Bank for Agriculture Launches Two New Deposit Products

BAAC has launched two new 11-month deposit products: Sai Thong offering a fixed 1.10 percent annual interest rate and Pan Thong with tiered rates up to 6.59 percent, both available for enrollment through August 31, 2026.

23 Jul Khaosod

The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has launched two new short-term deposit products, announced by Deputy Manager Paisal Hongsthong. The Sai Thong deposit product offers an 11-month fixed deposit with a constant annual interest rate of 1.10 percent (equivalent to 1.29 percent per annum for fixed deposits), available to individuals aged seven and above, groups, juristic persons, government agencies, state enterprises, financial institutions, and insurance companies domiciled in Thailand. The minimum opening balance is 10,000 baht with no maximum deposit limit, and interest is paid monthly, with the first installment beginning August 31, 2026.

The Pan Thong deposit product also has an 11-month term with a tiered interest structure, offering a maximum rate of 6.59 percent per annum with an average rate of 1.10 percent for the full program. The tiered rate is divided into two periods: July 22, 2026 to June 15, 2027 at 1.00 percent per annum, and June 16 to June 21, 2027 at 6.59 percent per annum. Interest is paid monthly on the 15th of each month, with the first payment on September 15, 2026 and the final payment on June 21, 2027. Existing customers rolling over deposits from previous products (Krapung Thong and Thong Nop Khun) may partially or fully transfer to these new products by contacting BAAC branches between July 22 and August 31, 2026.

Both deposit products are now open for enrollment from July 22 through August 31, 2026, or until the bank closes the enrollment period. Individual depositors are exempt from deposit interest tax, while juristic persons are taxed according to Revenue Department regulations. For more information, customers may contact any BAAC branch nationwide or call the Call Center at 02 555 0555.

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National

Chulalongkorn, Thai Cement Group Partner on Carbon Capture

Chulalongkorn University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Thailand Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) to promote pilot-scale carbon capture innovation and accelerate T...

23 Jul Thailand.go.th Issues

Chulalongkorn University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Thailand Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) to promote pilot-scale carbon capture innovation and accelerate T...

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National

Thailand Prepares Security Guidelines For Smart Devices

Thailand's National Cyber Security Agency is developing security guidelines to protect smart devices like CCTV systems and virtual power plants from cyber attacks, with data sovereignty as a key focus.

23 Jul The Phuket News

BANGKOK: The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) is preparing the country to deal with emerging attacks involving smart devices, particularly CCTV systems and virtual power plants (VPPs) in the energy sector, while deeming data sovereignty a priority.

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National

DSI Submits Local Exam Fraud Data to NACC

The Department of Special Investigation has submitted findings on local civil service exam fraud to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, focusing on cases where victims were deceived and lost money rather than official misconduct.

23 Jul Khaosod

On July 23, 2025, at 10:20 a.m. at Government House, Pol. Lt. Gen. Yutthana Phraidamm, director of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), briefed reporters on progress in investigating fraud related to local civil service exams. He explained that DSI is investigating cases where people have been deceived and defrauded, but the agency's involvement does not extend to cases involving officials with direct examination responsibilities or government officials who may have misled exam takers by falsely claiming to offer assistance.

When asked about the NACC's coordination with DSI, Yutthana said the agency had sent officers to participate in questioning and investigation, representing DSI's cooperative effort, while authority over the case rests with NACC. DSI has initiated its own investigation into cases where victims were misled and lost money. When asked how many complaints have been filed, the DSI director said the number is still low. He noted that the agency must compile and submit findings to NACC, though final figures have not been tallied yet because victims may be aware that authority currently lies with the Central Investigation Police and NACC. DSI will coordinate reports and cooperate with relevant agencies, but this is not classified as a special case because it does not fall directly under the agency's jurisdiction.

When asked how to distinguish between intentional fraud and being deceived, the DSI director said investigators must trace the source and examine those with direct examination responsibilities. If someone without examination duties deceives test takers by falsely promising help, without knowing the perpetrator personally, that constitutes fraud.

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National

MEA Expands Smart Meter Program for Medical Patients

Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) continues advancing public services by promoting Smart Meter technology to improve the quality of life for patients who rely on electricity-dependent...

23 Jul Thailand.go.th Issues

Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) continues advancing public services by promoting Smart Meter technology to improve the quality of life for patients who rely on electricity-dependent...

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National

Thailand Partners With Seoul Hospital on Medical AI

Thailand and South Korea are partnering to develop medical AI systems, combining Korea's disease databases with Thailand's tropical disease expertise to accelerate healthcare innovation.

