EXIM Bank is strengthening its operations and expanding its role as an "Export Co-pilot" to help businesses manage risks, expand opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth. Managing Director Chalach Ratnanunnithi announced EXIM Bank's second-quarter 2025 results, noting that while global economic and trade tensions have begun to ease, the world economy still faces uncertainty from trade barriers, energy volatility, and climate change pressures—all affecting the competitiveness of Thai businesses, particularly SMEs.

In response, EXIM Bank is advancing its "Export Co-pilot" role to help businesses navigate risks, seize opportunities, and grow sustainably. During Q2 2025, the bank adjusted its strategy to better serve SME customers through four key approaches: (1) Pro-active Revisit—field visits to all portfolio clients to assess situations, analyze potential, and provide timely support; (2) Products—developing financial solutions such as the "Asset and Capital" initiative offering 10 billion baht in credit (up to 50 million baht per borrower, 10-year terms, rates from 4.80% annually), plus an additional 2 billion baht in employment promotion credit; (3) Partners—linking major businesses with SMEs in supply chains under a mentorship model to create ongoing business opportunities; and (4) Projects—supporting industries with SME involvement in supply chains and ecosystems, including green economy initiatives.

EXIM Bank continues to develop Thai business capabilities through its Export Studio center, including the EXIM 2X curriculum covering comprehensive export knowledge, seminars on environmental trade measures, and business matching activities. The bank also supports market expansion through Country Connectors teams and coordinates with government agencies including the Foreign and Commerce Ministries.

In financial support, EXIM Bank approved new credit of 22.397 billion baht and maintains total outstanding credit and commitments of 181.278 billion baht, reflecting support for Thai business liquidity amid global uncertainty. SMEs account for 3,217 clients (78% of total customers) with outstanding credit and commitments of 27.688 billion baht. The bank continues promoting green economy and sustainable development through credit and investment commitments.

A 31-year-old Thai woman says she remains traumatised after two Cambodian men allegedly followed her to her home, attempted to force open her door and left her afraid to return home.

The woman, identified as May, met police investigators at Chana Songkhram Police Station on Thursday to give her account of the incident, which occurred around 11pm on 21 July. She said she had been drinking with friends and was walking back to the alley where she has lived for more than 30 years when she saw two men standing near a wall. At first, she thought they were people she knew, but realised they were strangers as she got closer.

She said she held onto her bag, turned on her phone camera to record the situation, and walked past them. The two men then allegedly called out, "Come have a beer with us," but she refused. Moments later, one of the men wearing a red shirt allegedly ran towards her, forcing her to run back to her house.

After locking the door, she said the man tried to reach through the metal bars of the gate, causing her to scream and threaten to call police before running upstairs. CCTV footage showed the two men leaving the front of the house before returning again while she was calling police. She said they attempted to open the door once more, forcing her to shout at them to leave.

After the incident, May posted about it on Instagram. A relative known as "Bank Talad Indy" shared the post and helped organise local residents to search for the suspects. The two men were located and detained on 23 July, with the first suspect found at a rented room before police and residents tracked down the second suspect.

May said the suspects apologised after being detained, but she told them: "I already told you not to do it." She said she has been suffering from anxiety since the incident, crying every night and refusing to sleep at her home. She has temporarily moved elsewhere and vowed to continue legal action against the two men.

"I do not want to see them again," she said.

Meanwhile, the girlfriend of the suspect in the red shirt, identified as Chanvesna Touch, 24, visited him at the police station and apologised to the victim on his behalf. Sinh Sinh, 23, said she had been in a relationship with Chanvesna for eight years and they have a 10-month-old daughter.

She said her boyfriend told her he had been drinking more than seven bottles of beer with Cambodian friends before the incident. He allegedly saw the woman walking by and called out to her before following her. After watching the CCTV footage, Sinh said she believed her boyfriend's actions were inappropriate and that the case should proceed through the legal system rather than through violence.

She said Chanvesna denied touching or assaulting the woman, claiming he returned to the house because he wanted to apologise after realising she was frightened. She also said the second man, who was wearing a white shirt, only followed him and did not speak to or approach the woman.

At 4 p.m. on July 24, 2025, at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas briefed reporters on progress in U.S. tariff negotiations. He said he had just coordinated with Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthummaphand, who is overseeing the matter, and that today he would meet with the private sector. Many Thai products have received tariff exemptions with minimal impact, but some items remain subject to duties and require discussion with business leaders.

