On July 3, 2569, Natthadittha Thepsutin, a Pheu Thai party list MP and spokesperson for the special budget committee, announced the committee's review of the fiscal year 2570 spending budget bill. The meeting began examining the central budget under Section 6, totaling 693.88 billion baht.

The committee consulted four economic agencies to assess the country's overall economic situation: the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Thailand, and the Budget Bureau.

Thepsutin reported that the Bank of Thailand estimates Thailand's economy will expand in the short term despite negative pressures from Middle East conflicts, which have driven up commodity and oil prices. This has created inflationary pressure, with inflation potentially exceeding 4% in the fourth quarter before gradually declining next year.

Rising inflation may slow household consumption in the latter half of 2024, though government measures like the "Thailand Helps Thailand Plus" program are supporting the economy and private sector spending in the third quarter.

Thepsutin noted that artificial intelligence investment represents a significant positive factor, expanding globally and boosting demand for Thailand's technology exports. Technology product exports grew 34.2% in 2568 and are forecast to grow 43.8% this year and 17.2% next year, demonstrating AI's critical role in driving Thailand's economy.

"Despite inflation's impact on consumption, investment and AI industry momentum should help Thailand's economy grow 2.3% this year and 1.8% next year, though consumer spending and government measures require close monitoring," Thepsutin said.

The committee also questioned the National Development Council about economic impacts from Thailand-Cambodia tensions and contingency plans. The council clarified that while economic impact assessments have been conducted, cross-border trade volume is insufficient to significantly affect the nation's overall economy.

Thepsutin added that the committee will begin reviewing the Prime Minister's Office budget next on July 6.

A chaotic multi-vehicle collision unfolded on July 3, 2026 at 1:10 PM on the Bangkok-bound lane of Petchkasem Highway in Bo Nok subdistrict, Prachuap Khiri Khan. Deputy Superintendent Rattanapon Thongjin of Prachuap Khiri Khan City Police Station received reports of a Bangkok-Ranong passenger bus swerving into a truck, followed by a pickup truck striking the rear of the truck. Multiple injuries were reported, prompting an immediate response from police led by Station Commander Phaithul Prom and rescue personnel.

At the scene, officers found a blue Bangkok-Ranong route bus with severe damage to the right rear section. A parked truck showed debris from the bus lodged on its left side, while a pickup truck registered in Nakhon Si Thammarat had damage to its front end. Six people were injured—five bus passengers and one pickup driver—with one sustaining serious injuries requiring hospitalization.

Initial investigation revealed that as the truck slowed due to road construction ahead, the bus driver attempted to swerve left but failed to avoid collision with the truck's side. The pickup truck behind couldn't brake in time and struck the truck again. Heavy rain at the time made the highway slippery, contributing to the accident. Police collected evidence from the scene, cleared vehicles from traffic, and proceeded with legal proceedings.

On July 3, 2025, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) found former National Office of Buddhism Director Panom Srasil and associates guilty of embezzling subsidy funds intended for Buddhist activities at Wat Sittisarn Prasit in Takling District, Narathiwat, during the 2015 fiscal year.

In 2015, Panom Srasil ordered the formation of a committee to allocate subsidy funds for Buddhism promotion projects, with himself as advisor and Deputy Director Pranomm Kongpikul as committee chair. The committee was tasked with reviewing criteria and disbursing funds to Buddhist institutions.

Provincial Buddhism Office Director Sathian Damrangkadirat coordinated with Narathiwat's chief monk to compile a list of temples interested in hosting Buddhist holiday events. However, there was a hidden condition: temples receiving funds would have to return a portion to the central office.

Wat Sittisarn Prasit, which had never applied for support, was allocated 3 million baht. The NACC discovered the committee never actually met. Instead, the allocation was processed through backdated meeting minutes prepared by Pattana Suammatmontri, with Pranomm's direction, and approved by Panom Srasil without proper authorization procedures.

After receiving 2,999,970 baht, the temple was pressured to withdraw 2.3 million baht, which was passed to Sathian and eventually to Pranomm. Following Sathian's arrest in a related case involving temple kickbacks across three southern border provinces, Pranomm returned cash to authorities for restitution.

The NACC charged Panom Srasil with both criminal and serious disciplinary violations. Pranomm Kongpikul, Prasang Chakkam, and Pattana Suammatmontri face criminal and serious disciplinary charges. Some charges against certain officials were dismissed due to statute of limitations. Sathian and Surachet Charoenmettatham were found guilty of supporting state officials in wrongdoing and serious disciplinary violations.

Dr. Mod calls for public understanding, emphasizing that "special needs children" does not equal "all autistic children," and "autistic children" does not equal "bad children." One incident alone should not define an entire group.

On July 3, 2026, Dr. Mod's Facebook page "The Storytelling Pediatrician" posted this message. Recent news coverage has prompted increased discussion about "special needs" and "autism," terms that are often conflated. While Dr. Mod believes most people don't intentionally misunderstand, these two terms are frequently used interchangeably. Today, he invites everyone to understand six important points:

1. "Special needs" does not always mean "autism." The term "special needs" refers to children who require specialized care, learning, or support beyond the norm. It is not a disease name and does not exclusively mean "autism." Special needs can refer to autistic children, children with ADHD, children with learning disabilities, children with intellectual disabilities, children with cerebral palsy, or various other conditions.

