Teen girl’s body found in suitcase near train track

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27 June 2026, 10:20

Teen girl's body found in suitcase near train track

CHONBURI — 27 June 2026, An Australian man has been arrested after the body of a 17-year-old girl was found stuffed inside a suitcase abandoned near railway tracks in Pattaya, following an investigation into her disappearance.

Police said the victim’s friend filed a missing person report after losing contact with the teenager for more than 24 hours, fearing she had come to harm.

Investigators reviewing CCTV footage found that at 03:34 on 25 June 2026, the girl was seen holding hands with an Australian man as they entered a condominium on Jomtien Second Road. The pair went to a room on the 15th floor, but the girl was never seen leaving the building.

Another CCTV camera later captured the man at 21:34 the same day dragging a black suitcase out of the condominium before loading it onto a red Yamaha Aerox motorcycle. He rode along Sukhumvit Road, turned into Soi Chaiyaphruek 2 and continued against traffic along a road beside the railway tracks.

Police said the man disappeared from CCTV coverage for more than nine minutes before returning to the condominium without the suitcase, raising investigators’ suspicions that it may have contained the girl’s body.

Officers searched the condominium room after the missing person report was filed but found neither the girl nor the Australian man. They said signs of a struggle were discovered inside the room, prompting a search for the suspect.

At about 19:00 on 26 June 2026, police located the suspect, identified as Simon, 46, at Suvarnabhumi Airport while he was attempting to purchase a ticket to return to Australia.

Police said he had scratch marks on his neck and arms consistent with fingernail injuries. Immigration officers detained him for questioning, but he denied any involvement in the girl’s disappearance.

Later that night, at 23:17, investigators traced the route taken by the suspect and found a black 26-inch suitcase abandoned in grass beside railway tracks about 4.2 kilometres from the condominium.

Rescue workers confirmed the suitcase contained a human body before forensic officers carried out a detailed examination. Inside, they found the naked body of a young woman stuffed into the suitcase and covered with a brown cloth.

Police said the victim had severe facial injuries and signs of a violent assault. A forensic doctor estimated she had been dead for at least two days. Investigators said the body’s appearance and tattoos matched those of the missing 17-year-old girl.

The body will be sent to the Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Medicine for formal identification and to determine the exact cause of death.

Following the discovery, the Pattaya Provincial Court approved an arrest warrant for Carman on a charge of removing a minor under the age of 18 from the custody of her parents or legal guardian for indecent purposes.

During questioning at Pattaya City Police Station, Carman continued to deny wrongdoing, claiming the girl left the room while he was asleep and that he did not know what had happened to her.

Police said they remain unconvinced by his account and are continuing to gather evidence, including forensic examination results, to determine whether additional charges will be filed.

Govt to digitize cannabis exports as trade tops 2.566 billion baht

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Khaosod English

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27 June 2026, 09:48

Govt to digitize cannabis exports as trade tops 2.566 billion baht

BANGKOK — 27 June 2026, Thai government said Thailand’s cumulative cannabis export value has exceeded 2.566 billion baht and is preparing to introduce an electronic export notification system to streamline procedures for exporters.

On 27 June 2026, deputy government spokeswoman Ploythalay Laksameesaengchan said the government is continuing to modernize public services through digital technology to improve efficiency for citizens and businesses, reduce administrative duplication, enhance data exchange between agencies and facilitate trade.

She said the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) is preparing to link its DTAM Next platform with the Customs Department’s National Single Window (NSW) system. The integration will support electronic submission of the Phor Thor 32 (ภ.ท.32) form, which is required for each shipment of controlled herbal products, including cannabis.

The NSW serves as Thailand’s central platform for exchanging electronic export documents and data. According to the government, Thailand’s cumulative exports of controlled herbal products have reached 2.566 billion baht, with total export volumes exceeding 201,658 kilograms, reflecting continued growth in the sector.

Once the systems are connected, exporters will be able to submit Phor Thor 32 applications entirely through the DTAM Next platform. Previously, businesses had to prepare paper documents and submit them in person.

Application data will be transferred automatically to the Customs Department’s NSW system, reducing paperwork, shortening processing steps, improving data accuracy, preventing document forgery and allowing applicants to track the status of their submissions more conveniently.

