The Creative Economy Advancement Agency (CEA) is accelerating Thailand's creative economy sector, valued at 1.63 trillion baht, through a powerful "Creative Effect" campaign featuring prominent creators Milli Danupha Khanatheerakul, Siam Attaviriya, and Gai Nathaphol Boonchabutr. The campaign showcases how creative thinking extends beyond art and entertainment to become a significant economic engine that builds business competitiveness, strengthens urban identity, and generates positive social impact across the nation.

CEA Director Chakrit Pichayangkur explained that the agency's mission is to transform ideas into capital by supporting Thai creators in converting their concepts into tangible economic value. Thailand's creative industries—spanning 15 sectors including music, design, and content—currently represent over 8% of GDP, underscoring creativity as a crucial asset for competitive advantage and new opportunities for individuals, businesses, and the nation.

The campaign partners with three leading creators from different disciplines. Milli is an international music phenomenon supported through CEA's Music Exchange program. Siam, Design Director of design studio Pink Blue Black & Orange, is a graphic design leader recognized globally and recently won the Golden Pin Design Award 2025 (Taiwan) for his integration design work on Bangkok Design Week 2025. Gai is a filmmaker behind popular Netflix series including "Mad Unicorn" and "The Evil Lawyer," continuing his collaboration with CEA on content creation projects.

CEA emphasizes that every creative idea, regardless of scale, can transform into business value, generate revenue for the country, and create global positive momentum when properly supported and developed.

The Meteorological Department on July 20 forecast thunderstorms across Thailand over the next 24 hours, driven by a weakening southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. Wave heights in the upper Andaman and upper Gulf are expected to reach 1–2 meters, with heights exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm zones. Mariners are advised to navigate cautiously and avoid stormy areas.

Regional forecasts (6 p.m. today to 6 p.m. tomorrow):

**Northern Region:** 40% chance of thunderstorms, mainly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, and Tak provinces. Lows 22–27°C, highs 28–36°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

**Northeastern Region:** 30% thunderstorm coverage, chiefly in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and Ubon Ratchathani. Lows 23–25°C, highs 35–37°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

**Central Region:** 30% thunderstorms, mostly in Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Lopburi, and Saraburi. Lows 23–26°C, highs 35–37°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

**Eastern Region:** 30% thunderstorms, mainly in Nakhon Nayok, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Lows 25–28°C, highs 33–37°C. Southwest winds 15–35 km/h. Sea waves 1–2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in storms.

**Southern Region (East Coast):** 30% thunderstorms, chiefly in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Lows 23–26°C, highs 34–36°C. Southwest winds 15–30 km/h. Sea waves around 1 meter, exceeding 2 meters in storms.

**Southern Region (West Coast):** 30% thunderstorms, mainly in Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. Lows 23–25°C, highs 33–35°C. From Phang Nga northward: southwest winds 15–35 km/h. Sea waves 1–2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in storms. From Phuket southward: southwest winds 15–30 km/h. Sea waves around 1 meter, exceeding 2 meters in storms.

**Bangkok and Metropolitan Area:** 30% thunderstorm chance, mostly afternoon to evening. Lows 26–28°C, highs 35–37°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

From July 21–25, rainfall will increase nationwide as the monsoon trough intensifies over the northern and upper northeastern regions.

On July 20, residents of Surin who were denied state welfare cards gathered at the Surin Provincial Transport Office in Muang district to verify vehicle ownership records with transport authorities. Transport Chief Sahanat Kampun arranged vehicle registration staff to assist with data verification. Officials found that many people were listed as owners of old vehicles they did not possess, some had been fraudulently registered without their knowledge, and others had put vehicles in their names to help children make payments. The Department of Transport has submitted the issue to the Ministry of Finance to determine how to resolve it, and the matter is currently under review.

