BANGKOK — 30 June 2026, A security guard has been arrested after allegedly breaking into the home of a female influencer in a luxury housing estate in an attempted sexual assault, sparking widespread backlash. The victim’s relative claimed the suspect admitted entering the home three times due to a long-standing obsession and alleged semen stains were found inside, while accusing the security company of refusing responsibility and issuing threats.
The suspect allegedly entered the female influencer’s home in a luxury housing estate in Bang Bua Thong after the property’s burglar alarm was triggered. The influencer checked her CCTV cameras, discovered an intruder inside and, terrified for her safety, fled by climbing out of a second-floor window. Police later arrested the suspect.
Bancha Panniwat, the chief and founder of the Thais for Thais volunteer group, better known as Pa Choo Wat Sawet, launched a fiery livestream from the scene. In a social media post accompanying his broadcast, he wrote:
“Where is the safety? We bought a 10-million-baht house, and the estate’s own security guard climbed in to rape my niece. This is utterly depraved. Please share this.”
He added that his niece had already been taken to hospital for examination.
He also shared photos showing the high balcony his niece used to escape, saying a 26-year-old woman had been forced to climb down from such a height just to shout for help. He questioned what would have happened had the home’s security alarm not been triggered, saying his niece’s fate could have been far more tragic.
Additionally, Pa Choo vowed to pursue the maximum legal action against all responsible parties, publicly criticising the housing estate’s developer, the estate management, and the security company for allegedly shifting blame and intimidating the victim’s family. He demanded accountability from everyone involved in managing the upscale gated community.
Pa Choo also publicly exposed the suspect’s identity by releasing unredacted photographs of the security guard, accompanied by a scathing condemnation of what he described as the suspect’s premeditated behaviour. According to Pa Choo, the suspect confessed to entering the house three times and admitted he had been obsessed with the victim for a long time, watching her for months.
In another post, Pa Choo shared a photograph of his niece and claimed the suspect had repeatedly entered the property over the past three months, returning on three consecutive nights before the incident. He said it was a stroke of luck that his niece was not home on two of those occasions, adding that he did not want to imagine what might have happened if she had been.
He also shared a photograph alleging what appeared to be bodily fluids left by the suspect inside his niece’s dressing room. Pa Choo claimed semen stains had been found on the floor and photographed using a magnification camera to obtain a clearer image. He condemned the suspect’s alleged actions as absolutely sickening.
BANGKOK — 29 June 2026, Türkiye’s ambassador to Thailand said Ankara hopes the Royal Thai Navy will consider Turkish frigate proposals as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral defense ties, while stressing that Türkiye respects Thailand’s procurement decision and is applying no pressure.
Speaking at the Turkish Embassy on Sathorn Road, Ambassador Jülide Kayihan said Türkiye is seeking closer military cooperation with Thailand after expanding defense ties with Indonesia and Malaysia.
She said Türkiye’s defense industry manufactures a broad range of military equipment, including frigates, tanks, armored vehicles, fighter aircraft, integrated air defense systems, drones and missiles. The equipment has been deployed by the Turkish military and meets NATO standards, as Türkiye is a member of the alliance.
The ambassador said Türkiye is aware that the Royal Thai Navy is evaluating proposals for a new frigate program. While Ankara hopes Turkish companies will be given the opportunity to cooperate with the Thai military, it fully respects Thailand’s decision-making process.
One of the bidders, Turkish state-owned defense company ASFAT, has offered to build the frigates entirely in Thailand, along with transferring the ship design license. The proposal includes full technology transfer, allowing Thailand to independently construct future vessels of the same class, as well as an offset investment program.
Another Turkish bidder, TAIS, has proposed its I-Class frigate, which is currently in service with the Turkish Navy. Indonesia has also recently ordered two I-Class frigates.
BANGKOK — 29 June 2026, a man accused of slashing a Vietnamese woman with a box cutter has been detained, denying that he hates overweight people and instead claiming he heard voices whispering in his ear. Police have opposed bail, citing a risk of reoffending.
On Monday, in connection with the case of a heavy-set assailant who attacked a foreign woman with a box cutter near the entrance of Silom Soi 5, investigators at Thung Maha Mek Police Station sent 30-year-old Esana (surname withheld), known as Film, to the South Bangkok Criminal Court. He has been charged with “assault causing physical or mental harm.” Police said they will oppose bail, citing concerns that the suspect could reoffend and for public safety.
