Krung Thai Bank (Outs Savings Bank) Director Songpol Chiwapanyarojanai announced the launch of a new lending program to support small-business operators and self-employed workers facing economic hardship. Rising energy costs and living expenses have hit small entrepreneurs particularly hard, limiting their access to capital for business development. The bank's "Microentrepreneur Career-Building Loan" program offers unsecured loans of up to 50,000 baht per borrower at a flat interest rate not exceeding 0.75 percent monthly, with no collateral requirement and repayment terms of up to five years. The streamlined application process is available immediately through the MyMo app. The program is open to Thai nationals aged 20 to 65, including small-business owners, freelancers, wage earners, traders, and service providers seeking additional income. Those interested can visit www.gsb.or.th or call the GSB Contact Center at 1115 for more details.

On July 21, 2569, the Thai Meteorological Department issued a 24-hour weather forecast predicting increased rainfall across Thailand, with heavy rain in some areas of the north and upper northeast. The intensifying southwest monsoon affecting the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, combined with a low-pressure system over northern Vietnam, is driving the forecast. Residents in the north and upper northeast are advised to be vigilant against hazards from heavy and accumulated rainfall.

The upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand will see waves of 1–2 meters, while the lower Andaman Sea expects waves around 1 meter. Areas with thunderstorms may see waves exceeding 2 meters. Fishermen are cautioned to exercise care and avoid sailing in thunderstorm zones.

A low-pressure system strengthening over the Pacific Ocean is expected to intensify into a depression and move across the northern Philippines between July 24–25, 2569.

Detailed forecasts for 6 p.m. today through 6 p.m. tomorrow:

North: Thunderstorms affecting 60% of the area with heavy rain in some zones, mainly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Lamphun, Lampang, and Tak provinces. Low 21–26°C, high 28–35°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

Northeast: Thunderstorms affecting 40% of the area with heavy rain in some zones, mainly Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, and Nakhon Phanom. Low 23–25°C, high 32–36°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

Central: Thunderstorms affecting 40% of the area, mainly Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Lopburi, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi. Low 25–26°C, high 35–37°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

East: Thunderstorms affecting 40% of the area, mainly Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Low 23–27°C, high 33–36°C. Southwest winds 15–35 km/h. Seas 1–2 meters; over 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

South (East Coast): Thunderstorms affecting 30% of the area, mainly Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Low 22–25°C, high 32–36°C. Southwest winds 15–30 km/h. Seas around 1 meter; over 2 meters in thunderstorm zones.

South (West Coast): Thunderstorms affecting 40% of the area, mainly Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. Low 23–25°C, high 32–35°C. From Phang Nga northward: southwest winds 15–35 km/h, seas 1–2 meters, over 2 meters in thunderstorms. From Phuket southward: southwest winds 15–30 km/h, seas around 1 meter, over 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thunderstorms affecting 40% of the area, mainly afternoon to evening. Low 26–28°C, high 35–37°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

On July 20, 2025, Ramathidbi Hospital's Faculty of Medicine at Mahidol University released findings from the seventh National Health Examination Survey (NHES 7) conducted in 2024–2025, presenting "Unlocking Thai Elderly Health: Data for an Aging Society's Future" at the Abroom Hotel in Bangkok. Assistant Professor Dr. Rerngrudee Pathanavanitchakul, head of the survey project, reported that Thailand's elderly population has tripled over 30 years and now stands at 21 percent, approximately 14 million people. The lifestyles of Thai elders have changed significantly—they have higher education levels, greater access to the internet and technology, and have shifted from extended family living to living with spouses or alone, with 1.4 million elderly living solo (1 million of them women). Elderly employment rates have risen 1.5-fold over two decades, with 52 percent currently working, particularly those aged 60–65, of whom 70 percent remain employed. However, income adequacy has declined sharply, dropping from 69 percent to 39 percent between 2004 and 2025.

In terms of health, dependency in daily living activities nearly doubled between 2009 and 2025, rising from 15.5 percent to 28 percent, affecting approximately 4 million elderly. The Northeastern region shows the highest proportion of dependent elderly at 36 percent. Only 12 percent of all elderly require caregivers—about 1.8 million people—yet 55 percent of those who need care lack a caregiver, roughly 1 million individuals. Currently, over 95 percent of elderly caregivers are family members. Regionally, the Northeast faces the greatest challenges, with higher rates of dependency, falls, inadequate income, unmet caregiver needs, and chronic diseases including anemia, chronic kidney disease, and metabolic syndrome compared to other regions.

