As global tourism competition intensifies, countries are racing to tap into new revenue streams from affluent travelers. Romance tourism—centered on couples and the wedding market—has emerged as a high-value segment that many nations now prioritize. These visitors spend lavishly, generate significant economic value, and support a diverse range of tourism businesses spanning hotels, resorts, event services, and local products.

With romance becoming a lucrative tourism market, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched an aggressive push through its "Romance in Thailand" initiative. The program brought together media representatives and destination management companies (DMCs) to explore romance and wedding tourism services along the Bangkok-Hua Hin corridor under the theme "Capture the Moment: Where Love Becomes Timeless." This campaign aims to position Thailand as a premier global destination for honeymoons and destination weddings, particularly targeting Indian and Middle Eastern markets.

The itinerary was designed as a three-day, two-night trip offering diverse experiences—from adventure and cultural heritage to luxury, gastronomy, wellness, and destination weddings—reflecting how modern travelers seek not just journeys, but meaningful stories and unique experiences that last a lifetime.

The first day began at voco Bangkok Surawong, an IHG property emphasizing sustainability and privacy. Guests experienced adventure romance at King Power Mahanakhon via the Mahanakhon SkyWalk, Thailand's highest observation deck, featuring the immersive "Mahanakhon Bangkok I-Tilted" experience. The day concluded with a romantic sunset dinner at Sky Beach Bar on the 78th floor of the Mahanakhon tower, or a private Supatra Boat cruise along the Chao Phraya River—offering couples an intimate alternative.

Before heading to Hua Hin, the group visited The Siam Bangkok, a luxury riverside property in the Dusit area positioned as a romantic destination and wedding venue for privacy-seeking couples. The hotel features diverse event spaces including Thai pavilions designed by renowned architects overlooking the river, offering Thai engagement ceremonies and romantic tea-for-two experiences. Private events start at 1.1 million baht per night, while partial packages begin at 450,000 baht for 50 guests. European and Australian couples form the primary clientele, though Indian markets are increasingly interested in larger event spaces. Recent bookings have accommodated 200-250 guests.

From Bangkok to Hua Hin, the journey showcased distinctive experiences in local lifestyle, cuisine, crafts, and beaches. The group visited Khun Tob's Palm Sugar Plantation, an educational site preserving traditional palm sugar-making knowledge established in 1992, where participants demonstrated fresh sugar production and crafted palm-stem souvenirs. Lunch featured local cuisine at Baan Suan Win before heading to SO/ Sofitel Hua Hin for a romantic beachside wedding experience.

True Corporation partnered with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to launch a new dimension in Thai gastronomy tourism through the "True5G Delicious Signal" project, championing the slogan "Tasty Dishes, Strong Connectivity." The initiative identifies excellent restaurants across Thailand that combine culinary appeal with strong True5G network signals, ready to support modern digital travelers. The project targets 1,000 restaurants this year to elevate Thai cuisine as an important national soft power, generate economic value, attract tourists worldwide, and support local and small-scale Thai restaurants as new destinations for digital-age travelers, creating opportunities for local economies and Thai tourism. This aligns with TAT's "Feel All The Feelings" campaign, which aims to inspire travel through food, culture, community, and Thai experiences, while leveraging True's 5G network capabilities.

Tapanee Kiarti Paiboonpuen, TAT Governor, stated that modern traveler behavior has changed—tourists now seek specific experiences rather than choosing destinations alone, often discovering restaurants through food critics, influencers, and online platforms. The collaboration between TAT and True Corporation combines Thai cuisine's unique appeal with 5G connectivity to promote gastronomy tourism, creating meaningful digital experiences for modern travelers. The initiative supports local communities, small restaurant operators, and aligns with TAT's "Instant Joy When Traveling Thailand" campaign.

True's network data shows that foreign tourists using roaming services increased 23% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, with average data usage per user rising 25%. Indian tourists notably increased data usage by 70%, reflecting India's growing importance to Thai tourism.

Young actor Boy Pakorn Chatchborirak has achieved a lifelong dream by performing on the Rachadalai Theatre stage for the first time in the production "Once Again—The More It Hurts, The More I Remember, The More I Love." In an emotional Instagram post following the show's closing performance, he expressed his deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this dream a reality.

Boy revealed that performing at Rachadalai had long been a dream he never expected to achieve, admitting he lacks singing skills and doubted he would ever have the opportunity. He has been watching Rachadalai theatre productions since before entering the entertainment industry, attending shows with his entire family. He recalled how he would return home after each performance to post tweets praising the actors' talents, always wondering how they could be so skilled.

