Deputy Prime Minister Yos Chanan Wongswaddi, who also serves as Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, announced on July 10, 2025, at the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the Ministry of Defence. The agreement was unveiled during the Thai Defence Industry Exhibition (THAIDEF-EX 2026) and marks a significant shift in how security research funding is managed.

The partnership will consolidate research budgets from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), National Innovation Agency (NIA), and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) to establish a "National Security Innovation Ecosystem" within four years. More than a thousand military officers, defence ministry officials, and defence industry entrepreneurs attended the event.

The core innovation involves transforming the funding model from a traditional granting agency approach—which often rejects unprepared projects—to a program management unit (PMU) that actively develops projects alongside researchers until they produce tangible results.

Chanan emphasized that technological self-reliance is critical during national crises. He noted that many skilled Thais are unaware they can contribute to defence ministry projects. The new system aims to harness this talent pool and create a bridge between the civilian economy and security sectors through dual-use technology concepts.

Chanan illustrated current geopolitical threats through two forms: physical warfare and technology warfare. He gave the example of drone frequency dependence: if a single chip controlling a specific frequency is compromised or jammed, the entire system fails. Similarly, if adversaries develop lighter, longer-lasting batteries, they gain superiority. Thailand must strengthen its foundational technological capabilities to avoid such vulnerabilities, which directly impact economic negotiating power and GDP growth.

To drive economic growth, the government needs new growth engines. The strategy involves scaling up startups developed over the past decade into ready-to-use companies. The dual-use approach will connect economic and security sectors.

A key structural improvement involves the Department of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Defence now coordinating integrated budgets from various agencies. The new PMU model differs fundamentally from traditional granting: rather than simply distributing funds and rejecting unready projects, the PMU actively manages and develops projects with researchers until deliverables are achieved.

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angsakulkiarti inspected the water leak at the Purple Line southern extension tunnel construction site near the Bon Kai-Ratsadornburana section on July 10, 2569, reporting that road subsidence is slowing to a positive rate of only 8 centimeters per day, down from over 20 centimeters the previous day. Previously, the road was sinking at an average rate of 1-2 centimeters per hour, but subsidence is now occurring in intervals depending on work conditions, indicating some success in sealing breaches. Angsakulkiarti stated that work crews have increased machinery to expedite gap-filling operations, and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the State Railway of Thailand coordinated to remove an overhead bridge to facilitate repair work. The structure itself has not tilted further since yesterday, with monitoring occurring every 30 minutes. Regarding construction standards, the contractor already has engineering guidelines in place, though investigations continue into the root cause of the incident. The State Railway had previously detected water seepage and attempted remedial measures before closing traffic for repairs and evacuating residents. Officials must wait for water to dry before determining the exact size of the cracks causing the leak, but initial estimates suggest 7-12 days to seal using engineering methods that equalize internal and external pressure. The contractor's insurance will compensate affected residents, with the contractor responsible for caring for displaced people. Angsakulkiarti apologized for the incident and pledged the ministry would address the problem swiftly while prioritizing public safety. When asked about an investigation committee, he noted that this morning domestic and international experts, including the Department of Public Works and related agencies, were invited to discuss findings from their respective engineering perspectives.

Family prepares to receive the body of Vichaiyar, a 64-year-old crane operator killed when a crane collapsed during dual highway construction on Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon province. The incident occurred at the parallel highway construction site at kilometer 39+000 to 40+050 near the Khlong Luang Bridge U-turn in Ban Bo Subdistrict, Muang District, Samut Sakhon.

By 2 p.m. today, the crane has been fully dismantled and reduced to metal scrap, awaiting removal by truck. The victim's body will be released from Samut Sakhon Hospital this evening. The family will conduct a spirit-calling ceremony before transporting the body to their hometown in Surin province for funeral rites.

Industry Minister Verawut Silpaarcha inaugurated the I-EA-T Fair 2026 under the theme "One Mind, One I-EA-T Powering Global Industry," announcing Thailand's readiness to become a center for green industry and future supply chains. Partnering with the World Bank and international allies, the government aims to attract high-quality investment from multinational companies seeking new manufacturing bases in the region.

The push comes as the world faces multiple crises—geopolitical tensions, energy volatility, and climate change—prompting companies to reassess supply chains and diversify investments. New global trade measures, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the European Union's sustainability regulations (EUDR), are making sustainability a competitive necessity rather than an option.

Sumet Tantiprasetthi, CEO of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), stated that industrial estates will serve as crucial investment safety zones. Thailand currently operates 69 industrial estates across 16 provinces with infrastructure and incentives supporting global investors, positioning the country advantageously during the global manufacturing shift.

The event included cooperation agreements between IEAT and 24 industry partners to develop a closed-loop waste management system in the Map Ta Phut Complex with an initial investment of 1,000 million baht. The initiative targets recovering over 200,000 tons of materials annually, expanding the circular economy impact by 13-16 times while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 115,000 tons of CO2 equivalent yearly and creating green jobs.

Over 400 executives, investors, and industry representatives from more than 100 companies attended, reflecting confidence in Thailand's potential as a regional investment and green supply chain hub amid global economic transformation.

Melinda Good, World Bank Country Director for Thailand and Myanmar, emphasized that modern competition is no longer about low costs but about adaptability, economic resilience, labor quality, and clean energy infrastructure. The transition to a green economy presents an opportunity to attract high-quality investment, positioning Thailand as a potential regional economic leader.

Police have uncovered critical photographic evidence in the case of an 86-year-old woman from Ban Khai District, Rayong Province, who collapsed and died on July 3rd. After her death, relatives discovered that a one-baht gold necklace, three Luang Pu Tim amulets in gold settings, and various talismans worth hundreds of thousands of baht had gone missing, leaving only one ring. Relatives insisted the woman had been wearing the necklace constantly.

On July 10th, Yingsakdi, the woman's brother-in-law, revealed that he was notified around 8:30 p.m. on the day of the incident and rushed to the scene. He explained that the house was typically kept dark to save electricity, and the chaos of providing assistance and emergency first aid prevented anyone from clearly observing when the necklace disappeared. It was only at the hospital that the family realized the valuables were missing.

Police Chief Pramote Kongkhalai of Ban Khai Station stated that investigators immediately began examining the scene. They are currently gathering evidence and tracking all individuals present that day to analyze the timeline of the theft.

Most recently, police discovered a photograph taken while the woman was unconscious at the scene. The image shows her clothing had been shifted slightly upward, and the necklace was no longer around her neck. This has led investigators to believe the valuables may have disappeared before she was placed in the ambulance, consistent with the dark environment and high level of confusion during the incident.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasized that government agencies must work as one unified force to resolve unrest and protect public safety in Thailand's southern border provinces, rejecting any appearance of disjointed efforts. At a policy briefing at The Signature Hotel Airport in Songkhla on July 10, 2025, following his official Malaysia visit, Anutin said discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and senior officials covered security, transportation connectivity via sea and rail routes, and economic cooperation including trade and tourism. These outcomes will form directives and policy for addressing southern border problems and development.

Anutin expressed confidence that Thailand's southern region is not merely the country's periphery but serves as a regional ASEAN hub connecting trade and tourism networks, generating valuable economic output and income for citizens. He noted that the four southern border provinces are crucial given Malaysia's position as Thailand's top tourism source and a leading investment partner, with bilateral trade valued at $30 billion. Any security disruptions would cost economic opportunities and livelihoods.

The state has capacity to prevent drug trafficking, illegal weapons, human trafficking, smuggling, transnational crime, and money laundering, making synchronized economic development and border security essential. In closing remarks, Anutin urged governors, civil servants, security forces, military, police, and district officials to coordinate all agencies—administrative bodies, police, military, local government organizations, village leaders, community security teams, and the public—as one entity. He stressed preventing fragmented operations and ensuring unified information systems, emphasizing the government cannot accept violence, assassination attempts, or any form of public fear and insecurity.