Review: The Evil Lawyer – When justice isn’t black and white, and the courtroom isn’t reserved for good people

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16 June 2026, 16:48

Review: The Evil Lawyer – When justice isn’t black and white, and the courtroom isn’t reserved for good people

The Evil Lawyer, a new Thai legal drama series released on 11 June, is directed by Thai filmmaker Nottapon Boonprakob, known for screenwriting on SuckSeed and May Who?, co-directing and writing on One for the Road, and directing the Netflix series Mad Unicorn.

This time, he turns his attention to Thailand’s legal world through the story of Mek, an idealistic young lawyer who suddenly finds himself accused of murdering the son of a police officer. To clear his name, he is forced to team up with Jittri, a notoriously cunning attorney known for exploiting loopholes in the law. Together, they navigate a justice system where the answers are rarely black and white.

What stands out most is the series’ willingness to explore the grey areas of Thailand’s justice system. Through the eyes of legal professionals, it raises uncomfortable questions about morality, power, and justice, three forces that do not always move in the same direction.

Another standout aspect is the attention to detail in depicting courtroom proceedings and cross-examinations. It is clear that the creators have done extensive research, resulting in scenes that feel remarkably authentic without unnecessary dramatisation.

More importantly, the series reminds viewers that courtrooms are not bright, orderly or reassuring spaces, as they are sometimes portrayed in television dramas. Instead, they are spaces filled with tension, pressure, and fierce competition, where everyone fights for their own interests.

The performances are equally impressive. Not only do the lead actors deliver compelling performances, but supporting actors and even minor characters add to the sense of realism. Many of them genuinely resemble people one might encounter in Thailand’s legal profession.

The casting choices also deserve praise for going beyond the conventional standards of attractiveness often seen in Thai series. The character Seya, for example, presents a migrant worker in a way that feels natural and believable.

Visually, the series employs muted colours and subdued lighting, creating an atmosphere of discomfort and moral ambiguity that neatly complements its themes.

One of the series’ most striking achievements is its incorporation of cases reminiscent of real-life incidents that have shaken Thai society. These include the mysterious death of a young woman on a boat surrounded by influential figures, recalling the highly publicised case of actress Tangmo Nida, as well as references to abandoned infant remains in hospitals and devastating industrial fires. Such elements make the series feel as though it is addressing truths that reality itself often hesitates to confront directly.

The series is not without flaws. At times, the pacing moves too quickly, leaving viewers wondering whether they have missed something important. The ending also leaves several questions unresolved, walking a fine line between setting up a second season and intentionally allowing audiences to draw their own conclusions.

Rather than being entertaining in the conventional sense, The Evil Lawyer is emotionally unsettling. It leaves viewers feeling uncomfortable, disturbed, and even disgusted by certain aspects of reality. Episode five, in particular, featuring the cross-examination of a doctor accused of sexually assaulting a patient, is among the most distressing scenes in the series.

Credit must be given to actress Ying Rhatha Phongam, who portrays Jittri and reportedly contributed to the design of this sequence by avoiding rehearsals with the actress playing the victim beforehand. The result is a painfully raw and realistic scene, capturing the desperation of someone cornered into revealing the truth before the court.

The series also questions the failures of Thailand’s justice system by satirising sensationalist news talk shows that invite the public to judge social issues. It reflects a painful reality: many people no longer place enough trust in formal legal mechanisms and instead seek justice through public opinion, allowing society itself to become judge and jury.

A lawyer’s duty is to fight for the best interests of their client within the framework of the law, not to determine who deserves legal representation. In that regard, the series may help dispel some of the misconceptions surrounding the legal profession.

For viewers who enjoy heavy dramas, thrillers, and stories that challenge social norms, The Evil Lawyer is not to be missed. However, audiences should be prepared for numerous sensitive themes, including sexual violence, imbalances of power, and cases that society often chooses to ignore.

