The Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced that from January 1 to July 4, 2025, Thailand received 16.21 million foreign tourists, generating 782.5 billion baht in spending. Despite a 3.11 percent decline compared to the same period last year, tourism trends are beginning to recover as the summer holiday season approaches for multiple countries.

Tourism Minister Surasak Phandcharoen reported that this week's tourism sector is showing expansion momentum, driven significantly by the onset of summer school holidays across various nations. Both short-haul markets such as China and Hong Kong, as well as long-haul markets including France, Germany, and the Netherlands, are contributing to increased visitor arrivals.

During this week, 533,697 foreign tourists entered Thailand, with the top five source countries being China (83,492 visitors), Malaysia (78,306), India (32,657), Taiwan (20,625), and Austria (20,498).

Expectations for next week indicate further increases in foreign arrivals, supported by China's summer school holidays and the European tourism season.

As of July 5, 2025, cumulative data from January 1 to July 4 shows Thailand hosted 16.21 million foreign tourists, generating 782.5 billion baht in spending. The top five countries by cumulative visitor numbers are China (2.65 million), Malaysia (2.11 million), India (1.24 million), Russia (1.02 million), and South Korea (596,673).

Sports Minister Surasak Pancharoenwakul stated he is prepared to listen to all parties to revise child boxing laws and strike a balance between promoting the sport and protecting children, with child safety as the top priority.

On July 6, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., Surasak held a press conference following a meeting on Thai sports development strategies. He revealed progress on government restructuring plans, which include establishing an independent Ministry of Sports and consolidating tourism functions with the Culture Ministry to enhance overall sports and tourism administration. The legal proceedings are expected to be completed by late this year or early next year.

The minister explained that creating a dedicated Sports Ministry is crucial for developing Thailand's sports industry as an economic engine generating income and careers. This will be coupled with advances in sports science, systematic athlete development, and expanded youth sports access to boost Thailand's international standing.

Regarding anti-doping oversight, Surasak disclosed that the meeting approved upgrading the sports anti-doping agency to public organization status, ensuring independent and transparent operations while reducing conflicts of interest between regulatory and competition-organizing bodies. This will elevate Thailand's anti-doping standards to international acceptance.

On youth boxer safety, the minister stressed that child protection remains paramount. The ministry and Thai Sports Authority are implementing standard safety measures and protective equipment while consulting relevant agencies to refine boxing laws balancing sport promotion with child welfare. Additionally, the government plans to provide equipment and budget support to boxing camps to reduce operational costs and sustainably enhance youth athlete safety.

Kasikornbank Research Center predicts Thailand's housing market will remain oversupplied in 2025, with over 610,000 accumulated unsold residential units nationwide—nearly double typical property transfer volumes—driven largely by accelerating second-hand home sales. The residential market faces a supply-demand imbalance as unsold inventory climbs while buyer demand weakens with no clear recovery signs.

Currently, unsold inventory is nearly twice the average property transfer rate, intensifying market competition and giving consumers more purchasing power. However, economic volatility and fragile consumer spending power present headwinds for real estate developers' marketing strategies, sales figures, and profitability.

In the first quarter of 2025, nationwide unsold units reached 590,000, a 7% year-on-year increase driven by second-hand listings. Second-hand homes for sale totaled 240,000 units, up 34% year-on-year, as individuals, financial institutions, and asset managers offload properties. Meanwhile, new residential units in developers' portfolios declined slightly to 350,000 units, down 6% year-on-year, as developers delayed new project launches.

Over 52% of unsold inventory sits in Bangkok and surrounding areas, totaling over 310,000 units. Economic hub provinces like Chon Buri, Phuket, and Chiang Mai also saw increases in both new and second-hand unsold inventory. Over 60% of unsold units are priced below 3 million baht, totaling 355,000 units. Notably, units priced above 10 million baht surged 48% year-on-year in Q1 2025, reaching 46,000 units, driven primarily by second-hand properties.

Developers face narrowing investment options as they increasingly target the luxury segment to avoid competition in lower price ranges. Kasikornbank Research remains cautious about the market outlook for the second half of 2025. While positive factors include extended transfer fee reductions and mortgage incentives for properties under 7 million baht, economic uncertainty and weak purchasing power are expected to limit growth. The center forecasts 2025 property transfers will grow only 2.1% year-on-year, while unsold units may increase 4.5% to over 610,000 units as second-hand listings grow and new project launches decline.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has charged Thiernchai, former district chief of Pothisai in Roi Et province, and associates for purchasing pesticide at inflated prices under emergency disaster relief funding. On December 21, 2011, the Roi Et governor declared nine sub-districts in Pothisai affected by crop pest infestation and allocated 9.7 million baht in emergency funds, authorizing the district chief to approve spending.

