Lanta & News
No. 01 · ENDLESS
National

Thailand and China Establish Joint Security Framework

Thailand and China established a new "2+2" security dialogue framework between their foreign and defense ministers to boost coordination on shared threats including transnational crime, scam networks, and human trafficking.

Thailand and China Establish Joint Security Framework
20 Jul Khaosod

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangkaew announced on July 20 that during an official visit to China alongside Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand and China agreed to establish a "2+2" security dialogue framework between their foreign and defense ministers to enhance coordination on security policy. China has agreed to host the first meeting.

Sihasak emphasized that Thailand prioritized cracking down on scamming networks and call-center gangs, which have harmed people across multiple nations. Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation across law enforcement, human trafficking suppression, money laundering interdiction, and intelligence sharing to combat transnational criminal networks.

Sihasak noted that addressing call-center gangs and transnational crime requires broader regional cooperation beyond Thailand and China, particularly involving Myanmar and Cambodia. He also raised concerns about gray-market businesses operating in Thailand, stressing that the Thai government welcomes only quality investments by law-abiding investors.

"While these gray-market businesses represent a small portion of Chinese investment in Thailand, when illegal activities occur, they inevitably damage Thai public confidence and sentiment," Sihasak said. "We want China to understand and consider the feelings of the Thai people as well."

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National

Government Sets Up District Centers for Welfare Card Reviews

The Interior Department is setting up district centers to help citizens review their 2026 welfare card applications, offering appeals assistance for rejected applicants and benefit confirmations for those approved.

Government Sets Up District Centers for Welfare Card Reviews
20 Jul Khaosod

Interior Department Director-General Naruchcha Khosasivailai stated that the department is backing the 2026 state welfare card registration initiative, which has now produced both approved and rejected applicants. The department has undertaken three key actions: First, coordinating with provinces and districts nationwide through public outreach to help people understand the program, informing approved registrants about required rights verification—particularly regarding additional benefits like electricity and water subsidies—while advising rejected applicants that appeals and rights review procedures remain available. Second, establishing one-stop service coordination centers at all district offices, allowing qualified applicants to confirm additional government benefits and rejected applicants to file rights review requests. Third, recognizing travel difficulties for some citizens, district officials and local government representatives will visit communities to accept applications, offering convenience to those unable to visit district offices. Public communications will use loudspeaker announcements and local media to keep people informed of new updates, including any changes to review procedures or extended appeal deadlines pending Cabinet approval. Naruchcha noted confusion exists in some areas and requested officials clarify matters with residents while district offices handle all local issues. The Interior Ministry is willing to partner with other agencies needing additional personnel and resources. The Interior Ministry has also assigned ministry inspectors, interior department inspectors, and provincial administrators to monitor progress throughout the process.

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National

Justice Ministry to Award 300,000 Baht to Teacher's Widow

The Justice Ministry will award 300,000 baht to the widow of a 30-year-old teacher whose husband died after a doctor at Sankamiilo Hospital misdiagnosed his heart condition as a panic attack and refused to perform an EKG test.

Justice Ministry to Award 300,000 Baht to Teacher's Widow
20 Jul Khaosod

Justice Minister Rudtapol Naorawat announced on July 20 that the Department of Rights and Liberties has received a compensation request in the case of a 30-year-old teacher's husband who died from coronary artery disease after a doctor at Sankamiilo Hospital refused to perform an EKG test and incorrectly diagnosed the condition as panic attack. The minister stated that the department will not await the outcome of disciplinary investigations by the hospital, as compensation is governed by law separate from employment discipline. The preliminary compensation amount being considered for the deceased's family is 300,000 baht. Deputy Director Theeriyut Kaewsing of the Department of Rights and Liberties also discussed the Lung Bpiek case, in which prosecutors have scheduled to indict seven police officers from Aran Prathet Police Station on charges related to the Enforced Disappearance Act on July 22. Kaewsing explained that under current law, forced disappearance includes not only cases where someone vanishes permanently but also temporary disappearances without legal protection where family contact is lost or family members do not know the person's fate. He noted this is the first case of law enforcement officers being prosecuted for enforced disappearance and torture involving a civilian victim, and said Lung Bpiek has received full assistance and remains under the care of department officials.

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Police

Pickup Truck Hits Motorcyclist at High Speed; Woman, 38, Killed

A 38-year-old woman was killed when a pickup truck struck her motorcycle at high speed on Nakhon-Chandi Road in Nakhon Si Thammarat on July 20. Police are investigating the driver for prosecution.

