Today, July 28th, 2026, the Kingdom of Thailand marks the birthday of His Royal Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, the tenth monarch of the Chakri Dynasty. Born on this day in 1952, His Royal Majesty has served as King since 2016, following in the footsteps of his late father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. […]
Thailand/Georgia His real name was Bowornthat Pengsuk, born in 1999 in Kalasin province in northeastern Thailand, he grew up in modest circumstances. After his father died, he was raised primarily by his grandmother, who focused on education and practical values. He attended local schools that offered scholarships and support, then worked factory jobs in Bangkok, […]
CHONBURI, Thailand — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has traveled to the Pattaya area on Saturday afternoon to personally follow the investigation into the deaths of two Russian siblings and three members of a Thai family, a case that has drawn widespread international attention and raised concerns about public safety and the country’s international image. Anutin […]
Phetchabun, Thailand, August 2nd, 2026 The Phetchabun Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Operations Center reported on water levels along the Pa Sak River as of 11:00 a.m. on August 2nd, 2026, noting a continued downward trend at key monitoring stations. At Station S33 in Tat Kloi Subdistrict, Lom Kao District, the riverbank height stands at […]
Here is a look at the top NATIONAL Thailand stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, Monday, July 27th to Sunday, August 2nd. They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication. July 28th, 2026, the Kingdom of Thailand marks the […]
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari has strongly rejected the election results, declaring that his party will not accept what he described as a flawed and manipulated electoral process. Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarabad, Bukhari alleged that the elections were marred by widespread irregularities, voter manipulation, and violence, making them neither free nor fair. Bukhari claimed that the PPP possesses evidence of electoral misconduct. According to him, ballot papers were allegedly distributed among supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and party workers were seen providing ballot papers outside polling stations. He argued that such practices seriously undermined the credibility of the electoral process and violated the principles of transparent and democratic elections. Speaking to journalists, Bukhari questioned the fairness of the election, stating that a truly transparent election should allow voters to cast their ballots freely without interference or manipulation. He accused the authorities and political rivals of attempting to ensure victory for their preferred candidates through unfair means. As a result, he emphasized that the PPP does not recognize these elections as free and fair and therefore refuses to accept the announced results. The PPP leader also made serious allegations against a PML-N candidate, claiming that the individual was involved in a murder case. He urged the relevant law enforcement agencies and government institutions to take immediate notice of the matter and ensure that those responsible are arrested and brought to justice. According to Bukhari, allowing such individuals to contest elections raises serious concerns about the rule of law and the integrity of the democratic process. Bukhari further alleged that law and order in Azad Jammu and Kashmir had significantly deteriorated. He pointed to what he described as increasing incidents of violence and political intimidation during the election period. Referring to recent events, he claimed that even the President of Azad Kashmir had been attacked, calling it evidence of the worsening security situation and the failure of the authorities to maintain peace. He also highlighted attacks on members of his own party. Bukhari stated that PPP Member of the National Assembly Salahuddin Junejo was attacked, while PPP worker Mushtaq Hussain Shah was killed. He described these incidents as tragic examples of political violence and intimidation aimed at discouraging democratic participation. Furthermore, he alleged that in constituency LA-31, the PPP candidate was attacked by PML-N workers and was subsequently hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the incident. Describing the elections as fraudulent and heavily rigged, Bukhari argued that the overall electoral environment was neither peaceful nor impartial. He maintained that the democratic rights of voters had been compromised and that the results failed to reflect the genuine will of the people. He stressed that elections conducted under such circumstances cannot earn public confidence or democratic legitimacy. Concluding his remarks, Bukhari stated that governments established through coercion and manipulation cannot gain lasting public acceptance. He reaffirmed that the PPP respects the will of the people and believes that democratic principles must always be upheld. However, he alleged that the public mandate, particularly in the Mirpur Division, had not been respected. According to Bukhari, the people of Azad Kashmir had rejected the PML-N, and the election results did not accurately represent the voters’ true choice.
