Lanta & News
No. 01 · ENDLESS
Regional

Young Dugong Dies After Stranding; Autopsy Ordered

A young dugong calf found stranded in Ranong Province died despite intensive veterinary care at a rescue center in Phuket; an autopsy is underway to determine the cause and improve future marine animal rescue efforts.

Young Dugong Dies After Stranding; Autopsy Ordered
2h ago Khaosod

Thailand's Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chamlong has ordered an urgent autopsy to determine the cause of death of a young male dugong that became separated from its pod and died during treatment. Despite full efforts by marine veterinarians and staff from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, the calf could not be saved. Minister Chamlong emphasized the need to accelerate efforts to improve conservation and rescue of rare marine animals in the future.

Dr. Pinsak Suraswadi, director of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, revealed that on July 5, 2569 (2026), a 112-centimeter-long, 25-kilogram male dugong calf was found stranded at Laem Phromthep beach in Ranong Province. Local residents helped rescue the animal and brought it to officials at Laem Phromthep National Park. Initial examination showed small wounds on the body and head, believed to have been caused by the stranding and being swept ashore by currents. Staff provided immediate first aid and transferred the calf to the Sirinath rare marine animal rescue center operated by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources in Phuket.

Throughout the treatment period, staff from the Sirinath rescue center and the Upper Andaman Sea Research Center worked around the clock with volunteers to monitor and care for the calf 24 hours a day. Health assessments showed the calf was in normal condition but underweight (body condition score 2.5 out of 5), with bruising along the body from the stranding. Heart rate averaged 80-100 beats per minute depending on behavior, while breathing rates were 1-3 times per 5 minutes at rest and 4-5 times per 5 minutes while swimming. Tests revealed low blood sugar and moderate to severe dehydration. The calf's digestive system showed severe bloating with gas buildup, as it had not eaten for an extended period.

Despite the veterinary team's best efforts, the calf went into shock. Though emergency resuscitation and stimulant medications were administered, the young dugong could not be saved and died shortly after. An autopsy is currently being conducted to determine the exact cause of death. The findings will be used to develop better knowledge and protocols for assisting rare marine animals to improve survival chances in future rescue cases. Thailand will continue implementing measures to conserve and restore the national dugong population.

No. 01 of Read at source → Next
Police

Ex-Boyfriend Arrested For Abducting Woman Across Provinces

A 40-year-old man was arrested in Phuket after abducting and assaulting his ex-girlfriend during a car journey from Kanchanaburi to Ranong; the woman escaped by signaling a gas station attendant for help.

Ex-Boyfriend Arrested For Abducting Woman Across Provinces
2h ago Khaosod

A 34-year-old woman from Thamakha district in Kanchanaburi was forcibly taken in a car heading south and assaulted throughout the journey before finding an opportunity to escape and seek help from a gas station attendant to call police in Ranong. The suspect initially fled but was arrested on July 7, 2569 by Phuket police investigators after he boarded a tour bus. He was handed over to Ranong Municipal Police for prosecution.

At 11:00 AM, Pol. Lt. Col. Thanawat Wattanakul, commander of Ranong Provincial Police, along with Pol. Maj. Thawatchai Suncharoen, superintendent of Ranong Municipal Police, and Pol. Capt. Chakraphan Kaewkhao, deputy superintendent, interrogated suspect Nattapong, 40, who was arrested under court warrant from Ranong Provincial Court.

The charges include robbery with threats to kill or cause bodily harm, coercion, unlawful confinement, indecent assault with threats or force, assault, and damage to property. Investigators reported that upon arrest, the suspect showed signs of drug intoxication. A urine test confirmed methamphetamine in his system. During interrogation, he gave contradictory statements, claiming to have Chinese and Korean nationality and alleging he received money transfers from Korea that were misappropriated by others. He claimed he acted out of accumulated frustration, admitted to slapping the victim, and blamed police for not also arresting the woman.

