Thailand exposes scam city in O’Smach, invites international scrutiny

By

-

7 April 2026, 17:36

Thai authorities have presented evidence of a large-scale online scam operation across the Thai-Cambodian border, describing it as a major transnational crime hub and inviting international organisations to verify the findings.

Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee, director of the Joint Information Centre on the Thai-Cambodian situation, spoke on 7 April after leading Thai and foreign media to inspect areas near O’Smach–Chong Chom.

He said the site, located across the border, appeared to be a vast complex resembling an “entertainment city,” complete with detention rooms, medical facilities and command structures. Authorities said the compound included working spaces equipped with communication systems, manuals and training setups allegedly used to conduct online scams.

“This is a real threat at the global level,” Prapas said, adding that such operations could not be tackled by any single country alone.

He noted that Thai forces were initially unaware the area had been used as a scam base, believing it to be a casino complex. After the COVID-19 pandemic reduced tourism, the site was allegedly repurposed into an online scam operation.

Thai authorities said they have maintained strict control over the area on their side of the border for more than three months. Officials also said foreign observers previously invited by Cambodia were unable to access the site in question.

The government has coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to share information with international organisations, including Amnesty International, and has offered to facilitate site visits to verify the evidence.

Prapas also alleged that during previous clashes, Cambodian forces used the area as a base to launch drones and carry out sniper and heavy weapon attacks against Thai positions. He said this was a key reason Thai forces moved to secure the area, citing the need to protect personnel and civilians.

Thai officials said communication channels with Cambodia remain open to reduce tensions, though concerns persist over trust and ongoing security issues along the border.

Ice sales surge in heat while fuel costs hit deliveries

By

Khaosod English

-

7 April 2026, 17:31

Ice sales surge in heat while fuel costs hit deliveries

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 7 April 2026, ice sales have surged in northeastern Thailand amid intense summer heat, but rising diesel prices are squeezing profits for producers and delivery drivers.

A survey in Phimai district found demand for ice has increased significantly as temperatures climb, prompting higher consumption among residents.

Despite stronger sales, producers say rising diesel costs have pushed up production expenses. Operators said they are keeping retail prices unchanged at 40 baht per bag during the hot season to avoid burdening customers.

The impact is also being felt by delivery workers, many of whom use enclosed pickup trucks to transport ice to local shops.

Amphan Adthon, 43, an ice delivery driver in Phimai, said fuel price increases have sharply raised his costs. Filling a tank, which previously cost about 1,800 baht, now costs around 3,000 baht, while the selling price of ice remains unchanged.

He urged the government to provide assistance, saying frequent fuel price hikes are placing a heavy strain on people’s livelihoods.

Live-fire exercises! RDF battalion drills, shows full combat power

By

Khaosod English

-

7 April 2026, 16:21

KANCHANABURI — Lt. Gen. Worayot Luengsuwan, commander of Thailand’s First Army, visited the 1st Army rapid deployment battalion (RDF) training at the 9th Infantry Division’s tactical training area in Phanom Thuan district.

During the visit, Lt. Gen. Worayot received a briefing on the RDF battalion’s exercises, which are part of the Army’s operational readiness plan. The training began with a garrison phase in Ta Phraya district, Sa Kaeo province, from 26–30 March, followed by the field phase from 3–9 April. Today’s inspection included live-fire exercises (LFX) and a visit to the training exhibition.

The commander also addressed the troops, urging units to focus on all aspects of training. He encouraged soldiers with combat experience along the eastern border to apply their knowledge in line with current operational needs, and emphasised teamwork, leadership, and discipline.

Lt. Gen. Worayot presented morale-boosting supplies to the troops, supporting local agricultural products to help ease economic hardships in the area.

The First Army’s RDF battalion is designed as a high-readiness unit, equipped with modern weaponry, capable of rapid deployment during emergencies, and enhancing border defence operations to safeguard national sovereignty.

