Thai-Japanese Bank (TTB) has elevated its role to 'Growth Navigator' by hosting the SME Growth Navigator powered by ttb LEAN: Networking Day for entrepreneurs in the food, beverage, and consumer goods sectors. The event attracted over 250 SME companies and partnered with 13 public and private sector organizations to share business knowledge, real-world experience, and build collaborative networks aimed at helping entrepreneurs overcome barriers and achieve sustainable growth.

Pierpong Nithikaiwut, head of TTB's business customer strategy group, said Thai SME operators face multifaceted challenges including economic slowdown, shifting consumer spending, elevated operational costs, and intensifying competition. He noted that today's SME challenge extends beyond survival to requiring adaptive strategies for long-term growth. TTB's data reveals many entrepreneurs struggle with critical growth obstacles such as prioritizing short-term problem-solving over long-term planning, limited technology and AI adoption, weak strategic risk management, misaligned sales growth with operational efficiency, and lack of clear business direction.

"TTB believes banks today must be business partners, not just financial providers," Pierpong said. "We're stepping into the 'Growth Navigator' role to comprehensively support Thai SMEs through capital, digital tools, knowledge, and business networks." The event featured expert speakers including a keynote on second-half economic outlook and SME growth strategies, plus networking sessions, business showcases, and one-on-one matching opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with ecosystem partners and explore collaboration opportunities.

A Gold Research Center survey from July 27-31 revealed divided expert opinion on gold prices: 38% expect stability, 31% predict a rise, and 31% anticipate a fall. Among 338 investor respondents, 56% expect domestic gold prices to weaken next week as markets await decisions from the Federal Reserve (July 28-29), Bank of England (July 30), and Bank of Japan (July 30-31), along with key US economic reports. Domestic gold bars (96.5% purity) closed the previous week at 64,850 baht per baht-weight, up 800 baht from the week before. The Federal Reserve is expected to hold rates at 3.50–3.75%, the BOE at 3.75%, and the BOJ at 1.00%. Leng Ngam Commodities projects global gold trading between $3,950–$4,160 per ounce.

The Thai Meteorological Department on July 27, 2025, forecasts heavy rain will persist over the next 24 hours across the northern, northeastern, eastern, and western southern regions due to a monsoon trough passing through upper northern Thailand and northern Laos, combined with a moderately strengthening southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand.

The public is advised to be cautious of heavy rainfall and accumulated precipitation, which may cause flash floods and flash flows, particularly in foothill areas near water channels and low-lying zones.

Wind and wave conditions in the upper Andaman Sea will be fairly rough, with waves 2–3 meters high, exceeding 3 meters in thunderstorm areas. The lower Andaman and upper Gulf of Thailand will see waves around 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters where thunderstorms occur. Boat operators should navigate carefully and avoid thunderstorm zones; small vessels in the upper Andaman should remain ashore.

Regional forecasts from 06:00 today to 06:00 tomorrow:

**North:** Thunderstorms in 70% of areas with heavy rain in some zones, particularly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Tak, Nan, Phichit, and Phetchabun. Low 22–27°C, high 30–36°C. Southwest winds 10–20 kph.

**Northeast:** Thunderstorms in 70% of areas with heavy rain in spots around Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani. Low 23–25°C, high 31–35°C. Southwest winds 10–20 kph.

**Central:** Thunderstorms in 40% of areas, mainly in Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi. Low 24–26°C, high 34–37°C. Southwest winds 10–25 kph.

**East:** Thunderstorms in 70% of areas with heavy rain in places near Chanthaburi and Trat. Low 23–27°C, high 30–35°C. Southwest winds 20–35 kph. Sea waves around 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorms.

**South (East Coast):** Thunderstorms in 40% of areas, chiefly around Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, and Surat Thani. Low 23–26°C, high 32–35°C. Southwest winds 15–35 kph. Waves around 1 meter nearshore, 1–2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorms.

**South (West Coast):** Thunderstorms in 60% of areas with heavy rain in some zones near Ranong and Phang Nga. Low 22–26°C, high 29–34°C. From Phang Nga northward: southwest winds 20–40 kph, waves 2–3 meters, exceeding 3 meters in thunderstorms. From Phuket southward: southwest winds 20–35 kph, waves around 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in storms.

**Bangkok and Vicinity:** Thunderstorms in 40% of areas. Low 26–28°C, high 33–36°C.

On July 26, 2025, Deputy Police Lieutenant Suwat Nammongkol, head of the Buriram Provincial Police drug suppression unit, led a joint operation involving multiple police units, special forces, and military personnel. Officers raided a residence in Mueang Faek subdistrict, Lamplaimat district, Buriram province, and arrested Nithikorn, 20, and Surasit, 39. Police seized 24,491 methamphetamine tablets, a .22 caliber handgun, and three rounds of ammunition. The arrests came after officers pursued leads from previous drug busts in the province, which led them to identify the pair as major methamphetamine dealers sourcing drugs from Laotian suppliers. During the arrest, Nithikorn attempted to flee and reached for the pistol at his waist, but officers quickly subdued and detained him before he could draw the weapon. Both suspects were taken for further questioning before being handed over to Thamenochai Police Station with charges to be filed under relevant laws.

More than 100 villagers gathered on the morning of July 26, 2025, to force out a deputy abbot at a temple in Huai Krot subdistrict, Sankhaburi district, Chainat province. Police arrived to maintain order after receiving the report. The deputy had been appointed by the ailing abbot to oversee chanting and coordinate merit-making ceremonies, but conflicts arose with another senior monk over scheduling and the deputy's conduct.

The deputy explained that he had been managing ceremonies for about two months before problems emerged with the other senior monk regarding how ceremonies were scheduled. He claimed he had attempted to clarify his duties according to his appointment letter, but the other monk did not listen. He noted the issue had been reported to provincial authorities. The abbot has been seriously ill following brain surgery and cannot sign documents.

The opposing senior monk countered that villagers and funeral hosts had indicated they did not want the deputy monk to lead chanting, yet the deputy allegedly approached families asking why they had not invited him. This accumulated frustration led to the gathering.

After tensions escalated and initial negotiations failed, the sub-district headman and the abbot from a neighboring temple arrived to mediate discussions in the temple's assembly hall, with police standing by for security. A resolution was reached: the deputy monk would temporarily relocate to another temple for the Buddhist Lent period, with his departure scheduled for July 27, 2025. Villagers accepted this compromise and dispersed peacefully, though some residents called for further investigation into other aspects of the dispute.