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.

CIMB Research is monitoring a new round of trade tensions and has submitted five economic recommendations to the Thai government, emphasizing the need for policies that create long-term jobs and income rather than short-term cash distribution.

Amornthep Javaala, Assistant Managing Director and head of CIMB Thai Bank's research division, revealed that Thai economy in Q3 2025 is showing more signs of brightening after passing through the year's weakest period in Q2. Positive factors stem from significantly lower oil prices and a temporary ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, though risks of renewed conflict remain. Thai exports are a critical support, and government measures are helping sustain purchasing power. The research team assesses that Thailand's economy will face growth risks of 2-2.5% over the next 3-5 years, with very little chance of returning to growth above 3% unless there is clearer economic structural reform. This presents a long-term problem for Thai economy if not addressed.

CIMB's five recommendations for Thai economy in Q3 2025 are:

1. Average oil price of $80 per barrel supports economic recovery. After oil prices surged past $100/barrel in Q2 before falling below $70/barrel in late June-early July, CIMB expects Q3 average prices around $80/barrel. While risks remain, this level supports Thai economic recovery.

2. Federal Reserve keeps rates at 3.75%; BOT maintains policy rate at 1%. CIMB believes US inflation will gradually ease with energy prices, and US inflation is not primarily demand-driven as rents and wages are not rising sharply. The Fed may not need to raise rates to combat inflation and will rebalance next year, while Thailand's central bank is likely to hold its policy rate at 1% due to cost-side inflation pressure rather than demand-side.

3. New trade war is the biggest risk for the second half. While energy tensions ease, new risks are shifting toward trade warfare. The US may revive Section 301 measures previously used against China, pressuring trading partners and creating new global trade volatility that could impact Thai exports.

4. Baht strengthens to 33.10 per dollar. GDP growth in 2025 may reach 2%, driven mainly by private investment rather than consumption. The baht is expected to strengthen to around 33.10 per dollar in Q3 from capital inflows and stable US interest rate trends.

5. Government must accelerate confidence-building policies. The government must build confidence, generate revenue, reduce budget deficits, maintain fiscal discipline, and avoid breaching the 70% debt-to-GDP ceiling within 2-3 years to preserve the country's credit rating. CIMB urges the government to focus on investments through public-private partnerships or new ventures that create jobs and long-term income for people, rather than short-term cash handouts. Past experience shows consumption tends to decline after such measures end, so the bank prefers policies that drive job creation, employment, and income generation.

Although the overall Q3 economy is improving, private consumption remains flat and income growth is slow while cost of living remains high.

Energy Minister Eknath Prommaphand unveiled Thailand's sweeping electricity restructuring plan on July 15, 2025, at Government House, following a National Energy Policy Committee (NEPC) meeting presided over by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The committee approved a major price reduction measure for all residential households, capping the electricity rate at no more than 3 baht per unit for the first 200 units consumed. This initiative will reach over 23 million households, including renters and temporary residents, with implementation expected in August's billing cycle pending regulatory approval.

"We are not merely adjusting the FT rate quarterly, but completely restructuring the base electricity tariff," Prommaphand explained. "We are separating public electricity charges from the baseline rates to redirect the difference as a discount to consumers." The government also approved a new renewable energy policy by removing the previous 2,000-megawatt cap and industry restrictions on Direct PPA contracts, allowing all sectors to purchase clean electricity directly based on market competition rather than through traditional monopoly channels.

The ministry is redesigning Thailand's electricity system to limit state utilities to grid management only, while buyers and sellers negotiate directly according to market mechanisms. For data center operators—who consume significant power—the government is creating a separate classification to ensure electricity pricing reflects actual LNG import fuel costs without burdening residential users. Data center rates will be monitored to comply with environmental and water resource standards.

When asked whether data center electricity rates would reach 5–6 baht per unit, the energy minister noted that rates would reflect real LNG import costs under current market conditions and could fluctuate with global LNG price movements. The Energy Regulatory Commission will study the tariff structure for data centers, which is expected to be higher than other industrial and residential rates due to their high consumption. The committee also approved measures to address long-standing issues with private power purchase agreements, including reviewing the power purchase premium (Adder) previously set at 6.50–8 baht per unit.