Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphas announced on July 21 that the government is rushing to hold a meeting this week to review criteria and conditions for a revised state welfare card program, with cabinet approval targeted for July 27. The initiative aims to help genuinely disadvantaged citizens, as public complaints have revealed that many unqualified applicants were receiving benefits. The Finance Ministry has identified 2.3 million additional eligible recipients who meet all new criteria.

During the review process, authorities discovered serious fraud involving approximately 20,000 to 30,000 cases where citizens' personal data was misused to register them as company directors without their knowledge, and fraudsters used their names to open stock trading accounts. Ekniti emphasized that genuine victims of this fraud will receive full assistance and benefit restoration, while perpetrators will face legal action. He stressed that companies using villagers' names as employees or board members of shell companies operated by business groups will be held accountable.

Ekniti outlined the welfare card program's principles, developed in consultation with the Interior Ministry, noting that the government will deploy officials to help affected communities. He reassured citizens that truly disadvantaged people have nothing to worry about and will receive full government support. The welfare card complements other assistance programs including elderly pensions of 600-1,000 baht monthly and disability benefits, all of which remain unchanged. The revised welfare card program will specifically target those with no existing welfare benefits.

Thai Credit Bank's Chief Executive Officer Roy Augustinus Kunara announced first-half 2025 results showing net profit of 2,153.9 million baht, a 17.8% increase compared to the same period last year, while second-quarter profit reached 989.3 million baht, up 6.9%. The bank's earnings per share totaled 1.74 baht for the half-year and 0.80 baht for Q2 2025, demonstrating strong and stable business fundamentals despite challenging economic conditions.

Key performance drivers included a 6.8% rise in interest income from sustained credit expansion, with total outstanding loans reaching 194,080.5 million baht at the end of Q2 2025—up 13.1% year-on-year. Micro SME credit grew particularly strongly at 13.9% following the launch of the new "SME Help Boost" credit product and the Micro SME Business Center, a comprehensive business advisory hub. Home-secured lending expanded 9.4% and personal lending surged 44.9%, while the bank also received compensation income from government flood-relief measures.

Interest expenses increased 9.7%, primarily from debt instruments and subordinated bonds issued as part of a strategic cost management plan aligned with current market conditions. Thai Credit Bank continues disciplined financial management with rigorous credit risk controls paired with proactive measures supporting business liquidity under government stimulus programs like the SMEs Credit Boost initiative, which helps entrepreneurs access funding efficiently at fair rates. The bank's net interest margin improved to 7.1% for the first half of 2025.

Asset quality remained well-managed, with the gross non-performing loan ratio rising slightly to 4.3% but staying within the bank's target range, while NPL coverage ratio held steady at a strong 148.2%, up from year-ago levels and positioned to absorb future economic uncertainty. The bank maintains confidence in achieving double-digit credit growth in 2025 while controlling its NPL ratio.

Kasikornbank reported first-half 2025 profit of 27.915 billion baht, up 6.22 percent, despite a slowdown in second-quarter economic activity. The bank expects a recovery in the second half driven by government stimulus measures, but faces ongoing risks from Middle Eastern conflict, energy prices, U.S. tariffs, and El Niño effects.

Kattiya Intravijai, president and chief executive of Kasikornbank, said Thai economic growth slowed in the second quarter amid mounting external pressures, particularly Middle East tensions, which have kept energy costs elevated and increased inflation and living-cost pressures domestically. Government stimulus measures have only partially flowed into the real economy, while tourism faces recovery constraints with foreign arrivals declining year-on-year. Electronics and AI-related exports performed strongly, but other export categories are weakening as trading partners' economies slow.

In the second half of 2025, Thai economic growth is expected to improve compared to the second quarter, with domestic spending supported by additional government economic stimulus measures. However, these efforts may prove insufficient to reverse the full-year slowdown, as the economy faces ongoing uncertainty from Middle East developments, which could keep global energy prices volatile and elevated. U.S. tariff policies, El Niño developments, and constraints on government spending disbursement and effectiveness remain significant challenges for Thai economic recovery in the remainder of the year.

Given the high-uncertainty economic environment, the bank is closely monitoring and assessing the situation to manage risks, adjust strategy, and implement operations flexibly while supporting customers through the uncertain period and backing government policy fully.

In the second quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter, the bank and subsidiaries posted net profit attributable to the bank of 13.247 billion baht, down 9.68 percent. Quarter-on-quarter net profit attributable to the bank declined 0.98 percent when adjusted for a one-time investment valuation gain of 1.455 billion baht in the prior quarter. Net interest income totaled 31.432 billion baht, down 1.64 percent, while non-interest income rose 4.14 percent to 18.291 billion baht. Operating expenses came to 20.750 billion baht, up 7.63 percent, primarily from increased marketing costs tied to revenue growth and technology spending to enhance customer service capabilities. Year-on-year, however, operating expenses fell 0.26 percent, reflecting the bank's ongoing efficiency management strategy. The bank also set aside 10.019 billion baht in expected credit loss provisions to cover economic uncertainty and future challenges, both domestic and international, which carry high volatility and require close monitoring.

