Lanta & News
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National

Thailand Moves Permits Online to Combat Government Corruption

Thailand is moving government permits online to combat corruption, targeting a major source of bribes in the public sector where residents often wait months for approvals. The unified digital platform will provide transparent oversight and

Thailand Moves Permits Online to Combat Government Corruption
24 Jul Khaosod

On July 24, 2025, at Government House, Paroedhorn Prisanannantkul, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, announced his appointment as chairman of a government anti-corruption subcommittee tasked with addressing bribery in the public sector. The main objective is to raise Thailand's Corruption Perceptions Index and comprehensively tackle structural corruption issues.

The subcommittee will focus on government approvals and permits, which Paroedhorn identified as a major source of corruption. He cited examples such as land reclamation and building permits, where residents often wait months or years without receiving approval, creating legal loopholes that officials exploit to solicit bribes. Paroedhorn stressed that corruption often stems from discretionary decisions in the permitting process.

To address this, the subcommittee plans to move permit applications onto a unified online platform, allowing oversight bodies such as the anti-corruption commission, inspectors, and the applicants themselves to track progress and see clear timelines for each step. The project will be led by the Digital Government Agency under the Digital Economy and Society Ministry.

Paroedhorn noted that while only a few hundred of Thailand's thousands of local government bodies have joined the online platform so far, the initiative aims to expand coverage significantly next year. Other agencies are gradually coming online, with plans to accelerate adoption across all relevant departments.

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National

Paula Taylor Returns to Thailand, Supports Jenny After Water Incident

Paula Taylor has returned to Thailand permanently and attended a film launch event where she defended friend Jenny Tienpodsuwan following a water-splashing incident at a wedding, urging her to view it positively.

Paula Taylor Returns to Thailand, Supports Jenny After Water Incident
24 Jul Khaosod

Paula Taylor attended the launch event for "Return of True Love Next Door" at the GDH CIRCLES Feel Good event at Sirikit National Convention Centre, where she updated fans about settling back into life in Thailand and discussed her close friend Jenny Tienpodsuwan, who was reportedly splashed with water during a recent wedding ceremony.

When asked about the incident, Taylor expressed sympathy for her friend, saying she did nothing wrong. "I just told her to take it as encouragement. That's all. She did her best," Taylor explained. She acknowledged that the other party involved may have been stressed.

Taylor confirmed she is now permanently based in Thailand and adjusting well to local life, including picking up Thai slang and expressions. Regarding her return to acting, she remains cautiously optimistic, noting that the project details are still being finalized. She emphasized her commitment to balancing work with motherhood, as her children are a priority—one studying in Thailand and another abroad. Taylor expressed her characteristic warmth about parenting, saying she and her family just "make it happen" together and that she supports whatever her children want to pursue.

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Police

Police Rescue 7-Year-Old From Drug Dealer Parent in Bangkok Raid

Police rescued a 7-year-old from a drug dealer parent during a Bangkok raid on Prachauthit Road, arresting seven suspects after the child was deliberately exposed to methamphetamine smoke.

Police Rescue 7-Year-Old From Drug Dealer Parent in Bangkok Raid
24 Jul Khaosod

On July 24, 2025, at 6:30 a.m., officers from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau and Kan Jom Plung Foundation executed a search warrant at a four-story commercial building on Prachauthit Road in Huay Khwang district, Bangkok, rescuing a 7-year-old child and arresting seven suspects.

The operation followed leads and disturbing photographs received by the Kan Jom Plung Foundation from concerned citizens who could no longer tolerate the behavior of major drug dealers operating in the Tao Poon area.

According to investigators, the suspect had used methamphetamine and deliberately sprayed smoke into their 7-year-old son's face to showcase the drug to customers arriving to purchase narcotics. When confronted by others, the suspect responded with abusive language and claimed parental rights over the child.

After receiving complaints, information was escalated to Police General Titi Saengswang, the national police chief. However, investigators discovered the suspects possessed firearms, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Police to deploy a full special tactical unit to ensure the safety of the child and officers.

Authorities successfully controlled the situation, arrested all seven suspects for prosecution, and placed the boy into legal protective care.

