Emminence Group, led by CEO Suchanan Achariyasucha, is expanding its health-tech business to meet surging demand for healthcare innovation. For over 55 years, the company has operated under the philosophy 'The Promise of Health,' dedicated to delivering quality health innovations from around the world to Thai consumers. Rather than positioning itself solely as a distributor, Emminence now aims to be a comprehensive solution partner, leveraging industry expertise to bring affordable, equitable access to global health innovations. As the company enters its 55th year, it commits to operating with integrity and social responsibility under the 'Wellbeing For All' concept, ensuring sustainable health security for all Thai citizens.

Emminence operates across four main business groups: (1) Dental—offering complete solutions including NSK drills, Micromotor surgical handpieces, Zumax microscopes, BlancOne whitening products from Italy, and oral care goods; (2) Medical—providing blood bank supplies, nursing products, and laboratory equipment including JMS blood bags from Japan and KW blood storage units from Italy; (3) Healthcare—featuring oral care and home health products including FURANO (own brand) cleaning tablets, Dentalpro toothbrushes from Japan (ranking first in Japanese interdental brush market share), Prosper health devices, Citizen blood pressure monitors, and HONORE support braces; and (4) Industrial—supplying pharmaceutical machinery including JCMCO tablet presses used globally and CVC counting and packaging systems. In 2026, the company plans to launch an additional new business division.

The Isaan Poll (E-Saan Poll) from Khon Kaen University's Faculty of Economics released its midyear 2025 awards survey, gauging public opinion across the northeastern region on outstanding individuals, organizations, and accomplishments in 14 categories. The survey sampled 1,082 residents aged 18 and over across 20 northeastern provinces using open-ended questions with no preset choices, allowing respondents freely to nominate candidates deserving year-end awards. A second survey will be conducted late in the year to finalize full-year results.

Faculty Dean Associate Professor Dr. Sutin Wienvivatana explained that the poll revealed the four most-nominated candidates in each category, listed alphabetically without disclosing vote tallies. For Prime Minister of the Year, nominees include Natthaphong Ruengpanjawitthee, Pitha Limcharoen, Professor Yashanan Wongswadee, and Anutin Charnvirakul.

Other major categories included Ministry of the Year (Finance, Agriculture and Cooperatives, Labor, and Education); Organization of the Year (Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Charoen Pokphand, PTT, and Mirror Foundation); Social Activist of the Year (Kan Jompluang, Bin Banloeruethit, Boom Panadda, and Ice Ratchanok); and News Outlet of the Year (Khao Sod, Daily News, Thai Rath, and Matichon).

Electronics categories included TV stations (Channel 3 HD, Channel 7 HD, Thai Rath TV, and One 31); music and entertainment groups; male and female actors (including James Jirayu, Bella Ranee, Yaya Urassaya, and Fern Pimchanok); male and female singers; and male and female news anchors. Easterners of whom the region is proud included singers Tay Tawan and Monchan Kaenchan, and actress Lisa Lalisa.

The survey reflects northeastern public sentiment in the first half of 2025 toward individuals, organizations, and media in governance, social benefit, news, and entertainment—recognizing those with sustained accomplishments, credibility, and enduring recognition rather than brief notoriety. The results represent only the midyear survey and do not constitute final year-end conclusions.

The Ministry of Finance has raised Thailand's 2025 economic growth forecast to 2.5 percent, up from an April projection of 1.6 percent, citing strong export demand and accelerated investment. Finance Ministry spokesman Winit Wisetsuwannaphum attributed the upgrade to sustained export growth, increased public and private investment, and rising private consumption supported by government economic policies.

Export values in US dollars are projected to expand 12.5 percent, nearly double the previous 6.2 percent forecast, driven by improved demand from major trading partners. The first five months of 2025 saw consecutive export growth averaging 10.9 percent, particularly in industries recovering with global economic cycles. Imports are expected to rise 19 percent as private sector investment acceleration drives increased machinery, equipment, and capital goods purchases, along with higher energy import prices in the second quarter.

Private consumption is forecast to grow 2.7 percent while private investment is expected to expand 9 percent, supported by machinery investments and capital inflows into promoted sectors under the New S-Curve targeting and Thailand FastPass measures. These initiatives have boosted foreign investor confidence, resulting in foreign direct investment of 187 billion baht in the first half of 2025—68.3 percent higher than the same period last year—supporting domestic manufacturing base expansion.

