On July 28, 2025, following a Cabinet meeting on July 27, the government approved the draft National Big Data Strategy 2025–2027, as proposed by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE). This is Thailand's first comprehensive framework for big data development, designed to establish a data-driven economy and society, improve policy decisions, boost competitiveness, and promote systematic AI use.

The strategy, developed by the Big Data Institute (BDI), addresses critical national challenges including fragmented data storage across agencies, a shortage of data and AI talent, incomplete data integration, cybersecurity risks, personal data protection concerns, and gaps in legal frameworks and technology infrastructure. The plan also aims to create an ecosystem that supports big data and AI innovation.

Director Prof. Dr. Therani Acharakul of the Big Data Institute outlined the strategy's vision of leveraging data to drive economic growth and improve quality of life. Key goals include increasing big data use for policy decisions, data-driven economic development, and promoting AI-powered services and innovations, with a target of at least 35 percent growth in economic value from big data by 2027 and ranking Thailand in the world's top 25 for digital competitiveness in big data.

To achieve these goals, the strategy identifies four key pillars: (1) developing national data infrastructure such as Government Cloud, Government Data Catalog, and a National Big Data Platform; (2) applying data to solve problems in health, tourism, environment, agriculture, and trade; (3) developing and deploying AI to improve public services, business, and industry, including creating Thai language AI models and datasets; and (4) building human capacity by training at least 160,000 people in big data and AI by 2027.

The strategy aims to provide a comprehensive roadmap for leveraging Thailand's data assets across all sectors and dimensions necessary to build a data-driven nation, enabling government, private sector, academia, and citizens to use data and AI effectively to enhance economic and social development.

At 11:00 AM on July 28, 2025, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Chulanont convened a meeting of Interior Ministry executives to advance the ministry's agenda. The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister Pol. Pee Suvanachui, Deputy Minister Jet Saiset Thaisaiset, and senior officials including Permanent Secretary Arisit Sampantharat and provincial governors.

Anutin stated that he harbors no personal animosity toward anyone and expressed appreciation for the ministry's work on crime suppression, drug enforcement, entertainment venue oversight, human trafficking, and land issues. He noted that after a three-month sabbatical, he plans to "reset" the ministry in August, urging officials to deliver full results.

Anutin emphasized that the ministry must not harbor grudges and should prioritize results. He highlighted that deputy ministers are elected representatives with strong local connections and understanding of rural life, making them well-suited for the role. He pledged to steer the organization toward building mutual trust and overcoming challenges, particularly the serious local government exam cheating scandal of recent weeks.

The PM called for urgent action to restore public confidence, warning against letting corruption spread. "Do not turn the Interior Ministry into the 'Plowing Ministry,'" he declared, stressing that no wrongdoing will be protected and all decisions can be fully explained. He confirmed he holds no personal grudges and will reset the ministry with full transparency, assigning the permanent secretary and deputy secretaries to coordinate with border governors on data preparation and reporting.

Thai police have reminded businesses nationwide that the sale of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited for 48 hours during Asalha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent Day, with violators facing up to six months in jail, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.

The Royal Thai Police announced the reminder on Monday as authorities prepare for the upcoming long holiday period, which includes the King's Birthday on July 28, Asalha Bucha Day on July 29, and Buddhist Lent Day on July 30.

National Police Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwphan said Police Chief Gen. Kitrat Phanphet has instructed all police units nationwide to step up crime prevention measures and road safety operations during the extended holiday.

Under the ban, the wholesale and retail sale of all alcoholic beverages will be prohibited for 48 hours, from 00:01 on July 29 until midnight on July 30.

The restriction applies to convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants serving alcohol, entertainment venues, and other retailers, except for locations exempted by law.

Exempted venues include international airport passenger terminals serving international flights, licensed entertainment venues operating under Thailand's Entertainment Places Act, entertainment-style establishments in designated tourist zones approved by the Public Health Ministry, hotels licensed under the Hotel Act, and venues hosting major national or international events designated by the Public Health Ministry.

Police warned that anyone found violating the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act faces a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.

Authorities also said police have integrated crime prevention and traffic safety plans to reduce road accidents during the long holiday period.

Dr. Jetsada Bunyavongvirooj, deputy director of primary care at Maha Sarakham Hospital, warns adults over 45 about large intestine obstruction symptoms that could signal colorectal cancer and should never be overlooked. Many people believe bowel obstruction causes severe pain preventing movement, but many patients—especially those with cancer-related obstruction—experience gradually worsening symptoms beginning with bloating, constipation, and intermittent cramping that they mistake for stomach disease or indigestion. By the time symptoms worsen and patients reach the hospital, some require emergency surgery due to severe intestinal distension.

The characteristic pain of large intestine obstruction is surgical-specific: intermittent cramping (colicky abdominal pain) caused by the colon contracting to push stool and gas through narrowed points. Each contraction causes wave-like pain, sometimes every 5-15 minutes before gradually subsiding, then recurring. After hours or days, internal pressure rises, the intestine expands, blood circulation to the intestinal wall decreases, and pain transitions from intermittent to constant—a dangerous sign indicating the intestine may be losing blood supply or perforating.

