The government announced the success of the 'Thai Help Thai Plus' program, which has assisted over 39 million people with 78,000 million baht circulating through the economy and distributing income to over 1.09 million shops. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Perdsiviwat explained that the Cabinet was informed on July 21, 2025 of the program's progress, implemented within a budget framework exceeding 175,000 million baht over four months to relieve citizens' living costs amid rising energy prices while boosting grassroots economic activity.

The three sub-projects have helped over 39 million people and created sustained money circulation. Sub-projects 1 and 2 assisted 13.18 million welfare card holders by increasing their benefit allocation by 700 baht, bringing total monthly assistance to 1,000 baht per person for four months, covering essential expenses including food, consumer goods, transportation, water, electricity, cooking gas, and disability benefits. From June 1–30, 2025, 13,581.13 million baht was allocated, with 12,925.72 million baht spent primarily through community shops.

Sub-project 3, 'Thai Help Thai Plus (60/40)', had reached 26.04 million people by July 19, 2025 at 11 p.m., generating 78,142 million baht in economic circulation—comprising 33,176 million baht (42 percent) from public contributions and 44,966 million baht (58 percent) from government. Over 1.09 million shops have registered and are operational, with over 99 percent being small businesses, dominated by restaurants, general stores, and community shops.

Perdsiviwat noted that program funds have spread across all regions, with 22 major cities accounting for 63 percent of spending—led by Bangkok, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi—while 55 secondary cities represent 37 percent, led by Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Ratchaburi, and Chiang Rai, demonstrating that funds are not concentrated in major cities but stimulate grassroots economies nationwide.

Spending behavior shows citizens utilized benefits most heavily in the first week of the month, with over 12 million users daily averaging 20 million transactions and 2,200–2,800 million baht daily before declining to 500–2,000 million baht after the first week. Weekend activity surged, and in the first month, 94 percent of users spent over 800 baht of government co-payment while 48 percent fully used the 1,000 baht entitlement.

The government also promoted technology adoption for small retailers through 'Nok Krasip' (WhisperingBird), an AI assistant in the digital wallet app that summarizes and analyzes sales, identifies peak hours, checks raw material prices, and generates sales reports for future loan applications. By June 30, 2025, over 640,000 shops used the chatbot and over 440,000 used the Sales Insight feature.

"The 'Thai Help Thai Plus' program demonstrates that government measures effectively reduce living costs while creating continuous economic circulation," Perdsiviwat concluded.

Udom Surachat opened up at a press conference marking 96 years since Surphol Samathaichaloem's death at the Novotel Hotel Lak Si, revealing that having no heirs of his own, he has begun planning to build the "Samathaichaloem Art Hall" to preserve his father's invaluable collections and works as a legacy for future generations. He confirmed that music copyrights remain under family control and stated he will not involve himself in disputes between his brother Surachai Samathaichaloem and his nephew Rocky Surabodindhorn, letting the father and son settle their differences themselves.

When asked if he has decided who will take over the work if he can no longer manage it, Udom elaborated: "We've only recently started discussing this because I have no heirs—I have no family, just myself, always working alone. I've been talking with senior musicians and artists about creating a history museum or museum. I've collected so many of my father's belongings and don't want them to disappear after I'm gone. When I'm no longer here, there may be no more commemoration events, but I want this to endure as a museum—statues, photographs never shown to anyone before, plus thousands of recordings from the Samathaichaloem band that I've collected. I want to establish the Samathaichaloem Art Hall to preserve the legend. We're currently looking for a location, ideally in Suphan Buri province where our family originates."

Regarding music copyrights, Udom explained: "We have 22 more years under the Samathaichaloem label. Early songs will likely expire since my father didn't compose alone—my uncles were singers and composers too, all collaborating. For anyone wanting to use these songs, they must contact me directly. I've established a company managing copyrights with fewer than 200 songs in our portfolio. Even after I'm gone, my father's siblings will continue managing it for another 50 years. There are other heirs among the siblings who co-composed."

