National IT and Telecom Authority (NITMX), which provides Thailand's national payment infrastructure, released June 2025 usage data for the PromptPay system on July 31, showing continued growth in digital payments during the first half of the year. PromptPay transaction volume reached 2.39 billion in June, a 13% year-on-year increase, while transaction value stood at 4.38 trillion baht, up 4% year-on-year. This growth reflects PromptPay's role as a cornerstone of Thailand's digital financial infrastructure, supporting high-volume transactions reliably across peer-to-peer transfers, online shopping, small business payments, and cash flow tied to expanding economic activity.

Registered accounts climbed to 83.15 million by end of June, comprising 82.73 million personal accounts and 0.42 million business accounts. Steady growth in registrations shows public and business confidence in the real-time, secure, and low-cost transfer system, particularly among small merchants, online retailers, and freelancers. The highest daily transaction volume occurred on Tuesday, June 30, with 79.79 million transactions, coinciding with month-end bill payments, salary transfers, and business clearing cycles.

Cross-border QR payment inbound transactions in June reached 1,584,225 million baht, driven largely by foreign tourists using their home country apps to scan QR codes and pay for goods and services in Thailand directly, eliminating currency exchange barriers. China led with 981.52 million baht in transaction value, followed by Malaysia at 310.69 million baht and Laos at 111.85 million baht, underscoring the importance of cross-border payment connectivity for supporting tourism and international trade.

MP Phakamon Thun-anon on July 31 criticized the lack of progress in the local government exam fraud case, noting that over 40 days have passed since authorities raided a building in Nonthaburi but no substantial headway has been made on the 5-billion-baht corruption scheme. She contended the fraud was not a spontaneous act but a premeditated conspiracy coordinated at senior management levels, with evidence pointing to collusion between the Department of Local Administration and Srinakharinwirot University since 2023.

Phakamon highlighted that Burapha University initially won the bidding process in December 2566 but was later replaced by Srinakharinwirot University, which had submitted a higher price. After Burapha's appeal succeeded, the contract was still awarded to Srinakharinwirot under new specifications, suggesting deliberate manipulation of the procurement process.

She emphasized that a fraud operation of this magnitude requires coordination at the decision-making level, not merely among low-level implementers, and that the case warrants investigation into the financial trails of individuals involved and a thorough review of how contract specifications were altered to favor one university over another.

PHUKET: Bangkok Hospital Group has officially opened the Bangkok-Phuket Cancer Institute, bringing together the cancer treatment services of three private hospitals in Phuket as part of a strategy to strengthen the islands position as a regional medical hub and destination for medical tourism.

Singer Joey Phuwasit held his first-ever fan meeting called 'Sanathana Suk STATION' at Bangkok's Amphoe Station to launch his third album 'Sanathana Suk,' transforming the venue into a 'Pavilion of Happiness.' The event featured multiple zones including a market area with local food stalls and merchandise, carnival-style mini-games, photo booths recreating scenes from his music videos, a fan wall for messages and wishes, and interactive games on stage such as fortune-telling and song-guessing contests.

The event's main highlight was the world premiere of the new music video 'Rak Mai Wai Laeo Woy,' which starred his real-life girlfriend Jen Neelinyan in the leading role. This was followed by an intimate mini-concert where Joey performed songs from the new album including 'Sanaya Duan Hok,' 'Nit Noi,' 'Sarika Linthong,' 'Na Nha Thong,' 'Mor Hung Khao,' 'Duang Duen,' and the new single 'Rak Mai Wai Laeo Woy,' all in a casual, friendly atmosphere.

Fan club members received special privileges including group photos, autograph signing opportunities with Joey, and exclusive commemorative gifts. Before the event, Joey shared with media about the album's creation, his relationship, his recent receipt of the 'Proud Alumni Award' from Roi Et Rajabhat University in recognition of his contributions to society, and his plans for a major concert in the future.

Iconsiam invites the public and tourists to join in honoring the late Queen Sirikit while continuing her mission to preserve Thai arts, crafts, textiles, and local wisdom through exhibitions, activities, and creative works throughout August 2025.

