Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Piyarat Tiyapairat and her delegation visited Lampang province on July 12, 2025, to present agricultural and cooperative policies, meet with farmers, and inspect the Hang Chat Agricultural Cooperative, where they distributed production materials. Welcoming officials included Kulthon Ratanaseri, director of the Khiw Lom-Khiw Khaw Maa water supply and maintenance project, and Athiw Thung Jet, director of the Lampang irrigation project.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is advancing development under the concept of "innovative agriculture for sustainable Thai farming," with five key policy areas: upgrading production through technology and innovation, increasing farmer income, developing farmer potential through reskilling and upskilling, market-led production, and systematic water resource management. She stressed the need for all sectors to support cooperatives as centers for product collection, value-added processing, and marketing, while integrating digital technology and innovation to reduce costs and adapt to climate change.

Hang Chat Agricultural Cooperative is the leading cooperative in its district and the only one in Lampang province with a rice mill and rice sales operations for both white and colored rice. Last year, it collected approximately 7,000 tons of paddy rice from members and processed over 717 tons of milled rice, while developing premium products including mineral spring rice and refined rice to add value for members. The cooperative's rice mill holds GHPs, HACCP, FDA, Thai industrial standards, and green cooperative mill certifications, and uses modern technology including color-sorting machines and UTD RF (BiO-Q) radio-frequency milling systems. The cooperative has 2,404 members, approximately 480 million baht in operating capital, and operates a complete agribusiness cycle including credit, savings, supply, product collection and processing, and member welfare services.

Government Savings Bank is inviting the public to compete for 70 million baht in special prizes during the final draw of its 113th anniversary campaign. The largest prizes consist of seven 10-million-baht awards. Customers and the public can purchase special 1-year and 2-year savings certificates in physical or digital form until July 15, 2569, through the MyMo app or at any Government Savings Bank branch nationwide.

On July 13, 2569, Sompon Cheevapaññaro, director of Government Savings Bank, announced that the campaign "Celebrate 113 Years: Increased Prize Money, Increased Prize Count" has entered the final special draw round, featuring the campaign's largest prizes totaling 70 million baht divided into seven awards of 10 million baht each, to be drawn on July 16, 2569. The campaign was launched to mark the bank's founding anniversary and provide happiness and encouragement to the public during economic uncertainty, while also promoting savings discipline for long-term financial security.

Both new and existing certificate holders are eligible to compete, with higher purchase volumes increasing chances of winning. Previously, the bank held two special draws awarding 56 prizes worth 43 million baht, transferred to winners' accounts nationwide. The third and final draw will distribute the largest prizes totaling 70 million baht, bringing the entire campaign's special prize fund to 113 million baht. Certificate holders also remain eligible for regular periodic prizes according to each certificate type's conditions.

Government Savings Bank certificates offer a secure savings option with guaranteed returns at the bank's specified interest rate, fully guaranteed by the government for both principal and interest. Individual savers enjoy tax exemption benefits and opportunities to win regular periodic prizes and special prizes held at various occasions. Those seeking more information can visit www.gsb.or.th or contact GSB Contact Center at 1115.

At 11:30 a.m. on July 13, 2025, the Technology Crime Investigation Bureau announced the dismantling of an online muay thai betting network. Police arrested 6 suspects, seized 245 mobile phones, and confiscated assets valued at over 6.3 million baht.

The operation involved coordinated raids at six locations in Bangkok, including four residences on Nawamintr Road Soi 24 and two on Nawamintr Road Soi 42 in Bangkumthong District.

According to police, the network was run with a clear division of labor. It used a Facebook account under the name "Muay Hoo Neung Chai Wattana" to recruit members, collecting daily and monthly fees. Members placed online bets on muay thai matches through a LINE application called "Muay Pak Yok Variety." The network operator used multiple bank accounts to receive, hold, and circulate funds.

Financial tracking from September 10, 2024 to October 28, 2024 revealed money circulation of approximately 100 million baht per month, or roughly 1 billion baht annually. Some individuals within the network received suspicious transfers exceeding 80 million baht with no documentation supporting legitimate business activity.

The six arrested suspects include: Chai Wattana (name withheld), 34, who built credibility through social media and recruited members; Ms. Piyamal (name withheld), 33, who managed finances; Watchrapol (name withheld), 22; Veersak (name withheld), 27; Phakpol (name withheld), 23; and Chitrakorn (name withheld), 44, who posted promotional content and managed financial operations.

