Bangkok, 13 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and AirAsia Group signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 9 July 2026 at Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to expand tourism cooperation and strengthen Thailand’s position as a quality regional destination under “Amazing Thailand: Feel All the Feelings”.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister, together with Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport; Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports. The MOU was signed by Miss Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific, and Mr. Ahmad AL Farouk Bin Ahmad Kamal, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia Group Berhad.

Miss Pattaraanong said, “Malaysia is one of Thailand’s most important short-haul markets, supported by strong repeat travel and extensive air, land, and sea connectivity. This partnership brings together TAT’s destination marketing and AirAsia Group’s regional network to stimulate travel demand, open access to more Thai destinations, and attract higher-value visitor segments. It also supports reciprocal travel and long-term tourism growth between Thailand and Malaysia.”

The MOU covers cooperation from 2026 to 2029 in joint marketing and communications, route development, tourism trade engagement, media and influencer campaigns, and the exchange of market insights. While placing particular emphasis on Malaysia, the partnership will also support wider short-haul markets and TAT’s Value over Volume direction.

Malaysia is Thailand’s second-largest source market after China, with 2,135,591 arrivals recorded from 1 January to 7 July 2026. Proximity, high repeat visitation, and convenient transport links support strong demand for weekend and extended-holiday travel centred on shopping, gastronomy, culture, and leisure.

Key land gateways include Sadao, Su-ngai Kolok, Padang Besar, and Betong. The new road linking Sadao Customs House in Songkhla with the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint in Kedah, Malaysia, was officially opened on 10 July by Thailand’s Prime Minister Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Together with the development of rail and maritime links, it is expected to further improve cross-border access.

Land travel accounts for about 70 per cent of Malaysian arrivals. TAT will continue to promote scenic driving routes and to work with sports car, classic car, off-road, big-bike, and family travel communities. Popular routes extend through Hat Yai, Yala, Satun, Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phuket, Phang-nga, and Krabi.

TAT, together with government partners, will step up efforts to maximise the impact of this collaboration by organising a wide range of destination activities, including Cultural festivals, music and food events, walking streets, night markets and sporting activities. These initiatives are designed to inspire purpose-driven travel while introducing new experiences that enhance the diversity of Thailand’s tourism offerings. TAT is targeting 4,825,000 Malaysian arrivals in 2026.

The post TAT and AirAsia Group sign three-year tourism partnership appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

The Social Security Office (SSO) is in the final stretch of its election cycle for the 2569 Social Security Committee board, with registration closing in just two days. As of 9 a.m. on July 13, a total of 134 candidates have registered to run, comprising 52 from the employer side and 82 from the insured worker side.

Voter registration has climbed to 938,672 people, up from 921,612 the previous day. The employer faction added 136 registered voters (from 8,864 to 9,000), while the insured worker faction saw an increase of nearly 17,000 (from 912,748 to 929,672).

Candidates from the insured worker faction must be Thai nationals at least 18 years old, registered as insured persons under sections 33, 39, or 40 of the Social Security Act, with at least three months of contributions within the preceding six months. They must have no history of bankruptcy, legal incapacity, electoral disqualification, or convictions for electoral fraud or financial crimes. Similarly, employer-side candidates must be registered employers or their authorized representatives, meeting the same contribution requirements and disqualification standards.

Eligible voters from the insured worker faction must be Thai nationals registered as insured persons for at least six consecutive months with three months of contributions in the prior six months, and must register by July 15. Employer-side voters must be registered employers or their authorized representatives meeting identical requirements. The actual election is scheduled for September 27, 2569.

At 10:00 AM on July 13, 2025, at the Bangkok Metropolitan Council meeting room in the Auravatpatana Building at City Hall 2 in Din Daeng, Methavee Tharendarmong, a Bangkok Metropolitan Council member from Pathumwan district, chaired the proceedings in an interim capacity as the most senior member present.

The council's first meeting included the election of the 26th chair and the first and second deputy chairs to oversee the legislative branch and monitor the administration's performance.

Viputh Srivaauirai, a council member from Bang Rak district representing the Working People group, nominated Pattaraphon Kaengrungreongshai, a Bangkok Party member from Bang Sue district, for the chair position. Meanwhile, Somchai Tomplubulkul, a Democrat Party member from Khlong San district, nominated Wirat Kongkhaketr, also a Democrat Party member from Bangkok Yai district, to contest the position, arguing that council members should hear the vision of both candidates.