The production proved to be a challenging yet invaluable experience. Despite his inexperience, Boy committed fully to the role, describing theatre as incredibly charming, fun, challenging, and stressful. He expressed profound gratitude to the audience for their support at every show, his director for the opportunity, and his co-star and partners for their exceptional work.

Boy also thanked his acting coaches for their guidance and encouragement, the production designer for creating a well-crafted character with depth, and his fellow cast members. He particularly praised his co-star, highlighting her as one of the finest and most talented actors he has worked with, serving as an example of true professionalism.

Most significantly, Boy expressed heartfelt thanks to his mother, who introduced him to Rachadalai theatre as a child because she loved it. His mother attended every performance, and he realized that his mother's passion for theatre had become his own. He credited her as the spark that ignited his love for stage performance.

A dragon emblem has appeared at Chakravarti Police Station, where officers are being distributed two emblems each, as the Royal Thai Police spokesman addresses ongoing criticism of the dragon emblem worn on uniforms at Huay Khwang Police Station. On July 10, 2026, the emblem design drew public scrutiny, prompting the police spokesman to explain that the dragon symbol represents the identity of Huay Khwang Police Station's area, which hosts large numbers of Chinese tourists and residents and is home to the Chinese embassy. The spokesman emphasized the emblem was not formally approved through proper channels and has no affiliation with Chinese business interests or organized crime groups.

Regarding the current case, Chakravarti Police Station's Facebook page posted an image of its own dragon emblem, differing from Huay Khwang's version, with a notice stating: "Notice to prevention division police officers: You are invited to collect the Chakravarti Metropolitan Police Station emblem, two pieces per person, at the prevention division office during business hours. We request your prompt cooperation to maintain order and uniformity in the appearance of our personnel." Following the post's publication, numerous social media users posted comments and reactions.

Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Suthammapant has ordered the Department of Internal Trade to implement price control measures for prepared foods. Since July 1, retailers have been gradually changing prices, with smoothie menu items increasing by 5 baht as of July 10, 2569.

On July 10, Department of Internal Trade Director-General Withayakorn Maneenet discussed price monitoring for consumer goods and prepared foods following declining oil price trends. The department has held discussions with retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers to review product prices to align with reduced costs.

While several product categories will see price reductions and others remain unchanged, the government requested cooperation to either freeze prices or adjust them lower than previously elevated cost levels. Products like sugar and vegetable oil will not increase in price, and eggs will not see further price increases.

Oil-dependent products such as fertilizer have already dropped 20% from 1,400 baht to 1,100 baht. The government also invited modern retailers to discuss profit margins with a request not to increase them to avoid burdening small-scale operators.

"Regarding prepared food prices, Deputy PM Supachai Suthammapant has instructed relevant agencies to discuss and find supplementary measures to help traders manage expenses without excessive increases, so prices need not rise to reduce public burden. A resolution will be finalized soon," Withayakorn said.

Reporters noted that since July 1, most food and beverage shops have gradually adjusted prices, averaging 10 baht per menu item—increasing from typical 50-60 baht to 60-70 baht per dish, following earlier increases in March averaging 5-10 baht per item. Smoothie drink shops raised prices an additional 5 baht.

On July 10, officers from Khao Yai Police Station in Maha Sarakham Province were conducting patrols on Highway 2202 when they spotted a motorcyclist behaving suspiciously, with jerky arm and leg movements and unsafe swerving. Officers followed and stopped the rider at a red light, discovering 2 methamphetamine pills hidden in the motorcycle. The driver was identified as Ratchapol, 25.

Deputy Investigator Somphop Papain of Kantharawichai Police Station revealed that after finding the pills, officers expanded their investigation by checking the suspect's phone. They discovered contact with a drug dealing network and GPS coordinates for a drug pickup point. The suspect had ridden from Mueang District in Roi Et Province but entered the wrong location—Google Maps led him to Khaoyai Village in Kantharawichai District instead of the actual meeting point in Khao Village, Mueang Maha Sarakham District, causing him to get lost before encountering the officers.

Ratchapol stated he normally uses 10 pills daily but had only consumed 5 that day, causing hallucinations, anxiety, and restlessness. He was riding to the GPS coordinates to pick up methamphetamine when he took the wrong turn and was arrested.

Police later searched the actual drug cache location and discovered a black plastic package containing 20 bags of blue plastic-wrapped methamphetamine pills—2,000 pills total—buried beneath a tree near the Khao Village entrance in Mueang Maha Sarakham District. In total, police seized 4,002 methamphetamine pills.