https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around Thailandenhttps://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thai-made-ev-train-joins-srt-tourism-fleet-r2608/The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has received its first Thai-made luxury-class EV passenger train prototype, marking a significant milestone for the country’s rail industry and plans to expand domestic manufacturing. The handover ceremony took place on Friday, July 3, with the prototype set to undergo comprehensive safety testing before entering service on tourism routes. Get today's headlines by email The prototype was officially handed over in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yodchanan Wongsawat. He said the project supports the government’s policy of turning Thai research into economic value through practical applications. The luxury-class EV passenger train was designed and built entirely in Thailand by Thai researchers and engineers. Yodchanan said the project demonstrated successful collaboration between research institutes and more than 30 private-sector companies, highlighting the country’s growing engineering capabilities. He added that the domestically produced train costs around 30% less than comparable imported models, showing that Thai-made rail products can compete on both quality and price. Looking ahead, he said Thailand’s planned investment in rail infrastructure over the next 20 years is expected to create demand for more than 2,000 passenger carriages. According to Yodchanan, developing a domestic rail manufacturing ecosystem is essential to reducing reliance on imported trains. He said greater local production would encourage manufacturing growth, create jobs, open new career opportunities, support advanced technology transfer and help ensure government spending remains within the Thai economy. SRT governor Anan Phonimdaeng welcomed the delivery of the prototype, noting that its high proportion of locally sourced components would help reduce procurement costs. He said the railway operator will now carry out full safety testing before deploying the train on tourism routes covering distances of around 200 to 500 kilometres. The prototype was developed through cooperation with Joint Venture Sinogen-Pin Petch Co Ltd. It features 25 luxury-class seats, a structure that is 22% lighter than conventional designs and a maximum operating speed of 120 kilometres per hour. The train has already completed more than 10,000 kilometres of operational testing. It also contains domestically manufactured components accounting for 44.1% of the total build and has generated seven additional intellectual property works. The Nation reported that the project is expected to become an important step towards strengthening Thailand’s domestic rail industry through locally developed innovation and technology. Following successful safety certification, the SRT plans to introduce the train on selected tourism routes. Pictures courtesy of The Nation Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 5 July 2026Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:40:28 +0000The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has received its first Thai-made luxury-class EV passenger train prototype, marking a significant milestone for the country’s rail industry and plans to expand domestic manufacturing. The handover ceremony took place on Friday, July 3, with the prototype set to undergo comprehensive safety testing before entering service on tourism routes. Get today's headlines by email The prototype was officially handed over in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yodchanan Wongsawat. He said the project supports the government’s policy of turning Thai research into economic value through practical applications. The luxury-class EV passenger train was designed and built entirely in Thailand by Thai researchers and engineers. Yodchanan said the project demonstrated successful collaboration between research institutes and more than 30 private-sector companies, highlighting the country’s growing engineering capabilities. He added that the domestically produced train costs around 30% less than comparable imported models, showing that Thai-made rail products can compete on both quality and price. Looking ahead, he said Thailand’s planned investment in rail infrastructure over the next 20 years is expected to create demand for more than 2,000 passenger carriages. According to Yodchanan, developing a domestic rail manufacturing ecosystem is essential to reducing reliance on imported trains. He said greater local production would encourage manufacturing growth, create jobs, open new career opportunities, support advanced technology transfer and help ensure government spending remains within the Thai economy. SRT governor Anan Phonimdaeng welcomed the delivery of the prototype, noting that its high proportion of locally sourced components would help reduce procurement costs. He said the railway operator will now carry out full safety testing before deploying the train on tourism routes covering distances of around 200 to 500 kilometres. The prototype was developed through cooperation with Joint Venture Sinogen-Pin Petch Co Ltd. It features 25 luxury-class seats, a structure that is 22% lighter than conventional designs and a maximum operating speed of 120 kilometres per hour. The train has