Tourism

Origin Hotels Partners With Hotel101 Global For Bangkok Debut

Origin Hotels and Hotel101 Global are partnering to develop the first Hotel101-branded property in Thailand, a 4-star hotel in Don Mueang near Suvarnabhumi Airport designed to capture growing tourism demand in Southeast Asia's regional hub.

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Origin Hotels, a hospitality subsidiary of Origin Property (ORI), has announced a joint venture with Hotel101 Global, a Nasdaq-listed company (Ticker: HBNB), to develop Hotel101 Bangkok—the first Hotel101-branded hotel in Thailand. The project targets the growing tourism and travel sector in the country.

Pirapong Jaruneuk, CEO of Origin Property, stated that this partnership represents a significant step in expanding the hotel business through global partnerships. The company believes Hotel101's internationally recognized business model will strengthen Origin's recurring revenue streams and align with Thailand's long-term tourism industry growth.

The project will be developed in Don Mueang, Bangkok's key transportation hub, connecting travelers and business visitors to various regions of the country. This location positions the property to capitalize on future tourism and travel market expansion.

Pirapong noted that Origin continues restructuring its business and expanding investments through international partnerships. The collaboration with Hotel101 reflects both companies' confidence in Thailand's tourism potential, combining Origin's real estate development expertise with Hotel101's hotel management capabilities to create an internationally-standard property with sustainable growth.

Edgar Injap Sia II, founder of Hotel101 Global, called the Bangkok partnership a crucial step in the company's global expansion strategy, selecting Thailand as a key regional market. Bangkok serves as Southeast Asia's central hub for travel and commerce.

Located near Suvarnabhumi Airport on Phahonyothin Road with skytrain access, the property will offer business and traveler amenities including conference facilities, 24-hour dining, swimming pool, fitness center, business services, and parking.

Hotel101 operates as a 4-star affordable hotel brand under the "One Room, One Standard" concept, standardizing room designs for construction and management efficiency. Hotel101 Global, trading as HBNB on Nasdaq, has a market capitalization of approximately $1.2 billion as of June 30, 2025. Properties are operational in the Philippines and Spain, with developments underway in Japan, the U.S., Australia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand. The company aims to expand to over 1 million rooms globally.

ORI operates five core business divisions: condominium development, housing development, services, hotels, and others.

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National

Thailand Sets Steel Standard Hearings for July

Thailand's Industrial Products Standards Office will hold public hearings in mid-July to review a new steel rod standard amid concerns over induction furnace steel quality and alleged links to recent building collapses. The Thai Structural

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The Industrial Products Standards Office (IPSO) is preparing to open a public hearing and conduct technical review of a new steel rod standard in mid-July, amid heated debate over the production quality and safety of steel manufactured using induction furnaces (IF). This decision could significantly impact Thailand's steel industry direction and future building safety standards.

Amorn Pimanmas, president of the Thai Structural Engineers Association, revealed that the association has submitted academic data and observations to the industrial committee to ensure the public understands the issue correctly as part of drafting the new steel standard. He emphasized that the key issue is not business competition among manufacturers, but rather production quality standards and long-term public safety.

One major public concern is the alleged connection between IF steel and recent building collapses. However, the association argues there is currently no scientific evidence proving that IF steel directly caused any building failures, and that steel quality assessment should be separated from individual accident investigations to avoid public confusion.

While IF furnaces can theoretically produce quality steel, the association notes that success depends on using high-quality raw materials, with scrap metal undergoing strict selection and sufficient impurity removal systems. "The key question is not technology potential alone, but practical quality control," the statement reads, "particularly verifying scrap metal sources, which often come from multiple origins with varying quality. Without tight oversight, this can affect molten steel quality and final product properties."

Another ongoing academic debate concerns whether IF technology can match the production quality of Electric Arc Furnaces (EF), the long-established, widely-accepted system with clearer quality control and impurity removal processes.

The association believes IF manufacturers must present clear academic data, research, and technical evidence proving their technology matches EF systems in quality control and can genuinely build professional and consumer confidence.