The month begins with a tribute exhibition titled "Sirikit the Queen: The Nation's Beloved Heart" (August 1–8) at Thara Hall, Walk Way, and Arts Way on the M floor. The exhibition conveys Her Majesty's grace through works by national artists and accomplished artists across five art forms, featuring 3D animation screenings, panel discussions, and charity displays.

From August 11–13, the Office of the Prime Minister, through the Public Relations Department, presents "Legacy of Thai Textiles & Fashion" at Charoen Nakhon and Thara Halls on the M floor. Organized under the theme "Legacy: Creative Continuity & Creativity," the event showcases over 100 pieces from 10 model communities across Thailand, alongside talks by leading designers and contemporary Thai textile fashion shows featuring models and celebrities to champion Thai soft power globally.

S'CRAFT, under the SIRIVANNAVARI brand in partnership with Iconcraft, launches a limited collection of Thai textile bags titled "THREADS OF LEGACY: S'CRAFT 2026." Drawing inspiration from Her Majesty's textile legacy, the collection consists of 88 limited-edition bags handwoven by Thai artisans, displayed and sold from August 11–31.

Throughout August, Iconcraft on floors 4–5 presents "THAI TEXTILE HEROES 2026," highlighting Thai textiles, crafts, and local wisdom. The program includes youth artwork exhibitions, the Cultural Textile Awards 2026 showcase, and the "Thai Textiles: Wear Them With Joy" exhibition, following the royal initiative of Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana.

From August 11–16, Iconsiam partners with the Thai Crafts and Design Foundation to host "Her Majesty the Queen's Blossoms" at Vatthana Hall on floor 3, presenting stories of flowers given royal names, Thai handicraft demonstrations, and sales of products from the Thai Crafts and Design Foundation.

A major highlight is the launch of the "Thai Textiles Trend Book SPRING/SUMMER 2027," developed under the royal initiative "Thai Textiles: Wear Them With Joy." The book will be on display from August 11–14 at Suralai Hall on floor 7, presenting the concept "Village to the World," elevating Thai textile wisdom to contemporary design and international fashion industry standards.

Experience the charm of Thai textiles, crafts, and local wisdom from across the country while honoring the late Queen Sirikit throughout August 2025 at Iconsiam. For more information, call 1338 or visit Facebook: ICONSIAM.

BANGKOK — 30 July 2026, Thailand's Department of Labour Protection and Welfare has opened public consultation on a draft regulation that would extend maternity leave for female employees of state enterprises from 98 to 120 days.

State enterprises are government-owned or government-controlled businesses that provide commercial or public services, such as the State Railway of Thailand, Thai Post, the Government Savings Bank and electricity authorities. Their employees are not civil servants, and their employment conditions are regulated separately from those in ordinary private companies.

The draft would amend the minimum employment standards set by the State Enterprise Labour Relations Committee, which establishes baseline conditions across state enterprises. It would allow eligible employees to take up to 120 days of maternity leave and receive wages at their normal rate throughout the leave, capped at 120 days.

The proposal is intended to bring state-enterprise maternity leave in line with the 120-day entitlement already available to private-sector employees under the Labour Protection Act (No. 9), which took effect in December 2025.

However, the proposed pay provision would go further than the private-sector statutory minimum. Private-sector employees are entitled to up to 120 days' maternity leave, but employers are required to pay full wages for only the first 60 days. Under the amended Labour Protection Act, private-sector employees may also take up to 15 additional days of leave at 50% pay to care for a newborn with qualifying medical conditions. The law also grants private-sector employees up to 15 days of fully paid leave to assist a spouse after childbirth.

The state-enterprise consultation concerns maternity leave only. It does not alter the separate leave rules for civil servants, nor does it automatically change benefits offered under individual state enterprises' employment agreements, which may already exceed the minimum standard.

Labour Protection and Welfare Department director-general Captain Saroj Khomkhai said the measure is intended to improve workers' quality of life, support families and strengthen national labour protections.

Employers, state-enterprise employees, relevant organisations and members of the public may submit comments through the government's Law Portal until 24 August 2026.