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Community

Sek Loso Returns With Rebirth Concert

Thai rock legend Sek Loso made his long-awaited return at "Rebirth" concert in Bangkok, performing hits spanning his career with special guest appearances from his son and fellow musician Om Cocktail.

1h ago Khaosod

Rocker Sek Loso made his long-awaited return to perform at "SEK LOSO Rebirth" concert at MCC Hall The Mall Lifestore Bangkapi, organized by leading concert promoter CI Showbiz. The packed venue featured an innovative center-stage setup that gave fans an intimate experience while delivering rock sound from every angle. Multiple generations of fans crowded the hall, with lengthy queues at official merchandise booths even before doors opened.

When the lights dimmed and the intro to his signature hit "Rao Lae Nai" (Us and You) played, the crowd erupted in cheers as Sek Loso walked down to greet and shake hands with waiting fans. The concert kicked off with "Phucha Cha" (The Winner) and continued through fan favorites including "Chan Rue Ther" (Me or You), "Om Phra Ma Pud," and "Roi Yim Nak Sud" (Warrior's Smile). The energy intensified with emotionally charged tracks like "Sahat" and upbeat numbers such as "Motorsai Rab Chang" (Motorcycle Taxi for Hire) and "Tao Yang Thai" (Thai Pride).

The concert featured special guest appearances, beginning with a touching father-and-son moment as Skat Sukphimai (Tiger), Sek Loso's son, joined him for "Maew Wa" (Even Though) alongside Gunner. Teddy performed on "Pan Pueng," while the setlist expanded into deeper musical territory with tracks like "5 Nathee" (5 Minutes), "Confused," and the rock anthem "I Wanna Love You."

The night's biggest surprise came when Om Panchapon (Om Cocktail), a musician who had stepped away from performing, took the stage as a guest to duet "Keun Janthara" (Moonlit Night) with Sek Loso. Om humorously explained his return, joking that since he wasn't being paid, it didn't count as a profession, drawing applause from the crowd. The emotional collaboration highlighted the friendship and mutual respect between the two artists.

Sek Loso then transported fans back in time with "14 Ik Krung" (14 Once More), before the concert's finale delivered a relentless barrage of chart-toppers including "Somsan," "Jakrayarn See Daeng" (Red Bicycle), and "Ther Chop Nai." He even revisited legendary songs with his own rock style, performing "Waniphok" and "Raja Ngen Phon" (The Credit King), leaving audiences dancing until the very end as the Y2K era anthem "Phothi" (Promise) wrapped up the night.

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Community

Visiting Highland Karen Elders in Doi Tao Village

The Karen Poi Plong people of Lai Kaew village in Chiang Mai's highlands have maintained their traditional ways for generations despite modernization bringing roads, motorcycles, and cash economies to their once-isolated community. Village

1h ago Khaosod

Leaving the congested streets of Chiang Mai, winding gray roads lead to Lai Kaew village in Doi Tao District, Chiang Mai Province. Towering mountains evoke memories of highland ethnic communities who once lived self-sufficiently through rice farming and natural resources in traditional ways. Stories tell of self-reliant settlements supporting people displaced from their original settlements. As communities relocated to reservoir edges, they found others already living there. Various ethnic groups historically inhabited the forest border between Tak and Chiang Mai provinces. The Karen Poi Plong people of Lai Kaew claim they never migrated from elsewhere but have lived here for generations. Yet they witnessed other communities flee unexpected flooding sixty years ago—something unimaginable at the time. Vivid memories from those who lived through it survive among elders aged 70-80. Today, improved roads, motorcycles, cars, and vans have reached the community, transforming traditional self-reliant economics into cash-dependent systems. The highlands are no longer isolated from the outside world. Residents adapting across generations now seek opportunities, capital, education, and personal development in the modern era. Entering Lai Kaew village feels dreamlike—a blend of traditional Karen Poi Plong heritage from sixty years ago mixed with efforts to adapt to contemporary life. The village is quiet, with occasional motorcycle engines cutting through the wind. Under elevated wooden houses, wooden cradles sway while elderly residents sit chewing betel nut and gossip about whose motorcycle just passed. A transistor radio hums from another house. Women aged 70-80 astound visitors wearing traditional Karen Poi Plong dress—zigzag patterned graphic shirts and intricately patterned indigo skirts in beautiful colors, adorned with dozens of bracelets covering both arms, shoulder bracelets, silver and brass bracelets with dangling charms like those popular among young city women. Some grandmothers wear tattoos of flowers and geometric patterns on their arms and calves, looking remarkably stylish. "Long ago, tattoo artists rarely visited the village," explains 86-year-old Pud Hongkuo while spinning cotton thread into tennis-ball-sized balls for the next weaving stage. "Men would get full-body tattoos, with their legs completely tattooed black like wearing shorts—that was considered cool. After the men finished, women would ask for tattoos too. Usually the artist would do it free since he'd already been paid by the men. It wasn't cheap." Pud isn't fully retired yet, still helping with fabric weaving and making cotton balls despite her eyesight declining. "These days I don't weave anymore, my eyes aren't good enough."

