Global oil markets have stabilized and crude oil futures have fallen below $70 per barrel after tensions in the Middle East peaked in late February. However, retail fuel prices for refined petroleum products in Thailand have not declined as much as they should, particularly diesel prices, which are crucial to driving the entire economy.

Although prices have fallen somewhat compared to pre-conflict levels, they remain higher than necessary, forcing citizens to shoulder increased costs. One key reason domestic prices haven't fallen faster is that Thailand's oil fund is still drawing contributions to cover losses from the conflict stabilization period, resulting in a deficit of more than 55 billion baht.

The Thai Industrial Council has proposed that the government urgently implement measures to ensure domestic energy prices properly reflect reduced global costs. This would help ease the cost of living for ordinary people, quickly reduce production costs for businesses, and support Thailand's sluggish and stalled economic recovery.

The council calls for rapid transmission of lower energy costs to consumers through transparent and fair domestic pricing mechanisms that reflect global oil price declines. The government should manage the oil fund prudently by reviewing contributions to match current market conditions, preventing consumers from bearing unnecessarily high energy costs.

Fuel costs affect more than just motorists—they impact transportation, food, and production costs across all business sectors. Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through lower energy costs will boost competitiveness and stimulate overall economic activity. These measures would provide short-term relief while establishing long-term energy foundations for the country, reducing living costs, enhancing business competitiveness, and restoring confidence in Thailand's economy during uncertain global conditions.

The 38th Military Circle held its 2569 New Soldier Open House at Suriyphong Camp in Nan Province, with Lieutenant General Bunnyrit Kaetsatwetin presiding. Families of newly trained soldiers attended to witness their graduation from the training curriculum, fostering pride and strengthening relationships between commanders and soldiers' families.

The event featured fancy drill demonstrations and live-fire shooting displays by the new soldiers that impressed all attendees. The commander presented certificates and cash awards to three soldiers who achieved outstanding marksmanship scores. He welcomed the families and expressed concern for troops preparing to return home on leave, emphasizing traffic safety awareness and encouraging those preparing for military officer candidate exams to use their rest period for review.

Additionally, the event distributed vegetable seeds from the "Nan Quality Soldiers" food security initiative to soldiers' families to cultivate at home, creating continuity for the food security program.

At 2:00 p.m. on July 5, police responded to a shooting incident with fatalities and injuries at a two-story townhouse in the Bang Chan area, Khlong Sam Wa district, Bangkok. Officers from Minburi Police Station, led by investigators, arrived with forensic teams and medical examiners.

The incident occurred on the ground floor hallway near a bathroom, where authorities found the body of a 35-year-old man (alias A) with a single gunshot wound to the right cheekbone. A .380 caliber pistol was recovered near the staircase. A second victim, a 36-year-old woman (alias B), was found with a gunshot wound to the right cheek. A third victim, a 30-year-old man (alias C), sustained two gunshot wounds to the abdomen and was in critical condition. Four .380 shell casings were collected as evidence.

According to the ex-mother-in-law's statement, B was sitting on the sofa talking with C when A suddenly entered, claiming he needed to retrieve items from his daughter's upstairs bedroom. After getting what he came for, A descended the stairs, drew a pistol from his shoulder bag, and fired twice at C's abdomen, then once at B's cheek. The witness called police in shock.

A had been living with B and they had one son together. A worked as a ride-hailing driver in Phetchabun province to support the family. Two to three months prior, A discovered B was secretly dating C, which led to severe arguments. B then fled to her mother's house, and C moved in shortly after. A became increasingly stressed despite relatives' attempts to calm him.

On the morning of the incident, A's mother, a lottery vendor from Phetchabun, was traveling to Nam Noi Airport in Nonthaburi to collect lottery quotas. A told his mother he planned to visit Phuket and volunteered to drive her and his son to the airport. After dropping them off at the Mochit transport terminal, A rushed to his ex-girlfriend's house, knowing both she and C were there, and committed the shooting. The two deceased bodies were transferred to the Police Hospital Institute of Forensic Medicine for autopsy.

Between July 1-2, 2025, the ASEAN Observer Team–Thailand (AOT-TH) conducted an on-site inspection along the Thai-Cambodian border in areas administered by the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Commands. The delegation, comprising representatives from Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, was led by Maj. Gen. Chitpol Kokitsammakoln and headed by Brigadier General Gregorio Nieveras of the Philippines.

The team received briefings on the disputed "K-shaped" area between boundary markers 64-65 near Khlong Takian in Chanthaburi's Pong Nam Ron District. They visited two permanent border checkpoints—Ban Phak Kad and Ban Laem—and observed how Thai units coordinate with security and civilian agencies to manage border crossings while maintaining national security and facilitating humanitarian assistance.

In Trat's jurisdiction, the team inspected a sediment detention dam, a construction site for Cambodia's proposed Koh Kong Casino development that would serve as a port and commercial hub. They also visited the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles in Trat, dedicated to the late Queen Sirikit, and learned about Thai humanitarian efforts assisting Cambodian refugees.

The delegation further visited units responsible for the 171-kilometer border stretch, receiving updates on security operations and humanitarian mine clearance work protecting civilians. The inspection provided AOT-TH with detailed information about the border situation, including alleged Cambodian non-compliance with the Joint Statement signed December 27, 2024. Brigadier General Nieveras will compile the findings and submit a report to AOT-HQ for further action.

A Chinese court in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, has ruled that Molly Tea, owner of a popular milk tea chain in Shenzhen with franchise locations in Wuhan's Wuchang district, infringed upon seven registered trademarks featuring a four-petal flower design belonging to Louis Vuitton, the world-leading French fashion brand. The Intermediate People's Court of Suzhou ordered Molly Tea to cease the infringement and pay 10.3 million yuan (approximately 50.7 million baht) to Louis Vuitton, and required the company to issue a public apology. According to reports from Nangfang Metropolis Daily in Guangzhou, the dispute involves the striking similarity between Molly Tea's four-petal flower symbol and Louis Vuitton's iconic monogram pattern. Louis Vuitton filed the lawsuit in May 2024, with the court issuing its judgment on June 29. However, Molly Tea announced plans to appeal the decision to a higher court. The case has sparked broad public discussion about intellectual property protection and the use of cultural elements in branding, with experts calling for a rational approach and emphasizing that trademark use should not infringe on previously registered marks.

A Thai man has been awarded 200,000 baht for turning over a rare ancient bronze drum to the Fine Arts Department after discovering the artefact, believed to be more than 2,000 years old.

Fine Arts Department Director-General Phanombut Chantarachot presided over a ceremony on July 4 to present the reward to Khemthai Sittinasri, recognising him as a good Samaritan for handing in the valuable cultural object.

The bronze drum, known as a "mohooratuek", is estimated to be between 2,100 and 2,700 years old. It is considered an important historical artefact, notable for its advanced ancient manufacturing techniques and unusually high tin content, which is rarely found in similar objects.

Authorities said the drum reflects sophisticated local craftsmanship and provides important insight into prehistoric societies in the region. The Fine Arts Department said the artefact will be sent to the Science for Conservation Centre for scientific preservation in line with international standards. It will later be kept and displayed at the Ban Chiang National Museum as part of Thailand's national heritage collection, allowing the public and future generations to study and learn from it.

The department also urged members of the public to report any discovery of ancient artefacts or cultural objects to authorities, stressing that such items are considered state property and important historical evidence. Officials said proper reporting ensures artefacts are preserved legally and scientifically, helping safeguard the country's cultural heritage for future generations.