already completed more than 10,000 kilometres of operational testing. It also contains domestically manufactured components accounting for 44.1% of the total build and has generated seven additional intellectual property works. The Nation reported that the project is expected to become an important step towards strengthening Thailand’s domestic rail industry through locally developed innovation and technology. Following successful safety certification, the SRT plans to introduce the train on selected tourism routes. Pictures courtesy of The Nation Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 5 July 2026 View full articleSat, 04 Jul 2026 20:40:28 +0000Macbeth offers one lens under which things can be seen. Other works of his offer another lens, which is what makes him (or more precisely, them, as it is likely that several authors wrote under the name Shakespeare) so interesting. The Tempest, for example, is on the other end of the spectrum.Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:36:59 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/hong-kong-customs-seize-cannabis-from-thai-flights-r2607/Hong Kong customs officers arrested four airline passengers in a single day after allegedly discovering more than 33 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower in luggage arriving from Thailand. The seizures took place at Hong Kong International Airport and involved two Thai women, one Chinese man and one Hong Kong woman. Get today's headlines by email The first case occurred on Wednesday 1 July 2026, when customs officers intercepted two Thai women, aged 22 and 29, who had travelled from Bangkok. Officers found about 10 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower, with an estimated market value of HK$1.8 million, inside checked baggage belonging to the 29-year-old passenger. Both women were arrested. The arrests follow a series of recent international cannabis trafficking cases linked to Thailand. Related reports have included the seizure of nearly 1.2 tonnes of cannabis in Poland and Germany, and Indonesian authorities announcing the seizure of 3.37 tonnes of cannabis flower allegedly imported from Thailand. Customs officers also uncovered two further suspected drug smuggling cases at Hong Kong International Airport on the same day. Together, those cases resulted in the seizure of about 23 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower with an estimated market value of HK$4 million. In the first of those cases, a 38-year-old Chinese man arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok after transiting through Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday morning, 3 July 2026. During customs clearance, officers found about 13 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower inside his checked luggage, leading to his arrest. The second case involved a 33-year-old Hong Kong woman who arrived from Phuket on Friday afternoon, 3 July 2026. Customs officers allegedly discovered about 10 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower concealed in her checked baggage before arresting her. Investigations into both cases remain ongoing. Hong Kong Customs said it would continue strengthening enforcement against cross-border drug trafficking through intelligence analysis and risk assessment. The department also urged members of the public not to take part in drug smuggling in exchange for financial rewards and warned travellers not to carry controlled items for other people or transport goods of unknown origin. Amarin reported that the agency said it would continue targeting passengers arriving from high-risk locations as part of its efforts to combat international drug trafficking. Under Hong Kong’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence carrying a maximum penalty of a HK$5 million fine and life imprisonment upon conviction. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 5 July 2026Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:34:14 +0000Hong Kong customs officers arrested four airline passengers in a single day after allegedly discovering more than 33 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower in luggage arriving from Thailand. The seizures took place at Hong Kong International Airport and involved two Thai women, one Chinese man and one Hong Kong woman. Get today's headlines by email The first case occurred on Wednesday 1 July 2026, when customs officers intercepted two Thai women, aged 22 and 29, who had travelled from Bangkok. Officers found about 10 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower, with an estimated market value of HK$1.8 million, inside checked baggage belonging to the 29-year-old passenger. Both women were arrested. The arrests follow a series of recent international cannabis trafficking cases linked to Thailand. Related reports have included the seizure of nearly 1.2 tonnes of cannabis in Poland and Germany, and Indonesian authorities announcing the seizure of 3.37 tonnes of cannabis flower allegedly imported from Thailand. Customs officers also uncovered two further suspected drug smuggling cases at Hong Kong International Airport on the same day. Together, those cases resulted in the seizure of about 23 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower with an estimated market value of HK$4 million. In the first of those cases, a 38-year-old Chinese man arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok after transiting through Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday morning, 3 July 2026. During customs clearance, officers found about 13 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower inside his checked luggage, leading to his arrest. The second case involved a 33-year-old Hong Kong woman who arrived from Phuket on Friday afternoon, 3 July 2026. Customs officers allegedly discovered about 10 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower concealed in her checked baggage before arresting her. Investigations into both cases remain ongoing. Hong Kong Customs said it would continue strengthening enforcement against cross-border drug trafficking through intelligence analysis and risk assessment. The department also urged members of the public not to take part in drug smuggling in exchange for financial rewards and warned travellers not to carry controlled items for other people or transport goods of unknown origin. Amarin reported that the agency said it would continue targeting passengers arriving from high-risk locations as part of its efforts to combat international drug trafficking. Under Hong Kong’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence carrying a maximum penalty of a HK$5 million fine and life imprisonment upon conviction. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 5 July 2026 View full articleSat, 04 Jul 2026 20:34:14 +0000https://aseannow.com/thailand-news/thailand-targets-33-tourism-firms-in-nominee-crackdown-r2606/Thailand is stepping up its crackdown on foreign-operated tourism businesses suspected of using Thai nationals as illegal nominees, with authorities identifying 33 high-risk firms across five key tourism provinces. The government is also expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and information technology to detect suspicious business structures, while four tour operators have already lost their licences following investigations. Get today's headlines by email The Department of Business Development (DBD), under the Commerce Ministry, is working with the Department of Tourism to tighten enforcement against nominee arrangements that allow foreigners to illegally operate tourism-related businesses. According to DBD Director-General Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, both agencies have reviewed existing procedures to better address increasingly sophisticated methods used to conceal nominee operations. The review focuses on three main areas. First, authorities will strengthen scrutiny of company registrations, particularly where Thai nationals appear as directors of an unusually large number of companies. Officials also propose assessing applicants’ educational background, occupation, financial status, income records and personal income tax payments over the previous three years. The Department of Tourism may also introduce interviews before granting tour business licences, with the same checks applying when directors or shareholders change. Secondly, the agencies will link the Department of Tourism’s tour business licence database with the DBD’s company registration system through a real-time online platform. The system will include automatic alerts to help authorities quickly identify changes in company ownership or management that may indicate nominee activity. Thirdly, authorities will establish a database of shops and businesses linked to tour operators. This information will be shared with the Revenue Department and the Anti-Money Laundering Office to help identify businesses suspected of tax evasion, money laundering or foreign groups using Thai nominees to monopolise tourism-related activities. The latest measures build on an existing memorandum of understanding signed by the DBD, the Department of Tourism, the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Department of Special Investigation, the Tourist Police Bureau and the Immigration Bureau. The agencies have also established a joint operations centre to receive complaints, exchange intelligence, conduct inspections and prosecute offenders. Between January and June 2026, joint inspections were carried out in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Chon Buri, Krabi and Bangkok. Authorities identified 33 businesses considered at risk of operating through nominee structures. Four tour operators were found to have changed directors or shareholders in ways that meant they no longer met the qualifications required under the Tourism Business and Guide Act. As a result, the registrar revoked their tour business licences. Information relating to the remaining 29 operators has been passed to the relevant agencies for further investigation, with officials pledging strict legal action where offences are confirmed. The Nation reported that Poonpong said tackling nominee businesses requires cooperation across all sectors, noting that operators are using increasingly sophisticated methods to avoid detection during inspections. He said combining technology with closer monitoring and information sharing would make enforcement more effective. