The Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to universal health coverage, global health security, and resilient healthcare systems during the 79th World Health Assembly held at the Palais des Nations in Ge...
The Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to universal health coverage, global health security, and resilient healthcare systems during the 79th World Health Assembly held at the Palais des Nations in Ge...
Thailand's government is launching "Savings Plus" bonds starting July 31, 2025, with rates of 1.80% for 3-year and 2.80% for 10-year terms, available to all citizens for as little as 100 baht through digital wallets and banks.
Thailand's Finance Ministry is preparing to launch the first issuance of "Savings Plus" government bonds on July 31, 2025, to provide citizens with accessible savings and investment options. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Niti-Thawatchprasad stated that the bonds will feature fixed interest rates of 1.80% per year for 3-year maturity and 2.80% per year for 10-year maturity, offering better returns than traditional savings accounts.
The "Plus" benefits include monthly availability through multiple distribution channels—digital wallets, commercial banks, securities companies, and streaming applications—making savings accessible to all Thais. Investors can begin with just 100 baht through the SBMA wallet on the Pao Tang application, or 1,000 baht through banks and securities firms, allowing citizens to choose the investment format that suits their needs.
"These bonds are more than an investment tool; they represent a partnership between citizens and the state to build Thailand's future," Ekniti said. "Savings will fuel government development programs while investors earn returns—a mutual effort strengthening both household and national security."
In fiscal year 2025, the Finance Ministry will issue Savings Plus bonds twice, each time offering 4 billion baht: 2 billion baht through SBMA wallets and 2 billion baht through the Bond Connect Platform. The first issuance runs from July 31 through August 31, 2025. Eligible buyers are Thai nationals aged 15 and above (those under 20 require parental consent). Minimum purchase starts at 100 baht with no upper limit except 3 million baht per transaction, on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested buyers should download the Pao Tang application, register, verify identity, and prepare funds in advance through mobile banking.
A 30-year-old man was shot dead outside his home in Bannang Sata district, Yala, on July 16 in what police believe may be linked to insurgent activity or a personal dispute. Authorities are investigating the brazen daytime attack that left
On July 16, Deputy Investigator Phuriwitchcha Methinphonsit of Bannang Sata Police Station in Yala received a report from the village security team of a shooting death at a residence in Moo 1, Ba Jao subdistrict, Bannang Sata district. Police, military, and local administration officials, along with medics from the Hilal Al-Ahmar Foundation's Bannang Sata Operations Center, rushed to the scene and transported the victim to Bannang Sata Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The victim, 30-year-old Baiyakob Luma from Moo 1, Ba Jao subdistrict, had been shot four times in the chest and once in the head with an unknown caliber weapon. According to initial findings, while the victim was sitting in front of his home, an unknown number of gunmen hiding in a dark spot near the house approached and opened fire. The assailants fled quickly, apparently familiar with the area.
Police Superintendent Arthapol Kulvongsmano coordinated with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, the Crime Suppression Division, and the Yala Forensic Evidence Center to conduct a detailed crime scene investigation. Authorities collected cartridge casings, bullet trajectories, and other evidence while interviewing witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage. Preliminary investigation suggests the shooting may be linked either to insurgent activities in southern Thailand or to a personal dispute. Police are pursuing leads to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Bangkok's governor launched a safety reporting feature in the Traffy Fondue app, allowing the public to anonymously report risky venues and encouraging visitors to check emergency exits before entering establishments.
Bangkok Governor Chatchatchai Sittipan announced the launch of a new safety reporting menu on the Traffy Fondue app, enabling the public to report establishments with safety risks and urging visitors to identify emergency exits before entering venues. He acknowledged that Bangkok businesses face complex regulations with notable loopholes, and that even inspected establishments sometimes revert to unsafe practices once operations resume. Sittipan emphasized that public participation is crucial to identifying safety problems and that citizens—including employees—can report concerns anonymously to help authorities improve venue safety standards. He reminded the public that the first action when visiting an establishment should be to locate the emergency exit and familiarize themselves with the route, stressing that widespread vigilance from multiple observers helps uncover more safety issues.
Six youths escaped from a juvenile detention center in Nakhon Ratchasima on July 16 and stole a school pickup truck to flee toward Chaiyaphum province, with police establishing checkpoints along the route.
At 5:30 a.m. on July 16, 2025, Deputy Superintendent Pirakkit Hanyawet of Pho Klang Police Station in Nakhon Ratchasima received a report requesting assistance in tracking down six male youths who had escaped from the Nakhon Ratchasima Juvenile Detention and Child Protection Center on Mittraphap Soi 19. Officers responded immediately to investigate.
