On July 16, 2026, at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Chatrapech Chanla, 39, mother of Natthapong Charoen Dong, 22, a second-year electrical technology student at Minburi Polytechnic College, came to receive her son's body. He was shot and killed by an assailant on a motorcycle at a traffic light near Suthathoboch Temple in Ladkrabang district, Bangkok, in the early hours of the morning.

Chatrapech revealed that she did not know of any problems her son had with anyone. She only knew that he attended school with good intentions. She was aware that his friends had minor disputes with others, but never imagined it would escalate to violence of this severity.

She stated that as a mother, she constantly reminded her son to be careful. He dressed normally for school, never had conflicts with anyone, and never carried weapons. When asked about the brazen attack at the traffic light, she said such behavior is inappropriate for someone his age and that she does not know who the perpetrator is. She appealed to the killer to take responsibility for what happened, saying that even if they evade the law, they will face karmic justice.

"Just as the perpetrator fled to save their own life, our son also wanted to save his own life," the victim's mother said.

The family will later perform merit-making rituals at Srivaree Noi Temple in Bang Sao Thong, Samut Prakan province.

Mae Thong Sook has partnered with KUBIX to launch the MTS Gold Investment Token, Thailand's first digital token for gold trading investment, offering a 3% annual yield. Dr. Kritharat Hiranyasiri, executive chairman of the MTS Gold group, revealed that the company has been operating for over 74 years as a leading integrated gold trader in Thailand, covering gold bar imports and exports, refining, retail and wholesale operations, and futures brokerage. The company recently pioneered an online gold trading platform through the K PLUS app developed with Kasikornbank.

Mae Thong Sook Central, a subsidiary of MTS Gold, collaborated with KUBIX Digital Asset (under Orbix Group, a Kasikornbank financial services division) to launch the MTS Gold Investment Token, Thailand's first digital token for gold business investment. Global gold demand in 2568 surged to over 5,000 tons for the first time, valued at approximately $555 billion, a 45% increase from the previous year. Gold ETFs received net inflows exceeding 800 tons, and central banks worldwide purchased 863 tons net to diversify reserves and reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar.

2569 gold market trends are expected to be supported by strong investment demand from geopolitical tensions, debt and equity market volatility, and continued high gold ETF and bullion purchases; sustained central bank accumulation near 2568 levels for international reserve management and risk diversification; and limited gold supply due to mining constraints and rising production costs.

Nathapong Hiranyasiri, CEO of Mae Thong Sook Central, stated that MTS Gold sees growth in the gold bar market and opportunities to expand its customer base, so it is offering the MTS Gold Investment Token as a 3-year holding investment suited for investors seeking long-term returns with potential bonuses tied to gold price appreciation. The digital token offering will allocate at least 90% of raised funds to purchase 96.5% gold bars as inventory for gold trading through 13 Mae Thong Sook shop branches in Bangkok and surrounding areas, with future expansion planned. Up to 10% will be used as working capital. Token holders receive two types of returns: (1) a fixed 3% annual yield paid once yearly throughout the project term, and (2) potential special returns from gold price appreciation based on the gold-to-token ratio, if average selling prices exceed average purchase prices at project closure. After three years, token holders receive their full initial investment. Repayment sources come from project revenues and cash flows.

On July 16, 2025, at Parliament, Kalee Liawpairooj, a Democrat list MP and deputy party leader, responded to criticism from a group of cabinet ministers known as the "divine children." She rejected their claims and countered that the Democrat Party has existed for 80 years, not 30 years as they suggested—the latter figure likely refers to the ministers' own ages. Kalee stressed that Thailand's current crisis demands talented and experienced personnel, and she urged the special minister group to demonstrate their skills more visibly.

"Many people have continuously criticized me, but I want to say that I don't even know many of them or have to look up their surnames," Kalee said. "However, we can still work together because I uphold the principle of being a watchdog, checking every project without stopping. If people are open-minded, I believe we can work well together. But Thailand badly needs skilled people because we are in crisis." She added that while she can work alongside these ministers, the country is facing significant challenges.

When asked if she believed the current government lacked capability, Kalee responded with a mix of humor and seriousness, saying she had just created another headline. She expressed frustration that many decisions lack long-term vision beyond initial budget allocations. She cited major issues like artificial intelligence strategy, data centers, and a 400 billion baht treasury borrowing decree to address energy crisis impacts, noting these require deeper understanding and foresight.

Kalee emphasized the need for a shared national vision, pointing out that Thailand's past decisions have been piecemeal and reactive, causing missed opportunities. She called for coherent long-term planning, especially as the country develops new master plans. She questioned whether Thailand had clearly defined its future role in the digital industry and whether current budget allocations, such as the 1.5 billion baht for the TH-AI Passport project used by 5 million people, truly serve the best national strategy.

"Today I'm at the Pom Prap Sattru Phai district. Thank you to everyone who raised issues today," Kalee concluded.

Thailand's Commerce Ministry reported a surge in foreign investment during June 2025 and the first half of the year. In June alone, 112 foreign businesses were approved to operate in Thailand under the Foreign Business Operations Act, bringing investments worth 34.056 billion baht, with the majority coming from China, the United States, and Japan.

For the first half of 2025 (January–June), 640 foreign enterprises received approval to operate in Thailand, an increase of 138 cases or 27% compared to 502 cases in the same period of 2024. The total investment value reached 187.614 billion baht, up 76.108 billion baht or 68% from 111.506 billion baht in the first half of 2024.

The top five investing countries were: 1) China with 110 businesses (17% of foreign enterprises) investing 35.479 billion baht; 2) the United States with 107 businesses (17%) investing 6.043 billion baht; 3) Japan with 87 businesses (14%) investing 44.662 billion baht; 4) Singapore with 83 businesses (13%) investing 37.867 billion baht; and 5) Hong Kong with 59 businesses (9%) investing 13.088 billion baht. Other countries accounted for 194 businesses (30%) with investments of 50.475 billion baht.

Investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) during the first half of 2025 reached 199 projects, representing 31% of all foreign investors in Thailand and an increase of 41 projects or 26% from 158 projects in the same period of 2024. The EEC investment value totaled 83.779 billion baht, accounting for 45% of all foreign investment, with Chinese investors leading at 69 projects worth 28.983 billion baht, followed by Japan with 28 projects worth 22.386 billion baht, Singapore with 22 projects worth 10.1 billion baht, and other countries with 80 projects worth 22.31 billion baht.

Labor Minister Chulphan Amaravivat led a delegation of Labor Ministry officials in discussions with Vicchu Wetchachiva, Thai Ambassador to Japan, on July 15 to strengthen cooperation on labor issues and expand employment opportunities for Thai workers in Japan.

Chulphan cited growing concern over illegal Thai workers and residents in Japan. Although the Labor Ministry has promoted legal employment channels through the Employment for Skill Development Program (ESD) and cracked down on illegal brokers, the problem persists. He called for enhanced cooperation between Thai and Japanese embassies and law enforcement agencies to address the issue at its source and improve worker support systems.

The minister emphasized that the ministry will use data from this visit to upgrade Thai worker skills and competencies to meet Japan's labor market demands. The delegation's visit builds on the ESD memorandum signed in June, aimed at boosting employer confidence in Japan and securing fair, sustainable protections for Thai workers abroad.