In an age when smartphone apps drive financial transactions, using legitimate loan apps to access emergency funds is convenient for workers. However, this ease of access has created an opening for scammers to disguise illegal lending apps as legitimate services. Learning how to vet trustworthy loan apps can protect your finances and safeguard your personal data long-term.

Threats from underground lenders and fraudulent apps are widespread. Misleading advertisements from illegal online lenders often cause unexpected damage to users. The main scams used by fake apps include:

Exorbitant interest rates and hidden fees: While legal financial institutions set fair interest rates, fake apps hide the truth by advertising low rates on signup pages but actually charge daily interest far exceeding legal limits. They also deduct processing fees upfront, so borrowers receive less cash but must repay the full amount plus predatory interest.

Unauthorized access to personal data and contacts: When downloading these apps, users are forced to grant access to sensitive data such as all contact names, gallery photos, and current location—information irrelevant to loan approval. This data is collected to be used for threats and harassment later if payments are late.

Abusive and threatening debt collection: Scammers use psychological pressure, sending vulgar threats, doctoring and sharing borrowers' photos on social media, and calling coworkers or family members from stolen contact lists to shame and coerce payment.

To avoid becoming a victim, workers can use five key criteria to self-assess whether a loan app is legitimate:

1. Clear standards for verifying income documents and financial history: Transparent providers carefully assess repayment ability. Be wary of apps advertising "approval for everyone without income documents" or "no financial history check." Legitimate apps always request pay stubs or income certificates.

2. No requests for unnecessary personal data access: When installing a loan app, carefully check permission settings. Trustworthy apps do not request access to contact lists, photo albums, or other irrelevant data, as these are not needed for loan approval.

3. Transparent disclosure of interest rates and fees: Financial experts recommend calculating annual interest rates before signing any contract.

The Office of Trade and Strategy Policy announced that the construction material price index for June 2025 reached 113.3, representing a 6.3% increase compared to June 2024, though the rate of growth has slowed. All material categories showed price increases driven by elevated energy and transportation costs. Wood and wood products rose 4.5% due to higher raw material and shipping costs tied to oil prices. Cement prices increased 1.3% from demand in government construction projects. Concrete products surged 10.6% as raw material and diesel transportation costs climbed. Steel and steel products rose 2.0% due to higher billet and scrap prices alongside elevated shipping and freight costs. Tiles increased 2.8% from higher natural gas and raw material costs. Coating materials rose 2.2% as paint and resin prices climbed. Sanitary ware went up 2.7% from increased energy consumption in production. Electrical and plumbing equipment jumped 12.3% following rising global copper prices driven by demand in infrastructure, clean energy, and advanced technology sectors. Other building materials climbed 11.2% from increased glass and aluminum prices, with rubber rising alongside global oil prices amid Middle East tensions. The office projects third-quarter 2025 will see continued expansion due to high oil and energy prices expected to persist despite regional ceasefire developments, as refineries and natural gas facilities in the Middle East require time for repairs and recovery.

At 12:30 p.m. on July 21, 2569, Agriculture Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced following a cabinet meeting that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives had proposed appointing a new permanent secretary: Rapeephat Chantharisrivongse, director-general of the Department of Agricultural Extension. Suriya confirmed the appointment was made after consultation with ministry executives and complies with civil service regulations, which stipulate that an outgoing permanent secretary should not nominate a replacement. The appointment was recommended by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Niltapreephand, legal affairs division, with the cabinet set to consider department-level administrator appointments on July 27. Suriya stated that Rapeephat is the most senior candidate and has strong credentials, with experience in agricultural development and proven ability to elevate farmers' livelihoods through scientific knowledge. Current and incoming permanent secretaries have already coordinated on the transition plan, ensuring that the list presented to the cabinet next week will remain unchanged. Suriya emphasized that appointing department directors is the permanent secretary's authority, in which he has no involvement.

Dr. Akanis Srisukwattana, a sports cardiologist and internist specializing in cardiovascular disease, has posted an educational guide on Facebook outlining 10 critical warning signs of cardiac ischemia that everyone should know. Heart disease doesn't always present as textbook chest pain radiating to the left shoulder; symptoms can be subtle, leading people to misdiagnose them as acid reflux, ordinary fatigue, or stress.

Key warning signs include: tightness, heaviness, squeezing, or pressure in the chest (not necessarily pain) that may radiate to the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, or back; throat tightness or burning sensations resembling acid reflux; unusual or worsening fatigue compared to baseline; symptoms triggered by exertion that improve with rest; sweating, nausea, or dizziness accompanying chest symptoms; symptoms occurring at rest or becoming more frequent and severe; and the fact that even fit athletes with good cardiovascular fitness can have blocked coronary arteries. Dr. Akanis warns against jumping to alternative diagnoses like muscle inflammation or anxiety without proper evaluation, notes that initial electrocardiograms and blood tests may be normal (especially if done too early), and emphasizes assessing both symptoms and individual risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, hypertension, or family history. He stresses that when in doubt, diagnostic testing should be thorough and conclusive, and that seeking a second opinion from another physician is always acceptable and encouraged, as human error—even among doctors—can occur. Early misdiagnosis of heart disease can be fatal.

On July 21, Transport Deputy Minister Siripong Angsakulkiattikul announced that Prime Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul has instructed relevant agencies to streamline the welfare card appeals process. The government will expand appeal service locations beyond existing channels at Krung Thai Bank and Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to include transport offices and district offices, with mobile district units eventually serving village halls for maximum convenience.

The Transport Ministry has ordered the Department of Land Transport to revise vehicle ownership criteria, exempting old vehicles and waiving inspection fees. Cars over 20 years old and motorcycles over 15 years old will not count as disqualifying factors, while residents may own up to two motorcycles even if under installment plans. The government will establish verification processes to address cases of unused vehicles still listed in the system and illegitimate vehicle transfers.

The Finance Ministry requested a delay to fully review the PM's directives before the cabinet meeting next week. The government urged the public not to believe rumors about August 1 or October 1 deadlines and to await official cabinet resolutions. Officials emphasized the re-registration is necessary as data has not been updated in 3-4 years, with over 2 million additional people now qualifying for benefits while some wealthy individuals need to be removed for fairness.

Kasem Bundit University and the Esports Association of Thailand have signed an academic cooperation agreement on sports science to elevate university-level esports standards. Rector Dr. Wallop Suwannadi and Esports Association chairman Santi Lohtong signed the memorandum at The Stage on July 21. Dr. Suwannadi stated that the university is committed to developing esports alongside academic education, emphasizing knowledge creation, student development, and integration of sports science, technology, and innovation to prepare youth for quality careers in esports. The partnership will provide competition opportunities at university, national, and international levels.

Santi Lohtong said the cooperation will establish standardized systems for developing quality esports athletes and personnel, linking education and sports practically while opening pathways for students to compete nationally and internationally. Beyond competitions, the partnership will focus on curriculum development, staff training, research, and application of modern sports science and technology to build quality esports professionals and support industry growth. Both organizations will implement esports projects and activities throughout the academic year to promote learning, skill development, and university-level competitions.