Another major strength is the space the series gives to female lawyers. While women make up a significant part of the legal profession in reality, patriarchal attitudes often cause them to be overlooked. This series demonstrates that certain issues become even more powerful when told through women’s perspectives and voices.

Its biggest drawback may also be one of its strengths: the series is packed with symbolism and subtext. Viewers who dislike interpretation and analysis may find it demanding and occasionally overwhelming. But for those who enjoy unpacking hidden meanings, The Evil Lawyer is filled with Easter eggs and narrative layers that make it worth revisiting to catch details that may have gone unnoticed the first time around.

However, it is also difficult not to feel a sense of missed opportunity. While Thailand’s media and film industry have begun pushing boundaries by producing series willing to confront moral grey areas and structural problems that are plainly visible in Thai society, these stories still rarely go all the way. Certain issues could have been explored more deeply and interrogated more forcefully, yet they seem to stop short for reasons that remain unclear.

That is not to say that The Evil Lawyer lacks impact. On the contrary, it is powerful enough to leave viewers uncomfortable, angry, and questioning the nature of justice in Thai society. At the same time, it raises another question: had this series not been released on a streaming platform, would it have retained the same level of quality and boldness in its storytelling? Or would much of its sharper commentary have been diluted, leaving behind little more than another conventional legal drama?

More than a legal thriller, The Evil Lawyer is an uncomfortable reflection of a society that is still struggling to define what justice truly means. By the end, it leaves behind a disturbing question: when the system fails, who gets to decide what justice looks like?

At least 164 dead and 971 injured after powerful quakes rock Venezuela, acting president says

By

Associated Press

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25 June 2026, 19:16

Venezuela Earthquake — Women look at a collapsed building after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — At least 164 people have died and 971 were injured after a pair of powerful quakes rocked Venezuela, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Thursday, adding that rescue teams are rushing to the hardest-hit areas to free people trapped under rubble.

Wednesday evening’s 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century and could be felt throughout the region. The country’s main airport was damaged and closed, while buildings were evacuated in places as far away as Brazil’s Amazon, about 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) from Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.

Television broadcasts Thursday showed rescue workers using power tools to work their way into piles of rubble where buildings once stood. Panicked residents of the capital were sent pouring into the streets, and after the quakes many people walked among the debris searching for the missing among collapsed buildings and toppled electric poles.

AP26176075962801 — Rescue workers search through the rubble after an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Javier Campos)

Footage on state TV showed three children, covered in dust but alive, pulled from the rubble in La Guaira state, which Rodríguez described as a “disaster zone” and one of the areas hardest hit by the quakes because of the large number of collapsed buildings.

Rodríguez said authorities were shifting rescue teams from other parts of the country to La Guaira, which sits north of Caracas on the coast. Officials were trying to make the most of the daylight hours to speed up efforts to rescue people believed to remain trapped under the rubble, she said.

“Dozens of buildings have collapsed there … and we are currently carrying out intensive rescue operations to save lives,” Rodríguez said.

Video shared online appeared to show dozens of people, some lying on the ground and others on hospital beds, being treated outside a hospital in La Guaira.

While Venezuela sits near multiple fault lines, its position straddling the South American and Caribbean plates makes strong earthquakes much less common than in other parts of Latin America.

Rodríguez appealed to businesses to make heavy construction equipment available for rescue operations, adding that search and rescue teams certified by the United Nations were on their way to Venezuela.

Residents fled their homes in panic

During the quakes, people ran from swaying buildings in Caracas, many visibly shocked when they turned back to see destroyed walls that left furniture visible from the street. Columns of dust rose in two typically busy neighborhoods in the capital.

“It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together,” Caracas resident Hector Ricci said.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged people to remain outside as aftershocks could further damage structures, and many people stayed on the streets for hours, some sitting on the ground hugging pets as dust gathered around them. Others spent the night in parked cars, subway stations and other public places.