Staff at the facility reported that the six youths seized an opportunity while a duty officer was opening the door and rushed out, heading westward. Investigation revealed that one youth's home address is in Kud Chik subdistrict, Sung Noen district, Nakhon Ratchasima, while five others are from Chaiyaphum province.
Around 7:00 a.m., the group stole an Isuzu pickup truck parked in the school's vehicle lot, approximately 800 meters from the detention center. A good Samaritan reported seeing them flee via Highway 2 (Mittraphap Road) heading toward Sung Noen district. Police believe the youth from Nakhon Ratchasima led the group from Chaiyaphum back to their own area and have set up checkpoints along the route while coordinating with police officers and community leaders. The reason for the escape was reportedly homesickness. The stolen truck was later found abandoned in Noen Song district, Chaiyaphum province.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with Nippon Steel Corporation executives to discuss upgrading Thailand’s steel sector toward green industry standards, while reinforcing industrial product qua...
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with Nippon Steel Corporation executives to discuss upgrading Thailand’s steel sector toward green industry standards, while reinforcing industrial product qua...
A new cultural phenomenon is sweeping across Thailand as "Bangkok City," the latest hit single by pop icon KT Kratae, emerges as a dynamic force in cultural Soft Power. Seamlessly blending feel-good d...
A new cultural phenomenon is sweeping across Thailand as "Bangkok City," the latest hit single by pop icon KT Kratae, emerges as a dynamic force in cultural Soft Power. Seamlessly blending feel-good d...
Hundreds of pilgrims visited Wat Luang Por Pak Daeng in Nakhon Nayok to seek lottery numbers and blessings from the revered temple statue ahead of the July 16 draw.
On July 16, 2569, visitors continued visiting Wat Luang Por Pak Daeng in Ban Yai Subdistrict, Muang District, Nakhon Nayok Province, to pay respects to the revered Luang Por Pak Daeng statue and seek blessings for luck, business success, and trouble resolution. Pilgrims presented offerings, paid homage to the golden Thao Wessuwanna Buddha image, released fish as merit-making, and paid respects to an ancient boat. They also peered into the sacred water basin set up by temple staff to spot lottery numbers ahead of the July 16 draw, with numbers including 9, 4, 2, 1, and 9 reported.
Wat Phramani is another over-100-year-old temple where the sacred Luang Por Pak Daeng Buddha image draws devoted worshippers who present offerings of bananas, betel nuts, garlands, and red water to seek blessings. The statue is prominently displayed in the temple's ordination hall.
PhraTeepwatchiphromakun (Luang Por Tung Vajasidhis), the provincial ecclesiastical officer and abbot, said he hoped all devotees would achieve success in their wishes and encouraged them to create merit, as goodness eventually returns to those who practice it.
In a significant boost for Thailand’s Gastronomy Soft Power, Thai Iced Tea has been ranked as the 9th Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage in the World by TasteAtlas for April 2026. This prestigious recognit...
In a significant boost for Thailand’s Gastronomy Soft Power, Thai Iced Tea has been ranked as the 9th Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage in the World by TasteAtlas for April 2026. This prestigious recognit...
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has officially launched the "Chiang Mai Prototype" project, a strategic initiative designed to transform Chiang Mai into a world-class sustainable destination. ...
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has officially launched the "Chiang Mai Prototype" project, a strategic initiative designed to transform Chiang Mai into a world-class sustainable destination. ...
A modified pickup truck struck a van on the Krathing Lai overpass in Pattaya early July 16, leaving five people injured. Police impounded both vehicles and are investigating the pickup driver, who appeared incoherent at the scene.
At 3:00 a.m. on July 16, 2569, Lieutenant Manot Tipwech of Banglamung Police Station responded to a report of a modified pickup truck rear-ending a van on the Krathing Lai overpass heading into Pattaya in Banglamung District, Chonburi Province. At the scene, officers found a gray Isuzu D-Max pickup truck with Chonburi license plates that had struck the rear of a bronze-colored Toyota van, causing severe damage to the van's back end.
Investigators found five injured people: Phonsorn (surname withheld), 38, the pickup driver; Anon (surname withheld), 46, a passenger in the pickup; Akkom (surname withheld), 35, the van driver; Panya (surname withheld), 35, a van passenger; and Thichakorn (surname withheld), 34, also in the van.
Relatives of the injured van passengers explained they had finished selling goods at Rohpoh Market and were traveling in convoy back to Pattaya when they heard a loud crash. A road worker at the scene reported seeing the pickup truck traveling at high speed in a reckless manner before it lost control and struck the van's rear, causing multiple injuries.
Police photographed the scene for evidence and impounded both vehicles at Banglamung Station. The pickup driver, who was incoherent during questioning, was taken in for further investigation and will face legal charges.