Lanta & News
No. 01 · ENDLESS
National

Rare Brahmi-Inscribed Gold Ring Unearthed in Phetchaburi

Archaeologists in Phetchaburi unearthed a rare gold ring inscribed with ancient Brahmi script dating back 1,900–2,100 years, suggesting its owner was a merchant with ties to early Indian trade networks in Southeast Asia.

10h ago Khaosod

PHETCHABURI — The Fine Arts Department has uncovered two ancient gold rings, including one bearing a rare Brahmi inscription, during excavations at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site. Director-General Phanombut Chantarachot said archaeologists were racing to recover human skeletons and artifacts after rising groundwater, salinity, and seasonal rain threatened to damage the fragile remains.

The two gold rings were discovered alongside Skeleton No. 4. One ring is engraved with an ancient Brahmi inscription believed to have functioned as a signet ring. Experts from Silpakorn University and the Fine Arts Department date the inscription to the 5th–7th Buddhist centuries, approximately 1,900–2,100 years ago.

The inscription reads "Pusrakhitasa," meaning "belonging to Pusrakhita" or "protected by the Pushya star." Archaeologists believe the ring's owner may have belonged to the Vaishya, or merchant, caste. The second gold ring bears no decorative design.

Similar Brahmi inscriptions have been found on seals and jewelry at archaeological sites in Krabi and Chumphon, providing evidence of early trade and cultural connections between the Indian subcontinent and present-day Thailand. Both rings have been transferred to Phra Nakhon Khiri National Museum for conservation and further study.

Excavation work will continue for about a month before the site closes. The Fine Arts Department plans to present preliminary findings in a public exhibition of artifacts recovered from Don Yai Thong.

No. 01 of Read at source → Next
Community

Thai Actor Khaeng Wraps Four-Region Tour With Unforgettable Fan Meetings

Thai actor Khaeng wrapped a four-region tour meeting fans across the country, describing it as an unforgettable experience while announcing a special episode of the series "Khemjira Must Survive" is in production.

10h ago Khaosod

Thai actor Khaeng Hrutsadith has just wrapped up the warm conclusion of the "Khemjira Must Survive Four-Region Tour" alongside co-stars Naam Ping and Tle First One, which saw them travel to meet fans across all four regions of Thailand. Most recently on July 3, 2026, Khaeng attended the Tory Burch Iconsiam Boutique Grand Opening Event at Iconsiam mall, where he shared his impressions from completing the tour.

Khaeng described the four-region tour as an unforgettable experience, having had the opportunity to meet senior fans from across the country while thanking everyone for their continued support nearly a year after the series ended. He also announced that they have already begun filming a special episode of "Khemjira Must Survive." During this period, he has more time for himself and is refocusing on his health and fitness.

"It was so much fun and an experience I'll never forget," Khaeng said. "It was our first-ever tour concert. Every weekend, we'd fly out on Friday to tour different regions, and the excitement came from visiting each region, trying local food, and checking into hotels. The energy from fans in each region was different—the South was overflowing with screams, and going back to our northern homeland in Chiang Mai to eat local cuisine felt like going home. The four regions were like visiting a family we hadn't seen in a long time."

Each region had its own special character. "Absolutely. The important highlight was the energy from fans and the Doomindig team in each province. The South was overflowing with enthusiasm and screams from entrance to inside the venue. The energy in each region was full-throttle, and most importantly, our home region in the North—going to Chiang Mai and eating northern food felt like returning home. Each of the four regions was like reuniting with family we hadn't seen in a long time."

When asked if their fan family grew, Khaeng confirmed it did. "During the series filming, we were only working in Bangkok and didn't get to meet fans in other provinces. But now we did. Each fan gave us local souvenirs from their regions, mostly preserved food we could take back to Bangkok."