Parts of the capital lost power and cellphone coverage, and the earthquakes damaged and closed Simón Bolívar International Airport, the country’s main airport, Rodríguez said.

In Caracas, subway services were suspended and natural gas shut off, she said. Classes will also be canceled for several days, and the Ministry of Education said some school buildings would be used as shelters and donation centers.

Roberto Gamas, another Caracas resident, said the building he was in “shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong.”

AP26176435062690 — A man walks among the rubble of a building that collapsed in an earthquake in La Guaira, Venezuela, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

The lack of cellphone signal in parts of Venezuela deepened the distress of many families, particularly those among the more than 7.7 million people who have left the country during its protracted crisis and who struggled to reach relatives inside the country.

On Thursday, scores of people took to social media asking for help finding loved ones, posting pictures of missing relatives and their last known location.

Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado, herself in exile, sent wishes on X for “strength, serenity, and solidarity.”

Venezuela was hit twice by large quakes

The U.S. Geological Survey said the first earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.2, hit west of Moron on the Caribbean coast, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) west of Caracas. It had a depth of 22 kilometers (about 14 miles).

The USGS reported a 7.5 magnitude earthquake just a minute later, with a depth of 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) and an epicenter 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Moron.

Several governments offered assistance

Rodríguez declared a state of emergency in an address to the nation late Wednesday. She said the government was creating a $200 million reconstruction fund for hospitals and homes damaged by the earthquakes, and had instructed the economy and finance ministers to oversee the effort.

Offers of help poured in from countries around the world.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is “immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.”

“We will have a whole of government response,” Rubio said Thursday in Bahrain. “It will be big. It will be fast. It will be effective.”

He added that one of the runways at Caracas’ international airport was cracked in the earthquake, making landing aircraft there difficult.

Rodríguez — who became acting president after an American military operation captured her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, and brought him to the U.S. to stand trial — thanked U.S. President Donald Trump. She said in an X post later that she spoke with Rubio by phone without sharing details. She also expressed thanks to the leaders of various nations who have sent messages of support and offers of help.

AP26176241002995 — People camp on a sports court following an earthquake in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, June 25, 2026 (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

Ecuador ordered the delivery of humanitarian aid, and Rodríguez said Qatar, Mexico and El Salvador had already sent rescue personnel.

“We send you all our solidarity and our prayers. Stay strong, Venezuela,” El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, once diametrically opposed to Venezuela’s government, wrote in a post on X.

Quakes were felt in the wider region

Buildings in Manaus, Belem and Macapa in Brazil’s Amazon were evacuated, according to reports on TV Globo. The quakes also were felt in Colombia’s Caribbean and northeast regions.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued several tsunami alerts that were quickly lifted.

While uncommon in Venezuela, earthquakes are frequent along the Pacific coast, including in Mexico and Chile, which both sit along the seismically active tectonic belt known as the Ring of Fire, an area that the USGS says is responsible for 90% of earthquakes.

How Far Should Thailand Go to Accommodate China?

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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25 June 2026, 18:56

The Chinese Ambassador to Thailand is apparently not happy about Thais using the term “grey Chinese” to refer to Chinese nationals who engage in criminal activities in Thailand and has made it known. Ambassador Zhang Jianwei feels the term made Thais appear “unfriendly” to Chinese visitors.

His message was not directly delivered to the Thai public earlier this week, not even through Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, but through Thai Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, as if to hint that non-compliance could see the loss of Chinese tourists coming to Thailand. China did that to Japan not long ago, and it may try to use tourism as leverage here if Thais do not comply.

Ambassador Zhang’s additional argument was that the term unfairly stereotypes Chinese people. What’s more, Tourism Minister Surasak added that the Chinese envoy said those who break the law should be referred to as offenders instead. Ambassador Zhang reportedly also acknowledged that some Chinese nationals have committed crimes, but said many more contribute positively to Thailand’s economy and tourism industry.

So what happens next?

Should the entire country comply with the Chinese ambassador’s request?