Amorn stated that the real focus should be on steel purity and impurity levels in finished products, not furnace type, since highly pure steel directly impacts structural performance—particularly tensile strength, ductility, and elasticity. These properties are critical for withstanding natural disasters like earthquakes, where structures must flex and absorb energy without sudden failure. This is why the profession emphasizes steel quality control throughout production.

Moving forward, input from all stakeholders—steel manufacturers, academics, engineers, and industry—will shape the standard-setting process.

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Police

Eight Monks Killed After Car Hits Buddhist Procession

An 11-year-old boy stole a vehicle and struck a Buddhist monk procession in Mukdahan Province on July 2, killing eight monks and injuring thirteen others. The Supreme Patriarch has ordered merit-making ceremonies and support for the survivo

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On July 2, 2026, the Office of the Supreme Patriarch received word that a group of monks were struck by a vehicle while conducting a pilgrimage from Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phu Manrom in Mueang District, Mukdahan Province, to Namkham District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The accident resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries among the monks. Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanyana has expressed his deep compassion and issued directives to conduct merit-making ceremonies for all deceased monks, to be held under his patronage. He has granted monastic robes and sandalwood branches for funeral rites for each deceased monk. Additionally, the Supreme Patriarch has ordered that medical treatment and rehabilitation support be provided to all injured monks, with the National Office of Buddhism coordinating information from medical teams and reporting on the injured monks' condition. Blessings are to be offered to the injured monks for a swift and complete recovery so they may continue their monastic duties. An 11-year-old boy stole a vehicle and drove it into the procession, killing eight monks and injuring thirteen others. The boy's mother reported the vehicle theft to police but the alert came too late to prevent the tragedy.

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Police

Woman Loses 90,000 Baht in Handbag Scam, Receives Sour Milk

A woman lost 90,000 baht buying designer handbags through Facebook, only to receive sour milk instead, joining at least 10 other victims of an elaborate online scam. The seller used convincing videos and real Facebook credentials to build t

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A woman is seeking justice after losing over 90,000 baht on what she thought were branded handbag purchases through a Facebook buying-and-selling group—only to open the package and find sour milk instead. More than 10 other victims have reported similar scams.

On July 2 at 3 p.m., the victim, identified as Gaem, shared her story with Ksad Online. She said the ordeal began in June when she spotted a seller advertising brand-name handbags in a handbag trading group at prices around 2,900 baht—significantly cheaper than retail. The seller provided photos and video clips, convincing her to transfer payment.

The seller then pressured her to buy more bags and directed her to contact a "sister" via Line, claiming to be the bag owner. This person video-called to show numerous handbags and even displayed real products, making the scheme appear legitimate. Gaem said she had searched the seller's background on Google before purchasing and found no complaints or fraud history. The seller also sent packages with their own name, increasing her confidence. She gradually transferred money for multiple bags, totaling over 90,000 baht in losses.

However, while waiting for delivery, Gaem grew suspicious as the seller kept pushing her to buy more while the handbags hadn't arrived. When the package finally came and she opened it, she found sour milk instead of handbags, leaving her in tears over losing her investment money.

When she immediately contacted the seller with photos of the sour milk package, the seller only denied scamming her and claimed to be waiting for funds to return the money—with no apology or explanation for the mismatch. Currently, Gaem can still reach the seller, but they claim they'll return the money gradually, which she refuses. She insists on getting her full amount back and has vowed to pursue legal action, believing many other victims remain without justice.

Gaem also revealed the perpetrator uses a real Facebook account with genuine activity under their own name, deceiving many people. Some other victims are afraid to come forward, fearing they won't get their money back, as the seller has threatened not to refund anyone who publicizes the case. Previously, the seller has only returned money in small installments of just a few hundred baht to some victims.

Gaem confirms she hasn't received a single baht back and has complete evidence including video clips of her opening the package, photos, and records of conversations and money transfers. She vows to pursue the case to its fullest extent.

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Police

Officials Seize Over 5 Tons of Smuggled Pork

Authorities seized 5.3 tons of smuggled pork skin valued at 480,000 baht from a Chiang Mai cold storage facility, part of a crackdown on illegal agricultural imports that could spread disease and harm local farmers.

