Thailand's Commerce Ministry confirmed that fertilizer prices are easing after global oil costs declined due to improving Middle East tensions. Following discussions with the Thai Fertilizer and Agricultural Business Association last week, urea fertilizer prices have dropped 200 baht per bag, falling from 1,400-1,500 baht to 1,200-1,300 baht compared to crisis-period levels. The ministry is carefully monitoring fertilizer pricing to ensure sales reflect true market mechanisms and production costs, with prices and supply expected to stabilize further in coming weeks.

Plastic packaging items like bags have also seen a 5-baht-per-kilogram price reduction, dropping from 47-51 baht to 42-45 baht as product supplies normalize and costs align with reduced expenses. Consumer goods using plastic packaging—including shampoo, soap, and toothpaste—have not yet seen direct price increases despite the energy crisis. Producers and retailers are competing with continuous promotions to boost sales, benefiting consumers even without formal price reductions.

Palm oil prices remain at appropriate levels reflecting production costs. Stock from the crisis period was sold at no more than 50 baht per bottle, while new inventory remains within reasonable cost parameters. Currently, farmers are receiving 7.85 baht per kilogram for palm fruit.

A fire broke out in a 10-storey apartment building in the Linkeroever district of Antwerp, Flanders, in northern Belgium at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, according to BBC reporting on July 2. At least five people have died and several others have been injured. Officials initially identified the cause as a technical problem on the ground floor, while police confirmed that more than 200 residents live in the building.

Firefighters attempted rescue operations, but thick smoke spread rapidly throughout the structure, severely limiting visibility and complicating firefighting efforts. Despite these challenges, authorities successfully evacuated residents from 80 apartments.

Social media videos showed the intense blaze and one man climbing from his apartment balcony to his neighbor's balcony to escape. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed his condolences to families of the victims and the large number of residents displaced by this devastating fire.

Bangkok – July 1, 2025 – Mr. DIY, Thailand's leading home decoration and lifestyle retailer, celebrated its 10-year anniversary of serving Thai consumers. Vice President of Marketing Anupap Kongmalai led the company's team and mascot Pandee in launching the major campaign "10 Years Anniversary Sale: A Decade of Value, Celebrating Nationwide," featuring deep discounts up to 56% on diverse products, free Pandee Griptok 10th anniversary gifts, special pricing on USB rechargeable portable fans with unlimited redemptions, and a raffle for vouchers totaling over 800,000 baht from July 1-31, 2025 across all Mr. DIY locations nationwide.

Mr. DIY conducted a nationwide promotional tour with parade processions and the Pandee mascot throughout the Silom area, distributing souvenirs and promoting the campaign to invite Thai consumers to celebrate and shop throughout July. Anupag Kongmalai stated: "Over the past 10 years, Mr. DIY has earned continuous trust from Thai customers. July is a special month celebrating our 10-year milestone, so we're launching this campaign to reward our customers with discounts up to 56%, price-locked items across all stores, and special privileges including limited-edition gifts, special purchasing rights, and a raffle for vouchers worth over 800,000 baht. Beyond these promotions, we're offering an exclusive experience through the 'MR. D.I.Y. 10 Years Beside You Concert – Joy in 10' on July 4, 2025 at BITEC Life, headlined by Joey Phuwasit, Mr. DIY brand presenter, alongside top national artists including Bodyslam, PALMY, Kong Huai Rai, and Lamai Haitongkham. The company is committed to conducting business with social responsibility, with projects and initiatives creating positive impact on communities and society throughout the year."

The campaign highlights special-priced items including AA R6 carbon flashlight batteries at 10 baht (regular 23 baht), Mr. DIY broom sets at 63 baht (regular 91 baht), and bath towels at 125 baht (regular 179 baht). Customers spending 300 baht or more per receipt at participating Mr. DIY stores receive a free Pandee magnetic phone holder, and can purchase USB rechargeable portable fans at special prices of 370 baht (regular 740 baht) and 299 baht with unlimited redemption options.

At noon on July 2, 2569, a vehicle crashed into Buddhist monks participating in an alms-gathering procession along a roadside in Ban Na Si Nuan, Mueang District, Mukdahan Province, resulting in multiple casualties. Emergency personnel, police, and relevant authorities rushed to the scene to investigate and provide assistance.

At the scene, monks were found scattered across the road and roadside. Officials provided emergency first aid and transported the injured to nearby hospitals. Initially, 5 monks were found dead at the scene, while 7 others sustained critical injuries and were rushed to hospitals for urgent treatment. Three additional monks later died at hospitals, bringing the death toll to 8, with 13 others critically injured. The procession consisted of 34 monks and 5 lay participants traveling from Mukdahan city toward Ubon Ratchathani Province.

Police have detained the driver, identified as an 11-year-old boy with special needs. Initial investigation reveals he stole his parents' Isuzu pickup truck and was driving in the wrong direction from Don Tan District heading toward Mueang District when the tragic collision occurred.

The Mukdahan Provincial Governor is currently investigating the incident and visiting injured victims at hospitals. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

On July 2, 2025, Sikhiu Police received a report of a fatal shooting at a house in Nonna Village, Ladbuakhao Subdistrict, Sikhiu District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Officers coordinated with rescue units and related agencies to investigate the scene near a sugarcane forest in front of the house, where they found the body of 60-year-old Chamnan. He had been shot once in the left chest, with the bullet piercing his heart. The suspect was identified as 27-year-old Thaapanpong, the stepson, who fled into the forest behind the house after the shooting.

Police mobilized officers to cordon off the area and issued an urgent manhunt. A homemade .22mm firearm, believed to be the weapon used, was found abandoned in the forest near the crime scene. Officers from the Regional Crime Suppression Division conducted a thorough evidence collection.

When questioned, Janya, the victim's wife, revealed that her son and husband had frequent quarrels over family matters, particularly regarding home repairs and construction. Before the incident, her son was building a new house when a heated argument erupted. The son challenged his stepfather to come down from the second floor and then retrieved a firearm. Though she tried to stop her husband from going down, fearing violence, he descended hoping to talk and resolve the dispute. The two met near the sugarcane forest, where the son shot his stepfather once, causing him to collapse and die. The son then fled into the forest.

The couple had long-standing conflicts and had argued many times, but she never expected it would escalate to fatal violence. She appealed to her son to surrender to police and face justice.

Brig. Gen. Narongsak Promtha, Commander of Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police, stated that the incident occurred early that morning. Preliminary investigation confirmed that the stepson used a firearm to shoot his stepfather fatally before fleeing. The initial cause was identified as a family dispute, with both parties having ongoing quarrels before the conflict escalated to murder. Details about the firearm are still under investigation.

Police ordered all units to intensively pursue and apprehend the suspect, believed to still be hiding in the area. Checkpoints and surveillance were set up along escape routes in Sikhiu District, neighboring areas, Pakchong District, and Nong Sarai Subdistrict, as the suspect was reportedly using a motorcycle. Police urge the public to report any suspicious individuals or motorcycles in the area to emergency hotline 191 or the nearest police station to expedite the apprehension and prosecution of the suspect.