A 61-year-old ride-hailing driver named Suphachai is demanding justice after being severely beaten by five Myanmar passengers who refused to pay their fare and left him permanently blind. The assault occurred on April 12, but the case remains stalled with no progress. Suphachai explained that he picked up the five passengers from Mochit, with one able to speak Thai clearly. They agreed to use an expressway route with an additional 50-baht service fee. Upon reaching a hotel in Samut Prakan province, the passengers refused to pay the 770-baht fare, claiming the app showed only 720 baht. Despite his explanation about the expressway surcharge, the group attacked him violently until he lost consciousness, and he received no payment whatsoever. He regained consciousness at the hospital after being contacted by police, who said they had checked the suspects' accommodation and obtained passport information. However, when Suphachai requested further investigation, police showed reluctance. After his hospital discharge, he attempted to give a statement, but officers claimed they didn't have the suspects' address, creating confusion about their work. The injuries have caused complete blindness in his right eye, along with headaches, brain bleeding, and constant tears, preventing him from working as a driver anymore.

Ekaphop Luangprasert stated that Suphachai's condition is severe, involving bleeding in the brain membrane, a fractured right eye socket, and permanent blindness. Saiymat Tongrot organization plans to personally take Suphachai to meet the police station commander to expedite the case, believing CCTV footage from the hotel area exists. They are calling for authorities to quickly prosecute the foreign suspects responsible for destroying a Thai citizen's life over a mere 50-baht dispute.

Thanakorn Vegetable Oil Products Company, a key business of the Poolphol group, is advancing its corporate social responsibility and sustainable development commitments by partnering with SCG Packaging Public Company Limited (SCGP) to launch the "Green Library: From Boxes to Books" project under the concept "Poolphol Shares Paper, Creating a Learning World." The initiative promotes paper sorting and recycling through a 100% closed-loop recycling process, transforming used paper into eco-friendly furniture including tables, chairs, bookshelves, and library equipment. The six-month project targets collecting 60,000 kilograms of used paper per library, with plans to deliver two green libraries—at Wat Sri Kongkaram School and Wat Khlong Morn School—by 2025.

The project is built on circular economy principles, elevating used paper from waste to a resource that creates new value for society. Through SCGP's recycling innovation, paper can be efficiently reused, reducing waste volume, conserving new resources, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions—supporting the low-carbon society and Net Zero goals.

Petch Wanglee, Managing Director of Thanakorn Vegetable Oil Products Company, stated: "We believe sustainability requires participation from everyone. The Green Library project represents our commitment to linking collaboration between group companies, employees, and the public to transform used paper into new value for society, creating learning spaces for youth. We hope this project will not only reduce environmental impact but inspire people to recognize the value of resourceful consumption and build a better future for communities and young people."

Peerpong Thepwarin, Recycling Solutions Manager and Acting Recycling Materials Management Director at SCGP, said: "SCGP aims to leverage recycling expertise and innovation to elevate used paper into new value through circular economy principles, transforming it into strong, safe, and environmentally friendly furniture for libraries and youth learning spaces. This collaboration demonstrates that innovation achieves maximum value when connected with multi-sector cooperation, extending resource benefits to the environment, education, and communities long-term."

Thanakorn Vegetable Oil Products Company will coordinate with group companies, employees, and stakeholders to collect used paper for SCGP's recycling process, while expanding public participation through installation of recycling collection boxes in leading economic zones and shopping centers, including Future Park Rangsit and Sathhorn Complex, to promote waste separation at the source and encourage resource conservation.

A four-year-old female stray dog named Mae Khao has become a beloved figure in Nakhon Nayok City, sleeping outside a convenience store at the municipal fresh market on Chaiyaphan Road. Nearly everyone in the neighborhood knows her. Mae Khao previously made headlines for regularly accompanying police trainees to their dormitory. Her daily routine includes playing with street vendors along the footpath in the morning, resting at the convenience store in the afternoon, and sheltering inside during storms. Local residents bring her food and fresh milk each evening. However, on days when her meal arrives late and she gets hungry, Mae Khao has developed a clever solution: she picks up discarded receipts and paper scraps left by customers at the store and trades them with nearby residents in exchange for food. Residents who visit the store find Mae Khao sleeping at the entrance and regularly stop to take photos and play with her.

Mukdahan Provincial Police held a progress meeting on the case of an 11-year-old boy whose vehicle struck a group of monks on an alms walk, resulting in 10 deaths and numerous injuries. Deputy Commander Ammnat Hanchana reported that investigators have interviewed 28 witnesses, including eyewitnesses and people in the vicinity, while collecting evidence from security cameras, forensic analysis, and witness statements.