Before being transferred to court for the detention request, reporters attempted to ask the suspect about his motive for the attack. He spoke in an incoherent and disjointed manner, denying any bias against overweight people. He claimed he acted because he kept hearing voices speaking in his ear and insisted he had never used illegal drugs. He said he weighs about 140 kilograms and alleged he had previously been attacked by a group of teenagers in the Sai Mai area, which he said had caused psychological stress.
When reporters asked whether he wished to apologise to the victim and about the impact of the incident on Thailand’s image, he replied briefly: “I have nothing to say. I already spoke to the victim.”
Police then escorted him into a detention vehicle for transfer to the Bangkok South Criminal Court for remand proceedings. Investigators reiterated their opposition to bail, emphasizing the risk of repeat offending and the need to maintain public safety.
ANG THONG — 29 June 2026, A rare Garuda sculpture in a flying posture has been found at a temple hall in Ang Thong, drawing attention for its unusual design. Unlike traditional depictions of the mythical figure in seated or standing poses, this soaring Garuda is believed to be one of a kind. A temple official has revealed some of its history, but the reason behind its distinctive design remains known only to the artisan.
On Monday, reporters visited Sri Maha Pho Temple in Rong Chang subdistrict, Pa Mok district, Ang Thong province, to inspect the striking stucco sculpture, estimated to be around 60 to 70 years old. The “Flying Garuda” is positioned on the pediment of the temple’s refectory and stands out from the more common seated or standing Garuda figures typically seen in Thai religious architecture.
The temple’s abbot and Ecclesiastical Sub-district Head of Bang Sadet, Phra Kru Viboon Photharangkan, said the Garuda sculpture has been in place for many decades. According to historical records, it dates back to the tenure of a former abbot. While other parts of the temple have undergone renovations over the years, the refectory housing the Flying Garuda has remained unchanged.
An 87-year-old lay administrator at the temple said the refectory featuring the Flying Garuda, also referred to as the “Swooping Garuda,” is likely at least 50 years old. He recalled watching the sculpture being created in his youth during the tenure of Abbot Phra Sansoen. According to him, it was crafted by an artisan named Krit, although the reason the craftsman chose to depict the Garuda in a flying posture remains unknown.
Former Fine Arts Department director-general Anek Sihamat said the area surrounding Sri Maha Pho Temple was an ancient settlement dating from the late Ayutthaya period to the early Rattanakosin era. Traces of historic religious structures remain visible today, including an ancient chedi, or stupa, behind the temple and temple bases decorated with Ayutthaya-period stucco crown motifs.
Regarding the refectory’s pediment, Anek explained that royal artisans traditionally depicted Garuda figures in either seated or standing postures, making flying depictions extremely rare. He believes the Flying Garuda was the work of a local folk artisan who wanted to create a unique interpretation. As seen on the pediment, the Garuda is portrayed soaring with both feet raised while holding a naga, a mythical serpent, between its legs.
Garuda sculptures placed on temple pediments are traditionally believed to protect sacred buildings from harm, symbolise divine power and represent the official royal emblem of the Thai monarchy. The refectory also bears the inscription “Traimit Upatham.”
BANGKOK — The Defence Ministry has set aside 1.455 billion baht for a “volunteer soldier” programme under the 2027 budget proposal, with plans to recruit 25,000 personnel through an online application system, officials said.
The budget proposal is scheduled for deliberation in the House of Representatives between 29 June and 1 July, 2026.
According to the ministry, the funding will support the “Volunteer Soldier (10 Plus)” scheme, in line with government policy and previously announced defence manpower plans.
The 25,000 positions are allocated across the armed forces as follows: the Royal Thai Army with 18,784 posts, the Royal Thai Navy 3,496, the Royal Thai Air Force 2,174, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters 300, and the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence 246.
The budget falls under the ministry’s public sector personnel expenditure plan.
A Defence Council meeting on June 25 approved a draft ministerial regulation outlining service duration, salary, benefits, rules and disciplinary measures for temporary military personnel, which is intended to support the implementation of the programme.
Under the plan, recruitment will be conducted online, targeting 25,000 volunteers per year between September 2026 and January 2027. Responsibilities have been assigned to relevant agencies, with preparations underway to meet the timeline.
The ministry is also scheduled to hold talks with the Comptroller General’s Department on July 6, 2026, to finalise budget arrangements and ensure the scheme can proceed as planned.
Tourists cool off at a public water fountain In Paris, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena )
BERLIN (AP) — France saw around 1,000 additional deaths last week at the height of its record-smashing heat wave, the country’s public health agency said Sunday, as the head of the World Health Organization warned that Europe is now the fastest-warming continent and needs to do more to protect its citizens.
