Thailand's Commerce Ministry is chairing negotiations on the ASEAN-China free trade agreement, with both sides targeting full implementation of the upgraded ACFTA 3.0 by the end of 2024. Deputy Director-General Umapon Futtrakul of the International Trade Negotiation Department was assigned by Director-General Chotima Eamswaddikul to lead the ASEAN delegation alongside Lin Feng, director-general of China's Department of International Trade and Economic Affairs, at the 17th ASEAN-China Free Trade Area Joint Committee (ACFTA-JC) meeting on July 23–24, 2024, conducted via videoconference.

This is the first ACFTA-JC meeting in three years since 2022, as ASEAN and China have been negotiating to upgrade the trade framework to ACFTA 3.0. Both sides have agreed the upgraded pact will take effect within 2024 to allow ASEAN and China's leaders to announce success at the ASEAN-China Summit scheduled for November 2024. Seven ASEAN member states, including Thailand, have already completed their domestic ratification processes, and once China finishes, the protocol will take effect within 60 days, enabling businesses to benefit from the modernized and streamlined ACFTA framework.

The meeting also reviewed progress on key ACFTA commitments, including updating tariff schedules to the HS 2022 standard and developing an electronic Certificate of Origin exchange system (EODES) to reduce paperwork and processing time for origin verification. Thailand is currently discussing the system's development with China. Discussions also covered allocation of funding from a China-backed development fund to support ASEAN economic cooperation initiatives and prepare for new ACFTA 3.0 areas such as digital trade, green trade, and supply chain connectivity.

China has been ASEAN's top trading partner for 16 consecutive years. In 2023, ASEAN-China trade totaled $916.15 billion, up 18.59 percent year-on-year, with Thailand ranking as China's third-largest trading partner in ASEAN after Vietnam and Malaysia. In the first three months of 2024, ASEAN-China bilateral trade reached $238.45 billion, with ASEAN exports to China valued at $77.48 billion and imports from China at $160.97 billion. ASEAN's key exports include electrical machinery and components, nuclear reactors and parts, mineral fuels, steel, and edible fruits and nuts, while main imports include electrical machinery, reactors, plastics, steel, and vehicles and automotive components.

On August 3, 2025, at 10:35 a.m., the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) issued summons for 22 suspects in an illegal forex trading case. The charges include conspiracy to commit fraud, unauthorized securities trading, unregistered futures contracts, computer data falsification, and money laundering. Film, officially named Rathaphoomi Tokongthrop, was called to acknowledge charges and provide explanation regarding financial transactions linked to Ether Wealth Limited, a designated brokerage network, and a money transfer of 6,000,100 baht from an individual named Purithat on June 26, 2014. Total accumulated transaction value reached 142,919,860.13 baht. Investigators also discovered his financial connections to HF Markets (SV) Ltd, registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and other offshore jurisdictions including Seychelles, the United Kingdom, and the Cayman Islands—jurisdictions chosen to evade Thai regulatory oversight. Film's attorney, Pramuan Lueangwattanawanich, stated before the meeting that his client would clarify all points raised by investigators and provide any necessary documentation later. The attorney emphasized that payment gateway transfers and other disputed matters were unrelated to Film and that any fraudulent activity would need to be traced through the full money flow chain involving other accused parties.

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anuthín Charnvirakul said at the Ministry of Interior on August 3 that he is doing his part, but clarification should come from those responsible. The government has no involvement with the Senate and is not the party that needs to explain the matter. When asked if a complaint has been filed against Yingcheep Atchananont, director of the Internet Law Project (iLaw), Anuthín said legal proceedings are underway. His lawyer, Suphachai Jaisamut, a lawmaker on Bhumjaithai's party list, is handling the case.

Prime Minister Anuthín Charnveerakul and Interior Minister addressed the royal decree process regarding the removal of Dr. Sorn Bunyopachaipruk, a clinical professor and NBTC chairman, on grounds of failing to meet statutory qualifications. Anuthín stressed that the action complied fully with the law and all procedures, which he has assigned Deputy PM Pakorn Nilpraphan (legal affairs) to verify. He confirmed that the Prime Minister had no discretion in this case and was bound to follow the law and prescribed steps exactly as written.

Prime Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul has instructed local administrators to care for residents in Thailand's southern border region following an armed attack on police in Narathiwat province that left officers wounded and killed. Speaking at the Interior Ministry on August 3, the PM said the Army commander and deputy national police commander have deployed to the area, and he has ordered civil officials to coordinate with security forces to support affected communities.

The PM emphasized that southern border challenges extend beyond ideological opposition to include drug trafficking and smuggling. He confirmed that authorities are conducting continuous raids and stated that anyone attempting to circumvent the law will face arrest. He cited recent smuggling seizures in Ranong province worth 200–300 million baht and another bust in Chumphon on August 1 as evidence of enforcement efforts. The PM assured the public that the current government does not grant clemency, and several officials have already faced consequences for attempting to clear perpetrators.

When asked about the latest clash in Yala province on the morning of August 3, the PM said he has received full reports. He noted that responsible agencies are already overseeing the situation under standing orders to suppress unrest and combat lawbreakers comprehensively, so operational decisions do not need government approval. He also mentioned that dialogue with opposing groups will continue alongside enforcement action, and that Myanmar's president will visit Thailand on August 6 to discuss drug trafficking, mineral extraction in shared waterways, and pollution. The PM is also scheduled to visit Indonesia on August 3–4 to address economic, security, and border-related cooperation issues.

The Royal Thai Navy conducted a ceremonial blessing of the grounds, Buddhist rites, and traditional boat spirit veneration for 14 royal barges on August 3, 2026, at the National Royal Barge Museum. Navy Commander Admiral Phairoj Fueungjan presided over the ceremonies preparing the vessels for a grand water procession as part of royal merit-making activities honoring Her Majesty the Queen's 4th cycle birthday celebration.

At 8:15 a.m., the Navy Commander traveled to the museum to perform ground blessings, Buddhist rites, and rituals venerating the spirits of four royal boats: the Suphannahongse, Anantanakharaj, Narayana Thongsuphan (Rama IX), and Anekchatibuchchong barges, alongside four mythical creature boats including the Ekachaisanhao, Garuda, Sword of Conquest, and Asurawayu vessels.

Following the official proclamation, the Navy Commander oversaw the Buddhist ceremony with incense and candles offered to the Three Gems, ordained monks giving blessings, chanting, and blessing water sprinklings. He then anointed the boats, applied gold leaf, tied colored cloths, arranged garlands, scattered blessed rice and flowers to honor the boat spirits, and performed a ceremonial dance with the Department of Fine Arts.

At 10:19 a.m., the Navy Commander presided over ceremonies honoring the spirits of six additional mythical creature boats at the Royal Motorboat Division, Wasukri Pier, including the Ekachailaohtong, Sword of Victory, Garuda Trijakra, Palee Rangtwip, Sukreekhrongmuang, and Asuropaksi vessels.

The ground blessing ceremony is a traditional ritual acknowledging and showing reverence to the protective spirits of a place, invoking Buddhist virtues and celestial deities. The boat spirit veneration reflects an ancient belief that each vessel has a protective mother spirit, and traditional blessing ceremonies are performed before deployment for good fortune and to boost the morale of naval personnel.