The Ranong Provincial Police Commander noted the suspect displayed signs of mental disturbance consistent with drug abuse, likely leading to paranoid and violent thoughts. The suspect confessed to hitting the woman, but the victim's quick thinking enabled her escape. The case is notable for the victim's resourcefulness in flagging down a gas station attendant to call her mother and alert police. The four-finger salute gesture she used to signal for help while making the call has been recognized as an important symbol requesting assistance.

No. 02 of Read at source → Next
Police

Man Arrested After Snatching Vendor's Bag at Bangkok Market

A knife-wielding man snatched a vegetable vendor's bag at Bangyai Market in Nonthaburi on July 7, but bystanders quickly captured the 39-year-old suspect before police arrived.

Man Arrested After Snatching Vendor's Bag at Bangkok Market
2h ago Khaosod

At 1:00 PM on July 7, 2025, Deputy Superintendent Chaloemporn Yuenyong of Bangyai Police Station in Nonthaburi received a report of an armed robbery at Bangyai Market, where a man wielding a knife had snatched a vegetable vendor's shoulder bag. Good Samaritans quickly apprehended the suspect before police arrived. Officers, including Police Captain Siraphop Anusiri and other personnel from the station's investigation unit, found 39-year-old Kriang Kai detained by citizens. The suspect showed visible injuries to his head and face from the struggle during his capture. The victim, a vegetable shop owner, provided a statement to police.

A good Samaritan witness explained that while shopping, he witnessed the robbery and immediately chased down the perpetrator to help apprehend him. He expressed concern about the brazenness of the crime, noting it occurred during busy market hours when many vendors and customers were present. He urged shoppers to be more cautious and vigilant about their belongings.

Deputy Police Lieutenant Rachane Thanadpatchanamas reported that police received the initial report from the public and the suspect confessed to the crime. The man admitted he was intoxicated from clear liquor and, lacking employment, was seized by greed when he spotted the victim's valuable bag. Police urged residents to exercise heightened caution regarding their valuables and to report any suspicious incidents to the local police station immediately or call the emergency hotline 191 available 24 hours daily.

No. 03 of Read at source → Next
National

State Enterprises Deliver 170 Billion Baht to Treasury

State enterprises delivered 170.2 billion baht to the treasury in the first nine months of fiscal 2569, surpassing the target by 29.5 billion baht with the Government Lottery Office and PTT leading contributions.

State Enterprises Deliver 170 Billion Baht to Treasury
2h ago Khaosod

Tibodi Watthanakon, director of the State Enterprise Policy Committee Office (SEPC), announced that during the first three quarters of fiscal year 2569 (October 1, 2568 – June 30, 2569), state enterprises and government-held businesses remitted a cumulative 170.241 billion baht in dividends and state revenue transfers. This exceeded the three-quarter projection of 140.756 billion baht by 29.485 billion baht, or 121 percent of target.

The top ten contributors were: 1) Government Lottery Office (36.489 billion baht), 2) PTT Public Company Limited (33.754 billion baht), 3) Thai Vayupax Fund One (19.202 billion baht), 4) Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (18.244 billion baht), 5) Provincial Electricity Authority (14.011 billion baht), 6) Government Savings Bank (13.389 billion baht), 7) Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (8.1 billion baht), 8) Government Housing Bank (6.963 billion baht), 9) Metropolitan Electricity Authority (2.797 billion baht), and 10) Port Authority of Thailand (2.461 billion baht).

No. 04 of Read at source → Next
National

Sisaket Wins Hosting Rights For 52nd King's Cup

Sisaket Province will host the 52nd King's Cup tournament in 2026 at a 12,000-seat stadium, with Thailand competing against Oman, Bahrain, and Tajikistan.