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The Phra Phirun Task Force conducted a strict cold storage inspection and seized suspicious pork skin without proper legal transportation documents, weighing 5.3 tons and valued at approximately 480,000 baht. Agriculture Minister Suriya Chungrungreung assigned Sarawut Neungjamnong, secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and commander of the Phra Phirun Task Force, to accelerate enforcement against all forms of illegal agricultural imports, with orders for related agencies to apply laws strictly and continuously.

The crackdown aims to block illegal movement and importation of agricultural products, especially livestock that could spread animal diseases, threaten food safety, and harm Thai livestock farmers. The Department of Livestock has been instructed to conduct serious inspections and law enforcement throughout the country.

On July 1, 2026, the Phra Phirun Task Force, including livestock rangers and Chiang Mai livestock officials, inspected a cold storage facility in Chiang Mai that stores livestock and fishery products. They found 5,347.4 kilograms of pork skin valued at approximately 481,266 baht—3,724.8 kilograms in storage for clients and 1,622.6 kilograms belonging to the company. The pork skin was suspected of lacking permits or transportation documents under the Animal Disease Control Act of 2015.

Officials seized all the pork and gave the operator and owners 15 business days to provide documentation. Failure to do so will result in strict legal action. The Chiang Mai Animal Quarantine Station filed a daily record at Mae Ping Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Sarawut stated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Department of Livestock will strictly and continuously enforce laws to prevent illegal livestock movement, build consumer confidence in food safety, and protect Thai farmers' interests. The ministry requested public cooperation in reporting violations through the DLD 4.0 application available 24/7.

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Police

Boy Dies From Rabies After Bat Contact During Sleep

An 11-year-old boy in Ontario died from rabies after a bat contacted his face during sleep in 2024, highlighting the critical importance of seeking immediate medical care for any bat exposure, even without visible bite marks.

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An alarming case published in a Canadian medical journal has highlighted the dangers of bat contact. An 11-year-old Canadian boy died from rabies after waking to discover a bat clinging to his nose and mouth.

The incident occurred in 2024 when a family was vacationing at a cottage in Ontario, Canada. The boy brushed the bat away from his face, and his father caught it in a pot and released it outside. Since the child showed no bite or scratch marks and the bat appeared normal, the family did not seek medical attention.

However, 19 days later, the boy began experiencing facial numbness and swelling. Doctors initially suspected Bell's palsy or herpes simplex infection before his condition rapidly deteriorated.

While awaiting treatment, he developed high fever, difficulty swallowing, confusion, and visual hallucinations, eventually requiring a ventilator in pediatric intensive care. Doctors at the University of Manitoba suspected rabies, with subsequent tests confirming the diagnosis.

Canada's food inspection agency identified the strain as a bat-borne rabies virus. The boy died after 17 days of treatment.

Experts note that although rabies is rare in Canada with only 28 deaths recorded since 1924, the disease is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear. Therefore, any direct bat contact—whether bitten or not—warrants immediate rabies prevention treatment, as delayed care can be fatal.

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National

Bangkok Hosts Travel & Tech Asia 2026 Conference

Major travel and tech companies gathered in Bangkok for Travel & Tech Asia 2026 to showcase hospitality innovations and build business networks across the Asia-Pacific region at a two-day conference starting July 1.

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Bangkok, Thailand | July 1, 2025 – Travel & Tech Asia 2026 officially opened at the Plenary Hall of Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), bringing together technology service providers, hotel industry leaders, and tourism organizations from across the Asia-Pacific region to create business opportunities, expand networks, and share knowledge throughout the two-day event on July 1-2, 2025.

Leading global companies including Trip.com Group, Duetto, SiteMinder, ReservePay, 2C2P, and Salesforce showcased the latest technologies and innovations shaping the future of tourism and hospitality industries, covering hotel management systems, revenue optimization tools, payment systems, customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, and online booking and distribution technologies.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Kittipong Prapattanathong, Deputy Governor for Digital Affairs, Research and Development at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), with supporting remarks from Ben Montgomery, Vice President of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), and a special address by Duangdej Yawwayomdee, Chief Executive Officer of VNU Asia Pacific Ltd.

