Deputy Transport Minister Sompetch Bunyamani announced on July 7, 2569 at Thai Proud Party headquarters that the Cabinet has approved two major infrastructure projects for Southern Thailand: a bridge connecting Ko Lanta and a bridge spanning Songkhla Lake. The Ko Lanta bridge project will connect Ko Klang and Ko Lanta Noi subdistricts in Ko Lanta District, Krabi Province, while the Songkhla Lake bridge will link Krasan District in Songkhla Province with Khao Chai Son District in Phatthalung Province.

The Ko Lanta bridge spans 2.2 kilometers with a budget of approximately 1.8 billion baht. Construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2569 at the latest by year-end, with completion projected within three years. Upon completion, the bridge will not only connect the mainland to the island but will also reduce traffic congestion, improve road safety, and shorten travel times while elevating transportation standards to support Krabi's future tourism development.

The Songkhla Lake bridge spans 7 kilometers with a budget of 4.8 billion baht, with construction contracts expected to be signed by year-end and a three-year completion timeline. This project will enhance tourism around Songkhla Lake and connect the east and west coasts while reducing transportation costs for business operators. Travel time from Phatthalung to Songkhla Province will be reduced from over two hours for 80 kilometers to just 15 minutes.

Environmental protection remains a priority, with the Cabinet allocating 402 million baht for establishing an Irrawaddy dolphin conservation center. Thailand's remaining population of these dolphins, the world's fifth-largest group, currently numbers approximately 14-15 individuals.

Thailand's Fuel Fund Management Committee (OFOC) has approved price cuts for all fuel types effective July 8, 2025, following directives from the Cabinet meeting on July 7. Diesel B7 and B20 prices drop by 2.56 baht per liter, while gasoline and gasohol prices decrease by 2.51 baht per liter, supporting economic and industrial development.

The price reduction reflects weakening global oil market trends after investors eased concerns about Middle East tensions, particularly following positive progress in negotiations and the reopening of energy shipping routes through the Hormuz Strait. Global oil prices as of July 7 stood at approximately 118 USD per barrel for diesel and 97 USD per barrel for gasoline.

For diesel fuels, the fund increased compensation for B7 to 2.90 baht per liter, resulting in a retail price of 34.94 baht per liter, while B20 compensation rose to 8.46 baht per liter at a retail price of 29.94 baht per liter. Premium diesel carries a collection rate of 1.50 baht per liter.

For gasoline and gasohol products, collection rates were reduced to 7.99 baht per liter for 95 octane gasoline (43.93 baht retail), 0.42 baht per liter for Gasohol 95 (34.94 baht retail), and 0.42 baht per liter for Gasohol 91 (34.57 baht retail). E20 gasohol received increased compensation of 3.71 baht per liter (29.94 baht retail), while E85 gasohol compensation rose to 4.65 baht per liter (25.88 baht retail).

These adjustments immediately reduce living costs for citizens while improving industrial sector operations. The fuel fund will absorb approximately 213.91 million baht in net daily expenses.

Energy Minister Eknath Prom-On, chair of the Energy Policy Committee, confirmed the Cabinet's directive to reduce fuel prices as much as possible in line with declining global crude oil prices. The committee invoked emergency fuel shortage legislation and approved a retail price ceiling not exceeding 35 baht per liter for gasohol and fast-spinning diesel, delegating rate adjustments to the Fuel Fund Management Committee.

Teerathorn Bunyamatan, 36, claimed the Men's Player of the Year award at the FA Thailand Awards 2025/26 ceremony held on July 7, 2025 at Pavilion A on the 8th floor of The Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel in Bangkok.

The midfielder from Buriram United played in 47 matches across all competitions during the past season, scoring 2 goals and providing 15 assists. He helped his club capture the Thai League title, FA Cup, and AFC Champions League crowns. On the international stage, Teerathorn made 3 appearances for the Thai national team, contributing 1 goal and 2 assists as Thailand secured qualification for the AFC Asian Cup final round.

