Bangkok, 20 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomes Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ new daily direct service between Bangkok and Phu Quoc, scheduled to begin on 8 August 2026. With a flight time of approximately one hour and 20 minutes, the route will expand travel options between Thailand and Viet Nam while strengthening two-way tourism links.

The service was introduced at a launch event in Bangkok on 15 July 2026, presided over by H.E. Mr. Pham Viet Hung, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to Thailand. Also Miss Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific.

Miss Pattaraanong said, “TAT welcomes new air services that broaden access to Thailand and strengthen two-way tourism across the region. Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ daily Bangkok–Phu Quoc route will provide travellers with greater choice and flexibility while supporting our work with airline and tourism partners to position Thailand as an accessible, diverse and value-led destination for Vietnamese visitors.”

Part of Sun Group, Sun PhuQuoc Airways began commercial operations in November 2025 with a network centred on Phu Quoc, the popular island destination off Viet Nam’s southern coast. Its hub-and-spoke model connects the island with domestic and international markets, supported by an expanding Airbus A320 and A321 family fleet. Bangkok forms part of the airline’s continuing expansion across Asia.

The route adds to an extensive air network connecting six Vietnamese cities with Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

Viet Nam remains one of Thailand’s important short-haul markets. More than 300,000 Vietnamese arrivals were recorded from January to early July 2026, with the total expected to reach 689,000 by the end of the year.

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SAMUT PRAKAN — 20 July 2026, A Thai court on Monday sentenced prominent student activist Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal to six months in prison, suspended for one year, after finding him guilty of evading compulsory military conscription.

The Samut Prakan Provincial Court convicted Netiwit under Sections 27 and 45 of the Military Service Act, which criminalise failure to comply with military conscription requirements.

The court ruled that Netiwit's challenge to the constitutionality of the Military Service Act could not succeed because the Constitutional Court had previously determined that the law does not violate the constitution.

Judges also rejected his argument that he refused military service on the grounds of religious belief and conscientious objection, ruling that neither constitutes a legal exemption under the Military Service Act.

The court suspended the six-month prison sentence for one year, citing Netiwit's lack of any previous prison record.

Netiwit was not present when the verdict was delivered. He is currently in the United States after being admitted to Harvard University Divinity School for a postgraduate programme.

Long-running challenge to conscription

The case stems from Netiwit's refusal to participate in Thailand's military conscription process, which he has opposed for years on moral and religious grounds.

In 2018, Netiwit reported for the annual military draft in Samut Prakan but publicly declared that he would not submit to conscription, identifying himself as a conscientious objector. At the time, he argued that forcing individuals to serve in the military against their will violated freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

He subsequently sought to challenge the constitutionality of the Military Service Act, arguing that the law failed to accommodate conscientious objectors and discriminated against those whose beliefs prevented them from bearing arms.

His legal team also asked the Constitutional Court to determine whether the provisions of the Military Service Act conflicted with constitutional protections for individual rights and freedoms. However, the Constitutional Court later ruled that the legislation was constitutional, clearing the way for the criminal case to proceed.

What is conscientious objection?

Conscientious objection refers to the refusal to perform military service because of sincerely held religious, ethical or moral beliefs. In many countries, conscientious objectors are allowed to perform alternative civilian service instead of joining the armed forces.

International human rights bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Committee, have recognised conscientious objection as deriving from the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion under international human rights law. However, countries differ in how they implement that principle.

Thailand's Military Service Act does not recognise conscientious objection or religious belief as grounds for exemption from compulsory military service.

A philosophical teaching attributed to Luang Pho Cha Subhaddo of Wat Nong Pa Phong in Ubon Ratchathani reminds us: "Learn to overcome yourself, not to overcome others." Kru Ba Saroey Kantisaro, formally known as Phra Kru Nimmanakar Sophan of Wat Mongkol Kiri in Tha Song Yang, Tak, commands tremendous respect among Karen, Burmese, and other ethnic communities in the region. His most celebrated amulet coin is the Solar Eclipse Edition of 2538, featuring his seated meditation image with Khmer script on the obverse and the mythical Rahu consuming the sun on the reverse, dated 24 October 2538. The article also discusses related sacred amulets by other revered monks, including the Naga-Protected Tamarind Leaf amulets of Somdet Phra Phutthajarn (Nom) of Wat Anong Karam, crafted in three materials—silver, gold-plated copper, and unplated copper—and consecrated in 2463. It further explores the Kosulabh or "Bow Cow" amulets created by Luang Pho Noi Kanthachoto, the legendary abbot of Wat Si Sawat, which require completion within auspicious planetary hours, making them among Thailand's most complex ritual objects. The piece concludes by examining the sacred goat amulets of Luang Pho Am Kesaro of Wat Nong Krabork in Ban Khai, Rayong, crafted from lightning-struck buffalo horn and believed to bring wealth and flourishing commerce to their keepers.