At the very least, the government will likely avoid using the term out of deference to China’s power and feelings. This is despite the fact that PM Anutin Charnvirakul, who personally drove his car to take visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to lunch, did not seem to have any problem with the term in the past while discussing the issue of “grey Chinese” with the local press.

But what shall we use instead?

“Chinese fraudsters”? “Chinese criminal gangs”? “Groups or networks of Chinese nationals engaged in illegal or law-evading activities”? Or should we merely call them foreign criminals, or mafia from a certain East Asian nation?

And if journalists ask PM Anutin about “grey Chinese” in the future, will he or other Thai officials simply pretend not to understand the term?

What the Chinese ambassador should understand is that “grey Chinese” is neither a slur nor a blanket label for all Chinese people. It refers specifically to Chinese nationals involved in criminal activities—whether transnational or not—including scammers, those who kidnap fellow Chinese nationals in Thailand for ransom, mafia, people running illegal businesses in Thailand, money laundering, and so on.

There are quite a lot of such cases being reported, and they make headlines almost every week. This is unlike cases involving any other nationality in Thailand. Perhaps this is due to China’s enormous population.

The term clearly does not refer to all Chinese nationals, and “grey” is not a colour associated with any form of ethnic insult. Rather, it reflects the fact that these individuals operate in Thailand’s legal grey zones—spaces that are ambiguous or murky under Thai law.

No one would think that Ambassador Zhang and his Chinese embassy officials, Chinese executives at BYD, Chinese celebrities such as Fan Bingbing or Jackie Chan are “grey Chinese”.When people use the term, none of these individuals come to mind—and ordinary Chinese tourists certainly do not, either. This is something the Chinese ambassador ought to understand.

There is also the issue of freedom of expression. Thailand already has problems in this regard because of the draconian and anachronistic lese majeste law. Some things cannot be said in Thailand without risking imprisonment. Is the Chinese ambassador now asking Thai people to stop using the term “grey Chinese,” adding it to the list of self-censored words in Thailand as well?

China itself has topics that cannot be openly discussed in a critical or negative light, and the list is longer than in Thailand. They include comparisons of Xi Jinping to Winnie the Pooh, Tibet, the Uyghurs, the Tiananmen Square massacre and the Hong Kong democracy movement. In 2023, Thai public broadcaster Thai PBS deleted an interview with Taiwan’s foreign minister after a protest from China. Last year, an exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre about Myanmar military dictator Min Aung Hlaing’s collusion with other nations, including China, was partially censored by the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok without going through the Thai Foreign Ministry.

And it is no longer just about what cannot be said inside China. Earlier this week, China’s Vice Justice Minister Hu Weilie defended a provision in China’s new ethnic unity law, which takes effect on 1 July, saying China has the right to hold individuals and groups outside its borders legally accountable if they are deemed to undermine “ethnic unity and progress” or incite ethnic separatism.

Hu insisted the provision is legitimate and would not affect normal exchanges, including academic discussion, trade and people-to-people contacts. But who gets to decide what is normal and what is not? If the Chinese state itself defines what constitutes separatism, undermining ethnic unity, or unacceptable discussion of ethnic affairs, should journalists, academics, activists, publishers, editors or artists outside China feel safe commenting on these issues, or even visiting China?

Perhaps they will not, and perhaps that is the point. The law may not need to be enforced often to have an effect. It may be enough to make people outside China think twice, soften their words, avoid certain topics, or bend quietly to China’s national will before Beijing even has to ask.

This is why Ambassador Zhang’s request should not be viewed in isolation. The Thai government has no authority to make the term “grey Chinese” illegal or punishable by law simply because it is spoken. Any Thai person who agrees with the Chinese ambassador is free to refrain from using it. However, the ambassador should be careful about making such requests, because many Thais are already jittery and concerned about China’s growing influence in Thailand. They fear that something much bigger than “grey Chinese” is the “Red Chinese government” itself.

