On July 15, 2569, Sithipol Wibulthanakaul, a Pheu Thai list MP, commented on Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Paibulwattana's announcement to review the 40-baht rice curry subsidy program designed to ease cost-of-living pressures. While supporting the review and openness to feedback, Sithipol outlined three fundamental problems with Supachee's economic management approach.

First, the program fails to address root causes. Though oil prices have fallen, food costs remain high—a pattern Sithipol said reflects poor economic management. The real issue is oil and energy prices, which must be controlled from the start through taxation or excise measures. Once prices rise and trigger broader inflation, lowering oil prices alone will not reverse inflated costs—a recurring pattern in economic history that the government ignored despite repeated warnings from Pheu Thai.

Second, the program provides minimal help while claiming credit for solving the problem. Sithipol cited the "roving shop" (rót phûm phûang) program as an example: each province received only a few vehicles, helping very few people buy fuel and goods at subsidized prices. The public asks where these shops are, and whether they truly address widespread cost-of-living struggles affecting everyone.

Third, the program does not solve real problems. Notably, few people expressed regret or support when Supachee announced the 40-baht rice curry program's suspension for review—because the program was never seen as genuinely helpful. Consumers still face high living costs and have other food options. Likewise, most merchants feel the program provided minimal benefit, and few would qualify or receive aid for only a few months.

Sithipol urged the minister to reconsider measures that would more meaningfully help restaurants and small businesses, citing unresolved issues with Thailand's "Thai Helps Thai Plus" program that currently benefits only registered business operators.

Thailand's Meteorological Department has issued a seven-day regional weather forecast covering July 15-21, 2025. From July 16-19, rainfall is expected to decrease overall, though heavy showers will persist in the northern and upper northeastern regions due to a low-pressure system over northern Vietnam, while the southwest monsoon weakens over the Andaman Sea and Thailand. Waves in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand are expected to be 1-2 meters high, with thunderstorm areas seeing waves above 2 meters.

From July 20-21, rainfall is forecast to increase significantly with heavy downpours particularly in the northern region and western central areas as the low-pressure system shifts over Laos and northern Vietnam and the southwest monsoon strengthens. Wave heights remain moderate at 1-2 meters, with thunderstorm areas again experiencing waves exceeding 2 meters.

Public Warning: During July 20-21, residents in northern Thailand and the western central region should be alert to dangers from heavy and accumulated rainfall, which may cause flash flooding, flash floods, and riverbank overflows, especially in foothill areas near waterways and low-lying zones.

Regional Forecast (July 15-21, 2025):

Northern Region: July 15-19 will see thunderstorms in 30-40% of the area with some heavy showers; southwest winds 10-15 km/h; low 23-27°C, high 29-35°C. July 20-21 will have thunderstorms in 40-60% of the area with some heavy showers; southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Northeastern Region: July 15-17 will have thunderstorms in 30-40% of the area with some heavy showers; southwest winds 10-20 km/h. July 18-21 will see thunderstorms in 20-30% of the area, with heavy showers in the upper northeast on July 21; southwest winds 10-20 km/h; low 24-26°C, high 29-35°C.

Central Region: July 16-20 will have thunderstorms in 20-40% of the area; southwest winds 10-20 km/h. July 21 will see thunderstorms in 30-40% of the area with some heavy showers in the western central zone; southwest winds 10-25 km/h; low 24-27°C, high 30-36°C.

Eastern Region: July 16-17 and 21 will have thunderstorms in 30-40% of the area; July 18-20 will see thunderstorms in 20-30% of the area; southwest winds 15-35 km/h; sea waves 1-2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas; low 24-28°C, high 30-35°C.

Southern Region (East Coast): July 16-19 will feature thunderstorms.

