A 28-year-old woman from Buriram province has been bedridden for over ten months following a cesarean delivery complication that occurred just 24 hours after surgery. She remains on a ventilator with a tracheostomy, unable to speak or move her limbs, and can only blink her eyes in response. On July 22, her 29-year-old husband stated he has continuously visited and never abandoned her, explaining his absence was due to stomach pain that has since improved. He pledged to bring her home once she recovers. His mother, 50, corroborated that the family regularly visits, buys supplies, and has prepared a small house for the patient's eventual return home. However, the patient's 50-year-old aunt disputed the husband's account, saying he has never visited or even called, though she acknowledged the mother-in-law's visits are genuine. The aunt clarified her criticism was directed at the husband alone and expressed no anger at anyone, having only stated facts when asked.

Bangkok, 22 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) and Guangdong Grandeur International Exhibition Group, today announced the World Travel & Culture Expo 2026 (WTCE 2026), scheduled to take place from 29–31 October at IMPACT Mueang Thong Thani. The event aims to drive tourism, trade and investment while reinforcing Thailand’s role as an ASEAN hub for tourism and entertainment.

Presiding over the launch, Mr. Pasakorn Rangsiwatanasak, Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Sports, said, “WTCE 2026 demonstrates Thailand’s commitment to harnessing tourism, culture, sport, entertainment and creative industries as engines of economic growth. The event will stimulate investment, deepen international cooperation and strengthen Thailand’s position as a gateway connecting ASEAN with global markets.”

Joining the launch were Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor; Lieutenant Anek Nurak, Committee Member of the TCT; Mr. Wang Zhaoyun, CEO of Grandeur Exhibition Group; Police Major General Pongsiam Meekanthong, Deputy Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau; TAT executives; and representatives of partner organisations.

WTCE 2026 reflects the Thai-Chinese partnership behind the event and builds on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China. It also aligns with China’s “Thousands of Sails Go to Sea” policy encouraging Chinese enterprises to expand internationally into Thailand, China and ASEAN for tourism, business and investment cooperation.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “TAT’s Value over Volume direction, supported by Healing is the New Luxury campaign, places meaningful experiences, sustainability and quality tourism income at the centre of tourism development. WTCE 2026 advances this direction by connecting tourism with culture, sport, and the creative industries, while opening new channels for investment, knowledge exchange, and business cooperation. As an official partner, TAT will promote international participation and help connect Thai businesses with investors, technology providers and creative-industry partners across regional and global markets.”

WTCE 2026 builds on the 2025 edition, which featured 300 exhibition booths showcasing leading global brands from 23 countries, welcomed participants from 36 countries and achieved a 98 per cent success rate in business negotiations and partnerships, according to the organisers.

Held under the theme “Smartly Link the World”, the 2026 expo will unite culture, innovation and commercial opportunity. The expo will feature five specialised expositions:

The Thailand Amusement and Attraction Parks Expo (TAAPE) will focus on amusement and water parks, family entertainment and safety standards.

The Thailand (Bangkok) Billiards Expo (TBE) will showcase billiards, snooker and indoor leisure sports.

The ASEAN LED Display, Prolight, Sound and Entertainment Technology Expo (ASE) will present LED displays, professional lighting, sound systems and entertainment technologies.

The Asia Film, Television and Equipment Technology Expo (APE) will cover production equipment, virtual production, extended reality and intellectual-property licensing.

The ASEAN Global IP Expo will expand business opportunities across the intellectual property (IP) and the creative industries.

The launch also featured a “Future Trends of Tourism” panel discussion with Lieutenant Anek Nurak; Mr. Jeerayu Jarukittivorakan, TCT Secretary-General and a member of the TAT Board of Directors; Ms. Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and South Pacific; and Police Major General Pongsiam Meekanthong. The session addressed tourism safety, sustainability and visitor experience, with an emphasis on risk management, environmentally responsible practices and immersive technologies.

China remains Thailand’s leading international visitor market. From 1 January to 20 July 2026, Thailand recorded 2,877,039 arrivals from China, up 14.76 per cent year-on-year. TAT forecasts more than 5.13 million Chinese visitors and at least 288.385 billion Baht in tourism revenue in 2026. WTCE 2026 will provide a strategic platform to convert this market strength into broader tourism, investment and business partnerships across the region.

The post Bangkok to host World Travel & Culture Expo 2026 in October appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

On July 12, 2025, Hai Ti Lao Thailand unveiled a new brand film that tells the story of a modern family where each member lives at their own pace—caught up in work, social gatherings, or social media—rarely finding time together. The film cleverly uses familiar hotpot elements—chopsticks, ladles, and soft noodles—to convey its heartwarming and humorous narrative, symbolically "scooping" busy family members back to the dinner table.

The film opens with the mother enjoying time with friends when giant chopsticks suddenly appear on screen and whisk her away. It then shifts to the father absorbed in work, caught by a giant ladle that lifts him from his desk. Next, a child livestreaming on a phone is swept away from their social media world by the ladle. The tone shifts when we meet grandmother, who has no work, social obligations, or online distractions—only her quiet routine at home. As a long soft noodle appears and gently pulls her along, it brings all family members back together around the hotpot table.

The film's message is that despite everyone's hectic lives, the simple act of sitting down to eat, talk, and spend time together as a family holds deep meaning and joy. The oversized utensils serve not just as visual metaphors but as symbols of bringing loved ones back to each other's side. Around a table filled with delicious food and Hai Ti Lao's signature soft noodles and distinctive puppet performances, the family members gradually set aside their busy lives and reconnect, creating a warm and joyful moment of togetherness.

On July 22, Deputy Police Commander Nattasak Chouvanasai disclosed progress in the corruption investigation into the Department of Local Administration examination fraud. The main case remains under the National Anti-Corruption Commission's jurisdiction, while the Police Central Investigation Bureau has received formal complaints from the Interior Ministry and the Department of Local Administration regarding leaked exam documents. Investigators traced the document distribution and identified those who ordered the alterations, leading to arrest warrants for three individuals, all of whom have been apprehended.

Chouvanasai stated that evidence indicates state officials were involved in the document leak and requested 2–3 additional days to gather evidence for prosecution. The eleven individuals arrested in connection with this matter are being held as witnesses by the Anti-Corruption Commission, which has already interrogated them. Police are focusing on those who planned and executed the alterations.

Regarding reports of higher-ranking officials involved, Chouvanasai clarified that a previously arrested sergeant was a state employee but had no direct role in the examination process. In this case, however, the suspects are state officials with direct involvement in the scheme. A special investigation committee has been established to review the matter. A report to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister is expected by August 5. Chouvanasai confirmed that the Police Central Investigation Bureau had no involvement in the Department of Local Administration's sudden meeting cancellation and was merely fulfilling its duty as a fact-finding committee to recommend measures preventing future examination fraud.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Phuket – The recent government-led effort to reopen public access to Nui Beach in Phuket may appear at first glance to be a local dispute over land use. Yet, the case has quickly become emblematic of a broader national challenge: how Thailand manages its natural resources, enforces the law, and protects the public’s right to […] Phuket Nui Beach: A Model for Thailand’s Coastal Encrochment Reform -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.