The department currently issues around 100-200 Phor Thor 32 certificates each month. Officials expect the digital system to reduce paper document use by more than 1,200-2,400 copies annually, while lowering travel and administrative costs for exporters.

The new system is also expected to cut processing times from 5-7 working days, including paper document delivery, to 1-2 working days through the electronic platform, enabling businesses to better plan exports and manage operations more efficiently.

Chadchart Looks Set for City Hall, But Lacking Public Enthusiasm Like Four Years Ago

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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26 June 2026, 17:56

With mere days to go before polling day, incumbent former Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt appeared confident, spending more time telling people at Muang Thai Phatra Fresh Market in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district on Thursday to simply not to forget to come out and vote. Chadchart did not even bother to explicitly ask people to vote for him, Number 9, most of the time, leaving that matter to his dozen-strong campaign team to handle.

After giving an interview to a dozen or so reporters, including Khaosod English, at a designated spot inside the market, the former Bangkok governor, who is the clear front-runner in Sunday’s gubernatorial election, simply waited as people took turns taking selfies with him. He even asked this Khaosod English reporter whether he would like to take a selfie with him too, but the offer was politely declined in order to maintain our paper’s impartiality.

A member of his team told Khaosod English that they remain cautious and want to ensure Bangkokians do not assume the battle is already won and fail to turn out to vote on 28 June. Chadchart told the press at the market that it is essential to support the 55,000 small businesses in Bangkok, rather than just big corporations.

Another noticeable aspect of the day, however, was that the so-called “Chadchart fever” of his first campaign four years ago was no longer detectable. After four years, that intense enthusiasm has largely dissipated, as Chadchart has come under a barrage of criticism from other candidates. The criticisms range from a failure to solve the PM2.5 micro-dust particle problem that blankets Bangkok for a few months every year, to allowing corruption among Bangkok City Hall officials to occur under his watch.

One female reporter asked how he was handling all the “mud-slinging” directed at him. Chadchart said it was only to be expected after four years in power, but that he was alright. As for earnest criticisms, Chadchart said he accepts them.
When Khaosod English asked what he considered a failure during his first term, Chadchart replied:

“It’s not a failure but something unfinished — graft and corruption. We will continue to do more.”

Chadchart turned defensive, adding that an anti-corruption group had given his administration a score of eight out of 10, and promised he would do more if re-elected.

What about the homeless people left to sleep rough, mostly in older parts of Bangkok such as along the footpaths of Ratchadamnoen Avenue, I asked.

Chadchart said the number has been reduced from 1,600 to 1,200, and that 30 people have been retrained for jobs. A centre to care for them called Baan Im Jai has been established, with six more planned for different parts of Bangkok.

“Right now we have limited authority to bring them in,” he said, adding that closer coordination with other agencies and new laws are required.

So what more can Bangkokians expect if he is re-elected?

“If you trust me, if you believe in our plans,” he said, noting that his administration has 250 distinct plans.

“What you will see in the future is Bangkok with a better quality of life and better productivity. So this is the important thing for the city.”

Bangkok Art Biennale 2026 announces second wave: 27 additional artists | Angels & Mara

By

Mc Marketing

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26 June 2026, 17:31

Bangkok Art Biennale 2026 is pleased to announce the second group of participating artists for its fifth edition, taking place from 29 October 2026 to 28 February 2027 under the theme ANGELS & MARA.

Expanding upon the first announcement, this new group brings together artists from Thailand, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Myanmar, South Korea, Germany, France, Italy, Iran, Canada, and beyond. Their works explore the tensions between hope and despair, memory and forgetting, spirituality and materialism, individuality and collective experience, themes that resonate deeply with the dualities embodied by Angels & Mara.

