BANGKOK: The death toll in the Rong Beer Na Ladprao beer hall fire in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, has risen to 34, with another of the hospitalised victims succumbing to injuries.
BANGKOK: The death toll in the Rong Beer Na Ladprao beer hall fire in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, has risen to 34, with another of the hospitalised victims succumbing to injuries.
UOB Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand launched a joint campaign offering UOB cardholders rewards including 15% cashback on hotels and redeemable points for travel, aiming to boost domestic tourism spending and support local ope
UOB Thailand has joined the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) as a banking partner in the "UOB x TAT: Travel Thailand Together" campaign to support domestic tourism, stimulate spending, and distribute income to local operators nationwide. The collaboration reflects TAT's commitment to partnering with private sector allies to continuously promote travel within Thailand and drive economic circulation through tourist spending. According to UOB credit cardholder spending data from the first half of 2025, travel and accommodation spending ranks among the top five spending categories, demonstrating strong and consistent Thai consumer demand for domestic trips. The bank is leveraging this behavioral insight to create campaign offerings that align with cardholder preferences while supporting TAT's goals to boost travel and stimulate local economic activity. Nidhi Sieprae, Deputy Governor of TAT for Marketing Communications, stated that the partnership combines the strengths of both organizations to deliver valuable benefits and travel experiences to UOB cardholders while helping tourism operators reach quality travelers and supporting sustainable growth in Thailand's tourism economy. Under the campaign, UOB credit cardholders can redeem accumulated UOB Rewards points for travel benefits, receive 15% cashback on direct hotel payments at participating Thai properties, and collect premium UOB x Snoopy items with qualifying purchases of 1,000 baht or more. Suphothip Pongsachanyakij, Senior Assistant General Manager of UOB Thailand's Credit Card Business, noted that the bank is utilizing its data expertise and financial products combined with its partner network benefits to help customers travel more affordably while distributing revenue directly to hotels, accommodation providers, and tourism businesses across the country.
Thailand's Miss Supranational 2026 representative Aye Kanyalaksana arrived in Poland and debuted in a modern Thai Chakri dress to showcase Thai culture among international competitors at the pageant.
Aye Kanyalaksana, Thailand's representative at Miss Supranational 2026, has arrived in Poland and officially reported to the pageant organization. She landed in the morning of July 18 local time and is now staying with competitors from around the world in Nowy Sącz, Poland, which serves as the host venue for the competition's training period.
For her first day with the pageant, Aye chose to appear in a modern Thai Chakri dress, presenting Thai identity and cultural beauty in a contemporary style to introduce herself to international contestants and showcase Thai culture on a global stage.
The dress was inspired by Queen Sirikit's Chakri dress, the late Queen Mother who played an important role in developing and promoting modern Thai dress suitable for royal state visits abroad. Her vision became a key model for presenting Thai identity to international audiences.
By wearing Thai dress on opening day, Aye expresses not only pride in her Thai heritage but also honors the cultural vision that has made Thai dress recognized and celebrated on the world stage to this day.
Miss Supranational 2026 will hold its training activities throughout July before the final judging round on July 31 in Poland. Thai pageant fans are welcome to show their support and follow Aye Kanyalaksana's performance as Thailand's representative throughout the competition as she competes on the international stage this year.
Thailand's government demolished 50 illegal structures at Noi Beach in Phuket, reclaiming beachfront land worth approximately $60 million that had been fraudulently occupied for over two decades.
Minister Suchat Chomklin and a task force of over 400 officials launched an operation to reclaim Noi Beach, demolishing 50 structures that encroached on Nakagerd Range National Forest Reserve. The beach, long disputed for over 20 years, had been granted fraudulent land titles covering 18 rai before Thailand's Supreme Court invalidated them in 2014, returning the area to protected forest status.
Suchat stated the government is determined to recover state land for all Thais, rejecting claims that influential figures operate above the law. He emphasized that the land, valued at roughly 100 million baht per rai, generated substantial rental income without legitimate investment, constituting abuse of power. The ministry is also coordinating with the Anti-Money Laundering Office to investigate illicit proceeds from illegal land use.
During a helicopter survey, Suchat ordered four agencies—including the National Parks Department, Forestry Department, and Provincial Administration—to identify and recover additional illegal structures on hillsides throughout the province. Following the demolition, Noi Beach will be designated as a recreation forest and learning center for public benefit. The Phuket initiative aims to serve as a model for nationwide land reclamation efforts.
The Standard Long Steel Trade Association urged the government to adopt the new TIS 24 standard for reinforcing steel, which requires production via BOF or EAF processes to improve quality and safety in line with international benchmarks.