If we allow the situation to continue as it is, one day we may have a dictionary listing terms that should not, or cannot, be used in Thailand when discussing China.

Compared with the Chinese Embassy in Manila, which is very combative, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand is still very polite.

For example, on Wednesday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila published the following post. Given its undiplomatic style, one might have thought it had been written and posted by a troll. The embassy singled out one person: Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard for the West Philippine Sea, who had accused the Chinese Embassy in Manila of trampling on the sovereignty of the Philippines through words.

“Jay Tarriela is deliberately stoking nationalist sentiment to fuel hatred and confrontation, manipulating public opinion in an attempt to drive a wedge between the Chinese and Filipino peoples,” Guo Wei, deputy spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Manila, wrote on Wednesday.

“It is like constantly fanning sparks beside a pile of dry firewood—sooner or later, someone hopes a blaze will erupt. Such inflammatory rhetoric from Jay Tarriela and his alike [sic] has been one of the main reasons China-Philippines relations have faced repeated difficulties in recent years.

“Fortunately, more and more Filipinos can see through this tactic. What ordinary people truly want is a stable relationship that brings peace, development, and opportunities—not endless political theatre built on fear and manufactured confrontation.”

Whether some Thais or Filipinos like it or not, China’s influence will most likely keep rising in the foreseeable future. The balance of power between Thailand and China will become increasingly imbalanced as China gains more influence. How to manage China’s rise will be a key challenge facing Thailand and many other countries in ASEAN.

One could read this latest “request” as an undeclared attempt to see how far China can go, and how much it can get away with, without Thai resistance, to see how far Thai society will yield to such a request and bend over backwards to suit China’s preferences.

The majority of the Thai press, much of it under the spell of China’s growing soft power, proactive engagement and “incentives,” will most likely stop using the term “grey Chinese” from now on.

They are already learning the ropes. Last year, most of the Thai press ignored the story about the Chinese Embassy’s role in censoring some items at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). Two months ago, this writer also learned from a reliable Thai media source of a complaint about an attempt by the embassy to remove a news item about Taiwan that the Chinese Embassy did not like.

It may be the “death” of the term “grey Chinese” for the vast majority of the Thai press, but only by name.

The more important question is not whether this term should or should not be used, but whether the Thai government, Thai media and Thai society will comply with the Chinese ambassador’s requests—and to what extent.

If they do, where will this rabbit hole lead? With more “requests” in the future, how might it reshape Thailand-China relations? And what could it mean for freedom of expression, public discourse and narratives in Thailand about China?

China must be reminded, however, that there is no significant anti-China sentiment or discrimination in Thailand, and that it should not breathe down Thailand’s neck too closely. It is counterproductive to the relationship.

Looking at the matter optimistically, this is China telling a friendly nation what she does not like to hear. Looking at it pessimistically, this is a superpower telling a much smaller and weaker nation to obey. This may not really be about the term “grey Chinese” at all, but about how far China can push its influence on Thailand.

Realistically speaking, Thailand’s relations with both the US and China cannot be genuinely equal because of the huge discrepancy in power. That does not mean Thailand should simply submit itself and become a client state of China, however. A stance that is both tactful and firm is needed.

No matter how you see it, we can extrapolate that this is an early warning for Thailand not to become too dependent on any single nation, China or the US, grey or not grey. Ambassador Zhang’s message is a clarion wake-up call for Thailand to diversify its trade and tourism, and to avoid becoming too dependent on any single country.

Thammasat ranks No.1 globally in SDG16 for peace, justice and strong institutions

By

Khaosod English

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25 June 2026, 16:50

BANGKOK — Thammasat University has been ranked first in the world for Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG16), which focuses on peace, justice and strong institutions, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 released on 24 June.

The UK-based ranking body also placed Thammasat 46th globally out of 1,603 institutions for overall SDG performance, with a score of 92.9, making it the second-ranked university in Thailand.

