BBC reported on July 7 on developments in the riots at Negombo Prison in western Sri Lanka's coastal city since July 5, with death toll rising to at least 26—including 7 security personnel—and more than 100 injured. Local media reports the violence erupted from clashes between two inmate groups after one prisoner informed authorities about drug trafficking within the prison. Inmates subsequently seized firearms from guards and opened fire, killing 2 and wounding dozens. Male and female inmates from adjacent cell blocks then climbed onto the prison roof demanding their release. Violence flared again on Monday, July 6, after inmates attempted to breach the facility, prompting authorities to deploy reinforcements as multiple gunshots rang out from the prison. Police later reported 23 correctional staff and 54 inmates receiving medical care. Part of the prison roof collapsed during the unrest, causing additional casualties. The incident represents the most severe prison riot in years, eclipsing a December 2020 riot that killed 11 and injured 117. Sri Lanka's prisons currently hold 41,250 detainees—four times their designed capacity.

Preparing for second-half 2569 investing demands caution, warns Tisco Bank, which assesses global markets face pressure from oil prices potentially breaking through $100 per barrel, accelerating inflation, and persistently elevated worldwide interest rates. The bank recommends portfolio adjustments using three investment themes: oil and gold to manage energy-driven inflation, infrastructure stocks linked to AI and healthcare to capture global mega-trends, and dividend stocks and balanced funds to generate cash flow and reduce portfolio volatility.

On July 7, 2569, Nathkrit Lueotwithaichai, CFP and Head of Wealth Advisory at Tisco Bank, revealed that second-half investing presents mounting challenges. Global stock prices have risen to elevated levels while inflation pressures intensify from oil price trends. Tisco's Wealth Advisory forecasts oil could again breach $100 per barrel due to declining inventories and geopolitical tensions, while interest rates are expected to remain high given tightening monetary policies across countries. Europe and Japan may raise rates further, while the US is expected to increase rates again in 2570.

"The critical risk to watch is energy-driven inflation, which extends beyond crude oil costs to production expenses, transport fees, and prices across the broader economy, potentially straining purchasing power and consumption ahead," Nathkrit said. "If inflation pressures persist, global central banks may need to maintain elevated rates longer than expected, keeping bond yields high and limiting gains in risk assets."

Despite these challenges, Tisco recommends a strategic shift from chasing market returns to selecting assets suited to current conditions. The bank outlines three primary investment themes for portfolio balance:

1. **Energy inflation hedges: Oil and gold** Oil addresses pressure from energy prices, while gold protects against inflation uncertainty and financial market risks. Tisco's Economic and Strategic Analysis Center (TISCO ESU) expects oil could again top $100 per barrel in coming months due to persisting supply risks from US-Iran tensions and strong crude imports to replenish declining Strategic Petroleum Reserves. US refined product demand remains above five-year averages while inventories decline, indicating markets remain supply-constrained.

For gold, Tisco forecasts prices could rise to $4,500–$4,800 per troy ounce from current levels around $4,100, given market expectations of one US rate hike this year, though TISCO ESU predicts the earliest hike could come in 2570. Gold serves as critical protection against inflation and financial market risks.

At a government house press conference on July 7, 2025, Prime Minister Anuthim Charnweerakul and Interior Minister revealed that the Department of Local Administration discovered around 5,000 cases where announced exam scores did not match the actual answer sheet scans among approximately 15,000 candidates already appointed to local government positions. The PM characterized the findings as reflecting organized cheating and said the government would use the Interior Ministry permanent secretary's authority to suspend salaries of those already hired. He stated that if candidates' appointments were obtained through fraudulent means, the government can revoke their appointments and demand repayment of salaries without waiting for court proceedings. The PM confirmed that all 400,000 candidates from the 2568 local government exam will be audited, with the National Anti-Corruption Commission, state anti-corruption agency, and Special Cases Investigation Department already investigating. He noted that high-ranking officials and Nonthaburi province officials are under investigation for altering scores, with some suspects currently evading authorities.

YLG believes gold's current price consolidation represents only a brief pause within a major "Supercycle" uptrend, with roughly 16 years of potential gains ahead. Natchapim Nawawattanarup, CEO of YLG Bullion and Futures, explained that while gold appears to be resting, the movement occurs within a Supercycle—a massive uptrend lasting approximately 71 years according to Elliott Wave theorist Ralph Nelson Elliott. Since gold has completed 55 years of this cycle, about 16 years remain before completion, meaning today's pullback is merely wave 4 within the cycle, with wave 5 still to come.

The Supercycle is driven by fundamental structural shifts in global financial systems rather than temporary news or sentiment. Gold's Supercycle began in 1971 after President Nixon abolished the gold standard, allowing the precious metal to float freely for the first time. Notably, when adjusted for inflation, gold exceeded $5,000 per ounce in 2026—the first time it surpassed the 1980 peak in real value terms, representing genuine price discovery rather than mere inflation.

Central bank purchases and de-dollarization represent the primary forces sustaining gold's Supercycle. In the first quarter of 2025, global central banks purchased a net 244 tonnes—stronger than previous quarters and above five-year averages. A World Gold Council survey of 76 central banks found that 89% expect global gold reserves to increase over the next 12 months, with 11% expecting stability and notably, zero banks anticipating declines.

YLG and the World Gold Council both expect gold to consolidate within the $3,900 to $3,500 range in the medium term. YLG recommends a dollar-cost averaging strategy, with the first accumulation zone at $3,966 to $3,900, and a heavier buying opportunity if prices drop to $3,624 to $3,500, provided the larger uptrend structure remains intact.

The Makkasan police station commander has reassigned all officers shown in a viral video to traffic control duties away from public interaction. A Facebook user posted dashcam footage showing a foreign-plated vehicle being stopped by traffic police, with the interaction raising concerns about how charges were communicated. The video showed a Laotian driver being told he faced a 4,000-baht fine for an illegal left turn, though he ultimately paid 500 baht without an official receipt.

On July 7, Deputy Commander Urumphorn Khun Detchasumrit explained that the station is treating the matter seriously. Officers featured in the video have been reassigned to traffic management booths without direct public contact, and an investigation committee has been formed to determine what actually occurred.

The station is attempting to contact the driver through Facebook to gather accurate information and ensure fair resolution. When asked about the location and whether left turns are permitted, the deputy commander suggested the traffic officer and driver may have experienced a communication breakdown. The officer likely stopped the vehicle because it bore foreign license plates rather than Thai ones. At that intersection, vehicles frequently violate traffic signals by appearing to go straight to access an expressway then immediately turning left, a common violation officers encounter.

Regarding the 4,000-baht fine mentioned, the deputy commander explained that the officer was likely citing the maximum penalty under traffic law, not necessarily issuing the full fine. The officer may have carried a portable fine device that day but may not have explained the situation clearly enough, leading the driver to misunderstand. The station is investigating both the officer's account and attempting to question the driver to reach a fair and clear conclusion.