On June 29 at the Naga Landmark shrine along the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province, 49-year-old Bangkok businesswoman Ms. Thanphat Somngam, accompanied by her husband Col. Thongchai Saman and their entourage, organized a gratitude ceremony to the Naga King deity. After receiving the blessing that led to her business success and accumulated wealth of 10 million baht, she fulfilled her vow by bringing country singer Tai Orrathai to perform a mini-concert. More than 1,000 fans of the singer attended the packed event.

Before the performance, Ms. Thanphat set up an elaborate offering table with sacred items including the Phra Sri Sattanakharaj Naga statue, seven-colored sacred water, seven types of fruits, boiled eggs, garlands, and rice mixed with flowers. A renowned Brahmin priest conducted the blessing ritual for the deities and spirits. The 50-member host party then scattered rice and flowers on the offering table as auspicious ritual, after which dancers performed. Singer Tai Orrathai posed for photos with the hosts and their fans before beginning her mini-concert performance.

During the Brahmin priest's ritual, incense ash mysteriously revealed three digits—389 or 983—causing excitement among attendees. Lottery enthusiasts immediately photographed the numbers to purchase tickets for combinations 89, 98, 39, 93, 38, and 83 in hopes of winning in the upcoming lottery draw. The grand Naga King gratitude festival will continue from July 7-13. Ms. Thanphat revealed she is originally from Lopburi province but conducts business in Bangkok. She visited the Naga shrine years ago requesting blessings for her trade, and was amazed by her rapid success within the first four months. Grateful for her good fortune of 10 million baht, she organized this thank-you event with 15 dining tables for guests and her husband's friends, attended by approximately 1,000 people.

A court has issued an arrest warrant for Ananda Asvabhokhin, a prominent real estate developer, in a money laundering case connected to Dhammakaya Temple since March 2025. Medical doctors have argued he is critically ill with a risk of death if removed from a sterile hospital environment. On June 29, 2025, the Supreme Prosecutor ordered charges to be filed against Asvabhokhin for conspiracy and money laundering offenses under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1999 (sections 5, 9, 60) and the 2015 amendment (section 10). The charges stem from an investigation by the Special Cases Investigation Division related to embezzlement at Khlong Jarn Credit Union Cooperative. Lawyer Khetsmark Kanbai, representing victims in the money laundering case, submitted a petition to the Special Prosecutor's Office to accelerate legal proceedings against those involved in the money laundering case with Dhammakaya Temple and Venerable Thammacho (Luang Pu Dhammachayo) and associates.

According to reports from the Special Cases Investigation Division, prosecutors requested the arrest warrant in March 2025 because Asvabhokhin failed to appear for prosecution. The court approved the warrant on March 18. It is believed Asvabhokhin is currently outside Thailand, and investigators are actively pursuing his whereabouts.

Previously, the Special Prosecutor's Office Unit 4 had scheduled Asvabhokhin to appear on April 2, 2567 (2024) for prosecution filing. However, he failed to appear, requesting postponement citing illness and providing medical documentation. The hearing was rescheduled to May 24 and again to June 24 for the same health reasons.

Upon investigation, the Special Cases Investigation Division questioned the treating physician about Asvabhokhin's condition. Medical findings revealed he has end-stage kidney failure, had kidney transplant surgery in Australia, but the transplanted kidney failed completely (kidney rejection). As a result, he requires dialysis once weekly for life until a second kidney transplant can be performed. Currently, transplant is not possible due to serious complications including acute heart failure, brain hemorrhage, and immune deficiency. Medical authorities stated moving him from the sterile hospital environment could cause infection and death, and he requires specialized medical care with modern equipment. He remains a critically ill patient at constant risk of death if moved from his current care setting.

Internet users are widely circulating screenshots of a chat conversation with a mysterious woman inquiring about transporting items from Thailand to Australia, following the arrest of a Thai airline employee in Australia for drug smuggling. Australian Federal Police arrested the airline worker after discovering 1 kilogram of heroin valued at over 500,000 Australian dollars hidden in luggage entering the country. The individual remains in custody in Australia.

