Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul revealed that following a meeting on Thai sports development and government restructuring, officials approved plans to establish an independent Ministry of Sports and merge tourism functions with the Ministry of Culture to improve administrative efficiency in sports and tourism management. The legal process is expected to be completed by late this year or early next year.

The creation of a dedicated Sports Ministry is viewed as a foundation for promoting Thailand's sports industry as an economic sector generating income and employment opportunities. This aligns with developing sports science, systematically training athletes, and ensuring youth access to sports, ultimately enhancing Thailand's competitive standing on the international stage.

Regarding sports standards oversight, the meeting approved elevating the anti-doping control agency to public organization status, enabling it to operate independently, transparently, and reduce conflicts of interest between oversight and competition management bodies. This will strengthen Thailand's anti-doping standards to meet international norms.

On youth boxer safety, the ministry and Thailand's sports authority prioritize child protection with standard safety equipment and regulations. Officials are consulting relevant agencies to balance boxing promotion with child protection, while planning to provide equipment and budget support to boxing camps to reduce financial burden and sustainably improve youth athlete safety.

Real estate developers are ramping up their offensive in the second half of 2026, capitalizing on government stimulus measures and signals of recovering purchasing power. AP Thailand is set to launch 27 new projects valued at 32.32 billion baht spanning single homes, duplexes, townhomes, and condominiums to meet demand across all segments.

Ratchayut Nantachotisopon, executive chairman of AP Thailand Public Company Limited, said the company will roll out these projects including new CENTRO single-home developments in high-potential locations on Srinakarin–Bang Na, Phahon Yothin–Sai Yai, and Thawi Watthana areas. The company will also launch GRANDE PLENO duplexes on Phahon Yothin–Thupatemee starting in Q3, featuring 2-story units of 154–224 square meters priced from 6.99 million baht, and Ban Klang Meung townhomes on Srinakarin–Bang Na with 3-story units of 134–173 square meters from 4.79 million baht.

New condominium projects include ASPIRE Sathorn–Taksin Priva, a 22-story building with 381 units featuring the smallest units in the Sathorn–Taksin area, priced from 2.49 million baht, and GOOD DAY More Bangmod, a new condo brand with 26–38 square meter furnished units starting at 2.19 million baht near King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi.

Meanwhile, ASW achieved 11.847 billion baht in sales during the first half of 2026, equivalent to 64% of its 18.5 billion baht annual target. The company was driven by strong demand for leisure residences in Phuket under its TITLE subsidiary, particularly the Baan Kana Surin project valued at 3.2 billion baht with over 70% of bookings secured. ASW opened 5 new projects worth 8.255 billion baht in the first half and plans strategic launches in Bangkok and Phuket during the second half to capitalize on continued strong demand.

Krommaset Wiphanpong, ASW's chief executive officer, expects the second half to benefit from multiple factors including Middle East situation developments, a weaker baht attracting foreign investors, the tourism season, and government measures including maintained low policy interest rates, relaxed LTV requirements, and extended transfer fee and mortgage registration discounts through June 30, 2027.

Nottingham Forest has announced the appointment of Oliver Glasner as their new head coach. The 51-year-old Austrian manager built Crystal Palace into a strong team, winning the FA Cup and capturing the UEFA Conference League title before parting ways and joining Forest as their latest manager. He marks the fifth managerial change since September 2024.

"I am delighted to join Nottingham Forest as head coach," Glasner said. "From my first conversation with the club owner and management, it was clear to me that they have an ambitious vision for the future of this club. Combined with the potential I see in this squad of players, these are key factors for me, and I'm excited about what we can achieve together."

Forest began the season under Nuno Espírito Santo before changes to Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche, and Victor Pereira.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo is hosting a grand celebration for the second birthday of Moo Deng, the beloved pygmy hippopotamus star adored worldwide. Director Nongwit Chadchoy announced that the "Moo Deng HAPPY Deng DAY" event will run from July 10-12, 2025, at the zoo's hippopotamus exhibit in Chachoengsao Province.