Arahmaiani (Indonesia), Nobuyoshi Araki (Japan), Cedric Arnold (France/Thailand), Beyond Pressure (Myanmar), Channatip Chanvipava (Thailand/UK), Yanran Chen (China), Un Cheng (Hong Kong), Max Hooper Schneider (United States), Leiko Ikemura (Japan/Germany), Sumi Kanazawa (Japan), Renato Leotta (Italy), Liu Jianhua (China), Breda Lynch (Ireland), Ong Kian Peng (Singapore), Chetsada Phuwiang (Thailand), Pierre et Gilles (France), Nazanin Pouyandeh (Iran/France), Naraphat Sakarthornsap (Thailand), Sylvie Selig (France), Sin Wai Kin (Canada/United Kingdom), Udom Taephanich (Thailand), Mika Tamori (Japan), Sudaporn Teja (Thailand), Ralf Tooten (Germany), Tawan Wattuya (Thailand), Woo Hannah (South Korea), and Yeoh Choo Kuan (Malaysia). *Please see Appendix A for artist list

Among the highlights is celebrated Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki, whose provocative and deeply personal images have shaped contemporary photography for more than five decades. Araki’s work explores the fragile boundaries between desire, morality, intimacy, and loss, revealing the complex emotional terrain of human existence. Thai artist Tawan Wattuya, renowned for his expressive paintings that merge political commentary, social critique, and popular culture, presents works that reflect on the complexities and contradictions of contemporary society. Through his distinctive visual language, Tawan explores themes of power, conflict, memory, and collective experience, offering incisive observations on both local and global realities. Leiko Ikemura, one of the most influential artists working between Asia and Europe today, brings her distinctive visual language of hybrid beings, landscapes, and dreamlike figures. Her sculptures inhabit a poetic realm between human and non-human worlds, reflecting on vulnerability, transformation, and coexistence. French artist duo Pierre et Gilles continue their exploration of mythology, pop-culture, religion, and fantasy through their iconic hand-painted photographic tableaux. Their theatrical portraits challenge conventional notions of identity while celebrating diversity, beauty, and self-invention. Thai artist Udom Taephanich, one of Thailand’s most influential cultural figures, brings a multidisciplinary practice that spans visual art, performance, and social engagement. Known for his imaginative and often humorous approach, Udom’s works encourage audiences to reconsider everyday experiences while reflecting on broader questions of community, creativity, and human connection.

Chinese artist Liu Jianhua, widely regarded as one of the leading figures in contemporary Chinese art, contributes works that transform everyday materials into explorations of fragility, absence, and perception. His experimental practice questions the relationship between object, meaning, and reality. American artist Max Hooper Schneider presents speculative ecosystems that blur the boundaries between nature, technology, and civilization. Through immersive installations, Schneider imagines post-human environments shaped by ecological transformation and environmental uncertainty. Indonesian artist Arahmaiani, a pioneering voice in Southeast Asian contemporary art, known for her longstanding engagement with social justice, spirituality, environmental concerns, and intercultural dialogue. Her work challenges political and religious norms while advocating for compassion, coexistence, and collective responsibility. Japanese-Korean artist Sumi Kanazawa creates large-scale installations from layered newspaper drawings that dissolve linear notions of time and reveal histories that continue to shape the present. Thai artist Channatip Chanvipava approaches painting as a process of self-discovery, using memory as both subject and method. Working intuitively without preparatory sketches, he transforms fragments of personal recollection into richly textured compositions and immersive painting installations. Hong Kong artist Un Cheng transforms everyday encounters into intimate psychological landscapes that examine isolation and connection within contemporary urban life.

Myanmar torches $600 million in seized heroin, meth and other drugs

By

Associated Press

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26 June 2026, 17:27

Myanmar Drug Destruction — Smoke and flame rise from illegal narcotics being burnt during a destruction ceremony marking the U.N.’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Thick clouds of black smoke billowed into the sky on the outskirts of Myanmar’s largest city Friday as authorities burned more than 50 tons of heroin, opium, ketamine, methamphetamine, marijuana and crystal meth — some $600 million of confiscated illegal drugs destroyed nationwide.

Myanmar, also known as Burma, has a long history of drug production linked to political and economic insecurity caused by decades of armed conflict.

It has been a major source of illegal drugs destined for East and Southeast Asia, despite repeated efforts to crack down, and has long been one of the world’s largest producers of heroin and methamphetamine.

AP26177207267565 — Police officers explain about illegal narcotics to attendees during a destruction ceremony marking the U.N.’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)

Violent political unrest in Myanmar following the military takeover in 2021 — which has led into a civil war between the military government and its pro-democracy opponents, as well as ethnic armed groups — has caused an increase in drug production, according to experts.

In January, the military government claimed the country’s largest-ever seizures of illicit drugs and drug-manufacturing equipment, taken from a total of 12 drug production sites during a series of raids in the northern part of Shan state.