When interviewed, 73-year-old Niam from Phiayram subdistrict said she was denied benefits because she was recorded as owning two motorcycles. In reality, she owns only a bicycle for traveling to rice fields and temples. She has never owned a motorcycle in her life and cannot understand how her name came to be listed as an owner. Phueng, 64, from Muang Thip subdistrict, said the system shows he owns a car—which he does, a very old one purchased in 1993. He was disqualified for having it and asked for new criteria to be considered. He added that even his 77-year-old sister, who is disabled and bedridden, was disqualified, forcing him to handle her appeal, though he does not know if it will be approved.

Porn, 66, from Khokho subdistrict, said the system lists her as owning a motorcycle that is now scrap metal. She complained that the government has made life difficult for ordinary people like her who earn just enough to survive day to day, and that verifying these matters wastes her working time. She appealed to the government to investigate actual living conditions or allow relevant ministries to inspect homes to verify genuine poverty, noting that some civil servants still receive benefits while truly poor people do not. She urged swift resolution.

Regarding owning two motorcycles and failing the criteria, one woman noted the government did not inform her beforehand. She previously held the card but it was revoked. She registered two motorcycles 20 years ago so her children could use them and pay installments themselves; one is now a tuk-tuk and the other her child uses for work. She did not expect such rules. She owns only vehicles and no other assets—just a modest roof-damaged house and two old bicycles. She sarcastically said she has now become rich overnight, rich in name only, as a coconut vendor selling roasted young coconuts. She questioned how she is supposed to carry 10 coconuts over 10 kilometers to the market and when the government will address this.

Siriches Pooltipayanont, chairman of the Thailand Mixed Martial Arts Association (MMA), has become the first candidate to submit an application for the position of director of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT). The SAT opened applications for candidates seeking selection for the director position following the current director, Dr. Kong Sakda Yodmani, whose term ends on September 30, 2026. Applicants can submit their applications and supporting documents in person or through an authorized representative at the SAT human resources department, floor 6, by calling 02-1867111 extensions 1217 or 7950 between July 15-29, 2026 during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), or by email to hrm@sat.or.th from July 15-29, 2026 by 4:30 p.m. As of July 20, 2026, Siriches Pooltipayanont, chairman of the Thailand Mixed Martial Arts Association, submitted his application to become SAT director as the first candidate. The application period remains open until July 29, 2026.

On July 20, TikTok user @artittaya_ing posted a warning about purchasing amulets online, claiming that a colleague received a cursed bracelet along with an unwanted spiritual entity. She explained that her colleague ordered what was advertised as a white string bracelet from Hong Kong through a buy-one-get-one promotion. After receiving the item, the colleague suddenly felt compelled to undergo a spiritual cleansing ritual at a shrine rather than a temple, and returned home experiencing disturbing symptoms—anxiety, temperature fluctuations, and urges to harm herself and others. The colleague violently attacked her boyfriend without prior history of such behavior, prompting her to seek help from a spiritual healer. The healer examined the bracelet and warned that it carried a malevolent red-line curse, describing it as being inhabited by a vengeful child spirit from Hong Kong. The healer explained that the spirit became hostile after the cleansing ritual, refusing to leave peacefully and creating turmoil for the afflicted person. After performing multiple traditional rituals following Hmong spiritual practices, the haunting was eventually resolved at home. The user shared this story as a public warning about the dangers of purchasing items from unknown online sources without knowing their origins or spiritual associations.

Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM) is working with the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) to upgrade Easy Pass lanes and road surfaces at the Sri Saman tollgate on the Udon Ratchathani Expressway in both directions, affecting lanes 1 and 2 from July 21–31, 2025. The upgrades aim to improve service efficiency and safety for expressway users, though machinery noise is expected during work hours. Work schedules are as follows: July 21–30, 6 a.m.–10 p.m., lane 2 outbound; July 23–30, 6 a.m.–10 p.m., lane 2 inbound; July 24–31, 10 p.m. onwards, lane 1 outbound; and July 26–31, 10 p.m. onwards, lane 1 inbound. BEM apologizes for any inconvenience and asks drivers to plan ahead and follow warning signs and staff instructions for safe travel. For more information, users can contact the Udon Ratchathani Expressway Control Center at 02-567-5679–80, EXAT Call Center at 1543, or follow BEM on Facebook and X.