Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekanat Nitithanprapas announced at the National Media Council's 29th-anniversary event on July 4 that the government remains committed to its investment-year policy, aiming to attract 900 billion to 1 trillion baht in foreign direct investment through the Thailand FastPass program to drive economic growth and strengthen national competitiveness.

While the 2027 budget shows reduced capital expenditure allocation, the government is increasing overall investment through non-budgetary investment channels, including public-private partnerships, the Thailand Future Fund, and foreign direct investment, to ease the state's direct debt burden.

As chairman of the Board of Investment (BOI), Ekanat said the goal is to use Thailand FastPass as a major economic driver and boost the country's long-term competitiveness. The program requires participants to invest at least 20% of their commitment within the current year. The government is also emphasizing the Skill Bridge project to facilitate technology transfer and develop Thai workforce skills for emerging industries.

Regarding budget constraints, Ekanat clarified that the reduction in capital expenditure reflects improved transparency, with previously hidden operational expenses now disclosed. This increases the proportion of regular spending relative to capital spending in numerical terms, but investment will still grow through private-sector and state-enterprise contributions that the government will actively promote.

Siyaboat Nattadej Vachirratanwong, promoter and owner of Petchyindee camp, has again spoken out against judges' officiating, which he believes is destroying muay Thai. He called for systemic reform at Rajadamnern Stadium following the controversial July 2, 2025 Petchyindee event, alleging scores were locked in from round one in the "Steel Bone vs. Petchmoungkan" bout. He demanded the stadium overhaul its system and audit judges' financial trails, and suggested bringing in foreign officials to eliminate corruption.

Siyaboat posted an interview on Petchyindee's Facebook explaining his frustrations. "The scoring deteriorated over three rounds," he said. "I've watched muay Thai my whole life. I can tell the fix was in from round one, not just rounds four or five." He emphasized his credibility, saying he wouldn't speak out without certainty. "I've analyzed every bout carefully. When I speak, it's not gossip—I have a reputation to back it up."

He cited specific examples: "In today's card, Tienchaluang could have lost to anyone, but in round five, he shouldn't have lost—yet three judges gave it against him. And Steel Bone, who fights for Petchyindee, seemed unaware he was winning three rounds but lost on points."

Siyaboat proposed drastic solutions: "The person overseeing judges must be an outsider with no connection to the stadium and no incentive to protect themselves. Judges have always covered for each other. The only way to fix this is to bring in authorities or someone who can audit judges' finances—like FIFA does for football referees. This corruption damages Thai boxing nationally, not just Rajadamnern. Otherwise, hire foreigners to judge. Thai judges clearly can't do it."

A passenger bus lost control and plunged into a deep ravine in Balochistan province, southwestern Pakistan, on July 3, according to Reuters. The crash killed at least 40 people and injured 8 others. The bus was operated by a private transport company and was carrying 48 passengers traveling from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, to Islamabad. Authorities investigating the incident found that the bus had taken on passengers from another disabled vehicle, causing severe overcrowding. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. In a separate incident the same day, a truck carrying 22 Afghan refugees skidded off a river while traveling in Nangarhar province in the east. At least 4 people have been confirmed dead, and emergency teams are searching for 10 missing passengers while investigating the cause.

The Thai Meteorological Department issued its sixth warning on Typhoon Maysak on July 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM. At 10:00 AM that day, Tropical Storm Maysak was positioned in the upper South China Sea, 150 kilometers south of Nanning, China (20.2°N, 107.9°E), with maximum wind speeds near the center of approximately 74 kilometers per hour. The storm was moving northward with a slight westward drift at 15 kilometers per hour and is forecast to make landfall near Nanning in southern China on July 5. The storm's center will not enter Thailand, but its indirect effects combined with a monsoon trough and the strong southwest monsoon will impact the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand.

