Bangkok, 1 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) today marked the launch of flydubai’s new Dubai–Bangkok service, ahead of the “Amazing Thailand Takes Off with flydubai Roadshow 2026” on 7–8 July in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, reinforcing TAT’s Airline Focus strategy to expand air capacity, strengthen market access, and promote Thailand as a preferred destination for Middle East travellers.

The welcome ceremony for flight FZ 1333, which departed Dubai International Airport at 01.35 and arrived at Don Mueang International Airport at 11.25 local time, featured a flag wave on arrival and souvenir presentations to passengers and crew. Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, led the welcome together with TAT executives and representatives from flydubai and Don Mueang International Airport.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “The launch of flydubai’s Dubai–Bangkok service strengthens Thailand’s air connectivity with the Middle East and supports TAT’s quality-led long-haul market strategy. The new route provides travellers from the UAE and connecting markets with more direct access to Bangkok and onward travel options across Thailand, while creating new opportunities for Thai tourism businesses to reach visitors seeking leisure, wellness, family, and business travel experiences.”

flydubai will operate one daily Dubai–Bangkok flight before increasing to twice daily from 15 September, adding approximately 10,292 seats to Thailand through 31 August. Together with its existing Dubai–Krabi service, the airline will offer up to 28 weekly flights between Dubai and Thailand after the September increase, supporting Middle East travel demand ahead of the year-end season. The airline operates Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with Economy and Business Class, supported by codeshare connectivity with Emirates.

To convert this capacity into travel demand, the roadshow will bring some 40 Thai tourism sellers into direct business discussion with around 160 travel companies from across the UAE, with at least 900 business appointments expected. The wider joint promotion will be supported by digital and e-commerce campaigns, flydubai retail outlet promotions, a UAE sales blitz, and a September familiarisation trip to Bangkok.

The Middle East remains a high-value long-haul market for Thailand, with 188,447 arrivals from 1 January to 21 June 2026. The UAE stands out for frequent outbound travel, average expenditure above 100,000 Baht per person per trip, average stays of 10–12 nights, large family groups, strong luxury accommodation demand, and a 65% repeat-visitor rate. Demand is moving beyond leisure towards personalised, lifestyle-led travel spanning wellness, medical tourism, gastronomy, shopping, and destinations beyond major gateways.

The post Amazing Thailand Takes Off with flydubai Roadshow 2026 marks new Dubai-Bangkok flight appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

At 6:30 a.m. on July 1, 2569, Thitiphong Khumphui, customs chief of Prachuap Khiri Khan, led a joint inspection of a southern railway passenger train at Prachuap Khiri Khan station following intelligence about smuggled, tax-evading goods being transported to Bangkok. The operation aligned with urgent government policy, the Customs Department, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives' crackdown on illegal commodities.

Officers conducted thorough baggage inspections and discovered suspicious items concealed in sealed parcels with other belongings stacked on top. Upon inspection, they found five wild boar carcasses, butchered into pieces totaling 250 kilograms, without import documentation or animal movement permits. They also seized eight cases of premium foreign spirits and wine containing 96 bottles, along with eight more cases, with combined damages exceeding 350,000 baht and no evidence of tax payment or proper customs clearance.

Authorities seized all contraband for prosecution under the Customs Act 2560, Excise Tax Act 2560, and the Animal Epidemic Act 2558. The animal remains will be transferred to the Department of Livestock for legal proceedings. Investigators are expanding their inquiry to identify and prosecute the masterminds and accomplices.

The Prachuap Khiri Khan customs, excise, and animal quarantine offices reaffirmed their commitment to suppressing tax-evading goods that damage the economy and public health. They are coordinating with multiple agencies including the military, police, civil administration, animal quarantine, plant inspection, fisheries, food and drug, and disease control checkpoints to intensify surveillance of vulnerable points along rail, road, and postal routes.

LINE MAN Wongnai CEO Yod Chinsupakul announced that the "Thai Helps Thai Plus (60/40)" subsidy program saw over 1.2 million participants using the delivery service between June 15-28, 2025, demonstrating strong uptake of the spending stimulus measure. Order values in late June increased more than 15% compared to the program's first day.

