Chanettee Wannasaen of Thailand had nine birdies — along with two bogeys — en route to a 7-under par 65 and a share of the lead after the first round of the Honda LPGA Thailand tournament in Pattaya on Thursday.

The Election Commission (EC) has reaffirmed the confidentiality of ballots, with provincial election officials adamant that voting secrecy remains fully protected under legal safeguards and administrative procedures, amid growing public debate over the use of QR codes and barcodes on ballot papers.

The People’s Party (PP) has defended its use of Laser ID numbers for party membership applications, insisting the process is secure, lawful and does not involve storing members’ personal data in its database.

Thailand’s caretaker government is considering a reduction of the 60‑day visa‑free stay period, following numerous complaints that foreigners have been exploiting the system to engage in illegal activities or exploit local residents, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

A gunman wanted for shooting at an emergency vehicle and assaulting his wife in Chon Buri surrendered to police on Wednesday afternoon in Pathum Thani, where fears for public safety had led to school closures earlier.

Tourism is a key industry for Thailand, but over the past decade it has faced a critical challenge: income disparity, with a sharp divide between a handful of major destinations and second-tier locations.