Bangkok – July 6, 2025 – A full-scale celebration of joy! Mr. D.I.Y. brought together Thailand's top artists for the "MR. D.I.Y. 10 Years Beside You Concert," a memorable milestone event held at Bitec Live. The venue transformed into a happiness stage, featuring performances by leading national artists including bodyslam, PALMY, Kong Huairai, and Lamyai Haitongkham. Over 5,500 fans attended the all-night entertainment spectacle celebrating the brand's first decade.

Joey Phuwawatthanasit, the young Isaan rock artist and Mr. D.I.Y. brand presenter, led the lineup and delivered an emotional performance reflecting the bond between the brand and its customers. A special highlight featured Joey alongside Pundy, the brand's mascot, with a 10-year anniversary cake that brought warmth and smiles to the audience.

Joey expressed his feelings about the event, saying: "Ten years represents a period filled with connection. It's like we've grown together. I'm thrilled to celebrate this milestone with Mr. D.I.Y., to perform for everyone, and see all your smiles. Thank you for creating wonderful memories together."

Anupab Kongmalai, Vice President of Marketing for Mr. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand) Public Company Limited, highlighted that the concert reflects the brand's commitment to delivering meaningful experiences that strengthen long-term customer relationships. The event demonstrated Mr. D.I.Y.'s role in growing alongside Thai communities nationwide.

The concert transcended typical entertainment, serving as a celebration where the brand, artists, and customers created joy and lasting memories together under the concept "10 Years Beside You."

Deputy Police Colonel Thavee Sodsong, a Phak Prachaachat list MP and chair of a special committee reviewing an amnesty bill for people affected by state land and natural resource policies, joined Rangsimant Rom, also a Phak Prachaachat list MP and chair of the legal affairs and human rights committee, in hearing concerns about overlapping land disputes at Thap Lan National Park in Wang Nam Khiao district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The committee is collecting facts and examining legal solutions to resolve a decades-long land dispute and ensure fairness for affected residents, particularly regarding the park's boundary revision to address overlaps on land where people settled before the park was established in 1981. Thap Lan was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005 as part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, encompassing nearly 1.4 million rai across five districts in Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces, though approximately 260,000 rai overlap with residential and agricultural land. A March 14, 2566 cabinet resolution approved boundary adjustments affecting over 150,000 rai to resolve overlapping areas, with about 30,000 residents at risk of losing their homes and farmland without resolution. The government, led by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchati Chomklin, is proceeding with boundary revisions while verifying land rights for over 5,000 residents, balancing conservation with allocating farmland and strictly enforcing laws against violators. Meanwhile, parliamentary committees are studying facts and hearing from stakeholders to find legal remedies, with an amnesty bill for people affected by forestry and land cases awaiting consideration in parliament, hoping that both boundary revisions and amnesty provisions will move forward to resolve these long-standing disputes.

Iran's national football team has taken a satisfying revenge after the United States was knocked out in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The entire world is celebrating the humiliating defeat of the USA, the tournament host that had performed well from the start, who has suddenly become football's villain. The controversy escalated after FIFA agreed to change the red card punishment for Florian Balogun to a one-year suspension instead of an immediate ban as is customary. The situation became even more heated when the global football community learned that US President Donald Trump was behind this controversial decision, having called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the US team's Round of 16 match. The USA, which did everything off the pitch to secure victory, was defeated 1-4 by Belgium, despite having a top striker who received special privileges to play in this game.

Now it is Iran's turn to settle the score with the United States decisively. Iran's Football Federation posted: "The whole world is dancing in celebration." This echoes back to when US Secretary of Defense Mark Wahlberg mocked Iran, saying he almost sang and danced when Iran was eliminated in the first round.

"Now the entire world is dancing to celebrate the shameful defeat of 'politics' against 'football'," the Iran Football Federation stated through its representative.

Earlier, Iran had already responded, saying: "Iranians are accustomed to unfair treatment and lies from US officials. Therefore, no one in Iran is surprised by these malicious remarks. These words show once again that US officials have no commitment to international law or the principles expected of a host nation capable of organizing a world-class sporting competition. Their overt celebration of Iran's elimination says much more about them than about our team. It reflects a pettiness that is unacceptable, even to the existence of a single football team participating in the world's greatest sporting arena. After our match against New Zealand, our head coach said that the US does not want Iran to continue in this tournament because our team faces inhumane and unprofessional treatment. These recent comments only serve to reinforce that belief."

On Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 9:00 AM at the Boy Scout camp area of Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden in Pattaya, garden president Kampol Tansatja joined students from St. Stephen's Stanley College in Hong Kong to plant an additional 23 Coco de Mer trees (Lodoicea maldivica). This represents one of the largest simultaneous plantings of this rare species at the botanical garden and marks a significant step forward in the garden's global rare plant conservation initiatives.