Temperature records were toppled in several countries on the weekend, wildfires were sparked in Germany and Berlin police used water cannons to cool down the crowds.
Meanwhile, the heat wave slowly moved toward eastern parts of the continent.
Germany marked a new record for the third day in a row with 41.7 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit) in Neißemünde, near the border with Poland, which baked under its new all-time high of 40.5 C (104.9 F). The Czech Republic also experienced its hottest day ever with 41.9 C (107.4 F), up from the previous record of 40.9 degrees Celsius (105.6 F) on Saturday.
The city of Lyon, central France, is seen during a heat wave, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
A new study from the World Weather Attribution, a Europe-based collaboration of scientists, reported Friday that the record-breaking heat and humidity in Europe this past week would not have been possible without climate change.
The rapid study found that the heat would have been virtually impossible just five decades ago, and is 200 times more likely today than it would have been 20 years ago.
France records surge in deaths during heat wave
France reported a surge in deaths last week, including a sharp increase at private homes, especially in the Paris region, the national public health agency said Sunday.
There were more than 1,200 deaths on Wednesday, when France was sweltering under its hottest temperatures, increasing to more than 1,400 deaths on each of the two following days, Public Health France said. In April and May, before the heat wave, France’s rate of deaths was about 900 to 1,000 per day.
The agency concluded that France experienced a total of at least 1,000 additional deaths during those three days alone, an estimate it cautioned is likely to increase as more data is collected, including for deaths at home.
The increase was sharpest in areas under red warnings of extreme heat, it said. Those warnings blanketed about three-quarters of the country at the peak of the heat wave. The agency said that 85% of the deaths involved people aged 65 and above.
Europe is the fastest-warming continent, WHO warns
“Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Sunday on X. “Right now 150 million people are living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling.”
Driven by climate change and global warming, the “once-in-a-generation” heat wave is now occurring nearly every year, Tedros said, adding that more than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded since June 21 linked to high temperatures in Europe.
FILE – Tourists enjoy cooling off at a public water fountain In Paris, on June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
“Heat stress is often called the ‘silent killer’ — and European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures,” Tedros warned as he called on European countries to implement action plans. He said they should focus on preparedness, prevention and stronger health system responses.
Lightning strikes Swedish theme park
In Sweden, several people were injured when they were hit by lightning at an amusement park, the country’s TT news agency reported.
Three adults were taken to the hospital, among them a woman with serious injuries, after the lightning struck the Tosselilla Sommarland park in Tomelilla in the south of the country.
Across Europe, the extreme heat has been followed by severe thunderstorms.
Denmark, which marked new temperature records on Saturday, recorded 1,156 lighting strikes by Sunday morning, according to public broadcaster DR.
Heat sparks wildfires in forests contaminated with WWII ammunition
Similarly, a major firefighting operation was underway in southwest Germany near the village of Traisen, where the heat sparked a forest fire in an area that also contained unexploded ordnance. Firefighters had to stop work temporarily after explosions took place and an ordnance disposal unit was brought in to continuously assess the situation, German news agency dpa reported. Some 650 people in Traisen had to leave their homes Sunday afternoon because the fire continued to spread.
Fire departments in the big cities were busy sending out ambulances to people suffering from heat-related illnesses. In Berlin, an additional 500 ambulance dispatches were reported on Saturday, most of them heat-related.
Berlin police use water cannons to cool down locals and tourists
The German capital’s police found a way to help suffering Berliners and tourists alike. They put up two huge water cannons — usually used to disperse unruly protesters — in front of the iconic Brandenburg Gate and sprayed the cool water across the cheering crowd.
Tourists with umbrellas walk in Paris during a heat wave, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
The heat also worsened damage to infrastructure, with the concrete surface on countless highways breaking up, and a weekend warning by national rail operator Deutsche Bahn to avoid all unnecessary train travel.
More than 600 passengers had to be evacuated from an overheated train in Brandenburg after a tree fell onto an overhead power line during a storm on Saturday evening. The train, which was on its way from Hamburg to Prague, lost power. The air conditioners stopped working and the doors were locked until emergency responders forced them open. Two people were hospitalized with heat-related problems, dpa reported.
People refresh in a fountain after the Angelus noon prayer celebrated by Pope Leo XIV from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
In the eastern city of Leipzig, no trams will be running until early Monday morning due to heat damage to tracks and switches. The Leipzig Public Transportation Authority said that the high temperatures had caused the joint sealant for asphalt and concrete in switches and tracks to run and clump together in many places throughout the city’s network.