Luang Pho Plian Kanthasilo, also known as Phrakhru Sakorn Silajarn, was the former abbot of Wat Chai Mongkol in Samut Sakhon Province. Originally named Plian Kongthin, he was born on November 3, 1890, in Ban Ko subdistrict, Mueang district. His parents were Nai Loi and Nang Si Kongthin, and he had seven siblings. In 1908, at age 18, he began novice training at Wat Ko to study reading and writing. In 1910, at age 20, he was fully ordained as a monk at Wat Ko under his preceptor Luang Pho Nut, the abbot of Wat Bang Pla, with additional teachers overseeing his ordination. He received the monastic name Kanthasilo. He spent six Buddhist Lent seasons at Wat Ko before moving to Wat Khlong Khru for seven more seasons. He then became abbot of Wat Chai Mongkol (originally called Wat Hua Takhe) in 1923.

The temple's unusual history begins with a legendary crocodile. According to local tradition, villagers from nearby Mahajai hunted a fierce crocodile that killed indiscriminately, eventually striking it with a golden axe in the head. The wounded crocodile fled and hid in a marsh on the way to Ban Phaew district. When villagers tracked it down, none dared approach due to their fear of its supernatural power. They invited Luang Pho Plian, a disciple of the legendary Luang Pu Tao Kao Yot (Luang Pho Nut), to subdue the creature. Upon arrival, Luang Pho Plian performed a ritual to summon the crocodile from the water. The creature emerged with the golden axe still embedded in its head. Using his spiritual power, Luang Pho Plian put the crocodile to sleep and removed the axe, discovering mystical tattoos of four-directional yantras on its head—markings placed by Luang Pu Tao Kao Yot. The crocodile ultimately succumbed to its wounds and was buried at the location.

After the crocodile's death, the villager who threw the axe died, and others who participated in the hunt fell seriously ill, believed to be the work of the crocodile's vengeful spirit. A spirit-calming ritual was performed and a shrine was erected to appease it. The incidents ceased miraculously. The crocodile shrine originally stood within the temple grounds and was later relocated to the rear. The first settlers in the area named their village Ban Hua Takhe (Crocodile Head Village) and requested Luang Pho Plian to name the temple Wat Hua Takhe. Later, the temple was renamed Wat Sirsa Takhe, and eventually Wat Chai Mongkol when Luang Pho Plian expanded the facilities and sought a more auspicious name. The village was renamed Chai Mongkol accordingly, though elderly locals still occasionally use the old name Ban Hua Takhe. Luang Pho Plian passed away peacefully on April 17, 1976, at the age of 86.

Thailand's Olympic Committee held a preparatory meeting to ready its delegation for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan (September 19–October 4, 2025), with a total of 983 participants including 694 athletes. Admiral Abhiwat Srivattanaya was appointed head of the Thai team, alongside four deputy heads and team attaché Vorpong Wattasindu. The Thai sports authority has assessed medal projections at 21 gold medals from 11 sports federations, including sepak takraw (4 gold), tekball (3 gold), sailing (2 gold), taekwondo (2 gold), boxing (2 gold), athletics (2 gold), weightlifting (2 gold), golf (1 gold), badminton (1 gold), jiu-jitsu (1 gold), and esports (1 gold). The first contingent—23 male footballers, 23 female footballers, and 24 staff—will depart on September 12 at 05:00–08:00 on Thai Airways flight TG 644 from Suvarnabhumi Airport bound for Nagoya.

Chonburi – Prameshwar Gampichetsadh officially took office as Pattaya Mayor for his second term at Pattaya City Hall following the Election Commission's certification of his election on July 7, 2026. Before beginning his duties, Prameshwar and his administrative team conducted traditional merit-making ceremonies at the city hall, paying respects at various shrines and laying wreaths at the statue of Parinyadha Chawallitdamrong, who donated the land for the city hall's construction.

During the ceremony, the mayoral administration team was formally approved, including four deputy mayors: Wuthisak Ruemkitkarn, Manoch Nong Yai, Krishnanuch Bunsawadi, and Damrongkiat Pinitkarn. The mayor's advisory team includes Phuphipat Kamlnathat as chairman and four additional advisors. Bancha Kullavantich was appointed executive secretary, with four assistant secretaries also named to support the administration's four-year agenda.

This inauguration marks the beginning of Prameshwar's second term, focused on continuing urban development policies, improving quality of life for residents, and advancing Pattaya as a sustainable international tourism destination. Government officials, local leaders, private sector representatives, and residents attended the ceremony to extend their congratulations.