The Standard Long Steel Trade Association submitted a letter to the Ministry of Industry on July 20, 2024, requesting support for the Industrial Product Standards Committee's decision to advance the new TIS 24 standard. The association called for protection of committee members and officials to carry out their duties independently under legal and academic frameworks.
The association stated it has monitored the reinforcing steel standard revision process and believes all stakeholders should contribute based on factual evidence and academic reasoning, without undue pressure on decision-makers. The new standard requires reinforcing steel raw materials to be produced via BOF or EAF processes to improve product quality and safety. The association noted these requirements align with international standards from Japan, China, the UK, and ISO, citing similar specifications in China's standards and research from the Southeast Asian Iron and Steel Institute (SEAISI).
The association emphasized it does not aim to exclude any producers or technology, but wants all manufacturers to compete under the same quality and safety standards. The association called on the Ministry of Industry to proceed with the new TIS 24 standard based on academic evidence and public interest, to elevate Thailand's steel industry standards, enhance construction safety, and strengthen the nation's long-term competitiveness.
CKPower won two Thailand-Japan sustainability awards for innovations in water management at its Bangkok-iao power plant and waste reduction at its Xayaburi hydroelectric facility. The projects achieved significant environmental gains includ
As climate change becomes a critical global challenge, the energy sector is advancing significantly toward a low-carbon society. CKPower, one of the region's largest renewable energy producers with one of the lowest carbon footprints, has announced major progress on its sustainability path by winning two awards from the Thailand-Japan Decarbonization Award 2025 (TJDA). The awards reflect not only measurable results but also the company's commitment to driving the organization toward its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050 through technology, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.
CKPower's award-winning distinction comes from innovation projects demonstrating tangible results in resource efficiency and environmental impact reduction. The first project, "Waste and Wastewater Management in Energy Production," at Bangkok-iao Cogeneration Power Plant focuses on efficient water resource management in electricity generation. The facility optimized lubricant systems to reduce waste and improved cooling tower water efficiency through chemical control adjustments, enabling greater water recycling. The project achieved water savings of over 743 million liters, cost savings of 19.5 million baht, reduced lubricant use by over 28,000 liters saving 2.6 million baht, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 95,000 kilograms of CO2 equivalent.
The second project, "Waste to Value: Bat Conservation for Natural Resource and Environmental Preservation," at Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Plant applies circular economy principles in the community. The facility converts organic waste from plant food scraps into soil-quality improvement materials, supporting pesticide-free farming while building environmental awareness among youth and community members. Between 2023-2025, the project managed over 31,333 kilograms of organic waste and produced approximately 8,472 kilograms of soil conditioner valued at 72,900 baht annually. Participating households earned an average of 9,300 baht per household from vegetable cultivation.
The success of these initiatives stems from CKPower's "C-K-P" sustainability strategy framework, which balances business growth, environment, and society. C stands for Clean Electricity, targeting 100% renewable electricity use by 2029 and over 95% renewable energy installed capacity by the same year. K represents Kind Neighbor, aiming to improve community quality of life and create value while respecting human rights across the business chain. P signifies Partnership for Life, driving sustainable growth through investment and innovation to strengthen the region's energy security and create long-term value.
Opposition lawmakers are demanding Thailand cancel its 1.6-billion-baht TH-AI Passport project, citing security flaws, questionable cost-effectiveness, and concerns the AI model lacks capabilities of free tools like ChatGPT.
Opposition MP Kaladee Liaopairoat held a question-and-answer forum on July 20 at Parliament to examine the TH-AI Passport project, warning that it contains numerous security gaps and may fail to achieve its goals. She urged the state to cancel the initiative and reconsider spending 1.6 billion baht, citing concerns about cost-effectiveness, suspected corruption, and specification locking in procurement. "I do not want 1.6 billion baht to become an expensive lesson or wasted money from which Thailand gains nothing," Kaladee said, pledging to send a letter to Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiyakorn Chidchob to protect the nation's interests.
Thanchat Numnon, director of the IMC Institute, argued that while free AI models are effective, the TH-AI Passport's AI model should at minimum match the capabilities of free versions like ChatGPT. He highlighted that AI-Pass, the project's test model, cannot upload large files—a feature standard free tools provide—limiting its ability to help citizens upskill. Pichphen Prantheepawannich, founder of Bangkok AI Builder Hub, suggested the 1.6-billion-baht budget would be better invested in developing Thailand's broader AI capacity and local startups rather than providing free AI access with unclear success metrics.
A 2.9-million-baht road project in Udon Thani is less than 50% complete with just three days until its July 17 deadline, prompting the Provincial Oversight Office to threaten legal action against officials who falsify reports or waive contr
The Udon Thani Provincial Oversight Office has expressed alarm over a concrete road construction project that is less than half finished with only three days left before the contract expires on July 17, 2569. The 2.9-million-baht project, managed by Chiang Phen Subdistrict Administration in Pa Tiap District, is 1,500 meters long and was originally scheduled to be completed within 120 days.
