Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Suthummaphand unveiled the 'Thai Helping Thai Franchise Plus' program, which aims to reduce living costs while boosting household incomes through franchising opportunities. The initiative combines support from the Commerce Ministry, the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), financial institutions, and the private sector to lower startup investment costs and give small entrepreneurs immediate access to capital, retail locations, and customer bases.

The program offers four key measures: the state covers 50% of franchise package fees (capped at 10,000 baht for franchises valued up to 100,000 baht); credit support from SME D Bank, Krung Thai Bank, and Government Savings Bank with CMSB guarantees at an average interest rate of approximately 3%; access to over 2,000 retail spaces in Lotus and Makro branches nationwide plus over 100 Thai fresh market locations, with six months of rent waived; and enrollment in the 'Thai Helping Thai Plus 60/40' scheme to boost sales from day one.

OSMEP has allocated 100 million baht to support the program, aiming to assist approximately 10,000 franchise buyers or families. The government has curated over 100 standard franchise brands with investment values not exceeding 100,000 baht. Interested applicants can explore franchise packages and apply through the website thaihelpthaifranchisor.dbd.go.th or the Line OA @franchisedbdplus.

LPP Property Management has expanded its real estate sales operations after BOOK UP, its sales and marketing division, signed a cooperation agreement with Welti Property to manage sales and comprehensive marketing strategy for the Vimana Sukhumvit-Bearing project, a luxury low-rise residential development with prices starting at 13.9 million baht.

On July 13, Somsri Techakaisiree, managing director of LPP Property Management, announced that BOOK UP has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Welti Property, the developer of the Vimana Sukhumvit-Bearing project, to oversee all sales management and comprehensive marketing strategy. The project is strategically located in the Sukhumvit-Bearing area, just 640 meters from Sri Bearing MRT Station, featuring 33 luxury low-rise residential units including twin houses and townhomes with usable areas ranging from 220 to 385 square meters. Designed under a private design concept emphasizing privacy and quality family living, units are ready for immediate occupancy.

Somsri stated that Welti Property's trust in BOOK UP confirms the division's expertise across all dimensions of real estate marketing and sales, including project analysis, sales planning, and comprehensive multi-channel marketing communications. She noted this reflects confidence in LPP's professional team and over 30 years of accumulated expertise.

Welti Property president Kritika Chaiwilai expressed confidence in BOOK UP's capabilities in sales management, market analysis, and strategic marketing planning, which will drive the efficient delivery of Vimana Sukhumvit-Bearing to the target customer base.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Bangkok, Thailand Survivors of the deadly fire at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district on the night of July 12th, 2026, have described scenes of sudden panic, thick smoke, and desperate attempts to flee as the blaze rapidly engulfed the popular entertainment venue, killing at least 27 people and injuring over […] Survival Stories Describe Chaos and Narrow Escapes After Bangkok Pub Fire Claims 27 Lives, Injures Over 60 Others -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin has ordered the prosecution of influential figures and capitalists who have illegally encroached on forest land, reclaiming it as state property under the Prime Minister's urgent policy directive. On July 13, 2025, Suchart launched an aggressive enforcement operation at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants headquarters to advance Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's policy to eliminate powerful interests and restore forests to national ownership. He assigned Pol. Col. Surpol Boonma, secretary to the minister, along with Deputy Permanent Secretary Niphon Jamnongsirisak and National Parks Director Arthapol Jaroenchansaa to lead a task force in filing formal complaints against organized forest encroachment networks operating in Lam Son National Park, Ranong Province, and submit evidence to investigators.

Minister Suchart revealed that investigations discovered illegal deforestation in the Khao Pak Trien area in Kamphaen Subdistrict, Suksamnuay District, Ranong. The Prime Minister and Interior Minister have prioritized the case, ordering the National Parks task force to work with the Forest Department in a thorough investigation. Officials uncovered serious irregularities in land title documents (Form 3 Kor) overlapping pristine forest and national park boundaries across multiple plots. A ministerial oversight committee was established to expedite solutions and pursue prosecution to the fullest extent.

