Informal workers have reason to celebrate as Thailand's National Savings Fund (NSF) offers savings assistance with government matching contributions to help combat economic hardship. NSF Secretary-General Petch Shinbutr said that following the Monetary Policy Committee's June 24 announcement unanimously maintaining the policy interest rate at 1.00% and adjusting economic growth forecasts for 2025 to 2.3% and 2026 to 1.8%, Thailand's economic expansion driven by exports and technology remains uneven, particularly affecting households and small-to-medium enterprises facing slowing incomes and rising living costs.

With inflation expected at 2.8% this year, higher than typical savings account interest rates, and financial institutions remaining cautious with credit, informal workers and self-employed individuals face the greatest vulnerability without solid financial planning. The NSF sees that regular savings accounts may not adequately outpace inflation, making NSF savings a safe and attractive alternative for informal workers with unique benefits unavailable elsewhere—government matching contributions up to 100% under NSF law, providing immediate returns that offer peace of mind amid economic volatility.

NSF savings can ease current economic pressures in several ways: beating inflation through government matching contributions (up to 1,800 baht annually by age bracket), exceeding the 1.00% policy rate; flexibility for volatile incomes with minimum deposits of just 50 baht with no requirement for equal monthly contributions; maximum security with government-backed returns protecting savings from market risks and credit contraction; and tax benefits reducing financial burden for eligible earners.

Shinbutr stated that the NSF serves as a strong backbone for informal workers—street vendors, motorcycle taxi drivers, freelancers, and self-employed individuals—at a time when financial institutions tighten credit. Personal savings with government support becomes a critical tool reducing financial vulnerability and building future sustainability. Eligible individuals aged 15-60 without state pension benefits are encouraged to start financial planning today to ensure sufficient retirement income regardless of global or Thai economic changes. Interested persons can check eligibility and register easily through the NSF mobile application or contact the savings hotline at 02-049-9000.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, received a telephone call from the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau. The discussion focused on reafirmin...

SC Asset Corporation is signaling confidence in the luxury housing market despite broader real estate headwinds from weakened demand and oversupply. The company plans to raise its 2025 revenue target to approximately 16.5 billion baht following better-than-expected first-half performance, while accelerating land acquisitions to 15 parcels and launching four new projects plus 16 relaunches in the second half.

Mongkut Tetseechaoroen, managing director of SC Asset's horizontal property development and marketing division, revealed that the company is revising its 2025 revenue target upward from 16 billion baht to around 16.5 billion baht. The luxury housing segment has outperformed projections in the first half, demonstrating continued strength despite sector-wide challenges.

Tetseechaoroen noted that while the overall real estate market faces pressure from reduced purchasing power, SC views the upper-end housing market as resilient. High-income buyers are less affected by economic conditions than the mass market, resulting in satisfactory first-half performance that exceeded company forecasts. "This is another strong year for SC despite the real estate sector facing multiple challenges. Our business continues to grow with trends better than anticipated," he stated.

SC maintains market leadership in homes priced 30 million baht and above, commanding 21% market share in 2022, rising to 23% in 2023, with continued growth expected this year. The company specializes in luxury and ultra-luxury project development, a focus area it prioritizes exclusively.

The company aims to maintain leadership in the 20-30 million baht and above segment over the next five years while sustaining annual market share growth of 3-5%, believing the upper-market segment holds growth potential despite overall market contraction from economic conditions.

Tetseechaoroen explained that SC's counter-trend investment strategy is driven by an opportunity created as larger competitors slow land acquisitions due to rising market supply. Reduced competition for land purchases enables SC to acquire quality properties at reasonable prices.

This year, SC allocated approximately 6 billion baht for land acquisitions, with 4 billion baht designated for horizontal projects. The company has already spent over 50% of this budget, purchasing 15 parcels—exceeding the original 10-parcel target—by securing parcels with strong fundamentals in price, size, and location, particularly near central business districts suitable for future luxury housing development.

"Many companies are slowing land purchases, but we see this as a prime opportunity to accumulate land banks because quality plots are becoming more available," Tetseechaoroen said. "As market supply gradually decreases, we believe the market will recover, and land purchased during this period will create long-term value."

For the second half, SC plans to launch four new horizontal projects and relaunch 16 existing projects through comprehensive product redesign—not merely cosmetic rebranding, but reimagined homes incorporating new architecture, functionality, and spatial design to meet modern lifestyle needs.

Tetseechaoroen noted that the relaunch initiative stems from deep consumer behavior research conducted during the market slowdown, revealing that customer demand hasn't declined but rather shifted.

Thai swimming achieved a surprise as Sky Kingpoyom, a rising Thai swimmer and son of "Lukked" Metinee Kingpoyom, secured a spot on Thailand's national team for the Asian Games in Japan. Coach Thotssakul acknowledged that medals are unlikely but set an ambitious goal of reaching the finals 80% of the time, which he considers a passing grade.

