The stress-relief toy known as the "squishy" has made a comeback on TikTok and other social media platforms, with users reviewing, collecting and promoting a wide range of designs. The toys are now widely available through online marketplaces, retail stores and stalls near schools.

The renewed trend has also prompted concerns over product quality and safety, particularly for cheap, unbranded or counterfeit items. While no widespread safety issue has been confirmed in Thailand, recent enforcement actions in the United Kingdom have highlighted potential risks linked to some non-compliant products.

On 8 June, Trading Standards officers in Glasgow seized more than 5,900 counterfeit squishy toys from a warehouse after finding many lacked mandatory UKCA or CE conformity markings. Officials warned that some products could contain hazardous chemicals, including formaldehyde, phthalates and industrial solvents, which may cause skin irritation, nausea, headaches and respiratory problems after prolonged contact or inhalation.

On 24 June, Gloucestershire Trading Standards in England seized another 1,968 non-compliant squishy toys. Authorities also warned against a viral social media trend encouraging users to heat the toys in microwave ovens, saying the material could overheat, rupture and cause burns.

On 25 June, the UK's Office for Product Safety and Standards recalled certain batches of Squeezy Dumplings toys after laboratory tests found benzene levels in the outer material at four times the legal limit. Consumers were advised to stop using the affected products immediately and return them for a refund. Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen when exposure occurs at high levels or over extended periods.

In Thailand, no official recalls involving squishy toys have been announced. However, the recent overseas cases have prompted discussion among consumers about the safety of products sold through online platforms and general retailers, particularly those without Thai-language labels, manufacturer details or clear safety information. Consumer advocates have also called for closer monitoring of toys popular among children and teenagers.

Environmental concerns have also emerged. Many squishy toys are made from polyurethane foam or thermoplastic rubber, both plastic-based materials that do not easily biodegrade. If the current wave of popularity proves short-lived, discarded toys could add to plastic waste.

Some collectors note that squishy toys have been on the market for more than a decade but have regained popularity largely because of social media. They recommend buying products from reputable brands that comply with recognised safety standards, even if they are more expensive, to reduce the risk of purchasing poorly manufactured or counterfeit items.

Fans say squishies remain harmless toys and collectibles when purchased from reliable sources and used as intended. The recent enforcement actions overseas have nevertheless served as a reminder that consumers should exercise caution when purchasing these products.

At 5:25 p.m. on June 30, 2025, in parliament, Prirat Wachrasinthu, a list-based member of parliament from the People's Party, debated the 2570 fiscal year budget bill, noting that while large state projects traditionally involved infrastructure like buildings and dams, modern mega-projects now extend into the digital realm. He highlighted a massive education learning platform project worth over 26 billion baht that was initiated under the Bhumjaithai party's leadership in the education and higher education, science, research, and innovation ministries. The project comprises four major components: the NDLP (Anywhere Anytime) learning promotion program costing 17.3 billion baht; a skill/credit portfolio system for primary and secondary students costing 3.15 billion baht under the education ministry; a skill/credit portfolio program for university students costing 5.14 billion baht; and the National Credit Bank system costing 384 million baht under the higher education ministry. Combined, these four projects exceed 26.2 billion baht—equivalent to building 10 Auditor General offices or matching the annual budgets of five combined ministries: Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Sports, and Energy.

Prirat noted that preliminary feedback from teachers and pilot schools on the NDLP program suggests the results may not justify the budget spent. System support has been slow, and schools cannot fix their own data—central corrections sometimes take months. He called on the government to clarify why implementation has been problematic and how future failures will be prevented.

"When requesting parliament approval for billions of baht to proceed with this mega-project, the government must clearly answer why past implementation has been sluggish and how they will prevent future failure," Prirat said. He identified unclear policy direction as a major concern, with the current education minister failing to articulate how the mega-project will be leveraged or how educational technology will be utilized. The minister's public statements have been inconsistent and directionless, he added.

Prirat further contended that the biggest problem may not be policy confusion but rather a lack of transparency in procurement processes, raising questions about who truly benefits from the mega-project. After reviewing the terms of reference for all project components, he found suspicious details in nearly every document that warrant investigation.

On June 30, residents from Lam Duan Subdistrict in Krasan District, Buriram Province, brought video evidence to the provincial Center for Maintaining Righteousness to lodge complaints against a village chief. They allege he organized illegal hi-lo gambling games in the village multiple times despite being a government official who previously had villagers arrested for gambling and publicly announced the village was gambling-free.

Representatives Mr. M and Mrs. Daeng (pseudonyms) explained that villagers had previously gambled casually at funerals, betting small amounts of 5-10 baht per round, until the village chief reported them to police. After facing legal consequences, residents stopped gambling. However, the village chief himself allegedly began organizing hi-lo games, violating both the law and his own announced village rules. When residents filed a complaint at the district Center for Maintaining Righteousness on May 11, nearly two months passed without any action. They have now escalated to the provincial level, demanding either prosecution or the chief's removal from office. Residents argue this constitutes selective enforcement and protection of an official who breaks the law.

