BANGKOK: The Department of Local Administration (DLA) has submitted a list of 5,814 candidates whose examination scores were found to be irregular to the Central Examination Committee for consideration of revoking their appointments.

The Thai government is intensifying efforts to elevate the quality standards of Thai durians in a bid to strengthen consumer confidence and maintain the country’s leadership in the global durian mar...

The Thai Rubber Organization (RAOT) celebrated its 11th anniversary on July 15, 2026, at its headquarters and outlined its operational direction for year 12, aiming to develop the entire rubber industry through technology, research, and innovation alongside promoting environmentally friendly production. The event was presided over by Vinarodon Sapsangsuk, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, who presented RAOT's new policy framework as the country's key mechanism for comprehensive rubber management. RAOT Deputy Director of Operations Disathad Wattanaphon presented the organization's accomplishments and future direction.

Vinarodon stated that over 11 years, RAOT has continuously advanced Thai rubber development and become the primary organization managing the rubber sector across the entire value chain—from upstream to downstream. The organization has promoted industry upgrades in production, processing, marketing, and value creation to improve quality of life for rubber farmers and strengthen Thai rubber's global competitiveness. Moving into year 12, RAOT will leverage knowledge, technology, research, and innovation to develop the sector while promoting environmentally friendly rubber plantation practices, aligning with the Agriculture Ministry's five core policies on innovative agriculture for sustainable farming, which focus on boosting production, increasing income, developing farmer capacity, promoting market-led production, and ensuring sustainable water resource management.

"I want rubber farmers to have confidence that RAOT is committed to ensuring everyone achieves stable income and internationally standard products while practicing environmentally friendly farming, emphasizing organic and biological fertilizers," Vinarodon said. "In year 12, RAOT will strengthen the organization to continue developing the entire rubber industry. We envision Thailand becoming the world's highest-quality rubber producer, which is achievable through coordinated cooperation across all sectors."

Kosol Boonkhong, RAOT Acting Governor, revealed that RAOT's 11 years represent a significant growth milestone reflecting the organization's role as the primary agricultural agency driving comprehensive rubber industry development. Over this period, RAOT has continuously advanced operations in production, research, processing, and marketing to secure the sector from upstream through downstream while elevating Thai rubber's global competitiveness. Moving toward year 12, RAOT is ready to continue its mission.

PHUKET: Nine people have been arrested after officials investigated reports of forest encroachment and illegal house construction within the Nakkerd Hills National Forest Reserve in Karon.

The Finance Ministry has opened four channels to check whether applicants qualified for the 2025 State Welfare Card program, with results to be announced on July 17, 2025. The program began accepting registrations from June 4–21, 2025. Winit Wisetsuvarnabhumi, director of the Office of Fiscal Economics and Finance Ministry spokesman, reported on the eighth meeting of the Public Welfare Committee for Grassroots Economics and Society, which reviewed registration and qualification results. The committee approved adding a new target group of 5,383,393 vulnerable individuals identified by the Interior Ministry during the registration period to proceed through the next phase of qualification screening.

Two key criteria have been revised for the 2025 program. First, the deduction allowance for parental support has been eliminated—income earners can no longer use their parents as a deduction if those parents are to be screened for welfare eligibility. Second, the credit limit criterion has been adjusted to 100,000 baht excluding agricultural loans, following guidance from the Bank of Thailand presented to Cabinet on June 2, 2025. Agricultural credit is excluded because it differs from regular loans, being tied to seasonal planting cycles and sometimes serving as disaster relief, and therefore may not accurately reflect a person's creditworthiness or financial status.

Qualified applicants can check their results through four channels: the "Pao Tang" mobile app, the "Thang Rat" mobile app, the official program website at https://welfare.mof.go.th, or in person at any of five participating banks—the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Government Savings Bank, Krung Thai Bank, Government Housing Bank, and the Islamic Bank of Thailand. Existing cardholders can begin using benefits starting August 1, 2025, while new cardholders can begin on October 1, 2025, to align with other government assistance programs.

The Meteorological Department issued a weather forecast for the next 24 hours on July 16, 2025. The northern, northeastern, and eastern regions will experience heavy rain in some areas, while the southern region will see decreased rainfall due to a moderate southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. A low-pressure system is over northern Vietnam. Residents in northern Thailand should be alert to dangers from heavy and accumulated rainfall, which may cause flash floods and flash flooding, especially in hillside areas near water channels and low-lying areas. Winds and waves in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand will be moderate, with waves around 2 meters high, while lower areas will have 1-2 meter waves, with thunderstorm zones exceeding 2 meters. Mariners should navigate with caution and avoid thunderstorm areas.

Detailed forecast by region from 06:00 today to 06:00 tomorrow:

Northern Region: 40 percent thunderstorms with heavy rain in some areas, particularly Maehongson, Tak, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces. Low temperatures 23-25°C, highs 32-35°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Northeastern Region: 40 percent thunderstorms with heavy rain in some areas, particularly Buengkan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani. Lows 23-26°C, highs 33-35°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Central Region: 40 percent thunderstorms, mostly in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram, and Samut Sakhon. Lows 24-26°C, highs 34-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Eastern Region: 60 percent thunderstorms with heavy rain in some areas, particularly Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Lows 23-28°C, highs 31-34°C. Southwest winds 20-35 km/h. Seas with 2-meter waves, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (East Coast): 30 percent thunderstorms, mostly in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Lows 23-25°C, highs 33-34°C. From Surat Thani northward: southwest winds 20-35 km/h with 1-2 meter waves offshore and around 2 meters near shore. Thunderstorm areas see waves exceeding 2 meters. From Nakhon Si Thammarat southward: southwest winds 15-35 km/h with 1-meter waves near shore and 1-2 meter waves offshore, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (West Coast): 40 percent thunderstorms, mostly in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, and Krabi. Lows 23-25°C, highs 32-34°C. From Phuket northward: southwest winds 20-35 km/h with 2-meter waves, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. From Krabi southward: southwest winds 15-35 km/h with 1-2 meter waves, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.