Songkhla Mobilizes Agencies to Combat 2026 Flood Season - 85 High-Risk Areas Flagged for Close Monitoring, Orders Protection of Economic Zones and Removal of Water Obstructions. On July 6, Deputy Governor Jirawat Manicote of Songkhla Province chaired a preparedness meeting at the Provincial Hall to address flooding, storms, and landslides in the 2026 season. Military representatives, police, and relevant agencies attended in full force. Jirawat directed all organizations to integrate their operations in a unified approach, accelerate water retention capacity, protect chronically flooded and economically vital areas, remove water obstructions, and inspect the structural integrity of irrigation infrastructure, embankments, and drainage gates. Plans to support agricultural zones and residents were also prepared. Additionally, the province will establish a provincial command center and emergency operation centers for all local government bodies across every area. The at-risk regions cover all 16 districts, classified into five categories: flood-prone zones, riverbank overflow zones, flash flood zones, mudslide zones, and risk-free areas. Officials identified 85 chronically flooded locations requiring enhanced surveillance.

On July 6, 2025, approximately 50 members of a coalition protecting the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong rivers traveled to the Chinese consulate general in Chiang Mai to file a petition demanding resolution of water contamination problems. The peaceful gathering was met with force by more than 150 Chiang Mai police officers, resulting in clashes that left two protesters injured, including one with a broken arm and another with a dislocated shoulder.

The Assembly of the Poor issued a statement condemning the violence and demanding immediate state accountability. The group emphasized that peaceful assembly is a constitutional right and basic freedom, and argued that the government's actions reflect a failure to respect and protect citizens' right to peaceful protest. They called on relevant agencies to work together to address the cross-border pollution issue that prompted the demonstration.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced that from January 1 to July 4, 2025, Thailand received 16.21 million foreign tourists, generating 782.5 billion baht in spending. Despite a 3.11 percent decline compared to the same period last year, tourism trends are beginning to recover as the summer holiday season approaches for multiple countries.

Tourism Minister Surasak Phandcharoen reported that this week's tourism sector is showing expansion momentum, driven significantly by the onset of summer school holidays across various nations. Both short-haul markets such as China and Hong Kong, as well as long-haul markets including France, Germany, and the Netherlands, are contributing to increased visitor arrivals.

During this week, 533,697 foreign tourists entered Thailand, with the top five source countries being China (83,492 visitors), Malaysia (78,306), India (32,657), Taiwan (20,625), and Austria (20,498).

Expectations for next week indicate further increases in foreign arrivals, supported by China's summer school holidays and the European tourism season.

As of July 5, 2025, cumulative data from January 1 to July 4 shows Thailand hosted 16.21 million foreign tourists, generating 782.5 billion baht in spending. The top five countries by cumulative visitor numbers are China (2.65 million), Malaysia (2.11 million), India (1.24 million), Russia (1.02 million), and South Korea (596,673).

Sports Minister Surasak Pancharoenwakul stated he is prepared to listen to all parties to revise child boxing laws and strike a balance between promoting the sport and protecting children, with child safety as the top priority.

On July 6, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., Surasak held a press conference following a meeting on Thai sports development strategies. He revealed progress on government restructuring plans, which include establishing an independent Ministry of Sports and consolidating tourism functions with the Culture Ministry to enhance overall sports and tourism administration. The legal proceedings are expected to be completed by late this year or early next year.

The minister explained that creating a dedicated Sports Ministry is crucial for developing Thailand's sports industry as an economic engine generating income and careers. This will be coupled with advances in sports science, systematic athlete development, and expanded youth sports access to boost Thailand's international standing.

Regarding anti-doping oversight, Surasak disclosed that the meeting approved upgrading the sports anti-doping agency to public organization status, ensuring independent and transparent operations while reducing conflicts of interest between regulatory and competition-organizing bodies. This will elevate Thailand's anti-doping standards to international acceptance.

On youth boxer safety, the minister stressed that child protection remains paramount. The ministry and Thai Sports Authority are implementing standard safety measures and protective equipment while consulting relevant agencies to refine boxing laws balancing sport promotion with child welfare. Additionally, the government plans to provide equipment and budget support to boxing camps to reduce operational costs and sustainably enhance youth athlete safety.

Kasikornbank Research Center predicts Thailand's housing market will remain oversupplied in 2025, with over 610,000 accumulated unsold residential units nationwide—nearly double typical property transfer volumes—driven largely by accelerating second-hand home sales. The residential market faces a supply-demand imbalance as unsold inventory climbs while buyer demand weakens with no clear recovery signs.

Currently, unsold inventory is nearly twice the average property transfer rate, intensifying market competition and giving consumers more purchasing power. However, economic volatility and fragile consumer spending power present headwinds for real estate developers' marketing strategies, sales figures, and profitability.

In the first quarter of 2025, nationwide unsold units reached 590,000, a 7% year-on-year increase driven by second-hand listings. Second-hand homes for sale totaled 240,000 units, up 34% year-on-year, as individuals, financial institutions, and asset managers offload properties. Meanwhile, new residential units in developers' portfolios declined slightly to 350,000 units, down 6% year-on-year, as developers delayed new project launches.

Over 52% of unsold inventory sits in Bangkok and surrounding areas, totaling over 310,000 units. Economic hub provinces like Chon Buri, Phuket, and Chiang Mai also saw increases in both new and second-hand unsold inventory. Over 60% of unsold units are priced below 3 million baht, totaling 355,000 units. Notably, units priced above 10 million baht surged 48% year-on-year in Q1 2025, reaching 46,000 units, driven primarily by second-hand properties.

Developers face narrowing investment options as they increasingly target the luxury segment to avoid competition in lower price ranges. Kasikornbank Research remains cautious about the market outlook for the second half of 2025. While positive factors include extended transfer fee reductions and mortgage incentives for properties under 7 million baht, economic uncertainty and weak purchasing power are expected to limit growth. The center forecasts 2025 property transfers will grow only 2.1% year-on-year, while unsold units may increase 4.5% to over 610,000 units as second-hand listings grow and new project launches decline.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has charged Thiernchai, former district chief of Pothisai in Roi Et province, and associates for purchasing pesticide at inflated prices under emergency disaster relief funding. On December 21, 2011, the Roi Et governor declared nine sub-districts in Pothisai affected by crop pest infestation and allocated 9.7 million baht in emergency funds, authorizing the district chief to approve spending.

The Pothisai agricultural officer proposed purchasing 6,689 bottles of Pirimiphos methyl pesticide at 1,450 baht per bottle (500 ml each), totaling 9,699,050 baht—one bottle per cultivated rai. Thiernchai approved the purchase without following proper procedures, including holding a required committee meeting. Instead, he instructed the district secretary to falsify meeting minutes showing committee approval that never occurred.

The price was not based on market research but was unilaterally set by the provincial agricultural office. The procurement process was also irregular. Thiernchai approved a special procurement method where the district secretary was handed price quotes from three companies and instructed to select a vendor. On January 4, 2012, a procurement officer reported the chemical cost 1,450 baht per bottle, but the selected company's bid exceeded budget. After negotiation, the price was reduced to 9,699,050 baht, which Thiernchai approved and signed.

Later, the State Audit Office investigated and contacted suppliers of the same pesticide brand. They found the price was 210 baht per bottle in bulk (2,520 baht per 12-bottle case) and 220 baht per bottle online. The district purchased it at 1,240 baht per bottle above market rate, causing government losses of approximately 8,294,360 baht.