Lanta & News
No. 01 · ENDLESS
Police

Police Probe Ceiling and Wiring in Third Investigation of Deadly Bangkok Beer Hall Fire

Investigators examined the beer hall's ceiling and electrical wiring in their third probe into the July fire that killed 30 people, focusing on a stage area where witnesses reported seeing the initial flames and smoke.

Police Probe Ceiling and Wiring in Third Investigation of Deadly Bangkok Beer Hall Fire
1d ago Khaosod

Police forensics investigators conducted their third evidence-gathering visit to the Ladprao beer hall on July 14 to examine ceiling panels and electrical systems as they investigate the deadly fire that claimed 30 lives and injured many others. The team inspected ceiling areas throughout the venue to determine whether faulty wiring caused the blaze, while also reviewing the shop's electrical panel layout and checking whether materials were properly maintained or if easily flammable materials were used. Investigators are paying particular attention to the area above the stage zone, especially a cutout section, based on witness statements placing the fire's origin there with visible flames and smoke.

Major General Dr. Thanakrit Jitarirattana, director of the Klai Kanong Party's complaints center, visited the scene and expressed condolences to victims' families while criticizing what he called a recurring and preventable tragedy in Bangkok. He noted receiving complaints about similar problems since 2562 and questioned how many more losses must occur before serious corrective action is taken, emphasizing that regulatory agencies bear direct responsibility. He expressed concern the incident would fade from public attention and warned that violating operators must face legal consequences. His initial inspection found the venue operates as a restaurant but provides music services past midnight, creating ambiguity between restaurant and entertainment establishment classification. He called for investigation into building permits and use authorization under construction control law, noting emergency exit stairs were found locked, requiring identification of who ordered them secured.

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National

JOOX Launches VIP Concert Pass Bundle

JOOX launches VIP Concert Pass, bundling a year of ad-free streaming with a free ticket to Monster Music Festival 2026 for 1,788 baht, expanding beyond music streaming into live concert experiences.

JOOX Launches VIP Concert Pass Bundle
1d ago Khaosod

JOOX is making a major push into the concert market with the launch of JOOX VIP Concert Pass, a new package combining JOOX VIP membership and free concert tickets in a single subscription. The bundle bridges music streaming on the app with real-world stage experiences at Monster Music Festival 2026.

JOOX, Thailand's established music streaming platform, is now opening the JOOX VIP Concert Pass package for subscription through its mobile app. Subscribers receive both JOOX VIP membership and concert entry tickets in one package, offering music fans a new way to enjoy unlimited music on JOOX while experiencing live concerts.

Subscribers to JOOX VIP Concert Pass via the JOOX app will receive 12 months of JOOX VIP membership with Hi-Fi quality sound, unlimited ad-free listening, and unlimited offline downloads, plus one free ticket to Monster Music Festival 2026. The package is priced at 1,788 baht and begins sales from July 11 onwards.

The launch of JOOX VIP Concert Pass marks a significant step for JOOX in expanding the music fan experience. Previously a platform for discovering new music, following artists, and streaming songs, JOOX is now positioning itself as a bridge connecting music listening to live performance experiences, allowing fans to follow their favorite artists both on the platform and at actual concerts.

For JOOX, music listening is the beginning of being a fan. JOOX VIP Concert Pass was developed to connect every stage of a fan's journey—from discovering new music and following artists to streaming on the app and singing along with favorite artists at live concerts.

Interested users can find details and register for JOOX VIP Concert Pass starting today through the JOOX mobile application.

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National

Thai Actor Posts Mystery Photo Amid Imposter Scandal

Thai actor Jack Fanchan posted a viral mystery photo questioning the identity of a man in military uniform spotted near Prime Minister Anutin during a Ladprao beer hall fire, amid online reports of an imposter posing as a military officer a

Thai Actor Posts Mystery Photo Amid Imposter Scandal
1d ago Khaosod

Photos have flooded in online as Thai entertainer Jack Fanchan posted a viral catchphrase asking the identity of a man in military uniform spotted near Prime Minister Anutin on the night of a Ladprao beer hall fire. Social media has been circulating images of someone in disguise posing as a military officer in various government agencies. Jack Fanchan shared an old photo with the same man from years ago, captioning it with the catchphrase and claiming he doesn't know who the person is. He said the man asked to take a photo while wearing military attire with religious pendants, and questioned the man's recent interview on Thai News, adding that both the Prime Minister and journalists have been affected by the situation. Entertainment industry friends responded with humorous comments on the post.