Symptoms vary depending on the obstruction's location in the colon. Right colon tumors (cecum and ascending colon) often develop gradually since this section has a wider diameter and stool is still relatively liquid, allowing passage past the cancer mass. Patients typically present with fatigue, weakness, pale appearance from chronic blood loss, weight loss, or a palpable lump in the right abdomen, rather than sudden obstruction. Many never experience clear abdominal pain until the mass becomes very large.

Transverse colon tumors cause symptoms between right and left colon presentations: patients may experience intermittent cramping around the navel or upper abdomen, bloating after eating, abdominal distension, reduced appetite, and weight loss. Large masses may cause intermittent obstruction before complete obstruction develops later.

Left colon tumors (descending and sigmoid colon) typically produce the clearest symptoms because stool in this section becomes firmer and the intestinal opening narrower, allowing cancer masses to obstruct more easily. Patients usually develop chronic constipation alternating with diarrhea, difficult bowel movements, increased straining, pencil-thin or ribbon-like stools, intermittent cramping especially in the lower left abdomen, increasing bloating, decreased gas passage, and eventually complete inability to defecate or pass gas—characteristic of full bowel obstruction.

The sigmoid colon is the most common obstruction site from colorectal cancer because it is the narrowest part of the large intestine. Many patients experience intermittent cramping in the lower left abdomen combined with bloating and distension. Some feel constant urge to defecate but cannot, or pass only mucus and small amounts of blood. When symptoms worsen, the abdomen becomes severely distended, especially the lower portion, and vomiting may occur in late disease stages.

Many people crush or mince garlic and immediately add it to the wok or pan for stir-frying, but nutrition experts say letting it rest briefly before cooking can preserve more of its beneficial compounds. Dr. Wu Yingrong, a nutrition specialist, explains that fresh garlic contains a compound called alliin and an enzyme called alliinase, which normally sit in separate parts of the cell and don't react. When garlic is crushed, minced, or ground, the enzyme contacts the compound and converts it into allicin—the substance most people associate with garlic's health benefits. The conversion requires time, so garlic should rest for about 10 minutes after mincing.

Allicin doesn't form instantly after mincing; the reaction needs time to occur. Studies show that mincing or crushing garlic first, then cooking it later, better preserves allicin and bioactive sulfur compounds compared to cooking whole cloves directly. Researchers also found that letting garlic sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes improves both allicin production and its stability.

A simple kitchen technique is to mince the garlic, place it on a cutting board, and use that time to wash and chop other vegetables or prepare other ingredients. Once everything is ready, add the garlic to the pan. Resting for 5–10 minutes is an easy technique that fits into daily cooking. If garlic isn't used immediately, it can be divided into containers and frozen, though it should be used within a reasonable time.

However, cooking garlic on high heat for too long can destroy its active compounds. After mincing, avoid prolonged exposure to high heat. Laboratory studies show that allicin has potential to fight microbes, combat free radicals, and help control inflammation. Human studies suggest that eating garlic or garlic products may improve heart and blood vessel markers like blood pressure and blood fat levels, though results vary depending on the product type, amount consumed, and individual health conditions.

Experts caution against consuming large amounts of raw garlic, especially for people with sensitive digestive systems, acid reflux, or those taking blood-thinning medications. They should avoid suddenly increasing garlic intake. Dr. Wu concludes that health maintenance doesn't rely on pursuing a single nutrient, but rather on choosing cooking methods backed by scientific evidence and practicing them consistently in daily life.

Thailand's cycling federation, in cooperation with Tak Province and Bhumibol Dam, will hold the fifth and final round of the 2025 national road and mountain bike championships from August 7-9 at Bhumibol Dam. General Decha Hemmakrasri, president of the Cycling Association of Thailand, explained that the road cycling events will use competition routes within the dam and parts of Samngao District, while mountain bike races will use trails entirely within the dam. This final round will determine who becomes the 2025 national cycling champion and receives the royal trophy. Outstanding male and female athletes in both road and mountain bike categories will be awarded the Prida Chulalamad honorary trophy, while the best coach will receive the Seree Trirat honorary trophy, named after the father of Thai cycling. Mountain bike category winners will be presented with championship trophies in a royal audience with His Majesty the King.

The association tasked Coach Tam Visutthikaseeyapat, vice president of technical affairs, with surveying the routes alongside dam officials. The tracks are confirmed to be both fun and challenging for riders. Organizers expect over 2,000 cyclists and supporters from across Thailand to converge on the dam, as many categories have close point standings. This large influx will boost hotel occupancy, increase spending, boost OTOP product sales, and stimulate the local economy and tourism.

General Decha urged cyclists who have not yet booked accommodations to do so immediately, as hotels both within the dam area and in surrounding Samngao District are filling up quickly. Late bookings may result in longer distances to available lodging. The public can watch live broadcasts on Thai PBS television, showing the road race amateur men's category on August 9 from 2:10-4:00 PM. Live streams will also be available on Facebook Live through the Thailand Cycling Association page and YouTube's TCA Channel: August 7 features the road cycling time trial starting at 9:00 AM; August 8 features the "Bike for Life-TCA GREEN CYCLING" community ride at 3:00 PM; and August 9 features the youth men's road race starting at 9:30 AM. General Decha added that the association appointed Captain Thitporn Noirak, the federation's secretary general, and Coach Tam to coordinate with various Tak Province agencies, with Deputy Governor Suneee Buspon chairing a planning meeting at the provincial hall.