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Police

15 Buddhist Monks Survive Pickup Truck Crash

An 11-year-old boy driving a stolen pickup truck struck a Buddhist monk procession in Mukdahan Province, killing eight monks and leaving 15 others injured, with four in critical condition.

1h ago Khaosod

Fifteen Buddhist monks survived a horrific collision with a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy, though many remain in shock. Four monks are in critical condition, ten are moderately injured, two have ruptured spleens, and the rest suffer mostly fractures. An 11-year-old boy drove a Isuzu pickup truck that struck a procession of 34 Buddhist monks, resulting in eight deaths in Ban Na Si Nuam, Mueang District, Mukdahan Province.

As of July 2, 2569, the Mukdahan Provincial Public Health Office reported four critically injured monks, ten moderately injured, two with ruptured spleens, and the remainder suffering primarily from bone fractures.

The boy's mother subsequently met with investigators from Mueang Mukdahan Police Station. Preliminary questioning revealed that her son had stolen an Isuzu pickup truck from home—his first incident of this nature. The mother said that upon learning her son had stolen the vehicle, she immediately called police hotline 191 to intercept the truck, but it was too late. The vehicle lost control and struck the monk procession, resulting in deaths and injuries.

Wat Roi Phra Phutthabat Phumonrom in Mueang Mukdahan has posted images of 15 monks with minor injuries. The temple arranged transportation to bring the injured monks to the temple to rest, coordinating documentation of the deceased with community health volunteers. All affected monks are reported to be in shock and traumatized by the incident.

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National

Tottenham Signs Portuguese Star Matheus Fernandes From West Ham

Tottenham completes £85 million signing of 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder Matheus Fernandes from West Ham, with manager Roberto De Zerbi praising the young player's Premier League experience and technical ability.

1h ago Khaosod

Tottenham Hotspur has completed the signing of 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder Matheus Fernandes from West Ham United for approximately £85 million. Fernandes showed his quality in the Premier League over two seasons with Southampton and West Ham before deciding to leave the Hammers, who have been relegated to the Championship next season. Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi stated: "I have admired Matheus for a long time because he combines quality on the ball with intensity and intelligence, which are crucial to how we want to play." De Zerbi continued: "Although he is young, he already has good Premier League experience and has shown quality and consistency at this level. Matheus handles pressure well, can drive the ball forward, works hard for the team, and has the courage to make things happen in difficult situations." Fernandes expressed his excitement about the move, saying: "I am very excited about this next step. Spurs is a great club, and the manager was a key factor in my decision to join the team."

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Police

Flight Attendant May Avoid Charges If Duped Into Smuggling Heroin

Thai authorities seized over 17 kilograms of heroin destined for Australia and Taiwan in a crackdown on an international drug trafficking network, with a flight attendant potentially facing no charges if she was duped into transporting the

1h ago Khaosod

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board announced the results of drug trafficking investigations on July 2. Pol. Col. Suriya Singhakamol, Secretary of the ONCB, along with Deputy Secretary Abhikit Rojpraserit and investigator Kwanchamal Srichaiwan, revealed that the investigation targets an international drug trafficking network.

The operation began on June 30 when authorities seized 8 kilograms of heroin hidden in fabric bags at a Bangkok address in the Bankhok-Lak Si area. On July 1, two additional raids were conducted in Soi Rangnام and Ramkhamhaeng, yielding nearly 9 kilograms of heroin concealed in winter jackets and coffee packages destined for Australia. A third location yielded heroin intended for Taiwan.

