Gulf Development Public Company Limited has successfully closed its US$600 million offshore syndicated term loan facility, a significant milestone in the company's funding strategy. The facility was initially launched in May 2026 at US$400 million with 3-year and 5-year tranches, and received substantial backing from GULF's relationship banks. Strong demand from lenders enabled the company to exercise its greenshoe option and increase the facility by US$200 million to reach the final amount of US$600 million.

The facility drew participation from 33 banks across Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, India, Macau, and France, with peak demand reaching approximately 4 times the initial facility size. The diverse group of international financial institutions reflects GULF's longstanding relationships with partners and suppliers across its projects.

The strong market response demonstrates lenders' confidence in GULF's robust financial position, disciplined capital management, stable cash flow generation, and proven track record in developing and operating large-scale energy and infrastructure projects. It also recognizes GULF's position as a leading infrastructure and investment group capable of capturing future growth opportunities.

Ms. Yupapin Wangviwat, Chief Financial Officer of GULF Group, stated that the successful completion represents an important milestone in GULF's funding strategy, expanding access to international markets and diversifying financing sources. The strong banking community response reflects confidence in GULF's financial strength and operational track record. GULF's achievement of an 'A' credit rating with a Stable outlook from Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR), equivalent to Thailand's sovereign rating, further reinforces this confidence. The transaction strengthens existing banking relationships, establishes new partnerships with international lenders, and enhances financial flexibility.

DBS Bank Ltd., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., MUFG Bank, Ltd., Natixis Singapore Branch, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Singapore Branch, and United Overseas Bank Limited served as Mandated Lead Arrangers, Underwriters, and Bookrunners, with Mizuho Bank also acting as Facility Agent.

The Student Loan Fund (Kor Sor Sor) has addressed concerns raised on social media regarding borrowers whose salaries were deducted for loan repayment but whose debt balances showed no reduction when checked through the Kor Sor Sor Connect application. Some worried that employer-submitted funds might not have entered the system or were lost. The fund explained that it is currently upgrading its debt payment system, temporarily causing slower-than-usual debt balance updates. The fund assured that employer-submitted funds have not been lost and borrowers will not lose any legal rights. Deputy Manager Anchali Purivitdwatana confirmed the system is undergoing payment upgrades, which may temporarily extend the time needed to reduce debt balances. All borrowers in the salary deduction program through employers will not be affected or lose any legal rights, as the system will backdate payment dates to match actual salary deduction dates. During the system update period, borrowers can verify employer payment submissions through the Kor Sor Sor Connect app by selecting Services > Backdated Payment Records, with payment information appearing within three business days of employer submission. The fund assured borrowers that deducted and submitted funds have not been lost and will process all payment updates in order while recording payment dates according to actual salary deduction dates to fully protect borrowers' legal rights. The fund apologized for the inconvenience and thanked borrowers for their cooperation during the system upgrade.

The government is monitoring the 2027 state welfare card budget allocation of 420 billion baht, which is down from the 4.7 billion baht monthly allocation in 2026. Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Laweron Saengsonit revealed that if the budget proves insufficient, the government stands ready to supplement it with central funds, following established practice. The government is also preparing to overhaul the entire welfare system to prevent duplicate benefit payments.

Saengsonit disclosed that the Public-Private-Benefit Committee for Grassroots Economy and Social Affairs will meet on July 3rd to finalize the number of applicants who passed screening for the 2026 state welfare card. The results will be presented to the Cabinet for approval on July 7 or 14, with beneficiary names announced on July 17.

While the 2027 budget represents a decrease from 2026 levels, Saengsonit noted that whether it will be sufficient depends on the final number of approved applicants from 2026. "If the allocated budget falls short, we will use central funds to cover the gap, which is the standard practice each year," he said.

Saengsonit emphasized that the government needs to understand how much support each Thai citizen receives and ensure it is adequate without duplication. He highlighted that the Finance Ministry is pushing for implementation of a Negative Income Tax system, which will leverage Big Data to ensure citizens receive appropriate welfare benefits efficiently and eliminate overlap.

Regarding the economy, Saengsonit noted that first-half performance remains solid, bolstered by various government measures. He added that third-quarter growth is expected to receive continued support from the Thailand Helping Thailand Plus program, helping sustain economic momentum.