Government consumption is projected to grow 1.5 percent while public investment is expected to expand 3.2 percent, supported by timely fiscal year 2026 budget completion and mega infrastructure projects that will enhance competitiveness and attract private investment. Inflation is forecast at 2 percent annually, with crude oil averaging 82 dollars per barrel (range of 77-87 dollars), down from the previous 91-dollar estimate. The current account is expected to show a small deficit of 0.5 billion dollars, or negative 0.1 percent of GDP, primarily from first-half deficits.

Wat Sri Suphan, also known as the Silver Temple in Chiang Mai, has sparked widespread online debate after a foreign tourist shared a photo of a sign outside its Silver Ubosot stating that while both men and women are required to purchase entry tickets, only men are permitted to enter the Ubosot. Women are restricted to walking around the exterior and viewing the interior through their mobile phones instead.

The post, shared on X, has received more than 4.5 million views, triggering criticism from internet users worldwide, with many questioning gender equalities and why women are charged the same entrance fee as men while being denied access to the same areas. The English-language sign also drew heavy criticism for containing the phrase "Think you for your donation and respectation" instead of "Thank you for your donation," with many users saying such errors should not appear at a tourist attraction that welcomes international visitors.

Many Thai social media users explained that the restriction stems not from Buddhist teaching but from local beliefs dating back to the Lanna Kingdom, rooted in animist beliefs and spirit worship. According to traditional belief, women—particularly those menstruating—were considered capable of rendering sacred spaces ritually impure. Many Thai users stressed that such restrictions are not practised across Buddhist temples throughout the country and apply only to some temples in northern Thailand.

Many Thai women have said the issue has been debated within Thai society for years with little change. Some suggested that if access restrictions remain, admission fees should be adjusted accordingly, or visitors should be clearly informed of conditions before purchasing tickets. Others pointed out that if this is a specific temple custom, its historical background should be explained comprehensively so international visitors do not mistakenly assume it represents Buddhist doctrine as a whole.

The debate has highlighted the ongoing challenge of balancing respect for local beliefs and traditions with gender equality—an issue of growing global significance. Both Thais and foreigners have questioned the fairness of charging equal admission fees while providing unequal access to visitors.

A 66-year-old man died in a bicycle accident while heading to work on his first day, hoping to earn money to support his family. His heartbroken grandson revealed he would now take over caring for their grandmother. On July 24, rescue workers responded to a call at Wat Buppharam temple in Muang District, Trat Province, finding the man lying unconscious with a head injury beside his bicycle. Rescue volunteers performed initial CPR before coordinating with the hospital ambulance. Hospital staff later confirmed his death and police launched an investigation.

Inspection of the bicycle revealed it was an old model without functioning front or rear brakes. The man had improvised a front brake using an old flip-flop attached with nylon rope to the handlebars and controlled with a latch. However, the steep entrance to the work site proved fatal—when he attempted to brake while cycling downhill, the nylon rope snapped, causing the bicycle to accelerate before he crashed and struck his head.

A construction worker stated the man had applied for the job the previous day but couldn't start due to rain. He arrived early on his first day, before the 8 a.m. shift, when no one else was present. Other workers discovered him unconscious with his bicycle and called for emergency assistance.

His 27-year-old grandson revealed that the man had raised him since birth and previously worked odd jobs to support the family. A week earlier he became unemployed but recently secured this construction job because his grandmother's small shop sales were insufficient to cover rent and household expenses. The grandson said he would now assume responsibility for caring for his grandmother. Police documented the scene, took statements, and had the body transported to the hospital for the family to arrange traditional funeral rites.

At 10:30 a.m. on July 24, 2025, at the First Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge border checkpoint in Nong Khai district, immigration police coordinated with local security and relevant agencies to receive 67 Thai nationals—both men and women—deported by Lao authorities. The individuals were processed through immigration screening and interviewed by multidisciplinary teams; preliminary investigation found no victims of human trafficking or persons subject to arrest warrants.

Investigation revealed that all 67 had worked as online gambling administrators in Cambodia until clashes erupted along the Thai-Cambodian border. They then traveled back to Thailand before being persuaded to move to Vientiane, Laos, where they rented dormitories in Ponphanao and Donhoun districts as bases for operating illegal 24-hour online gambling sites across three work shifts.

On July 21, 2025, Lao authorities conducted a major crackdown targeting illegal gambling networks and human trafficking, including scam operations. After completing legal procedures, they coordinated the deportation of all 67 individuals back to Thailand.

Deputy Immigration Commander Thiyachaphat Rangsiprahmankul stated that individuals deported following Laos's ongoing sweeps against scam and online gambling networks face penalties under immigration and labor laws, plus consular care fees incurred during detention abroad. Immigration authorities will place deportees on a watchlist to prevent illegal border crossing and further criminal activity, short of a full blacklist designation.