The Bank of Thailand reported on July 31 that Thailand's June economy held steady month-on-month, with private consumption improving thanks to government stimulus and rising electric vehicle sales. Merchandise exports and private investment continued to expand, driven by technology products, a global electronics industry upturn, and data center investments. However, industrial manufacturing declined across multiple sectors, particularly petroleum refining due to scheduled maintenance shutdowns and non-EV vehicle production, while the services sector slowed as foreign tourist arrivals and tourism revenue fell, hitting hotels and restaurants hard. Overall second-quarter economic growth decelerated from the first quarter due to higher energy prices and travel restrictions from Middle East conflict, weakening tourism and private consumption despite government support measures. Technology exports and data center investments helped offset the services slowdown. General inflation fell in June with crude oil prices, though core inflation rose as businesses passed along costs. The current account deficit narrowed while labor markets remained stable. Key factors to watch include war developments and US trade policy, tourism recovery, living costs and business expenses, government measures, and potential El Niño effects. The Bank of Thailand also noted that in the latest US Treasury report released July 24, Thailand remains on the US monitoring list, meeting only one of three criteria—a trade surplus with the United States of approximately $72 billion—after its current account surplus fell from 3.8 percent to 2.8 percent of GDP. The US Treasury acknowledged that the central bank's repatriation relaxation and gold transaction oversight measures aim to stabilize the baht rather than gain trade advantage. Thailand has a chance to be removed from the monitoring list in the next assessment round if it meets only one criterion, with the central bank tracking progress toward that goal.

A 19-year-old stepfather has confessed to accidentally striking a 3-year-old stepchild with his knee while drunk and falling, resulting in the child's death. The biological mother, age 24, initially claimed the boy had a high fever and had lost consciousness before being rushed to hospital, but doctors discovered bruises across his body. Police arrested both the mother and stepfather, Nai Lokhine, and are pursuing drug possession charges after both tested positive for drug use based on purple-colored urine samples.

Nai Lokhine, 19, has been remanded in custody at Mukdahan Provincial Court. He confessed that on the night of July 28, while the boy's mother was out topping up her mobile phone credit at a neighborhood stand, he was alone with the child while intoxicated. He claimed he stumbled and fell, his knee striking the child's abdomen forcefully, causing the boy to become unresponsive. The next morning, the child showed signs of distress with diarrhea and remained unresponsive, prompting the mother to call for an ambulance to Mukdahan Hospital.

Police Colonel Phrairojn Thaiphuttra, commander of Mukdahan Provincial Police, revealed that investigators have interviewed four witnesses and plan to call 2-3 additional witnesses for further statements. Preliminary autopsy findings show bruises on the child's body, but doctors cannot yet definitively determine the exact cause or what inflicted them. No signs of struggle or physical violence were found inside the residence. Both adults have been charged with drug possession, while the cause of death and all bruising patterns will be examined through detailed autopsy to properly pursue criminal charges.

Nai Lokhine's mother stated that she lives in a separate house and works in fields, so she did not witness any abuse. She said she was ill and sleeping in another house on the day of the incident, which prevented her from hearing any unusual sounds. She noted that Nai Lokhine has suffered from mental illness since age 10 and requires medication. The boy's mother moved in with them only recently.

Neighbors, however, reported frequently hearing the child crying continuously over several days, and each time the child cried, loud music would play simultaneously, suggesting an intentional effort to mask the child's cries.

At 12:49 a.m. on July 31, 2025, a man impersonating a police officer on a motorcycle broke through the Baan Khao Lam joint security checkpoint in Chachang Subdistrict, Soi Dao District, Chanthaburi, heading toward Sa Kaew Province. Officers pursued the suspect for more than 10 kilometers, but he used his familiarity with the local area to escape into a side soi. Investigation confirmed the suspect was a wanted person.

Deputy Superintendent Yingyong Buppahom, commanding officer of the Baan Khao Lam checkpoint (a joint operation between police, Royal Thai Marines, and Border Patrol Police Company 114), reported that while conducting routine checkpoint operations, two men on a motorcycle approached matching an earlier alert. The driver was dressed as a police officer wearing an overlay shirt and an official police hat to deceive officers. When signaled to stop for inspection, the officers quickly recognized the suspects as Thanat ("Ai Bpong") and Thamchai ("Nai Thong"), both wanted by Pattaya Provincial Court in connection with the mysterious disappearance of two Russian siblings and a motorcycle dismantling case in Chon Buri Province.