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National

Thai Premier to Visit China July 16-20

Prime Minister Anuthín Charnvírakul will visit China July 16-20 to strengthen bilateral ties with Chinese leadership and promote Thai investment opportunities across Shanghai, Chengdu, and Beijing.

Thai Premier to Visit China July 16-20
1d ago Khaosod

Prime Minister Anuthín Charnvírakul will undertake an official visit to China from July 16-20, 2025, following an invitation from President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek announced on July 14. The premier will visit three Chinese cities: Shanghai, where he will pay respects to President Xi Jinping and attend the opening of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference; Chengdu, where he will chair a Board of Investment seminar and open a Thai investment office at the consulate general to promote Thai business opportunities with Chinese investors; and Beijing, where he will hold full bilateral meetings with Premier Li Qiang and meet with Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress. Multiple cooperation documents spanning trade, investment, science, technology, artificial intelligence, and regional security issues will be signed during the visit.

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National

Thailand Attracts 69 Film Shoots, Generates 4 Billion Baht in H1

Thailand attracted 69 international film productions in the first half of 2025, generating over 4 billion baht in revenue as the government strengthens incentives to compete for major Hollywood projects.

Thailand Attracts 69 Film Shoots, Generates 4 Billion Baht in H1
1d ago Khaosod

The Thai government has partnered with the Motion Picture Association (MPA) to attract international film production investment, reporting that 69 foreign film projects in the first half of 2025 generated over 4 billion baht in revenue.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthummaphan met with Urmila Venugopalan, President and Managing Director of the MPA Asia-Pacific region, who traveled directly from California for the meeting. Representatives from the Tourism and Sports Ministry and Culture Ministry also participated in the discussions.

The meeting underscores Thailand's commitment to establishing itself as a world-class film production destination, with the United States currently leading as the top source of international film projects in the country.

The Thai government has emphasized its foreign film production incentive program (Cash Rebate), which was increased from 25% to a maximum of 30% in the previous year to enhance competitiveness and attract film crews from around the world amid intense international competition. This represents an important opportunity for Thailand to receive strategic insights for improving conditions that attract major Hollywood studios.

These proactive government measures have resulted in strong performance in foreign film production statistics in Thailand for 2025 (January–June). According to data from the Foreign Film and Video Affairs Division of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, a total of 302 foreign film projects have entered production in Thailand, with investment projected to exceed 4,025 million baht.

Looking at the top five source countries, the United States dominates both in number of projects and investment volume, with 23 American film projects generating 1,543 million baht in revenue. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Finland, and Germany follow in ranking.

Foreign content production in Thailand spans diverse formats, with "feature films" (such as major productions like The Creator, Meg 2, Jurassic World Rebirth, and acclaimed series like The White Lotus and Alien: Earth) generating the highest revenue for the country.

The Thai government reaffirms its readiness to provide full support and cooperation with international partners, including tax incentives, streamlined production facilitation, and workforce development in the film industry, to create an investment-friendly environment and establish Thailand as a sustainable preferred destination for the global film industry.

No. 05 of Read at source → Next
Police

Foundation Aids Families of Fire Victims

The Po Tek Tung Foundation distributed 20,000 baht in funeral aid to families of workers killed in the Ladprao beer factory fire and arranged transport of the deceased to their hometowns for religious ceremonies.

Foundation Aids Families of Fire Victims
1d ago Khaosod

The Po Tek Tung Foundation's public welfare division, led by Sirikhul Opasswong, committee member and secretary, and other officials including Duangchuta Tiyapatchanprokul, public welfare manager, Ratchaporn Prasongthrap, and Chumpol Bunyapakdi, provided initial assistance to families of those who died in the Ladprao beer factory fire. The foundation distributed funeral aid of 20,000 baht per family and facilitated the transport of the deceased with coffins back to their hometowns for relatives to conduct religious ceremonies at the Police Hospital's Forensic Medicine Institute.