Sisaket Wins Hosting Rights For 52nd King's Cup
2h ago Khaosod

Sisaket Province has been named host of the 52nd King's Cup at Sisaket Central Stadium (Ko Klang Nam), featuring a 12,000-seat capacity. The Thai Football Association selected the venue after considering bids from four provinces: Sisaket, Khon Kaen, Ayutthaya, and Rayong. The King's Cup is an economic stimulus initiative that brings the Thai national team to different provinces.

On July 7, 2026, during the FA Thailand Awards 2025/26 ceremony at The Grand Foursquare Convention Hotel in Bangkok, Sisaket was officially announced as the host. Siriphong Angsakulkiat, Deputy Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Sisaket, and the Sisaket Sports Association chairman attended the announcement.

The tournament will feature four nations: Thailand (ranked 94th), Oman (79th), Bahrain (92nd), and Tajikistan (101st) in the FIFA world rankings. Match pairings will be determined by draw at a later date.

No. 05 of Read at source → Next
Police

American Man Drowns After Destroying Luxury Home

A 31-year-old American man drowned in a residential lake in Samut Prakan after displaying erratic behavior and vandalizing a luxury home, with investigators finding syringes and unknown pills at the scene.

American Man Drowns After Destroying Luxury Home
2h ago Khaosod

On July 7, police responded to an incident at a luxury residential community in Bang Chlong subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. A 31-year-old American man was exhibiting signs of severe agitation and attempted to enter a taxi with 1,000 baht, but the driver refused due to his erratic behavior. The man then knocked on residents' car windows before becoming increasingly agitated, rolling on the ground and making religious gestures. When police arrived, he fled into the community and jumped into the residential lake. Rescue teams found his body 30 minutes later in the 10-meter-deep lake.

According to his 22-year-old girlfriend, the couple had been together for three years but recently reconciled after a separation just three months prior. She reported he had shown no previous signs of behavioral issues and had never exhibited such conduct before today. She was unaware of any drug use, though investigators found two unused syringes on the car's front seat and white pills of unknown origin in his waistband.

The homeowner, who was renting the property for 35,000 baht monthly, discovered the residence had been vandalized with spray paint throughout the entire house—walls, floors, furniture, and decorations—causing extensive damage. The 22-million-baht lakefront property, which the owner deeply cherished, was devastated after only three months of tenancy. Bang Phli police are conducting a full investigation, including autopsy and toxicology tests, and will coordinate with the U.S. Embassy in Thailand regarding the incident.

No. 06 of Read at source → Next
Police

Phuket Launches Three-Month Anti-Drug Operation

Phuket has launched Operation 90 Days, a three-month anti-drug campaign running through September 2026, deploying joint task forces to combat narcotics and boost community safety across the province.

Phuket Launches Three-Month Anti-Drug Operation
2h ago The Phuket Express

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

Phuket – Phuket province has officially launched Operation 90 Days, a sweeping anti-narcotics campaign aimed at eradicating drug activity and strengthening community safety. The initiative, which runs from July 1 to September 30, 2026, was kicked off with a ceremonial deployment of joint task forces at the Mahisornpakdee Auditorium, Phuket Provincial Hall. Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom, […] Phuket Launches “Operation 90 Days” to Combat Narcotics and Build Safer Communities -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

No. 07 of Read at source → Next
National

Thailand Cracks Down on Unlicensed Cannabis Shops

Thailand's health minister confirmed the government is cracking down on unlicensed cannabis shops, requiring registered retailers to operate as medical facilities with resident physicians while deploying thousands of inspectors to enforce c

Thailand Cracks Down on Unlicensed Cannabis Shops
2h ago Khaosod

On July 7, Health Minister Patthana Promptpadet confirmed that the Palang Pracharath party's cannabis policy focuses exclusively on medical use. A draft bill controlling cannabis and hemp cultivation is under public consultation but missed consideration in the current parliamentary session. The new law will impose strict penalties for violations and mark the first time cannabis cultivation will be legally regulated, with previous laws only controlling sales, distribution, and extraction.