Dr. Rerngrudee noted that survey data clearly shows elderly who continue working have better health than those who do not, with lower rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and cognitive decline. Working elderly also show higher levels of physical activity, lower depression risk, and fewer falls. Beyond employment, social participation also correlates with better elderly health. "Given these changing lifestyles and the positive health effects of work and social engagement," she stated, "society should shift its perspective, move beyond the label 'elderly,' and redefine old age as beginning at 65 rather than 60. Alongside this, policies should support elderly employment, adjust retirement ages, and reform benefits and protections. We must also promote social activity spaces for the elderly and prioritize preventive health policies that view elderly health positively rather than treating seniors as a burden." Assistant Professor Dr. Chalubla Chalemsri, a geriatric medicine specialist at Siriraj Hospital, provided additional information on dementia among Thai elderly, identifying cognitive decline as a critical public health issue in Thailand's aging population.

The Thailand Securities Depository (TSD) has released a comprehensive FAQ to help the public understand how to verify their securities accounts as part of the government welfare card program eligibility process. The guidance is intended for those unsure whether they have ever opened a securities trading account.

Those unable to recall whether they have opened a securities account can verify through the government welfare card program website at https://welfare.mof.go.th or via TSD e-Service in the wiset app under "Shareholder Account Information." After downloading the app and verifying their identity, the system will display all securities accounts ever opened with various brokerage firms.

If someone has never opened a trading account or invested but finds their name listed, they can contact the brokerage firm in question to verify details directly. Those wishing to close an account can contact their broker or use their broker's application immediately. For those without share certificates or with account 600, TSD Counter Services at the Stock Exchange of Thailand building can assist during business hours.

Account 600, or Issuer Account, is an account opened by securities-issuing companies with TSD to hold shares for investors. Most companies conducting IPOs maintain such accounts to facilitate investors who do not yet have personal securities accounts.

Those wanting to verify their holdings can check through the wiset app's My Wealth menu or contact their broker directly. TSD also offers services to confirm where citizens have opened trading accounts through TSD e-Service on wiset, and can check shareholdings through the My Wealth menu. Inquiries can also be submitted via the form at www.set.or.th, and TSD will expedite verification and report results through the specified channel.

Note: Government welfare card eligibility follows official criteria. Check your eligibility at https://welfare.mof.go.th. Those wishing to appeal eligibility decisions can contact the government welfare card program directly at https://welfare.mof.go.th.

On July 21, 2026, residents of Pang Ku subdistrict in Prachuap Khiri Khan district filed a complaint reporting that one of the poorest elderly people in their community had been disqualified from the government's poverty card program despite her severe hardship. They urged media attention and called on the government to resolve the issue quickly, noting that many other poor households face similar cutoffs.

Investigators found Samae (surname withheld), 67, living alone in a corrugated metal shack with no electricity or gas stove—only a single solar light bulb for illumination. Her kitchen contained minimal supplies: one bag of sugar, one bottle of fish sauce, one bag of salt, and one packet of seasoning powder. She prepares her own meals.

Samae's circumstances have been familiar to villagers for about five years, since she returned to her home village. Neighbors occasionally help out of pity, though support is sporadic.

Neighbor Samjai, 50, explained that Samae previously held a poverty card but it was revoked. The village headman told residents the reason: Samae holds a life insurance policy taken out by her son, which disqualified her.

Samae's son purchased the policy with an annual premium of approximately 12,000 baht and a death benefit of 200,000 baht—intended to cover funeral costs should his mother pass away, since he worried he would not have the means to pay for her funeral himself. When her son could no longer afford the premiums, a sympathetic neighbor stepped in, though on the condition that the insurance payout be split, with part reserved for funeral expenses.

Neither anticipated that Samae would lose her poverty card eligibility. The neighbor expressed heartbreak, noting that Samae survives on boiled eggs as her only daily meal, and called on the government to address this kind of situation urgently.