Thammasat Rector Prof. Dr. Supasawad Chatchawan said the ranking reflected the concrete efforts of administrators, faculty members, students and staff in advancing policies on peace, justice, rule of law and strong institutions through teaching, research, public service and good governance.

Assistant Professor Chon Bunnag, Assistant to the Rector for Quality and Sustainability Development and Director of the SDG Move Research Centre, said the achievement reflected collaboration across all dimensions of the university, including teaching, research, public service and governance, with a shared goal of promoting fairness, reducing inequality and expanding equal opportunities.

The university said the achievement reflects its long-standing “university for the people” philosophy over the past 92 years. It added that Thammasat will continue to apply its globally recognised expertise to public service and national problem-solving, particularly in areas of law, human rights, equality, inequality reduction and public participation.

Japanese tourist’s chair collapse at Hua Hin station goes viral

By

Khaosod English

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25 June 2026, 16:49

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN — 24 June 2026, A Japanese travel content creator has gone viral after posting a video of an unexpected mishap at Hua Hin Railway Station, where a chair suddenly broke beneath him as he leaned back while waiting for a train.

The creator, who runs the travel channel jun_suga_sekidou, shared the clip under the title “Thailand almost stopped my heart.”

In the video, he is seen sitting on a chair at the station. As he leans back against the backrest, the chair suddenly gives way, causing him to fall backwards onto the ground with a loud crash.

Fortunately, he was not injured in the incident.

The creator’s friend can be heard laughing and joking, saying, “Don’t break things.” The Japanese tourist later commented that he had properly apologized to the station master following the incident.

The clip quickly attracted attention online, with many social media users expressing relief that he escaped unharmed while also finding humor in the unexpected accident.

Some commenters, however, noted that the incident raises questions about public safety and maintenance standards. They said authorities may need to inspect station facilities more thoroughly, as a similar accident involving a child, elderly person, or pregnant woman could potentially result in more serious injuries.

The video has since been widely shared across Thai social media platforms, drawing both amusement and concerns over safety at public transport facilities.

“What you see must be what you get,” minister warns buffets

By

Khaosod English

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25 June 2026, 16:22

BANGKOK — A senior Thai government minister has ordered an inspection of buffet restaurants in a popular Bangkok shopping district, warning that promotional claims must accurately reflect what consumers actually receive.

Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office overseeing the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), led an on-site inspection in the Pathumwan area on 25 June, where buffet restaurants are highly competitive due to frequent promotions.

She said promotional competition is acceptable, but must be based on honesty, adding that advertising, pricing and service conditions must match reality. “Consumers should not be misled first and then have problems resolved later,” she said.

The inspection focused on three main areas: promotional advertising and terms must be clearly disclosed before purchase; food images and menu items must match actual products served; and prices must be fully transparent, including service charges and value-added tax.

The OCPB also warned against unclear terms in online pre-sold vouchers, saying conditions must be clearly stated at the point of sale.

Supamas said the inspection was carried out in coordination with multiple agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Internal Trade, and the Pathumwan district office, to cover food safety, pricing fairness and hygiene standards.

She added that misleading advertising could result in penalties under the Consumer Protection Act, including fines and imprisonment, while fraudulent advance voucher sales could also fall under criminal fraud provisions.

Consumers were urged to check full pricing details, including tax and service charges, before purchasing, and to review receipts carefully after payment. The OCPB said complaints can be filed via its hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect app, its website, or local Damrongtham centres.

Cyprus marks EU Council presidency with Bangkok business luncheon

By

Khaosod English

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25 June 2026, 15:26

BANGKOK — The Ambassador of Cyprus to Thailand hosted a luncheon reception in Bangkok to mark the Republic of Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the January–June 2026 term, bringing together Thai business leaders, government officials and diplomatic representatives.