Bangkok book fair draws 1.3m, boosts sales

By

Khaosod English

-

7 April 2026, 15:55

Bangkok book fair draws 1.3m, boosts sales

BANGKOK — 6 April 2026, Thailand’s annual book fair has concluded with strong attendance and sales, drawing more than 1.3 million visitors and generating over 534 million baht, organisers said, underscoring the country’s growing role in Asia’s publishing industry despite rising living costs.

The 54th National Book Fair and 24th Bangkok International Book Fair, organised by the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT), ran for 12 days from 26 March to 6 April at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center under the theme “Read The Legend”.

PUBAT president Nattakorn Wuttichaiworakul said the event exceeded expectations despite economic pressures from rising fuel prices and higher living costs, reflecting continued interest in books among Thai readers.

On weekdays, the fair drew around 80,000 visitors per day, rising to about 100,000 on weekends and public holidays, figures broadly in line with last year.

A survey found that Generation Z made up the largest share of attendees at 46.26%, followed by Generation Y at 33.71%, and Generation X at 10.21%. Most visitors spent between 500 and 1,000 baht on books.

Organisers said a key factor behind the event’s success was its engagement with younger audiences, including a campaign involving more than 200 content creators who promoted reading across digital platforms.

The fair also featured exhibitions and cultural activities supported by the Ministry of Culture, including displays highlighting royal educational initiatives and Buddhist literature.

Total book sales at the event reached more than 444 million baht, up about 5% from a year earlier, while international rights trading rose sharply by 50% to over 90 million baht.

The Bangkok Rights Fair 2026, held alongside the event, attracted 163 companies and authors from 24 countries and territories, resulting in more than 600 rights negotiations, particularly with partners from South Korea, Taiwan, China and India.

Organisers said the results reinforce Thailand’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub for the book industry.

PUBAT said it plans to further develop the “book economy” by expanding Thai content into films, television series, games and webtoons to increase long-term economic value.

Ostrich spotted running 15 km along motorway in Chonburi

By

Khaosod English

-

7 April 2026, 15:52

CHONBURI — An ostrich was seen running along a motorway from Bang Lamung to Tapong district on 7 April, seemingly keeping pace behind a cement truck without showing any signs of fatigue. The unusual sight quickly went viral on social media, with many sharing videos of the bird in hopes of helping it and finding its owner.

The bird’s owner was later identified as Isara Boriboon, the owner of a cat café in Bang Lamung. Isara said the café keeps two five-month-old ostriches named B1 and B2, who usually run around the café and nearby fields but have never before wandered onto public roads.

“The ostrich escaped today because a cement truck arrived at the café. When the truck left, the gate wasn’t closed in time, and the bird ran after it,” Isara explained. “It ran all the way to Tapong Market in Rayong province, about 55 km from my home. Luckily, the people who called me managed to catch it before it got that far.”

Isara estimated that the ostrich actually ran about 15 km along the road. He added that the bird was unharmed and he was on his way to retrieve it from the helpers who caught it.

Vietnam elects Communist Party chief as president, echoing China’s power structure

By

Khaosod English

-

7 April 2026, 15:07

Vietnam Politics — Vietnam's top leader To Lam swears in as the country's president in Hanoi, Vietnam Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (Duong Van Giang/VNA via AP)

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam unanimously elected Communist Party General Secretary To Lam as president for a five-year term, consolidating his control over both the party and the state.

The move departs from Vietnam’s tradition of shared leadership, in which the jobs have typically been held by different people, and echoes power structures in China under Xi Jinping and neighboring Laos.

It has been widely expected since Lam’s reelection as Communist Party head in January, when observers noted that his consolidation of party authority positioned him to assume the presidency as well.

After being sworn in, the 69-year-old told the National Assembly that his top priority was to maintain peace and stability, which were the foundation for fast and sustainable growth. “We aim to improve people’s livelihoods so all can share the benefits of development,” he said.

This is To Lam’s second time holding both jobs, after briefly doing so in 2024 when his predecessor as party chief, Nguyen Phu Trong, died.

The concentration of power was significant since it meant that Lam had a “stronger mandate and far more political room to push through his agenda than any leaders” since the 1980s, when Hanoi launched reforms to shed a state-run economy in favor of a market-oriented one open to foreigners, said Nguyen Khac Giang, of Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute research center.