23 Jul Khaosod

On July 23, Deputy Prime Minister and Higher Education Minister Yuthasak Sasangkosol visited Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) in Seoul, South Korea, along with senior officials to discuss cooperation on medical AI and quantum cybersecurity. The delegation explored two major initiatives: SNUH.AI, an integrated AI platform using specialized medical language models to assist healthcare workers and improve patient care through seamless hospital data integration, and SNUH Polaris, a precision medicine project using genomic technology to customize treatment based on individual patient characteristics.

Yuthasak emphasized that the partnership represents a win-win situation, as South Korea possesses disease databases that Thai hospitals lack, while Thailand has extensive tropical disease data—dengue fever, malaria, and tuberculosis—that Korea needs. He noted that Thailand's Ministry of Public Health and the science ministry are developing a similar system domestically, with the first results expected by year-end. The collaboration will allow Thailand to accelerate its medical AI development by learning from Korea's experience rather than starting from scratch, ultimately ensuring that advanced medical technology reaches the Thai public effectively.

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National

Thailand Freezes Electricity Rates at 3.95 Baht Per Unit

Thailand's Energy Regulatory Commission froze electricity rates at 3.95 baht per unit through December 2025 by absorbing accumulated costs and using clawed-back revenues to shield consumers from rising fuel expenses.

23 Jul Khaosod

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the automatic fuel adjustment formula at 16.23 satang per unit for the September-December 2025 billing period, keeping the average electricity rate stable at 3.95 baht per unit when combined with the base rate of 3.78 baht per unit, excluding value-added tax. According to ERC Secretary Poolpat Leesombatpiboon, the fuel adjustment reflects anticipated fuel costs and electricity purchase expenses of 41.27 satang per unit, adjusted to reflect current natural gas pricing. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand will continue to absorb accumulated costs totaling 31,268 million baht on behalf of consumers, while the ERC has mobilized 16,127.17 million baht in clawed-back excess revenues—equivalent to 25.04 satang per unit—to further reduce the electricity burden. The rate determination follows the 2007 Energy Business Act and the 2021 Electricity Rate Setting Criteria, which allow the ERC to use clawed-back funds to help stabilize rates and mitigate impacts from energy crises. The ERC emphasized balancing true cost recovery with protection of consumers' cost of living, noting that 168 people reviewed the proposal during the July 13-20 public consultation period, with seven comments expressing concern about living expenses and requesting rate stability. The commission will closely monitor global energy prices, liquefied natural gas costs, exchange rates, and geopolitical factors to ensure future rates remain appropriate, transparent, and fair to all stakeholders.

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National

Thai Minister Says Yingluck Trapped in Political Snare

A Thai deputy prime minister claims iLaw director Yingluck Achjanant is caught in a political trap rather than deliberately making unsupported allegations linking Bhumjaithai Party members to Senate fraud, suggesting she may have been manip

23 Jul Khaosod

At 9:45 a.m. on July 23 at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister Parutsathorn Chatkaewmanee, a Ang Thong member of parliament for the Bhumjaithai Party, commented on iLaw director Yingluck Achjanant's recent allegations. He stated he does not want the party to pursue legal action against Yingluck for naming party members linked to the Senate election fraud case, saying whether to sue is a party matter. Personally, he said there is no conflict between them—they were schoolmates—and he lives by the principle of "not killing your junior, not suing your senior, not betraying friends." However, he added that Yingluck presented claims as fact despite having no evidence, merely relaying hearsay to the public and causing damage to nine people mentioned.

When asked if Yingluck's statements had political motives, Parutsathorn said he believed Yingluck was caught in a trap rather than acting deliberately. He suggested Yingluck may have been manipulated by either political rivals or disappointed senatorial candidates with a vested interest in seeing vacancies filled. Parutsathorn noted that reserve senatorial candidates stand to gain if one of the 200 sitting senators steps down, creating a clear conflict of interest.

Parutsathorn further claimed the timing was suspicious, occurring shortly after a ruling party member faced charges in a Forex case by the Department of Special Investigation. He characterized the Senate fraud allegations as old claims his party had previously addressed and cooperated on. He suggested the People's Party strategically revived the issue after allegations emerged against Prawit Wongsuwan, using the same information they had fed to Yingluck. When pressed on whether Yingluck, the People's Party, and reserve senators were coordinating, Parutsathorn said he could not confirm whether Yingluck was part of a political network but doubted he would intentionally lower iLaw's standards. He remarked that iLaw once maintained integrity but has recently played politics, and suggested that if Yingluck wanted political involvement, he should simply join a party openly.

