Thailand's Department of Foreign Trade is strengthening cooperation with the European Union to combat trade circumvention and fraudulent origin claims of Thai goods. A Thai delegation participated in a cooperation meeting in Spain from June 28 to July 4, 2025, alongside key EU and Spanish government agencies. The discussions focused on exchanging knowledge and best practices regarding anti-circumvention measures, anti-origin fraud prevention, and rules of origin verification—mechanisms critical to building transparency and confidence in the international trade system.

The Thai delegation held in-depth discussions with EU experts on investigating cases involving anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, as well as fact-checking procedures for complaints and customs tax fraud prevention. A major focus was the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence to enhance trade oversight. The EU's Office for Anti-Fraud (OLAF) presented its Data Analytics Platform and Anti-Fraud Information System (AFIS), which analyze and cross-reference customs data to detect anomalies such as false origin declarations, undervalued goods, and tariff code manipulation to evade duties.

According to Arada Fuengtong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade, these approaches represent important models that Thailand can adapt to develop its own risk management and origin verification systems, aimed at preventing fraudulent claims of Thai goods and reducing vulnerability to foreign trade measures. She stated that this cooperation aligns with the Commerce Ministry's policy of elevating international trade oversight standards while facilitating legitimate trade, balancing protection against unfair trade practices with promotion of transparent and fair free trade.

The EU is Thailand's fourth-largest trading partner, after China, the United States, and Japan. In 2024, bilateral trade was valued at $53.3 billion, while the first quarter of 2025 saw trade worth $12.22 billion, a 20.14% increase year-on-year, underscoring the European market's critical importance to Thai exporters. Businesses must strictly comply with rules of origin regulations to maintain the credibility and competitiveness of Thai goods in global markets.

Denla Kindergarten has invested over 25 million baht to develop Denla Learning Commons, a 1,000-square-meter learning space designed to reshape early childhood education in response to changing parental expectations and global shifts in educational philosophy. The facility encourages children to think, play, and learn through hands-on experience, moving away from the school's traditional focus on preparing children for selective primary school admissions.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Toyos Paldetpong, executive board member of Denla Schools and Denla Kindergarten Phetchkasem branch, the facility reflects how parents now prioritize helping children discover their own potential, develop critical thinking, build confidence in communication, and learn to work with others—rather than focusing solely on test scores. The five zones include Wonder Garden for developing thinking and imagination through LEGO and Minecraft Education; Sound Garden for music and expression; Discovery Garden for language and communication skills; Play Zone, a mock city with settings like cafes, hospitals, supermarkets, and fire stations for role-play learning; and Kids Club for children aged six months to three years, where parents and children learn together.

Denla's early childhood research found that modern parents prioritize five key elements: personalized learning suited to each child, spaces for experiential learning, development of uniquely human skills that AI cannot replace (such as creativity, communication, and collaboration), cultivation of future skills from early childhood, and opportunities for children to discover their own strengths. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Toyos emphasized that opening Denla Learning Commons reflects a broader shift in early childhood education from memorization and academic pressure toward building life skills and sustainable learning abilities that will serve children throughout their lives.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Watchrapol Khaokhram has explained the government's response to calls for accelerating clearance of boxed milk stock accumulated by the Thai Dairy Promotion Organization (TDPO), which has become a financial and liquidity burden due to poor market distribution. Over the past week, he and his team have closely monitored and analyzed the TDPO's situation to develop measures addressing excess inventory, milk oversupply, and accumulated losses on a sustainable basis.

Khaokhram has ordered the TDPO to urgently clear stock before expiration "with full operational efficiency" through intensive marketing campaigns, acting promptly before additional products expire in October. Before the TDPO seeks state budget support, comprehensive measures and alternative financing must be arranged to maintain liquidity and sustain business recovery.

For expired boxed milk, Khaokhram has instructed the Department of Livestock to consult with researchers, relevant agencies, and the Thai Rubber Organization to explore using expired milk for animal feed protein supplementation and treating rubber tree leaf disease.

"Personally, I don't understand how so much stock was allowed to expire," Khaokhram said. "Efficient management is the direct responsibility of state enterprises." He acknowledged the TDPO faces increased competition and market saturation but urged the organization to improve management efficiency, particularly in cost control and marketing. He cited Milk Land, an ice cream franchise that effectively moved fresh milk and generated revenue, questioning why such ventures were abandoned.

The TDPO was once a highly capable state enterprise that won model enterprise awards for several consecutive years and generated nearly a billion baht annually. The ministry must analyze why revenue has declined and losses accumulated over the past six to seven years. Expanding marketing channels and implementing strategic sales approaches may be the path to recovery for both the TDPO and Thai dairy farmers.

Deputy Permanent Secretary Aphai Suttisangkh revealed that following a recent children's and youth milk nutrition committee meeting on July 20, discussions focused on establishing guidelines for school milk procurement covering 260 days annually so students receive continuous nutritional supplements throughout the school year. The committee also addressed schools seeking to join the program but unable to meet existing criteria, seeking fair management solutions for all parties.

The committee also approved in principle expanding the school milk supplementation program to junior secondary students in opportunity schools, to begin in the first semester of the 2027 school year, pending central budget allocation and detailed guidelines from the committee.

