Chris Feng, chairman of Sea Group, Shopee's parent company, stated that amid the full transition to a digital economy, Shopee—the largest regional e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan and a leading platform in Brazil—is advancing its Digital Inclusion mission to provide equal access and benefit from digital technology for all. The platform functions as a "digital bridge" connecting local entrepreneurs to online opportunities domestically and regionally over the past decade.

Feng recently met with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to discuss ways to support and develop the country's digital economy through Shopee's platform ecosystem. He reported on key initiatives, including the 'Thai Helping Thai with Shopee: Thai MSME Growth Support Program,' which represents a significant milestone in supporting Thai MSME growth and expanding digital access opportunity comprehensively to better serve both sellers and buyers.

The program offers over 500 million baht in total support throughout the project to enhance competitiveness of Thai small and medium retailers and create an ecosystem conducive to sustainable growth. This reflects the collaboration between government and private sector in building strong foundations for grassroots economy and responds to the government's "Thai Helping Thai" policy, which aims to leverage e-commerce's potential to create opportunities and income for entrepreneurs nationwide.

During the discussion, the government emphasized its vision to strengthen Thai MSME capabilities, which form the foundation of Thailand's economic system, and highlighted the role of digital platforms in opening trade opportunities and expanding consumer access while driving growth for Thai entrepreneurs across the country.

Shopee has substantively supported this policy through the Thai MSME Growth Support Program, which promotes growth for Thai merchants through benefits that increase consumer reach, boost sales, and support sustainable growth. The platform has also conducted digital skills training for tens of thousands of Thai sellers and leveraged its regional network to connect Thai entrepreneurs to foreign markets, promoting collaboration in bringing local and community products to the international stage through cross-border e-commerce channels.

Currently, many Thai entrepreneurs are successfully expanding export markets through Shopee's cross-border sales promotion programs, including the Shopee International Platform (SIP) and Shopee Global Sales, demonstrating the potential and quality of Thai products recognized by foreign consumers in markets such as Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

The government also proposed that Shopee leverage Thailand's strategic strength as ASEAN's connectivity hub to drive the country's digital economic ecosystem and support Thailand's advancement toward becoming the region's digital economy center in the future.

Chulabhorn Royal College held a merit-making ceremony titled "Artful Vision of Royal Compassion" on July 4, 2569 (2026) to honor the birthday of Professor Dr. Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, the college's president and board chair. The event took place at the Sriswangvadhana Building within Chulabhorn Hospital and was presided over by Acting Vice-Secretary General Dr. Ratchata Ratchatanawin. Administrative leaders, staff, government officials, partner organizations, and the public participated in the ceremony, offering flowers as tribute to recognize the princess's dedication to public welfare and Thailand's medical and public health development. The princess founded Chulabhorn Royal College in 2559 (2016) as a premier institution for education, research, medicine, and public health aimed at improving citizens' quality of life. She has demonstrated exceptional expertise in medical science, pharmacy, and visual arts by uniquely blending scientific knowledge with artistic imagination to create innovations and new hope for Thailand's health system. As a remarkable gesture on her birthday, the princess graciously donated 690,000 units of Immurabine 100 cancer medication to the national health system—a pharmaceutical achievement reflecting her tireless commitment to ensuring equitable cancer treatment access. The college presented three commemorative lectures and announced two prestigious national and international medical awards: the Sriswangvadhana Award for 2569, presented during a lecture on "Science of Compassion: From Dedication to Public Wellness" by Dr. Ratchata Ratchatanawin; the Princess Chulabhorn Award for 2568, presented during a lecture on "Science for Humanity: Diligence in Oncology" by Dr. Tassana Buntong, Dean of the Nursing Faculty; and a tribute lecture on "Science Reflecting Beauty: Phalaenopsis Princess Chulabhorn Orchid—From Silk Art Innovation to Exquisite Floral Beauty" by Dr. Takorn Pannit, Acting Vice-Secretary General.

Saraburi Governor Banjcha Chaowrintha has signed Provincial Order No. 2205/2569 placing District Chief Prin of Phra Phutthbat district on temporary suspension, following Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's policy directive. Prin, a senior provincial administrator, was arrested based on arrest warrant No. 20/2569 issued by the Central Region Corruption and Misconduct Complaint Court.

Prin faces charges of abusing his official position to coerce or solicit property or benefits for himself or others, as well as breaching his duties through misconduct or corruption under the Criminal Code articles 149 and 157. The arrest was coordinated between the Anti-Corruption Division, the Saraburi Office of the Ombudsman, and the Office of Administrative Affairs.

The governor's order emphasized that the district chief position requires public trust and credibility. Since Prin now faces criminal charges related to corruption, allowing him to remain in office would damage public confidence in the administration. The province determined that his continued service could cause harm to government operations. Criminal proceedings are expected to be lengthy, warranting his immediate temporary suspension.

The order took effect upon issuance. Those named in the order retain the right to lodge a written complaint with the Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry within 30 days of notification.

Club 30 Concert 2026 will go down in history as a defining moment for the Thai music scene, bringing together five top-tier artists who are currently at the height of their success. The lineup features Ink Waruntorn, Boykylion, Jeff Satur, The Toys, and Nont Tanont, all riding waves of musical excellence and stardom.

