Rung Khao (Lanlaa Tharavidee), a 21-year-old Thai tennis player ranked 99th in the world, delivered an outstanding performance by defeating Austria's Lilly Tackett 2-1 sets to reach the second round of Wimbledon for the first time at the 2026 Grand Slam tournament held in England on June 29.

Lanlaa became the fourth Thai female player to reach the main draw round of a Grand Slam after Tamarine Tanasugarn, Luksika Kumkhum, and Mananchaya Sawangkaew. The two players had previously met at the 2026 Australian Open in January, where Lanlaa dominated with a 2-0 set victory (6-3, 6-0).

This match saw both players compete at a high level. The first set went to a tiebreak where Lanlaa prevailed 7-6 (7-3) to take a 1-0 set lead. The second set was equally competitive until Tackett mounted a comeback to win 7-5, forcing a decisive third set.

The third set proved grueling before Lanlaa secured victory 6-4. She ultimately won the match 7-6 (7-3), 5-7, 6-4, making history as she advanced to the Wimbledon second round for the first time while earning approximately 5.5 million baht in prize money.

Lanlaa faces a tough challenge in her next match against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who defeated Serbia's Teodora Kostovic (ranked 182nd) 2-0 sets.

Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Wariratana wore a Thai Amarin dress while attending an official reception ceremony at Hôtel des Invalides in France on June 29, 2026. Hôtel des Invalides is a large historic complex built since the 17th century during the reign of King Louis XIV to honor and provide care for war veterans, serving as an important historical and military site of the French Republic. Within the complex are the Cathédrale Saint-Louis-des-Invalides, the cathedral of the French military, and the Dôme des Invalides, which houses the tomb of Emperor Napoleon I. This location is considered a symbol of the highest military honor used by the French government for state ceremonies welcoming foreign leaders. Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana wore a slate-colored Thai Amarin dress with embroidered raised flowers decorated with hand-stitched sequins, designed by national artist Thirapan Wannarat of Tirapan boutique, with makeup by Phuthada Phothammachat and hairstyling by Sompon Thirin.

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Phuket – A coordinated anti-drug operation has resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of narcotics and assets valued at more than 300,000 baht. The operation began with a formal assembly of more than 50 officers at Chalong Police Station. The gathering was presided over by Pol. Lt. Col. Kittikhun Puangnakphan, a […] Three People Arrested with Drugs and Assets Worth Over 300,000 Baht Seized in Chalong  -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

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Phuket — On Monday (June 29th) Phuket officially welcomed its new governor, Mr. Chotnarin Kerdsom, as he assumed office today. Accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Paveerisa Kerdsom, President of the Provincial Interior Housewives Association, the governor arrived at the Phuket Provincial Hall to begin his duties. Our previous story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/06/16/sudden-transfer-ordered-for-phuket-governor/ The Thai Cabinet approved a […] Phuket Welcomes New Governor -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

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Phuket — Deputy Transport Minister Sornpetch Boonyamanee reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the long-awaited Kathu–Patong Expressway, announcing that the project is expected to reach the Cabinet for consideration in the fourth quarter of 2026. During a field visit to Phuket this afternoon, Mr. Sornpetch inspected progress on transport infrastructure, including the deep-sea port development, […] Kathu–Patong Tunnel Project Moves Closer to Approval -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

A shocking traffic incident unfolded on Srivara Road as a red-plated Mercedes struck approximately 5-6 vehicles, leading to police intervention on June 29. Facebook user Nannicha Sathaworn documented the chaotic scene in video footage, showing the Mercedes repeatedly ramming a Toyota Fortuner. In the clip, the Mercedes driver can be seen hitting the Fortuner's rear and attempting to drag it forward, forcing the Fortuner driver to flee back into his vehicle.

According to the eyewitness account, the red-plated vehicle first made contact with another car before the main ramming spree began during school dismissal hours. After passing the initial collision point by about five minutes, the witness exited the taxi to buy tea, at which point the Mercedes driver began attacking multiple vehicles in succession, stopping and ramming repeatedly. When police officers happened to be stationed at a nearby intersection during the final impact, the Mercedes driver initially refused to exit the vehicle before eventually complying without showing signs of further aggression. He apologized and raised his hands in a wai gesture. The driver claimed he had quarreled with his girlfriend and was unable to control his emotions.