Regarding what the tour gave him personally, Khaeng explained: "It gave us many things. Each region presented different challenges—flight issues, venue problems. What was important was how we adapted to these problems and solved them on the spot. Sound issues that we couldn't control had to be managed during the show. Each region had a different show design, and we tried many things and developed many aspects that showed real change."

Asked if he's recovered from exhaustion, Khaeng responded positively. "I'm very recovered. Even though 'Khemjira Must Survive' ended almost a year ago, fans have continued supporting us. I'm so grateful to everyone for supporting Khaeng-Naam Ping and Tle-First One. They say they want us to stay together like this. Soon there's a special episode coming—we just finished filming yesterday."

When asked about the special episode filming, he shared: "We filmed from morning until dark. I really miss that atmosphere. It felt like we returned with so much energy, and I felt as excited about the work as when we first started filming the initial episodes."

On how the special episode filming went, Khaeng explained: "As everyone knows, the special episode will be a continuation that expands the love storyline. Audiences should get to see the romantic mood, but we still have that essence of 'Khemjira Must Survive' with ghost elements. People are curious which ghost character will appear in this story. I can say the supernatural elements remain the same. As for my physique, I now have time to hit the gym, so we'll see."

Updating briefly on his current life, Khaeng mentioned he's getting more rest recently.

No. 02 of Read at source → Next
National

Thailand To Create Standalone Sports Ministry By 2027

Thailand plans to split its Ministry of Tourism and Sports into two separate entities by 2027, creating a standalone Sports Ministry while merging tourism with the Ministry of Culture.

10h ago Khaosod

BANGKOK — 2 July 2026, Thailand is moving ahead with plans to establish a standalone Ministry of Sports, while merging tourism responsibilities with the Ministry of Culture under a major government restructuring.

Sports and Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said that the reform, proposed under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, has made significant progress since he took office.

Speaking to sports reporters, Surasak said the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) is expected to submit the framework for Cabinet approval at the meeting on 7 July 2026.

Under the proposal, the existing Ministry of Tourism and Sports would be split, with sports becoming a separate ministry. Tourism would be merged with the Ministry of Culture to form the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Surasak said the original roadmap envisioned the restructuring taking three years, but the process has moved much faster than expected.

While the new Sports Ministry could be established by the end of 2026, he believes a launch in 2027 is more realistic.

If approved, the reform would make sports a dedicated government portfolio while aligning tourism with cultural policy under a single ministry.

No. 03 of Read at source → Next
Police

Former Thai Sprinter and SEA Games Gold Medallist Dies in Crash

Former Thai sprinter Apisit Promkaew, a two-time SEA Games gold medallist, died Thursday after his motorcycle crashed into an electricity pole near his home in Pathum Thani province.

10h ago Khaosod

Former Thai sprinter and two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medallist Apisit Promkaew has died after a motorcycle crash in Pathum Thani.

Thailand's athletics community is mourning the loss of Apisit, a former national sprinter and SEA Games champion, who was killed late Thursday near his residence in Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani province.

According to Pol. Maj. Gen. Surapong Ariyamongkol, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Athletics Association of Thailand, Apisit's motorcycle crashed into an electricity pole. He suffered a fatal neck injury and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

His family is arranging to transport his body to his hometown in Phatthalung province for funeral rites. The Athletics Association of Thailand said it will host one night of funeral prayers.

News of his death prompted an outpouring of grief from Thailand's athletics community, with former teammates, fellow athletes, relatives and friends sharing tributes and condolences on social media.

Apisit represented Thailand in the men's 4×100-metre relay and won gold medals at two consecutive Southeast Asian Games: the 27th edition in Myanmar in 2013 and the 28th edition in Singapore in 2015.

No. 04 of Read at source → Next
Police

Man Shoots Resort Owner's Sons Over Eviction Dispute

A guest at a Kalasin resort shot and seriously wounded the owner's two sons over a 360-baht unpaid room fee; police arrested the 40-year-old suspect and found methamphetamine and a handgun in his possession.