Promptpadet noted that while Thailand no longer classifies cannabis as a narcotic, many destination countries still do, so exporters must check receiving countries' laws. Officials are coordinating with customs and airport authorities to prevent smuggling, having switched to electronic licenses to reduce fraud.

Regarding registered retailers, Promptpadet reported that of 18,000 shops registered in 2568, approximately 6,000 licenses expired by end-2568, with about 1,500 renewals. Licenses are granted for three-year periods, with roughly 6,000 expiring annually in 2569 and 2570. The Health Ministry is deploying thousands of additional inspectors from police and local authorities.

Promptpadet emphasized that registered shops must upgrade to medical facilities with resident physicians to ensure cannabis is dispensed only to eligible patients. Unauthorized and recreational shops face immediate arrest. The ministry has created a GPS-mapped database of all legitimate registered shops with license expiration dates for enforcement purposes.

No. 08 of Read at source → Next
National

Thailand, New Zealand Sign Climate Cooperation Agreement

Thailand and New Zealand have agreed to collaborate on climate action, sharing technology and expertise to reduce emissions and transition to net-zero economies while celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties.

Thailand, New Zealand Sign Climate Cooperation Agreement
3h ago Khaosod

The Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Arrangement on Climate Change Cooperation between the governments of Thailand and New Zealand, with Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin designated to sign the agreement on behalf of Thailand. The cooperation aims to jointly reduce the impacts of climate change, prepare for future climate risks, and transition to a net-zero emissions economy while meeting global greenhouse gas reduction targets under the Paris Agreement.

This collaboration is part of celebrations marking 70 years of Thai-New Zealand diplomatic relations. Thailand's Department of Climate Change and Environment, working with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, will serve as the lead implementing agency, alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Thailand's Ministry of the Environment partners with New Zealand's Ministry for the Environment.

Under the agreement, Thailand will gain access to advanced technology development and innovation for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate impacts. This will be facilitated through knowledge and technical exchanges, best practice sharing, capacity building, and carbon market development involving government agencies, private sector, researchers, and innovators.

Both governments plan to formally sign the memorandum in August 2025 to advance their bilateral climate change cooperation.

No. 09 of Read at source → Next
Regional

Phuket Officials Review Coastal Land Dispute

Phuket officials received a petition from landowners disputing ownership of five residential properties in Ban Kho En, Mai Khao, with Governor Chotnarin Kedsom and Deputy Governor Romdon Hayiawa meeting with the affected parties' legal repr

Phuket Officials Review Coastal Land Dispute
3h ago The Phuket Express

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

Phuket — Provincial officials in Phuket have received a petition from legal representatives of landowners affected by the ongoing dispute over five residential properties in Ban Kho En, Mai Khao inn Thalang. Governor Chotnarin Kedsom and Deputy Governor Romdon Hayiawa accepted the petition from attorney Israres Busayarat, who is acting on behalf of mainland landowners. The […] Phuket Authorities Review Land Dispute Over Five Coastal Residences -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

No. 10 of Read at source → Next
National

Fuel Prices Drop Tomorrow: Diesel Down 2.56 Baht/Liter

Diesel and gasoline prices drop significantly starting tomorrow morning, with diesel falling 2.56 baht per liter and all gasoline grades declining 2.51 baht per liter across Thailand.

Fuel Prices Drop Tomorrow: Diesel Down 2.56 Baht/Liter
3h ago Khaosod

Thailand's Fuel Fund Committee has announced a price reduction effective July 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM. Diesel will drop by 2.56 baht per liter, and all gasoline grades will decrease by 2.51 baht per liter. The new retail prices are: regular gasoline at 43.93 baht per liter, Gasohol 95 at 34.94 baht, Gasohol 91 at 34.57 baht, E20 at 29.94 baht, and B7 diesel at 34.94 baht per liter. These prices do not include local business taxes and take effect from July 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM onwards.

No. 11 of Read at source → Next
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