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Phuket — The Governor of Phuket, Chotinarin Kerdsom, has directed sweeping safety inspections across the province’s entertainment venues, hotels, and restaurants following a deadly fire in Bangkok that claimed multiple lives. Our previous story:  Bangkok A fire ripped through the “Rong Beer Na Lad Prao” bar, restaurant, and entertainment venue near Soi Lad Phrao 1 […] Phuket Governor Orders Safety Crackdown After Bangkok Fire Tragedy -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

Thailand's Office of Trade and Strategic Policy identifies vertical series—a rapidly growing global format—as a key opportunity for the Thai content industry to expand its identity internationally. Nanthapong Jiralertsphong, director of the Office of Trade and Strategic Policy, explains that vertical series are short dramas displayed in 9:16 aspect ratio specifically for smartphones and tablets, typically 1–2 minutes per episode, with fast-paced, easy-to-follow narratives punctuated by dramatic turns to maintain viewer interest.

The format meets the needs of modern consumers with limited time who want immediate content gratification and is gaining popularity worldwide, with China dominating the market. According to a joint report by China's state broadcasting authority and private sector partners on AI-driven micro-drama innovation, the global short-drama market is worth nearly $18 billion in 2025, while China's share alone reaches $14 billion—77.78 percent of the total. Other markets combined account for $3.6 billion.

Multiple countries show strong growth trajectories: South Korea's short-drama market was valued at $490 million in 2024 and is projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2029, while India's market is expected to hit $1.5 billion in 2026 and grow at an average rate of 31 percent annually, reaching $4.5 billion by 2029.

Usage of vertical series applications is also climbing. China's Netcasting Service Association reported that Chinese users spent an average of 2 hours daily on short-drama apps during the first eight months of 2025, up 25.9 percent from January. Leading apps in China include Hongguo Short Drama, followed by Hippo Theater and Fanhua Theater. Outside China, foreign downloads of short-drama apps exceeded 730 million in the same period, a 370.4 percent increase year-over-year.

According to SocialPeta, the most popular global apps (excluding China) are Reelshort, DramaBox, ShortMax, and GoodsShort. Platforms typically generate revenue through four models: pay-to-unlock systems where viewers access the first 10–15 episodes free then purchase digital coins for additional content; subscription memberships; advertising; and affiliate marketing that allows merchants to embed purchase links.

Thailand's vertical series market currently lacks formal valuation but shows significant regional potential, though market research firm SocialPeta notes the assessment remains incomplete for the first half of the year.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Piyarat Tiyapairat and her delegation visited Lampang province on July 12, 2025, to present agricultural and cooperative policies, meet with farmers, and inspect the Hang Chat Agricultural Cooperative, where they distributed production materials. Welcoming officials included Kulthon Ratanaseri, director of the Khiw Lom-Khiw Khaw Maa water supply and maintenance project, and Athiw Thung Jet, director of the Lampang irrigation project.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is advancing development under the concept of "innovative agriculture for sustainable Thai farming," with five key policy areas: upgrading production through technology and innovation, increasing farmer income, developing farmer potential through reskilling and upskilling, market-led production, and systematic water resource management. She stressed the need for all sectors to support cooperatives as centers for product collection, value-added processing, and marketing, while integrating digital technology and innovation to reduce costs and adapt to climate change.

Hang Chat Agricultural Cooperative is the leading cooperative in its district and the only one in Lampang province with a rice mill and rice sales operations for both white and colored rice. Last year, it collected approximately 7,000 tons of paddy rice from members and processed over 717 tons of milled rice, while developing premium products including mineral spring rice and refined rice to add value for members. The cooperative's rice mill holds GHPs, HACCP, FDA, Thai industrial standards, and green cooperative mill certifications, and uses modern technology including color-sorting machines and UTD RF (BiO-Q) radio-frequency milling systems. The cooperative has 2,404 members, approximately 480 million baht in operating capital, and operates a complete agribusiness cycle including credit, savings, supply, product collection and processing, and member welfare services.

Government Savings Bank is inviting the public to compete for 70 million baht in special prizes during the final draw of its 113th anniversary campaign. The largest prizes consist of seven 10-million-baht awards. Customers and the public can purchase special 1-year and 2-year savings certificates in physical or digital form until July 15, 2569, through the MyMo app or at any Government Savings Bank branch nationwide.