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National

AIS PLAY Launches All-Sports Package for 199 Baht Monthly

AIS PLAY launches PLAY ALL, a 199-baht monthly package offering world sports including Bundesliga, NBA, NFL, and tennis, plus entertainment channels and 2026 Asian Games coverage. The bundle aims to provide affordable access to premium glob

AIS PLAY Launches All-Sports Package for 199 Baht Monthly
24 Jul Khaosod

AIS PLAY reinforces its position as Thailand's leading video streaming and entertainment hub by rolling out its new "PLAY ALL" package under the concept of "All-in-One Sports and Entertainment Experience." The package elevates access to world-class sports content including Bundesliga football, NBA basketball, NFL American football, ATP tennis, and major golf tournaments (LPGA Tour, PGA Tour, and DP World Tour), alongside exclusive content from legendary football clubs MUTV (Manchester United) and Real Madrid TV, plus Premier Sports and live coverage of the 2026 Asian Games from Nagoya, Japan.

The PLAY ALL package is designed as a seamless, all-in-one bundle covering sports and entertainment from leading partners for just 199 baht monthly. Content is organized into sports and entertainment categories: sports include world football and club channels, professional golf, NBA and WNBA basketball, NFL football from preseason through Super Bowl, ATP tennis (59 matches annually), five major Thai boxing events from Rajadamnern Stadium, all levels of Thai professional football, and live Asian Games 2026 coverage. Entertainment features 24 premium global TV channels spanning films, series, variety shows, documentaries, news, and children's programming including Warner TV, Rock Action, Eurosport, Discovery, Food Network, Cartoon Network, CNN, BBC News, Fox News, Bloomberg, and more.

This launch reflects AIS PLAY's commitment to reaching a broad customer base with affordable access to world-class content under its brand promise to "connect life and complete entertainment needs" across its mobile and broadband networks.

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National

Government Overhauls 24-Hour Welfare Center With AI and Social Monitoring

Thailand's government has launched a 24-hour "Happiness Center" using AI and social media monitoring to help vulnerable groups access welfare benefits faster, with response times ranging from 30 minutes for critical cases to 72 hours for ro

Government Overhauls 24-Hour Welfare Center With AI and Social Monitoring
24 Jul Khaosod

The government is accelerating the transformation of its welfare support center into a 24-hour "Happiness Center" with integrated AI and social media monitoring capabilities. On July 24, 2025, Deputy Government Spokesperson Patthadarat Thongsalawikorn announced that the Accelerated Public Welfare Management Center (SRSC) under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has been redesigned to help vulnerable groups access state benefits more quickly and easily while maintaining round-the-clock assistance.

The improvements include enhanced emergency hotline 1300 with precise identity verification database integration, staffing expanded to 30 call operator pairs, an intelligent message system for follow-up contacts, and expanded reporting through the Traffy Fondue platform for immediate case escalation. The system also deploys AI to help navigate complex procedures and uses social monitoring technology to detect social issues on social media platforms including Facebook, X, TikTok, and Pantip. When critical red-alert cases are detected, the system immediately notifies administrators and field staff, reducing response time to just 30 minutes to one hour.

Patthadarat explained that assistance will be available 24 hours a day through rapid-response mobile units working with community networks to identify vulnerable populations that may have been overlooked. The office has established clear response guidelines: critical red and dark-red cases must receive help immediately or within 24 hours, yellow-alert cases within 48 hours, and routine green cases within 72 hours. This proactive social welfare policy initiative aims to ensure no one is left behind and that all citizens can access state benefits equitably.

No. 05 of Read at source → Next
National

Solar Water System Helps Wang Nam Khiao Farmers Cut Costs

A solar-powered water system installed at Wang Nam Khiao Sufficiency Economy Community in Nakhon Ratchasima helps farmers reduce electricity costs while securing reliable water access during droughts. The automated system uses floats and gr

Solar Water System Helps Wang Nam Khiao Farmers Cut Costs
24 Jul Khaosod

The Department of Water Resources inspected a solar-powered water distribution system at the Wang Nam Khiao Sufficiency Economy Community in Nakhon Ratchasima province to help farmers reduce costs and ensure adequate water access while preparing for future droughts. On July 24, Pongspathorn Semorkham, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Water Resources, led a team to assess progress on the solar-powered water distribution system. The project originated from residents' need for agricultural and household water. The Department of Water Resources Office 5 surveyed community readiness and water sources, then designed an automated solar-powered pumping system using floats to control water levels. Water is pumped into storage tanks and then into elevated distribution towers (champagne tanks), where gravity feeds water to agricultural and household areas, significantly reducing electricity costs for farmers.

