The Department of Business Development has pledged to investigate allegations of improper benefit solicitation, stating 'if wrong, we acknowledge it; if right, we acknowledge it too,' while reaffirming its commitment to fully digitalized services. On May 16, 2025, Director-General Poonpong Naiyanaphakorn of the Department of Business Development under the Ministry of Commerce addressed the issue of corruption in government, emphasizing it as a key indicator of national competitiveness and investor confidence.

The department adheres to good governance principles and welcomes scrutiny of all operational procedures to demonstrate transparency. The department has maintained strict oversight of staff conduct with clear disciplinary measures for complaints from businesses and the public. Digital systems have been implemented across all business registration, financial filing, and licensing processes, which inherently reduce face-to-face interactions that could facilitate bribery.

Despite comprehensive digital service delivery—including DBD Biz Regist for business registration, DBD e-PCL for public company registration, DBD e-Filing for financial statements, e-Foreign Business for foreign business permits, e-Secured for secured transactions registration, and DBD DataWarehouse+ for corporate information—a recent private sector survey under the 'Thai People Will Not Tolerate Corruption' program ranked the department 21st out of 26 agencies for alleged bribery requests.

The director-general expressed surprise at these findings, noting that virtually 100% of services are fully digitalized. The department has continuously updated and secured its digital systems, established standardized service procedures, implemented transparent status-tracking systems, and instructed staff to conduct business with integrity while prohibiting any improper benefit solicitation. Clear penalties and strict internal controls are in place to prevent corruption.

BANGKOK — 16 May 2026, Thailand has introduced stricter regulations governing cannabis businesses, limiting licences for medical cannabis activities to registered medical facilities, pharmacies and herbal medicine shops, health officials said.

The Public Health Ministry said the new ministerial regulation, which took effect this year, strengthens oversight of cannabis classified as a controlled herbal substance.

Under the rules, only legally registered healthcare facilities, pharmacies and herbal product stores may apply for licences to study, export, distribute or process cannabis for commercial purposes.

Dr. Tewan Thaneerat, deputy director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, said the measures were designed to improve public safety and ensure cannabis use remains under professional supervision.

Official said traditional Thai medicine practitioners and licensed folk healers may continue using cannabis flower buds to treat patients, but only under tighter controls.

Dispensing cannabis products now requires an official prescription form, with supplies limited to a maximum of 30 days per patient. Businesses must also retain records for at least one year for inspection purposes.

Licensed premises are required to employ staff trained in basic medical cannabis knowledge during operating hours and must store cannabis flowers separately from the floor with effective odour and smoke control systems.

Authorities said businesses previously suspended or stripped of licences could be denied future licence renewals.

The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine said it regulates only cannabis flower buds as controlled herbal products. Exporters and distributors must also obtain cultivation and harvesting certification approved by the department.

Official said the new rules aim to create clearer medical cannabis standards while supporting the long-term development of Thailand's herbal medicine industry under legal oversight.

Another win this draw! Mae Nam Neung is about to go live and celebrate her lucky numbers hitting perfectly across the board. In the May 16, 2569 draw, Mae Nam Neung Phirda was streaming live from the airport as she was about to board a flight when the lucky number prediction she gave in group 80 came in completely. The two-digit final prize number that was drawn was 08. She posted enthusiastically saying 'Screaming 08 rich!' Mae Nam Neung noted that she had provided number 80 from the beginning in her group based on the number 8. Beyond the 8 hitting the two-digit final prize, the number 8 also appeared in the first prize draw that came out as 387.

About the Korea Season Cultural Festival Program

The Korea Season is a cultural initiative hosted by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. The program selects one strategic country annually to present Korean culture and arts comprehensively throughout the year, aiming to promote the spread of Korean culture and build sustainable foundations for cultural exchange.

In 2026, the festival will be promoted through collaboration with the Korean Cultural Centers in Vietnam and Thailand, significant cultural hubs in Southeast Asia. The official launch of Korea Season 2026 is set for May, with diverse programs continuing throughout the year. The festival will provide extensive opportunities for local audiences and artists to participate in cultural exchange activities.

The festival will engage local audiences through varied programming including dance, media art exhibitions, festivals, and classical performances. Key events include contemporary ballet in May, the K-Live Festival in October, media art exhibitions presenting traditional Korean concepts from December through January, and SM Classics Live in Hanoi in November.

Opening Performance: A Meeting of Korean Aesthetics and Ballet

In mid-May, a contemporary ballet production will inaugurate Korea Season 2026 for Vietnamese and Thai audiences. The work interprets Korean aesthetics through Western ballet, primarily featuring the traditional Korean hat 'gat' as its central motif. It reinterprets traditional forms and symbols such as the 'ssaksa' (bamboo hat) and 'jokhtu' (women's ceremonial headdress), conveying uniquely Korean emotions on stage, including the integrity of scholars, the perseverance of warriors, and the elegance of women.

The production benefits from a creative team including notable national and international award winners, led by artistic director Yoon Byeol and choreographer Park So-yeon from the Yoon Byeol Ballet Company. As a ballet company emphasizing creativity and representing the new generation of Korean ballet, the Yoon Byeol Ballet Company is expanding the possibilities of contemporary ballet through refined performances that transcend both tradition and modernity.

Notably, the 2025 national tour of this contemporary ballet garnered significant attention from the dance community, achieving sold-out performances with an average 99% attendance rate. This work, which reinterprets traditional narratives in contemporary form, has gained popularity through word-of-mouth, receiving critical acclaim and expanding its audience primarily through social media, particularly attracting younger viewers.

The opening performance of Korea Season 2026 aims to present new dimensions of Korean culture and arts to local audiences through a stage that bridges tradition and modernity, as well as East and West.

Prime Minister Anuthim Charnvirakul and Interior Minister held a press conference at the Second Army Area in Sanam Luang regarding Cambodia's return of Yochon Sainoi to Thailand on May 15th, describing it as a positive sign of cooperation. The PM characterized the move as demonstrating discretion, stating this proves Thailand and Cambodia don't have people-to-people problems, but rather government and administrative system issues to resolve through proper channels. He emphasized that neither country is using citizens as negotiating tools or bargaining chips.

Anuthim noted this is a good omen showing both countries can distinguish between diplomatic matters, though it doesn't obligate Thailand to accept everything Cambodia proposes—each issue depends on negotiations. During a summit with Cambodian PM Hun Manet in the Philippines, Anuthim formally announced Thailand's cancellation of the 2002 MOU and requested both nations follow UNCLOS instead. Cambodia initially expressed disappointment but agreed to adopt UNCLOS as a common reference point, with Anuthim noting this gives both countries the same legal foundation, unlike previously when they operated on separate principles.

When asked about confidence levels toward Cambodia, Anuthim stated that until everything stabilizes, Thailand must remain cautious, particularly regarding security protocols and border safety for Thai citizens.