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 5 July 2026Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:26:03 +0000Thailand is stepping up its crackdown on foreign-operated tourism businesses suspected of using Thai nationals as illegal nominees, with authorities identifying 33 high-risk firms across five key tourism provinces. The government is also expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and information technology to detect suspicious business structures, while four tour operators have already lost their licences following investigations. Get today's headlines by email The Department of Business Development (DBD), under the Commerce Ministry, is working with the Department of Tourism to tighten enforcement against nominee arrangements that allow foreigners to illegally operate tourism-related businesses. According to DBD Director-General Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, both agencies have reviewed existing procedures to better address increasingly sophisticated methods used to conceal nominee operations. The review focuses on three main areas. First, authorities will strengthen scrutiny of company registrations, particularly where Thai nationals appear as directors of an unusually large number of companies. Officials also propose assessing applicants’ educational background, occupation, financial status, income records and personal income tax payments over the previous three years. The Department of Tourism may also introduce interviews before granting tour business licences, with the same checks applying when directors or shareholders change. Secondly, the agencies will link the Department of Tourism’s tour business licence database with the DBD’s company registration system through a real-time online platform. The system will include automatic alerts to help authorities quickly identify changes in company ownership or management that may indicate nominee activity. Thirdly, authorities will establish a database of shops and businesses linked to tour operators. This information will be shared with the Revenue Department and the Anti-Money Laundering Office to help identify businesses suspected of tax evasion, money laundering or foreign groups using Thai nominees to monopolise tourism-related activities. The latest measures build on an existing memorandum of understanding signed by the DBD, the Department of Tourism, the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Department of Special Investigation, the Tourist Police Bureau and the Immigration Bureau. The agencies have also established a joint operations centre to receive complaints, exchange intelligence, conduct inspections and prosecute offenders. Between January and June 2026, joint inspections were carried out in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Chon Buri, Krabi and Bangkok. Authorities identified 33 businesses considered at risk of operating through nominee structures. Four tour operators were found to have changed directors or shareholders in ways that meant they no longer met the qualifications required under the Tourism Business and Guide Act. As a result, the registrar revoked their tour business licences. Information relating to the remaining 29 operators has been passed to the relevant agencies for further investigation, with officials pledging strict legal action where offences are confirmed. The Nation reported that Poonpong said tackling nominee businesses requires cooperation across all sectors, noting that operators are using increasingly sophisticated methods to avoid detection during inspections. He said combining technology with closer monitoring and information sharing would make enforcement more effective. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 5 July 2026 View full articleSat, 04 Jul 2026 20:26:03 +0000I've had a Wise account for 8 years already. I've used it for my daily spending everyday since then. I just completely stopped using my Wise account about a month ago. They have made too many errors on my account over the years. I now started using my Revolut account full time instead. No problems with them. No strange surprises, changes or errors. Everything very smooth so far. I much prefer the GUI on the Revolut app to the Wise app also.Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:21:12 +0000The Russians are coming...the Russians are coming.Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:17:56 +0000Sounds plausible and I hope you're right. Thai prison is a million miles away from Australian and western Jail conditions for sure. Ultimately he cannot be rehabilitated. It's not just about punishment but keeping all people safe from dangerous creatures like him.Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:12:51 +0000So, have you been looking into your crystal ball again, looking what's ahead, the future. Tell us more, when you get the time, look into your crystal ball and send me next month's lottery numbers. 🍻Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:09:39 +0000Are you sure? Best check yourself out with a speculum..... Just in case.Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:07:02 +0000Happy America day 6Sgn-6BIsg5kNJOR.mp4Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:06:59 +0000I'm casually gathering more information about Chile. I really do think Chile is a fantastic option for many people but I'm not so sure if'm one of those people. Some items of interest -- It seems that La Serena is more expensive than Vina del Mar. That surprised me. Of course that's a generality and there are very expensive areas of Vina. Vina is looking better even with the too cold ocean. Because its close enough to Santiago so its similar to the proximity of Pattaya to Bangkok which I like a lot. There is the surrounding wine country which adds to the just like Northern California vibe and it's next door to Valparaiso which is the "bohemian" city of Chile, with its hills can be compared to Sam Franciso but not ruined by the tech bros. Chile recently had an election and my oh my they elected the first far right wing leader since the days of Pinochet (installed by you guessed it the CIA). This guy is really something. His father was a literal German Nazi officer, he worked for Pinochet in his youth, and his family's money comes from sausages. His policies are very anti gay and he's proposing building moats and walls on the borders. I actually like his pro free market economics philosophy though. From an expat POV, he's clearly not demonizing people coming legally on retirement visas. However, there is concenrn that because he's beefing up immigration enforcement that retired expats doing renewals may come under strict scrutiny. I think there is probably at least one renewal needed before permanent residence. So while of course Chile's politics is the business of Chileans, living in a country run by a Trump lover doesn't sound great. His slogan -- Make Chile a Great Country. (Not again, which is funny.) Still haven't confirmed the tax situation for social security. Overall I guess it's fair to see I'm having more doubts about Chile as a Plan A country. I think alot of it comes down to money. If your income is about 4K USD a month, I would give it serious consideration.Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:06:10 +0000LetterSat, 04 Jul 2026 20:04:46 +0000You are completely mistaken, because.....in 50 years...... Humans will have evolved into hermaphrodites, and all individuals will be satisfied with just loving themselves. This is already happening, gradually, as we can see. The levels of narcissism is now at an all-time high. And, the plumbing will soon catch up. But, I need not explain this to YOU, of course. You are on the cutting edge of what is happening.Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:03:28 +0000Thank you all for your comments. I think there is one important point that may have caused some confusion. My current extension was not based on the monthly transfer method. It was based on the income verification letter issued by the French Embassy. My Immigration office accepted that letter without requiring evidence of monthly transfers. The French Embassy still issues these income verification letters. However, when my current extension was granted, the Immigration officer told me that, for my next extension, I would have to provide evidence of monthly transfers. At that time, no alternative based on the 800,000 THB bank deposit was mentioned. As a result, I have not made any monthly transfers during my current extension. My concern is therefore the following. If I now decide to switch to the 800,000 THB bank method and comply with the requirement of keeping the funds in my Thai bank account for at least two months before applying, could Immigration nevertheless refuse my application because I cannot show monthly transfers from February 2026 to January 2027? If that is the case, I would transfer and tie up 800,000 THB for nothing. Has anyone had first-hand experience of switching specifically from an extension based solely on an embassy income verification letter (without monthly transfers) to the 800,000 THB bank method?Sat, 04 Jul 2026 19:54:00 +0000Black Duck, are you being racist? 😂 Go get em Georgie. 🥊 Please be careful, remember what those monkeys and ladyboy did to you, we don't want to see you get assaulted again. Take care mate.Sat, 04 Jul 2026 19:53:32 +0000you are lying again because of your insane jealousy of trump. https://nam.org/mfgdata/facts-about-manufacturing-expanded/Sat, 04 Jul 2026 19:50:57 +0000In 50 years, women will be born with penises and men will be born with vaginas, but nobody will know that their gear was swapped.Sat, 04 Jul 2026 19:42:23 +0000hating your country again lol https://www.airlineratings.com/articles/worlds-best-airlines-for-2026-by-airline-ratingsSat, 04 Jul 2026 19:39:12 +0000Bro, homey don't do god. Not on my spectrum.Sat, 04 Jul 2026 19:38:34 +0000Ha ha, I've been discussing this subject for decades. You can blame the vloggers, people like Dan about Thailand. These vloggers are always promoting Thailand as cheap, inexpensive etc, this encourages all the cheap Charlie's to relocate to Thailand. Then once these guys settle, they find their pennies aren't going asy far as the vloggers tell them, now they haven't got the funds to live a happy life. They come out here on their aged pension, buy themselves a disability scooter, ride up and down the local soi's, here in Pattaya it's soi Buakhou, racing into the 7-Eleven, buying their Chang beers and LM's, then they're off at speed on the roads annoying other road users. These people live in a little 30m² room, living a miserable life. If you get a chance, have a meal in one of the Cheap Charlie restaurants, the joint is wall to wall miserable expats. The poor waitresses, getting abused daily 🙁Sat, 04 Jul 2026 19:36:48 +0000Sat, 04 Jul 2026 19:32:09 +0000lots of people do so they dont have to pay the £185 BBC license fee even if you dont watch any BBC TVSat, 04 Jul 2026 19:27:50 +0000