LAMPANG — A speeding sedan veered off a curve and slammed into a used car dealership in Lampang on 29 June 2026, damaging five vehicles before the driver died at the scene. Police also found suspected methamphetamine pills inside the wrecked car.
The accident was reported to the provincial 191 emergency call center at around 12:51. Rescue workers were dispatched to a used car lot on Chamathewi Road (Old Lampang–Hang Chat Road) in Bo Haeo subdistrict, Mueang district, after receiving reports that a sedan had overturned and crashed into the dealership, trapping the driver.
At the scene, rescuers found the dealership’s steel roof structure had partially collapsed from the impact. The silver Nissan Almera, registered in Lampang, was severely damaged and wedged against vehicles on display.
A man believed to be 35-40 years old was found unconscious behind the wheel with critical injuries. Rescue workers used hydraulic cutting equipment to free him before performing CPR, but he was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
A witness told police the sedan had been traveling at high speed, with two other vehicles following closely behind. Sensing danger, the witness slowed down and pulled to the roadside. The sedan then failed to negotiate a curve and crashed into the dealership without colliding with any other moving vehicle.
During an inspection of the wreckage, officers found a blue zip-lock bag and about seven methamphetamine pills scattered inside the passenger compartment and near the rear door. The area was sealed off while investigators, forensic officers, prosecutors and a forensic pathologist examined the scene.
The crash damaged five vehicles, including the Nissan involved in the accident, an Isuzu SUV, a pickup truck parked beside the road, and two vehicles displayed inside the dealership.
Police are documenting evidence, verifying the identity of the deceased and the vehicle’s registered owner, and investigating the source of the suspected drugs found in the car as part of the ongoing inquiry.
AIS Join Forces with Match Group and Tinder to launch Human Connection Campaign Thailand, a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting meaningful, safe, and positive connections both in the digital world and in real life. By combining AIS’s intelligent connectivity infrastructure with Tinder’s expertise in fostering human relationships, the campaign seeks to raise awareness of loneliness, social isolation, and social disconnection—issues that are increasingly emerging as major challenges in Thailand’s digital society. The campaign brings together partners across multiple sectors including the Department of Mental Health, Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection (GILC), Thailand Institute for Mental Health Sustainability (TIMS), Sati, Match Group, Tinder, and AIS to collectively drive the Human Connection Campaign Thailand.
The collaboration comes amid findings from the Human Connection Survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Match Group, which revealed that 87% of Thais are seeking new relationships or social connections, while 72% prefer fewer but deeper and more meaningful relationships over having a large number of superficial ones. The findings highlight that while technology has made it easier than ever for people to stay connected, building meaningful relationships, ensuring safety, and fostering a sense of belonging remain critical challenges that require collective action across all sectors of society.
Ms. Kantima Lerlertyuttitham, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Corporate Officer of AIS said, “Thailand is entering an era where digital connectivity has become an integral part of everyday life, and building a more connected society is emerging as an important national priority. Connectivity in the digital age should not simply be about enabling people to communicate more easily; it must also foster understanding, meaningful relationships, and a better quality of life. As people become increasingly connected, the challenge is ensuring that they also feel more connected to one another, understood, and included in society.”
“At AIS, we believe that national development can no longer focus solely on physical or digital infrastructure. Equally important is investing in the emotional and social well-being of people. This is why we continue to promote a Safe Digital Society through Digital Literacy and AI Literacy initiatives, empowering Thais to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly, while also prioritising People Well-being and fostering a sense of belonging both within our organisation and across society.”
AIS continues to advance its Safe Digital Society mission through AIS Aunjai Cyber, a long-running initiative designed to equip children, youth, educators, parents, and the general public with the knowledge and skills needed to use digital media creatively, safely, and responsibly. Building on this foundation, AIS is also expanding its efforts to promote AI Literacy, helping people develop resilience against cyber threats, misinformation, and emerging risks associated with the growing adoption of artificial intelligence in everyday life.
At the same time, AIS places strong emphasis on People Well-being by supporting the physical and mental health of employees, fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace, and creating opportunities for employees to better understand themselves and others. Through learning activities and digital learning programmes on the AIS LearnDi platform, AIS also promotes Safe Relationship skills, recognising that healthy and respectful relationships are becoming increasingly important in a society where many connections begin and evolve online. Encouraging awareness of personal boundaries, mutual respect, and responsible communication is essential to building meaningful and sustainable connections.
