May 24, 2025 — Deputy Government Spokesman Ploychonlasuk Laksameesangchan revealed that the government has instructed relevant agencies to coordinate a crackdown on unlicensed lending applications and websites charging exorbitant interest rates. Over the past year, from February 2024 to May 20, 2025, the Bank of Thailand submitted 79 suspicious apps to the Ministry of Digital Economy for Society (DE) for legal action, with authorities confirming that 57 of these apps were unregistered. The DE ministry has petitioned the court to ban these apps from app stores and remove illegal microcredit listings. Additionally, the government has proactively blocked 1,466 URLs associated with predatory lending between October 1, 2024 and May 17, 2025.

Deputy Spokesman Ploychonlasuk noted that scammers are currently deceiving the public through various channels including websites and social media, using enticing claims such as "easy to borrow," "fast approval," "low interest rates," "minimal documentation," and "no collateral needed, even with a blacklist." Victims risk losing personal information such as national ID numbers, house registration documents, and bank account details, or losing money through fraudulent upfront fees and deposits.

"The government urges citizens to verify any loan app's legitimacy by checking the Bank of Thailand's website before borrowing. Search for 'check loan app' to verify the app's registration status. If you've already been deceived and transferred deposit fees or charges, you can immediately report it to the AOC hotline 1441 available 24 hours a day," the deputy spokesman stated.

On May 24, 2025, rescue services in Samut Prakan received an emergency call about an assault and battery incident at Takae Market near the Bang Poo Industrial Estate's northern entrance in Praek Sa Nai Subdistrict, Mueang District. First responders found a 39-year-old man identified as Mr. A with severe stab wounds to his left ribcage. Emergency personnel performed CPR and coordinated with Sikarin Hospital in Samut Prakan, but the victim died shortly after arrival.

Witnesses reported that before the incident, the suspect and victim had a heated phone argument and arranged to meet and settle their dispute. When they encountered each other on the street, a physical altercation erupted involving punching and wrestling. The victim was then stabbed and fell to the ground while a young woman close to him tried to intervene. The suspect kicked the victim again and fled the scene. Police initially focused on the infidelity angle and questioned the relevant woman, while also collecting video footage from residents to track down the perpetrator.

At 3:30 AM, 49-year-old Mr. Kan (surname withheld), the suspect, turned himself in to Bang Poo Police Station and sought medical treatment for his injuries from the physical fight. He confessed to being the victim's husband, having been married for over 26 years with three children together. He admitted to knowing about his wife's affair for a long time, carrying a knife regularly, and having previously been assaulted by the victim, losing four teeth in the process.

Investigators initially charged the suspect with "intentional murder" and "unlawfully carrying a knife in public without reasonable cause," with legal proceedings to follow.

The "Thai Help Thai Plus 60/40" program officially launches tomorrow, May 25, with registration open to citizens and merchants nationwide. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periwatrawattana explained that this cost-sharing initiative between the government and public aims to reduce expenses and maintain purchasing power during economic recovery, with the state covering 60% of eligible purchases and citizens contributing 40%.

Citizens can register from May 25 through September 29, 2569, or until reaching 30 million participants. Applicants must be Thai nationals aged 18 and above, not holding state welfare cards, and not suspended from program benefits. Benefits can be used from June 1 to September 30, 2569 (6:00 AM - 11:00 PM), with food delivery services starting June 15.

Merchants can register from May 25 through July 31, 2569 at booths set up by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with Krung Thai Bank branches nationwide. Registration routes vary by merchant type: existing "People Get Half" participants can confirm immediately through the Tung Ngern app; new merchants must register through Krung Thai Bank with required documentation; and public transport operators can activate the Tung Ngern app directly with the bank.

New merchant applicants must verify their business type, download application forms, obtain endorsements from relevant agencies, and submit at Krung Thai Bank service points. Upon approval, participants receive SMS notification and can begin accepting payments from June 1 to September 30, 2569. Eligible merchants include restaurants, beverage shops, general goods stores, blue flag shops, community enterprises, village funds, community shops, public transport operators, and small legal entities with annual income not exceeding 1.8 million baht.

After much deliberation, Pen Lak Maew (Pen Panthita), a famous TikTok influencer, has announced her decision to temporarily drop out of her medical studies at Khon Kaen University. Sometimes life doesn't take us down all the paths we planned simultaneously.

In her statement, Pen explained: "Hello everyone. Today I want to address questions many people have about me. I'm speaking from my current feelings and understanding. If I've misunderstood anything or communicated incorrectly, I apologize in advance."

"Many people have asked about balancing medical school with my work as an influencer. I wanted time to organize my thoughts clearly first because I know many people follow me and younger people see me as inspiration. That's why I wanted to communicate this as carefully as possible."

"My faculty has advised me about the long-term appropriateness of certain work once I become a doctor, which I respect deeply because it's a profession society trusts."

"I then tried to be more careful with content creation and separated my studies from work as much as possible."

"After criticism about appropriateness, during this break I consulted with my family and decided to take a leave from studies to properly pursue influencer work."

Pen acknowledged that life doesn't always align with our plans: "I've had the chance to reflect that sometimes life doesn't take us down all paths simultaneously as planned. I realize being a doctor is a profession with high ethics and social responsibility, where words and actions affect many people's trust."

"This decision isn't because I think studying is unimportant, but because the opportunities and experiences coming into my life now are truly rare, and I want to fully pursue them while I have the chance."

Pen revealed her family is very concerned and that the decision wasn't easy: "My family is very worried about my future, and I've deliberated long because this isn't an easy decision. But what I know for sure is that I'm happy learning new things, meeting my team, meeting people, my fans, and pursuing a childhood dream."

"I especially don't want my faculty or clinic to be questioned or criticized for this. Throughout my time there, they've given me good advice and guidance, and my clinic has been fully cooperative and respectful of discussions with the faculty."

"Finally, thank you all for listening. I'm still someone learning and growing, making important life decisions step by step. I promise to do my best, and I'm grateful everyone continues to support me."

Fans were shocked and confused by the news, with comments expressing varied perspectives and concerns about what's happening.

Thailand's sepaktakraw team requested a walkout in their final match against Malaysia at the ISTAF Sepaktakraw World Cup 2026 in Malaysia, citing multiple unfair calls by Singapore-based referee Muhammad Radi. A similar incident occurred on August 20, 2017, during the SEA Games in Malaysia, when Indonesia's women's sepaktakraw team also walked out of their final match against host nation Malaysia. Indonesia's team withdrew during the second set despite leading 16-10. Abdul Gani, assistant coach of Indonesia's sepaktakraw team, revealed that irregularities in the refereeing were apparent from the first set, with Indonesian players being repeatedly called for faults on serves. "From the first set, there were already signs. Every time our athletes tried to serve, the calls were constantly canceled," Gani said. He expressed dissatisfaction with the main referee Muhammad Radi's performance, questioning whether the match was rigged in favor of host nation Malaysia. "Our athletes were called for high kicks as fouls, but from my perspective, it was completely abnormal. It felt like something was set up for Malaysia to win," the Indonesian assistant coach stated. Ultimately, Malaysia's women's sepaktakraw team was declared the winner and claimed the gold medal.