On July 25, 2025, Pichai Naripthaphan, former Commerce Minister, stated that the United States has announced a 12.5% tariff on Thai goods—the highest rate—citing forced labor violations. Thailand faces the same rate as China and Vietnam, while Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are charged only 10%, which will erode Thai competitiveness, harm exports, and discourage investment.

Although Thai exports surged 20.74% in June, imports jumped 50.28%, leaving Thailand with a first-half trade deficit of 1.1 trillion baht and potentially record deficits by year-end. This threatens to create a twin deficit crisis affecting GDP. In the first six months of 2025, Thailand held a 33 billion dollar trade surplus with the U.S. but ran a 46.2 billion dollar deficit with China—likely prompting the high U.S. tariff and risking further increases if Washington suspects transshipment or circumvention schemes to evade tariffs.

Pichai criticized the slow pace of negotiations, noting that Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supratarp Suphajee met USTR Jamieson Greer only briefly in May and negotiated with Deputy USTR Rick Switzer in June—warning signs he had flagged earlier. He urged faster action and praised Wuttikrai Livirapat, Permanent Secretary of Commerce, and Chotima Iamsawatdi, Director-General of the Trade Negotiations Department, as key figures who previously helped secure Thailand's exemption from Section 301 tariffs under President Biden and should lead current efforts to close an FTA and meet performance targets.

On July 23, Dr. Phanthup Arunee, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), officially opened the national-level pitching and interview competition for the ELP (Experiential Learning for Entrepreneurs) program. The initiative partners MHESI with 16 regional science park universities across Thailand, including Chiang Mai University, Khon Kaen University, Suranaree University of Technology, and Thammasat University, among others.

The ELP program, now in its fourth year, aims to cultivate student entrepreneurs who can transform research, technology, and innovation into marketable products and services. Participants develop critical skills including analytical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and data-driven decision-making through hands-on experiential learning both domestically and internationally. Dr. Phanthup explained that the program emphasizes real-world market validation and mentoring from international business partners.

For 2025, the program has intensified its selection process across three tiers—university, regional, and national levels—to identify 25 high-potential entrepreneurs from approximately 540 nationwide applicants. The current pitching and interview sessions serve not merely as competition but as a critical feedback opportunity for participants to receive expert guidance and demonstrate their capacity to drive sustainable economic and social impact through their ventures.

On July 25, 2025, at Parliament, Abhisit Vejjajiva, Democratic Party leader and list MP, addressed the controversy surrounding politicians filing a lawsuit against Yingcheep Akaranont, director of the Internet Law project (ILaw), following the disclosure of nine names linked to the Parliament speaker election case.

Abhisit argued that no one wants to face legal action, and the disclosed information comes from Election Commission complaints that are already known at high levels, including among prosecutors and the DSI (Department of Special Investigation). He stated that public figures should offer clarification rather than face prosecution, noting current public concern that the Election Commission's special inquiry panel's preliminary finding of no wrongdoing contradicts the substantial evidence previously presented, including financial trails, hotel records, and vote-buying photographs.

Abhisit added that even if false accusations are proven, legal remedies exist, but he believes those who disclosed the information did so not for entertainment but based on official agency investigations. Those accused must clarify their whereabouts and activities on relevant dates. The disclosed information is already known to prosecutors and the DSI, which identified seven groups of involved parties, including politicians and political parties who interfered.

When asked whether government coalition members filing the complaint constitutes harassment or an attempt to silence critics, Abhisit stated it is their right, but public figures deserve accountability. He argued that lawsuits intended to intimidate or create fear about transparency constitute misconduct.

At noon on July 24, 2569, police officers led by Maj. Gen. Siam Bunserm arrested 44-year-old Mr. Nong inside a hotel room in the Huay Khwang area of Bangkok.

The arrest followed a complaint from a taxi driver who said that on July 24, he picked up a 40-year-old passenger from Soi Ladphrao 80 heading to a hotel on Soi Prachauthit. The fare was 100 baht, and the passenger paid with a 1,000-baht note, asking for 900 baht in change. The driver later noticed the banknote looked unusual and had it checked at a convenience store, where it was confirmed to be counterfeit. He filed a complaint with Huay Khwang Police Station.

Detectives reviewed security camera footage at the hotel to identify the suspect and arrested him. During questioning, the man admitted to paying with the counterfeit bill and claimed the money came from selling illegal firearms. Police searched his room and found 22 additional counterfeit banknotes, leading to formal charges.

On July 25, 2025, Stefan Thasist Sinkhanavivaht, a former well-known actor and half-Thai-Italian influencer, commented on the incident involving Italian teenagers causing a disturbance on the BTS skytrain. He said it was unacceptable behavior and that his relatives were very upset about the incident.

Stefan emphasized that Thailand is like heaven to visitors, and Thai people are genuinely kind-hearted. He noted that Thai people are unique in the world—when something happens, they smile and let things go, sometimes cursing under their breath but moving on. However, he warned that angering Thai people could quickly transform earthly paradise into hell.

He called on all people, whether Thai, Italian, or from any other nation, to show basic courtesy to others. He gave the example that when dining at restaurants, people should not speak loudly. He pointed out that when Thais travel to Japan, America, or Europe, they respect the local people. He stressed that Thai people are naturally kind-hearted, and visitors should not mistake this kindness for weakness or take advantage of it. While Thai people possess inherent goodness, they should not be provoked.

Thailand will send 3×3 men's and women's basketball teams to compete in a major Asian-level tournament in China to accumulate world ranking points before heading to Japan to pursue two medals at the Asian Games.

The 20th Asian Games will take place from September 19 to October 4, 2025, in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Basketball Association of Thailand president Nipont Chuaritmontean announced that the Thai national basketball teams, supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, will compete in three categories: women's 5×5, men's 3×3, and women's 3×3.

Regarding the 5×5 competition, Nipont noted that while the host nation designated 12 teams for the men's final round, Thailand ranked 14th in Asia and fell short of qualification despite Syria (ranked 13th) withdrawing. The women's 5×5 team, ranked 9th-10th in Asia, qualified and will feature new players to strengthen the roster.

For the 3×3 category, limited to athletes age 23 and under, Thailand's women's team previously won bronze at the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia and will retain two players from the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou with a Serbian coach. The men's team will also feature two returnees from Hangzhou mixed with emerging talent. Officials are targeting two medals from the 3×3 events.

Before the Asian Games in September 2025, the association will send both 3×3 teams to compete in approximately 4-5 major world ranking tournaments in China during August 2025, serving as crucial preparation and selection benchmarks.