Semorkham stated that the Wang Nam Khiao Sufficiency Economy Community exemplifies a strong model project because communities participated in planning, water-sharing schedules, and system maintenance, creating a sense of ownership and ensuring sustainable operations. Meanwhile, the Department of Water Resources is preparing for droughts and climate change by evaluating water source capacity, coordinating appropriate water allocation with communities, and identifying additional water sources to meet potential future demand.

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National

Thailand Opens Public Comment on Early Civil Service Retirement Plan

Thailand is seeking public input on a new early retirement plan for civil servants, with eligibility starting at age 50 or 25 years of service. The 15-day consultation period opened July 22 and has already drawn nearly 8,000 submissions.

Thailand Opens Public Comment on Early Civil Service Retirement Plan
24 Jul Khaosod

The legal portal www.law.go.th, managed by the Digital Government Development Agency (DGA) and the Office of the Council of State (OCSS), has opened a 15-day public consultation on "early retirement measures for ordinary civil servants" from July 22 to August 5, 2025.

The measure stems from government policy announced to parliament on April 9, 2025, Section 21, which addresses civil service reform, strengthening fiscal discipline, and reducing redundant government functions. The proposal aims to streamline the public sector by introducing early retirement options and other measures, shifting the state's role from regulator to facilitator of digital transformation and efficient governance.

Key provisions under consultation include two eligibility groups: Group 1 covers civil servants aged 50 and above, or those with 25 years of service, with at least two years remaining; Group 2 covers those aged 40-49 with at least 10 years of service. The consultation also seeks feedback on allowing agencies to hire external staff for digital transformation projects and on performance evaluation reforms focused on public benefit.

Within just three days of opening, the consultation has already received nearly 8,000 submissions from interested parties.

No. 07 of Read at source → Next
National

US Slaps 12.5% Tariff on Thailand Over Forced Labour

The US imposed a 12.5% tariff on Thai imports, citing Thailand's lack of adequate forced labour enforcement laws, placing it in a higher tariff tier than countries with stricter protections.

US Slaps 12.5% Tariff on Thailand Over Forced Labour
24 Jul Khaosod

The United States has announced new tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners, citing concerns over forced labour in global supply chains. Thailand will face a 12.5% tariff under the new measures.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) said it is imposing the tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act, arguing that the affected countries lack sufficiently robust laws or enforcement measures to prevent the import of goods produced with forced labour. The USTR said such practices undermine supply chain integrity and create unfair competition for US manufacturers.

The measures took effect on July 24, replacing temporary tariffs previously imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act, which grants the US president emergency authority to levy import duties. The Section 122 tariffs, set at 10%, were introduced by the Trump administration after the US Supreme Court struck down the president's broader tariff programme affecting trading partners worldwide.

Under the new framework, the USTR has divided affected trading partners into two groups. The first group, subject to a 10% tariff, includes countries that already prohibit imports made with forced labour or have reciprocal trade agreements with the United States, such as Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Thailand has been placed in the second group, which is subject to a 12.5% tariff because it does not yet have a legal framework or cooperation mechanism that meets US requirements on forced labour enforcement. According to the USTR, countries in this category lack import bans or equivalent legal measures targeting goods produced with forced labour. Besides Thailand, the 12.5% tariff also applies to China, Japan and India.

The move will have significant implications for Thailand, as the United States is the country's largest export market. The USTR has previously raised concerns about labour practices in Thailand's fishing and seafood industries, while acknowledging improvements in worker registration, vessel inspections and supply chain traceability.

Despite those reforms, the USTR said Thailand has yet to adopt legislation prohibiting the import of goods produced with forced labour, placing it in the higher tariff category under the new Section 301 measures.