Addressing earlier posts about a granddaughter, Udom clarified: "The direct heirs are five in total; grandchildren have no rights unless we all pass away. When I posted about the 'true granddaughter,' I meant my uncle's child whom I hadn't seen for over 30 years and never encountered until he appeared at his father's funeral. I didn't know he was my grandchild until he came forward at the wake. I noticed he resembled my uncle and only learned his identity when he brought flowers to pay respects and introduced himself. He said he'd met me once when he was three years old. There was no other intent."

Asked if this was connected to family drama, Udom responded firmly: "No, I'm not taking sides with anyone. Our family has never interfered in each other's affairs because I don't know all the details of what happened. I can't judge who was right or wrong. Yes, I've been criticized heavily online, but I simply say I don't know. As I've stated, I'm not choosing sides. A grandchild is a grandchild—that's unavoidable. Either someone is or isn't. Many claim false connections. Surphol has only five direct heirs. I don't even know how many grandchildren exist—maybe close to ten. We're not interfering with anyone; we're just doing our work."

When asked if recent events have damaged the Samathaichaloem family name, Udom acknowledged: "There's some impact due to differing opinions, but this isn't unique to our family..."

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Phuket – Residents in parts of Phuket reported feeling tremors late Wednesday morning after a moderate earthquake struck off the northern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake, recorded at 11:18 AM local time, registered a magnitude of 5.1 at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers. The epicenter was located about 381 kilometers southwest of Satun […] Earthquake Felt in Phuket After Tremor Strikes Northern Sumatra -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Phuket — Authorities in Phuket have launched an urgent investigation into reports of discolored seawater along Patong Beach, following directives from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin to strengthen land use oversight and environmental protection in the province. Governor Chotnarin Kedsom instructed the Phuket Office of Natural Resources and […] Phuket Governor Orders Urgent Water Quality Checks at Patong Beach -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

Prime Minister Anuthín Charnvirakul, heading the Bhumjaithai Party, discussed the special election for Udon Thani District 3 on July 22 at Nong Nooch Garden in Chachoengsao Province. The seat became vacant following the death of incumbent Rang Thurapol. Anuthín said the party maintains good relations with its coalition partner Pheu Thai, emphasizing that the government exists to serve the people and the nation.

When asked whether Pheu Thai would step aside as political courtesy typically dictates, Anuthín said he cannot speak for others. He stressed that Bhumjaithai must prepare a capable, ready candidate who can serve the local community and select the best person available.

On the question of coalition courtesy, Anuthín remarked that norms have been broken before and questioned how he could reciprocate. He stated the party will field its strongest candidate and let voters decide, noting there is no risk in doing so—victory would be balanced, defeat would be borne alone. When asked if he was concerned about the Move Forward Party, which grew significantly in the last general election, Anuthín replied that his concern during electoral contests is whether the party has done well by the people. He emphasized that as a current MP, he works the ground almost daily and prioritizes fieldwork over party meetings, rejecting any notion that holding office guarantees easy victory. He concluded that everything ultimately rests with the people and their decision must be respected.

Prime Minister Anuchim Chaivirakul said on July 22 that he is urging the Central Administrative Court Committee to expedite a report on its resolution to dismiss 5,924 local officials, which was scheduled for July 23 but postponed indefinitely. The PM stated the matter requires an official written report before Deputy Interior Minister Voraphot Liangprasoet, whom he assigned to oversee the Department of Local Administration, can proceed. Once the committee has completed its review and is ready, a meeting will be called.

When asked whether legal authority to revoke officials' positions ultimately rests with the CACC, Anuchin confirmed it is a committee resolution. He clarified that affected individuals have the right to challenge the decision in court, which will be settled through legal proceedings. He stressed that all agencies must follow the law, even the Interior Ministry cannot direct the CACC as it operates independently within the legal framework.

Regarding details, the PM said affected persons can pursue legal action to contest whether the CACC had proper authority to dismiss them. He reaffirmed that a formal report must be submitted first, and that further details should be requested from the Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry.