The Bank of Thailand has revealed that Thailand's informal economy ranks 14th worldwide, causing the state to lose tax revenue and budget funds. On July 31, 2025, Sethaput Ratanapor, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, delivered a special address at The INTANIA Forum on surviving under the new world order at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Engineering, with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in attendance. Ratanapor explained that the traditional economic world driven by globalization, free trade, and maximum efficiency has changed, and the global economy has entered a multipolar era where no single power determines direction. He highlighted how tariffs and trade measures are now used as tools of power competition, while global shocks from COVID-19, the Ukraine war, trade conflicts, and Middle Eastern tensions occur frequently.

Ratanapor stated that Thai economy must not only be flexible but also absorb shocks, adapt, and move forward. The key is structural economic reform, particularly addressing resource misallocation, which hampers productivity and the nation's GDP potential. He noted that Thailand does not lack capital—the Bank of Thailand currently absorbs liquidity through various channels worth approximately 5-6 trillion baht daily—but much of this money does not flow to efficient business units, resulting in below-potential economic growth.

Data reveals clear anomalies: over 75% of capital is allocated to large businesses, while SME credit has remained negative for 15 consecutive quarters. Even the top 30% of high-performing SMEs access only 21% of credit compared to large businesses accessing 63%. Ratanapor highlighted that financing cost disparities worsen SME competition, with efficient small businesses paying average interest of 7.8% while large enterprises pay around 3.9%. The solution involves creating a large-scale database to improve credit disbursement accuracy, reduce credit risk costs, and lower operational expenses. This database would integrate credit information, utility consumption data, and alternative data to more comprehensively assess borrower potential.

Ratanapor said this aligns with government policy, with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitivattananon leading the initiative and using the government's Connect mechanism as the driving force. Success would help small-scale individuals and disciplined SMEs without sufficient collateral to access credit at reasonable costs. He emphasized that reallocating resources to more efficient business units would improve the Thai economy, increase productivity, and expand GDP potential.

Another major problem, he noted, is underground capital and the informal economy, which drain resources from the real economy. Thailand has the world's 14th-largest informal economy, representing 9-13% of economic activity as gray economy, preventing the state from collecting taxes and keeping money out of the budget system. The Bank of Thailand is closing multiple loopholes, including requiring explanations for cash withdrawals exceeding 5 million baht monthly. This followed the discovery that old 1,000-baht banknotes worth 140,000 million baht had disappeared from the system. Authorities are also monitoring gold transactions through apps that affect the baht's value. Ratanapor stated that gold regulatory measures are being implemented.

The death of Bavortthat Pengsuk, known as Hlun Solo, a Class of 71 political science graduate from Chulalongkorn University and prominent Thai YouTuber, while traveling in Georgia to film travel content from sociological and anthropological perspectives, has drawn significant public attention.

His personal history shows he was an excellent student with strong aspirations for self-improvement and personal development who successfully qualified for admission through the Chulalongkorn-Rural Scholarship Program as a Class 37 fellow, realizing his dreams.

The Chulalongkorn-Rural Program was initiated by the late Rector Prof. Dr. Kasem Suwannakul to provide higher education opportunities at Chulalongkorn University to high school graduates who otherwise lacked the financial means to study alongside regular students. Prof. Dr. Manu Viraborusat, the Academic Vice-Rector at that time, oversaw establishment of the "Chulalongkorn-Rural Unit" to administer the program. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Grich Supsandi, a faculty member from the School of Journalism, served as the unit's first director.

The program began accepting high-achieving students from economically disadvantaged families who could not afford university education in 1982, covering those who met entrance exam criteria and passed selection. Full scholarships were awarded covering tuition, accommodation, and personal expenses. The first cohort consisted of 41 students selected from Eastern and Northeastern provinces. The program has since expanded to accept students from target areas across various faculties at Chulalongkorn University.

The program's early years faced considerable challenges and obstacles, but efforts focused on establishing a solid foundation aimed at creating educational opportunities and providing life capital for qualified rural students. The process included recruitment drives and examinations held in different provinces. Once results were released, the program committee would visit students' hometowns to personally assess their family circumstances.

Chulalongkorn University has since elevated the Chulalongkorn-Rural Unit to the status of Chulalongkorn-Rural Center, providing educational opportunities to more than 170 rural students annually. To date, the program has supported 44 cohorts and has graduated over 1,500 successful professionals serving in government, state enterprises, and the private sector, many holding recognized and prominent positions in their respective organizations.

Applications are accepted approximately August to September each year. Information is sent to schools in target areas, and recruitment is announced through the website http://www.rural.chula.ac.th. The university hopes the Chulalongkorn-Rural Program will continue fulfilling its mission to expand educational opportunities and support high-achieving, economically disadvantaged youth across all academic disciplines.

A 36-year-old daughter-in-law has been arrested on suspicion of fatally attacking her 74-year-old mother-in-law at a home in Muang District, Phuket. Police are investigating the motive and gathering evidence for prosecution. The suspect has been receiving psychiatric care since 2016.

Family members interviewed at the scene expressed shock at the incident and the suspect's behavior. The home has been cleaned, with bloodstained furniture placed outside. The victim's sister-in-law said a child alerted her to blood outside, and she arrived to find the suspect attacking the victim. She said the suspect then stared at her menacingly.