The investigation is divided into two main tracks: charges against the child driver and charges against his parents. The boy remains unable to participate in formal questioning because he is undergoing treatment at Phra Sai Maha Bodhi Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani Province, pending medical and professional team assessments of his psychological readiness for police interrogation.

Investigators are gathering evidence to determine if the parents violated the Child Protection Act through negligence, or face other charges. Key questions include how the child accessed the vehicle, who taught him to drive, and whether anyone allowed him access to the car and keys.

A major obstacle in the investigation is the inability to interview the child, as both he and his mother remain severely affected by the incident. So far, investigators have only been able to interview the child's grandparents. All information must be corroborated with other evidence before conclusions can be drawn about liability.

Bangkok, 6 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reminds foreign visitors travelling to Thailand to keep evidence of sufficient funds ready for entry screening. This visitor information is a travel-preparation reminder and does not introduce a new measure.

The proof-of-funds requirement has been part of Thai immigration rules since 1980 under the Ministry of Interior announcement, with the current amounts updated under a later announcement in 2000. The requirement is also reflected in current guidance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General. Immigration Bureau officers apply the requirement when assessing eligibility for entry.

Depending on their entry category, visitors may be asked to show funds in Thai Baht, an equivalent amount in another currency, or documents evidencing payment of an equivalent amount. Visitors should keep these documents readily accessible and follow instructions from Immigration Bureau officers during entry screening.

The amounts visitors may be asked to show are:

• Transit Visa and certain visa-exempt cases under immigration regulations: 10,000 Baht per person or 20,000 Baht per family.• Visa on Arrival: 10,000 Baht per person, or 20,000 Baht per family.• Tourist Visa: 20,000 Baht per person, or 40,000 Baht per family.• Non-Immigrant Visa: 20,000 Baht per person or 40,000 Baht per family.

This requirement does not apply to children under 12.

Travellers using the Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme should check the latest guidance for their nationality and place of departure, as some official guidance states 20,000 Baht per person or 40,000 Baht per family. Other entry requirements remain unchanged, including valid travel documents, visa or visa-exemption eligibility, permitted length of stay, accommodation details, and evidence of onward travel where required.

The final decision on entry into Thailand rests with Immigration Bureau officers at the entry checkpoint. Each assessment is made in accordance with applicable immigration laws and regulations.

For the latest requirements, travellers should check with the Immigration Bureau, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General responsible for their place of application or departure.

Travellers may also contact the Immigration Bureau through the following channels:

• Website: https://www.immigration.go.th/• Call Centre: 1178, with English-language service available The post Thailand entry reminder on proof of funds for foreign visitors appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

On July 6, Dr. Fiew posted a warning on Facebook about a patient who suffered a near-fatal condition from what seemed like a simple twisted ankle. The doctor was called in the middle of the night to examine a woman in her late twenties with normal vital signs, blood pressure, and oxygen levels who complained of heart palpitations and fatigue over two days. After initial examination revealed no obvious abnormalities, an EKG showed a slightly elevated heart rate at 100 beats per minute. However, emergency room doctors are trained to consider the most dangerous conditions first, as missing a critical diagnosis can be fatal.

While reviewing the EKG, the doctor noticed subtle details that raised suspicion this wasn't ordinary heart palpitations. When asked about immobility, the patient revealed she had fallen down the stairs a month earlier, spraining her ankle without fracture, and had barely walked since—mostly just getting up to use the bathroom. This detail connected the pieces. Additional blood tests showed abnormally high levels suggesting blood clots, prompting a CT scan of the lungs. The results confirmed acute pulmonary embolism.

The danger wasn't the ankle sprain itself, but prolonged immobility. When legs don't move much, blood flow slows, creating conditions for clots to form in leg veins. When a clot breaks free, it travels through the bloodstream and lodges in the lungs, blocking blood flow. The heart then works harder to pump blood through the obstruction. If the clot is large enough, the heart cannot handle the strain, blood pressure drops, consciousness fades, and cardiac arrest can occur within minutes.

The most frightening aspect of this condition is that many patients appear only mildly ill—some just tired, some with heart palpitations, some with shortness of breath. This patient walked into the emergency room on her own, spoke normally, and had normal oxygen levels. Had the doctor dismissed her as merely stressed or with normal tachycardia, she would have gone home with a life-threatening condition.

At-risk groups include: bedridden or nearly immobile patients, those on long flights or car rides, recent major surgery or fracture patients, pregnant women or recent mothers, oral contraceptive users (especially smokers), cancer patients, those with previous blood clots, and those with clotting disorders. Warning signs not to ignore include sudden fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath.