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.
BANGKOK — Suvarnabhumi Airport authorities have said that the baggage of a Thai airline crew member arrested in Australia over an alleged heroin smuggling case had passed standard security screening before departure.
Kittipong Kittikachorn, director of Suvarnabhumi Airport under Airports of Thailand (AOT), said on Monday that initial information showed the crew member departed from Suvarnabhumi Airport on 24 June aboard Thai Airways flight TG465 while performing duty as cabin crew.
The clarification came after Australian Federal Police reported the arrest of a 26-year-old Thai airline employee, alleging she was found with about 1 kilogram of heroin concealed in luggage upon arrival in Melbourne. The drugs were estimated to be worth around AUD 500,000.
According to Suvarnabhumi Airport’s review of past baggage records, the crew member’s luggage had undergone full X-ray screening procedures in line with aviation security standards and was cleared without any anomalies detected.
“The airport’s X-ray systems meet ICAO standards. For outbound international flights, security screening primarily focuses on detecting explosives to prevent any items that could pose a threat during flight,” Kittipong said.
He added that narcotics detection at airports worldwide is generally focused on inbound arrivals, typically using canine units, as X-ray systems are not designed to detect drugs.
“In this case, the X-ray system showed the baggage was clear, with no explosive materials detected, allowing it to pass outbound procedures,” he said.
Authorities in Australia have charged the crew member with importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug and possessing a controlled substance, following the alleged discovery of heroin concealed inside her luggage upon arrival in Melbourne.
BANGKOK — Thai Airways International has launched a disciplinary investigation into a female cabin crew member arrested in Australia over alleged heroin smuggling, with the airline saying she will be dismissed if the allegations are proven.
Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri said on Monday that the airline had been informed by its Melbourne station manager on 24 June that an Australian authorities had detained the crew member while she was working on Flight TG465 to Melbourne.
According to the airline, the woman was detected by a sniffer dog during arrival screening.
The case follows an announcement by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), which said a 26-year-old Thai airline employee had been charged after authorities allegedly discovered more than 1 kilogram of heroin concealed inside the lining of 12 tote bags she was carrying upon arrival at Melbourne Airport. The drugs were estimated to have a street value of AUD 500,000 (11,512,580 Thai baht).
Chai said Thai Airways had ordered the establishment of a disciplinary committee to investigate the employee in accordance with company procedures.
“If there is clear evidence of wrongdoing, the employee will be dismissed,” he said.
In a separate statement, Thai Airways said it was coordinating closely with authorities in both Thailand and Australia to establish the facts of the case and provide full cooperation with the legal process.
The airline stressed that it maintains strict regulations prohibiting pilots, cabin crew and all employees from possessing, importing, transporting or becoming involved with illegal drugs or other unlawful items.
Thai Airways said employees are regularly reminded to comply with both company regulations and the laws of countries served by the airline before every flight. It added that any violations would result in strict disciplinary action.
The airline said it understood the incident involved an individual employee and that the case remained subject to legal proceedings in Australia. It added that it was working with relevant authorities to ensure the employee received her basic legal rights while fully cooperating with investigators.
Thai Airways reaffirmed its commitment to conducting business transparently, complying with the laws of every country it serves and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal activities.
NARATHIWAT — Two Malaysian tourists were injured after a bomb hidden in a road culvert exploded in Tak Bai district of the southern border province of Narathiwat on Monday, authorities said.
The explosion occurred at about 11:41 near the Sapom three-way intersection on the inbound road to Tak Bai district in Ban Phrai Wan, Phrai Wan subdistrict.
According to the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4 Forward Command, unidentified attackers planted the bomb inside a road culvert before it detonated.
The two injured tourists received emergency assistance and were taken to hospital. Authorities did not immediately disclose the extent of their injuries.
Security forces secured the area, managed traffic and deployed explosive ordnance disposal and forensic officers to examine the blast site and gather evidence. Authorities are investigating the attack and working to identify those responsible.
The bombing affected public safety and property, while also dealing a blow to confidence in tourism and the local economy in the area.
ISOC Region 4 Forward Command urged residents to report suspicious activity or unfamiliar individuals through its 1341 hotline or local security units as the investigation continues.
The United States has officially identified the remains of a World War II pilot who went missing after his fighter aircraft was shot down over northern Thailand more than 80 years ago.
The US Embassy in Thailand announced on Sunday that the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) had identified the remains as those of 1st Lt. Franklin McKinney, whose P-51 Mustang crashed in Lampang Province during a wartime air battle on 11 November 1944.
“After more than 80 years of uncertainty, 1st Lt. McKinney is finally going home to his family,” the embassy said in a statement.
McKinney was among 16 US fighter pilots who flew from southern China to attack Japanese military targets in northern Thailand during World War II. Their mission encountered five Royal Thai Air Force Ki-27 fighters that had taken off from Lampang Airport, leading to an aerial engagement later known as the “5 versus 16 Air Battle over Lampang.”
During the battle, McKinney’s P-51 was shot down in the mountains of Lampang. He was listed as missing in action and presumed dead.
The embassy said American and Thai teams located the remains in March 2026 after years of historical research, field investigations and close cooperation between the DPAA, the Royal Thai Government and local experts.
The crash site had first been identified in late 2018, followed by several surveys. In March this year, excavation teams recovered aircraft wreckage and survival equipment believed to have belonged to the missing pilot, leading to the official identification.
The US Embassy thanked the Royal Thai Government, local authorities in Lampang, archaeologists and students from Thammasat University, as well as the UCLA partnership team, for their role in the recovery effort.
According to the embassy, Thai and American volunteers spent months working in difficult terrain to recover the remains, helping bring long-awaited closure to McKinney’s family.
“America is grateful to our Thai allies,” the embassy said.