"The response in the first two weeks shows the measure genuinely stimulates everyday spending, with users averaging approximately 450 baht per person, creating continuous cash flow to restaurants nationwide," Chinsupakul stated.

Platform data revealed that consumers prioritized main meal categories, with single-dish meals, curry rice, and noodles dominating preferences. Crispy basil pork rice ranked as the top-selling dish in the program's first month, followed by chicken rice, boat noodles, and fermented pork sausage salad.

In beverages, matcha latte emerged as a popular choice, overtaking traditional Thai tea—suggesting the subsidy enabled consumers to purchase higher-priced items more freely.

As the government allocated an additional 1,000 baht in vouchers for July, LINE MAN announced expanded promotions including up to 5,000 baht in combined discounts and 5-kilometer free delivery zones to further reduce living costs and encourage restaurant spending.

The Thai Helps Thai Plus program remains available through delivery services until September 30, 2025, with users selecting participating restaurants and paying through the Pao Tang application according to program terms.

Bang Khae Police Station received the Traffy Fondue Award in the "Quick Fix" category, recognized as a leader in innovative urban problem management and effective implementation. At 9:00 AM on July 1, 2025, at the Pullman King Power Hotel in Bangkok, Deputy Prime Minister Professor Yasothorn Wongsawat and the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation presided over the presentation of the "Traffy Fondue Awards" organized by the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).

Bang Khae Police Station, represented by Major General Anant Worasart, accepted the Traffy Fondue Award in the "Quick Fix" category, which honors agencies that rapidly and effectively used the platform to solve problems and improve public quality of life. The award criteria included three key factors: Response Time—measuring the duration from complaint receipt to resolution completion; Status Update—ensuring transparency and consistent progress notifications to complainants; and Completion Rate—the proportion of problems successfully resolved relative to total complaints received.

During the July 1, 2569 parliamentary session reviewing the fiscal year 2570 budget bill, Labor Minister Chulphon Amornvivat explained that the Labor Ministry's budget allocation increased by 5 percent this year, though many departmental operations faced cuts due to fiscal limitations.

The budget increase specifically targets insured workers' contribution payments through the Social Security Office. The minister acknowledged parliamentary concerns about outstanding state contribution payments owed to insured workers, confirming that approximately 42,000 million baht in arrears will remain by the end of September.

Looking back over the past decade, arrears reached approximately 100,000 million baht annually during 2558-2559. However, since the 2561 Fiscal Discipline Act created a mechanism requiring the government to repay outstanding debts, successive administrations have made consistent payments within their budget capacity.

This year, the ministry allocated approximately 7,000 million baht specifically for outstanding arrears—an increase from the previous year and a deliberate commitment to advance debt repayment. The minister emphasized the government's intention to maintain this framework, enabling the public sector to return funds to insured workers as quickly as possible.

A target has been set for 2574 to settle the entire 42,000 million baht debt. After this year's 7,000 million baht payment, approximately 35,000 million baht will remain. The minister confirmed the government's commitment to completing repayment expeditiously and within the established timeline.

A 45-year-old man identified as Manusakdi was arrested on June 29 at approximately 3:00 PM for burglarizing a home in the Sam Sen Nok area of Huay Khwang, Bangkok on June 27. Police received a report listing stolen items including three Japanese swords, gold bracelets with pendants, pearl necklaces, jade bracelets, designer bags (Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada), and a television—totaling approximately 3,710,000 baht in value.

Investigators tracked the suspect using a motorcycle he used in the crime. On June 29, officers located him and found the stolen goods stored at his residence. A search also recovered 90 rounds of .22mm ammunition held without proper authorization. The suspect confessed to climbing into the home around 11:00 PM on June 26 to steal the valuables.

Manusakdi was charged with theft and illegal possession of ammunition. He admitted to all charges, stating he committed the burglary because he was unemployed and needed money. The case was forwarded to Sutthisarn Police Station for further prosecution.