Thailand's retail and service sector jumped 22.2% in the first quarter of 2025, supported by reviving consumer spending and tourism activity. Ekpongse Hirunchai, director of the National Statistics Office, announced results from a quarterly sales survey of over 10,000 businesses nationwide across retail, accommodation, food and beverage services, film and video production, entertainment, sports, and personal services. Overall retail and service businesses continued expanding compared to both the previous quarter and the same period last year, reflecting strong domestic consumption and service sector growth.

Total sales and revenue for retail and service businesses in Q1 2025 reached 2.079 trillion baht, broken down as follows: retail businesses 1.584 trillion baht, food and beverage services 201.9 billion baht, accommodation 182.9 billion baht, personal and household goods repair 59.0 billion baht, arts, entertainment and recreation 23.8 billion baht, film and video production 22.8 billion baht, and personal goods rental 4.9 billion baht.

Compared to Q4 2024, total revenue increased 12.3%. The fastest-growing segment was personal and household goods repair services, up 26.2%, followed by accommodation up 18.3% and retail trade up 12.7%. Arts, entertainment and recreation was the only sector declining, down 2.3%.

Year-on-year comparison showed overall revenue growth of 22.2%. Personal and household goods repair services led with 44.3% growth, followed by accommodation at 32.9%, film and video production at 22.5%, retail trade at 21.2%, and food and beverage services at 19.1%.

Ekpongse noted that retail inventory at the end of Q1 2025 increased 2.0% compared to the previous quarter and 0.3% year-on-year, reflecting merchants stocking goods across multiple categories. Food, beverages and tobacco inventory rose 43.1%, books and stationery 28.4%, and clothing and footwear 17.9%. Conversely, computer and communications equipment inventory fell 10.7%, mail and internet retail dropped 19.8%, and general retail stores like supermarkets declined 36.1%. This demonstrates that Thailand's consumer and service economy continued its recovery momentum in early 2025, particularly in tourism-related and personal services businesses, which remain key economic drivers.

On July 8, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suprani Khuanbunchanthorn, president of the Thai Korfball Association, and Prof. Dr. Cholawitya Chearjit, rector of Srinakharinwirot University, announced that Thailand will host the IKF U19, U16, and U14 Asia Korfball4 Championships 2026 from July 26-31, 2026 at Srinakharinwirot University's demonstration school, Prasanmit branch, covering both secondary and primary divisions. Prof. Dr. Cholawitya Chearjit welcomed media and distinguished guests, noting the importance of the university and association signing a cooperation agreement on academics, research, and sports. This partnership represents a significant step in collaboration between educational institutions and sports organizations to develop knowledge, conduct research, produce and develop personnel, and promote sustainable korfball growth at youth, higher education, and international levels.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suprani Khuanbunchanthorn outlined Thailand's selection by the International Korfball Federation (IKF) to host the championship, emphasizing Thailand's readiness to welcome the Asian Korfball Federation president, athletes, officials, administrators, and over 300 international referees from 6 countries. She thanked Srinakharinwirot University and its demonstration school for providing the competition venues. Six countries will participate: China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand. The opening ceremony is scheduled for July 26, 2026 at 8:30 AM, and the closing ceremony for July 31, 2026 at approximately 4:00 PM.

Beyond hosting this championship, the association is also sending a U21 team to compete in the IKF U21 World Korfball Championship 2026, taking place August 8-16, 2026 in Malaysia. Thai athletes previously qualified through Asia-Oceania regional selection last year, where six countries were chosen for the world championship. Thailand successfully advanced. The association continues developing the sport through this academic and sports cooperation agreement, aiming to expand korfball research and development at all levels. Association president Dr. Suprani expressed hope that this collaboration would benefit the association and generate increased korfball research. The Thai national team has already begun training with support from North Bangkok University, and team manager Dr. Netrathai Wongupracha, vice president of the Thai Korfball Association, discussed the team's readiness.

Heavy fighting erupted on the Myanmar side of the border near Mae Sod district in Tak province on July 8, with Myanmar's Light Infantry Division 22 and supporting special forces units launching sustained bombardments and machine gun fire at opposition forces hiding in the villages of Minlaepan and Phaloo in Myawaddy Township, Kayin State. The battle, occurring just across from the Thai village of Huay Maha Wong in Mae Sod district, saw opposition forces employing ambush tactics in forests and drone strikes that resulted in casualties on both sides.