Ekniti emphasized that the most critical factor is accelerating talks with the U.S., which has not closed the door to negotiations. Thailand has not yet reached a final trade agreement, unlike other countries that have secured a 10 percent tariff rate. Suphajee is pushing hard to achieve this. Ekniti believes that if negotiations move quickly and Thailand addresses U.S. concerns about forced labor by reforming labor practices and meeting international standards, the country can compete on equal footing with others and minimize overall economic impact.

When asked which industries need to prepare for changes, Ekniti deferred to provide more detailed information. He also said he would review the figures to clarify the broader economic impact on Thailand.

Deputy Permanent Secretary Veeraphat Kiarttifuengfoo said the Energy Ministry is closely monitoring global oil prices, which continue to fluctuate due to economic and geopolitical factors affecting worldwide energy supply.

Thailand has taken precautions since Middle East unrest emerged, diversifying crude oil sources to include the United States and Argentina while increasing import volumes. As of July 23, 2025, Thailand's combined oil reserves—including commercial stock (2.353 billion liters), strategic reserves (3.385 billion liters), crude in transit (4.299 billion liters), and confirmed supply pending delivery (3.280 billion liters)—total 13.3 billion liters, providing 108 days of coverage. Current consumption averages 57.26 million liters of diesel and 30.36 million liters of petrol daily.

The government has ordered strict management to ensure fuel supplies meet public and business demand without shortage across all scenarios. On July 23, 2025, the Energy Policy Committee approved a refinery-gate price cut of 2.40 baht per liter for diesel effective July 24 to August 15, 2025. The Oil Fund, currently carrying a deficit of 63.921 billion baht, remains adequately liquid to manage prices at appropriate levels. Deputy Secretary Veeraphat stressed that the ministry will employ multiple measures—refinery-gate price reductions, the Oil Fund mechanism, and other necessary actions—to stabilize retail prices and minimize the impact on citizens' cost of living while continuously assessing global market conditions daily.

At 4 p.m. on July 24, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitivattanapong announced the findings of a committee studying the Landbridge project—a major infrastructure initiative designed to connect transport between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The study, completed ahead of its 90-day deadline, was conducted by three separate working groups examining economic feasibility and investment potential, environmental impacts, and public consultation and stakeholder engagement.

Ekniti stated that the committee's conclusion was that the Landbridge project has low business viability and poses substantial budget and risk impacts. Global trade disruptions from Middle East tensions could turn projected positive returns negative, creating significant economic risk. Additionally, shipping lines are unlikely to shift operations to Thailand because major carriers already have established alliances. Management risks also include slow cargo movement logistics, resulting in low economic returns and overall high risk.

On environmental concerns, Ekniti noted the risks are considerable and require greater strategic oversight. Integration of environmental protections remains incomplete, failing to adequately address marine ecosystems, coastal community livelihoods, food security, and forest preservation. Public feedback was divided: private sector and manufacturing interests supported the project, while environmental and marine conservation groups opposed it, with most stakeholders expressing concern and indecision.

The committee concluded that while the project has low business potential and high environmental risk with ongoing public disagreement, private sector demand for a Andaman-side port access remains. The government will instead pursue development of Ranong Port to its full potential, explore railway connections to Ranong, and consider "missing link" rail infrastructure connecting northward to China and eastward ports.

On large-scale investment projects generally, the committee recommended that each country's strategic objectives be clarified before agencies conduct feasibility studies—treating this as a lesson for the future and emphasizing that environmental strategy and public consultation must be integrated from the start.

When asked if this constituted shelving the Landbridge project, Ekniti said: "You could say that." The deputy prime minister did not clarify whether cabinet approval of the study findings would be sought.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister confirmed on July 24, 2025, that he has approved the resignation of Sonti Piyathat from his position as aide to Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Piphat Ratchakitprakarn. Anutin explained that Sonti submitted a resignation letter without providing any stated reason. He emphasized that the resignation is now effective and constitutes the aide's right to leave office. Anutin stated that when he appointed Sonti to assist Piphat, he delegated that responsibility, and suggested that anyone seeking the true reasons should ask Piphat directly, as his own duty was limited to approving the resignation letter.