KARACHI: Internal differences within Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) intensified on Sunday after supporters of two rival factions allegedly clashed outside the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters in Karachi, leaving at least three people injured. According to reports, tensions between supporters of the groups associated with MQM-P Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and senior leader Mustafa Kamal escalated following a party meeting. The confrontation turned violent as workers allegedly exchanged slogans, engaged in physical fighting, and pelted stones at each other. Witnesses also reported aerial firing near the Bahadurabad headquarters during the unrest, creating panic in the area. Three people sustained injuries during the clashes. Senior MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar said the dispute erupted after a meeting of party leaders at the Bahadurabad office. Speaking to the media, he alleged that supporters of one faction assaulted MPA Ejaz-ul-Haq and party leader Zakir. He further claimed that party leaders Mangla Sharma and Sabeen Ghori were also mistreated during the incident. MQM-P leader Amin Ul Haque alleged that one party worker was injured in the firing, while several others suffered injuries due to stone-pelting. He also claimed that extensive vandalism took place inside the party office and that the office’s DVR recording system was taken away. Amin Ul Haque said the matter had reached a point where it could no longer be ignored and called the incident deeply concerning for the party. Meanwhile, Dr Farooq Sattar later arrived at the Bahadurabad headquarters following the clashes as senior party leaders attempted to assess the situation and address the growing internal crisis.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supported candidates of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) during the recent elections. He alleged that in several constituencies, it appeared that both political parties had made joint efforts to influence the electoral outcome. Khawaja Asif stated that there were visible signs of cooperation between PTI and PPP in certain areas. According to him, the political activities and election strategies of both parties suggested that they were working together against other candidates. However, he did not provide specific evidence to support his claim. The Defence Minister said that he had been observing elections in Azad Kashmir for the past 55 years and had witnessed many political developments over different periods. He described the current election as significant, particularly because voter participation in urban areas was higher compared to previous elections. Khawaja Asif praised the efforts of his party’s workers, saying that they had worked hard during the election campaign. He claimed that the increased voter turnout in cities reflected greater public engagement and interest in the electoral process. He stated that urban areas recorded a turnout of more than 45 percent, describing it as an important achievement. According to Asif, the higher participation rate demonstrated that voters had actively participated in the democratic process and responded positively to his party’s campaign efforts. While discussing the performance of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Khawaja Asif claimed that the party’s popularity had declined among voters. He pointed out that the PPP had last won an election from the city in 1970, suggesting that the party had lost much of its previous political influence in the region. Asif argued that the current political landscape in Azad Kashmir was different from previous decades. He suggested that changing voter preferences and recent electoral trends indicated that political support for traditional parties had shifted over time. The Defence Minister’s remarks came amid political debate following the Azad Kashmir elections, where opposition parties raised concerns about the fairness of the electoral process. The PPP and other opposition groups have alleged irregularities, while government representatives have defended the transparency of the elections. Khawaja Asif maintained that his party’s success was the result of extensive political efforts and public support. He credited party workers for their dedication and said that the election outcome reflected the changing political dynamics of the region. The allegations regarding PTI’s support for PPP candidates have added another layer to the ongoing political discussions. Both PTI and PPP have their own positions regarding the election process, and any claims of coordination between them remain a subject of political debate. As the political situation develops, statements from different parties are expected to continue shaping discussions about the election results, voter trends, and the future direction of politics in Azad Kashmir.