On-site inspections revealed that the contractor has completed less than 50 percent of the work, making it virtually impossible to finish within the remaining time. The oversight office has issued mandatory directives to subdistrict officials, requiring strict enforcement of contract penalties if deadlines are missed and prohibiting any reduction in construction standards. Officials have been ordered to conduct rigorous quality inspections at every stage, particularly to prevent shortcuts in concrete curing and material standards. The office warned it will pursue legal action against any government officials found to falsify work acceptance reports or waive penalties owed by contractors. The office pledged to closely monitor the project to ensure the 2.9-million-baht budget delivers genuine public benefit.
Bangkok police arrested the owner and employee of an illegal bar on Prachauthit Road after seizing multiple drugs including MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine, and ketamine sold to tourists.
On July 20, 2569, Huay Khwang police station commander Pol. Col. Srisak Tongmee ordered the arrest and detention of Somchai, 40, owner of an unlicensed entertainment venue that illegally sold multiple types of narcotics inside a four-story building on Prachauthit Road in Bangkok's Huay Khwang district. Also detained was Pattana, 43, a shop employee. The arrests followed an earlier operation by Deputy Police Commander Theeradej Thammsuther on July 18, when officers seized MDMA, crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, ketamine, poppers, and electronic cigarettes. Both suspects were transported with their faces covered and made no statement to media.
Somchai faces charges including possession with intent to distribute Class 2 narcotics (cocaine), Class 2 controlled substances (ketamine), and Class 1 narcotics (methamphetamine and MDMA) without authorization; concealing imported banned items (electronic cigarettes); operating an unlicensed service; and violating operating hour conditions. Pattana faces a single charge of possession of Class 2 controlled substances (ketamine) without authorization. Both confessed during questioning, and investigators are considering whether to oppose bail.
Nine tourists who tested positive for drugs have voluntarily entered drug treatment programs and were released. Following the incident, Police Commander Srisak held a meeting with station officers to strengthen proactive enforcement measures and conduct increased patrols to prevent similar incidents.
A government investigation into local exam fraud has identified over 30 points of concern across recruitment, testing, and hiring procedures, with a committee aiming to submit findings this week and establish unified standards for all gover
Deputy Police Chief Utten Nuypin reported on July 20 that the investigative committee held its third meeting to establish a framework for examining the local government exam fraud case. The committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilpraphan, aims to submit findings to him this week and has gathered evidence on 70 percent of the issues under review.
The investigation is not limited to determining whether fraud occurred, but rather examines the entire process from recruitment and exam preparation through result announcement and hiring. The committee has identified more than 30 points of focus, divided into three stages: pre-exam, during-exam, and post-exam procedures. Representatives from the Royal Thai Police, Civil Service Commission, Office of the Council of State, and other relevant agencies participated in the review.
The committee is comparing local government exam procedures with those used by other government agencies and the Civil Service Commission to develop a unified standard operating procedure (SOP) that can be applied across all government competitive exams in the future. Although the committee has already identified some gaps and potential weak points in the process, it is premature to pinpoint the exact cause of the alleged fraud while data collection from all agencies continues. The investigation examines whether all involved agencies followed their mandates and regulations fully, and identifies areas requiring improvement to prevent future irregularities.
Thailand and China established a new 2+2 security dialogue between their foreign and defence ministers to boost cooperation against transnational crime, with tackling call centre scam networks emerging as a priority for Bangkok.
Thailand and China have agreed to establish a new 2+2 security dialogue between their foreign and defence ministers, strengthening cooperation against transnational crime, including call centre scam networks, human trafficking and money laundering. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow announced the agreement on 20 July 2026 during an official visit to China with Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Speaking after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Sihasak said both countries had agreed to establish the new ministerial-level security mechanism to enhance policy coordination and bilateral security cooperation, with China offering to host the inaugural meeting. Thailand placed the fight against call centre scam syndicates at the top of the agenda, with both sides agreeing to expand cooperation in law enforcement, anti-human trafficking operations, anti-money laundering efforts and intelligence sharing to combat transnational criminal networks. Sihasak noted that tackling scam operations and organised crime would require broader regional cooperation, particularly with Myanmar and Cambodia, to dismantle cross-border criminal networks more effectively. He also raised concerns over grey businesses operating in Thailand, urging China to help address the issue and emphasizing that the Thai government welcomes only high-quality, sustainable investment with full compliance to Thai law. While describing grey businesses as a small proportion of overall Chinese investment in Thailand, Sihasak warned that illegal activities involving such operators could undermine public confidence and negatively affect Thai public sentiment.