Bangkok, 29 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is presenting the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Procession to international audiences through a Signature Thailand fam trip and the “From Experience to Inspiration” welcome reception. The programme brings together 40 media representatives, influencers, and travel trade partners from 17 countries across Europe and the Americas to experience the procession’s 125th edition and explore the wider cultural appeal of Thailand’s Northeast.

Held today at Centara Ubon immediately after participants viewed the much-anticipated morning parade, the reception reinforced TAT’s positioning of the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Procession as one of three Signature Thailand Events, alongside the Nakhon Phanom Illuminated Boat Procession and the Christmas Star Parade in Sakon Nakhon. Presented under “Healing is the New Luxury – Signature Thailand: Inspiring Journeys Beyond Expectations”, the reception showcased Ubon Ratchathani’s woven textiles, candle artistry, gastronomy, community spirit and Mekong-influenced lifestyle through a contemporary format for international audiences.

Rooted in the Buddhist Lent tradition of candle offering, the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Procession blends faith, intricate wax artistry and province-wide participation. Running from 25–31 July at Thung Si Mueang, the 2026 edition features 47 elaborate candle pieces across traditional, moulded and carved categories, and major parades on 29 and 30 July with more than 37 dance processions. TAT is enhancing the visitor experience with lighting installations, light-and-sound performances, illuminated ‘Nong Mamuang’ landmarks and workshops in candle carving, wax-flower making and gold-leaf decoration.

Mr. Nithee Seeprae, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, said, “This specially organised fam trip and purpose-designed reception give international media and travel trade partners a first-hand understanding of the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Procession and the wider experiences surrounding it. By elevating this living heritage as a Signature Thailand Event, TAT is advancing Value over Volume through meaningful travel while creating greater benefits for local artisans, businesses and communities. Under ‘Healing is the New Luxury’, Ubon Ratchathani offers an inspiring journey through faith, craftsmanship, cuisine and community life across the wider Isan region.”

Reflecting this direction, the reception opened with a contemporary Isan welcome performance featuring dancers, singers and musicians playing traditional instruments. Live music continued during networking, blending the phin (an Isan string instrument), khaen (a bamboo mouth organ regarded as a symbol of Isan), wot (a bamboo wind instrument), pong lang (a traditional Isan percussion instrument) and traditional drums with bass guitar. The phin is particularly significant in Ubon Ratchathani, where the two-string tradition was developed by Thongsai Thapthanon and preserved by Akhom Thapthanon. Its distinctive sound is closely associated with the province’s Candle Procession and reflects a musical heritage passed down through generations.

Alongside the cultural programme, the reception highlighted the festival’s appeal for long-haul markets while presenting Ubon Ratchathani’s heritage, craftsmanship and communities within the broader Isan experience. The event featured an exclusive Thailand tourism update presented by Mr. Nithee Seeprae. Following the update, Ubon Ratchathani native, Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Chief Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, delivered an inspiring keynote address titled “From the Mekong to the World: Unlocking Ubon Ratchathani and the Mekong’s Tourism Potential”.

This presentation continued through four experience stations that brought Ubon Ratchathani’s identity to life. The Isan local spirit cocktail station introduced community-made spirits and regional ingredients, while the gastronomy showcases featured moo yor (Vietnamese-style pork sausage), nam nueng (grilled pork served with fresh vegetables, rice paper and dipping sauce) and banh mi (Vietnamese baguette). Participants also took part in a wax-sheet collage workshop inspired by the Candle Procession and stained-glass bookmarks reflecting local religious architecture.

The broader fam trip connected participants with candle-making communities, everyday local life and regional attractions. Experiences included watching candle masters at work, viewing elaborate wax displays at Thung Si Mueang, visiting Sam Phan Bok and Pha Taem National Park, and exploring Tohsang Cotton Village, Ban Pa-Ao Brassware Village and Ban Khampun Weaving Centre.

These experiences reflect Isan’s broader appeal across gastronomy, textiles and performing arts. Regional cuisine spans som tam (spicy green papaya salad), larb (spicy ground-meat salad with herbs, lime and toasted rice), and Vietnamese-influenced dishes. Michelin Guide-listed restaurants can also be found in Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen. Visitors can explore textile heritage at the Khampun Textile Museum, while Molam, a traditional Isan art form combining singing, music, dance and storytelling, embodies the region’s creativity and cultural identity.

Beyond the three Signature Thailand Events, TAT is presenting Thailand as a year-round destination for festivals and major international events. Upcoming highlights include the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026 and nationwide Loi Krathong celebrations, Vijit Chao Phraya 2026 in Bangkok, Tomorrowland in Pattaya and the Amazing Thailand Countdown.

At 10:00 a.m. on July 29, police from Muang Saraburi Station received a report of a man standing outside the railing of a pedestrian footbridge, appearing ready to jump. Officers quickly responded and coordinated with rescue volunteers from Saraburi Sawang Rattanatrai Foundation and municipal firefighters, who deployed fire trucks, airbags, and two covered trucks as safety measures. Large crowds from the nearby fresh market gathered to watch, causing temporary traffic congestion.

Police patiently negotiated with the man for an extended period, positioning officers on both sides of the bridge. When the man appeared to relax and lower his guard, rescue personnel seized the opportunity to rush in, and police officers pulled him safely back onto the bridge to relief from onlookers.

The man, identified as Nai Mai, 36, suffers from depression and epilepsy. He explained he needed to return to Buriram Province for medical treatment but had no money for transportation. He had lost his job and saw no way forward, leading him to climb onto the footbridge intending to end his life.

