In a significant boost for Thailand’s Gastronomy Soft Power, Thai Iced Tea has been ranked as the 9th Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage in the World by TasteAtlas for April 2026. This prestigious recognit...
In a significant boost for Thailand’s Gastronomy Soft Power, Thai Iced Tea has been ranked as the 9th Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage in the World by TasteAtlas for April 2026. This prestigious recognit...
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has officially launched the "Chiang Mai Prototype" project, a strategic initiative designed to transform Chiang Mai into a world-class sustainable destination. ...
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has officially launched the "Chiang Mai Prototype" project, a strategic initiative designed to transform Chiang Mai into a world-class sustainable destination. ...
A modified pickup truck struck a van on the Krathing Lai overpass in Pattaya early July 16, leaving five people injured. Police impounded both vehicles and are investigating the pickup driver, who appeared incoherent at the scene.
At 3:00 a.m. on July 16, 2569, Lieutenant Manot Tipwech of Banglamung Police Station responded to a report of a modified pickup truck rear-ending a van on the Krathing Lai overpass heading into Pattaya in Banglamung District, Chonburi Province. At the scene, officers found a gray Isuzu D-Max pickup truck with Chonburi license plates that had struck the rear of a bronze-colored Toyota van, causing severe damage to the van's back end.
Investigators found five injured people: Phonsorn (surname withheld), 38, the pickup driver; Anon (surname withheld), 46, a passenger in the pickup; Akkom (surname withheld), 35, the van driver; Panya (surname withheld), 35, a van passenger; and Thichakorn (surname withheld), 34, also in the van.
Relatives of the injured van passengers explained they had finished selling goods at Rohpoh Market and were traveling in convoy back to Pattaya when they heard a loud crash. A road worker at the scene reported seeing the pickup truck traveling at high speed in a reckless manner before it lost control and struck the van's rear, causing multiple injuries.
Police photographed the scene for evidence and impounded both vehicles at Banglamung Station. The pickup driver, who was incoherent during questioning, was taken in for further investigation and will face legal charges.
Phuket authorities seized 23 unregistered jet skis and issued maximum fines of 10,000 baht each in a crackdown on illegal maritime operations to improve tourist safety.
Phuket authorities have launched a major crackdown on illegal jet ski operations, seizing 23 unregistered vessels and imposing fines of up to 10,000 baht per boat to strengthen maritime safety and restore tourist confidence. On July 16, Adul Ralugmun, director of the Phuket branch of the Regional Port Authority, ordered vessel inspector Theeraphong Pannakanok and port authority staff to conduct joint patrols with marine police across land and water areas under their jurisdiction, after receiving instructions to urgently address jet ski service problems and enforce laws rigorously.
The inspections resulted in 23 violations of operating boats without proper licenses, a breach of Section 9 of the Boat Navigation Act in Thai Waters. All offenders received maximum penalties of 10,000 baht as prescribed by law.
The Phuket Port Authority confirmed it will continue monitoring and enforcing maritime regulations to elevate safety standards for sea tourism, protect travelers, and ensure jet ski services throughout Phuket operate strictly within legal requirements.
The Thai government is intensifying efforts to elevate the quality standards of Thai durians in a bid to strengthen consumer confidence and maintain the country’s leadership in the global durian mar...
The Thai government is intensifying efforts to elevate the quality standards of Thai durians in a bid to strengthen consumer confidence and maintain the country’s leadership in the global durian mar...
UNESCO and Thailand’s Equitable Education Fund (EEF) have signed a new memorandum of understanding in Bangkok to strengthen regional cooperation on equitable education across ASEAN and partner count...
UNESCO and Thailand’s Equitable Education Fund (EEF) have signed a new memorandum of understanding in Bangkok to strengthen regional cooperation on equitable education across ASEAN and partner count...
Thailand's Rubber Authority marked 11 years of operations with a new focus on green innovation and sustainable farming practices to boost farmer income and global competitiveness.
