Thai airline worker charged over alleged heroin smuggling at Melbourne airport

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29 June 2026, 12:29

Australian authorities have charged a 26-year-old Thai airline employee after allegedly discovering more than 1 kilogram of heroin concealed in her luggage at Melbourne Airport.

According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the woman arrived on an international flight on 25 June while performing work duties as an airline employee. Her baggage was selected for screening by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers.

During an X-ray examination of the woman’s 12 tote bags, ABF officers detected anomalies. A subsequent search allegedly uncovered a white powder hidden within the lining of the bags. Preliminary testing indicated the substance was heroin.

Authorities said the heroin had an estimated street value of AUD 500,000 (11,512,580 Thai baht).

The ABF referred the matter to the AFP, which seized the bags and arrested the woman.

She has been charged with importing and possessing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug under Australia’s Criminal Code. Each offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment.

The woman appeared before a court on 26 June and was remanded in custody. She is due to reappear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 14 September.

AFP Acting Commander Simone Butcher said the agency would continue to target people who exploited positions of trust to facilitate drug trafficking.

“The AFP remains unwavering in its efforts to target individuals who use their employment or community standing to support drug trafficking,” Butcher said.

“We work closely with our partner agencies to protect the community from the scourge of illicit drugs.”

ABF Commander Clint Sims said organised crime groups continued to target trusted insiders, including airline crew, in attempts to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia.

“Anyone attempting to import illicit drugs into Australia, regardless of rank or position, will be targeted and face the full force of the law,” Sims said.

He added that ABF officers use intelligence-led targeting and a range of detection capabilities to identify attempts to breach Australia’s border controls, and would continue to disrupt criminal activity involving trusted insiders.

Three PT petrol stations hit in one night in Thai south

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29 June 2026, 12:28

Three PT petrol stations hit in one night in Thai south

YALA — 29 June 2026, suspected insurgents targeted three PT petrol stations across Thailand’s southern border provinces late on 28 June, including sites in Yala, Pattani’s Sai Buri district and Yaring district.

At 23:08 on Sunday, the Yala City Police Station radio center received reports of a loud explosion-like sound in the area on Road 15 in Sateng Nok subdistrict of Yala’s Muang district. Following the alert, Kongsakul Jantrarat, Governor of Yala Province; Wimutti Amnatmani, District Chief of Mueang Yala; and Pol. Col. Chulachai Saengkul, Deputy Commander of Yala Provincial Police, along with Pol. Col. Chatchai Sakdee, Superintendent of Yala City Police Station; and Pol. Col. Pornchai Kuameng, Superintendent of the Provincial Police’s Special Operations Unit rushed to the scene. Firefighters and rescue workers were also deployed to the site.

The site of the blast was a PT petrol station on Road 15 in Sateng Nok subdistrict, Mueang Yala district, Yala province. The force of the explosion sent flames and thick smoke into the air. Fire crews from the Yala City Municipality, alongside rescue teams from the Chao Mae Thapthim Yala Foundation, the Mae Ko Niao Yala Foundation, and other relevant agencies rushed to bring the situation under control, secure the surrounding area to ensure public safety and manage traffic flow.

Meanwhile, authorities worked quickly to contain the blaze, inspect the scene, and collect evidence to determine the cause of the incident. Authorities said there were no reports of deaths or injuries. Officials are currently assessing the extent of the damage, and the cause of the explosion has not yet been officially confirmed.

Witnesses at the scene told investigators that about six men dressed in black arrived at the petrol station on two motorcycles before the blast. The group allegedly fired one or two shots into the air to create panic before ordering staff and members of the public to leave the premises. The group then entered the inner area of the petrol station, and moments later, a powerful explosion rang out, followed by a fierce blaze. Police sealed off the area to allow the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers and Police Forensic Science Center 10 (PFSC 10) to conduct a thorough and detailed investigation.