“The opportunity is obvious. Faster decision-making, greater policy coherence, and a better chance of pushing difficult reforms at a pivotal moment. But the risk is that concentration of power can move faster than institutional reform,” he said.

Lam’s rise to the top caps the ascent of a career policeman who advanced from Vietnam’s security services to the top of the political system. This was aided by a sweeping anti-corruption campaign launched by his predecessor, which he oversaw as head of the Ministry of Public Security.

As party chief, Lam has led Vietnam’s biggest bureaucratic overhaul since the 1980s, cutting jobs, merging ministries, redrawing provincial boundaries and advancing major infrastructure projects.

He has focused on economic performance and private-sector growth, aiming to move Vietnam beyond the labor- and export-driven model that has helped lift millions from poverty and build a manufacturing-based middle class. The country is targeting 10% or higher annual economic growth over each of the next five years.

But challenges remain, especially the immediate task of turning this ambitious vision into reality with the world economy upended by the energy shock from the war in Iran. Vietnam’s economy expanded at an annualized rate of 7.8% in the first three months of the year, up from 7.1% last year but below the 9.1% target and slower than in late 2025.

Giang said that Lam also faces political hurdles for reform buy-in and the challenge of maintaining Vietnam’s pragmatic approach to foreign policy.

Vietnam is facing U.S. pressure over its trade surplus but also has to balance ties with China, its largest trading partner and rival claimant in the South China Sea.

“It has benefited from a careful balancing strategy in foreign policy, but maintaining that position will become harder in a more turbulent world,” he said.

Thai monk serves 5-baht noodles to ease living costs

By

Khaosod English

-

7 April 2026, 14:30

PHAYAO — A Buddhist monk in northern Thailand has launched a low-cost noodle initiative aimed at easing the burden of rising living costs, while also boosting local tourism and community income.

At Ban Pua Laeng village in Chiang Kham district, Phayao province, a newly opened attraction featuring “hanging-leg noodles” priced at just 5 baht per bowl has drawn growing interest from both residents and visitors.

Set against a backdrop of lush green rice fields, the site offers a relaxed dining experience where customers sit with their legs dangling over a wooden platform while eating. Despite the unusually low price, the noodles have gained praise for their taste, attracting a steady stream of visitors.

The project was initiated by Phra Chat Techavaro, acting abbot of Ban Pua Temple, in collaboration with local villagers. The initiative aims to create a distinctive identity for the community by combining affordable food, scenic surroundings and traditional rural lifestyles.

In addition to the noodle stalls, the area features photo spots overlooking rice fields, leisure areas and a small community market where residents sell pesticide-free vegetables and local products, helping generate sustainable income.

Phra Chat said the idea was developed to create a unique selling point for the village, highlighting both the temple’s distinctive blue tones and the low-cost noodles as attractions for tourists.

“We want to attract visitors while giving local people a chance to earn a living,” he said.
Local officials and residents believe that, with further development, the site could become a key landmark in Chiang Kham district.

Thai van driver arrested in rape of Ukrainian tourist

By

Khaosod English

-

7 April 2026, 13:36

Thai van driver arrested in rape of Ukrainian tourist

PHUKET — 6 April 2026, Police in Phuket have arrested a van driver accused of raping a 20-year-old Ukrainian tourist after tracking him through CCTV footage, authorities said.

The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Sukhan, from Takua Pa district in Phang Nga province, was taken into custody at 16:30, according to Phuket City Police.

Investigators said the man, who drove a yellow-plate van registered in Phuket, allegedly attacked the victim inside the vehicle along Chalerm Phrakiat Rama IX Road, also known as the bypass road, in Ratsada subdistrict.

The arrest followed a complaint filed by the victim, who told police she had been forced into a van by an unidentified Thai man and raped before being dropped off in Kamala.

Police said the suspect is being questioned before being handed over to investigators for legal proceedings.

NBTC – APT co-hosted the 3rd APT preparatory group meeting for ITU PP-26 in Bangkok

By

Mc Marketing

-

7 April 2026, 13:35

Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), hosted the 3^rd Meeting of the APT Preparatory Group for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (APT PP26-3) from 30 March to 2 April 2026 at the JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok.