The Pothisai agricultural officer proposed purchasing 6,689 bottles of Pirimiphos methyl pesticide at 1,450 baht per bottle (500 ml each), totaling 9,699,050 baht—one bottle per cultivated rai. Thiernchai approved the purchase without following proper procedures, including holding a required committee meeting. Instead, he instructed the district secretary to falsify meeting minutes showing committee approval that never occurred.

The price was not based on market research but was unilaterally set by the provincial agricultural office. The procurement process was also irregular. Thiernchai approved a special procurement method where the district secretary was handed price quotes from three companies and instructed to select a vendor. On January 4, 2012, a procurement officer reported the chemical cost 1,450 baht per bottle, but the selected company's bid exceeded budget. After negotiation, the price was reduced to 9,699,050 baht, which Thiernchai approved and signed.

Later, the State Audit Office investigated and contacted suppliers of the same pesticide brand. They found the price was 210 baht per bottle in bulk (2,520 baht per 12-bottle case) and 220 baht per bottle online. The district purchased it at 1,240 baht per bottle above market rate, causing government losses of approximately 8,294,360 baht.

Thai Capital Market Business Council chairman Paibuol Nlintherangkun revealed that the Thailand Individual Saving Account (TISA) project is awaiting final decisions on the tax deduction limit and the program's launch timeline. He emphasized these remaining points are not barriers, but require further discussion to reach clarity.

One confirmed change is the elimination of a multiplier system that would have capped total personal income tax deductions at 800,000 baht, with earners below 1.5 million baht annually claiming 1.3 times the deduction and those above claiming only 0.7 times. "The multiplier issue has been removed by the Finance Ministry because it was too complicated," Nlintherangkun said.

TISA will operate separately from other deduction categories, including insurance premiums and the Provident Fund (PVD), because retirement savings require holders to maintain investments until age 55—incompatible with TISA's individual stock investment feature. Nlintherangkun noted that the Thai ESG mutual fund will likely not be extended once TISA launches, as investors can obtain tax deductions through TISA instead.

While most people know Chonburi as a tourist destination famous for beautiful beaches and delicious food, the province is truly a sports city—especially for football.

Early pioneers Withaya Khumpluem and Thanasak Suraprasert gradually developed the "Chonburi Sharks" through regional football competition, eventually winning the championship in 2005 before earning promotion to the Thailand Premier League. Shortly after reaching the top flight, Chonburi FC became a force that shook Thai football with entertaining, aggressive play and passionate fan support that packed stadiums for nearly every match.

In 2007, under coach Jatej Meelaab, they captured the Thai League championship and became one of the league's longest-tenured clubs, remaining competitive to the present day.

Strong Foundations

Chonburi is not a sugar-daddy club. Unlike other teams with unlimited budgets to buy superstars, Chonburi's advantage lies in being a "talent developer" with one of Thailand's strongest academy systems, which has become the club's trademark.

While other clubs focus on buying, Chonburi focuses on building. They scout young talent early, bring them into youth training centers, and gradually develop their football experience through partnerships with key schools like Takhao Khom Pittayakhom, which consistently produce players for the Thai League and national team.

Notable players developed through Chonburi's academy include Sinthawee Hathairatankul, Suree Sukha, Suratna Sukha, Adul Lasoh, Kerikrit Theepikhan, Worchit Kanitsribampern, Krid-da Kaman, Chatchanrong Promserekhaew, Yotkorn Buropa, Chatchai Rueangthannoroj, and Siraph Wandi.

Football and Chonburi's People

As mentioned, most Chonburi residents breathe football—partly because society and the province itself was designed to be a sports city.

At the school level, Chonburi has numerous institutions including Chonburi School of Sports, National Sports University's Chonburi Campus, Assumption Sriracha School, Takhao Khom Pittayakhom School, and several others that produce many professional footballers.

At the club level, the province hosts multiple teams across various leagues: - Chonburi FC (Thai League 1) - Pattaya United (Thai League 2) - Ban Bueng FC (Thai League 3) - Burapa United (Thai League 3) - Navikyothin FC (Thai League 3) - Royal Thai Navy FC (Thai League 3)

Plus numerous semi-professional clubs that draw countless supporters.

Beyond professional football, the province also boasts Bluewave Chonburi, a leading futsal club that has won the national championship 11 times and the AFC Futsal Club Championship twice.

Beyond professional football, grassroots football tournaments flourish throughout the province with million-baht prize pools in multiple districts. Foreign workers and migrant laborers who come to work here absorb Chonburi's distinctive football culture.

Because Chonburi has football in nearly every corner, its people have absorbed it into their very being. These elements have combined to create a football-supporting culture where residents live and breathe alongside the beautiful game in perfect balance.