Thailand's Commerce Ministry reported a surge in foreign investment during June 2025 and the first half of the year. In June alone, 112 foreign businesses were approved to operate in Thailand under the Foreign Business Operations Act, bringing investments worth 34.056 billion baht, with the majority coming from China, the United States, and Japan.

For the first half of 2025 (January–June), 640 foreign enterprises received approval to operate in Thailand, an increase of 138 cases or 27% compared to 502 cases in the same period of 2024. The total investment value reached 187.614 billion baht, up 76.108 billion baht or 68% from 111.506 billion baht in the first half of 2024.

The top five investing countries were: 1) China with 110 businesses (17% of foreign enterprises) investing 35.479 billion baht; 2) the United States with 107 businesses (17%) investing 6.043 billion baht; 3) Japan with 87 businesses (14%) investing 44.662 billion baht; 4) Singapore with 83 businesses (13%) investing 37.867 billion baht; and 5) Hong Kong with 59 businesses (9%) investing 13.088 billion baht. Other countries accounted for 194 businesses (30%) with investments of 50.475 billion baht.

Investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) during the first half of 2025 reached 199 projects, representing 31% of all foreign investors in Thailand and an increase of 41 projects or 26% from 158 projects in the same period of 2024. The EEC investment value totaled 83.779 billion baht, accounting for 45% of all foreign investment, with Chinese investors leading at 69 projects worth 28.983 billion baht, followed by Japan with 28 projects worth 22.386 billion baht, Singapore with 22 projects worth 10.1 billion baht, and other countries with 80 projects worth 22.31 billion baht.

Labor Minister Chulphan Amaravivat led a delegation of Labor Ministry officials in discussions with Vicchu Wetchachiva, Thai Ambassador to Japan, on July 15 to strengthen cooperation on labor issues and expand employment opportunities for Thai workers in Japan.

Chulphan cited growing concern over illegal Thai workers and residents in Japan. Although the Labor Ministry has promoted legal employment channels through the Employment for Skill Development Program (ESD) and cracked down on illegal brokers, the problem persists. He called for enhanced cooperation between Thai and Japanese embassies and law enforcement agencies to address the issue at its source and improve worker support systems.

The minister emphasized that the ministry will use data from this visit to upgrade Thai worker skills and competencies to meet Japan's labor market demands. The delegation's visit builds on the ESD memorandum signed in June, aimed at boosting employer confidence in Japan and securing fair, sustainable protections for Thai workers abroad.

The Phuket Regional Marine Office has intensified its crackdown on illegal jet ski operations, seizing 23 vessels and imposing fines of up to 10,000 baht in an effort to improve marine safety and boost tourist confidence. Adul Raluekmul, director of the Phuket Regional Marine Office, assigned Thirapong Phannak, a senior ship inspector, along with Marine Department officials, to conduct joint inspections with the Marine Police both on land and at sea across their jurisdiction. The operation followed orders to accelerate efforts to address problems involving jet ski services and to strictly enforce the law. During the inspection, authorities found 23 operators in violation of Section 9 of the Thai Navigation in Thai Waters Act for operating jet skis without valid boat licenses. Each offender was issued the maximum fine of 10,000 baht in accordance with the law. The Phuket Regional Marine Office said inspections and law enforcement operations would continue to raise safety standards for marine tourism, protect visitors, and ensure that jet ski operators in Phuket comply strictly with the law.

At 11:00 AM on July 16, 2025, House Speaker Sophon Saram held a press conference at Parliament regarding opposition members' and senators' petition under Constitution Section 236 to refer the matter to the Supreme Court and establish an independent investigative committee to examine the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) over its dismissal of stock manipulation charges against former Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob.

Sophon explained that after receiving the petition on June 5, he had to verify the authenticity of the signatures and discovered two senators with mismatched signatures. He instructed staff to confirm the signatures with the Senate Secretariat, which validated them on June 25. Parliamentary business kept him occupied the following week, and only on July 1 did he review the details. He found that the law allows him discretionary authority, and before exercising it, he reviewed similar past cases involving multiple former house speakers who had established committees.

Sophon stated that since the law grants him discretion but he lacks sufficient legal expertise like anyone else, he opted to form a committee on July 15 comprising external experts and two parliamentary insiders. He acknowledged the committee-formation process takes time and denied accusations of delay or whitewashing, asserting he has no reason to delay. On the timeline, he said no deadline was set, allowing the committee to proceed as appropriate.

Responding to questions about his neutrality between government and opposition, Sophon claimed he has been as impartial as possible, noting that the government has accused him of bias while the opposition has praised him when he ruled in their favor. He stressed that accusations of bias are vague and that truly siding with one faction would create enemies on the other. He emphasized relying on parliamentary rules to avoid such tensions and said he has asked all three presiding officers to help amend rules that cannot be practically enforced, particularly those granting the speaker broad discretionary power. He noted that after nearly two decades in Parliament, parliamentary matters should end in the chamber, but increasingly decisions are aired at press conferences, where critics praise his impartiality or question it.

Pimpyada Nuchanart won the Super Junior Girl division at the Chang Thailand Junior Golf Circuit 2026 Round 4 qualifying tournament with a combined score of 1-under par 143, securing her place in the International Championship to compete for the Dream Prize. The tournament, held at Rancho Chao Wee Resort and Country Club in Nakhon Ratchasima, attracted over 100 young golfers aged 8–22, with results across three age categories and gender divisions. Winners qualified for the International Championship, which is recognized by World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and endorsed by Thailand's Physical Education Department, providing credentials for university admissions both domestically and internationally. The program offers elite youth the opportunity to train with world-class coaches, including Dr. Rick Sessinghaus of Flow Code Golf Academy, who has coached world top-10 pro Collin Morikawa, and to potentially join the ThaiBev ThaiTalent program for development toward a professional golf career at the international level.

PHUKET: Late-completion penalties against the contractor responsible for Phuket’s delayed Smart City traffic management project will continue to mount after overnight closures at four major highway underpasses were extended for a seventh time.