The Thai Rubber Organization (RAOT) celebrated its 11th anniversary on July 15, 2026, at its headquarters and outlined its operational direction for year 12, aiming to develop the entire rubber industry through technology, research, and innovation alongside promoting environmentally friendly production. The event was presided over by Vinarodon Sapsangsuk, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, who presented RAOT's new policy framework as the country's key mechanism for comprehensive rubber management. RAOT Deputy Director of Operations Disathad Wattanaphon presented the organization's accomplishments and future direction.
Vinarodon stated that over 11 years, RAOT has continuously advanced Thai rubber development and become the primary organization managing the rubber sector across the entire value chain—from upstream to downstream. The organization has promoted industry upgrades in production, processing, marketing, and value creation to improve quality of life for rubber farmers and strengthen Thai rubber's global competitiveness. Moving into year 12, RAOT will leverage knowledge, technology, research, and innovation to develop the sector while promoting environmentally friendly rubber plantation practices, aligning with the Agriculture Ministry's five core policies on innovative agriculture for sustainable farming, which focus on boosting production, increasing income, developing farmer capacity, promoting market-led production, and ensuring sustainable water resource management.
"I want rubber farmers to have confidence that RAOT is committed to ensuring everyone achieves stable income and internationally standard products while practicing environmentally friendly farming, emphasizing organic and biological fertilizers," Vinarodon said. "In year 12, RAOT will strengthen the organization to continue developing the entire rubber industry. We envision Thailand becoming the world's highest-quality rubber producer, which is achievable through coordinated cooperation across all sectors."
Kosol Boonkhong, RAOT Acting Governor, revealed that RAOT's 11 years represent a significant growth milestone reflecting the organization's role as the primary agricultural agency driving comprehensive rubber industry development. Over this period, RAOT has continuously advanced operations in production, research, processing, and marketing to secure the sector from upstream through downstream while elevating Thai rubber's global competitiveness. Moving toward year 12, RAOT is ready to continue its mission.
Gold prices surged 50 baht per gram to 65,050 baht on July 16, with traders predicting further increases of up to 2,000 baht that could push prices above 80,000 baht per gram.
Gold prices on July 16, 2025 have risen again, the Thai Gold Traders Association announced. Ornamental gold increased 50 baht per gram compared to the previous day's closing price, now trading at 65,050 baht per gram according to the latest data released by the Gold Traders Association at 9:00 a.m. Gold bars are trading domestically at 64,050 baht per gram for purchases and 64,250 baht per gram for sales. For 96.5% ornamental gold, purchase prices are at 62,762.40 baht per gram with retail selling at 65,050 baht per gram. Global spot gold prices stand at $4,039 per ounce. Gold traders predict prices could surge 1,000-2,000 baht per gram tomorrow, potentially breaking through 80,000 baht per gram.
Thailand is hosting Grand Halal Bangkok 2026 to position itself as a global halal economy hub, leveraging its trusted certification standards to boost exports that now rank 6th worldwide at 300 billion baht annually.
Grand Halal Bangkok 2026, under the theme "Gateway to the Global Halal Economy," will run July 15–17, 2026, with endorsement from Thailand's Central Islamic Committee (CICOT). Royal advisor Arun Bunchom stated that the event is an international business platform connecting operators, buyers, and investors worldwide under standards of correctness, transparency, and international credibility, framed around a pure lifestyle concept promoting authenticity and sustainability. These factors position Thailand as a global economic center, leveraging its 77-year-old halal certification standards trusted by SMEs, foreign buyers, and consumers. Halal standards are not limited to Muslims but gain international credibility through Thailand's certified religious organizations, including provincial Islamic committees and CICOT, whose halal certification is recognized globally.