The Creative Economy Advancement Agency (CEA) is accelerating Thailand's creative economy sector, valued at 1.63 trillion baht, through a powerful "Creative Effect" campaign featuring prominent creators Milli Danupha Khanatheerakul, Siam Attaviriya, and Gai Nathaphol Boonchabutr. The campaign showcases how creative thinking extends beyond art and entertainment to become a significant economic engine that builds business competitiveness, strengthens urban identity, and generates positive social impact across the nation.

CEA Director Chakrit Pichayangkur explained that the agency's mission is to transform ideas into capital by supporting Thai creators in converting their concepts into tangible economic value. Thailand's creative industries—spanning 15 sectors including music, design, and content—currently represent over 8% of GDP, underscoring creativity as a crucial asset for competitive advantage and new opportunities for individuals, businesses, and the nation.

The campaign partners with three leading creators from different disciplines. Milli is an international music phenomenon supported through CEA's Music Exchange program. Siam, Design Director of design studio Pink Blue Black & Orange, is a graphic design leader recognized globally and recently won the Golden Pin Design Award 2025 (Taiwan) for his integration design work on Bangkok Design Week 2025. Gai is a filmmaker behind popular Netflix series including "Mad Unicorn" and "The Evil Lawyer," continuing his collaboration with CEA on content creation projects.

CEA emphasizes that every creative idea, regardless of scale, can transform into business value, generate revenue for the country, and create global positive momentum when properly supported and developed.

The Meteorological Department on July 20 forecast thunderstorms across Thailand over the next 24 hours, driven by a weakening southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. Wave heights in the upper Andaman and upper Gulf are expected to reach 1–2 meters, with heights exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm zones. Mariners are advised to navigate cautiously and avoid stormy areas.

Regional forecasts (6 p.m. today to 6 p.m. tomorrow):

**Northern Region:** 40% chance of thunderstorms, mainly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, and Tak provinces. Lows 22–27°C, highs 28–36°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

**Northeastern Region:** 30% thunderstorm coverage, chiefly in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and Ubon Ratchathani. Lows 23–25°C, highs 35–37°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

**Central Region:** 30% thunderstorms, mostly in Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Lopburi, and Saraburi. Lows 23–26°C, highs 35–37°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

**Eastern Region:** 30% thunderstorms, mainly in Nakhon Nayok, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Lows 25–28°C, highs 33–37°C. Southwest winds 15–35 km/h. Sea waves 1–2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in storms.

**Southern Region (East Coast):** 30% thunderstorms, chiefly in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Lows 23–26°C, highs 34–36°C. Southwest winds 15–30 km/h. Sea waves around 1 meter, exceeding 2 meters in storms.

**Southern Region (West Coast):** 30% thunderstorms, mainly in Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. Lows 23–25°C, highs 33–35°C. From Phang Nga northward: southwest winds 15–35 km/h. Sea waves 1–2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in storms. From Phuket southward: southwest winds 15–30 km/h. Sea waves around 1 meter, exceeding 2 meters in storms.

**Bangkok and Metropolitan Area:** 30% thunderstorm chance, mostly afternoon to evening. Lows 26–28°C, highs 35–37°C. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h.

From July 21–25, rainfall will increase nationwide as the monsoon trough intensifies over the northern and upper northeastern regions.

On July 20, residents of Surin who were denied state welfare cards gathered at the Surin Provincial Transport Office in Muang district to verify vehicle ownership records with transport authorities. Transport Chief Sahanat Kampun arranged vehicle registration staff to assist with data verification. Officials found that many people were listed as owners of old vehicles they did not possess, some had been fraudulently registered without their knowledge, and others had put vehicles in their names to help children make payments. The Department of Transport has submitted the issue to the Ministry of Finance to determine how to resolve it, and the matter is currently under review.

When interviewed, 73-year-old Niam from Phiayram subdistrict said she was denied benefits because she was recorded as owning two motorcycles. In reality, she owns only a bicycle for traveling to rice fields and temples. She has never owned a motorcycle in her life and cannot understand how her name came to be listed as an owner. Phueng, 64, from Muang Thip subdistrict, said the system shows he owns a car—which he does, a very old one purchased in 1993. He was disqualified for having it and asked for new criteria to be considered. He added that even his 77-year-old sister, who is disabled and bedridden, was disqualified, forcing him to handle her appeal, though he does not know if it will be approved.

Porn, 66, from Khokho subdistrict, said the system lists her as owning a motorcycle that is now scrap metal. She complained that the government has made life difficult for ordinary people like her who earn just enough to survive day to day, and that verifying these matters wastes her working time. She appealed to the government to investigate actual living conditions or allow relevant ministries to inspect homes to verify genuine poverty, noting that some civil servants still receive benefits while truly poor people do not. She urged swift resolution.

Regarding owning two motorcycles and failing the criteria, one woman noted the government did not inform her beforehand. She previously held the card but it was revoked. She registered two motorcycles 20 years ago so her children could use them and pay installments themselves; one is now a tuk-tuk and the other her child uses for work. She did not expect such rules. She owns only vehicles and no other assets—just a modest roof-damaged house and two old bicycles. She sarcastically said she has now become rich overnight, rich in name only, as a coconut vendor selling roasted young coconuts. She questioned how she is supposed to carry 10 coconuts over 10 kilometers to the market and when the government will address this.