National Parks Director Arthapol Jaroenchansaa detailed the initial case, revealing that three land plots with the clearest evidence and satellite imagery have been selected for prosecution. The three Form 3 Kor documents were issued on June 24, 1994, but show massive "land expansion" anomalies. Plot 1 originally registered as 6 rai was remeasured at over 45 rai, with 15 rai 1 ngan 80 square wah encroaching into the national park. Plot 2 measured over 57 rai with 45 rai 96 square wah intruding into park boundaries. Plot 3, listed as only 1 rai, remeasured to over 50 rai with 4 rai 2 ngan 48 square wah additional encroachment. All plots claim agricultural use, but satellite imagery from before 1994 shows natural forest, coastal areas, and sandy terrain with no signs of farming activity.

Additionally, over 12 rai 2 ngan 68 square wah of unauthorized clearing and cultivation were discovered outside the title documents but within park boundaries. The total first-phase encroachment amounts to approximately 78 rai. The issuance of these three Form 3 Kor documents is clearly illegal, as the land was designated as Lam Son National Park in 1983—a protected area under law and Royal Decree 43 (1994), violating forest protection regulations.

Young artist Lek Ratchamet returned to his hometown of Phetchaburi to host a fan meet and officially close his debut album "Soundtrack of My Life." The Genie Records artist selected his birthplace to wrap up nearly two years of sharing his life story through five songs: "Soundtrack of My Life," "Jai Pen Nai Gai Pen Bao," "Lok Thang Thi," "Fah Kwang Thang Khaeng," and "Ob Uan." The album received overwhelming support, particularly the viral hit "Jai Pen Nai Gai Pen Bao" with 160 million views and "Lok Thang Thi" with over 64 million views.

The event bustled with activity from afternoon, featuring an 18-meter road closure in the heart of Phetchaburi town and over 20 local vendor booths. Lek himself deep-fried his signature fish cakes at a booth to distribute free samples to fans, while the first 10 minutes featured a flash sale giveaway. Artists BOVINI and O from FULL band joined to perform and delight the fans who traveled to witness the album closing at Lek's birthplace—a symbolic return to where all his dreams began.

Choosing Phetchaburi represented bringing "Soundtrack of My Life" full circle, from a fisherman's boy who sang on fishing boats and at restaurants to a professional artist who proved himself through his work and voice. Lek expressed his overwhelming gratitude for the response, admitting he initially expected only 300–500 attendees but was humbled by the massive turnout. Many fans traveled from far provinces, some taking 7–8 hours or even the train. Lek emphasized this first large-scale event meant everything to him, and he struggled to express his thanks to people from across the country who showed up to support him.

The Social Security Office (SSO) is moving swiftly to verify claims and provide comprehensive benefits to workers and insured persons affected by a fire at a beer hall restaurant on Ladprao Soi 1 in Bangkok's Jatujak district early on July 12, 2025. The fire, which broke out at 12:02 a.m., claimed 27 lives (18 women, 9 men) and injured 63 others, including 22 in critical condition, 33 in moderate condition, and 8 with minor injuries.

Labor Minister Julphand Amornvivat expressed deep condolences to victims' families and directed the SSO to accelerate investigations and coordinate closely with relief efforts. He ordered the office to ensure that affected employees and insured persons receive full benefits from the social security and compensation funds as quickly as possible under the law.

SSO Secretary-General Kanchana Pholakaew appointed officials to inspect the scene and provide urgent assistance to the injured and bereaved families. She stated that the SSO stands ready to process funeral expenses, death benefits, medical treatment costs, and compensation claims according to each case's specific circumstances and eligibility criteria.

She also assigned SSO personnel to visit injured victims at Paolo Kesat and Ladprao hospitals to offer encouragement and facilitate benefit access. The labor minister has instructed entertainment venues, restaurants, and other high-traffic businesses to prioritize safety measures and maintain all equipment and systems to prevent accidents and create safe working environments.

The SSO reaffirmed its commitment to fully support injured victims and the heirs of deceased persons by providing comprehensive, accurate benefits and relief to affected families as soon as possible.