Travel & Tech Asia 2026 serves as an important platform for all industry stakeholders to explore new approaches, build collaboration, and share common vision to drive the tourism industry forward. Throughout the event, participants will engage with conference programs covering critical issues affecting the region's tourism and hospitality sectors, including an Industry Leader Panel featuring representatives from PATA, Asset World Corp (AWC), and Trip.com Group, moderated by the Big Data Institute (BDI).

The event received support from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Thai Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA), International Conference Association Thailand (TICA), Sustainable Special Area Development Organization (DASTA), National Innovation Agency (NIA), Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), Big Data Institute (BDI), Sripatum University College of Aviation, Tourism and Hospitality Services (SPU CATH), Metaverse Association Thailand (MVAT), European Association of Commerce and Business (EABC), Netherlands-Thai Chamber of Commerce (NTCC), and Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce (TICC).

This year's event marks an important milestone with the establishment of an Honorary Advisory Board comprising senior executives from TAT, ATTA, Asset World Corp (AWC), and Trip.com Group to guide the strategic direction and future growth of the event, supporting efforts to establish Travel & Tech Asia as Asia's leading platform for tourism technology and innovation.

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Community

Po Teck Tung Foundation Distributes Equipment to Poor Families in Phang Nga

Po Teck Tung Foundation distributed occupational equipment worth 792,955 baht to 32 poor families in Phang Nga province, plus bicycles and free health services in its phase-four poverty-reduction initiative expanding across 14 southern prov

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On July 2, 2025, the Po Teck Tung Foundation, led by Surapong Techaruwijit, vice chairman and secretary-general, organized a ceremony to distribute occupational equipment to 32 poor households in Phang Nga province, valued at 792,955 baht. The foundation also donated 20 bicycles to two schools worth 25,800 baht, bringing the total assistance to 818,755 baht. The foundation's leadership team, including board members Surapong Seratpakdi, Nathaprom Jatusreepidak, Siriporn Krajangla, and Naorawat Wannsiri, oversaw the distribution alongside education and occupational promotion staff and community health units.

In addition to equipment distribution, the foundation deployed a mobile medical unit staffed by volunteer doctors, medical personnel, rescue teams, and volunteers to provide free general health examinations, eyeglasses, haircuts, and dental services. Entertainment activities for children and youth were also organized. Phang Nga Governor Pairat Petchyuwan chaired the ceremony, with Department of Community Development Director-General Sayam Sirimongkol as co-chair. Celebrity volunteers Sanya Wongphornnarayan (Kaeng) and Sodsai Rojnawich (Sodsai Rung Podhthong) also participated at the Nopbaring Subdistrict Administrative Organization meeting hall in Muang district, Phang Nga.

Vice Chairman Surapong Techaruwijit explained that this integrated poverty-reduction project represents phase four of the foundation's nationwide initiative. Previous phases covered 870 impoverished households across central, northern, and northeastern Thailand with equipment valued over 17 million baht. The foundation is now expanding to 14 southern provinces including Chumphon, Surat Thani, Ranong, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phang Nga, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Trang, Satun, Krabi, Phuket, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Over its 116-year history, the Po Teck Tung Foundation has committed to its mission of "saving lives, preserving lives, and creating lives" by providing comprehensive charitable assistance regardless of ethnicity or religion.

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National

Lawmaker Pushes Joint Panel To Fix Bankruptcy Law

A Pheu Thai lawmaker proposes a joint parliamentary committee to fix problematic Senate amendments to Thailand's new bankruptcy law, warning that requirements for "steady income" and civil servant resignations could make the legislation ine

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On July 2, 2025, Pol. Gen. Tawee Sodsong, former Justice Minister and Pheu Thai party leader, addressed parliament to propose establishing a joint parliamentary committee between the House of Representatives and Senate to review and amend the Bankruptcy Bill. He expressed concern that without careful deliberation, the law could become ineffective and unable to serve its intended purpose.