Actress Grace Kanjchanarak has clarified that she does not look down on bachelor's degrees, emphasizing that all levels of education have their own value. In a video clip, Grace explained that she began working at age 15 while pursuing her studies, and during her university years she had no clear goals and felt like she was just going through the motions. She noted that her bachelor's degree gave her only a diploma, but her master's degree represented a life-changing moment and a new chapter for herself. This sparked some misunderstanding that Grace was disparaging bachelor's degrees.

At a recent press conference for the 8th National SMART Academic Conference at Dhurakij Pundit University, Grace clarified that she never intended to devalue undergraduate education. She explained that each level of education has distinct value: a bachelor's degree provides essential foundational knowledge, while master's and doctoral degrees involve deeper specialization. She emphasized that studying is an expression of responsibility to society, not simply finding information from Google or AI and repeating it.

Grace also revealed her special instructor persona—while she is naturally funny, she still delivers knowledge fully, creating classes that are both informative and entertaining with no sleepy students. When asked about her earlier comments that she gained little from her bachelor's degree beyond the diploma, Grace clarified: "That was taken as a short clip, but I wasn't saying undergraduate education is worthless. I got my degree and credentials, but I couldn't build upon what I learned then because my current career is acting. That field of study didn't support my professional path to the end."

She continued: "A master's degree is deeper study in a field, and a doctorate is the deepest specialization in that subject. It doesn't mean I have more knowledge overall. A bachelor's degree is foundational education meant to be applied in a career—every degree has its use, but a doctorate specifically goes deep into one subject. I don't diminish or look down on bachelor's degrees. My point is that if you want to know something, know it properly in that field, because it's a responsibility. As someone whose words carry weight, I can't just search Google or AI and repeat it. Studying is showing responsibility to society."

Buriram Marathon 2027, presented by Chang Natural Mineral Water, is launching its second decade with a pledge to become Asia's premier marathon destination while generating economic momentum through sports. The race will take place on the evening of Saturday, January 23, 2027, under the theme "Beat the Night, Run the Light," transforming Buriram's night into a festival of running and illumination. The event starts at the world-class Chang International Circuit and finishes at Chang Arena football stadium, offering four race categories: marathon (42.195 km), half-marathon (21.1 km), mini-marathon (10 km), and fun run (4.554 km).

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phanjaroen highlighted that Buriram Marathon has proven itself as a model mass-participation event linking sports, tourism, and the economy. Over the past 10 years, it has generated approximately 5.2 billion baht in economic circulation while distributing benefits to local communities through Buriram residents' participation and international-standard race management. The ministry is committed to supporting the event as part of efforts to position Thailand as a leading sports tourism destination in Asia.

Buriram Governor Piya Pichinam credited the marathon's success to provincial unity, from cheering squads and volunteers to local residents serving as hosts along the race route. He announced that the province aims to elevate the event across all dimensions to accommodate the growing influx of international tourists and runners. Surapol Utindoo, managing director of Chang Natural Mineral Water, expressed pride in supporting the marathon's growth for 11 years and pledged to continue enhancing the experience through entertainment, lights, colors, sound, and special activities for both returning and new runners.

Bangkok Asset Management (BAM) has purchased non-performing loans worth over 6 billion baht from Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) in an exclusive large-lot transaction, reinforcing its position as Thailand's premier asset management company. According to Raksa Worakitpokathon, BAM's Chief Executive Officer, this acquisition marks another significant step in expanding the company's asset portfolio and strengthening its growth potential.

BAM will immediately apply its "Fresh Start with BAM" program to borrowers in the acquired SCB portfolio, focusing on restructuring debts to match each borrower's financial capacity. The goal is to increase opportunities for debtors to achieve financial stability and make sustainable repayment, aligning with BAM's role as a creator of financial opportunities and a driver of economic recovery.

"We expect this investment to generate returns exceeding 15% and to collect no less than 500 million baht in cash from the portfolio by the end of 2025, which will be another important factor supporting the company's performance growth according to targets," Raksa stated. He noted that the debt purchase reflects BAM's confidence in the non-performing loan market's potential and underscores the company's disciplined investment strategy coupled with careful risk management. Beyond asset management, BAM continues its mission to revive the economy, create opportunities for borrowers to re-enter the financial system, enable productive assets to generate economic value again, and drive sustainable organizational growth.