Pakistan’s star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has returned home after leaving the Lanka Premier League (LPL) due to personal reasons. The left-arm pacer, who was representing the Kandy Royals in the tournament, departed from the event before its conclusion, ending his participation in the ongoing competition. During his time in the Lanka Premier League, Shaheen Afridi was also involved in a disagreement with his team management over his exclusion from the playing squad for a match on July 19. The incident reportedly created tension between the player and the franchise during the tournament. In the match against the Colombo Capitals, Shaheen Afridi was informed that he would be used as an impact player. However, his name was not included in the official team sheet submitted for the match. The omission reportedly upset the Pakistani fast bowler, who expressed his disappointment over the situation. The issue was later addressed after the Kandy Royals management apologized to Shaheen Afridi. Following the apology and discussions with the team officials, the fast bowler returned to action and participated in subsequent matches for the franchise. Despite the disagreement, Shaheen Afridi continued to contribute to his team’s campaign in the tournament. He played six matches in the Lanka Premier League and took seven wickets, demonstrating his effectiveness as one of the leading fast bowlers in the competition. Shaheen Afridi is regarded as one of Pakistan’s most important international cricketers and has established himself as a key figure in the national team’s bowling attack. Known for his pace, swing, and ability to take early wickets, he has represented Pakistan across all formats of international cricket and has earned recognition as one of the world’s top fast bowlers. His participation in overseas T20 leagues has provided him with valuable experience and exposure against international players. The Lanka Premier League was another opportunity for him to showcase his skills and maintain competitive form ahead of future international assignments. The Kandy Royals management’s decision to apologize after the team sheet controversy helped resolve the matter, allowing Shaheen Afridi to continue his involvement in the tournament. However, his early departure due to personal reasons means that he will no longer be available for the remaining matches of the league. The exact nature of the personal reasons behind Shaheen Afridi’s return to Pakistan has not been disclosed. His decision comes as part of his personal commitments, and there has been no official indication that his departure is related to any injury or cricketing issue. Fans and cricket analysts have closely followed Shaheen Afridi’s performances in the tournament, particularly because of his reputation as a match-winning bowler. His seven wickets in six matches highlighted his continued ability to perform at the highest level in franchise cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board and supporters will now be hoping that Shaheen Afridi returns refreshed and prepared for upcoming international challenges. His fitness, form, and availability remain important factors for Pakistan’s future cricketing plans.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Sunday said the party should consider rejecting the results of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections and boycott the third phase of polling, alleging widespread irregularities and electoral misconduct. Speaking at a press conference alongside PPP leader Sherry Rehman and other party members in Islamabad, the former prime minister clarified that the proposal reflected his personal opinion, adding that the final decision would be made by the party’s central leadership. Ashraf alleged that the elections were neither free, fair nor transparent, warning that such results would fail to gain public acceptance. He said political workers were well aware of constituencies where the party had strong support and accused the authorities of manipulating outcomes in areas where the PPP expected to perform well. Expressing disappointment over the second phase of the AJK elections, he said the PPP had already submitted documented evidence of irregularities during the first phase. He referred to one constituency where polling could not be held because election materials allegedly failed to reach polling stations. Ashraf questioned the explanation, saying election materials are normally delivered a day before polling and not on election day. He argued that such failures reflected serious administrative shortcomings. The PPP leader also alleged that party workers were assaulted and forcibly removed from polling stations during voting. He said the PPP had formed a joint committee with its coalition partner, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), after the first phase in the hope that the Election Commission would ensure greater vigilance during the second phase. However, he claimed that similar incidents were repeated despite those efforts. While acknowledging that the PML-N remains a coalition ally, Ashraf questioned the party’s role in the alleged irregularities. He asked whether such conduct was consistent with democratic values and said transparent elections were the Election Commission’s foremost constitutional responsibility. He further alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner had failed to take action on any major complaint and accused the Election Commission of acting under the influence of a political party. According to Ashraf, the overall conduct of the elections suggested that the process had been pre-planned. The former prime minister also alleged that current AJK Speaker and Acting President Chaudhry Latif Akbar was physically attacked by PML-N supporters. He claimed that Akbar was abused, assaulted and punched during the incident, criticising attempts to describe the episode as a mere verbal altercation. Ashraf further claimed that a long-time PPP worker was killed in the Khawra constituency and questioned the credibility of an electoral process in which, he alleged, violence had overshadowed voting. He also referred to the Kotli constituency, where polling reportedly could not be completed because election materials did not reach polling stations, saying it was the Election Commission’s responsibility to ensure timely delivery. He added that voting was also suspended at several polling stations in the constituency of Bazil Naqvi.