconduct and Financial Irregularities

Teachers at a Ratchaburi province school have filed complaints against their principal alleging misconduct and financial irregularities, with a fact-finding committee investigating claims of improper purchasing procedures and dereliction of

School Principal Under Investigation for Misconduct and Financial Irregularities
16h ago Khaosod

Teachers at a school in Ratchaburi province have filed complaints against their principal, alleging inappropriate conduct including dereliction of duty, improper personal behavior, and questionable transparency in purchasing procedures. The case was forwarded to the Ratchaburi Primary Education Zone 2 office for urgent investigation. According to a zone administrator, a fact-finding committee was established about two months ago to examine the allegations, though the administrator stated they are not directly overseeing the process. The committee has reportedly conducted inquiries into the claims, but it remains unclear whether findings have been formally submitted to the zone office.

The administrator acknowledged that financial irregularities appear to be the most substantive area under investigation, possibly stemming from a transition between the former retiring principal and the new principal, along with a change in finance staff. Regarding the personal conduct allegation, the administrator said no investigation has been conducted on that matter. Officials emphasized that the investigation is proceeding fairly for both sides, with results remaining confidential as a legal matter until conclusions are finalized and submitted to the zone director.

No. 11 of Read at source → Next
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