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.

During the House of Representatives' first reading on the 2570 fiscal year budget bill on June 29, 2569 at Parliament, Phrawat Parisunanantakul, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and head of the Budget Bureau, addressed critics who claimed the budget was patched together haphazardly. He acknowledged the government's budget constraints are genuine, noting this is the administration's first year managing a complete national budget. After consulting with Deputy Prime Minister Akanithi Nitithanprapaphat and the Finance Minister, they identified the same problems lawmakers raised: if the current budget structure persists for another 2-3 years, the country cannot survive. The 3.788 trillion baht budget comprises 3 trillion baht in government revenue dedicated to recurring expenses and debt servicing from previous years, with the remaining 788 billion baht coming from borrowing. Phrawat stated the government chose structural reform over simply going deeper into debt to fund promised projects. He expressed approval that opposition lawmakers from the Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai, and Palang Pracharath parties shared the same vision for budget restructuring. He stressed that the time has come for all stakeholders—not just the government but also the opposition, private sector, and civil service—to recognize and address the structural problems preventing the country from delivering adequate welfare increases for the elderly, children, and disabled persons. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister set clear cost-control policies, including eliminating unnecessary overseas trips. Regarding reduced investment budgets, Phawat clarified this does not mean cutting national investment but shifting funding sources from government revenues to allow relevant ministries like Transportation to finance their own projects.

BANGKOK — The Defence Ministry has set aside 1.455 billion baht for a 'volunteer soldier' programme under the 2027 budget proposal, with plans to recruit 25,000 personnel through an online application system, officials said.

The budget proposal is scheduled for deliberation in the House of Representatives between 29 June and 1 July, 2026.

According to the ministry, the funding will support the 'Volunteer Soldier (10 Plus)' scheme, in line with government policy and previously announced defence manpower plans.

The 25,000 positions are allocated across the armed forces as follows: the Royal Thai Army with 18,784 posts, the Royal Thai Navy 3,496, the Royal Thai Air Force 2,174, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters 300, and the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence 246.

The budget falls under the ministry's public sector personnel expenditure plan.

A Defence Council meeting on June 25 approved a draft ministerial regulation outlining service duration, salary, benefits, rules and disciplinary measures for temporary military personnel, which is intended to support the implementation of the programme.

Under the plan, recruitment will be conducted online, targeting 25,000 volunteers per year between September 2026 and January 2027. Responsibilities have been assigned to relevant agencies, with preparations underway to meet the timeline.

The ministry is also scheduled to hold talks with the Comptroller General's Department on July 6, 2026, to finalise budget arrangements and ensure the scheme can proceed as planned.