On July 24, 2025, the Central Investigation Police Command announced the takedown of the 'Style Cycle' gang following coordinated raids across 19 locations in 11 provinces: Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Chachoengsao, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaeo, Tak, Kanchanaburi, Roi Et, Lampang, Chiang Rai, and Chiang Mai. Police arrested 17 suspects—three involved in money laundering and control, seven in fund transfers and cash withdrawals, and seven operating fake bank accounts—and seized approximately 23 million baht in assets including luxury vehicles, cash in multiple currencies, gold bars, jewelry, designer goods, and other valuables.

According to investigators, the scam began when victims were lured via Facebook to open online shops and join a Line OpenChat group called "Style Cycle Market" with over 1,000 members. After registration, victims were told their withdrawals were blocked due to insufficient sales credit and were directed to another group where they were deceived into transferring money multiple times—some amounts reaching millions of baht—to supposedly "activate" their accounts and process inventory. The victim in this case transferred money 25 times totaling 14.75 million baht but could never withdraw funds.

Financial investigations revealed the gang operated a complex money-laundering scheme: they moved funds to purchase goods for export to Cambodia, withdrew cash to Chinese networks in Bangkok's Ratchadamri area, and purchased gold to obscure origins. A front company in Mae Sot, Tak province, laundered money for scammer gangs in Myanmar and Cambodia, taking a 25 percent commission. Money collectors received a 5 percent fee for cash delivery to Chinese networks. In 2568 (2025), the network cycled over 149 million baht and was linked to over 226 other online fraud cases totaling more than 17 million baht in losses.

Investigators also found that Thai nationals operating the fake accounts were themselves victims of recruitment scams. They responded to job postings on Facebook and TikTok offering admin or driver work paying 18,000–19,000 baht monthly. Upon falling for the scheme, they were taken to open multiple bank accounts, placed in vans, and transported to the border regions of Sa Kaeo and Chachoengsao under armed guard. They were forced across the Thailand-Cambodia border into Poipet, where their phones and documents were confiscated. Held in an iron-barred room under 24-hour armed guard, they were forced to edit images and pose as admins to scam Thai victims. One account holder reported being ordered to scan his face repeatedly to confirm money transfers over three to four days while facing threats.

The Royal Gazette announced on July 24, 2569 BE the royal conferral of an ecclesiastical rank certificate upon Phra Ratchavachrathorn of Wat Kai Tia in Bangkok, promoting him to the rank of Phra Khru Wachrathorn. The royal appointment was issued to recognize his suitability for the proper performance of religious duties. The rank became effective from July 23, 2569 BE and was announced on July 24, 2569 BE, marking the 11th year of the current reign.

On July 23, 2025, Shanghai Protector Law Firm announced it has been authorized by Orm Kornnaphat (Kornnaphat Sethratanapong) to take immediate legal action. This follows previous warning notices regarding violations of her reputation rights on Chinese online platforms including Weibo, Douban, and Bilibili.

After investigation, the firm discovered that certain individuals have continued spreading false information and defamatory content that further damages her reputation. The law firm now declares that all parties must immediately cease publishing, sharing, and commenting on the infringing content and delete all such material.

From this announcement forward, no further individual warning letters will be issued. Instead, the following legal measures will be pursued immediately:

— Civil lawsuits in civil court seeking cessation of infringement, removal of negative impact, reputation restoration, formal apology, and full economic damages including direct and indirect losses, emotional harm, and all reasonable costs of protecting her rights (including attorney fees, document certification, court fees, expert fees, etc.)

— Criminal complaints will be filed against those whose conduct may constitute criminal offenses

— Administrative complaints to public security authorities for defamation and insult in a public context

— For those with particularly severe violations or conduct that may constitute criminal offenses, criminal prosecution procedures will be fully pursued in cooperation with judicial authorities

The internet is not a lawless space or refuge for malicious conduct. The statement calls on those responsible to recognize the legal consequences of their actions and immediately cease the infringing conduct. All parties are warned that legal action will proceed without further notice.

On July 24, the Department of Mineral Resources' Geohazard Operations Center warned residents to be vigilant against landslides and flash floods as heavy rain continues to fall in vulnerable areas. Nine provinces have been identified as at particular risk: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Tak, Nakhon Nayok, Trat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Phang Nga. The Meteorological Department forecasts that northern Thailand and the west coast of the southern region will experience heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours due to a low-pressure system over northern Vietnam combined with a moderate southwest monsoon affecting the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. The public is urged to be cautious of heavy to very heavy rainfall and accumulated water, which may cause flash floods and flash floods, particularly in foothill areas near waterways and low-lying zones. Volunteer networks in at-risk areas are asked to closely monitor the situation and prepare for potential geohazard disasters. If a geohazard occurs, officials must inspect the affected area immediately to reassure the public and provide initial guidance.

GCAP Gold's chief analyst Areerut Murachy says global markets are tracking the Federal Reserve's changing policy direction under Kevin Warsh, who has begun signaling emphasis on balance sheet reduction rather than rate increases. If implemented, this approach could pressure the U.S. dollar and support gold price recovery; however, market direction still depends on U.S. Treasury yields, which could also suppress gold if they rise.

Warsh told Congress that the Fed's $6.8 trillion balance sheet review will address appropriate reserve levels for the financial system, requiring the Fed to maintain government bonds at certain levels—consistent with his longstanding opposition to quantitative easing. While the Fed may not return to pre-2009 balance sheet levels, it can restructure toward more sustainable levels.

Deutsche Bank analysts caution that the Fed's "reduce balance sheet but not raise rates" approach may not significantly weaken the dollar unless short-term Treasury yields rise, citing Japan's experience where yen remained weak despite gradual balance sheet cuts. The policy could pressure the U.S. government to keep long-term borrowing costs down, requiring close monitoring of market reaction.

GCAP GOLD analysts see increasingly positive signals in gold as selling momentum slows, though an uptrend hasn't been confirmed. If gold holds above $4,100/oz firmly, it could rally to test $4,200 resistance (approximately 66,700 baht). Failure to break above would bring selling pressure toward support at $4,065–$4,000/oz (65,200–64,500 baht), viewed as an accumulation zone.

PHUKET: Phuket City Municipality has held its annual candle casting ceremony ahead of Khao Pansa (the beginning of ‘Buddhist Lent’), with local officials, Buddhist clergy, students and residents gathering to preserve one of Thailand’s longest-standing religious traditions.