Early news reports used the term "special needs," which initially left the specific condition unclear. However, recent confirmation indicates the child in question is autistic. Therefore, Dr. Mod wants everyone to understand "autism" correctly.

2. What is autism? Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference, not a habit, parenting outcome, or insult. Key characteristics of autistic children include: - Difficulty communicating and socializing, such as reading facial expressions, tone, or social cues—harder than for typical people - Repetitive or specific behaviors and interests - Sensitivity to sound, light, smell, or touch - Preference for routines; sudden changes may cause more stress than in typical people

None of this results from poor parenting or the child being "bad."

3. Each autistic child is very different. Many assume all autistic children are alike, but the reality is far more diverse. In medicine, we call this diversity the Autism Spectrum: - Some cannot speak - Some speak excellently - Some have intellectual disabilities - Some complete university and work successfully - Some have families and children - Some have even completed medical school and practice as doctors

Therefore, two autistic individuals may differ greatly despite sharing the same diagnosis.

4. Autistic children have different support needs. In medicine, we categorize autism into Levels 1, 2, and 3. These levels don't indicate which child is smarter or less capable, but rather how much "support" each child needs. Some require guidance only in certain areas, some need assistance with learning or daily living, and some require close supervision.

5. Autism does not mean intellectual disability. Many mistakenly believe autistic children cannot excel academically or drive. This is incorrect. While some autistic individuals do have intellectual disabilities, many have normal IQ, excel academically, work successfully, and have exceptional abilities in mathematics, music, art, or detail retention. Many are highly intelligent, even surpassing typical peers.

Do not be surprised to meet autistic children who excel academically—it happens.

6. One incident cannot define an entire group. When negative events occur, we should analyze the facts of that specific incident without using one person's actions to judge hundreds of thousands of others. Medically, autism is not a label.

The Government Housing Bank (GHB) has launched the "GHB Helps Thais: Easy Purchase, Easy Installment" campaign, offering ready-to-move-in residences across the country with discounts up to 20% and credit benefits to vulnerable groups.

Taveepong Wichaidit, GHB Governor, stated that the campaign brings the Social Development Ministry's policy into practical action. The initiative covers over 69 projects nationwide, including 37 affordable housing projects, providing maximum 20% discounts with special lending benefits. The campaign specifically targets low-income earners, elderly citizens, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, enabling them to access quality housing at affordable prices.

The special tiered interest rate structure includes: 0% interest in the first year, 2.50% in years 2-3, 4.00% in years 4-5, 6.50% in years 6-10, and 6.75% in years 11-40. Those rejected by commercial banks can directly enter hire-purchase agreements with GHB. Renters seeking to reduce debt burden may increase monthly installments to settle accounts faster. Credit bureau checks are waived for affordable housing, community housing, social housing development, and Light Rail Transit Pedestrian Line 3 projects, with decisions based on Credit Score instead.

The campaign runs through September 30, 2025. GHB also allows existing tenants to convert to hire-purchase agreements (Walk-in), with minimum deposits of 1,000 baht for social projects, 5,000 baht for commercial projects, and 10,000 baht for Light Rail Transit Line 3 projects, plus special 2.50% interest rates in the first year.

All participating projects will be renovated and repaired to move-in condition before handover. Alternatively, buyers can choose to renovate themselves and receive a discount equivalent to repair costs. This campaign not only helps Thais own homes more easily but also advances social development policy while stimulating the real estate and national economy sustainably.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn chaired a meeting in Songkhla to coordinate water management and flood mitigation efforts. The meeting included Songkhla Governor Ratthasart Chidchoo, Second Naval Region Commander Rear Admiral Theprithi Labhluea, Chamber of Commerce President Somphol Jangsirivattana, Thai Bankers Association President Thongchai Wassanaruangruangsuk, relevant government officials, and private sector representatives.

Pipat emphasized that the government is committed to seriously addressing Songkhla's flooding crisis. The meeting aims to gather data, proposals, and input from all sectors in preparation for the Prime Minister's July 10 visit and to present key issues to the cabinet. Pipat confirmed his readiness to coordinate establishing a War Room to integrate efforts across all agencies for surveillance, early warning, water management, evacuation, public assistance, and post-disaster economic recovery.

"The key is to take action before the rains arrive, not wait until flooding occurs," Pipat stated, calling for immediate solutions, pre-monsoon preparations, and long-term projects.

Pipat stressed that Songkhla's flooding cannot be addressed only in Had Yai District but requires a comprehensive watershed approach from upstream areas in Sadao, Natawi, Sabayai, and Chanae. He noted that lessons from the 2024 major floods demonstrate the necessity for structural planning and integrated water management system-wide.

The Royal Irrigation Department reported that current rainfall accumulation remains below normal, while three medium-sized reservoirs maintain adequate water levels. They identified 22 flood monitoring points and improved the early warning system for the Khlong Uthapao watershed, reducing notification time to 18-22 hours. Long-term plans include a 36.6 billion baht flood prevention system development covering dredging, drainage improvements, water diversion canals, and additional reservoir development.

The Transport Ministry reported progress on post-flood infrastructure recovery and plans to enhance water drainage efficiency through channel dredging.