The two-day concert on June 27-28, 2026 at Impact Arena in Muang Thonburi, presented by Mama, kicked off with a medley of each artist's biggest hits performed together on a single stage, starting with "Rak Raeng" by Nont Tanont, followed by "Lop Mai Dai Chuay Hai Luem" by Ink Waruntorn, "Dum Dum" by Jeff Satur, "Korn Rue Duean Fun" by The Toys, and closing with "Wad Wai" by Boykylion sung by all five performers.

The concert featured solo performances and special duets between the artists. Highlights included Ink performing "Ride or Die," Boykylion with "Tok Nam Tah" and "Khong Khwun Pi Mai," The Toys delivering "Sai Tah Lok Kan Mai Dai," and a highly anticipated collaboration between Nont and Jeff on "4:00." The show also featured an AI comedy skit called "Gam Rak Krua Hasan Talad Thai," which saw the five artists roleplay in a romantic love triangle scenario, complete with the song "Jai Yen."

Over 20,000 tickets from both shows sold out immediately upon release, cementing this concert as one of the most anticipated events of 2026.

Labor Minister Chulaphan Amornvivat announced a major overhaul of entertainment industry labor protections on July 3, 2026, following collaborative discussions with the Thai Directors Association, Thai Actors Association, and media production networks. The creative media industry has undergone significant structural changes due to foreign investment and platform expansion, creating complex and diverse employment models that require updated worker protections.

The minister outlined two key initiatives. First, the government will launch upskilling and reskilling programs through the Department of Skill Development, offering professional certification recognized both domestically and internationally to improve employment prospects and raise worker incomes. Second, the ministry will address excessive working hours by establishing a working committee with industry representatives to draft regulations capping daily workdays at approximately 12 hours—currently, crew members, actors, lighting technicians, set designers, and support staff often work over 16 hours daily, creating health and safety risks.

Although many entertainment workers are freelancers, the ministry believes all deserve proper welfare and social security benefits. The government is studying ways to improve social insurance systems for this workforce, including healthcare, unemployment protection, and retirement security. The ministry is also promoting contract literacy among industry professionals, as many disputes stem from informal agreements and wage theft. Legal experts will conduct seminars on contract negotiations, worker rights, and legal protections.

While famous actors may face fewer vulnerabilities, supporting actors and crew members lack sufficient job security protections. Labor Minister Chulaphan emphasized commitment to concrete measures that elevate standards across Thailand's entire entertainment industry.

Chusakiat Saktiveerakul, president of the Thai Directors Association, confirmed the organization regularly receives complaints about wage non-payment, overtime issues, and workers unaware of their contractual rights. Small-crew members owed thousands of baht—critical to their livelihoods—have been particularly affected. He viewed this collaboration as a crucial starting point for improving entertainment workers' quality of life.

Thailand's National Water Resources Office (ONWR) is joining forces with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to prepare for severe rainfall from monsoon troughs and Tropical Storm Maysak. Secretary-General Chayant Mueang Song reported that a monsoon trough is currently crossing the North and upper Northeast, while the southwest monsoon is bringing strong winds across the Andaman Sea, Thai waters, and the Gulf of Thailand. A depression in the northern South China Sea has intensified into Tropical Storm Maysak, which is expected to move toward Hainan Island and northern Vietnam on July 4-5, 2026, indirectly impacting Thailand with heavy to very heavy rainfall in the upper Northeast, North, East, and western Southern regions. This could trigger flash floods, flash floods from runoff, and landslides.

The ONWR's National Water Operations Center holds regular situation briefings daily at 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM to analyze rainfall patterns, assess severity, and identify at-risk areas before distributing information to regional ONWR offices for management. If at-risk areas for flooding, flash floods, or landslides are identified, the office will immediately coordinate with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to issue public alerts via Cell Broadcast technology. From July 3-6, 2026, high-risk provinces requiring special monitoring include Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phayao in the North; Chanthaburi and Trat in the East; and Phang Nga, Phuket, Ranong, and Krabi in the South.

The office continues to closely monitor and manage water levels in reservoirs and water releases to align with rainfall and storm conditions. Currently, national water sources hold 44,137 million cubic meters, or 55 percent of storage capacity, with usable water at 20,026 million cubic meters, or 35 percent. The office continuously tracks inflow to reservoirs to adjust water release plans appropriately, ensuring flood management capacity during monsoon season and water conservation for the dry season as Thailand faces El Niño conditions.

From June 25 to July 1, 2026, 35 major reservoirs nationwide received 331 million cubic meters of water, distributed across regions: North (9 reservoirs, 98 million cu.m.), upper Northeast (12 reservoirs, 45 million cu.m.), Central (2 reservoirs, 12 million cu.m.), East (6 reservoirs, 8 million cu.m.), West (4 reservoirs, 107 million cu.m.), and South (2 reservoirs, 61 million cu.m.). The top five reservoirs by inflow are Vajiralongkorn, Sirikit, Bhumibol, Ratchaprapha, and Srinakarin dams.

Meanwhile, the ONWR remains vigilant about drought-prone areas during July 2026 due to rainfall gaps, having compiled data on water-scarce regions nationwide covering domestic consumption, agriculture, and water quality. The office coordinates with relevant agencies to continuously monitor, analyze, and assess water situations under the Water Resources Management Committee to adjust management criteria accordingly.