Thailand will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall in some areas, particularly in the northern, upper northeastern, eastern, and southern regions. From July 5-6, the upper northern and upper northeastern regions will continue experiencing heavy to very heavy rain in some areas. Sea conditions will intensify: the upper Andaman Sea will see waves 2-3 meters high, exceeding 3 meters in thunderstorm areas; the lower Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand will have waves around 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters during thunderstorms.

Fishermen are urged to exercise caution and avoid areas with thunderstorms. Small vessels in the upper Andaman Sea should remain ashore during this period. The public is advised to plan activities and travel carefully during this time and monitor updates from the Thai Meteorological Department via http://www.tmd.go.th, or call 0-2399-4012-13 and 1182 available 24/7. The next warning will be issued on July 4 at 5:00 PM.

Affected Provinces: July 4, 2025: Very Heavy Rain: Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan (Northern); Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom (Northeastern); Chanthaburi, Trat (Eastern) Heavy Rain: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani, Phichit, Phetchabun (Northern); Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani (Northeastern); Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi (Central); Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong (Eastern); Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Phangnga (Southern)

July 5, 2025: Very Heavy Rain: Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Ubon Ratchathani (Northeastern); Chanthaburi, Trat (Eastern) Heavy Rain: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Phayao, Nan (Northern)

His Majesty the King has graciously granted special royal water ablution, floral wreaths, and cremation rites to Venerable Khamsing Thamiko, who died in a vehicle collision while on alms rounds. At 6:30 p.m. on July 3, 2025, the King appointed Prachuap Rak Phaet, Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen Province, to present the royal wreaths from His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen at the casket of the deceased monk.

The accident occurred on July 2, 2025, near Nasinnuan Market on the Mukdahan-Don Tarn Road in Mukdahan Province. The funeral rites were held at Siridhamma Temple in Phu Wiang District, Khon Kaen Province.

In this instance, His Majesty the King has graciously accepted the deceased monk into royal patronage and granted special royal water ablution and cremation honors. Several members of the royal family, including Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, have also approved the presentation of additional floral tributes at the casket. The King further authorized the Deputy Governor to deliver a basket of royal gifts to the family of Venerable Khamsing Thamiko. The monk's family expressed profound gratitude and deep appreciation for this extraordinary display of royal compassion and benevolence.

On July 4, 2025, Thiwalrat Angkinanthana, Phetchaburi MP and chair of the parliamentary committee on religion, arts and culture, announced new discoveries at the Don Yai Thong archaeological site in Ban Laad District, Phetchaburi Province. Archaeologists have uncovered two additional gold rings, one of which is a seal ring featuring Brahmi script inscriptions and dating to approximately 1,900-2,100 years ago.

The excavation began after locals found bronze drums. Subsequent digs have revealed five bronze drums total, eight ancient human skeletons, and a suspected ninth skeleton believed to be a child, along with valuable ornaments including bracelets, gold rings, bronze vessels, and ancient beads. Archaeologists have identified this as the first site in Thailand with such a concentration of archaeological structures and artifacts. The Fine Arts Department is preparing additional funding to continue research.

Thiwalrat noted that due to the current rainy season, skeletal remains have been temporarily moved to a museum in Pathum Thani Province. After the rains end, artifacts will be displayed in Phetchaburi for local viewing.

"As a Phetchaburi native and chair of this committee, I recognize that while the province has tremendous historical and cultural heritage, it lacks a central provincial museum," Thiwalrat said. "Most of Phetchaburi's artifacts are stored and displayed elsewhere because the province lacks appropriate facilities. The existing museum atop Phra Nakhon Khiri has accessibility limitations for elderly visitors. I urge the Fine Arts Department to support establishing a proper museum here."

Thiwalrat also announced that the Fine Arts Department director is advancing efforts to have Phra Nakhon Khiri inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A working committee has been formed to study the impact on the annual Phra Nakhon Khiri festival and its thousands of participants. The province welcomes budget support for restoration.

Thiwalrat predicted that Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chiang Mai provinces will achieve World Heritage status by year's end, and urged all provinces with heritage potential to coordinate with the committee to promote Thailand's cultural sites internationally and boost tourism.