Realizing he had been identified, the suspect accelerated and sped through the checkpoint toward Sa Kaew Province. Officers gave chase for over 10 kilometers, but the suspect turned into connecting sois and disappeared from view. Near the checkpoint, officers recovered an official police hat that the suspect had dropped approximately 100 meters from the checkpoint and logged it as evidence.

Police Regional Commander Phudungsak Raksuk convened an urgent meeting with commanding officers and investigation teams from all police stations in the area to coordinate an intensified manhunt. Police believe the suspects may be using secondary roads, village routes, natural passages, and local plantations to avoid checkpoints, and suspect they may attempt to flee across the border into Cambodia through natural channels. Police warned the public that several social media videos circulating about the incident contain false information, including old clips and unverified details.

The Bank of Thailand has teamed up with the Thai Bankers Association and e-Money operators to impose strict limits on digital transfers and payments for users aged 10-18, aiming to combat fraud schemes that exploit young people into opening so-called "mule accounts." The central bank revealed on July 31, 2025, that criminals increasingly use youth bank accounts and e-Money accounts as intermediaries for financial crimes, unwittingly involving minors in illegal activities. To address this risk, the regulator has established age-based spending caps for digital channels: ages 10-12 are limited to 3,000 baht per day on e-Money accounts; ages 12-15 can transfer up to 5,000 baht per day through bank digital channels; and ages 15-18 can transfer up to 10,000 baht per day. These limits exclude low-risk transactions such as transfers within the same app. Banks and e-Money providers must notify customers before implementing the changes and allow those with legitimate needs to request higher limits through mobile banking, call centers, or branches. Commercial banks will complete the rollout by September 2025, while e-Money operators will finish by October 2025. The Bank of Thailand emphasized that parents should educate their children that opening accounts or allowing others to use their accounts can result in criminal liability. The central bank will closely monitor fraudster behavior and adjust measures as financial crime tactics evolve.

Chiang Rai faces an escalating flood crisis as heavy rainfall continues to accumulate in upstream areas, causing rapid rises in water levels across the Mekong and Korn rivers. The swollen rivers have breached their banks and flooded residential areas in Pa Aew Don Chai subdistrict, affecting at least 50 households so far. Ban Rong Khun village near the Mekong has seen 10 homes inundated, while Ban San Sali village adjacent to the Korn River has experienced flooding in 40 households.

Subdistrict Mayor Sirimongkol Khamdee explained that days of continuous rainfall have overwhelmed the Korn River, causing it to overflow into homes, while water levels in the Mekong behind Rong Khun Market are rising rapidly and spreading across low-lying riverside areas. Governor Chucheep Phongchai has instructed the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office and all relevant agencies to monitor the situation closely, conduct rapid damage assessments, and provide immediate assistance to affected residents while remaining vigilant for potential further increases in water levels.

The Po Teck Tung Foundation has organized a merit-making ceremony (gong tek) dedicated to the late Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, at Dusit Maha Prasat Hall within the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Provisions from the ceremony are being donated to the Duang Prateep Foundation and the Thai Red Cross to dedicate merit to Princess Patcharakitiyabha and other recipients. By royal command, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana has been designated to represent His Majesty in performing the merit-making ritual.

General Chakris Youkl, Vice Chairman of the Po Teck Tung Foundation Board, along with other board members and affiliated organizations, were present to receive the royal delegation and participate in the ceremony to express condolences and gratitude for the Queen Mother's boundless benevolence.

For the merit ceremony, the Po Teck Tung Foundation commissioned the creation of eight paper dress replicas of formal gowns worn by Queen Sirikit on various occasions. All designs were tailored using local Thai fabrics from different regions, reflecting the Queen Mother's commitment to promoting Thai silk and traditional craftsmanship to the world. The replicas include: a silk gown embellished with beetle wings; a 1985 Thai-fusion ensemble from the Phaewa silk weaving tradition of the Phuthai people in Kalasin province, featuring expanded width for modern tailoring; a work dress worn during royal visits to northern Thailand, decorated with Kayah hill tribe textiles; a suit tailored by Eric Mortensen of the Balmain fashion house using tie-dyed and crepe silk; and a 1985 evening gown made of tie-dyed silk.