On July 13, 2569, Sompon Cheevapaññaro, director of Government Savings Bank, announced that the campaign "Celebrate 113 Years: Increased Prize Money, Increased Prize Count" has entered the final special draw round, featuring the campaign's largest prizes totaling 70 million baht divided into seven awards of 10 million baht each, to be drawn on July 16, 2569. The campaign was launched to mark the bank's founding anniversary and provide happiness and encouragement to the public during economic uncertainty, while also promoting savings discipline for long-term financial security.

Both new and existing certificate holders are eligible to compete, with higher purchase volumes increasing chances of winning. Previously, the bank held two special draws awarding 56 prizes worth 43 million baht, transferred to winners' accounts nationwide. The third and final draw will distribute the largest prizes totaling 70 million baht, bringing the entire campaign's special prize fund to 113 million baht. Certificate holders also remain eligible for regular periodic prizes according to each certificate type's conditions.

Government Savings Bank certificates offer a secure savings option with guaranteed returns at the bank's specified interest rate, fully guaranteed by the government for both principal and interest. Individual savers enjoy tax exemption benefits and opportunities to win regular periodic prizes and special prizes held at various occasions. Those seeking more information can visit www.gsb.or.th or contact GSB Contact Center at 1115.

At 11:30 a.m. on July 13, 2025, the Technology Crime Investigation Bureau announced the dismantling of an online muay thai betting network. Police arrested 6 suspects, seized 245 mobile phones, and confiscated assets valued at over 6.3 million baht.

The operation involved coordinated raids at six locations in Bangkok, including four residences on Nawamintr Road Soi 24 and two on Nawamintr Road Soi 42 in Bangkumthong District.

According to police, the network was run with a clear division of labor. It used a Facebook account under the name "Muay Hoo Neung Chai Wattana" to recruit members, collecting daily and monthly fees. Members placed online bets on muay thai matches through a LINE application called "Muay Pak Yok Variety." The network operator used multiple bank accounts to receive, hold, and circulate funds.

Financial tracking from September 10, 2024 to October 28, 2024 revealed money circulation of approximately 100 million baht per month, or roughly 1 billion baht annually. Some individuals within the network received suspicious transfers exceeding 80 million baht with no documentation supporting legitimate business activity.

The six arrested suspects include: Chai Wattana (name withheld), 34, who built credibility through social media and recruited members; Ms. Piyamal (name withheld), 33, who managed finances; Watchrapol (name withheld), 22; Veersak (name withheld), 27; Phakpol (name withheld), 23; and Chitrakorn (name withheld), 44, who posted promotional content and managed financial operations.

At Rajavithi Hospital, Dr. Somruk Chaosamran, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, visited to oversee treatment of victims from the entertainment venue fire in the Ladprao district. He confirmed the incident occurred near midnight on July 12-13, 2025, at 3:26 a.m., with at least 27 confirmed deaths and 63 injured: 22 in critical condition, 33 in moderate condition, and 8 in minor condition, admitted to 11 hospitals including Rajavithi Hospital (11 patients), Phyathai Phaholyothin (11), Vimut (9), Ladprao (5), Paolo Kesat (5), Chulalongkorn (4), Ramathibodi (4), Petchvej (4), Police Hospital (2), Chokechai 4 (2), and others with one patient each.

Dr. Somruk noted patients suffered burn injuries and smoke inhalation requiring specialized burn ward and ICU care. He ordered all public health ministry hospitals in Bangkok and surrounding areas to prepare burn treatment units and ICU beds for patient transfers. Six hospitals currently have available beds: Thammasat Chulalongkorn (1), Noppharat Rajathanee (3), Vajira (1 burn/1 ICU), Siriraj (3 non-intubated), Bhumibol Adulyadej (1), and Chonburi (2 intubated).

Among the 11 Rajavithi patients, most have burn injuries with six in critical condition, one moderate, one minor, and three requiring no treatment. One green-condition patient was discharged, leaving seven admitted. Health Minister Patthana Prommapan expressed concern and ordered comprehensive care, planning to visit patients this evening.