Ambassador Evagoras Vryonides, joined by Paniti Vasuratna, Honorary Consul of Cyprus in Bangkok, welcomed guests at Tohona Restaurant at InterContinental Bangkok Sukhumvit. Attendees included representatives from the Thai government, business community and diplomatic corps. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, promoting trade and investment, and exploring new opportunities for cooperation between Thailand and Cyprus.

The ambassador highlighted Cyprus’s role as a gateway to Europe and its potential to facilitate greater access for Thai businesses to European markets. The event also underscored the growing relationship between Thailand and Cyprus and their shared commitment to expanding economic cooperation and long-term partnerships.

Thailand positions itself as ASEAN’s water innovation hub with the launch of Aquatech Asia 2026

By

Mc Marketing

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25 June 2026, 15:23

Thailand is strengthening its position as ASEAN’s emerging hub for water innovation, technology and sustainable infrastructure with the launch of Aquatech Asia 2026, the Asian edition of the world’s leading water technology tradeshow and conference.

The event was officially announced during a press conference hosted by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Thailand in Bangkok, underlining the strong and long-standing partnership between Thailand and the Netherlands in water management, climate resilience and sustainable development.

Organised by VNU Asia Pacific in partnership with RAI Amsterdam, Aquatech Asia 2026 will take place from 25–27 November 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC). The event is set to become a leading regional platform, connecting global technology providers, policymakers, utilities, industrial users, researchers, investors and infrastructure developers from across Asia and beyond.

The launch comes at a pivotal moment for Southeast Asia, where climate change, rapid urbanisation, industrial growth and increasing pressure on water resources are intensifying. Water security is no longer just an environmental concern — it is a critical factor shaping economic growth, industrial competitiveness, food security, energy resilience and quality of life.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Christiaan A. Bergwerff, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Thailand, emphasised the importance of international collaboration:

“Water management is a shared priority for both the Netherlands and Thailand, as well as many countries across Southeast Asia. Aquatech Asia will provide a global platform for sharing innovation, exchanging knowledge and strengthening partnerships to support sustainable growth across the region.”

Globally recognised for its expertise in flood protection, delta management and integrated water solutions, the Netherlands brings valuable knowledge and experience to the partnership. For Thailand, the launch of Aquatech Asia represents more than the arrival of a leading international exhibition — it reflects the country’s ambition to become a centre for water innovation and sustainable infrastructure development within ASEAN.

Mr. Duangdej Yuaikwarmdee, CEO of VNU Asia Pacific, highlighted the strategic importance of water:

“Water is no longer simply an environmental issue — it is a strategic driver of future economic growth and national resilience. Aquatech Asia is not just an exhibition; it is a platform that brings together governments, industry leaders, researchers and innovators to address one of the world’s most pressing challenges.”

Mr. Rene Bos, Exhibition Director of Aquatech China and Asia at RAI Amsterdam, added:

“Thailand offers a unique combination of industrial demand, regional connectivity and a strong focus on sustainable infrastructure. This makes it an ideal location for Aquatech’s expansion in Asia. We see significant opportunities to connect global technology leaders with regional stakeholders and accelerate innovation and business collaboration.”

Aquatech Asia 2026 will present cutting-edge solutions across the entire water value chain, including water and wastewater treatment, water reuse, filtration and membrane technologies, smart water management, AI-powered monitoring, and flood and drought mitigation — all aimed at supporting sustainable urban and industrial development.

The launch also featured a high-level panel discussion titled “Advancing Water Resilience in Thailand and Beyond: Priorities, Partnerships, and What to Expect at Aquatech Asia 2026.” Experts from government, industry and academia agreed that strengthening water resilience in Thailand and across Southeast Asia requires closer collaboration, increased investment and the integration of technology, policy and data-driven approaches.

Key speakers emphasised the importance of integrated planning, reliable data, long-term strategy and the translation of research into practical, scalable solutions. The discussion reinforced the need to bridge policy, technology and knowledge-sharing to build a more water-secure and climate-resilient future.