To bring these ideas into action, AIS is also expanding opportunities for real-world connection through AIS SIAM, which has been developed as a People Connected Hub where young people can meet, exchange ideas, discover inspiration, and participate in community activities. The initiative reflects AIS’s belief that meaningful connections should not exist only in the digital world but should also lead to genuine relationships, shared experiences, and a stronger sense of belonging in real life.
Ms. Katie Peters, Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs, Match Group, said, “Human connection is fundamental to our wellbeing. However, our research shows that many people are facing challenges in building the meaningful relationships they seek, despite actively looking for connection and a sense of belonging. Human Connection Campaign was created to provide more opportunities for meaningful interactions and help people feel more connected to their communities and society.”
The campaign brings together a broad coalition of organisations, including the Department of Mental Health, the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection (GILC), the Thailand Institute for Mental Health Sustainability (TIMS), Sati, Match Group, Tinder, and AIS, to address loneliness, social isolation, and social disconnection in Thailand. The collaboration reflects a shared belief that building a society where people feel connected, understood, and supported cannot be achieved by any single organisation alone, but requires collective action from the public sector, academia, civil society, businesses, and digital platforms.
Through the Human Connection Pledge, the campaign aims to engage more than 100 organisations and reach over 20,000 employees across Thailand by 2027. AIS will play an active role in expanding the movement through its nationwide network of partners, enterprise customers, and employees, helping foster a culture of connection that is meaningful, safe, and socially responsible.
At a time when technology enables people to connect more than ever before, the real challenge is no longer increasing the number of connections, but ensuring that people feel genuinely connected, understood, and included. Meaningful connections are not only the foundation of healthy relationships; they are also fundamental to building a stronger society and driving Thailand’s sustainable development in the years ahead.
KANCHANABURI — 29 June 2026, A rare sighting at Thong Pha Phum National Park in Kanchanaburi has delighted wildlife enthusiasts after a visitor spotted an unfamiliar creature and turned to the internet for help identifying it. The animal was later identified as a yellow-throated marten (known locally as Hma Mai), a highly elusive species considered a “rare find” in Thailand and protected under the country’s wildlife conservation laws.
A Facebook user shared photos in the group “What Animal Is This?” after encountering the animal at Thong Pha Phum National Park, asking whether it was a protected species because, at first glance, he thought it was a Siamese cat.
The post quickly drew a flood of comments before experts stepped in, identifying the animal as a yellow-throated marten, a carnivorous mammal in the weasel family known for its exceptional climbing ability. These agile predators are capable of taking prey larger than themselves, including monkeys, young deer and even giant panda cubs in parts of their range. The species is protected under Thai wildlife conservation laws.
Another commenter described the sighting as an exceptionally lucky encounter, noting that this small apex predator is a “rare item” among wildlife enthusiasts due to how seldom it is seen in the wild.
Yellow-throated martens are known for their incredibly strong body odour. They are agile hunters that spend time both in trees and on the ground. The species has a varied diet, feeding on both plants and animals, including rodents, insects, reptiles, birds and bird eggs. They are also known to raid food left behind by tourists around campsites in forested areas.
Additionally, much like bears, yellow-throated martens also feed on bees and honey. They are primarily active during the day, although they may occasionally forage at night. They are usually found alone or in pairs. Females have a gestation period of around 220 to 290 days and typically give birth to three to five offspring. Individuals can live for about 14 years in captivity.
BANGKOK — 29 June 2026, Thailand’s Meteorological Department has issued its sixth weather warning, forecasting heavy to very heavy rain across parts of the country from 29 June to 3 July 2026, while warning of rough seas in the upper Andaman Sea.
The warning, announced at 05:00 on 29 June 2026, said rainfall is expected to increase nationwide during the period, with the heaviest downpours likely in the eastern region and the west coast of the South.
The department attributed the weather to a monsoon trough stretching across the North and upper Northeast, combined with a strengthening southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.
Residents in affected areas are advised to remain alert for flash floods, forest runoff and accumulated rainfall, particularly in foothill communities, areas near waterways and low-lying locations.
The department also warned of strong winds and rough seas in the upper Andaman Sea between 29 June and 3 July, with waves of 2-3 meters, rising above 3 meters during thunderstorms.
In the lower Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand, waves are expected to reach around 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thundershower areas.
The Meteorological Department urged all vessels in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand to navigate with caution and avoid sailing through thunderstorm areas. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea are advised to remain ashore during the warning period.
The agency also urged the public to plan travel carefully and monitor the latest weather updates through the Meteorological Department’s website or its 24-hour information services.
The next weather bulletin is scheduled to be issued at 17:00 on 29 June 2026.