Authorities have identified the network's members and coordinated with relevant agencies to apprehend individuals who transported packages from Chiang Khan in Loei Province to Bangkok. International coordination with Australian Federal Police is underway to address the Australia-bound shipments.

Regarding flight attendant Meena, Pol. Col. Suriya stated that authorities have not yet spoken with her or her legal counsel. If Australian authorities can prove she was deceived rather than acting intentionally, she may not be prosecuted. Currently, evidence is still being gathered. The investigation notes that Meena, as a crew member, frequently travels to Australia, and the timing may have coincided with the network's shipment schedule. She is classified as a "mule" who sells baggage weight capacity by posting available space online, which attracts drug trafficking networks seeking to move product.

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Police

Myanmar Driver Arrested After Hit-and-Run, 8 Million Meth Pills Found

A Myanmar driver was arrested after hitting a motorcycle and fleeing in Kamphaeng Phet; police found 8 million methamphetamine pills worth 500 million baht hidden in his pickup truck.

1h ago Khaosod

At 1:30 p.m. on July 2, traffic police from Khlong Khlung Station in Kamphaeng Phet received a report of a pickup truck running a red light and striking a motorcycle in Kamphaeng Phet city. Around 1:00 p.m., emergency services had reported that a vegetable-laden pickup truck ran a red light at Nakhon Chum intersection on Pholyothin Road, then collided with a sidecar motorcycle. The motorcyclist, Weerapong, 61, sustained serious injuries. Dashboard camera footage from the opposite vehicle captured the incident.

Police coordinated with local traffic officers to intercept the vehicle at a U-turn near Khlong Khlung Service Station, kilometer 418, Khlong Khlung subdistrict, about 45 kilometers from the collision site. The white Isuzu D-Max pickup, bearing Chiang Mai license plate, was driven by Sai Lerd, 25, a Myanmar national.

The truck was loaded with over two tons of cucumber and 40 green sacks containing methamphetamine pills. Each sack held 200,000 pills, totaling 8 million pills worth approximately 500 million baht. The driver was taken into custody for further investigation. He initially claimed he was hired to drive from northern Thailand but fled after the collision before being apprehended.

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Police

Van Crashes, Spills Paint, Covers Occupants White

A van carrying latex paint crashed on a Shanghai expressway, leaving its two occupants completely covered in white paint; both were unharmed despite the messy incident.

2h ago Khaosod

A van carrying latex paint collided with another vehicle on a Shanghai expressway, with the sudden braking causing paint containers to rupture and spray throughout the vehicle and its occupants. The two people inside were completely covered in white paint from head to toe, making them look like plaster sculptures when spotted on the roadside. Witnesses confirmed both occupants were safe, though they couldn't help but laugh at the unusual sight. Traffic police attributed the accident to inadequate following distance and reminded drivers to maintain safe spacing and properly secure liquid cargo to prevent spills that could impair visibility and increase accident risks.

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Weather

Parisians Seek Heat Relief at IKEA

Thousands of Parisians have taken refuge inside an IKEA store to escape a severe heat wave gripping the city, resting on display furniture as temperatures soar to dangerous levels across France.

2h ago Khaosod

Paris is gripped by a severe, prolonged heat wave causing dangerously high temperatures across the city and disrupting daily life. Thousands of residents have flocked to an IKEA store in Paris to escape the heat, inadvertently transforming the furniture showroom into a temporary shelter. Inside, people are resting on display beds, sofas, and chairs, while others sit quietly chatting or using their phones to cool off indoors away from the scorching temperatures. The scene inside the store has taken on a surreal quality, resembling a temporary refuge center more than a retail outlet, with many people taking short naps while waiting for the peak heat to pass. Videos of the situation have spread rapidly on social media, with many viewing it as a clever heat management strategy, while others joke that IKEA has become the city's most popular heat escape destination. One online user commented, "This is no longer just a furniture store—it's become the coolest and most comfortable place in the city right now." This situation unfolds as France faces one of its most severe heat waves in years, with temperatures far exceeding seasonal averages and persisting for multiple consecutive days. Health officials report the current heat wave is linked to approximately 1,000 excess deaths above normal levels, primarily among elderly residents, and warn that figures could rise further if temperatures do not decrease soon.

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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.

2h ago Khaosod

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.

No. 09 of Read at source → Next
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

2h ago Khaosod

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.

No. 10 of Read at source → Next
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

2h ago Khaosod

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.

No. 11 of Read at source → Next
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