Aquatech Asia 2026
25–27 November 2026
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Bangkok, Thailand

For more information, visit: Aquatech Asia website

Alcohol sales banned in Bangkok and Pattaya before elections

By

Khaosod English

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25 June 2026, 15:00

Alcohol sales banned in Bangkok and Pattaya before elections

BANGKOK — 25 June 2026, The Election Commission (EC) has announced a ban on the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages in Bangkok and Pattaya ahead of local elections.

The ban will be in effect from 18:00 on 27 June 2026 until 18:00 on 28 June 2026, covering the period before and during voting for the Bangkok governor and city council elections, as well as the Pattaya mayor and Pattaya City Council elections.

Violators face penalties of up to six months in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.

Eligible voters in Bangkok and Pattaya are scheduled to cast their ballots on 28 June 2026 between 08:00 and 17:00.

China says it can hold people abroad accountable under ethnic unity law

By

Khaosod English

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25 June 2026, 14:03

China has the right to hold people outside its borders legally accountable under its new ethnic unity law, a senior official said on Wednesday, defending a provision that has drawn criticism ahead of the law’s implementation next week.

The law, passed in March and due to take effect on 1 July, includes a clause stating that individuals and groups outside China can be held legally responsible for undermining “ethnic unity and progress” or inciting ethnic separatism.

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Vice Justice Minister Hu Weilie said criticism of the overseas provision was based on a misunderstanding of the law.

“This provision is based on China’s national conditions, conforms to legal principles, and is consistent with international practice. It is a legitimate, lawful, necessary and feasible legal provision,” Hu said.

He said countries around the world have the right to prevent separatist activities and maintain social order through domestic legislation.

Hu said the overseas provision targets illegal acts and uses legal measures to guard against unlawful activities involving ethnic affairs originating from outside China.

He added that enforcing the provision would help safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as the lawful rights and interests of people of all ethnic groups.

Hu also said the law would not affect normal exchanges between China and other countries, including academic discussions, economic and trade cooperation, and people-to-people contacts.

Thai stationery maker earns four Guinness world records

By

Khaosod English

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25 June 2026, 13:39

Thai stationery maker earns four Guinness world records

AYUTTHAYA — 25 June 2026, A Thai stationery manufacturer has gained international recognition after Guinness World Records officially certified four of its creations as the largest stationery items in the world, including a document file, tear-off notepad, pen and colored pencil.

The certification ceremony was held at the historic Wat Mahathat site in Ayutthaya Historical Park, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. Ayutthaya Governor Chuanin Wongsathitjirakan and Provincial Administrative Organization President Somsong Phancharoenworakul attended as witnesses.

The certificates were presented by Aynee Toorabally, an official adjudicator from Guinness World Records, to D.H.A. Siamwalla Co., Ltd. (DHAS).

The four world records recognized were:

World’s largest document file, modeled after the Elephant Brand No. 120 file, measuring 1.752 meters high, 1.425 meters long and 0.410 meters wide, weighing 71.42 kilograms.
World’s largest tear-off notepad, based on the Elephant Brand P101 notepad, measuring 2.100 meters high, 1.485 meters wide and 0.015 meters thick, weighing 33.02 kilograms and containing 53 pages.
World’s largest pen, modeled after the Quantum 007 HITZ pen, measuring 7.100 meters in length and 0.567 meters in diameter, containing 0.5 kilograms of ink.
World’s largest colored pencil, based on a Master Art colored pencil, measuring 10.534 meters in length and 0.500 meters in diameter.

Tisawat Tadoo, Director of Production Administration at DHAS, said the project reflects the company’s commitment to innovation, product development and continuous creativity.

According to the company, all four oversized items were constructed using the same materials as the original products. The Quantum pen includes a functioning refill, ink and spring mechanism, while the Master Art colored pencil was made with genuine pencil and color-core materials.

Each item underwent detailed inspection, measurement and evaluation in accordance with Guinness World Records criteria before receiving official certification.

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