Energy Minister Eknath Prom-on addressed domestic fuel price conditions on July 15, 2025, at Government House, following recent global market increases sparked by Middle East tensions. He noted that all fuel types had risen sharply over the past week, but Thailand continues using a refinery pricing mechanism to draw refinery revenues and reduce pump prices. The government also manages prices through an oil fund to align with market conditions without the sharp, frequent adjustments of the past. The Energy Ministry monitors the situation daily to prevent rapid or severe price increases tied to world markets.

When asked whether prices would remain stable, the minister said daily assessments are necessary, but any adjustments would be gradual rather than sudden. Oil supply management is also underway. Crude oil stocks remain stable and refined product reserves in storage tanks are nearly full, confirming no fuel shortage. Price management will follow market mechanisms.

Asked what conditions would trigger a price increase, Prom-on said the approach is gradual. Thailand does not constantly track Singapore prices; even when using them as a reference, the government reduces prices by deploying refinery funds. The 10.5 billion baht oil fund is currently being used to subsidize pump prices. When prices fall, the fund sees little drawdown due to prior deficits from before the minister's tenure. The government will continue using both refinery pricing and the fund to prevent prices from fluctuating sharply with global markets.

On July 15, Deputy Prime Minister Prakorn Nilpraphan outlined the government's new disaster insurance concept at Government House. As natural disasters intensify and occur more frequently, the government has been studying relief measures beyond direct state subsidies. The Cabinet tasked the Interior Ministry with exploring ways to increase compensation to citizens by partnering with the private sector on disaster insurance.

The Interior Ministry, Finance Ministry, Insurance Commission, and Thai General Insurance Association are jointly studying the scheme, modeled after Japan's earthquake, flood, and typhoon insurance approach. When private insurers participate, they reduce budget pressure and pay claims faster than government agencies when criteria are met.

Prakorn explained that the private sector is already willing to implement this concept, and citizens benefit from speedier and larger payouts. He noted that state compensation of 9,000 baht per incident is insufficient for home repairs, making higher private coverage necessary.

Under the Japanese model, insurers pay immediately upon meeting set conditions, with premiums varying by area risk level. The system offers faster disbursement compared to current government processes, which are often slow and burdensome. "Currently, budget disbursement is complicated and sometimes delayed, causing disaster victims considerable hardship," Prakorn said. "Insurance-style payments with set caps ease financial burden while maintaining state support."

Prakorn stated that relevant agencies have completed preliminary discussions and are finalizing figures to present the framework to Cabinet as soon as possible, adopting Japan's model for Thailand.

On July 15, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., the family of Prutthiphong Pudmong—a 37-year-old air force officer and keyboardist for the band Tosakan—collected his body from the Police Hospital's Institute of Forensic Medicine for a funeral ceremony at Wat Laem Khang temple in Sing Buri province. His 30-year-old sister, Chanyyanuch Pudmong, described the loss as devastating and unexpected, noting that Prutthiphong was a caring person who had looked after his family and close friends well. During the search for him, numerous people came forward to help, and the community continued to support the family until the very end.

Chanyyanuch expressed the family's gratitude to everyone who stood by them from the moment the search began. She said that if her brother were alive, he would want to be remembered for his musical talent and would not wish for others to grieve or question what happened. She emphasized that while the restaurant owner initially offered 10,000 baht in compensation, no money can truly compensate for the loss of a life or heal the family's emotional pain.

Regarding the accident's cause, which may have stemmed from the business operator's negligence, Chanyyanuch said the matter should proceed through the legal system, and the family would pursue compensation through proper channels. She made an urgent appeal to all business operators to review and improve their safety measures, as customers deserve to return home safely after seeking enjoyment. As her brother's body was placed in the hearse, she whispered, "Brother Gvaang, we're taking you home. We're going home together."

Registration for the Social Security Board election has surpassed one million voters as the final stretch heats up. The Social Security Office will announce the official voter roster and polling locations on August 10, 2025.

On July 15, 2025, the Social Security Office reported that candidate registration for the 2025 Social Security Board election began on July 1. The office accepted applications from insured worker representatives and employer representatives between July 1–20, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, including public holidays. Interested candidates could submit applications at the Bangkok Social Security Office and provincial offices nationwide.