Mr. Trairat Viriyasirikul, Acting Secretary General of the Office of the NBTC, attended and delivered welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony. The meeting gathered over 290 representatives from 26 APT member countries, joining both physically and virtually, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China (People’s Republic of), Fiji, India (Republic of), Indonesia (Republic of), Iran (Islamic Republic of), Japan, Kiribati (Republic of), Korea (Republic of), Lao (People’s Democratic Republic of), Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar (Republic of the Union of), Nepal, New Zealand, Palau (Republic), Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu and Viet Nam (Socialist Republic of). The ceremony also featured remarks on the significance of this meeting by Dr. Masanori Kondo, Secretary General of the APT, and Ms. Zhu Keer, Chair of APT PP26-3.

Additionally, Clinical Professor Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, Chairman of
the NBTC, delivered the inaugural address at the opening ceremony, emphasizing the profound transformations taking place across the telecommunications and ICT landscapes. He highlighted the need for regulatory bodies to strengthen their readiness and to keep pace with the rapid developments of the digital ecosystem.
In his address, he also underscored the importance of APT member countries working together to establish regional priorities for the ITU’s work agenda over the next four years, especially in key areas such as universal connectivity, cybersecurity, and space-related matters. His remarks reflected the Asia-Pacific region’s strong commitment to advancing telecommunications and ICT development for the benefit of the global community, while supporting the ITU’s evolving role in an era of continuous digital transformation.

This regional preparatory meeting served as an important platform for Thailand to actively present its views on a wide range of issues alongside APT member countries, associate members, and representatives from international organizations. The meeting reviewed a series of proposals carried over from the APT PP26-2 Meeting, including the development of new Resolutions, amendments to existing Resolutions, and matters related to the roles and responsibilities of the ITU that member countries wish to advance. These discussions aim to shape the region’s positions and consolidate them into APT Common Proposals (ACPs) for submission to the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26), to be held from 9 to 27 November 2026 in Doha, Qatar.

This meeting marks a significant milestone for Thailand, as it contributes to the formulation and review of regional proposals across various ITU telecommunication development agenda items. It allows Thailand to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the digital era while strengthening its preparedness for effective participation in PP-26.

Thai princess to lead national costume showcase in The Hague

By

Khaosod English

-

7 April 2026, 12:35

647305110_1478115087016540_4830719162308292877_n — HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya of Thailand

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya is scheduled to travel to The Hague on 9 April to deliver a keynote lecture on the evolution of the Thai national costume, as Thailand launches an international roadshow promoting its traditional dress and craftsmanship.

The event, titled “Chud Thai Knowledge, Craftsmanship and Practices of the Thai National Costume,” will be held on 9–10 April at Hotel Des Indes. It is organised by the Department of Cultural Promotion under the Ministry of Culture of Thailand as part of efforts to promote Thai cultural heritage on the global stage.

On 9 April, the Princess will preside over an academic forum and deliver a lecture on the “Evolution of Thai costume and textiles,” accompanied by a runway presentation of all eight styles of Chud Thai phra ratcha niyom (Royal Thai Attire) and three styles of formal menswear.

The Chud Thai phra ratcha niyom include Ruean Ton, Chitralada, Amarin, Boromphiman, Dusit, Chakri, Siwalai and Chakraphat. Named after royal residences, the designs represent a key element of Thailand’s cultural identity.

The event will also feature live demonstrations of traditional craftsmanship, including yan lipao basketry and intricate gold and silver embroidery. Organisers said the showcase presents Thai costume not merely as historical artefacts, but as a living heritage that continues to evolve through contemporary design.

In 2024, Thailand’s Cabinet approved a proposal to nominate “Chud Thai: knowledge, craftsmanship and practices of the Thai national costume” for inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The nomination will be considered at the 21st session of the intergovernmental committee in December 2026.

Officials said the roadshow marks an important step in elevating Thai costume onto the global stage, reinforcing its role as both cultural heritage and contemporary creative inspiration.

Hot News

LATEST NEWS