The Royal Irrigation Department reports that this year's opening water supplies remain below last year's levels, despite improving rainfall. Officials are urging careful water management and preparing for potential flooding during the full monsoon season. Agriculture Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit emphasized that the ministry is closely monitoring water conditions and weather patterns, instructing the irrigation department to manage water resources prudently in order to ensure water security, reduce flood risks, and preserve water for the dry season.

According to data from the Smart Water Operation Center (SWOC) on July 22, 2025, large and medium-sized reservoirs nationwide held 42,563 million cubic meters of water, representing 56 percent of total capacity, with an additional storage capacity of over 34,102 million cubic meters available. However, compared to the same period last year when reserves reached 45,131 million cubic meters, this year's starting supplies are lower, despite recent increases in inflow and favorable conditions. The department is closely monitoring the remainder of the monsoon season, which will be critical for replenishing the nation's water supplies.

Rainfall from January 1 to July 19, 2025, averaged 624.6 millimeters nationwide, about 10 percent below normal, with many regions recording below-average precipitation. The western coast of southern Thailand experienced roughly 15 percent above-normal rainfall. Key reservoirs in the Chao Phraya basin—Bhumibol, Sirikit, Khwae Noi Bhumrung Dam, and Pasak Chon—currently hold 12,406 million cubic meters, or 50 percent of combined capacity, which remains manageable.

Projections indicate that water reserves should be sufficient to support consumption, ecosystem maintenance, and agriculture through the 2025-2026 dry season. In preparation for potential flooding, the Irrigation Department deployed machinery to 28 provinces between July 13-19, using 163 units including 153 pumps that moved more than 46,643 cubic meters of water. Since May 1, the department has assisted 40 provinces using 397 units of equipment to mitigate flood damage. Despite lower starting reserves, the department is managing water systematically through the Smart Water Operation Center, monitoring rainfall, reservoir levels, and river conditions around the clock.

Online sellers who skip livestreaming are missing Shopee's most powerful money-making channel. Statistics consistently show that customers who watch live streams are far more likely to make a purchase than those browsing a regular storefront—because they see the real product, can ask questions, get instant answers, and access exclusive live-only deals. However, new sellers often face the same problem: opening a livestream to barely any viewers and losing motivation sitting alone. Today we share the professional techniques that successful merchants actually use.

The First 15 Minutes Are Critical

Shopee Live's algorithm evaluates your stream based on viewer count and engagement during those opening moments. If the early period has strong viewership, the system will promote your stream on the livestream recommendation page, naturally attracting new viewers. So never open a stream quietly—post a scheduled time in advance across all channels and go live during peak hours (midday and 1–5 p.m.).

Build Momentum Fast

Many professional shops use the tactic of boosting initial viewer numbers in the opening minutes to make the count look busy and signal the algorithm to push the stream faster. Current services let you add Shopee Live viewers using just the public link without needing your shop password, and you can choose the viewer count and duration based on your budget. Combined with good products and streaming, this helps you breeze through the slow opening and reach the point where real viewers flow in continuously much faster.

Keep Your Cart Ready and Your Pitch Sharp

Pin featured products in your cart throughout the stream and make regular pitches—like "free shipping code has only 10 slots left" or "this price is only in the live stream." The sense that stock is running out is the best sales trigger. Don't forget to read commenter names and reply fast, because every comment is a positive signal that the algorithm counts.

Build Your Fan Base Every Livestream

Before closing each stream, encourage viewers to follow your shop and turn on notifications so your next stream starts with a larger base of returning viewers. Do this consistently for 3–4 weeks and you'll see a clear difference in both viewer count and sales, because livestream selling is not a sprint—it's a consistency game where patient sellers win. Try applying all four tactics in your next livestream and you'll see that livestream success isn't as out of reach for small shops as you thought.

On July 23, 2025, highway police led by Deputy Phot Thatchasuwan, commander of Highway Police Division 1, and Deputy Sarnsak Saeang, commander of Highway Police Region 2 Division 1, arrested Saksit (surname withheld), 43, on charges of stealing property intended for public use. Officers seized 16 tools including various wrenches, files, screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, rubber gloves, and rubber boots from the suspect's possession.

