Piriyapol Kongvanicha, investment analysis director at Bua Luang Securities, said the Thai stock market is expected to rise further in the second half of 2026, with the SET index potentially reaching 1,700 points by year-end. Foreign investment inflows are forecast to total around 160 billion baht for the full year, with 70 billion already deployed since January, while corporate earnings recover and earnings per share are expected to hit 100 baht.

The market will show K-shaped recovery, with different stock groups performing unevenly, so investors should use selective buying strategies focused on companies with strong fundamentals and growing profit prospects. Recommended stock groups include power generators (GULF, GPSC, GUNKUL, WHAUP) benefiting from foreign direct investment and green energy demand; electronics stocks (KCE) supported by global industrial recovery and AI investment; commercial banks (KBANK, KTB) offering high dividends; tourism and hotels (ERW, AWC) rebounding from second-quarter lows; consumer goods and food stocks (CBG, CPF) recovering as commodity prices stabilize.

Serimsakdi Wongsiticho, assistant managing director for financial instruments trading at Bua Luang, recommends investors with higher risk tolerance allocate 60-70% to equities (30% Thai stocks, 70% foreign stocks) and 30-40% to bonds and debt instruments, focusing mainly on Thai debt securities with some foreign exposure for risk management.

Thailand's futures exchange TFEX is highlighting current market volatility and encouraging investors to use derivatives for risk management. TFEX Managing Director Attriwit Wangwarawuth noted that rapid asset price movements mean historical data alone may not suffice, making risk management alongside return generation essential for investors.

TFEX operates as a futures trading market allowing investors to hedge price risk without holding actual assets, using two main instruments: futures contracts (for price-locking, speculation, and short selling to manage risk) and options contracts (similar to insurance, where investors pay a premium for the right to buy or sell at a set price). Before investing, traders must understand three critical concepts: contract value to avoid overtrading, leverage ratios that boost returns while increasing risk, and margin management to prevent forced position closure.

Since May 25, TFEX has launched Mini Gold Online Futures (MGO), reducing contract size from 10 troy ounces to just 1 troy ounce (approximately 2 baht in gold value), lowering margin requirements and opening gold investment to retail traders. Contracts remain indexed to global gold prices with profit and loss settled in Thai baht. The exchange is also developing new non-equity products such as oil and cryptocurrency futures to expand risk management options and meet investor needs.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphas said at a 2025 economic journalism development seminar that Thailand's economy has operated like a single-engine aircraft powered solely by exports, making it fragile when global economies slow. Domestic consumption and investment remain weak, and successive stimulus policies have increased public debt. Over the past seven months, the government has prioritized investment-driven growth, with private investment in the first quarter of 2025 expanding roughly 10% and public sector investment targets set at 9.4% growth.

The government must monitor two key risks: accelerating inflation from energy prices and a current account deficit exceeding $14 billion over two months, roughly 600 billion baht, reflecting higher spending than income that could impact economic stability. To capitalize on global economic shifts and production relocation, Thailand must pursue new investment opportunities in future industries, unlock clean electricity trading through the Direct PPA system without quota limits to accommodate AI and data center investment, and address the European Union's environmental standards (CBAM).

Long-term economic strengthening requires three reforms: clean energy transition, support for aging societies, and workforce upskilling through the Skill Bridge program. Ekniti emphasized three priorities: improving Thai workers' skills, enabling seniors to work longer, and attracting more skilled foreign workers, with a target of restoring economic growth above 3%. Under a public-private cooperation committee, the government will support the private sector through fiscal measures, trade policies, workforce development, regulatory relief, and clean energy infrastructure investment.

Regarding citizens stripped of welfare card benefits after being fraudulently listed as company directors or shareholders, the government confirmed it will restore rights upon verification of non-involvement. The issue stems from incomplete government databases rather than screening flaws. A new registration round found 2.3 million newly eligible recipients, with over 5 million of 9 million cardholders aged 20-60 in the working-age bracket. The government plans upskilling and job placement measures to lift incomes above poverty, emphasizing that budget is not a constraint as current welfare spending reaches approximately 70,000 million baht annually alongside other benefits.