10h ago Khaosod

A guest staying at a resort in Nam Noi district, Kalasin province, shot and seriously wounded two sons of the resort owner on July 2 after they came to collect an overdue room rental fee of 360 baht. Police arrested the suspect, 40-year-old Prakasit, at a residence in Huai Phueng district after conducting an overnight investigation. Officers recovered a 9mm handgun, five rounds of ammunition, and 1,726 methamphetamine pills from his possession. Prakasit confessed to the shooting, admitting he was using methamphetamine when the owner's sons, 42-year-old Panyaphon and 50-year-old Somchai, arrived demanding payment. Angered by the interruption during drug use, he drew his weapon and fired on both men before fleeing. Police records show Prakasit has seven previous drug-related convictions in Kalasin and Bangkok, establishing him as a dangerous criminal with a history of violence.

No. 05 of Read at source → Next
National

Did Wonderframe and Lisa Train Together?

Thai artist Wonderframe shared rare archival footage from her trainee days in South Korea at age 14, sparking fan speculation that a girl visible in the videos could be BLACKPINK's Lisa, though this remains unconfirmed.

10h ago Khaosod

Fans are buzzing with theories after Thai artist Wonderframe (Supackchai Sukhbaiyen) uncovered archival footage from her trainee days at age 14 in South Korea. The recovered videos show her participating in auditions and training in vocals, dance, and on-camera performance—rare footage that many fans have never seen before. It offers a glimpse into a pivotal chapter of her journey before becoming the recognized artist she is today.

The viral moment, however, centers on internet users' sharp observation of a young trainee girl appearing briefly in the clips. Many commenters speculate this could be Lisa Lalisa as a child, generating widespread speculation about whether the two artists were in the same trainee group.

While there has been no official confirmation that the girl in the video is Lisa, the footage has renewed fan interest in Wonderframe's past, particularly her training and audition years in South Korea from a young age. Before becoming the musician known today, she pursued the trainee path, undergoing rigorous training, competitions, and overseas experiences that shaped her as an artist.

Recently, Wonderframe has been collaborating with international artists, producers, and teams, leading fans to speculate whether this footage signals a new chapter and hints at upcoming international projects in the near future.

No. 06 of Read at source → Next
Local

Mother Withdraws Lawsuit Against Tray Scott, Seeks Dialogue

A Thai mother has withdrawn her disinheritance lawsuit against her son, hoping to rebuild their relationship through dialogue after a court recommended they attempt communication during mediation hearings.

10h ago Khaosod

A mother has filed to withdraw her lawsuit against her son, Sirat Scott (known as Tray), with hopes of reopening communication and finding a resolution through their parent-child relationship. On July 3, 2026, Jiranuch Phiromphakdi submitted a petition to the Bangkok Civil Court requesting withdrawal of her disinheritance case against her son.

In a statement addressing media and public interest in the case, the mother explained that while the legal process was painful, she recognized it as a last resort after years of unsuccessful attempts to resolve family matters through dialogue. She noted that during a second mediation hearing on June 16, 2026, the court recommended that she and her son attempt communication again, recognizing that family bonds offer a more dignified path to resolution.

Accepting the court's guidance, she decided to withdraw the case, hoping that as a mother and son, they could still find common ground. She emphasized that this withdrawal represents opening the door to discussion and understanding, contingent on genuine love and goodwill from both sides.

The mother stated that she has been troubled by this matter since its emergence and chose not to publicly comment initially, viewing it as a sensitive family issue. She expressed her desire to resolve matters internally without causing additional pain to other family members or the Bunroat Brewery company, which she stressed has no involvement in the family dispute.

Regarding the dispute between Tray and another family member, she reiterated her equal love for both children, a truth that remains unchanging regardless of circumstances. She stated her readiness to accept whatever path her children choose, including pursuing justice through legal means if necessary, with her hope being that truth and justice ultimately prevail.