After the rescue, he was taken to Saraburi Hospital for medical evaluation and mental health care. Police initially provided 300 baht for his train fare back to Buriram Province. The patient remains under the care of the medical team. Police later disclosed that before the incident, Nai Mai had visited the station seeking travel assistance and was referred to a Dharma Center for formal aid procedures, but he subsequently made his way to the footbridge. Fortunately, officials intervened in time.

A British social media personality who has previously attracted news coverage over his behaviour abroad has been filmed delivering a prolonged racist and threatening tirade against Thai people before claiming that parts of the footage were created using artificial intelligence.

Daniel Harper, known online as DannyBoy83, repeatedly insults Thais in the video, uses racist slurs comparing them to animals and makes degrading comments about poverty and sex work in Thailand.

"I hate 'em," Harper says, before directing further abuse at Thai people and saying he no longer wants to remain in the country. He also appears to threaten indiscriminate violence, saying that an encounter with Thai people is "going to go off" because he is going to "smack 'em up".

The recording ends with Harper insulting Thai eating habits and saying he cannot wait to travel to Brazil.

Khaosod English reviewed several copies of the recording preserved and republished by social media users. They show a continuous rant involving the same speaker, voice and setting, with no visible indications that the footage itself was artificially generated or that the remarks were assembled from separate clips.

The original posts are no longer live on the YouTube and TikTok accounts associated with DannyBoy83, although copies were saved and widely redistributed before they became unavailable.

Crime Asia reported that Harper recorded the tirade after an alleged altercation with people he described as the "Thai mafia" at a bar in Bangkok's Sukhumvit area early Tuesday. In a subsequent video posted on Tuesday, 28 July, Harper claimed that online trolls had altered some of the footage.

"I never said some of that stuff," he said. "The trolls have tweaked it. That's like AI. That ain't me."

His wording appeared to dispute only some of the statements rather than deny that the recording showed him. He also said he had a flight scheduled for the following week.

An apology video was reportedly posted and later removed, although Khaosod English has not obtained a complete independently verified copy.

The racist rant has prompted calls for Thai authorities to investigate. No official police or immigration statement concerning Harper had been issued at the time of publication.

Harper has previously made headlines in Britain. The Sun reported in late 2025 that the then-42-year-old social media personality was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport after returning from Brazil. Kent Police reportedly said he had been arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage and later released on bail while inquiries continued.

The Government Housing Bank (GHB) is inviting Thai homebuyers to own quality properties at affordable prices through its sixth annual online used-home auction on Monday, August 3, 2025, from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. via the GHB ALL HOME mobile application. The auction features over 1,000 quality properties nationwide, including single-family homes, townhouses, twin houses, commercial buildings, vacant land, and condominiums.

Highlight listings include a two-story single-family home of 110.2 square wah in the Patthasorn 2 project in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province, priced at 5.56 million baht, and a two-story twin house of 45.5 square wah in the Jewel Villa Sukhumvit-Phraeksa project in Samut Prakan Province, priced at 3.36 million baht. Winners receive three special benefits: up to 50% price discount, zero-percent financing for up to two years, and one of 100 digital-print umbrellas (one per property won).

Interested buyers can view properties or images through the GHB ALL HOME app or www.ghbhomecenter.com and register for the auction from today until July 30, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. For more information, contact the GH BANK Call Center at 0-2645-9000 (press 5), the used-home GHB Facebook page, or the official LINE account.

Thailand's National Health Security Office (NHSO) is investigating anomalies in the "Maw Prom" health application and its official LINE account after many citizens discovered medical treatment records and healthcare data that do not match reality, including services they never received. The Ministry of Public Health has received over 400 complaints, while around 80 victims are preparing to file formal complaints with the Central Investigation Bureau to pursue charges including violations of the Computer Crime Act, false data entry, forged medical documents, and personal data breaches.

On July 29, Prateung Phae Dit, Assistant Secretary-General of the NHSO, stated that the ministry and NHSO are jointly investigating the discrepancies. The agency will provide information related to claims submission and payment processing, as claims must pass verification checks based on service criteria and beneficiary identity confirmation. Prateung explained that performance indicators used by service units serve as management tools for individual organizations and that NHSO uses this data for budget planning purposes.

The NHSO supports the health minister's policy of returning health data to citizens so they can access, utilize, and verify the accuracy of their own information. The agency is progressively linking health rights, benefits, and partial billing history data through its LINE Official Account (@nhso), the Pao Tang app, and the Maw Prom app for public verification. Citizens who discover incorrect or unfamiliar service records can report them through the system or contact the NHSO hotline at 1330.

Police arrested a 43-year-old man on July 29, 2026, who had evaded capture for more than 15 years following a shooting incident at a restaurant in Pak Chom district, Loei province, in June 2011. The suspect, Samritthi (surname withheld), faced charges of attempted murder and illegal firearm possession under arrest warrant No. 163/2554 issued on June 8, 2011.

The incident began when the suspect, dining with friends at a restaurant, became angry because a Laotian waitress was not serving his table, despite having served him previously. After briefly leaving the establishment, he returned and fired a pistol at close range at the victim, who was settling his bill at the time. The bullet struck the victim below the jaw and exited the other side. Despite suffering serious injury, the victim managed to drive himself to a hospital and filed a police report at Chiang Klom Police Station in Loei.

Following the shooting, the suspect fled and evaded arrest by frequently changing residences. He was eventually registered as a fugitive on the national police wanted list as number 98. Police investigators from Region 3 Bureau tracked his movements and learned he was hiding in Uttaradit province, leading to his successful arrest. The suspect confessed during interrogation and was transferred to Chiang Klom Police Station in Loei for legal proceedings.