The planting brings Nong Nooch's total Coco de Mer collection to 58 mature trees—increased from the previous 35—along with an additional 25 seedlings. Each mature tree is valued at approximately 500,000 baht, making this one of Thailand's most significant Coco de Mer collections and an invaluable off-site genetic conservation facility (Ex Situ Conservation).

Kampol stated that today's planting represents working for the future, as conserving rare plant species requires continuous effort and patience spanning decades. Nong Nooch is committed to fulfilling its role as a botanical garden that collects, conserves, studies, and disseminates knowledge about plant genetics, ensuring that valuable natural resources are passed on to future generations.

The Coco de Mer, or double coconut (Lodoicea maldivica), is an extremely rare palm endemic to a few small islands in the Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean. It produces the world's largest seeds and is considered one of the most valuable plants in botany due to its scarcity and strict protection status. Historically, sailors would discover the fruits floating in the ocean without ever finding the source tree, leading to the belief that the trees grew beneath the sea—hence the French name "Coco de Mer," or "sea coconut." This mystery made the Coco de Mer fruit even more precious and rare than gemstones.

Bangkok, 7 July 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is inviting travellers to experience “Blooming and Bright Amazing Thailand” during Thailand’s rainy season, a shoulder travel period when landscapes turn lush, waterfalls are at their fullest, destinations are less crowded, and journeys unfold at a more relaxed pace.

Thailand’s seasons offer distinct travel moods throughout the year, from the cool season’s clear skies and the summer season’s coastal appeal to the rainy season’s lush landscapes, fuller waterfalls, and calmer destination atmosphere.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, “Blooming and Bright Amazing Thailand invites travellers to see Thailand at a different rhythm, when the kingdom is greener, calmer, and full of seasonal character. This is a rewarding time to enjoy Thailand’s landscapes, hospitality, culture, wellness, gastronomy, and quieter travel atmosphere, while extending tourism benefits to businesses and communities across the country.”

TAT’s offices across Europe in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Prague, Stockholm, Moscow, and Rome are working with tourism industry partners, including airlines, hotels, and travel companies, to present Thailand’s seasonal appeal to European travellers. The campaign highlights the value of travelling outside peak periods, with more room to explore, lush natural scenery, and a calmer rhythm across destinations.

The concept supports TAT’s year-round tourism direction by presenting the rainy season not as an off-period, but as one of Thailand’s most refreshing times to travel. It showcases the country’s natural beauty, travel value, service standards, and diverse experiences across beach holidays, culture, cuisine, wellness, diving, golf, outdoor activities, and sustainable tourism.

Thailand remains a favourite destination for European travellers, supported by strong air connectivity, direct flights from major European cities, international service standards, and a wide range of experiences for different travel styles. Whether for a beach escape, cultural journey, wellness retreat, food-led adventure, or nature-based holiday, Thailand offers a quality travel experience that is meaningful, memorable, and in season.

Ang Ka Nature Trail, Chiang Mai

Wat Umong, Chiang Mai

Pha Dok Siao Waterfall, Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai

Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan

Rut Canal, Krabi

Nongtalay, Krabi

Tamarind Springs Forest Spa, Ko Samui, Surat Thani

Kuan Nom Saow Viewpoint, Krabi

Ao Ton Sai, Ko Phi Phi Don, Krabi

The post TAT invites travellers to discover Blooming and Bright Amazing Thailand appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

The Cabinet has approved a Finance Ministry announcement to reduce fund contribution rates for four specialized financial institutions: the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), Government Savings Bank, Bank for Housing and Urban Development (BHUD), and Islamic Bank of Thailand for the 2025 fiscal year.

The contribution rate will be reduced from the previous 0.25% annually to 0.0625% annually on deposits received from the public, effective from January 1 to December 31, 2025, with contributions divided into two installments of 0.03125% each. This reduction is intended to lower the cost burden on specialized financial institutions and enable them to provide meaningful assistance to borrowers.

Government spokesman Lalida Persivivatana stated that this measure aligns with Thailand's volatile economic conditions, which face challenges from global trade policies, geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, and Middle Eastern conflicts. Many borrowers at these institutions are grassroots individuals, vulnerable groups, small business owners, and microenterprises facing liquidity risks and debt repayment challenges.

The government expects these financial institutions to use the reduced costs to support debtor assistance programs, debt restructuring, and new credit facilities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with potential, thereby improving economic liquidity. The government will closely monitor implementation to ensure aid reaches people effectively without undermining financial discipline or encouraging unnecessary debt default.

"The government is leveraging specialized financial institutions as tools to support grassroots communities, reduce financial burdens, help borrowers stabilize and recover, and support credit for entrepreneurs with potential, enabling the economy to move forward with stability and fairness," Lalida stated.