July 28, 2569 marks the anniversary of His Majesty the King's 74th birthday. Thai citizens nationwide are invited to unite in offering royal blessings and well-wishes. The Royal Household encourages the public to sign an online congratulations message through the royal office website www.royaloffice.th from July 26 to 30, 2569.

Merit-making activities include morning alms-giving ceremonies to Buddhist monks at 7 a.m. nationwide, with central ceremonies held at the Royal Plaza and provincial ceremonies at provincial administrative offices and suitable locations.

These activities unite all Thai citizens in making merit and paying tribute to His Majesty's boundless compassion and dedication. Buddhist temples throughout Thailand will also conduct chanting ceremonies in His Majesty's honor, as directed by the Sangha Supreme Council, while Thai temples abroad will conduct ceremonies as appropriate.

The government will also hold oath-taking ceremonies for civil servants to demonstrate their commitment to serving the nation. State agencies at all levels are invited to organize ceremonies at their respective locations. Ceremonies honoring His Majesty will include royal tributes, flower offerings, and candlelit prayers scheduled simultaneously across the kingdom, with central ceremonies at the Royal Plaza and provincial ceremonies at provincial halls.

These observances commemorate His Majesty's steadfast commitment and continued dedication to the nation and its people since ascending to the throne.

Government agencies, private companies, and citizens are encouraged to display royal portraits with ceremonial offerings, decorate public spaces with Thai flags, yellow-and-white ribbons, and patriotic symbols to demonstrate gratitude, loyalty, and unity in honoring the nation's revered leader.

Throughout this month of great merit, volunteers from all sectors are joining together in community service projects including tree planting, cleaning public areas and religious sites, and canal dredging—demonstrating their loyalty, unity, and wholehearted devotion in wishing their King long life and prosperity.

Colon cancer is a disease that often shows no clear symptoms in its early stages, allowing many people to miss warning signs until the condition has progressed significantly. Gastroenterology specialists caution that numerous small, seemingly unrelated symptoms may actually result from slow internal bleeding in the colon that produces no visible blood in stool.

One surprising early sign is anemia, which can develop from months of internal bleeding without other symptoms, particularly in postmenopausal women. Fatigue, pale skin, and dizziness warrant immediate medical attention. Slow blood loss also forces the body to increase plasma volume without increasing iron or red blood cells, reducing oxygen transport efficiency and causing unusual shortness of breath or easy fatigue.

Changes in bowel habits represent another critical warning group. Partial intestinal blockage may cause bloating or cramping, while persistent dull pain on the right side of the abdomen could indicate the disease has spread to the liver. Severe or chronic constipation may signal intestinal obstruction and requires prompt diagnosis.

Stool characteristics themselves can reveal abnormalities. Unusually thin or pencil-like stool may indicate a polyp or tumor narrowing the intestinal passage. Alternating chronic diarrhea and constipation also warrant attention. Additionally, darkened stool color, even without visible red blood, may signal gastrointestinal bleeding that should not be ignored.

Any persistent symptoms should prompt immediate medical consultation, as early detection of colon cancer significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and full recovery.

On July 25, 2025, investigators from Samko Police Station and forensic officers took the parents of a five-day-old infant who died to the neonatal ICU (NICU) at Ang Thong Hospital to pinpoint where a Chinese banquet had taken place. The parents guided police to the ramp and elevator suspected of being used to bring food into the infant ICU ward, where a security camera was found at the lift entrance and documented for evidence. Before meeting the hospital director, Paveena Hongsagul, chair of the Paveena Hongsagul Foundation for Children and Women, coordinated with Police Region 1 Commander General Wattana Yichin, who assigned Deputy Provincial Police Chief Mongkol Ongkhaew, Deputy Provincial Police Chief Singlampong Potsiuea, and Samko Station Commander Kanphon Thanapinpunsagul to review CCTV footage. Initial findings show no security camera exists inside the infant ICU room; police will check other locations next. The Paveena Foundation will monitor autopsy results and the cause of death from the Police Hospital's forensic institute, and coordinate closely with Ang Thong Provincial Health Office for victim compensation. Ang Thong Hospital acknowledged the banquet in the infant ICU occurred and appointed a fact-finding committee. The Chinese restaurant operator said they accepted the catering job without knowing the venue was a children's ICU and only learned this on the day of the event.