As of 9:00 a.m. on July 15, a total of 175 candidates had registered: 72 from the employer sector and 103 from the insured worker sector. Meanwhile, 1,080,705 voters had registered to cast ballots—an increase from the previous day's total of 992,922. Employer-sector voters grew from 10,044 to 11,332, while insured-worker-sector voters increased from 982,878 to 1,069,373.

Candidates from the insured worker sector must be Thai nationals at least 18 years old, registered as insured workers under Sections 33, 39, and 40 with at least three months of contributions within the previous six months. They must not be bankrupt, legally incapacitated, stripped of voting rights, convicted of electoral fraud or related financial crimes, hold political office, be civil service politicians, or have other disqualifying characteristics under labor ministry regulations.

Employer-sector candidates must be Thai nationals at least 18 years old and registered employers or authorized representatives of corporate employers, with at least three months of contributions within the previous six months. They face the same disqualifying restrictions as insured worker candidates.

Eligible insured worker voters must be Thai nationals, registered continuously for at least six months, with at least three months of contributions in the previous six months, and must register by July 20, 2025. Employer-sector voters must be registered employers or authorized representatives meeting the same contribution requirements and must register by July 20, 2025 to vote on September 27, 2025.

The Social Security Office has extended the voter registration deadline and the deadline for changing polling locations.

BANGKOK — 15 July 2026, Thailand will continue using contributions from oil refineries and the Oil Fuel Fund to cushion domestic fuel prices against sharp increases in global markets, Energy Minister Eknat Promphan said at Government House.

Global oil prices have risen sharply over the past week due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, pushing up prices for all types of fuel. Despite this increase, Thailand will continue using existing price management mechanisms to soften the impact on consumers, including reducing refinery gate prices through contributions from domestic refineries and drawing on the Oil Fuel Fund to stabilise retail prices at petrol stations.

"The Ministry of Energy will monitor the situation every day to ensure domestic fuel prices do not rise as quickly or as sharply as global oil prices," Eknat said. He added that any price adjustments would be assessed daily and made gradually rather than through sudden hikes.

Eknat also reassured the public about fuel supplies, stating that Thailand has sufficient crude oil and refined petroleum stocks, with storage tanks holding ample reserves. "I can confirm that Thailand will not face fuel shortages," he said.

The government is balancing market-based pricing with measures to protect consumers from excessive volatility. According to Eknat, the government has already allocated 10.5 billion baht through existing mechanisms to help lower retail fuel prices. When global oil prices declined previously, the government relied primarily on refinery contributions rather than drawing heavily on the Oil Fuel Fund, which was already in deficit before he took office. Both refinery contributions and the Oil Fuel Fund will continue to be used to prevent domestic fuel prices from fluctuating as dramatically as those in the global market.

At 9 a.m. on July 15, 2026, at Government House, Justice Minister Ruetthaipol Naowarat announced that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) had arrested Ms. Mallika, an executive and board member of a prominent forex brokerage firm, pursuant to a court-authorized warrant. She has been brought in for additional questioning and represents one of two arrest warrants that have now been fully executed.

When asked if Mallika is considered a key suspect, the justice minister confirmed she is a broker and a crucial figure who will undergo further investigation. Regarding whether additional persons need to be apprehended, he stated that all named suspects in the arrest warrants have been taken into custody, though the DSI continues its investigation and may issue summons for questioning—including for MP Phawut Phongwittayapanu from the Pheu Thai party.

On whether Phawut might flee, the minister expressed confidence that he would not, noting that Phawut has already agreed to confirm facts and is expected to be called for questioning during the parliamentary recess. Regarding whether evidence has reached Phawut, the minister said he could not comment and deferred to the DSI.

When pressed on whether all 22 persons summoned by the DSI will comply, the minister acknowledged uncertainty, explaining that when courts do not approve arrest warrants, summons must be issued instead. He noted that compliance depends on the individuals and that there may be timeframes for first and second summons. On observations that the DSI sought arrest warrants directly, he stated this is permissible under law, but the DSI must have sufficient evidence before requesting a court-approved warrant.