LINE BK, jointly owned by Kasikornbank and Line Corporation, says economic uncertainty and rising living costs are driving Thai consumers to use credit as a liquidity management tool rather than merely a funding source. The platform reported 8.8 million users in the first half of 2025, up 12% year-on-year, with 930,000 credit customers growing 15% and outstanding loans exceeding 29,000 million baht.

Thana Potikamjorn, Chief Executive Officer of Kasikorn Line Company Limited, stated that today's consumers seek convenient, easy-to-use financial services that help manage cash flow during periods of income volatility or unexpected expenses, rather than maximum loan amounts. LINE BK emphasizes responsible lending principles, promoting appropriate credit use and sustainable debt management to help Thai consumers weather economic uncertainty.

To expand access to formal credit, LINE BK launched a new brand campaign under the concept "Quick Cash, Better With LINE BK," emphasizing convenience and ease of application. The company is also developing a new credit assessment model called KLINE Score, which combines advanced technology and alternative data analytics to improve credit evaluation accuracy and help individuals with good repayment capacity but limited traditional credit history access formal credit more easily.

PHUKET: A woman driving a black Mercedes-Benz was prevented from jumping from the Thao Thepkasattri Bridge yesterday evening Wednesday (July 29), while rescue teams were still searching for another woman who had jumped from the same bridge less than 48 hours earlier.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Seehasak Phuangetkekao held a press conference at Government House on July 30 regarding the death of Borvorthat Pangsuk, known as Hulun Solo, a famous travel YouTuber. Seehasak expressed sympathy for the deceased's family, calling the incident unexpected given that Hulun had traveled to numerous countries. The Foreign Ministry and the Thai Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, which oversees the Georgia region, have dispatched officials to Tbilisi to investigate the cause of death.

Seehasak emphasized that the investigation must await official conclusions from Georgian authorities and reports from Thai embassy officials. Regarding the repatriation of the body, he stated that once the investigation is complete, procedures will be conducted based on the family's wishes and their input will be heard.

When asked about the delayed discovery—Hulun had been out of contact for over two weeks—Seehasak explained that Hulun was in Georgia filming content, and once contact was lost, both Georgian authorities and the embassy quickly took action and found the body in a hotel.

Seehasak declined to speculate on whether the death was caused by foul play or self-harm, stating that conclusions must await the official investigation results. He also noted that while Georgian media reported a possible suicide, no definitive conclusions can be drawn. Regarding travel safety alerts, Seehasak stated that the Foreign Ministry regularly issues warnings about unsafe areas and encouraged travelers to contact the ministry for current situation updates before traveling to potentially concerning regions.

Prime Minister Anuthins Chanyaveerakul is moving forward with a major reset of the Interior Ministry in August, involving large-scale transfers of senior officials including deputy permanent secretaries, director-generals, inspectors, provincial governors, and deputy governors. The reshuffle aims to dissolve internal factional divisions and focus on seniority, experience, and capability.

The decision follows an Interior Ministry staff meeting on July 28 in which Anuthins criticized widespread exam-rigging scandals that damaged the ministry's reputation and rejected its derisive nickname "Maha-Tha" (corrupt ministry). Using his position as both Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anuthins vowed to deliver tangible results for the public.

The August transfers will be the first step. Selection criteria include seniority, experience, knowledge, capability, and a clean service record. Notably, provincial governors will also be expected to support business development and serve as a driving force for economic development in their provinces.

Higher-level Interior Ministry officials retiring this fiscal year total 18, including Deputy Permanent Secretary Santhithorn Yimlamhai, Land Department Director Pornpat Penphas, Public Works Director Pongnara Yenyaeng, and 15 provincial governors from across Thailand including Khorat, Tak, Nakhon Sawan, Prachuap Khirikhan, Prachuap Buriram, Pattani, Phrae, Yasothon, Yala, Sa Kaew, Ang Thong, Udon Thani, and Uthai Thani.

Twenty-four additional administrative positions are vacant, including one deputy director post and 23 deputy governor posts. The Cabinet is expected to consider these transfer lists soon.

BANGKOK: Police investigating the deadly Rong Beer Na Ladprao pub fire in Bangkok say they are close to completing their inquiries, as the death toll rose to 37 after another injured victim succumbed to her injuries yesterday (July 29).

The Gold Traders Association announced a sharp rise in gold prices on July 30, 2026, climbing 700 baht per gram from the previous day's closing price. Ornamental gold (96.5%) is now selling at 65,550 baht per gram, while gold bars are trading at 64,750 baht per gram for sales and 64,550 baht per gram for purchases. International gold spot prices stood at 4,088 US dollars per ounce. Gold traders expect prices to continue rising by 1,000 to 2,000 baht per gram when markets open tomorrow, potentially exceeding 80,000 baht per gram.