No. 08 of Read at source → Next
Police

Border Conflict Victims Still Fear after One Year

A family in Ubon Ratchathani lost two members and their home in a rocket attack during Thai-Cambodian border clashes on July 24, 2025, and survivors remain traumatized a year later amid fears of renewed conflict.

Border Conflict Victims Still Fear after One Year
24 Jul Khaosod

A family in Ubon Ratchathani is marking the one-year anniversary of a devastating attack during clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces on July 24, 2025. The 71-year-old householder, Mr. Si, from Kud Chiang Mun village in Nam Yuen district, suffered a catastrophic loss when multiple BM-21 rockets struck his home as his family was preparing to evacuate. The blast left a one-meter-wide crater with a 50-centimeter diameter, completely destroying the house structure and embedding shrapnel in neighboring walls and roofs, damage that remains unrepaired to this day.

The rocket strike killed his 70-year-old mother immediately, while Mr. Si himself was severely wounded and bedridden. He succumbed to his injuries eight months later, leaving the family grieving two deaths and total property loss. Though a year has passed, survivors remain psychologically scarred and fearful, worried that unresolved border tensions could spark a third clash. Mr. Si is now appealing to the government to decisively settle the border dispute through negotiation or military action to protect residents from further tragedy.

No. 09 of Read at source → Next
Police

Police Officer's Wife Seeks Justice Over Infidelity

A police officer's wife discovered her husband's two-month affair after hiring a private investigator, who caught him at a hotel with another woman; she has since moved out and plans to pursue divorce and custody of their daughter.

Police Officer's Wife Seeks Justice Over Infidelity
24 Jul Khaosod

On July 24, 2025, a reporter spoke with Miss Ning (a pseudonym), the wife of a police officer, who openly shared the details of her painful discovery. She explained that she began dating her husband in 2016, married him in 2020, and they had a 5-year-old daughter together. After their marriage, her husband's behavior changed dramatically—he stopped coming home regularly and would disappear after arguments. When a young woman suddenly added her on Facebook and was also listed as her husband's friend, Miss Ning grew suspicious. When she questioned her husband, he denied knowing the woman and claimed she was a police contact. A coworker later informed her that her husband had taken the woman out to eat, but when Miss Ning followed, she couldn't catch them.

Frustrated by his denials, Miss Ning hired a private investigator. On the first day of surveillance, her husband called her via video chat saying he was tired and going to bed. Within 10 minutes, the investigator spotted him picking up the other woman and heading to a hotel. Miss Ning followed discreetly but wanted to gather solid evidence before confronting him. After days of surveillance, when the investigator located her husband and the woman at a sukiyaki restaurant, Miss Ning went there and finally got him to confess. He admitted to the affair, which had lasted about two months.

When Miss Ning asked him to choose, her husband said he would stay with her, but his actions told a different story—he never came home to sleep with her and their daughter, and he continued contacting the other woman. Miss Ning has now moved out of the family home, though their daughter remains with him. She is seeking justice and plans to pursue divorce proceedings, hoping to gain custody of their child.

No. 10 of Read at source → Next
National

Gold Prices Drop 700 Baht as Markets Open

Gold prices dropped 700 baht at Thursday's market open in Thailand, with ornamental gold trading at 65,600 baht per baht weight as traders anticipate a sharp rebound within days.

Gold Prices Drop 700 Baht as Markets Open
24 Jul Khaosod

The Thai Gold Traders Association reported gold prices for July 24, 2025, with a significant market opening decline of 700 baht from the previous day's closing. Ornamental gold (96.5%) sold at 65,600 baht per baht weight. Gold bars were quoted at 64,600 baht per baht weight for buying and 64,800 baht for selling. Ornamental gold prices showed a buy price of 63,308.16 baht per baht weight and a sell price of 65,600 baht per baht weight, while international gold spot prices held steady at $4,045.00 per ounce. Traders are forecasting a potential surge of 1,000–2,000 baht per baht weight in tomorrow's opening, with some expecting prices to break through the 80,000 baht mark.

No. 11 of Read at source → Next
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