Samui named best island in Asia-Pacific

13 Sept 11:22 Key points summarised by AI

Koh Samui clinched the top position as the best island in Asia-Pacific in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2026.
Thailand celebrated further success with Phuket ranking sixth and Koh Chang tenth among the region's top islands.
The magazine lauded Samui for masterfully blending its luxurious development, featuring sleek resorts and sophisticated dining, with the preservation of its natural beauty and local character.
Its recent prominence in "The White Lotus" series significantly amplified its global appeal, highlighting both its glamorous veneer and enduring original charms like coconut groves and marine parks.

Queen Suthida completes first solo flight in Gripen fighter jet

Yesterday 15:19 Key points summarised by AI

Queen Suthida successfully completed her inaugural solo flight in a JAS 39C Gripen fighter jet at Wing 7 of the Royal Thai Air Force in Surat Thani.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn watched the flight and honored her achievement with a bouquet and a gold “Gripen Order” patch, an insignia for pilots of the aircraft.
The historic flight followed extensive training, including simulator practice and accumulating over 10 flight hours in a two-seat Gripen, contributing to her total of 1,188 flight hours across various aircraft types.