The Swimming Association of Thailand announced the roster of 19 swimmers selected for the 2026 Asian Games (20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026) in Aichi-Nagoya. The team includes Kamnachon Khwanmuang, Mia Millar, Surasit Thongdaeng, Maria Nedelka, Jin Chuta Pholjamjaras, Naphatswan Chritkla, Marich Samrittiwech, Pongsanat Traitan, Tonnam Kantimoon, Purichaya Chanyamitri, Ratchavit Thamnananthachoti, Sky Kingpoyom Sharpearl, Ploy Lilayana, Phimchanok Shinveraphan, Thitirattana Charoenthrap, Thitirattana Inchai, Warisara Nophthong, Pasavorn Kantakham, and Wongsgor Phaetman.

Nayathawichaya Thossakul, secretary-general of the Swimming Association of Thailand, stated that while Thailand's swimming team is unlikely to win Asian Games medals, the athletes were selected based on criteria from the Swimming Association and the Thai Olympic Committee, focusing on gold medalists from the Southeast Asian Games and those who finished in the top six at the previous Asian Games.

Thotssakul concluded that the association's expectation is for the team to reach the finals 70-80% of the time, which would be considered successful. Athletes who qualified based on the previous Asian Games' top-six standard should particularly aim to reach the finals. If all 19 swimmers fail to advance from the first round, it would be considered a failure, but the association believes both athletes and coaches are committed to meeting these expectations.

Actress Bua Nalinthip has set her wedding date for late this year and praised her fiancé for being extremely thoughtful. She wants to enjoy married life first and is not rushing to have children, revealing why she chose him. After becoming an engaged woman in the public eye, actress Bua Nalinthip recently appeared at a press conference to launch the series "Rak" at Major Cineplex Sukhumvit (Ekamai) theater, where she updated fans on her wedding date, which is expected to be sometime late this year, and discussed her preparations for becoming a bride.

How far along are the wedding preparations? "We're getting close now (laughs), but I still think it'll probably be around late this year. Please stay tuned," she said.

How far have the preparations progressed? "About halfway there. Right now we're trying on dresses. I just got back from Vietnam and secretly tried on some dresses there."

Are the dresses imported? "We're still looking at when to use them."

Vietnamese wedding dresses must be quite extravagant, right? "Yes, they have such trendy designs. We're still deciding and haven't confirmed anything yet."

What style does Bua want? "Actually, I prefer keeping it simple, easy, and comfortable—minimal style. I don't want something overly elaborate with a big puffy skirt."

But between the marriage proposal and preparing to be a bride, which was more exciting? "The proposal felt thrilling, but now I'm starting to feel stressed (laughs). It's worrying because I'm afraid of how things will turn out."

How do you two discuss the wedding preparations? "We consult about everything."

Who makes the final decisions? "We decide together. When we go dress shopping, he comes along too. He helps us decide what he likes."

Are you tired as a bride-to-be now? "I am tired. The most exhausting part is all the tiny details—choosing venues, picking dresses. We've had some minor disagreements, though not serious ones. But there's a lot to handle."

When you disagree, who gives in? "He does. It's pretty much settled (smiles)."

Does he back down during disagreements? "No, we discuss things logically."

What's your relationship like? What kind of couple are you? "Actually, at first I felt we were complete opposites in many ways. I wasn't sure if we'd get along, but once we started talking, it just clicked easily. He's a sweet person, and I appreciate his consistency. He takes good care of me."

Is your boyfriend very open-minded about the entertainment industry? "Yes, he understands."

Is it all new for him? How did he react to the news breaking and being introduced to the public? "He was shy about it. He became 'the second male lead' and got teased for it. At his office, they teased him too."

How do you comfort him about becoming the 'second male lead'? "I didn't comfort him much. He's fine with it."

Do your friends say anything about what you should do after marriage—whether you should retire or take a break? "No, after marriage I'll stay the same. I'll keep working as I have been. Right now we're also planning on setting up a home."

Are you working on a new house? "We're just starting that."

Will that timing work with your work schedule? "I think it might not be finished in time, but we're not rushing anyway. I feel the house should come together gradually. I don't want to force anything."

Are you living together now? "Every day."

Now that you're about to change your status from girlfriend to fiancée, are you getting used to it? "Not yet (laughs). I still introduce him as my boyfriend or fiancé. It feels embarrassing."

Are you preparing yourself? You used to live alone, and now you'll wake up to see him every day? "Actually, I don't think it's that dramatic. For me, he feels more like someone who completes me. I don't feel like someone is invading my life."

What made you fall for him? "Me? I'm beautiful like this, I'm an actress! (laughs) But honestly, we just clicked when we talked. It's like we found a comfortable space together."