Tawee highlighted that this legislation represents a historic foundation for addressing Thailand's systemic debt problems, having undergone 23 detailed committee reviews in the House. The law's key benefit is enabling ordinary individuals with debts between 100,000 and 50 million baht, as well as SMEs, to enter debt rehabilitation processes and receive automatic payment suspension—allowing citizens to overcome debt independently without burdening the state budget.

However, Tawee raised concerns about two critical Senate amendments that could create major practical obstacles:

1. "Steady income" requirement: The Senate added a requirement that debtors must have stable income, which Tawee argues lacks clear definition and would exclude seasonal agricultural workers and low-income earners with irregular income. He warned this could make the law subject to inconsistent interpretation and repeat the failure of the 2016 SME law that proved unworkable.

2. Civil servant penalties: The Senate maintains that civil servants who fail debt rehabilitation must resign. Tawee countered that this contradicts the law's intent and multiple Cabinet resolutions stating that debt is a universal problem unrelated to wrongdoing and should not result in job loss.

"We need a balanced law serving both creditors and debtors," Tawee said. "To ensure careful consideration and prevent the law's essence from being distorted, I propose we establish a joint committee to address these issues and truly benefit the public."

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Police

Former Phuket Governor Charged With Abuse Of Power

Former Phuket Governor Jamlearn Tiphapongthada faces criminal charges for issuing a hotel license in 2016 without required environmental approval, violating multiple laws and regulations.

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On July 2, 2025, Surpong Intaracharoen, Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), announced that the NACC board has determined that former Phuket Governor Jamlearn Tiphapongthada committed criminal and disciplinary violations. The charges stem from his issuance of hotel business license No. 144/2559 on September 27, 2016, to a company without proper legal authorization.

According to investigation findings, the company submitted a hotel business application to Kathu District on September 3, 2014, for a project located within 50 meters of Phuket's coastline with slopes between 35-50 percent. These conditions required an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), but the company failed to submit one despite receiving three requests from the district office. The company only submitted a change of building use form without the mandatory EIA.

On September 27, 2016, before transferring to Nakhon Si Thammarat, Jamlearn rushed subordinates to present pending cases for his review. Though staff notes clearly documented the missing EIA approval, Jamlearn signed and issued the hotel license anyway, violating the Hotel Business Act B.E. 2547 and relevant environmental protection regulations for Phuket Province.

The NACC board determined that Jamlearn's actions constitute criminal violations under the Penal Code Section 157 and the Anti-Corruption Act, as well as serious disciplinary violations. The commission forwarded the case to the Attorney General for criminal prosecution and to his superior for disciplinary proceedings.

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Police

Local Government Exam Fraud: Five Officials Disciplined

Five Department of Local Administration officials face disciplinary action after an investigation uncovered widespread score alterations in a local government exam, with nearly 61 percent of sampled answer sheets showing mismatches between

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On July 2, 2026, at Government House, Santhithorn Yimlamnai, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and chair of the fact-finding committee investigating the local government exam fraud, announced the committee's findings. Following orders from the Prime Minister, the committee conducted a comprehensive investigation including witness testimonies and interviews with nearly 15 involved parties, as well as consultation with IT specialists.

During examination of answer sheets from 10 test centers, the committee discovered that the contractor failed to promptly submit digital images of answer sheet files upon completion of answer evaluation. Random inspections of flash drives stored at the Department of Local Administration containing all photographed answer sheets and score announcements revealed significant discrepancies: of 79 sampled cases, 48 showed mismatches between scores on answer sheet copies and the scoring evaluation files. Score alterations were found in both Section A and Section B, with Section A scores exceeding 60 percent and Section B reaching as high as 90 percent.

Additionally, the contractor failed to provide processed exam data on flash drives for Sections A and B to the Central Examination Committee for Local Government Employees (CGCLE), the legally designated overseer of this exam. Evidence from digital forensics experts indicated that even after the CGCLE reviewed Section C results, unauthorized data modifications occurred before the results were officially published in the information system.

"Those involved include Department of Local Administration personnel, the contractor, and external private entities, as well as individuals yet to be identified. We will pursue disciplinary action against five Department of Local Administration officials with sufficient grounds to be charged with misconduct," the Deputy Permanent Secretary stated.

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