A 34-year-old woman from Thamakha district in Kanchanaburi was forcibly taken in a car heading south and assaulted throughout the journey before finding an opportunity to escape and seek help from a gas station attendant to call police in Ranong. The suspect initially fled but was arrested on July 7, 2569 by Phuket police investigators after he boarded a tour bus. He was handed over to Ranong Municipal Police for prosecution.

At 11:00 AM, Pol. Lt. Col. Thanawat Wattanakul, commander of Ranong Provincial Police, along with Pol. Maj. Thawatchai Suncharoen, superintendent of Ranong Municipal Police, and Pol. Capt. Chakraphan Kaewkhao, deputy superintendent, interrogated suspect Nattapong, 40, who was arrested under court warrant from Ranong Provincial Court.

The charges include robbery with threats to kill or cause bodily harm, coercion, unlawful confinement, indecent assault with threats or force, assault, and damage to property. Investigators reported that upon arrest, the suspect showed signs of drug intoxication. A urine test confirmed methamphetamine in his system. During interrogation, he gave contradictory statements, claiming to have Chinese and Korean nationality and alleging he received money transfers from Korea that were misappropriated by others. He claimed he acted out of accumulated frustration, admitted to slapping the victim, and blamed police for not also arresting the woman.

The Ranong Provincial Police Commander noted the suspect displayed signs of mental disturbance consistent with drug abuse, likely leading to paranoid and violent thoughts. The suspect confessed to hitting the woman, but the victim's quick thinking enabled her escape. The case is notable for the victim's resourcefulness in flagging down a gas station attendant to call her mother and alert police. The four-finger salute gesture she used to signal for help while making the call has been recognized as an important symbol requesting assistance.

Tibodi Watthanakon, director of the State Enterprise Policy Committee Office (SEPC), announced that during the first three quarters of fiscal year 2569 (October 1, 2568 – June 30, 2569), state enterprises and government-held businesses remitted a cumulative 170.241 billion baht in dividends and state revenue transfers. This exceeded the three-quarter projection of 140.756 billion baht by 29.485 billion baht, or 121 percent of target.

The top ten contributors were: 1) Government Lottery Office (36.489 billion baht), 2) PTT Public Company Limited (33.754 billion baht), 3) Thai Vayupax Fund One (19.202 billion baht), 4) Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (18.244 billion baht), 5) Provincial Electricity Authority (14.011 billion baht), 6) Government Savings Bank (13.389 billion baht), 7) Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (8.1 billion baht), 8) Government Housing Bank (6.963 billion baht), 9) Metropolitan Electricity Authority (2.797 billion baht), and 10) Port Authority of Thailand (2.461 billion baht).

On July 7, police responded to an incident at a luxury residential community in Bang Chlong subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. A 31-year-old American man was exhibiting signs of severe agitation and attempted to enter a taxi with 1,000 baht, but the driver refused due to his erratic behavior. The man then knocked on residents' car windows before becoming increasingly agitated, rolling on the ground and making religious gestures. When police arrived, he fled into the community and jumped into the residential lake. Rescue teams found his body 30 minutes later in the 10-meter-deep lake.

According to his 22-year-old girlfriend, the couple had been together for three years but recently reconciled after a separation just three months prior. She reported he had shown no previous signs of behavioral issues and had never exhibited such conduct before today. She was unaware of any drug use, though investigators found two unused syringes on the car's front seat and white pills of unknown origin in his waistband.

The homeowner, who was renting the property for 35,000 baht monthly, discovered the residence had been vandalized with spray paint throughout the entire house—walls, floors, furniture, and decorations—causing extensive damage. The 22-million-baht lakefront property, which the owner deeply cherished, was devastated after only three months of tenancy. Bang Phli police are conducting a full investigation, including autopsy and toxicology tests, and will coordinate with the U.S. Embassy in Thailand regarding the incident.