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National

Social Security Adopts CARE Formula to Boost Low Pensions

Thailand's Social Security Office is adopting the CARE formula to boost low pensions, adjusting calculations to better reflect lifetime earnings and contribution duration, with payments beginning next period.

Social Security Adopts CARE Formula to Boost Low Pensions
1d ago Khaosod

Thailand's Social Security Office has announced revisions to its old-age pension formula, confirming the adoption of the CARE formula to compensate those receiving lower payouts, with payments beginning in the next period.

On July 14, 2025, Social Security Office Secretary-General Kanjana Poolkaew revealed the pension formula improvements cover several key issues. The office adjusted calculations for those who contributed for fewer than 12 months, allowing them to receive benefits from both employee and employer contributions plus earnings, instead of only their own share. For contributors exceeding 180 months, the office reformed the pension rate calculation, changing from a 1.5% increase per completed 12-month period to a 0.125% monthly increase based on actual contribution months, better aligning benefits with contribution duration.

Another major change involves adjusting the wage base used for pension calculations from the average of the final 60 months before retirement to the lifetime average of all contribution months, with past wages adjusted to current value before applying CARE principles. This reflects lifetime earnings and reduces disparities from late-career income shifts. A five-year transition protection has been established for new retirees whose new-formula pensions fall below the old formula, providing tapering compensation starting at 100% in the first year and declining to 20% in the fifth year.

For current retirees, if recalculation under the new formula results in higher benefits, the Social Security Office will increase their pensions in the next payment period, though no retroactive payments will be made for past periods. This pension formula revision represents a significant step toward developing a fairer and more modern Thai social security system aligned with changing economic conditions, ensuring sustainable income security for workers after retirement.

No. 07 of Read at source → Next
National

Thailand Pushes Fruit Exports to 332.5 Billion Baht

Thailand aims to boost fruit exports to 332.5 billion baht in 2025, a 73% jump from last year, by expanding markets in China, Taiwan, Japan and the UAE through improved logistics and live-streaming sales strategies.

Thailand Pushes Fruit Exports to 332.5 Billion Baht
1d ago Khaosod

Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion is targeting fruit export revenues of 332.5 billion baht in 2025, representing 5% growth from last year's 192.5 billion baht in fresh fruit exports. The department has adopted an aggressive export strategy covering market expansion, logistics management, and digital commerce promotion. Key initiatives include advance purchase negotiations, business matching, and new market development with trading partners including China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, and the UAE, generating combined trade value exceeding 3.12 billion baht. The government is accelerating logistics coordination, particularly by extending operating hours at major border crossings in Vietnam and China to improve efficiency in shipping fruit to southern China and reduce seasonal congestion.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Suttarumphand has tasked Commerce Ministry assistant Piyanuach Wuttisonn with surveying transport routes through the Huu Nghi border crossing in Vietnam to prepare for increased Thai fruit exports to China. Officials will coordinate with relevant agencies to streamline logistics, border procedures, and shipping efficiency through the Huu Nghi-Youyiguan corridor, a critical route for Thai goods entering the Chinese market.

The government is also promoting Thai fruits through China's live commerce platforms, using key opinion leaders to conduct live-streaming sales targeting modern consumers through real-time retail, which has become a major growth engine for Chinese retail markets. April export data shows strong momentum: durian exports grew 109.5%, rambutan 92.8%, and lychee 70%, reflecting recovery in Thailand's fruit export sector. With domestic durian production expected to reach 2.07 million tons in 2025—a 33% increase—the department aims to export one million tons to global markets, primarily expanding beyond China's major cities to 11 high-growth secondary cities including Yinchuan, Yueyang, Urumqi, Nanchang, Baicheng, Liuzhou, Changsha, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Zhengzhou, and Dalian. Marketing activities including Thai Tropical Fruits Golden Months promotions, in-store campaigns, trade missions, and trade fairs will be conducted with department stores, importers, local retailers, and influencers.