Violence has flared again in Thailand's southern border provinces with a series of escalating attacks. The unrest began with a bombing in Thung Yang Daeng district, Pattani, injuring civilians and children. This was followed by an ambush shooting that killed a government official in Yarang district, Pattani, and arson attacks by armed groups disguised in military uniforms in Yala's Bannang Sata district.

Late on June 28, coordinated groups raided three PT petrol stations in Yala's Muang district, Sai Buri district, and Yala Hing district in Pattani, firing warning shots at station employees before setting explosives and fires. Most recently on June 29, a roadside tunnel bombing in Tak Bai district, Narathiwat, left two Malaysian tourists injured.

These incidents prompted the Permanent Secretary of Interior, the Public Administration Department Director-General, and Region 4 Commander to inspect affected areas. They ordered maximum security measures 24 hours a day and expedited efforts to apprehend perpetrators for prosecution while requesting public cooperation in providing tips.

The National Security Council Secretary-General confirmed the three petrol station bombings were linked to the southern insurgency, noting operational similarities to previous attacks on fuel facilities. The recurring violence raises questions about the government's progress in peace negotiations to resolve the southern conflict.

Compounding the security crisis is the shooting of Malichon Leewamoh, a Narathiwat MP from the Pracharaj Party, which has undermined public confidence and justice in the region. The government must pursue justice thoroughly, including investigating those behind the attack, as case dismissals could severely damage public trust in the state and reduce community cooperation in long-term peacebuilding.

Regarding the southern insurgency, the government must accelerate peace dialogue as promised. The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Malaysia on July 9-10, 2026, where Malaysia will facilitate discussions aimed at producing more concrete solutions to the southern border conflict.

Australian police arrested a Thai Airways flight attendant at Melbourne Airport after discovering 1 kilogram of heroin in her luggage, a major story in both Australia and Thailand. The arrest is particularly shocking because the suspect works as an airline employee—a profession that should know better and be well-aware that border controls forbid smuggling serious contraband. Australia is known for strict customs enforcement against drugs, contraband items that could harm crops or animals, and disease prevention. Thai authorities must continue investigating the circumstances of this case. Australian police have coordinated with Thailand's Office of Narcotics Control Board to trace the origin of the drugs and identify anyone else involved. Thai authorities must conduct a thorough investigation to find the source of this drug shipment. Thai law enforcement agencies are under intense public scrutiny to determine whether the flight attendant was directly involved in a smuggling operation or was deceived into transporting the drugs for payment. Critically, Thailand must trace where these drugs came from, shut down trafficking channels, and prevent narcotics from leaving the country to other nations. This is not merely about national reputation or image—it directly affects Thai citizens and Thai businesses. If Thailand becomes known as a source of drug trafficking, other countries will view Thai nationals with suspicion, damaging travel and commerce. Thai Airways itself must strengthen measures to prevent employees from committing crimes. The damage is severe. Thailand will become a target for drug enforcement agencies worldwide, raising uncomfortable questions about how heroin can leave Thailand so easily yet be caught by strict Australian border controls. Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, the transport minister, indicated that while past efforts focused on explosive detection, future measures must prioritize drug interdiction. He directed Thai Airways management, Airports of Thailand (AOT), and civil aviation authorities to coordinate on the issue. Naturally, when a major drug smuggling story breaks, all agencies must respond. However, they must also be careful not to create excessive delays that harm tourism, which depends on speed and convenience.

A fortune teller has identified five zodiac signs poised for major financial gains in July following a period of bad luck. Each sign will experience changes in fortune as auspicious planets align, with some benefiting from exceptionally positive cosmic influences while others should exercise caution.

Astrologer White presents July's zodiac rankings for wealth and prosperity:

Rank 1 (July 15 – August 15): Cancer experiences a fortunate planetary transit after July 17, bringing news of substantial financial gain.

Rank 2 (September 17 – October 16): Virgo benefits from the combined influence of Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus (planets 4, 5, 6) blessing the wealth sector.

Rank 3 (June 15 – July 14): Gemini, previously in a difficult period, now enjoys favorable planetary support that could transform their financial situation dramatically.

Rank 4 (May 15 – June 14): Taurus receives strong support from the Sun and Mercury together with Jupiter and Venus (planets 1, 4, 5, 6), providing maximum financial advantage.

Rank 5 (April 13 – May 14): Aries benefits from favorable Rahu influence (planet 9), with the Sun and Venus (planets 1 and 6) positioned to provide financial benefits during this period.