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National

ONE Championship Reconciles with Rothalung, Eyes Massive Fighter Purse

ONE Championship has reconciled with former Muay Thai champion Rothalung Jitmeungnon after previous legal disputes, with his next fight purse potentially exceeding 10 million baht—a record for Thai fighters.

23 Jul Khaosod

ONE Championship has reconciled with Rothalung Jitmeungnon and hints his next fight purse could exceed 10 million baht, depending on his fighting position and whether he competes for a title. No Thai fighter has ever received compensation of this magnitude. ONE Championship had previously filed lawsuits against Rothalung, the former ONE Muay Thai Flyweight World Champion, in three countries, including a defamation suit seeking 542 million baht in damages in Thailand. Big Phalay, ONE's representative, stated they have met again, which is positive. After their previous meeting and discussions, he expressed delight that Rothalung would rejoin ONE under the management of Jitmeungnon Camp, allowing global fans to watch him compete. He credited Jit and Soh Aor for helping facilitate a good resolution and said this would make Rothalung even greater. "I believe Rothalung has talent—someone like him would succeed in any sport," Big Phalay said. "Regarding his fight purse, we may not be able to disclose it, but it follows international standards. Rothalung's compensation is very high—no Thai fighter has ever received this much. It's an excellent contract, but we cannot specify the exact figure or confirm whether it exceeds 10 million."

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Community

Sixty-Seven-Year-Old Man Digs 5-Acre Pond by Hand

A 67-year-old man in Nakhon Ratchasima has hand-dug over 60 percent of a 5-acre pond using simple tools, earning the nickname "Uncle the Master Digger" after decades of labor. He envisions the completed pond as a tourist attraction with a s

23 Jul Khaosod

On July 23, 2569 (2026), it was reported that Khong Thobphakthai, a 67-year-old resident of Sa Takian subdistrict in Sisaket district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, has earned the nickname "Uncle the Master Digger" for spending decades manually digging and sculpting a 5-acre pond using only his two hands and simple tools.

He envisions the pond as a tourist attraction with a sandy beach where visitors can swim, while also serving domestic water needs and potentially becoming a fish farm for subsistence and future income.

Although he initially attempted to hire a backhoe to excavate the pond about 40 percent of the way through, the sandy soil caused the machine to sink and become stuck, forcing him to abandon mechanical methods and continue with manual labor using custom-made shovels and pickaxes. He has now hand-dug over 60 percent of the entire 5-acre area.

Khong explained that serious work began around age 50, when he started shaping embankments, pond edges, and an island in the center. His goal is to develop the entire 17-acre property into a mixed farm following the late King Bhumibol's sustainable agriculture philosophy, while also managing seasonal floodwaters that flow down from nearby hills during the rainy season. He hopes the finished pond will eventually become a community tourism destination and additional source of income for the local area.

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National

Pizza Company Launches Chicken Tendies Concept with Coca-Cola

The Pizza Company launches Chicken Tendies, a new fast-casual concept featuring fried chicken, pizzas, and egg tarts with Coca-Cola beverages targeting younger consumers seeking quick, affordable meals. The first location opened at Robinson

23 Jul Khaosod

Thai Beverage Coca-Cola is strengthening its partnership with The Pizza Company by launching The Pizza Company Chicken Tendies, a new business concept entering the quick-service restaurant (QSR) fried chicken market. The collaboration combines global Coca-Cola beverages with appetizing menu items including crispy fried chicken, pizzas, and egg tarts over 30 centimeters long in tendies style, plus value-priced combo sets tailored to solo diners, Gen Z, and convenience-focused customers seeking quick, satisfying meals.

Jason Riley, Assistant Managing Director of HoReCa at Thai Beverage Corporation Public Company Limited, stated that the company is advancing its business strength and supporting partner goals for mutual growth. Thai Beverage Coca-Cola brings expertise in QSR beverage service through long-standing experience with diverse restaurant types, offering both fountain refill systems for dine-in and bottled options for takeaway, bundled in affordable sets with unlimited Coca-Cola refills. The brand also brings world-class marketing campaigns adapted for Thai consumers, enhancing the tendies-style character and experience.

Pat Pongwittayapipat, General Manager of The Pizza Company under The Minor Food Group Public Company Limited, explained that the new The Pizza Company Chicken Tendies concept underwent extensive preparation in business model design, consumer insight analysis, product strategy innovation, and digital store development. The first transformed QSR-format location at Robinson Lifestyle Suvarnabhumi is now open and ready to serve. Having Thai Beverage Coca-Cola as a beverage partner complements the dining experience and brings Coca-Cola's marketing campaigns to further strengthen the concept.

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