Pattaraphon stood to present her vision, emphasizing that the Bangkok council must be transparent and accountable with four main initiatives: (1) opening live broadcasts by amending meeting rules to stream all ordinary and extraordinary sessions, with the ability to close the feed for security or sensitive third-party matters; (2) automatic disclosure of voting records, currently requiring the chair's approval; (3) publishing attendance statistics of all members for transparency and public accountability; and (4) supporting member work efficiency by establishing an academic office and budget under the council's authority to help analyze budgets and provide data for drafting various ordinances.

Pattaraphon further stated that to make Bangkok's diverse city accessible to everyone, the council should open space for public budget proposals and expand the popular budget-hacking event from a small group initiative into a full council program, allowing citizens to understand and jointly oversee budget allocation and suggest future directions.

Regarding transparency for council members, she noted it is their right but offered various channels and systems, with a timeline to push these reforms by December of this year within her two-year term.

Wirat presented his vision, saying that without preparation but relying on his experience and ideas, leading the Bangkok council is not difficult. New members must understand the meeting rules, as Bangkok operates with three gears: the administration, civil service, and council. If each rotates in balance, citizens will benefit fully. As one of fifty cogs, he aims to rotate smoothly with the administration and civil service gears.

As of 11:00 a.m. on 13 July 2025, the disaster relief center reported that 71 people have been injured in the Ladprao beer hall fire, up from 63 earlier, and 45 remain missing. Authorities have received reports from more than 50 families either in person or by phone seeking information about missing relatives, and officials are continuing verification and coordination efforts.

The Erawan Center reported at 10:20 a.m. that death toll stands at 27, with 13 identities confirmed. The 13 confirmed victims are: Aphihnun Pheng Sri, Pisanu Taeng Sophia, Suwit­cha Siri Salung, Top Sarobol, Phonepaseut Pounqppany (Laos), Nipa­porn Chaem Chaeng, Atchara Sudthasin, Konakthip Sri Suk, Nanthay Satcharoelert, Aphinya Suk Thong La, Ledawalai Nrotrosopha, Nam Thip Tup Suk, and Kochakorn Sorathat.

Among the injured: red-tag cases include 12 male and 12 female patients (24 total); yellow-tag cases include 6 male and 7 female patients (13 total); green-tag cases include 14 male and 18 female patients (32 total awaiting transfer).

Kasetsart University announced that donations for constructing the Medical Faculty, School of Nursing, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Kasetsart Hospital under the university's Medical Park project reached 384,876,246.15 baht as of July 10, 2025. The university thanked all contributors from every sector who have supported this important national initiative and invited the public to join in building the country's future in medicine, education, and research.

Dr. Damrong Sripraram, acting rector of Kasetsart University, stated that over the past three years since the university opened donations on September 1, 2022, it has received compassion and support from faculty, alumni, staff, private companies, organizations, and donors nationwide. Donations have increased significantly, with contributions rising more than 101.92 million baht from the 282,953,076.12 baht announced on July 1, 2025, demonstrating nationwide confidence in the project.

"This figure is not merely a donation amount, but a symbol of trust, unity, and hope that everyone has given to the university to build the future of medicine and public health in our country," the acting rector said. The Medical Park project received Cabinet approval and represents the university's vision to advance healthcare science education, research, and medical services. The project was launched during the university's 80th anniversary in February 2023 and comprises four medical schools and a 400-bed hospital on approximately 50 acres at the Bangkhen campus. The Cabinet approved a total budget of 8,863.9 million baht, with 7,477.8 million from government funds and Kasetsart University required to raise 1,386.1 million baht.

The development of the medical faculty, nursing school, pharmacy faculty, and clinical teaching centers in collaborative networks continues to advance steadily. Kasetsart University is confident the hospital will serve not only as a medical facility but also as a learning center, research hub, and knowledge center in healthcare science that will produce quality physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and medical professionals to serve Thai society long-term. As of July 10, 2025, donations have been supported by numerous donors, particularly the Kasetsart University Savings Cooperative.

Labor Minister Julphand Amornvivat announced on July 13, 2025, via his personal Facebook that he extends his condolences and sympathy to all those who lost their lives in the fire at an entertainment venue on Ladprao Road, which broke out in the early hours. He also sent encouragement to the injured, affected families, and all emergency responders, hoping they emerge from this tragedy with strength and safety.

Regarding relief for the affected, the minister ordered the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare to exercise authority under the Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Protection at Work Act B.E. 2554, along with ministerial regulations on fire prevention and electrical safety standards, to conduct on-site investigations.

Additionally, the Social Security Office has been instructed to urgently verify and process benefits for all affected persons to ensure assistance is delivered efficiently and fairly. "I will monitor this matter closely and provide updates as there are new developments," the minister said.