She appealed to media and the public for compassion toward all parties and requested space for the family to engage in dialogue and healing.

No. 07 of Read at source → Next
Police

Minister Withdraws Defamation Case Against MP Ice Srinok

Minister Suchat Chomklin withdrew his defamation case against MP Ratchanok Srinok after she apologized in court, citing emotional toll on his family including his elderly parents' hospitalization and children's school harassment.

10h ago Khaosod

On July 3, 2025, at Taling Chan Criminal Court, a hearing was held in the defamation case between Minister Suchat Chomklin and MP Ratchanok Srinok of the Pheu Thai Party. Ice had accused Suchat of obtaining his ministerial position through election fraud stemming from the February 8 election. After arriving at court with his lawyer at 2:20 p.m., Suchat spent approximately 20 minutes in the hearing room before the court proposed mediation. Following the discussion, Suchat revealed that the court suggested both parties talk to reach understanding, given the case's connection to the election when he was accused of election fraud in Chonburi constituency 1—allegations the election commission had already investigated and confirmed as baseless. Suchat acknowledged that as a politician, he accepts scrutiny, but emphasized the emotional toll on his family, particularly his elderly parents requiring ICU hospitalization and his children facing ridicule at school. When Ice personally appeared at court to apologize for the damage caused to his reputation and family, Suchat decided to withdraw the election-related charges, viewing it as a case where forgiveness was possible. However, he confirmed he will continue pursuing other corruption allegations through legal proceedings. Suchat urged social media users and the public to recognize that posting defamatory statements or accusations impacts entire families, not just the accused, and that spreading false information causes lasting emotional harm. He expressed relief at closure and prefers focusing on his work rather than lawsuits that can be forgiven. Ice subsequently stated that Suchat had come to court this day (he had previously missed hearings), allowing both sides to discuss the matter. She apologized to Suchat, his elderly mother, and his son who had suffered from the media coverage and public discourse, including ridicule at school. Ice thanked Suchat for withdrawing the case and apologized to his entire family for the impact of their communications.

No. 08 of Read at source → Next
National

Thailand's Economy Faces Modest 1.5-2% Growth Despite Stimulus

Thailand's economy is expected to grow just 1.5-2% this year as Bangkok Bank cites international trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty, with government stimulus proving insufficient to drive stronger expansion.

10h ago Khaosod

Bangkok Bank Senior Executive Vice President Kobsak Pootrakul stated the bank maintains its GDP growth forecast at 1.5-2% due to ongoing economic uncertainty from international factors including trade tensions and Middle Eastern conflicts. "Anything can happen this year. We don't want to keep adjusting our forecast because no one knows what the full year 2026 will bring. So we're sticking with the 1.5-2% range for now and will reassess in another 1-2 months," Kobsak said.

While acknowledging positive signals from oil prices stabilizing at pre-conflict levels, declining interest rates, a weaker baht, and continued export expansion, Kobsak warned that international trade negotiations and geopolitical factors could impact confidence and global economics at any time. Thailand's tourism sector continues struggling with incomplete recovery and reduced foreign visitor arrivals.

Regarding the "Thai Help Thai Plus" stimulus measure, Kobsak noted that government funds provide only limited support. At 40,000-50,000 million baht, the stimulus is merely a fraction of Thailand's 15-16 trillion baht economy. The government is focusing on unlocking private sector and foreign direct investment, particularly BOI-promoted projects, to inject capital into the economy since government resources are limited.

Kobsak praised the Monetary Policy Committee's decision to maintain the policy rate at 1%, calling it appropriate for reducing business and consumer financing costs. However, he emphasized that interest rate cuts should be implemented when the economy begins slowing, not after it stalls, comparing it to accelerating a car while it's decelerating rather than after it stops.

