Director-General Arada Fuengthong of the Department of International Trade disclosed statistics on Thai rice exports during the first six months of 2025 (January to June), revealing that Thailand exported 3.28 million tonnes, a decline of 18.81 percent, valued at over $1.911 billion or approximately 60.387 billion baht, down 20.51 percent from the corresponding period last year. The reduction results from high global rice supply levels causing intense price competition, with Thai white rice at $447 per tonne exceeding Vietnam at $435 per tonne, Pakistan at $405 per tonne, and India at $367 per tonne. Middle East regional tensions have additionally impacted Thai rice exports to the important Iraqi market, which ceased purchases in March 2025.

However, drought conditions stemming from the El Niño phenomenon may have positive effects by encouraging importers to consider increased rice purchases to manage such risks and enhance food security. Thailand also has opportunities to export rice to alternative high-potential markets replacing Iraq, such as Malaysia, the Philippines, and African regions including South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique, which have increased imports from Thailand.

Arada stated that the department has accelerated market promotion and continued efforts to drive Thai rice exports across multiple regions to reduce reliance on any single market and stimulate purchase orders to absorb Thai rice production. The Department of International Trade will expedite government-to-government (G to G) rice trading negotiations with COFCO and the Chinese government. A delegation of government and private sector representatives is scheduled to visit major rice importers such as the Philippines and Malaysia between August 2 and 6 to build confidence and promote Thai rice exports. The department is confident that full-year exports will meet the target of 7 million tonnes, a 15 percent decline compared to last year's 8.3 million tonnes.

Thailand's taekwondo team, comprising both sparring and poomsae athletes, completed a reinvigorating two-week training camp in Seoul, South Korea from July 22 to August 22. The Thai delegation was warmly welcomed by Lee Ja Hyung, president of the Seoul Taekwondo Association, with no reported injuries and high morale among all participants.

The poomsae team and training partners will conduct a separate training camp in South Korea from July 28 to August 10. According to coaching staff reports, the change of venue created an intense and focused training atmosphere, with athletes receiving valuable experience to prepare for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, scheduled for September 19 to October 4, 2026.

Thailand has qualified 10 taekwondo athletes for the Asian Games: eight in sparring divisions and two in poomsae. The sparring team includes male competitors Sirawit Mahamad (58 kg), Ballang Thabtimadaeng (68 kg, 2024 Asian Games gold medalist), Krityachon Prongpachui (80 kg), and Jack Woody Mercer (over 87 kg), along with female competitors Patchrakan Phoolkerd (49 kg), Natthakamol Wasana (57 kg), Sasikarn Thongjuntra (67 kg), and Kanjanalakshan Chunchueklihn (over 67 kg). Thongjuntra will also compete in virtual taekwondo. The poomsae division features Nawin Pinthasooth in the men's individual category and Thitharee Kaewolarnvesud in the women's individual category.

The 2026 Asian Games taekwondo competition will award 11 gold medals across poomsae (2), sparring (8), and virtual taekwondo (1) categories, with competitions scheduled for October 1-3, 2026.

PHUKET: Forestry officials have inspected Baan Krating Phuket Resort at Laem Krating in Rawai as part of the ongoing ‘Phuket Model’ campaign to investigate suspected encroachment on protected forest land, with the resort presenting a land title deed issued in 2010 to support its claim of legal ownership.

The Cabinet has approved the Khlong Wang Ton reservoir project in Chanthaburi province with a 7.2 billion baht budget and a seven-year implementation timeline (fiscal 2027–2033), according to Deputy Government Spokesperson Pattaradashmi Thongsalveekorn. The project aims to strengthen water security in the Eastern region and support growing demand from households, agriculture, industry, and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development zone.

With a capacity of 99.50 million cubic meters, the reservoir will supply water to approximately 87,700 rai of irrigable land and provide water resources for consumption, farming, and industrial use in Chanthaburi province. The project is one of 38 key water-source development initiatives under the EEC support plan and will enhance long-term water management capacity for the Eastern region.

Official statements emphasized that the project must strictly comply with all applicable laws and requirements from relevant agencies, particularly regarding permits for use of reserved forest and national park areas before construction begins. The Cabinet also approved the "Stable Rural Home" project, to be implemented jointly by the Royal Irrigation Department and the Community Organizations Development Institute (Public Organization), providing housing assistance and fair compensation to residents affected by the construction.

Following revelations by Professor Govin Wivattanapongphan, an internal audit board member at Rajamangala University of Technology Bangkok, Deputy Prime Minister and Higher Education Minister Yotchanan Wongsuwan has ordered the ministry's secretary-general to conduct a comprehensive and urgent fact-finding investigation into allegations that university administrators improperly benefited a Chinese business group by bypassing the university council and deceiving Chinese students into enrolling in self-created programs. The ministry emphasized its commitment to maintaining Thailand's higher education standards and the credibility of the country's international student recruitment. Officials stated that if the investigation uncovers violations of law or ministry regulations, legal action will be pursued without hesitation. The probe will examine admission and enrollment data, immigration and visa records, and curriculum details for both degree and non-degree programs. For degree curricula, investigators will verify compliance with higher education standards and ministry requirements; for non-degree programs, they will check adherence to ministry guidelines. Ministry officials stressed that the investigation aims to clarify the situation for the public, restore confidence in Thailand's higher education system, and confirm that all institutions comply with legal standards and good governance principles when recruiting foreign students.

In preparation for Thailand's hosting of the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings (October 12–18, 2026), the "Art: Wealth" project opens a platform for young people to create artworks conveying the message "Know How to Use, Know Value, Develop Forward" (Art for Resilient Future). The initiative aims to promote learning in finance, responsible resource use, and sustainable economic development through painting and photography competitions spanning four education levels, bringing youth creativity to the world stage.

Winning and selected participants will receive prizes worth over 1 million baht and digital certificates, along with the opportunity to have their work featured in an exhibition.

Online registration and artwork submissions are open from August 15 to September 4, 2026 (by 6:00 p.m.) via www.youthailand.com. For more information, call 0 2078 5835 (Monday–Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.).