Pickup Truck Hits Motorcyclist at High Speed; Woman, 38, Killed
20 Jul Khaosod

On July 20, 2569, Deputy Lieutenant Colonel Nattavit Otong, commander of Chang Klang Police Station, reported responding to a collision between a pickup truck and motorcycle on the Nakhon-Chandi Road in Chang Klang district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Officers arrived with emergency medical staff from Pho Than Khlai Wajasikit Hospital and officials from the Southern Foundation for Disaster Management. At the scene, they found a Toyota pickup truck with heavy damage to the left side and a severely damaged red Honda motorcycle. The victim, identified as Ms. Chitra Lada (surname withheld), 38 years old, was found 30-40 meters from the vehicles with severe injuries including broken limbs. According to initial investigation, the victim was riding her motorcycle when the pickup truck struck her at high speed, resulting in her death at the scene. Police are conducting further questioning and gathering evidence against the pickup truck driver for legal prosecution.

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Police

Massive Truck Collision Kills 2, Injures 3 in Ayutthaya

Two people died and three were injured when an 18-wheel truck and 10-wheel truck collided on Phaholyothin Road in Ayutthaya Province on July 19, with authorities investigating the cause of the crash.

Massive Truck Collision Kills 2, Injures 3 in Ayutthaya
20 Jul Khaosod

A major collision between an 18-wheel truck registered in Saraburi and a 10-wheel truck registered in Pathum Thani has resulted in two deaths and three injuries. The accident occurred on Phaholyothin Road at kilometer 76 heading out toward Saraburi, in Sanobthuep Subdistrict, Wang Noi District, Ayutthaya Province, on July 19. Following the crash, volunteers from the Phuttaisawan Foundation and Wang Noi Police Station worked with ambulance teams from Wang Noi Hospital to provide emergency assistance and transport the injured to the hospital for urgent treatment. The deceased remain in the custody of investigating officers from Wang Noi Police Station as they conduct a full investigation into the cause of the accident.

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National

Justice Ministry Distributes 9.3 Million Baht to Ladprao Beer Hall Fire Victims

The Justice Ministry distributed 9.3 million baht to 31 victims of a Ladprao entertainment venue fire, with 14 recipients each receiving 300,000 baht in a July 20 ceremony. The compensation was provided under Thailand's Victim Compensation

Justice Ministry Distributes 9.3 Million Baht to Ladprao Beer Hall Fire Victims
20 Jul Khaosod

On July 20, Justice Minister General Rutthapol Naorawat presided over a ceremony at the Justice Ministry on Chaengwattana Road to distribute compensation to 31 victims of the Ladprao entertainment venue fire. Fourteen victims who attended the ceremony each received 300,000 baht, totaling 4.2 million baht, while the remaining 17 victims had their payments transferred directly to their bank accounts, bringing the total compensation to over 9.3 million baht. The assistance was provided under the Victim Compensation Act of 2001 and its 2016 amendment, which also supports innocent defendants in criminal cases.

Diriyarut Temhiwongse, director of the Rights and Liberties Protection Department, explained that the victims included various people: the heirs of Bree, the female lead singer of the Tossakant band, the band's drummer who was a Laotian employee, and members of the general public. The event aimed to publicize the compensation program and assist those harmed by the criminal acts of others.

Over the past 24 years since the Victim Compensation Act was implemented, the state has distributed assistance to 145,613 victims totaling approximately 7.6 billion baht and to 2,815 innocent defendants totaling approximately 641 million baht. Officials are exploring the establishment of a revolving victim assistance fund similar to those in other countries, which would draw support from donations, restitution from offenders, and court-ordered penalties to expand the reach of victim compensation programs.

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National

Husband's Relatives Threaten Lawsuit Over Bedridden Wife

A bedridden woman in Buriram Province, paralyzed after childbirth complications 10 months ago, has not been visited or contacted by her husband since November, yet his relatives are now threatening to sue her family for claiming abandonment

Husband's Relatives Threaten Lawsuit Over Bedridden Wife
20 Jul Khaosod

Relatives of a husband have threatened legal action against the wife's family after she became bedridden following childbirth, insisting he did not abandon her but simply has not visited. They have also stated, "How can she stay at her mother-in-law's house when she can't get up or do anything?"

On July 16, 2025, Ms. Sa, 28, from Buriram Province, became bedridden just 24 hours after undergoing a cesarean section at a hospital. She has now been bedridden for 10 months in severe condition.

Her condition remains critical: she requires a breathing machine and a tracheostomy, cannot speak, cannot move her limbs, and shows no response to any stimuli—she cannot nod, shake her head, or smile. She can only blink her eyes.

Her aunt Lamphu, 50, and her mother Somapon, 53, who care for her, have disclosed her full medical condition. When asked about her husband, they revealed he has not visited since November 23, 2024, and has not called to inquire about her.

Recently, Lamphu has been contacted by multiple relatives of the husband's family via Facebook, threatening to sue whoever reported that "the husband abandoned her," claiming it is untrue and demanding a retraction or they will file suit.

Lamphu recounted that on the evening of July 19, a relative of the husband called to demand she correct the story claiming "the husband abandoned her." She responded that she never said he abandoned her, only that he has not visited and has not called in 10 months.