As the fighting intensified over several hours, multiple military rounds crossed the border and struck civilian homes in Huay Maha Wong village. The house of Sunantha Chiang Khaek, 57, was hit twice by bullets that pierced the roof and shattered windows. The homeowner described sheltering under the house with her husband as gunfire rained down, stating that though no one was injured, they were terrified and prepared to evacuate immediately if more fire crossed the border.

Colonel Chanakon Saeng Si, commander of the Rak Manoo special task force, said fighting is expected to intensify and urged residents to evacuate to prepared shelters. Thai authorities have banned civilians from approaching the border zone. The Rak Manoo unit, Rangers, Mae Sod district administration, and Border Patrol Police have deployed armed personnel carriers along the border and established checkpoints to prevent smuggling and protect Thai citizens.

PHUKET — A 30-year-old Russian national identified as Chalabari was arrested at Phuket International Airport on July 8, 2026, after customs officers discovered over 17 kilograms of cannabis concealed in his luggage during departure procedures.

The arrest occurred around 10:00 AM at the international departures terminal in Mai Khao subdistrict, Thalang district. Customs inspectors searching two blue BP WORLD suitcases belonging to the suspect found 35 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis flower totaling 11.4 kilograms and 12 packages of cannabis resin weighing 6.2 kilograms.

During questioning, the suspect allegedly admitted ownership of both the luggage and the seized items. He was charged with attempting to illegally export goods from Thailand without completing proper customs procedures. The suspect was transferred to Sakhu Police Station for further legal proceedings, with officers from Sakhu Police Station and Phuket Airport Customs jointly conducting the operation under supervision of senior officials.

The Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee has upgraded its 2025 economic growth forecast to 2.3% from 1.5%, with expectations of 1.8% growth in 2026, supported by exports, private investment, and government measures including energy relief and spending stimulus programs. Don Nakorntharp, the bank's assistant governor for monetary policy, cited lighter-than-expected impacts from Middle East conflicts and strong global growth driven by AI technology investments and energy transition initiatives as reasons for the improved outlook.

Despite the overall improvement, economic recovery remains uneven, with large businesses adapting well while small and medium enterprises struggle with liquidity constraints and weak purchasing power due to slow income growth, particularly in agriculture. High-growth sectors are limited to electronics, AI-related businesses, and industries directly benefiting from government measures.

Exports are forecast to grow 14% in 2025 before slowing to 4.6% in 2026, driven by global demand for technology products linked to AI and data center investments. However, about 85% of technology export value is concentrated among just 1% of exporters, and production relies heavily on imported components, limiting broader economic benefits.

Private consumption faces headwinds despite government stimulus, with household real income expected to contract 1.7% this year due to slow wage growth and agricultural challenges. Inflation is forecast at 2.8% for 2025, mainly from energy prices, before declining to 1.4% in 2026, with the central bank noting this cost-driven inflation differs from demand-driven pressures.

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak presided over the first national committee meeting on world heritage convention protection in 2569 on July 8 at Government House. Culture Minister Sabida Thaisarot, Foreign Ministry Deputy Prasert Sirinnaparp, and Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Raviwann Phuridet served as deputy chairs, with officials from related agencies attending.

The committee approved Thailand's position and delegation composition for the 48th World Heritage Committee meeting in Busan, South Korea (July 19-29, 2569). Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin will lead the Thai delegation, with Thailand's Ambassador to France as deputy head.

A major agenda item is registering Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahaviharn in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a cultural world heritage site under criteria 2 and 6, recognizing its significance as an expression of religious diversity and spiritual beliefs with religious artistic influences spanning over 1,500 years across South and Southeast Asia. If approved, it would become Thailand's sixth cultural heritage site and ninth world heritage site overall.

The committee also approved submitting a preliminary assessment document for Prang Wat Arun in Bangkok as a cultural heritage candidate to the World Heritage Centre. Additionally, the meeting acknowledged progress on three other potential cultural heritage nominations: Chiang Mai monuments and landscapes, and Phra That Phanom in Nakhon Phanom province.