No. 08 of Read at source → Next
National

Thailand Publicly Burns Seized Drugs to Build Public Trust

Thailand publicly burned seized drugs in a July 2026 ceremony led by top health and police officials to demonstrate that confiscated narcotics are destroyed rather than resold, addressing public concerns about the fate of confiscated metham

Thailand Publicly Burns Seized Drugs to Build Public Trust
1d ago Khaosod

High-ranking government and police officials witnessed the public burning of confiscated drugs on July 14, 2026, in a ceremony presided over by Health Minister Pipat Prom-Pattana and attended by Deputy Police Chief General Samran Nualma and the director of the National Drug Control Coordination Centre. Deputy Police Chief Samran stated that the operation aimed to build public confidence that all seized narcotics, especially methamphetamine and heroin, are systematically and transparently destroyed after being used as evidence in criminal proceedings. He acknowledged that some citizens have mistakenly believed that confiscated drugs might be returned to the system or sold again, and said that opening the drug destruction process to media witnesses affirms the transparency of Thailand's drug elimination procedures and corrects public misunderstanding.

No. 09 of Read at source → Next
National

Thailand Revises Visa-Free Policy, Cuts Stay from 60 to 30 Days

Thailand cut visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days for most nationalities while adding six new countries to its exemption list, as authorities aim to boost security screening and prevent misuse of extended tourist visas.

Thailand Revises Visa-Free Policy, Cuts Stay from 60 to 30 Days
1d ago Khaosod

On July 14, Deputy Prime Minister Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksameesangjan announced that the cabinet has approved a review of Thailand's visa exemption and entry clearance procedures to align tourism facilitation with current conditions while strengthening security. The key change eliminates the 60-day visa exemption for tourism, short-term work, and business visits for 93 countries and territories, as the extended stays were seen as potential channels for illegal activity or purposes inconsistent with tourism. The new measures grant 59 countries a 30-day visa-free stay, including six nations newly added: India, Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and Maldives, which ensures all 27 EU member states receive equal treatment and strengthens diplomatic and economic relations. Mauritius and Seychelles will receive a 15-day visa-free stay based on high visitor numbers and spending levels, while India's average stay of 7.17 days per visit was also a key consideration. Visa on Arrival will be available for Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia, with India's VoA cancelled due to the new 15-day exemption to avoid duplication. A total of 65 countries will receive visa benefits under the revised measures, with five related Ministry of Interior announcements taking effect 15 days after Royal Gazette publication. Foreigners who entered before the new rules take effect may complete their stay under the original privileges. Security agencies will enhance the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system to better screen travelers and link databases across agencies to assess risks and ensure privileges are used as intended. Officials stressed the review maintains tourism growth and international relations while preventing visa policies from becoming channels for illegal activity.

No. 10 of Read at source → Next
National

Chao Phraya Express Cuts Fares by 1 Baht

Chao Phraya Express Boat cut fares by 1 baht across all routes starting July 17, passing savings from lower diesel costs to Bangkok commuters.

Chao Phraya Express Cuts Fares by 1 Baht
1d ago Khaosod

Commuters have reason to celebrate as Chao Phraya Express Boat reduces all ticket prices by an additional 1 baht in response to falling diesel costs. On July 14, Navaratri Charoen Prom, managing director of Chao Phraya Express Boat Co., Ltd., announced that because diesel prices have dropped to 34.99 baht per liter as of July 8, the company is cutting fares across all boat types by 1 baht from their previous rates, effective Friday, July 17. The new fares are: Orange Flag boats on the Nonthaburi–Wat Rajsingkram route drop from 18 to 17 baht throughout the line; Yellow Flag boats on the Nonthaburi–Sathorn route fall from 23 to 22 baht; Green-Yellow Flag boats see reductions across three routes (Pak Kret–Nonthaburi from 16 to 15 baht, Nonthaburi–Sathorn from 23 to 22 baht, and Pak Kret–Sathorn from 35 to 34 baht); and Red Flag air-conditioned boats on the Nonthaburi–Sathorn route decrease from 32 to 31 baht. The company stated that if diesel prices fall further, it will implement additional fare reductions. Passengers can stay updated on service information, schedules, and routes through the Chao Phraya Express Boat Facebook page or LINE: @cpxcare.

No. 11 of Read at source → Next
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