On June 29, the Facebook page "Darkside Airlines" posted the chat screenshots showing a conversation about transporting luggage to Australia. The person asking, using the name "Paeng," inquired whether the other party would accept the job. The chat included a description of a small elephant-patterned bag similar to the one confiscated with the heroin, though without the word "THAILAND" printed on top, along with questions about travel dates. The conversation was only partially disclosed, and it remains unclear whether the other party agreed to take the job.

The post prompted numerous comments from users, with many reporting they had also been contacted by someone using the name "Paeng" asking about smuggling items to Australia.

Manchester City have officially announced Enzo Maresca as their new manager to succeed Pep Guardiola, signing him on a three-year contract. The 46-year-old Italian described the opportunity as a dream scenario, praising Manchester City's remarkable management structure, innovation, planning, and clear objectives. Although Maresca's Chelsea contract extends until 2029, Manchester City must pay approximately €20 million in compensation to release him from his current obligations. Maresca confirmed in late December 2025 that he personally decided to leave Chelsea, a decision that paved the way for his move to Manchester City, a club he knows well. Chelsea released a statement confirming an agreement regarding compensation that Maresca must pay to the club, describing his departure as a decision to cease his responsibilities. Maresca expressed excitement about joining Manchester City and gratitude to the club's ownership and supporters for the opportunity.

At Wimbledon 2026 in England on June 29, 2026, world No. 164 Mananchanok Sawankaew defeated 21st-ranked Maya Chwalinska in a thrilling upset to advance to the second round of the main draw. Two Thai female tennis players earned the right to compete in the women's singles category at the tournament. In her match against Poland's Chwalinska—a 20th seed and runner-up at the 2026 French Open—Sawankaew found herself down after losing the first set. However, in the second set, Chwalinska slipped and sustained an injury while leading. Despite attempting to continue, the injured Chwalinska was unable to match Sawankaew's level. Sawankaew completed the comeback victory 2-1 in sets (2-6, 7-5, 6-2) to secure her spot in the second round. She became the third Thai female tennis player to win in a major Grand Slam main draw round following Mariam Thansukanya and Luksika Kumkhum.

Siam Piwat has announced a strategic partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world's largest humanitarian organization, to advance food security and sustainable development across Asia and the Pacific. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing global challenges including conflict, disaster, and climate change that impact food security and the quality of life for millions of people.

Siam Piwat will leverage its global platform capabilities, partner networks, and worldwide customer base to support WFP's humanitarian crisis relief mission and strengthen food security. This aligns with the company's vision of creating shared value through business growth coupled with sustainable social development, emphasizing the power of collaboration between the private sector and international organizations to create lasting positive impact for people, communities, and the world.

Under this strategic partnership, Siam Piwat and WFP are launching 'The Next Bucket: Save Lives & Change Lives,' with the first phase running from June to December 2025, targeting the delivery of 100,000 meals. The initiative will mobilize customers, partners, and all sectors to support special menu offerings and donations across Siam Piwat's global destinations, working together to create opportunities, build food security, and improve quality of life for sustainable growth.

Samir Wanmali, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations World Food Programme, Bangkok office, noted that over 65 million people across Asia and the Pacific are currently facing severe food insecurity due to conflict, climate disasters, economic pressure, and displacement. He emphasized that addressing these challenges requires collaboration from all sectors, and the partnership with Siam Piwat demonstrates how businesses, communities, and citizens can unite to create meaningful change and build a more sustainable food-secure future across the region.

Dr. Virote Santipraparp, Vice Chairman of Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., and Chairman of the WFP Governance Committee, stated that Thais often overlook food security because Thailand produces surplus food and society is generous in caring for one another. However, globally, food shortages are occurring in many regions and intensifying due to war, conflict, economic crisis, and climate change. He emphasized that this partnership not only raises awareness about the global food crisis but also provides an opportunity for people to contribute meals to the hungry, which is crucial because a world filled with hunger cannot achieve peace and sustainability.