Reporters also stated that two other PT petrol stations across the southern border provinces were also struck by explosions the same night — the PT Pawa branch, in Sai Buri district, where one person was reportedly injured, and at the PT Piya branch, in Yaring district.

Authorities are currently inspecting the sites and gathering further details as investigations continue.

‘Do F*ing Nothing’: Lumphini Park event invites people to sit still

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29 June 2026, 11:40

'Do F***ing Nothing': Lumphini Park event invites people to sit still

Commons & Bonfire, a community collective and event organiser, will host an event titled “Do F***ing Nothing” this Saturday from 17:00 to 18:00 at Lumphini Park.

The event offers participants a chance to pause from the hustle and bustle of daily life by spending 30 minutes sitting in silence without engaging in any activity. The session will be followed by an optional 30-minute discussion circle for those interested in sharing their experiences.

The event has attracted widespread attention on social media after organisers invited anyone wanting to rest their minds, step away from screens, escape the pressure to be constantly productive, or even “be a burden on the country’s GDP for one hour” to join. The session will be free from mobile phones, books, notebooks and other distractions.

Following overwhelming interest, Commons & Bonfire said it had expected some public interest but had not anticipated such a large response. Organisers said they were both excited and concerned about the turnout, and released participation guidelines to ensure the public space could be shared safely and respectfully.

Participants are encouraged to arrive 15 to 30 minutes early to find a comfortable place to sit. At 17:00, they should set a 30-minute countdown timer and spend that time simply “being with stillness.”

Participants are asked not to use mobile phones, read books, listen to music, write notes or chat during the session. They may sit quietly, daydream, meditate or even lie down if they wish. Anyone who feels uneasy is free to leave at any time without feeling pressured to stay or prove anything.

After the 30-minute session concludes, participants may choose to remain seated, leave the park or socialise with fellow attendees. Organisers suggest forming small groups of three to five people to discuss two questions: “Why did you come to sit still?” and “What happened while you were doing nothing?” Those who prefer not to take part in the discussion are welcome to leave immediately.

To accommodate the large number of expected attendees, organisers have designated two meeting points within Lumphini Park: one beside the park’s water monitor lizard statue and another on the lawn near the Chinese pavilion. Participants are also asked to spread out if either area becomes overcrowded to avoid disturbing other park users.

Organisers stressed that the event requires no registration and is free of charge. There will be no guest speakers, ice-breaking activities, networking sessions, exercises, learning outcomes, or opening and closing ceremonies. Participants can simply begin the activity together at 17:00.

Attendees are also asked to follow Lumphini Park’s regulations by not smoking, littering or consuming alcohol, and to avoid disrupting other park users. Those who wish to take photos or create social media content are advised not to photograph other people’s faces without their consent.

Commons & Bonfire warned that participants may encounter hot weather, possible rain, music from aerobics sessions, large crowds and even the park’s resident monitor lizards. Organisers encouraged participants to take care of themselves, look out for one another, and move to another location or seek assistance if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

For those unable to travel to Lumphini Park, Commons & Bonfire said the concept belongs to no one. Anyone who wishes to host a “Do F***ing Nothing” gathering elsewhere, or at another date and time, is free to replicate the idea. While organisers are willing to help facilitate meeting points through a Line OpenChat group, no permission is required.

Ultimately, organisers said their goal is for “sitting quietly” to become a simple activity that anyone can initiate on their own.

Commons & Bonfire is a community collective and event organiser dedicated to creating spaces for people to meet, learn and experiment with new forms of social interaction. “Do F***ing Nothing” reflects the idea of encouraging people to take a break from the relentless pace of life, let go of the pressure to constantly achieve or produce, and reconnect with themselves.

Officer dies after being found shot at police housing

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29 June 2026, 11:04

Officer dies after being found shot at police housing

CHUMPHON — 29 June 2026, A police lieutenant died after being found with a gunshot wound at police housing behind Pathio Police Station in Chumphon province early morning, with investigators working to determine the cause.

Police at Pathio Police Station were notified of the incident at 03:46 and rushed to the scene with emergency responders and an advanced life support (ALS) team from Pathio Hospital.

The injured officer, identified only as Pol. Lt. A (pseudonym), 58, served as an investigation unit commander at a police station. He was found with a 9mm gunshot wound to the right side of his head, with the bullet exiting the left side.

Rescue workers and medical personnel provided first aid before rushing him to Pathio Hospital. Despite efforts to save his life, he was later pronounced dead.

Investigators are collecting evidence and questioning witnesses to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Police said preliminary information indicated the officer had an underlying medical condition. However, authorities have not determined whether his health was connected to the incident, and the exact cause remains under investigation.

Chadchart wins second term as Bangkok governor in landslide

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28 June 2026, 20:17

BANGKOK — Independent candidate Chadchart Sittipunt secured a second term as Bangkok governor after taking a commanding lead in the unofficial vote count following Sunday’s election.

More than 4.42 million people were eligible to vote in the gubernatorial election, with Bangkok authorities aiming to raise voter turnout above the 60.73% recorded in the 2022 election. As counting progressed after polls closed, Chadchart quickly pulled ahead of his rivals, making his re-election all but certain based on the unofficial results.

Speaking after his victory became clear, Chadchart thanked both supporters and those who voted for other candidates.

“Thank you for every vote, whether you voted for me or not. The governor must serve everyone equally,” he said. “Winning is not a time for celebration because a heavy responsibility lies ahead.”

He also urged newly elected Bangkok Metropolitan Council members to work with integrity, saying they should serve the public honestly while respecting both residents and civil servants.

People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and the party’s Bangkok governor candidate, Chaiwat Sathawornwijit, conceded defeat after the outcome became apparent and congratulated Chadchart on his victory.

Natthaphong thanked Bangkok voters for participating in the election, while Chaiwat expressed gratitude to those who supported him and the People’s Party candidates for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, wishing Chadchart success in his second term.

The result marks another electoral setback for the People’s Party, Thailand’s main opposition party, following its defeat in the general election in February 2026.

King and Queen arrive in France for state visit marking 170 years of diplomatic ties

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28 June 2026, 19:32

PARIS — Their Majesties the King and Queen arrived in France on 28 June for a state visit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, marking the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and France. The visit, which runs until 2 July, aims to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Representatives of the French president welcomed Their Majesties upon arrival. Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya and the Thai ambassador to France were also present to receive the royal couple.

On 29 June, Their Majesties will attend an official welcome ceremony at Les Invalides, where they will be received by President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. They will then hold talks at the Élysée Palace, followed by a state banquet hosted by the French president and first lady in the evening.

The programme also includes a wreath-laying ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in honour of the Unknown Soldier, a visit to Paris City Hall to learn about the city’s “Paris for Sustainability” initiative, and a cruise on the Seine River to hear about efforts to preserve its ecosystem. Their Majesties will also visit the exhibition La Mode en Majesté: Royal Thai Dress From Tradition to Modernity at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, held at the invitation of Princess Sirivannavari.

On the final day of the visit, Their Majesties will travel to Toulouse to visit Airbus facilities, where they will receive briefings on the latest developments in aviation technology, observe the assembly of the A350 aircraft, and visit a pilot training centre, including a flight simulator.

The visit is the third official state visit to France by a Thai monarch. It also marks 340 years since the first recorded contact between Siam and France and coincides with the 170th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Three Myanmar workers shot dead after village security volunteer claims self-defence

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28 June 2026, 18:44

CHACHOENGSAO — Three Myanmar migrant workers were shot dead and another man was seriously injured following a confrontation with a village security volunteer in Phanom Sarakham district late on 27 June, police said.