The celebration coincides with the debut of the "Hippo Village" exhibition project, a new development aimed at improving animal living conditions and offering visitors modern educational experiences.

On July 10, the actual birthday celebration, visitors will sing birthday wishes and present a special cake to Moo Deng, followed by fan-meeting activities with zookeepers including Captain Withaya and popular staff members Benz, Nick, and Todd, alongside Zoo Keeper Creator content creators.

Throughout the three-day event, additional activities include animal mascot parades, games with prizes, the Hippo Village project exhibition booth, birthday greeting cards for Moo Deng, exclusive Moo Deng merchandise, and local Chachoengsao products.

From July 10-12, the zoo is offering free admission for children up to 12 years old or under 135 centimeters in height, and seniors 60 years and older. Vehicle entrance fees still apply. The zoo invites all visitors and fans to celebrate the project launch and create lasting memories of Moo Deng's birthday. For more information, contact Khao Kheow Open Zoo at 0-3831-8444.

Bangkok Deputy Governor Nongrak Rueangsri announced the launch of 12 free online AI courses on July 6 through the Learning.bangkok.go.th platform. The courses cover everything from foundational AI concepts to practical business applications, designed for SME owners, sales staff, marketers, and aspiring developers.

Rueangsri emphasized that technology is changing rapidly, with AI transforming work methods across nearly every profession. While many may view AI as remote or exclusively for tech specialists, it has become a fundamental skill all professionals need to stay competitive in a constantly evolving world.

The 12 courses include Meta AI & Ads Solutions for SME Growth, AI Skills for Business Professionals, Microsoft 365 Copilot applications, Azure AI development, GitHub Copilot for coding, Generative AI for tourism, AI techniques for SME operations, sales analysis with Bing ChatGPT, digital marketing strategy, AI technology fundamentals, cybersecurity for online business, and ethical AI transformation for SMEs. Course durations range from 1 hour to 13 hours.

All courses are completely free and self-paced, accessible to students, employees, business owners, and anyone seeking to develop new career skills. Bangkok believes quality education should extend beyond classrooms, providing equal opportunity for people of all ages and professions to advance their knowledge and capabilities.

The employer-side social insurance development team is opening a public forum to gather insights from workers across all sectors to shape social insurance policies based on real-world experience rather than boardroom assumptions. The 2569 Social Insurance Board election campaign focuses on "hearing authentic voices from all sectors to transform social insurance to serve those who contribute." Candidates Virulyaa Vongchan (No. 5) and Chalika Kuldilok (No. 7) from the development team are exchanging perspectives with Dr. Tosporn Serirak and Dr. Boonchai Boonchai Aryapol (No. 2) from the insured workers' faction, opening channels to hear from all system stakeholders.

These include government officials managing policy and system operations, employers creating businesses and jobs, workers and insured persons seeking rights and security, hospital representatives and medical personnel providing frontline care, rescue teams and emergency responders witnessing public needs in critical moments—all to gather voices from every angle of the system. Social insurance is not merely about contributions; it concerns the life, health, security, and future of all Thais. The development team believes that "good policy cannot stem from guesswork but must come from listening to those facing real problems." They listen to employers bearing costs while maintaining employment, and to workers seeking rights and stable support. They hear from hospitals and rescue services standing with citizens in their most critical moments, aiming to channel these voices into balanced, fair, and sustainable social insurance development where employers can sustain operations, workers gain security, and services remain accessible. The system must move forward together.

Employer-side candidates: No. 3: Dr. Thongyoo Kongkhan No. 4: Dr. Thavikiat Rongsawat No. 5: Virulyaa Vongchan No. 6: Pol. Col. (Ret.) Khattiyapong Phakdichon No. 7: Chalika Kuldilok No. 8: Jesada Pongthanathanawat No. 9: Surasak Prathanvapanya

Insured workers' side: No. 2: Dr. Boonchai Boonchai Aryapol

Systemic change begins with listening to those within the system.