The government is monitoring the 2027 state welfare card budget allocation of 420 billion baht, which is down from the 4.7 billion baht monthly allocation in 2026. Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Laweron Saengsonit revealed that if the budget proves insufficient, the government stands ready to supplement it with central funds, following established practice. The government is also preparing to overhaul the entire welfare system to prevent duplicate benefit payments.

Saengsonit disclosed that the Public-Private-Benefit Committee for Grassroots Economy and Social Affairs will meet on July 3rd to finalize the number of applicants who passed screening for the 2026 state welfare card. The results will be presented to the Cabinet for approval on July 7 or 14, with beneficiary names announced on July 17.

While the 2027 budget represents a decrease from 2026 levels, Saengsonit noted that whether it will be sufficient depends on the final number of approved applicants from 2026. "If the allocated budget falls short, we will use central funds to cover the gap, which is the standard practice each year," he said.

Saengsonit emphasized that the government needs to understand how much support each Thai citizen receives and ensure it is adequate without duplication. He highlighted that the Finance Ministry is pushing for implementation of a Negative Income Tax system, which will leverage Big Data to ensure citizens receive appropriate welfare benefits efficiently and eliminate overlap.

Regarding the economy, Saengsonit noted that first-half performance remains solid, bolstered by various government measures. He added that third-quarter growth is expected to receive continued support from the Thailand Helping Thailand Plus program, helping sustain economic momentum.

Gulf Development Public Company Limited (GULF) has successfully secured a $600 million offshore syndicated term loan facility from international banking consortiums—approximately 20 billion baht—marking a crucial step in the company's capital sourcing strategy. The primary objective is to expand relationships with new international financial institutions.

GULF initially sought $400 million in foreign loans, split between 3-year and 5-year tenors. The facility attracted interest from 33 financial institutions, with commitments reaching approximately four times the initial amount. GULF exercised its greenshoe option to allocate an additional $200 million, bringing the total to $600 million. The financing garnered strong interest from major international institutions in Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, India, Macau, and France—demonstrating their confidence in GULF's financial strength, disciplined capital management, stable cash flow generation, and experience in large-scale infrastructure projects. This reinforces GULF's position as a globally trusted infrastructure company with strong potential for growth in digital infrastructure alongside its energy business.

Yupaphin Wangvivat, Chief Financial Officer of GULF Group, stated: "This successful offshore syndicated loan represents a critical step in executing our financial strategy. It allows us to expand our banking relationships with new international financial institutions, strengthening our capacity to secure funding beyond domestic baht-denominated bond markets and enhancing our flexibility to drive business growth. The strong response from international financial institutions—offering commitments nearly four times our initial target—reflects their confidence in our financial strength, operational performance, and long-term growth vision. This confidence is further supported by our 'A' credit rating with a Stable outlook from Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR), equivalent to Thailand's own credit rating."

The transaction was managed by leading banks serving as Mandated Lead Arrangers, Underwriters, and Bookrunners: DBS Bank, Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank, Natixis (Singapore branch), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (Singapore branch), and United Overseas Bank, with Mizuho Bank also serving as Facility Agent.

On July 2, 2569 (2026), Vorayanun Bunnaraj, the governor of Maha Sarakham, announced that a pickup truck collision with monks on alms walk resulted in 8 deaths and 12 injuries. The truck involved maintains active insurance with total coverage of approximately 20 million baht. The Provincial Sangha Committee expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, confirming that the monks were conducting their alms walk correctly according to Buddhist discipline, which requires monks to walk facing oncoming traffic for safety. When the accident occurred, the four lead monks spotted the truck losing control and shouted a warning, allowing five monks to escape. However, the truck struck the sixth monk onward, as they were walking in single file as is customary, positioned about 2 meters from the road edge. The truck was traveling at high speed and had lost control. The alms group consisted of 35 monks and 5 lay followers. Five monks died at the scene, and three more died at the hospital, bringing the death toll to 8 initially. The provincial public health officer reported 4 monks with red-tagged injuries and 10 with yellow-tagged injuries. Initial investigation shows the pickup truck has liability insurance, covering deceased monks at 500,000 baht each and injured persons at 80,000 baht each, plus full medical treatment. As of 5:50 p.m., the death toll was updated to 9 monks, identified as Phra Surasak Pinlao.

Yamaha Motor Racing has officially announced that Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 MotoGP World Champion from France, and Spanish rider Alex Rins will depart the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team at the end of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship season, marking the conclusion of their journey together with Yamaha following their continuous contributions to the team's achievements and development.

Quartararo joined Yamaha's factory team in 2019 and quickly established himself as one of the era's most prominent riders, securing 11 Grand Prix victories, 32 podium finishes, and making history by winning the premier class world title in 2021—delivering a significant championship success back to Yamaha and becoming one of the team's most accomplished riders in the modern era.

Rins joined the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team in 2024, bringing extensive experience as a multi-race Grand Prix winner. Throughout his time with Yamaha, he has played a vital role in sharing expertise, developing the YZR-M1 motorcycle, and advancing Yamaha's MotoGP project.

