Major Crackdown Launched Raids Target Fraudulent Operations On June 26, 2025, Thailand’s Revenue Department (RD) and Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) executed a sweeping operation, dismantling a sophisticated value-added tax (VAT) fraud ring responsible for over 1 billion baht in state losses. The raids, conducted across 14 locations in Tak, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok, targeted a network orchestrating fake transactions to exploit VAT refunds, a scheme that has shaken Thailand’s tax system. Key Arrests Made Ringleader and Accomplices Detained The operation led to the arrest of 63-year-old Samran Naowarat, identified as the mastermind, along with nine associates. They face serious charges,…
Author: Wadi
Firm Stance Against Military Action Party Issues Clear Directive On June 30, 2025, the People’s Party, Thailand’s leading opposition group, issued a stern reminder to its members, prohibiting any support for military coups to resolve the ongoing political turmoil. Secretary-general Sarayut Jailak’s public memo emphasized that members must not cross the “party line” by endorsing or participating in activities that could encourage military intervention, reinforcing the party’s commitment to democratic solutions. Demand for Democratic Resolution Call for House Dissolution The party reiterated its demand for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to dissolve the House of Representatives, allowing voters to decide the…
Tragic Findings Released Investigation Pinpoints Flaws On June 30, 2025, Thai investigators revealed that design and construction flaws caused the collapse of a 30-story State Audit Office building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district during a March 28 earthquake, claiming 89 lives. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the findings, highlighting critical errors in the building’s structural integrity, a tragedy that has sparked nationwide calls for stricter construction oversight. Key Structural Failures Elevator and Stairwell Issues The investigation, conducted by the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning alongside Chulalongkorn, Kasetsart, and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, identified improper design…
Opposition Gains Momentum Bhumjaithai Leads No-Confidence Push On June 30, 2025, the Bhumjaithai Party, recently withdrawn from the ruling coalition, drafted a censure motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, citing her controversial phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen as a threat to national security. The party, led by Anutin Charnvirakul, aims to rally other opposition groups, including the Palang Pracharath Party, to support the no-confidence debate, escalating Thailand’s political turmoil. Details of the Controversial Call Allegations of Disloyalty Bhumjaithai’s spokeswoman, Boonyathida Somchai, criticized Paetongtarn for allegedly speaking negatively about the Second Army Region’s commander during the June 15…
Economic Slowdown Confirmed Central Bank Reports Decline Thailand’s economy weakened in May 2025, driven by a slowdown in tourism and manufacturing, despite a surge in exports, according to the Bank of Thailand (BoT). The downturn, reported on June 30, 2025, highlights challenges in key sectors, with the economy facing a delicate balance as global demand shifts. This slowdown follows a robust April, signaling volatility in Thailand’s economic recovery. Tourism Sector Struggles Fewer Long-Haul Visitors The tourism industry, a cornerstone of Thailand’s economy, saw a significant decline in May, with both revenue and foreign tourist numbers dropping. Long-haul travelers, particularly from…
Fatal Crash in Phasi Charoen Speeding Mini Cooper Strikes Motorcycle On June 29, 2025, a red Mini Cooper speeding through Bangkok’s Phasi Charoen district collided with a motorcycle, taking out one person and leaving another critically injured. The incident, which occurred around 6 AM near Soi Phetkasem 19, highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in Thailand, where motorbike accidents account for 80% of road fatalities, per 2024 government data. Details of the Collision Victims Suffer Severe Injuries The crash happened as the Mini Cooper descended a bridge, striking the rear of a motorcycle driven by 27-year-old taxi driver Dulyawat Nilkoet.…
Urgent Weather Alert Issued Preparing for Natural Disasters On June 30, 2025, Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) issued a critical warning for 17 provinces, urging residents to prepare for flash floods, landslides, and forest runoff from July 1 to July 5. The alert follows severe flooding in areas like Phaya Mengrai, Chiang Rai, where volunteers are already aiding recovery efforts. This proactive measure aims to mitigate risks as heavy rainfall looms over multiple regions. Affected Regions Identified Northern, Northeastern, and Southern Risks The DDPM highlighted four northern provinces—Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, and Tak—alongside nine northeastern provinces, including…
Temporary Border Relief Measures Humanitarian Support in Sa Kaeo On June 29, 2025, the Burapa Task Force, overseeing Thailand’s border with Cambodia in Sa Kaeo province, announced a temporary relaxation of border controls to aid stranded Cambodians and vehicles. This decision, led by Maj Gen Benchapol Dechatiwong na Ayutthaya, responds to humanitarian needs amid tightened restrictions sparked by bilateral tensions since April, offering relief to those affected by recent border closures. Limited Truck Crossings Allowed Strict Regulations for Cargo The new orders, effective immediately, permit stranded cargo trucks to cross three checkpoints—Ban Khao Din, Ban Nong Ian-Stung Bot, and Bang…
Historic Healthcare Expansion Universal Scheme Includes Transgender Care On June 29, 2025, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health announced a groundbreaking 145-million-baht initiative to include gender-affirming hormone therapy in the 30-baht universal healthcare scheme. This move, approved by Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, marks a significant step toward inclusive healthcare, ensuring transgender and gender-diverse individuals access safe, affordable treatment under the “Treatment Anywhere” program. Six Key Medications Added Supporting Gender-Affirming Care The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has added six hormone-related medications to its procurement list, including leuprorelin injections, 17-beta estradiol tablets, estradiol transdermal patches, testosterone enanthate injections, cyproterone acetate tablets,…
Three Suspects Arrested Busting Wildlife Traffickers On June 26, 2025, Thai police arrested three men involved in an illegal wildlife trafficking network smuggling orangutans from Indonesia. The suspects, identified as Sama Ngo, 69, in Songkhla; Pongsakorn Saengprapai, 29, in Prachuap Khiri Khan; and Supawat Weerawongwiwat, 43, in Bangkok, were apprehended for selling the animals, with prices reaching up to 250,000 baht each, highlighting a lucrative black-market trade. Origins of the Investigation Building on Prior Seizures The arrests stem from a January 22, 2025, operation in Chumphon province, where authorities seized three orangutans, three gibbons, and a sambar deer from a…