The sister-in-law explained that the victim normally lived with the daughter-in-law, while her son resides in Bangkok. She said the suspect had been caring for the elderly woman very well since arriving in January—washing her clothes, helping her bathe, and bringing her breakfast daily. "We don't understand why she would do something like this," the sister-in-law said. "They seemed to get along so well."

A neighbor who discovered the victim said she first saw her lying outside the door with blood. When she returned on her motorcycle, the victim was still lying motionless with her leg extended.

Police Colonel Sinlerp Sukum, commander of Phuket Provincial Police, said the attack occurred around 9 a.m. No one heard screams. During questioning, the victim's son revealed that the suspect has been undergoing psychiatric treatment since 2016 and continued regular appointments.

The household consisted of three people: the elderly mother, her husband, and the suspect, who had lived together for about 10 years. The suspect had been providing good care, cooking meals and changing her mother-in-law's clothes. The victim's health had been declining. Her husband works in Bangkok and was scheduled to catch a flight this morning when he learned of the incident. Police have charged the suspect with murder.

On August 1, Prime Minister Anuthon Charnweerakul, accompanied by National Police Commissioner General Kittarat Panpetch and Chon Buri Governor Narit Niramaiwan, visited the locations where Russian tourists and others were found dead in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. The prime minister arrived by helicopter and inspected the site where two Russian visitors were discovered in the Chakangaew forest, then traveled about two kilometers to a coconut plantation where the bodies of three family members were found.

Anuthon stated that the government will not support reducing sentences for those convicted of violent crimes that harm public and tourist confidence. He ordered increased security measures and area patrols to prevent similar incidents. The prime minister expressed condolences to the victims' families and apologized to Russian tourists and citizens, emphasizing that the crimes were the acts of individuals, not a reflection of Thailand's overall safety.

Regarding the suspect's previous criminal history, Anuthon indicated the need to review law enforcement measures and instructed investigators to prepare comprehensive case files for the court's sentencing consideration. He noted that while Thailand retains capital punishment under law, sentencing remains the court's authority, and the government's role is to prosecute through the full justice process to ensure the perpetrators receive appropriate punishment.

Land prices in Phuket's Patong Beach area have surged to 1 million baht per square wah, with beachfront property values climbing 300 percent from 5-7 million baht per rai to 15-21 million baht per rai, according to data released on August 1, 2568. Sophon Phorchokchai, chairman of the Thai Real Estate Information and Appraisal Center (Agency for Real Estate Affairs), revealed that Patong Beach land was valued at 350 million baht per rai or 875,000 baht per square wah in 2568, with other popular beaches following: Bang Tao, Surin, and Karon at 80 million baht per rai or 200,000 baht per square wah.

Phuket's major beachfront areas and their valuations include: Mai Khao Beach at 45 million baht per rai; Bang Tao at 80 million baht per rai; Kamala at 70 million baht per rai; Patong at 350 million baht per rai (the highest); Karon at 70 million baht per rai; Rawai at 70 million baht per rai; Chalong Bay at 45 million baht per rai; Panwa Cape at 50 million baht per rai; Pho Bay at 20 million baht per rai; and Coconut Bay at 15 million baht per rai.

Isaree Bunyuang, managing director of Ganda Property Company, noted that continuous demand for Phuket land has driven prices up 20-40 percent across all locations. The growth of pool villa developments has dispersed residential construction beyond beachfront areas. Patong currently commands the highest prices at 1 million baht per square wah due to limited supply and its appeal as a nightlife tourism destination suited for short-term stays, while Bang Tao is popular for long-term pool villa and condominium developments.

Mettapongse Upatisubhatn, president of the Phuket Real Estate Association, disclosed that beachfront land prices have surged 300 percent, rising from 5-7 million baht per rai to 15-21 million baht per rai.

On August 1, 2025, Praompong Nopruthi, former spokesperson for Thai for Thai party, stated that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signaled possible reshuffles of high-ranking Interior Ministry officials, pledging to reset the ministry with work as the primary focus and no protection for wrongdoers. Praompong agreed with this stance and emphasized that improving the ministry should be measured by transparency, efficiency, and tangible results for citizens—not merely rotating positions like musical chairs.

Regarding the discovery of irregularities in local government civil service exam scores affecting over 5,000 candidates, Praompong called for swift fact-checking and straightforward legal action without exception, regardless of a suspect's rank. He stressed that transparency is the heart of good governance and essential to restoring public trust in the civil service.

Praompong proposed elevating provincial governors to serve as economic commanders for their regions, tasked with coordinating all sectors, creating jobs, attracting investment, and addressing cost-of-living pressures. Citizens expect to see tangible improvements in daily life, including faster service delivery, reduced bureaucratic steps, efficient disaster management, serious drug suppression with action against major trafficking networks, and innovation-driven grassroots economic development.

He also renewed the perennial call for decentralized authority, allowing provinces to elect their own governors rather than having the central government appoint them. Praompong noted that appointed officials nearing retirement often lack urgency in driving provincial development according to government policy.

On cabinet reshuffle rumors, while the Prime Minister has denied imminent changes, Praompong stopped short of predicting specifics. He reflected that public surveys consistently show citizens want leadership based on merit, whole-of-government coordination, solutions to living costs, energy price relief, anti-corruption action, and restored economic confidence. These, he said, are major challenges the Prime Minister must heed to avoid disappointing the people.