The husband's relatives then verbally attacked her again, accusing her of damaging their reputation, and said, "How can she stay at her mother-in-law's house when she can't get up or do anything?" Lamphu expressed feeling bewildered and unsure how to respond, saying she was only stating the facts.

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National

Thailand Adjusts Welfare Card Eligibility Criteria

Thailand is revising welfare card eligibility rules to help vehicle owners and students previously denied benefits, with the Cabinet review extended to September 20. The changes will allow about 6 million additional people to register for t

Thailand Adjusts Welfare Card Eligibility Criteria
20 Jul Khaosod

The government is preparing to revise eligibility criteria for the state welfare card, particularly for vehicle owners and students in various educational categories, with plans to present these changes to the Cabinet along with an extension of the rights review period until September 20. On July 20, 2025, Transport Minister Siripong Angsakulkiattikul, Interior Minister Phalpeer Suwannachuay, Public Administration Department Director Narucha Kosasivilaize, and Financial Economics Office Director Winit Visetsuvarnapumi held a joint press conference to discuss adjustments to the welfare card appeal process. The new criteria for vehicle owners and students—including non-formal education students—will first be presented to the State Enterprise Policy Committee before being submitted to the Cabinet for approval. The Interior Ministry will establish service points at district offices to help those who fail the revised criteria assessment, with village headmen serving as coordinators to gather additional information, requiring an extension of the review deadline to September 20. Additionally, approximately 6 million people who were ineligible for benefits will now be permitted to register for the Thai Help Thai Plus program, a proposal that will be submitted to the Cabinet on July 21. Finance Ministry spokespersons acknowledged the need to reconsider the eligibility conditions for the state welfare card, noting that genuinely poor citizens were being denied benefits despite owning damaged or non-functional vehicles, and that non-formal education students should be distinguished from formal education students.

No. 08 of Read at source → Next
National

Thai PM Meets China's Top Legislator in Beijing

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul began his official visit to Beijing with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square. He then held a bilateral meeting with Z...

20 Jul Thailand.go.th Issues

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul began his official visit to Beijing with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square. He then held a bilateral meeting with Z...

No. 09 of Read at source → Next
Police

Drug-Fueled Fire Spreads to Three Homes in Thalang

PHUKET: A Thalang homeowner has claimed his brother, allegedly hallucinating after taking drugs, started a house fire that spread to two neighbouring homes early this morning (July 20), causing extensive property damage but no injuries.

Drug-Fueled Fire Spreads to Three Homes in Thalang
20 Jul The Phuket News

PHUKET: A Thalang homeowner has claimed his brother, allegedly hallucinating after taking drugs, started a house fire that spread to two neighbouring homes early this morning (July 20), causing extensive property damage but no injuries.

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National

Opposition Leaders Target Corruption From Cradle to Grave

Opposition MPs highlighted how corruption affects Thais throughout their lives, from fraudulent birth certificates sold to foreign investors to textbook kickbacks draining school budgets by hundreds of millions annually.

Opposition Leaders Target Corruption From Cradle to Grave
20 Jul Khaosod

On July 20, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. at the Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, opposition leaders in parliament held a public forum titled "Born, Aged, Sick, Corrupt: How Can Thais Break This Cycle?" as part of their fiscal year 2025 outreach program.

Nattapong Rueangpannitwit, a list-based MP and head of the Prachathai Party, opened the forum by explaining that corruption affects all Thais across their entire lifespans. He categorized corruption into five groups: (1) rights people should receive but don't due to erosion—such as welfare payments, textbooks, and school milk; (2) unnecessary payments or overpaying for services like permits and utilities; (3) indirect harms from corruption unrelated to the individual, such as substandard public construction projects and building collapses; (4) reduced accountability when wrongdoers pay bribes to escape responsibility, as seen with polluting factories; and (5) payments for undeserved benefits, such as buying Thai nationality or "surrogate father" schemes.

List-based MP Piyarat Jongthep of Prachathai described birth-related corruption, revealing that foreign investors in shadow economies seek Thai nationality above all else. He disclosed that foreign-Thai couples pay approximately 110,000 baht to purchase birth certificates for children through chat group brokers who arrange Thai "surrogate fathers," which he called a national security threat. He warned that within 10-20 years, such children could claim full Thai rights, including voting eligibility, and urged the state to conduct DNA testing before issuing birth certificates.

List-based MP Prit Wachrasindsun of Prachathai addressed education-sector corruption, citing textbook fraud where publishers charge schools full price while kickbacks go to school administrators. If one in ten schools engage in this practice, it represents 100-200 million baht in annual budget leakage. He identified three hidden costs destroying the nation's future: degraded educational quality as students miss new learning methods, distorted policy direction reduced to mere self-interest, and corrupted values—despite teaching students "grow up, don't cheat," they learn corruption is acceptable when it surrounds them and their questions are silenced.

List-based MP Sirikanya Tansukul of Prachathai spoke about corruption across other life stages.

No. 11 of Read at source → Next
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