On July 20, Transport Minister Siripong Angskulgkiart addressed the term "junior cabinet members" that has drawn scrutiny from the opposition, quipping that he himself is a "celestial being" and if junior ministers were too, they would need no sustenance. Asked whether junior cabinet ministers can perform at a celestial level of work, Siripong said they are doing their jobs—it has only been three months, and every minister is working on their portfolio. He noted that every government has members who produce no results. When asked how he feels about junior ministers facing heightened scrutiny, Siripong said he views it as recognition of their importance. Pressed on whether he is confident in their achievements, he reiterated that all ministers work full-time and all do produce results—it is simply a matter of whether they are highlighted in public discourse. He believes all cabinet members are delivering results because they are committed, and noted visible progress on issues such as electricity costs and various management matters.

The government plans to revise welfare card eligibility standards to include students outside formal education systems, recognizing they pursue additional learning for professional skill development. At a July 20 press conference at Government House, Transport Minister Siripong Angsakulkiattikul, Interior Minister Palpeer Suwannachawi, and other officials addressed welfare card appeals related to their ministries.

Siripong apologized for inconveniences in implementation, noting that while screening criteria were designed to help eligible recipients, practical application revealed some limitations causing public difficulty. The Land Transport Department has already offered accommodations since July 17. He assured citizens that those deserving benefits will receive them.

Beyond transport issues, Siripong emphasized the need to adjust standards for students, particularly those in non-formal education systems including the Office for Non-Formal Education (ONFE) and vocational programs. These students pursue learning to build life skills for employment. The government will adjust criteria so such individuals are not disqualified solely on student status; the Finance Ministry will consider other factors. Education Minister Akkanung Kannikitthianan announced that from tomorrow, new standards will allow ONFE students to obtain the state welfare card, with vehicles exceeding 20 years and motorcycles exceeding 15 years potentially qualifying under revised rules.

Rang Thurapol, Udon Thani MP from the Bhumjaithai Party, has died peacefully at age 69 from lung cancer on July 20, 2025. His wife, Pansiree Thurapol, chairwoman of Chiangwang subdistrict administration in Phen district, Udon Thani, announced the death through a personal Facebook post. She posted a photograph of Rang cycling and waving, stating: 'This morning, our MP has passed away peacefully at 8:15 a.m., July 20, 2025. With love and deepest condolences to Rang Thurapol, our home's great pillar.' Family members have relocated Rang's body for religious ceremonies at their residence in Sri Khrai, Chiangwang subdistrict, Phen district, Udon Thani. Rang died at 8:15 a.m. on July 20, 2025, at Bangkok Udon Thani Hospital after receiving treatment for lung cancer. He had been ill since running for election and did not attend parliament to vote on the selection of the prime minister because he was hospitalized.

The Interior, Transport, and Finance ministries have laid out a plan to address appeals from welfare card applicants deemed ineligible in 2024. Deputy Interior Minister Pol. Peerapat Suwannachui said on July 20 that the ministry, working with the Social Development ministry, has been surveying communities to verify income eligibility. For those rejected and seeking to appeal, the Interior Ministry will establish district-level appeal centers and deploy village headmen to reach remote and isolated residents without technology access.

Finance Ministry official Wanich Wisetsuwannaphum, acting as the Finance Ministry spokesperson, said the eligibility criteria were designed to identify the most vulnerable in society. He acknowledged that vehicle ownership criteria complaints warrant serious consideration and that the Transport Ministry faces limitations in tracking unofficial vehicle transfers since registered owners may not formally deregister vehicles. As evidence emerges of such transfers, the Finance Ministry will accept complaints and adjust guidelines accordingly, including establishing better database management.

Of the 2.9 million people seeking review, roughly 40% cited vehicle ownership as grounds for rejection. The Finance Ministry has referred these cases to the Participatory State Welfare Committee for Grassroots Economy for review. Once guidelines are finalized, the ministry will rush a Cabinet proposal to add more conditions reflecting actual circumstances, aiming to grant benefits by October 1. Spokesperson Wanich noted this registration drive was proactive; 2.3 million people never previously received welfare and were not previously registered. The Interior Ministry identified over 800,000 requiring assistance with identity verification. The registration effort has given Thailand comprehensive data on the most vulnerable populations across multiple hardship levels, enabling tailored support measures.

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

PHUKET — Firefighters in Srisunthor, responded swiftly to a house fire early Monday morning after a cooking accident sparked flames inside a residence. Sri Soonthorn Fire fighters told the Phuket Express. Authorities reported that the blaze began when the homeowner left corn boiling unattended, causing the pot to ignite and flames to spread within the […] House Fire Quickly Contained in Thalang -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

The Thai FDA and Department of Intellectual Property signed a memorandum of understanding on July 20, 2026, to strengthen cooperation on intellectual property protection, innovation, and commercialization of health products. Pharmasutical professional Supattara Bunserm, Secretary of the FDA, and Ormorn Sapwatteetum, Director of the Department of Intellectual Property, signed the agreement to elevate cooperation beyond pharmaceutical patents to comprehensive intellectual property utilization. The initiative covers knowledge promotion and business consultation, support for integrating research into IP protection systems and product registration, database coordination, personnel development, and mechanisms to prevent IP infringement while ensuring fair competition and developing the country's health product innovation ecosystem. Supattara emphasized that health product development requires innovation, effective regulatory systems, and strong IP protection to translate research into practical commercial benefits. The FDA believes that protecting consumers and promoting innovation must go hand-in-hand, as entrepreneurs developing products under standard, transparent systems respecting IP rights will produce quality, safe, and trustworthy health products while strengthening Thailand's health product industry competitiveness. Following the signing, both agencies will develop a joint action plan with clear frameworks and monitoring mechanisms to ensure concrete results, linking research, IP protection, regulation, and commercialization. Ormorn stated that this integration represents a fusion of expertise from both agencies to enhance Thai entrepreneurs' capabilities, secure appropriate IP protection for health products, promote high-value research and innovation, reduce barriers to market entry, and create tangible competitive business advantages.