BANGKOK — 22 July 2026, The Taiwanese government representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Thailand said that he had received no calls from Thai government officials over an alleged attempt by the Chinese Embassy to intervene in the 8th Taiwan Documentary and Film Festival in Thailand.

Peter Lan made the remarks after the festival's opening ceremony at House Samyan, where he was asked about the alleged intervention and whether he had been contacted by Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"I think I'm here tonight to make sure that we have this wonderful cultural event going on," He said. "I encourage everyone to focus on the wonderful and iconic movies."

"I have already said my personal view on the interpretation of those movies, so I will not go further," he added.

Lan said the festival had received support from various partners and that, so far, there had been no contact from Thai government officials regarding the matter.

Asked how Taiwan plans to promote cultural ties with Thailand through film amid the current circumstances, Lan said cultural exchange remained an important part of the relationship between the two sides.

"As you can tell from the name, it is the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. So, of course, this will be very important when it comes to exchange and understanding between Thailand and Taiwan," he said.

Lan pointed to progress in trade, investment and business opportunities between Taiwan and Thailand, saying cultural exchange represented another important pillar of bilateral relations.

"Tonight, when we are showing our iconic movies, all 17 of them, we are focusing on another pillar of these relations. And this will continue, and we will strive to do so," he said.

The Taiwanese films and documentaries will be shown from 22 to 26 July, at House Samyan, Century Sukhumvit in Bangkok, and Pratudang Space in Khon Kaen.

Asked why the alleged interference had occurred for the first time in the festival's eight-year history, Lan expressed confidence in Thailand's commitment to cultural exchange.

"The host country is Thailand, and Thai people are peace-loving, democratic, supporting freedom of speech and freedom of expression," he said. "So we have every confidence that we can continue this kind of exchange between Taiwan and Thailand."

Earlier during the event, Lan also spoke about the family-focused themes portrayed in the films being screened at the festival.

Referencing a Thai saying that "those who have no music in their heart are truly strange and peculiar," he said viewers might reach a similar conclusion after watching the films, that families without empathy, compassion, respect and love are "truly strange and peculiar."

"If you watch those movies, you understand that if somebody claims to be your family member but knows only pressure, coercion and threats as a means to communicate with you, that's not family," he said.

"Family members need to know empathy, compassion, respect and love."

The School of Administrative Studies at Mae Jo University has posted a condolence message following the passing of Arisara Buachain, known as Om, a fourth-year public administration student from the Class of 88 (Singphrai 19). The school expressed its deepest sympathies to the bereaved family. Since the post was shared, many alumni and current students have come forward to express their condolences for her passing.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said on July 23, 2025, that information about nine politicians linked to an embezzlement case released by iLaw (Internet for Laws) appears to be old data. DSI Director-General Yutthana Praedumrong addressed the matter at Government House following iLaw director Yingcheep Atchananont's public disclosure of the nine names allegedly connected to the case. The DSI chief noted that he had previously provided information to iLaw and suggested the names revealed were likely already-known data rather than fresh evidence.

At 10:15 a.m. on July 23, 2569, Asapol Sannitriphop, a Phumi Thai Party MP from Sisaket and chair of the House committee on anti-corruption and misconduct prevention, spoke to reporters before the committee meeting to examine allegations of state officials' involvement in fraud during recruitment exams for civil servants and local government employees.

Asapol revealed that the committee had invited relevant agencies including the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Financial Intelligence Unit, the State Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), the Royal Thai Police's suppression division, the Department of Special Investigation, and the Thai Anti-Corruption Organization. These bodies are tasked with investigating and prosecuting disciplinary and criminal cases related to the scandal. The meeting was called to monitor progress—specifically, how far various units have advanced. The NACC, for example, released 50 names of implicated officials but notably omitted the Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry and the Director-General of the Department of Local Administration, raising public questions about their absence from the investigation scope.

On the question of complaints filed with the House legal affairs committee that implicated Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in the fraud, alleging proceeds would fund past elections, Asapol expressed full confidence in the premier's innocence, noting that he himself was the first to raise the exam fraud issue with Anutin in 2566, leading to a joint resolution by five agencies. "I can confirm that the Prime Minister wants wrongdoers held accountable under the law, and as chair of the anti-corruption committee, I am committed to collaboration—whether with opposition or government committees and anti-corruption bodies—because we want all involved in misconduct, regardless of rank, to face legal punishment," Asapol stated.

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gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show 2026, the largest gaming festival in Southeast Asia, returns in grand fashion from October 29 to November 1, 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC). The collaboration between gamescom asia—Asia's leading global gaming showcase—and Thailand Game Show, the region's largest gaming event, is organized by Show No Limit and Online Station under True Corporation Public Company Limited, combining the strengths of both events. Building on last year's historic success, which drew 206,159 attendees from 95 countries and 294 brands, the 2026 edition adopts the theme "The Heart of Gaming," positioning itself as the central hub consolidating all dimensions of the gaming industry. The event aims to attract investors, industry leaders, and gamers worldwide while generating approximately 1.22 billion baht in economic value, underscoring Thailand's global potential. The expanded venue covers 35,000 square meters.

Business Zone The business zone runs October 29–30 and serves as a complete gaming business investment hub. A major highlight is a special appearance by John Romero, co-founder of id Software and legendary creator of Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein 3D—games that revolutionized the first-person shooter genre worldwide. Romero will deliver a keynote titled "Why We Still Make Games," sharing decades of industry experience, lessons in overcoming challenges, and insights on gaming's future. The zone exclusively welcomes gaming industry entrepreneurs and media, providing a platform for game developers, business executives, investors, and distributors to network, conduct business negotiations, and participate in in-depth seminars. This strategic hub drives Southeast Asian gaming economics and investment while elevating Thai studios to international standards.

Over 70 speakers from 20 countries will share expertise covering game design, business strategy, and publishing from leading companies including Roblox (USA), Rovio Entertainment (Finland), Gameloft (Indonesia), Tencent (Singapore), and Godot Foundation (Spain). The business zone also features pitch competitions for independent game developers, Invest Circle activities, VIP mixers to match developers with investors, and the Thailand Game Talent Showcase presenting games from Thailand's leading student teams, with Xsolla as the primary business zone sponsor.

Entertainment and Gaming Exhibition Zone The entertainment and gaming exhibition zone runs October 30 through November 1.