This year, the street value of drugs destroyed was more than double last year’s total, Police Lt. Col. Aung Myat Soe, of Yangon’s Anti-Narcotics Police Force, told reporters at a bus station compound on the edge of the city where drugs were being burned.

In Yangon alone, some $321 million worth of 31 different types of drugs were set ablaze, Aung Myat Soe said.

AP26177207831360 — Smoke and flame rise from illegal narcotics being burnt during a destruction ceremony marking the U.N.’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)

Events were also held in Mandalay, and in Taunggyi, the capital of eastern Myanmar’s Shan state — areas closer to where the drugs are produced — to mark the United Nations’ International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Many areas of Myanmar are controlled by long-established militias organized by the country’s various ethnic groups, many of which are involved in fighting against the military-run government in a bloody civil war, alongside pro-democracy groups that sprang up after the military seized control of the country from democratically-elected Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021.

In elections that concluded earlier this year, which international observers said were neither free nor fair with major opposition groups banned, the military leaders won a landslide victory.

The government claims the country’s militias use illicit drugs to fund their insurgencies and are unwilling to engage in any peace process because they do not want to give up the lucrative drug trade.

Some groups are known to be involved in the drug trade currently and in the past, but others also have sought to crack down on narcotics.

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army, for example, which captured significant swaths of the northern part of Shan state in the civil war before signing a ceasefire in October with the military, announced Thursday that it would destroy about $5.5 million worth of seized drugs in the group’s controlled-area.

Tourist captures rare leopard leap in Kaeng Krachan

By

Khaosod English

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26 June 2026, 16:27

Tourist captures rare leopard leap in Kaeng Krachan

PETCHABURI — 26 June 2026, A tourist has captured a rare photograph of a large leopard leaping back into the forest at Kaeng Krachan National Park, with the image quickly going viral and drawing praise from wildlife enthusiasts online.

Kaeng Krachan National Park chief Mongkol Chaiphakdee shared the remarkable photo on 26 June 2026, saying it was taken by tourist Nui Piwpholaphon while travelling along the road leading to Pha Noen Thung, near Stream 1, inside the park.

According to Mongkol, park officials reported that the tourist spotted the protected wild cat at close range while driving through the area. The leopard appeared calm and showed no signs of panic despite the nearby vehicle before gracefully leaping over roadside bushes and disappearing back into the dense forest.

“The sighting of a leopard in this area is an important indicator of the rich biodiversity of Kaeng Krachan Forest,” Mongkol said.

“Since the forest was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, wildlife has been appearing more frequently because the ecosystem remains healthy, with abundant food sources and minimal disturbance.”

The park chief also reminded visitors to follow wildlife safety guidelines if they encounter a leopard or black panther.

Tourists are advised not to sound their horns, leave their vehicles, shout, open windows, or leave engines running. Instead, they should remain inside their vehicles and wait quietly until the animal moves away to ensure the safety of both people and wildlife.

Kaeng Krachan Forest is one of Thailand’s most important habitats for leopards and black panthers. While park officials regularly record the animals using camera traps, sightings by visitors are uncommon.

Capturing a clear image of a leopard in mid-leap is considered especially rare, prompting widespread sharing of the photograph on social media and praise for park rangers’ efforts to protect the country’s largest national park and its wildlife.

Xi says China ready to establish security partnership with Cambodia

By

Xinhua News Agency

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26 June 2026, 15:20

BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday said China is willing to establish a security partnership with Cambodia, and work with Cambodia to make sustained efforts to root out the chronic problem of telecom fraud.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) President and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen in Beijing, adding China highly commends Cambodia’s determination and actions to crack down on telecom and online fraud.

More than 13 Bryde’s whales spotted off Bang Saen coast

By

Khaosod English

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26 June 2026, 15:12

More than 13 Bryde's whales spotted off Bang Saen coast

CHONBURI — 26 June 2026, More than 13 Bryde’s whales have been spotted off the coast of Bang Saen in Chon Buri province, highlighting the area’s rich marine ecosystem and drawing interest from tourists hoping to see the animals in their natural habitat.