At Rajavithi Hospital, Dr. Somruk Chaosamran, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, visited to oversee treatment of victims from the entertainment venue fire in the Ladprao district. He confirmed the incident occurred near midnight on July 12-13, 2025, at 3:26 a.m., with at least 27 confirmed deaths and 63 injured: 22 in critical condition, 33 in moderate condition, and 8 in minor condition, admitted to 11 hospitals including Rajavithi Hospital (11 patients), Phyathai Phaholyothin (11), Vimut (9), Ladprao (5), Paolo Kesat (5), Chulalongkorn (4), Ramathibodi (4), Petchvej (4), Police Hospital (2), Chokechai 4 (2), and others with one patient each.

Dr. Somruk noted patients suffered burn injuries and smoke inhalation requiring specialized burn ward and ICU care. He ordered all public health ministry hospitals in Bangkok and surrounding areas to prepare burn treatment units and ICU beds for patient transfers. Six hospitals currently have available beds: Thammasat Chulalongkorn (1), Noppharat Rajathanee (3), Vajira (1 burn/1 ICU), Siriraj (3 non-intubated), Bhumibol Adulyadej (1), and Chonburi (2 intubated).

Among the 11 Rajavithi patients, most have burn injuries with six in critical condition, one moderate, one minor, and three requiring no treatment. One green-condition patient was discharged, leaving seven admitted. Health Minister Patthana Prommapan expressed concern and ordered comprehensive care, planning to visit patients this evening.

On July 13, 2025, Supamas Israpakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and overseer of the Consumer Protection Board (CPB), expressed deep sympathy for the deadly fire at the Ladprao entertainment venue, which caused multiple deaths and injuries. The Prime Minister has instructed all agencies to urgently assist affected persons, care for the injured, support families of the deceased, and swiftly investigate the incident.

Supamas ordered CPB Secretary-General Ranrong Phulapipat and Deputy Secretary-General Saran Rakspaeo to lead a team that will coordinate with Chatuchak District Office to inspect the scene and work with relevant agencies to provide relief. The CPB has established a "Victim Assistance and Coordination Center" at Phahonyothin MRT Station to receive complaints, collect evidence, provide legal advice, and facilitate compensation claims for the injured and families of the deceased.

Visitors to the venue are considered consumers with legal rights to safety and protection. The CPB will mediate between victims and the operator to accelerate settlement negotiations and compensation, covering medical expenses, property damage, and related losses. The board will coordinate with investigators to gather evidence; if operators refuse to take responsibility or deny compensation, the Consumer Protection Committee is authorized to file civil lawsuits on behalf of consumers at no cost to victims. Criminal proceedings will be handled separately by Phahonyothin Police Station. Supamas emphasized that the CPB will stand beside the victims, provide legal counsel, and deploy all legal mechanisms to protect consumer rights and ensure fair compensation.

Gloebel Securities (GBS) estimates the Thai stock market will trade sideways within a 1,600–1,650-point range this week, despite headwinds from renewed U.S.–Iran tensions and U.S. interest rate movements. However, the market is supported by multiple positive factors, particularly a 7–2 Constitutional Court ruling that the 400-billion-baht borrowing decree does not violate the constitution, allowing state investment projects to proceed. Additionally, the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) rose in June for the first time in four months, signaling that consumers are easing worries about the international situation and benefiting from the "Thai Helps Thai Plus 60/40" stimulus measure, which boosts domestic spending.

Further positive news includes the Board of Investment's approval of Nestlé's investment project worth over 23 billion baht to build a new coffee factory in Thailand, reinforcing confidence in Thailand as a global manufacturing hub. On the foreign side, U.S. initial jobless claims fell to 215,000, below analyst expectations, and China has relaxed restrictions on technology imports by allowing AI companies limited access to Nvidia's H200 chips.

Investors should closely monitor risk factors, including Middle East tensions following the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) attack on U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as the Federal Reserve meeting, where CME FedWatch data shows 72.7% probability the Fed holds rates at 3.50–3.75% in July and 63.5% probability of at least a 0.25% hike to 3.75–4.00% in September. The CP Group has also sent a letter to Thai Railways requesting termination rights for the high-speed train contract.

Key economic indicators to watch include Thailand's international trade data and vehicle production and export figures in the fourth week of July, industrial production index in the fifth week, and the Bank of Thailand's economic and financial report on July 31, with a Monetary Policy Committee meeting scheduled for August. Internationally, Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Powell will testify on monetary policy to Congress on July 14–15, while the U.S. will release critical economic data including business confidence, employment, inflation (CPI/PPI), manufacturing, oil inventories, retail sales, housing market data, and existing home sales contracts between July 14–16. The Fed's next meeting is scheduled for July 28–29.