Gold prices jumped 1,550 baht to track global markets as the US dollar weakened following disappointing non-farm employment data, while US-Iran negotiations progressed positively. On July 3, the Gold Traders Association raised 96.5% gold prices by 1,550 baht compared to the previous close, with bullion bars fetching 65,650 baht and ornamental gold at 66,450 baht per baht-weight. Global gold spot prices reached 4,183 US dollars per ounce at 33.16 baht per US dollar.

Huang Sheng Heng Gold Shop noted that global gold adjusted upward as the dollar index (DXY) dropped below 101 points following disappointing US non-farm employment figures showing only 57,000 new positions, far below economist forecasts of 114,000 and prior month's 129,000. CME FedWatch Tool raised expectations from 36.8% to 46.8% that the Federal Reserve may hold rates steady at the September 2026 FOMC meeting rather than raising them. Meanwhile, Qatar and Pakistan mediators completed discussions with Iranian and US negotiating teams in Doha on Wednesday, with both sides showing positive progress on a memorandum of understanding.

The unemployment rate came in at 4.2%, better than the forecasted and previous 4.3%, while SPDR gold fund sold 3.99 tonnes. Gold market analysis from overnight shows global gold prices continuing to rise, but one-hour charts show overbought conditions, suggesting a pullback may occur after testing 4,200 dollar resistance, with support at 4,120 dollars. If gold breaks below 4,100 dollars, further downside correction is likely.

Police Locate Delivery Driver in Drug Smuggling Case

On July 3, 2025, it was reported that Ms. Mina (surname withheld), an airline employee accused of international drug trafficking, was arrested by Australian police.

In a significant development, police have now located the blue-hooded delivery rider suspected of delivering packages to Ms. Mina, an airline flight attendant, on June 22 in Ayutthaya Province. The suspect is currently being brought in for interrogation with police to further the investigation.

Deputy Commander of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, Pol. Lt. Gen. Theeradej Tharmasutir, disclosed the latest progress: Bangkok Metropolitan Police are now detaining a mysterious man who drove a vehicle for someone carrying a package box left beneath Ms. Mina's condominium in the Bang Na area during midday on June 22. Police brought him from Ayutthaya Province for questioning at the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Headquarters.

Initially, the man denied involvement but acknowledged driving to Ms. Mina's condominium. Further details remain under investigation.

Actors Jimmy Jitrapol and Sea Twinanth attended "The World in One Bite 2026: Eat with Smile" food festival at the sixth floor of Openhouse at CentralWorld, updating fans on their recent work including new shows and special appearances. Regarding their couple series "Please Stay Under Gun Protection," which fans eagerly await, the pair responded only with silence.

The two were visibly delighted after their son's mascot "Avocado" gained significant popularity with grandmothers and older fans. Jimmy lavished praise on the child, saying he was intelligent and quick-witted enough to appear at events in his father's place, and emphasized that he views all GMMTV's young talent as artists in their own right.

When asked about current projects, Jimmy promoted the new variety show "Stay Awake," calling the production team's content "divine," while Sea discussed his role in "Ticket to Haven," particularly episode five which marks a turning point for his character. He expressed enthusiasm for the variety of challenging characters available to him and his appreciation for working again with director Off Nopnart.

When pressed about their couple series, Sea hinted it was coming soon but offered no specifics, while Jimmy humorously responded only with "silence," saying silence itself has meaning.

Jimmy also discussed appearing at events with his young son, praising the child's exceptional wit and quick thinking. When Sea mentioned the boy recently taught about vitamin C properties during a live stream, he admitted being startled by the child's thorough knowledge. Jimmy confirmed he briefs his son before and after appearances, noting the experience has given him more opportunities to interact with him behind the scenes.

On July 3, 2569, at the Pak Panang Lower Basin Shrimp Cooperative in Nakhon Si Thammarat, shrimp farmers from the Thai Shrimp Farmers Network Association, led by chairman Kratchit Maerak, submitted a letter to MPs Phitthak Detchdetcho (Nakhon Si Thammarat) and Juri Numkaew (Songkhla), deputy leader of the Democratic Party. They urged the government to urgently resolve shrimp farming issues within 10 days, warning they are prepared to escalate demands if no progress is made.

Kratchit stated that shrimp farmers have been neglected by the state and face a severe crisis as shrimp prices at farm gates and collection points have fallen below production costs. This contrasts sharply with continuously rising energy costs, feed prices, and other production expenses. Furthermore, the establishment of a Shrimp Board to manage the marine shrimp production supply chain remains stalled, leaving farmers without mechanisms to voice concerns and participate in concrete solutions.