The sightings gained attention after Facebook user Eaksak Soemsri shared drone footage showing several Bryde’s whales feeding and swimming together off Khao Sam Muk and Bang Saen Beach. The video was filmed by Prapya Chu using a drone launched from the tour boat Ploypailin Navy 2.

Speaking to reporters at 14:00 on 26 June 2026 at Laem Thaen in Saensuk subdistrict, Eaksak Soemsri, 50, a marine rescue volunteer known as “Captain Kao” and owner of Ploypailin Navy 2, said he regularly takes visitors on whale-watching trips around Khao Sam Muk.

He said surveys this year have identified 13 Bryde’s whales, more than were recorded last year.

According to Eaksak, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources has issued whale-watching guidelines requiring boats to remain at least 100 metres from the whales and switch off their engines to prevent injuries from propellers.

He added that all operators taking tourists to see the whales have completed the required training.

The largest whale spotted this year is estimated to be about the size of a minibus and weigh nearly two tonnes, making it larger than many of the boats observing it.

Eaksak invited tourists to visit Bang Saen during the current season, noting that visitors can enjoy both the Bangsaen Grand Prix motorsport event and whale-watching trips later in the day.

Tourists interested in joining a whale-watching excursion can contact trained operators from the White Shark Marine Rescue team.

Thailand’s Supreme Patriarch marks 99th birthday

By

Khaosod English

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26 June 2026, 13:09

20260626085617_3800 — His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana

BANGKOK — Thailand’s Supreme Patriarch, His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana, celebrated his 99th birthday on Friday, with the government holding a merit-making ceremony in his honour at Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presided over the Buddhist chanting and alms-giving ceremony dedicated to the Supreme Patriarch’s birthday. The event was attended by Cabinet ministers, heads of independent agencies, military and police commanders, senior government officials and representatives of state organisations.

Upon arriving at the temple, Anutin paid respects to the Supreme Patriarch inside the ordination hall.

His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana (Amborn Ambaro) was born in Ratchaburi province on 26 June 1927. He was ordained as a novice monk in 1940 in his home province before entering the monkhood on 9 May 1948 at Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram in Bangkok.

His Majesty the King formally appointed him as the 20th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand on 6 February 2017. The royal installation ceremony took place at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace on 12 February 2017.

The Supreme Patriarch is the highest-ranking member of Thailand’s Buddhist Sangha, serving as the spiritual leader of the nation’s monks and as a symbol of unity and stability for Buddhism in Thailand.

Miss Thailand runner-up accuses pageant sponsor of sexual assault

By

Khaosod English

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26 June 2026, 11:38

Miss Thailand runner-up accuses pageant sponsor of sexual assault

RAYONG — 26 June 2026, A 27-year-old second runner-up of Miss Thailand Phuket 2026 has filed a police complaint, accusing a prominent durian farm owner and pageant sponsor of sexually assaulting her and attempting to rape her at a hotel in Rayong.

The woman reported the incident to Nikhom Phatthana Police Station on 26 June 2026. The suspect, identified only as “Mike” (pseudonym), is a man in his 50s who owns a well-known durian farm in Nikhom Phatthana district and was a major sponsor of the beauty pageant.

The alleged assault took place on the evening of 25 June 2026.

According to the complainant, she had travelled to Rayong to thank sponsors who had supported her in various pageants. She said she met with Mike, whom she had trusted and respected as a senior figure. As she was scheduled to film a tourism commercial in Ban Chang district the following day before travelling to Nakhon Ratchasima for another pageant, he offered to book a hotel room for her in Nikhom Phatthana district.

The woman alleged that while she was taking a shower, Mike entered the bathroom naked and attempted to force himself on her.

She said she managed to defend herself using Muay Thai techniques, striking him with a knee to the groin and punching him in the face before he fled the room.

The complainant also said she sought help from hotel staff after the incident but was disappointed by the response. Instead of receiving assistance, she claimed police were called and she was briefly treated as if she were intoxicated and causing a disturbance, despite having sustained injuries while defending herself.

Hotel staff later met investigators to explain the hotel’s handling of the incident. They said employees initially believed the pair were husband and wife. After the woman requested emergency medical assistance, staff became aware that something was wrong and followed the appropriate procedures. The hotel said it prioritises the safety of all guests.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and questioning witnesses as part of their investigation. No charges have been announced, and the allegations have not been tested in court.

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