The arrest occurred beneath an overpass on the bypass road around Saraburi Highway 362 at kilometer 0 in Pak Phraeo subdistrict, Muang district, Saraburi province. The case began when the Highway Traffic Management System (LMS) control center detected surveillance footage showing the suspect climbing onto smart directional signs along Mittraphap Road (Highway 2) at kilometer 25 toward Bangkok in Thabkwang subdistrict, Kaeng Khoi district, Saraburi. Officers discovered that 27 meters of THW IEC 01 electrical cable (1×16 square millimeters) had been stolen, along with damaged pipes and fittings totaling approximately 7,366 baht in loss. However, the suspect had fled before being apprehended.

Authorities tracked the suspect and found him walking in Sabon village, Moo 5, Thabkwang subdistrict. His appearance matched surveillance footage, leading to his arrest. During questioning, the suspect confessed to climbing the smart sign, pulling the cable pipe at the joint, cutting the wires inside, descending and extracting the cables from below, then running across the road to escape. He sold the stolen wire to a scrap metal buyer passing on Mittraphap Road for only 146 baht.

Background checks revealed the suspect had committed an identical theft on April 19, 2024, and had only recently completed his sentence before reoffending. He was detained along with the seized items and referred to Kaeng Khoi police station for further legal proceedings.

On July 23, 2025, police at Thung Song Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat announced the arrest of a man identified as Mani, or Taan, age 42, along with 1,559,942 methamphetamine pills. He was apprehended at a house in Moo 6, Na Luang Sen subdistrict, Thung Song district. Officers also recovered one firearm, over 1 million baht in cash, a white Isuzu pickup truck, and 25 other items.

The arrest followed a tip-off that a drug network was operating from the location and planning a major drug shipment. When police arrived, the suspect was standing by the truck and fled upon seeing officers. He was pursued and subdued, and a search of the vehicle and house revealed the methamphetamine cache. He faces charges of drug trafficking and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, with potential charges related to endangering public security.

Nakhon Si Thammarat Governor Somchai Leelamnoi stated that the province has led the nation in drug-related arrests and asset seizures under a 90-day government crackdown. This arrest represents the largest single haul to date. Last year, the province seized 227 million baht in assets from drug suspects, and this year through July, authorities have already seized 148 million baht.

Thailand's Ombudsman Somgsak Saiched announced on July 23, 2569 that the government is preparing stricter laws to combat nominee ownership, money laundering, and online scams. The Ombudsman has visited multiple border areas to strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries including China, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos on scammer operations.

For nominee ownership within Thailand, several agencies are implementing legal reforms. The Commerce Ministry issued a directive requiring retroactive review of Thai shareholder proportions for three months, though the Ombudsman suggests this period should extend to one to three years. The Anti-Money Laundering Office is amending laws to classify nominee ownership as a money-laundering offense, while the Land Department has proposed to the Cabinet that penalties be increased from the current ten-thousand-baht fine and property return to property confiscation by the state, imprisonment up to three years, and fines around 3 million baht for both Thai and foreign shareholders.

High-risk areas identified include Huai Khwang district in Bangkok, agricultural regions such as Chanthaburi, Trat, Rayong, Chumphon, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Ratchaburi, Phetchabun, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai, as well as tourism zones with many hotels and resorts held by nominees. The Ombudsman acknowledged that solving these problems is complex, but as a constitutional body, his office will continue pushing implementing agencies to take sustained and intensive action.

At 11:57 a.m. on July 23, 2025, Bannang Sata Police Station received a report of a fatal shooting in the Ban Dalamap area, Khueun Bang Lang Subdistrict, Bannang Sata District, Yala Province. Officers responded alongside military and local administration personnel. The victim, identified as Narong (surname withheld), 48, was a supervisor overseeing a road-widening project. Authorities cordoned off the scene to collect evidence and launched an urgent investigation to apprehend the perpetrators.

Preliminary investigation indicates two assailants wearing helmets that obscured their faces rode a single motorcycle. They shot the victim while he was working behind a backhoe, apparently using a handgun. After the shooting, they accelerated away toward Tha To District in Yala Province. Security forces are actively pursuing leads to track down the suspects.