Paolo Pavesio, Yamaha Motor Racing General Manager, stated: "Fabio and Alex have been instrumental to Yamaha's MotoGP project. We are grateful for their dedication, commitment, and professionalism throughout the years they have been with us."

"Fabio and Yamaha have journeyed together for eight years, sharing both moments of tremendous success and challenging times. We have grown together as both a team and a family. Beyond their on-track achievements, the relationships formed along this path are invaluable, and Fabio will forever remain one of the legendary riders in the Yamaha family."

"As for Alex, since joining the team in 2024, he has brought invaluable experience, technical insight, and dedication to our squad, playing a crucial role in developing the YZR-M1 and helping drive Yamaha's MotoGP project forward."

"Although saying goodbye after years of working together is not easy, we remain fully committed to working together on every remaining race of the season to close this chapter with our best performance and create more outstanding memories together."

Yamaha Motor Racing and both riders will continue to give their maximum effort throughout the remaining races of the 2026 MotoGP season, aiming to deliver outstanding results while continuing YZR-M1 development to bring their partnership to a perfect conclusion before season's end.

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has seized another 24.38 kilograms of heroin hidden inside silk clothing, coffee sachets and winter jackets packed in international parcels bound for Australia and Taiwan, while expanding its investigation into a network linked to the Golden Triangle drug syndicate.

ONCB Secretary-General Pol. Lt. Col. Suriya Singhakamol announced on 2 July 2026 that the ONCB, together with partner agencies, had intensified efforts to intercept narcotics destined for third countries.

Authorities confiscated 24.38kg of heroin concealed inside local handicrafts, silk garments, coffee sachets and winter jackets packed in five international parcels prepared for shipment to Australia and Taiwan.

The operation followed the seizure of two parcels in Bangkok on 30 June 2026, when officers found 8.17kg of heroin hidden inside local products destined for Australia.

Investigators traced the parcels to Loei province. On 1 July 2026, ONCB officers inspected a parcel delivery shop in Loei and discovered that three more parcels with similar characteristics had already been dispatched to two locations in Bangkok, prompting immediate raids.

At the first location in Bang Kapi district, officers seized two parcels containing 6.23kg of heroin concealed inside silk clothing. The shipment was bound for Taiwan.

At the second location on Rang Nam Road in Ratchathewi district, officers found 9.98kg of heroin hidden inside coffee sachets and winter jackets. The parcel was destined for Australia.

Further investigation found that the person directing the shipments to Australia is a Thai national wanted under an arrest warrant in Tak province on fraud charges, who allegedly issued instructions while residing in Australia.

On 2 July 2026, officers searched three locations in Loei and Nakhon Phanom provinces linked to the parcel shipments and bank accounts used to receive transport payments.

Those involved in sending the parcels told investigators that they had delivered the shipments twice together with the man's Lao wife. They said they collected the parcels from a Lao man, while payment for the deliveries was transferred into the wife's bank account.

Pol. Lt. Col. Suriya noted that Thailand's proximity to the Golden Triangle, a major production area for methamphetamine, crystal meth, heroin and ketamine, as well as its role as a regional transport hub with extensive land, air, sea and international parcel networks, makes close cooperation between domestic and international agencies essential in disrupting drug trafficking at every level.

He said authorities will continue expanding the investigation to identify other members of the trafficking network and prosecute everyone involved under the law.

Members of the public with information on drug-related activities are encouraged to contact the ONCB hotline 1386, available 24 hours a day. Officials said all information provided by informants will be kept strictly confidential.

Si Khiu police received a report at 9:10 a.m. on July 2, 2025 of a fatal shooting at a residence in Moo 8, Lad Bua Khao Subdistrict, Si Khiu District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Officers and rescue personnel found the body of Chamnan, 60, lying near sugarcane bushes in front of the house. He had been shot once in the left chest, with the bullet piercing his heart and causing instant death.

The suspect, identified as Thalapanpong, 27, the foster son of the deceased, initially fled into the forest behind the house and escaped on a motorcycle. However, after his biological father, Chanon, contacted police and persuaded him to surrender, he agreed and was taken into custody without incident and brought to Si Khiu Police Station for questioning.

During initial interrogation, Thalapanpong confessed to ongoing family conflicts with his foster father over various household matters. The immediate trigger was a dispute regarding home renovations, which escalated into an argument and physical confrontation. He claimed that when his foster father grabbed a wooden club and charged at him, he rushed to retrieve a firearm and shot in self-defense, resulting in the death.

Investigators formally charged him with intentional murder and prepared to forward the case to court for prosecution.

Thalapanpong's biological father, Chanon, stated that he convinced his son to turn himself in because the boy often consulted him about his conflicts with his foster father. He expressed shock that the situation had escalated to such a tragic outcome. Chanon said his son maintained that he fired the single shot only after the foster father attacked him with the club. While sympathizing with his son, Chanon emphasized that the matter must follow legal procedures, and he had repeatedly warned his son to remain calm and seek advice rather than act rashly in anger.