Deputy Police Chief Utten Nuypin reported on July 20 that the investigative committee held its third meeting to establish a framework for examining the local government exam fraud case. The committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilpraphan, aims to submit findings to him this week and has gathered evidence on 70 percent of the issues under review.

The investigation is not limited to determining whether fraud occurred, but rather examines the entire process from recruitment and exam preparation through result announcement and hiring. The committee has identified more than 30 points of focus, divided into three stages: pre-exam, during-exam, and post-exam procedures. Representatives from the Royal Thai Police, Civil Service Commission, Office of the Council of State, and other relevant agencies participated in the review.

The committee is comparing local government exam procedures with those used by other government agencies and the Civil Service Commission to develop a unified standard operating procedure (SOP) that can be applied across all government competitive exams in the future. Although the committee has already identified some gaps and potential weak points in the process, it is premature to pinpoint the exact cause of the alleged fraud while data collection from all agencies continues. The investigation examines whether all involved agencies followed their mandates and regulations fully, and identifies areas requiring improvement to prevent future irregularities.

Thai Military Bank (TTB) reported first-half 2024 net profit of 10.683 billion baht, with second-quarter earnings of 5.513 billion baht, reflecting operational performance in line with targets despite ongoing economic uncertainty. Asset quality remained solid with non-performing loans stable at 2.93%, while the reserve coverage ratio increased to 157%. The bank accelerated its share buyback program, completing 21 billion baht in repurchases by June 2024—one year ahead of the original three-year schedule—and expressed confidence in maintaining high, sustainable dividend payments. TTB emphasized focus on high-yield small business lending growth, digital capabilities to support product innovation and cost reduction, and risk-based pricing mechanisms to assist borrowers affected by economic conditions. Six-month pre-provision operating profit stood at 18.382 billion baht, nearly matching the prior year's 18.566 billion baht, while credit costs of 136 basis points reflected cautious reserve provisioning amid economic uncertainty.

Thailand's Commerce Ministry is accelerating efforts to boost Thai exports to China's premium market, expanding opportunities for fruits, health foods, and geographical indication (GI) products. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthumphand revealed the push following the Prime Minister's official visit to China on July 19-20, 2025, in Beijing, where discussions were held with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and National People's Congress Chair Zhao Leji to advance premium Thai product sales tailored to Chinese consumer quality-of-life aspirations, including Thai fruits, innovative agricultural goods, and health foods.

Thailand seeks to increase Chinese imports of Thai goods to create balanced trade and promote quality Chinese investment by pushing for local content use in Thailand. The ministry is also accelerating geographical indication (GI) registration between the two countries, particularly for three Thai GI products in China—jasmine rice from Tung Kula Ronghai, sweet tamarind from Phetchabun, and Siam ruby pomelo from Pak Phanang—to be completed by year's end to help boost local community income.

Superintendent Supachai stated that two memoranda of understanding (MoU) were signed: one on economic cooperation in industrial and supply-chain integration between the two commerce ministries, which builds on the success of upgraded ASEAN-China free trade agreement negotiations (ACFTA 3.0), establishing bilateral coordination mechanisms to facilitate Thai-Chinese supply-chain operators and strengthen MSMEs' roles in sectors such as technology, innovation, minerals, electric vehicles, and green industry; and a second on intellectual property rights enforcement cooperation between Thailand's Commerce Ministry and China's market regulation office to promote collaboration, information exchange, and best practices on intellectual property enforcement, while establishing points of contact to assist businesses affected by intellectual property violations in domestic and online platforms.

The ministry will continue economic cooperation discussed by both leaders during the Prime Minister's visit in the Thai-China Economic Joint Committee meetings, with Supachai and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng serving as co-chairs going forward.

China has been Thailand's top trading partner for 13 consecutive years. In 2024, Thailand-China trade totaled $147.34 billion, up 21.13% from 2023. In 2025 (January–May), bilateral trade reached $74.14 billion, up 28.38% from the same period in 2024, with Thai exports to China at $18.75 billion and Chinese imports to Thailand at $55.39 billion.

China remains a crucial export market for Thai goods including fresh, chilled, frozen, and dried fruits; computers, equipment, and components; rubber products; plastic pellets; and natural rubber, while Thailand imports from China machinery, electrical equipment, and components.

The Fine Arts Office Region 10 in Nakhon Ratchasima has stated that structures built within the Sarakampaeng Yai sanctuary grounds were constructed by Wat Sarakampaeng Yai without obtaining written permission from the Director-General of the Fine Arts Department. The temple claims the work was carried out outside the officially registered archaeological boundary, which covers approximately 6 rai 3 ngan. Tourists frequently lodge complaints with the Fine Arts Office because they are unaware of the sanctuary boundary limits. Staff from the office have visited the site multiple times to request cooperation from the temple abbot, but the temple argues that since the sanctuary lies within temple grounds, the Fine Arts Department has no authority to order removal of installations or structures within Wat Sarakampaeng Yai.

A sculpture installed on the southwestern side of the sanctuary for tourist photography was deemed incompatible with the archaeological context. The Fine Arts Office Region 10 inspected the site on May 28, 2025, and requested a meeting with the abbot to coordinate removal of the installations and restoration of the sanctuary to its original condition. A letter was sent to the abbot on June 4, 2025. To date, the temple has not complied with the removal request, and images of the unsightly installations continue to circulate online. The Fine Arts Office Region 10 plans to send another formal letter to Wat Sarakampaeng Yai requesting the removal of the problematic installations and structures that have damaged the sanctuary's landscape.

On July 20, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., volunteers from the Sawaang Bun Trat Foundation received word from fishermen of a body floating in the sea near Ban Yai Mom, Laem Ngob Subdistrict, Laem Ngob District, Trat Province. Rescue workers were immediately dispatched and discovered the remains of a male victim floating approximately 2 nautical miles from the Chumphon Bridge. The body was severely decomposed with only the skull remaining, and the victim was wearing only green underwear. Rescuers recovered the remains at the Laem Ngob Bridge area for identification. The boat owner, Amnaj Sudsongwan, identified the victim as Wanthong Nuan, 44, an engine mechanic aboard the Chok Kannya.

The Chok Kannya disaster occurred on July 10 when the fishing vessel sank approximately 3 nautical miles from Koh Kood in heavy seas at a depth exceeding 25 meters. Five crew members, including the captain, were lost. On July 17, two bodies were found on Koh Kood's beach: Tit Yim, 47, a Cambodian crew member, and Taddatetep Puttakhet, 31, the boat's captain. Today's discovery of Wanthong is the third victim, found in the Chong Chang area between Koh Chang and Laem Ngob, more than 80 kilometers from the sinking site. Two crew members, Chueuan and Lan Tum, remain missing.

Trat Fishery Association Chairman Narong Chaisiri stated that with three confirmed deaths and two still missing, all five are presumed dead. The boat had departed for fishing and refueling when severe weather struck, causing it to sink. The association and boat owner will coordinate with relevant agencies to provide assistance and compensation. Each family will receive approximately 700,000–800,000 baht in insurance benefits, provided they can prove legitimate blood relation to the deceased. Two other missing crew members were initially reported found in Cambodian waters but were confirmed not to be them. If declared missing, legal proceedings must be initiated to confirm death before compensation can be processed. The sunken vessel will be salvaged to preserve evidence for investigation. Trat fishermen are advised to monitor weather forecasts before heading to sea.