Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas held a media briefing at Government House today regarding the US announcement of a 12.5% import tariff under Section 301 on over 37 trading partners, including Thailand. He confirmed the government is urgently assessing the impact and negotiating closely with the United States, and has coordinated with Commerce Minister Supa Jutatip, who is directly overseeing the matter. Ekniti noted that many Thai private sector products already have tax exemptions, so overall impact on Thailand is expected to be limited. However, some goods remain unexempted, and the government must consult closely with the private sector to identify which industries are most affected and determine what measures are needed to support them. Ekniti emphasized that Thailand's most critical task is to accelerate negotiations with the United States, particularly on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). Some countries have already concluded negotiations and secured a 10% tariff rate, while Thailand remains in the process of pushing for a final agreement. "What matters most is that we must negotiate with the US as quickly as possible, because other countries that have finished already got 10%, but Thailand hasn't yet," Ekniti said. He added that if Thailand can negotiate quickly, the impact of the tariff measures will be reduced. He also suggested the government should use the US raising forced labor issues as an opportunity to reform and upgrade the country's standards to align with international norms. Ekniti stated that upgrading labor standards and production processes should not be viewed merely as foreign conditions, but as an important opportunity to enhance Thailand's long-term competitiveness. When Thai standards match those of competing countries, trade costs from protectionist measures will fall, and Thai businesses will have more room to compete. As for the broader impact, Ekniti assessed that it would likely affect only certain sectors that lack tariff exemptions, but he could not yet specify all affected product groups, particularly in food or other industries, and asked for clearer data first. He said his team will hold a follow-up meeting with the secretary's team and relevant agencies to assess the impact on Thailand's overall economy, including exports, by industry, and business competitiveness, before determining negotiation guidelines and additional support measures. "We need to see the details first to identify which product groups are truly affected, but overall I think the impact will be limited because many items already have exemptions. For the rest, we need to hurry up with negotiations," Ekniti concluded.

On July 24, authorities inspected a grocery store in Laem Sing District, Chanthaburi, after a man destroyed merchandise and property. Shop owner Ms. Saowaniton, 53, reported that her neighbor Phuriwaht had been pursuing her romantically, but she repeatedly declined his advances due to being a widow. Security camera footage from July 23 at 11:14 a.m. documented Phuriwaht singing outside the shop before the rampage, during which he kicked and scattered merchandise, smashed refrigerator glass, threw bottles at a parked pickup truck, and damaged its exterior extensively.

Phuriwaht returned to continue destroying property, kicking shelves and hurling fruit and vegetable trays while appearing mentally unhinged. He casually drank beverages and poured water on his injured left foot before continuing his destruction. Ms. Saowaniton said Phuriwaht had shown jealousy on previous occasions, once throwing vegetables at her 25-year-old son who defended her. On the day of the incident, his behavior was more severe after being ignored.

When officers from Laem Sing Police Station arrived, Phuriwaht was still destroying property and refused to stop. Police subdued and arrested him. Total damages reached 199,100 baht, including a gray Toyota Revo pickup (40,000 baht), storefront doors and windows (100,000 baht), refrigerated display cases (50,000 baht), a folding steel table (4,000 baht), beverages (600 baht), and other items. Neighbors noted Phuriwaht is extremely dangerous; he previously demolished his sister's multi-million-baht house in Prachuap Buri and destroyed five-room shophouses near the victim's shop, forcing his elderly parents to flee their home.

On July 24, Pricha Watcharasindhul, a People's Party list MP, posted video evidence of alleged ballot fraud in Senate elections, stating that new footage confirms with 100 percent certainty that one of the Senate candidates who submitted a ballot to the election commission is Senate President Mongkol Suratthadsaja.

About a month earlier (June 15), Pricha noted observations based on the number and physical appearance of candidates in footage of the national Senate election, suggesting that one candidate submitting a ballot to the commission was Mongkol Suratthadsaja, who now serves as Senate President. Subsequently, President Mongkol refused to answer media questions twice (July 17 and July 7) about whether he was the person in the video, instead directing journalists to ask Pricha.

Pricha stated that Mongkol's refusal to answer directly is itself a form of confirmation. However, he said he has now obtained new video evidence showing Mongkol's face clearly and confirming that the person in the footage is indeed Mongkol Suratthadsaja with 100 percent certainty, beyond any doubt (visible in the final 10 seconds of the video).

Over the past one to two months, various parties have released information related to the alleged Senate fraud scheme, including election commission video of ballot collection, provincial fraud operation details, testimony from four witnesses presented by the opposition two weeks ago, and data compiled by iLaw earlier this week. These materials contain specific allegations directed at senators, politicians, or election officials named explicitly.

However, rather than responding to or clarifying these allegations to the public, many public figures have chosen to avoid questioning, deflect, change the subject, sue their accusers, or spread unofficial information to intimidate those conducting oversight. Mongkol's case demonstrates that choosing not to answer questions is itself a form of response. As evidence continues to emerge publicly without waiting for answers, such officials will find it increasingly difficult to respond.

Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF), guided by its "Kitchen of the World" mission, has won two Marketeer No.1 Brand Thailand 2026 awards in the chilled and frozen food categories, cementing its position as Thailand's most trusted food brand. The company attributes this success to its unwavering commitment to delivering quality nutrition and animal protein accessible to every Thai household, upheld through its integrated "Feed-Farm-Food" production standard that ensures precise quality and nutritional control throughout the supply chain. The Marketeer No.1 Brand Thailand award, held annually for over 14 years, is uniquely based on the "voice of 6,500 real consumers" nationwide rather than committee judgment, making it a true reflection of market confidence and consumer loyalty.

Anyanee Churut, senior marketing executive at CPF, stated that the company's core mission is delivering "good protein and good nutrition" through world-class food innovations tailored to Thai consumers' convenience and accessibility. Recent innovations include chicken sausage with basil rice meeting astronaut-grade safety standards, Chicken Pocket high-protein sandwiches aligned with health trends, and CP chicken nuggets awarded the Crystal Taste Award from Belgium. These products exemplify CPF's strategy of creating not just satisfying meals, but daily foods that foster consumer wellbeing and loyalty.

CPF views this award as a springboard to continue advancing its production standards and product innovation, reinforcing its promise to provide accessible quality nutrition to Thai consumers across every meal, guided by the commitment: "Make better foods for better lives – good nutrition, good protein that everyone can access."

On July 24, Nikorn Sirojanananth, director-general of the Forestry Department, announced that following complaints and tips, his department is investigating Thai Hua Rubber Company (Public) Limited, based in Chalng Subdistrict, Had Yai District, Songkhla. The company operates within the Khuan Khao Wang, Khlong Tog, and Khaoyai Ridge national forest reserves. Nikorn ordered the special operations unit and anti-encroachment task force, known as Payakpai, to conduct the inspection in coordination with the Regional Forest Management Bureau 13 (Songkhla), the Southern Prevention and Suppression Center, provincial natural resources office, police, and local government representatives, as well as representatives from the Rubber Authority of Thailand and the company.

The inspection found the company using 103 rai and 52 square wa of reserved forest area with 27 structures. The Rubber Authority submitted a lease agreement for a rubber sheet factory building to conduct research, development, and quality testing of rubber sheet production. Officials determined that supporting documents were incomplete and requested additional evidence from the Rubber Authority of Thailand for further review and legal action as appropriate.

The Forestry Department stated it is coordinating closely with all relevant agencies to thoroughly collect and verify evidence in order to ensure accuracy and fairness to all parties in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.