The association submitted six urgent demands: (1) Establish a functioning Shrimp Board with government, private sector, cooperatives, and farmer representatives to address industry problems; (2) Implement emergency price stabilization measures to prevent farm-gate prices from falling below production costs, with the Commerce Ministry promoting domestic shrimp consumption and the Health and Education Ministries incorporating shrimp into school lunch and hospital meal programs at least once weekly; (3) Make shrimp farming a national priority with 11 measures; (4) Control production factors like energy, feed, and aquatic medicine; (5) Urgently support solar energy installations on shrimp farms; (6) Prevent shrimp imports during price downturns.

Farmers have given the government 10 days to respond. If no concrete progress is made, nationwide shrimp farmers will unite for maximum-level escalated action. Following the letter submission, Phitthak and Juri burned incense symbolically, with Juri stating the gesture urges the agriculture ministry to quickly establish the Shrimp Board so citizens can represent farmers' interests.

On July 3, 2025, senior police officials announced the results of 'Operation Tiger Head Hunt' at the Central Investigation Police Command, which dismantled the Tiger online gambling network and seized over 46 million baht in assets.

Investigators from the Central Investigation Police Command's Unit 3 examined the 'boonmee' website and related gambling platforms operating under the Tiger network, which illicitly offered online casino, slots, arcade boxing, and foreign football betting. Through financial tracking, authorities discovered the network deliberately obscured the source of gambling proceeds by transferring funds through multiple corporate and personal accounts (shell accounts) to evade detection. Monthly transactions through the network exceeded 500 million baht, significantly higher than typical online gambling sites.

While tracing banking transactions, investigators identified leads in Loei Province and discovered Ms. Romita, who admitted to being paid 1,500 baht monthly to allow the group to use her home's WiFi for financial transactions, masking users' IP addresses during bank transfers.

Deep investigation led authorities to a "safe house" in Chiang Mai that served as the commission collection account for the Tiger network and a money-holding point for the operation's beneficiaries. Police raided two target locations and arrested Mr. Tattchai, the network leader and system administrator, along with Ms. Kritnya, his girlfriend and financial manager overseeing over 40-50 gambling websites, and Ms. Romita, Kritnya's sister who controlled fund transfers.

All three suspects faced charges including operating illegal electronic gambling services, promoting gambling participation, and money laundering conspiracy. Seized assets included a McLaren and Audi vehicle, jewelry, branded bags, and cash totaling over 46 million baht, with an additional 4 million baht frozen in related bank accounts. Investigations continue to identify and seize additional assets.

Bangkok, 3 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomes Ko Samui’s first-place ranking in the Best Islands category of the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026, organised by Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau.

Ko Samui topped the Best Islands list, with Phuket sixth and Ko Chang tenth. In the Best Cities category, Bangkok ranked second and Chiang Mai tenth, giving Thailand five placements across the Asia Pacific destination categories.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “Ko Samui’s top ranking reflects the strength of Thailand’s island destinations, where quality hospitality, natural beauty, local identity, and responsible development shape the visitor experience. The recognition also affirms the appeal of Bangkok, Phuket, Ko Chang, and Chiang Mai, each offering distinctive strengths in culture, wellness, gastronomy, nature, and local connection. TAT will continue to promote quality travel that creates lasting value for visitors, communities, and destinations nationwide.”

Ko Samui’s recognition highlights its balance of international-standard resorts, sophisticated dining, beachside luxury, and enduring local character. The island offers coconut landscapes, waterfalls, jungle trails, fishing communities, and access to Ang Thong National Marine Park, positioning it as a refined island destination with a strong sense of place.

Phuket’s sixth-place island ranking reinforces its role as a major international gateway and complete island destination, combining beaches, marine tourism, culture, gastronomy, wellness, and urban lifestyle experiences. Ko Chang’s top-10 ranking supports TAT’s direction to promote destination dispersal towards nature-rich coastal destinations with strong local appeal.

Bangkok’s second-place ranking reflects the capital’s appeal as a centre of culture, dining, shopping, hospitality, creativity, and urban travel. Chiang Mai’s top-10 city ranking further highlights Thailand’s strength in culture-led, wellness-oriented, and community-connected travel.

The Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026 were based on a readers’ survey, with nominees selected by the Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia team of editors and expert contributors across the region. Voting was open worldwide from January to April 2026, with no pay-to-play participation. Category types and top-10 or top-five formats varied by country to reflect the size and strengths of each destination and industry segment.

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, Ko Mae Ko, Surat Thani, Surat Thani

Na Mueang Waterfall, Ko Samui, Surat Thani

Promthep Cape, Phuket

Tha Phae Gate, Chiang Mai

Laoya Island is located in Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park, Trat

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan, Bangkok

The post TAT welcomes Ko Samui’s top island ranking at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026 appeared first on TAT Newsroom.