Halal standards have expanded far beyond food into aviation, technology, digital economy, and other sectors, with scholars and Islamic jurisprudence councils emphasizing the application of Islamic law to contemporary issues while maintaining core principles of facilitation and relief. Lieutenant General Surin Palare, CICOT Secretary-General, reported that Thailand's halal exports ranked 13th globally six years ago and now rank 6th, valued at 300 billion baht in 2025. CICOT, with royal support, aims to elevate Thailand to the world's number-one halal exporter. Ihsan Ouwet, Secretary-General of the Islamic Standards and Metrology Institute (SMIIC) under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), emphasized that a reliable global halal ecosystem requires quality infrastructure comprising transparency, comprehensive technical verification, and international recognition. SMIIC provides technical infrastructure for halal quality to support international organizations in the halal ecosystem, facilitating commerce and industry while building confidence among stakeholders and Muslims—ensuring standards do not become trade barriers. Inconsistent halal standards across regions, despite good intentions, create complexity, increased costs, reduced efficiency, and international trade obstacles, necessitating standardized coordination.
Thailand's Finance Ministry will announce 2025 State Welfare Card results on July 17, with applicants able to check eligibility through mobile apps, a website, or five participating banks.
The Finance Ministry has opened four channels to check whether applicants qualified for the 2025 State Welfare Card program, with results to be announced on July 17, 2025. The program began accepting registrations from June 4–21, 2025. Winit Wisetsuvarnabhumi, director of the Office of Fiscal Economics and Finance Ministry spokesman, reported on the eighth meeting of the Public Welfare Committee for Grassroots Economics and Society, which reviewed registration and qualification results. The committee approved adding a new target group of 5,383,393 vulnerable individuals identified by the Interior Ministry during the registration period to proceed through the next phase of qualification screening.
Two key criteria have been revised for the 2025 program. First, the deduction allowance for parental support has been eliminated—income earners can no longer use their parents as a deduction if those parents are to be screened for welfare eligibility. Second, the credit limit criterion has been adjusted to 100,000 baht excluding agricultural loans, following guidance from the Bank of Thailand presented to Cabinet on June 2, 2025. Agricultural credit is excluded because it differs from regular loans, being tied to seasonal planting cycles and sometimes serving as disaster relief, and therefore may not accurately reflect a person's creditworthiness or financial status.
Qualified applicants can check their results through four channels: the "Pao Tang" mobile app, the "Thang Rat" mobile app, the official program website at https://welfare.mof.go.th, or in person at any of five participating banks—the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Government Savings Bank, Krung Thai Bank, Government Housing Bank, and the Islamic Bank of Thailand. Existing cardholders can begin using benefits starting August 1, 2025, while new cardholders can begin on October 1, 2025, to align with other government assistance programs.
Thailand's Sports Authority is launching a major sports tourism festival in Chanthaburi from July 24-26, 2026, featuring Muay Thai matches, a marathon, and basketball competitions alongside an entertainment expo. The event aims to boost loc
Thailand's Sports Authority (SAT) is partnering with Chanthaburi province to host a major sports tourism festival at Central Plaza Chanthaburi from July 24-26, 2026. The SAT Sports Tourism Festival 2026 will feature professional Muay Thai matches, a mini-marathon, and 3×3 basketball competition, along with cheerleading demonstrations. The event aims to stimulate sports tourism and the local economy in line with the Broad-Based Community Development (BCG) model.
Beyond competitions, the festival will include a Sports Entertainment Expo featuring local products, food and beverages, artist performances, tourism promotions, and health and fitness activities for all ages. Officials announced the initiative on July 15 at Chanthaburi Central Plaza, with remarks from Deputy Director of Sports Promotion Surasak Geotjantuk, Deputy Governor Thawatchai Namsamut, and Regional Sports Development Director Panthapree Dabnoen.
Organizers expect the festival to attract both Thai and foreign visitors, boost local spending, and generate sustainable income for businesses and communities. The event reflects Thailand's 20-year national strategy and government policy to distribute tourism beyond major cities and stimulate domestic travel. Chanthaburi's natural resources, cultural heritage, and attractions such as Thung Nae Park, riverside communities, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception position it as a quality sports and tourism destination.