Police responded to reports of a shooting at around 23:30 in Ban Nong Nam Dam, Koh Khanun subdistrict. Officers found the bodies of three Myanmar nationals, each with multiple gunshot wounds. Their identities had not yet been confirmed. A Thai man, identified as Pichai Daphantha, suffered serious stab wounds to his left side and was taken to Phanom Sarakham Hospital before police arrived. Investigators recovered more than 16 spent 9mm shell casings, along with a handgun and a knife believed to have been used in the incident.

The shooter, 24-year-old village security volunteer Theerapat Nopthao, told police that he and a friend went to warn several groups of migrant workers who were drinking alcohol and playing loud music near a residential area. He claimed an argument broke out before his friend was struck with a bottle and later stabbed after falling to the ground.

Theerapat said around 10 men armed with knives then ran towards him, prompting him to open fire in self-defence. Police forensic officers were collecting evidence at the scene as the investigation continued. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any charges will be filed.

Moo Deng’s niece named ‘Moo Nam Tok’ at Khon Kaen Zoo

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28 June 2026, 17:05

KHON KAEN — Khon Kaen Zoo on 28 June officially named its female pygmy hippopotamus calf “Moo Nam Tok” after the name received the most votes in a public poll held to celebrate the zoo’s 13th anniversary.

The calf, born to mother Yaya and father Nadech, is also the niece of Thailand’s famous pygmy hippo Moo Deng. A total of 10,737 people took part in the naming contest, with “Moo Nam Tok” receiving 7,948 votes to secure first place, zoo director Thipawadee Kittikhun announced during the anniversary celebrations.

Thipawadee invited tourists and families to visit Khon Kaen Zoo to meet Moo Nam Tok and watch the young pygmy hippo’s playful personality and development. She said the calf is quickly becoming a favourite among visitors and fans from across the country, while also encouraging the public to learn more about the conservation of rare wildlife. The zoo is open daily from 08:00 to 16:30.

Chula student donates organs after passing

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28 June 2026, 15:31

BANGKOK — A Chulalongkorn University engineering student has died after being diagnosed with brain death, with his family fulfilling his wish to donate his organs and eyes to help other patients, the Thai Red Cross Society said.

The student, identified as “Nong Tao” Noppawit Siriwasanakup, was a first-year engineering student. The Thai Red Cross Society said his family decided to carry out his previously expressed intention to donate his organs and eyes, allowing multiple patients to receive life-saving and life-changing transplants.

In a separate statement, the Secondary Demonstration School of Prince of Songkla University (PSU) expressed condolences over the passing of Noppawit, a former student in its secondary programme, saying he died following an accident and later entered a critical condition before being declared brain dead.

The school said Noppawit had previously expressed his intention to donate his organs, and his family fully honoured his wishes, enabling his final act to contribute to society by giving hope and new life to others.

Silom knife attacker: ‘I dislike overweight people’

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28 June 2026, 14:28

BANGKOK — A Vietnamese woman was injured after being attacked with a cutter knife outside a convenience store in Bangkok’s Silom area on 27 June, police said.

Police from Thung Maha Mek Police Station were alerted by a 7-Eleven store manager at Soi Silom 5 at around 11:30 on 27 June that a suspect had attacked a foreign woman before fleeing the scene. Officers later used CCTV footage from the Silom area to track down and arrest a 30-year-old man, identified as Etsana, also known as Film, in a nearby alley. A cutter knife believed to have been used in the attack was seized as evidence.

The victim, identified as 29-year-old Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram, a Vietnamese national working at an advertising company in Thailand, sustained injuries. Police said the suspect, who is known to have been living on the streets and moving between locations, admitted to the attack, claiming he acted because he “does not like overweight people.” He has been charged with causing bodily harm and was taken into custody for legal proceedings.

The victim later returned to Thung Maha Mek Police Station after receiving treatment at hospital to identify the suspect and confirmed him as the attacker, thanking police for a swift arrest using CCTV technology. Residents in the area had reportedly expressed concern over previous incidents involving the suspect prior to the attack.

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