Deputy Finance Minister Santhiarn Saetiarthai warned that escalating Middle East tensions extending to the Red Sea remain a significant risk factor driving up global oil prices, which threatens energy costs, inflation, and consumer purchasing power. He emphasized that the government is closely monitoring the situation and prepared to consider further measures if needed, while accelerating the transition to clean energy.

Saetiarthai stated that the geopolitical crisis spreading from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea underscores that the world is entering an era where uncertainty becomes the norm and geopolitical risks will persist continuously, inevitably impacting the global economy and energy-importing nations like Thailand. Though many previously expected the conflict to ease, the reality shows the conflict is likely to be prolonged and potentially intensify, forcing Thailand to prepare for further global oil price increases.

"Oil prices have not risen as severely as they could have, thanks to supporting factors like alternative shipping routes and strategic oil reserves being released," Saetiarthai explained. "However, stock levels are now declining, and the Red Sea tensions further restrict shipping capacity, keeping energy price risks at elevated levels."

If energy prices rise further, the economy will face cascading impacts starting with higher energy costs, followed by inflation, and ultimately reduced consumer purchasing power and higher business costs. The economy was beginning to stabilize with inflation moderating and purchasing power emerging as the key issue, but a new oil price shock could reignite inflation above expectations.

The government already has mitigation measures in place, particularly through emergency borrowing decrees including the "Thai Helping Thai Plus" initiative, which continues to provide a cushion for households and individuals. Officials indicated additional measures may be considered if the situation worsens.

Equally critical is accelerating the energy transition, which grows more urgent as energy challenges will persist for Thailand long-term, requiring expedited renewable energy adoption. The government aims simultaneously to promote energy transition and reduce burdens on households and businesses through expanded solar adoption and increased electric vehicle deployment with improved efficiency, helping lower costs while building energy security.

"Energy transition is not merely an environmental issue but an economic security measure that reduces costs for people and businesses," Saetiarthai said. "By promoting solar energy, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient technologies, we can reduce long-term oil dependence."

Accelerating the green economy transition also aligns with rising foreign direct investment flowing into Thailand, particularly in advanced electronics, sensors, and technologies that can integrate into clean energy and green economy supply chains. Developing domestic green economy supply chains will attract new investment and job creation.

Khao Khiao Open Zoo in Chonburi province has unveiled a new exhibit featuring 'Nong Neung,' an 8-year-old female clouded leopard, allowing visitors to observe and learn about the rare wild cat's behavior up close within the zoo's botanical gardens. According to zoo director Narongwit Chadchoy, the clouded leopard is a protected species distinguished by cloud-like markings on its body, excellent tree-climbing abilities, and an important role as a predator in maintaining ecosystem balance across Asian forests. The exhibit aims to promote wildlife conservation education, raise awareness about biodiversity protection, and provide the public with meaningful encounters with endangered species in appropriate environments.

Khao Khiao Open Zoo is committed to developing a nature and wildlife learning center for people of all ages while conducting conservation, research, and breeding programs for rare animals to foster long-term environmental stewardship. The zoo invites visitors to participate in special activities on July 28, 2025, including free admission for children 12 and under or shorter than 135 centimeters, meetings with adorable wildlife mascots, Night Zoo viewing of nocturnal animals in a special atmosphere, and interactive educational experiences with various wild species. For more information, call 038-318444.

On July 24, 2569, military river patrol officers in Chiang Rai arrested one Thai national and one Lao national on the evening of July 20 while conducting routine border inspections along the Mekong River in Chiang Saen District. During a search following suspicious behavior, authorities found 1,000 and 500 baht banknotes bundled with rubber bands, totaling approximately 1.3 million baht. The suspects were detained and the money seized as evidence. Authorities coordinated with Chiang Saen customs officials to investigate the origin of the cash.

The Government Savings Bank has launched the "Maha Heng" savings account, a 0.50% annual interest product designed to help small merchants automatically convert daily sales into savings through the bank's merchant app. According to Songpol Cheevapathanasorn, director of the Government Savings Bank, the initiative promotes financial discipline among small business operators who struggle to allocate funds when using a single payment account through the merchant app.

The innovative deposit account automatically transfers daily sales into a dedicated savings account, fostering daily savings habits and enabling business owners to easily set aside reserves for operating expenses such as rent, utilities, and electricity. The account offers a 0.50% annual interest rate with no tax liability, and both principal and interest are fully guaranteed by the government under law. This tool helps traders accumulate savings gradually to build long-term financial security.

The Maha Heng account is a savings deposit account for individuals using the Government Savings Bank merchant app to process payments. The system automatically transfers daily sales into the account in predetermined amounts, with one account per person. Deposits can start from as little as one baht per transaction with no maximum deposit limit. Account opening is available at all bank branches, with subsequent transactions conducted through the merchant app. The 0.50% interest rate is valid until December 31, 2025, after which rates will follow bank announcements. Interested parties can inquire at any Government Savings Bank branch nationwide, the official website at www.gsb.or.th, or GSB Contact Center at 1115.

Omsirin Sasipaporn, a standout middle blocker for Thailand's national women's volleyball team, has expressed confidence that the Thai team is capable of sweeping both tournaments of the 2026 SEA V Cup. The Thai women's volleyball team has returned to training camp in preparation for the SEA V Cup 2026, with the first tournament scheduled for July 31–August 2 in Hanoi, Vietnam, and the second for August 7–9 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The team will then compete in the 2026 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship from August 21–30 in Tianjin, China.

Sasipaporn revealed that after the Nations League concluded, the team is placing particular emphasis on the Asian Championship due to its importance, though they are focused on every competition. Following their VNL performance, the team now understands the playing style and is working to sharpen specific aspects of their game. She noted that the team's physical condition is currently good, with improvements in fitness and speed, as the upcoming schedule will be quite demanding. "Personally, I remain confident that we can win both tournaments of the SEA V Cup 2026," she stated.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has dismantled an illegal manufacturing facility and seized 200,000 counterfeit units of Nescafé coffee, Ovaltine cocoa, and Downy fabric softener with an estimated damage value exceeding 2.6 million baht. Police arrested four suspects following complaints from convenience store operators and residents in the Thonburi area who reported being approached by individuals posing as salespeople offering counterfeit branded products at suspiciously low wholesale prices.

Investigators traced the fake goods to a warehouse in Saraburi Province and a storage location in Thung Khru district, leading to coordinated raids at both sites. The operation resulted in the seizure of manufacturing and packaging machinery, approximately 168,588 counterfeit product sachets across 416 boxes, over 55,000 counterfeit packaging materials and printed logos, and raw materials including cocoa powder, coffee powder, milk powder, sugar, and creamer. All four suspects confessed to charges of manufacturing and distributing counterfeit trademark goods designed to deceive consumers into believing they were purchasing genuine branded products.

The Intellectual Property Department reported that over the past year, authorities have handled more than 1,000 counterfeit-related cases and seized over 3.5 million items worth more than 1.2 billion baht. In the first six months of 2025 alone, 457 cases have been prosecuted with seizures exceeding 1.6 million items valued at approximately 800 million baht.