Gulf Development Public Company Limited has successfully arranged a $600 million offshore syndicated term loan facility from international banking groups, a major step in the company's capital management strategy to expand relationships with new foreign financial institutions. The company initially launched a $400 million foreign loan facility split between 3-year and 5-year tranches, attracting interest from 33 financial institutions that offered credit commitments approximately four times the initial amount. GULF exercised its greenshoe option to allocate an additional $200 million, bringing the total facility to $600 million. The strong response from major international lenders across Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, India, Macau, and France reflects their confidence in GULF's financial position, disciplined capital management, consistent cash generation, and experience with large-scale infrastructure development. This underscores GULF's role as a trusted international infrastructure company with significant potential for growth in digital infrastructure and renewable energy sectors.

Yuphapin Wangwiwat, Chief Financial Officer of the GULF Group, stated that the successful overseas loan arrangement represents a crucial step in GULF's financial strategy, allowing the company to expand its banking relationships beyond the Thai baht bond market and increase operational flexibility for business growth. The overwhelming response from foreign financial institutions, offering credit four times higher than initially sought, demonstrates their confidence in the company's financial strength, operational performance, and long-term growth vision. This confidence is further supported by GULF's 'A' credit rating with a stable outlook from Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR), equivalent to Thailand's sovereign credit rating.

The transaction is managed by leading banks including DBS Bank, Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank, Natixis (Singapore branch), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (Singapore branch), and United Overseas Bank, serving as Mandated Lead Arrangers, Underwriters, and Bookrunners. Mizuho Bank also serves as the Facility Agent overseeing the syndicate.

On July 2, 2569 (2026), Vorayanun Bunnaraj, the governor of Maha Sarakham, announced that a pickup truck collision with monks on alms walk resulted in 8 deaths and 12 injuries. The truck involved maintains active insurance with total coverage of approximately 20 million baht. The Provincial Sangha Committee expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, confirming that the monks were conducting their alms walk correctly according to Buddhist discipline, which requires monks to walk facing oncoming traffic for safety. When the accident occurred, the four lead monks spotted the truck losing control and shouted a warning, allowing five monks to escape. However, the truck struck the sixth monk onward, as they were walking in single file as is customary, positioned about 2 meters from the road edge. The truck was traveling at high speed and had lost control. The alms group consisted of 35 monks and 5 lay followers. Five monks died at the scene, and three more died at the hospital, bringing the death toll to 8 initially. The provincial public health officer reported 4 monks with red-tagged injuries and 10 with yellow-tagged injuries. Initial investigation shows the pickup truck has liability insurance, covering deceased monks at 500,000 baht each and injured persons at 80,000 baht each, plus full medical treatment. As of 5:50 p.m., the death toll was updated to 9 monks, identified as Phra Surasak Pinlao.

Yamaha Motor Racing has officially announced that Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 MotoGP World Champion from France, and Spanish rider Alex Rins will depart the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team at the end of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship season, marking the conclusion of their journey together with Yamaha following their continuous contributions to the team's achievements and development.

Quartararo joined Yamaha's factory team in 2019 and quickly established himself as one of the era's most prominent riders, securing 11 Grand Prix victories, 32 podium finishes, and making history by winning the premier class world title in 2021—delivering a significant championship success back to Yamaha and becoming one of the team's most accomplished riders in the modern era.

Rins joined the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team in 2024, bringing extensive experience as a multi-race Grand Prix winner. Throughout his time with Yamaha, he has played a vital role in sharing expertise, developing the YZR-M1 motorcycle, and advancing Yamaha's MotoGP project.

Paolo Pavesio, Yamaha Motor Racing General Manager, stated: "Fabio and Alex have been instrumental to Yamaha's MotoGP project. We are grateful for their dedication, commitment, and professionalism throughout the years they have been with us."

"Fabio and Yamaha have journeyed together for eight years, sharing both moments of tremendous success and challenging times. We have grown together as both a team and a family. Beyond their on-track achievements, the relationships formed along this path are invaluable, and Fabio will forever remain one of the legendary riders in the Yamaha family."

"As for Alex, since joining the team in 2024, he has brought invaluable experience, technical insight, and dedication to our squad, playing a crucial role in developing the YZR-M1 and helping drive Yamaha's MotoGP project forward."

"Although saying goodbye after years of working together is not easy, we remain fully committed to working together on every remaining race of the season to close this chapter with our best performance and create more outstanding memories together."

Yamaha Motor Racing and both riders will continue to give their maximum effort throughout the remaining races of the 2026 MotoGP season, aiming to deliver outstanding results while continuing YZR-M1 development to bring their partnership to a perfect conclusion before season's end.