The Department of Cultural Promotion has partnered with the Thai Game Software Industry Association (TGA) to advance the Thai gaming industry onto the global stage, hosting the Thai Game Festival (TGF 2026). The event unveiled the Thai Game Awards 2026, honoring Thai game developers and content creators across seven categories that recognize excellence in production quality, creativity, Thai cultural identity, commercial viability, and artistic inspiration.

Deputy Director-General Surphan Chareonthep of the Department of Cultural Promotion noted that TGF 2026 achieved remarkable success and met all objectives in its third consecutive year, reflecting the growth and resilience of Thailand's gaming ecosystem and strengthened collaboration between government, private sector, educational institutions, and partner organizations. He emphasized that games are not merely entertainment but a vital tool of creative culture, capable of conveying Thai stories, wisdom, art, traditions, and cultural heritage to new generations and the world.

TGA President Kittipong Pruksarun stated that Thai Game Awards 2026 serves as an important mechanism to elevate Thai gaming industry standards and inspire developers to create internationally-quality work. The awards received over 80 submissions this year, demonstrating the sector's continued growth, with total prize money of 220,000 baht distributed across seven categories judged by experts from government, private sector, industry professionals, and academia. Winners included BlueLine for Best Narrative & Storytelling, Lost and Found Co. for both Best Music & Audio and Best Visual awards, and Puni for Rising Game Developer.

Pattaya City Police have transferred three officers to the station's operations center pending investigation into allegations that they issued fake traffic fine receipts to Kuwaiti tourists. A group of Middle Eastern tourists aged 20–30 complained to reporters that during a month of sightseeing in Pattaya, uniformed police officers stopped them on traffic charges, which they admitted committing. However, the tourists became suspicious when asked to pay fines in cash and given receipts that, upon verification, were not official police station documents. They alleged being stopped multiple times and receiving receipts in the same questionable manner.

On July 15, 2025, Deputy Commander Kosala Ngamphong of Pattaya City Police signed an order establishing a three-member fact-finding committee to collect evidence and investigate the complaint. The committee is headed by Deputy Commander Siriwat Kachmat, with officers Amarntep Maimai and Ittipol Tangchuthavitrop as members. Three officers named in the allegations—Sergeant Kittikun Fonruang, Corporal Nutdol Mali, and Constable Kiattisak Sena­pattham—have been reassigned to the operations center, effective July 15, 2025, pending the investigation's outcome. The measure aims to ensure transparent fact-finding without disrupting police operations. If the investigation confirms misconduct, disciplinary and criminal proceedings will follow.

Royal Orchid (Thailand) Public Company Limited (ROH) has issued a clarification to the Securities Exchange of Thailand following GROREIT's announcement that it will not repurchase the Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Bangkok hotel valued at 4.873 billion baht due to changes in payment procedures that deviate from the contract. Managing Director Withawat Wipakul explained that MFC, acting as trustee, had notified the company of a revised payment method that does not comply with the original purchase agreement, and that ROH had requested MFC to correct this breach. On July 14, 2025, the company's authorized representative visited the relevant land office to formally object to the contract violation.

ROH confirmed its intention and obligation to repurchase the property according to contract terms but stated it cannot accept the payment method MFC has proposed, as it contradicts the original agreement. The company emphasized it faces no financial or operational obstacles to completing the buyback and continues to manage the hotel during this process. The company will provide further updates to shareholders and investors once the contract dispute is clearly resolved, pending completion of the repurchase proceedings.

Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya has graciously bestowed a floral arrangement upon Suchat Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, on the occasion of his birthday, as an auspicious blessing to the recipient.

At 9:00 a.m. on July 15, 2026, the Princess's representative presented the royal flowers to Suchat Chomklin, extending Her Royal Highness's birthday wishes and blessings.

This auspicious occasion marks an extraordinary expression of royal grace, bringing joy to Minister Suchat Chomklin and staff throughout the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The minister pledges to cherish this royal kindness and draw inspiration from it in his duties, dedicating himself with loyalty to serve the public welfare and ensure sustainable conservation of the nation's natural resources and environment.