Bangkok Bank maintains its 2026 credit growth target at 3-5%, with large business and investment lending continuing domestically and internationally. However, the bank remains concerned about small and medium enterprises struggling with weak purchasing power and high household debt. Kobsak urged the government to implement measures including market expansion, increased public procurement, and consumer stimulus to help SMEs recover and encourage private sector investment and spending.

No. 09 of Read at source → Next
Community

Foundation Distributes Snacks To Students In Uthai Thani

The Hua Jai Borisutt Foundation distributed snacks worth 7,600 baht to 648 students at Ban Sap Suratsat School in Uthai Thani Province as part of its ongoing charitable mission.

10h ago Khaosod

The Hua Jai Borisutt Foundation continues its mission to spread joy and create smiles for children and youth by distributing noodle snacks and sunflower seeds to students at Ban Sap Suratsat School in Uthai Thani Province.

On July 2, 2569, foundation president Thianyarat Nawamawat assigned staff to visit Ban Sap Suratsat School in Hu Chiang subdistrict, Ban Rai District, Uthai Thani Province to distribute 648 pieces of noodle snacks and sunflower seeds valued at 7,600 baht.

The donation was supported by Saranjit Wang, board member of Bai Lee Enterprises Limited. School director Supansa Hun Thani represented the institution in receiving the donation and distributed the snacks to students.

The foundation president stated that the organization believes sharing, even starting with small gestures, can create tremendous happiness and encouragement for children. The foundation expressed great appreciation for collaboration with all sectors, particularly the private sector supporting social activities, which serves as vital force enabling the continuous transfer of opportunities and care. The foundation will continue implementing diverse social programs to create opportunities and improve quality of life for children, youth, and communities in various areas.

This activity represents another commitment by the Hua Jai Borisutt Foundation to extend care and encouragement to children and youth.

No. 10 of Read at source → Next
National

Japanese Mayor's Maternity Leave Sparks Gender Equality Debate

Japan's first female municipal mayor ignited national debate by taking four months of maternity leave, with supporters praising her as a role model for work-life balance while critics argued leaders shouldn't step back from duty.

10h ago Khaosod

Why Japan's Female Mayor's Maternity Leave Sparked National Debate Over Gender Equality

On July 3, the maternity leave announcement by Shoko Kawata, a 35-year-old mayor of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture, ignited nationwide debate. She plans to take two months off before and two months after delivering her baby in mid-September.

Although Japanese law has no framework supporting maternity leave for locally elected officials, Kawata delegated her duties to deputy mayor Shigeto Nosé. She became Japan's first female municipal mayor to take parental leave while serving in office.

The decision drew both praise and fierce criticism on social media. Supporters viewed her as a role model for balancing family and professional responsibility, and argued Japan needs better systems for pregnant women. Critics contended that a leader stepping back from duty is inappropriate, with some suggesting she should resign or have her salary reduced during the leave.

Shoko Kawata, 35, Mayor of Yawata, Kyoto Prefecture

Gender Inequality Problem

Kawata stands firm in her decision, noting that if society penalizes female politicians for taking maternity leave, it effectively bars reproductive-age women from entering politics. She hopes her case marks the beginning of a society where women can simultaneously be leaders and mothers.

Kawata's situation starkly reflects gender inequality in Japan's political sphere. Only about 4% of the roughly 1,720 local government administrators are women. Japan also ranks 118th out of 146 nations on the World Economic Forum's 2025 gender gap index—the lowest among G7 countries.

Deputy Mayor Shigeto Nosé, 62, who will assume full responsibility during Kawata's leave, acknowledged that he never took parental leave himself and left almost all childcare burden to his wife. Seeing his son-in-law take six months off to help care for his child has made Nosé realize society's values are shifting.

Source: BBC Reported by the Sanook Online News Team

No. 11 of Read at source → Next
Loading more…
Endless reading Scroll to read. When you reach the bottom, keep scrolling. A bar fills, and the next story slides in when it's full.
↑ ↓ or Space