Arada Fuengtong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) under the Commerce Ministry, has revealed that she assigned Nophadol Kanthamas, Deputy Director-General of the DFT, to lead a delegation of government representatives, cassava flour experts, leading Thai cassava flour industry entrepreneurs, and media to expand export markets for Thai cassava flour in Germany between May 10-13, 2025. This initiative aims to open new market opportunities in line with the policy of Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthammapun.

The mission achieved outstanding success. The delegation participated in Interpack 2026, Europe's largest packaging industry exhibition and technology showcase, and engaged in discussions with the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, Germany's most influential association of food processing and packaging machinery manufacturers.

The team also met with leading European packaging manufacturers such as PaperFoams B.V. from the Netherlands and Lecta from Spain. These companies expressed strong interest in developing cassava flour-based materials and requested product samples for testing as raw materials before proceeding with bulk purchases.

Furthermore, the delegation met with major German chemical companies interested in cassava flour's potential as a key raw material for producing environmentally-friendly chemicals. The Thai cassava flour industry has demonstrated its capacity to efficiently meet these demands while aligning with European environmental standards. Both private sectors will continue discussing joint product development plans.

The delegation also met with executives from the Port of Duisburg, the world's largest inland port, which is connected to major European ports via the Rhine River and serves as a main terminal for the China-Europe Railway Express under the Belt and Road Initiative. Transporting Thai cassava flour through this port presents an important alternative that will efficiently distribute Thai cassava flour to manufacturing sectors across the European region in the future.

The market expansion mission for Thai cassava flour in Germany achieved remarkable success, particularly in promoting cassava flour's strengths as a versatile raw material for various industries including paper, packaging, and chemicals. Given the distinctive properties and potential of Thailand's cassava flour industry, multiple European companies have expressed interest in developing cassava flour products in collaboration with Thai private enterprises, spanning packaging, packaging coatings, and environmentally-friendly chemical production.

Given cassava flour's commitment to international quality standards that align with EU policy, the department is confident that this market expansion initiative will represent a crucial opportunity to strengthen the capabilities of entrepreneurs in both countries while enhancing supply chain resilience and sustainable growth. This will ultimately benefit Thai cassava farmers by securing long-term stable export markets.

Arada stated that amid current geopolitical crises affecting global supply chains, promoting Thai cassava flour in Germany not only showcases high-quality agricultural raw materials but also strengthens international trade relationships.

Muang Thai Life Insurance is aggressively expanding into the health insurance and wealth planning market with its new concept 'Choose Well for You,' introducing the new 'D Health Lite' product—a comprehensive health insurance plan designed to fit individual budgets. The product targets freelancers, working professionals, and modern families while attracting affluent customers to purchase insurance domestically.

Sarana Lumsam, Chief Executive Officer of Muang Thai Life Insurance Company Limited (MTL), revealed that the company is continuously developing health products and services under the 'Choose Well for You' concept to address customers seeking personalized coverage amid changing global conditions and rising medical costs.

The newly launched 'D Health Lite' is a flexible health insurance plan that allows customers to select coverage and premiums suited to their budgets. It provides comprehensive coverage for common illnesses, serious diseases, and accidents with benefit limits of 1 million or 5 million baht per hospitalization.

Key features include acceptance from 30 days to 90 years old with coverage extending to age 99, and offering multiple options such as first-baht coverage, deductible plans, and copayment options to help customers manage premiums according to their payment capacity.

Customers can also utilize benefits through the 'MTL Smile Hospital Network,' covering 165 partner hospitals nationwide, receiving special privileges including up to 20% increase in medical expense limits, additional hospital and physician days, copayment discounts, and faster pre-surgery cost estimates.

'This product is designed to serve diverse customer groups—freelancers without employee benefits, children and families, office employees seeking additional coverage, and those living in other provinces wanting easier access to private hospitals,' Sarana said.

Simultaneously, Muang Thai Life Insurance launched wealth planning and legacy transfer products including 'Muang Thai Premier Legacy 99/1,' available from age 30 days to 80 years with premium payments for just 5 years, and 'Muang Thai Legacy Wealth 99/5,' available from age 30 days to 75 years, featuring fixed policy surrender value and short-term premium payment to support long-term wealth management and asset transfer needs.

Sarana noted that Thailand is entering an aging society, increasing demand for health insurance and long-term life insurance. He emphasized that Thai insurance products are competitive internationally in terms of coverage, flexibility, and regulatory standards.

'We want Thais to have confidence in domestic products because equivalent foreign insurance typically requires 10 million US dollars, while Thai products start around 10 million baht, offering easier access, reduced currency exchange risk, and local tax benefits. Today's Thai life insurance addresses health needs, financial planning, and wealth transfer to loved ones,' he concluded.

On May 19, 2025, Deputy Commander Maj. Gen. Pongsiam Meekhanathong of the Tourist Police revealed details following a joint meeting with embassy and consulate representatives and foreign volunteer networks in Pattaya, Chon Buri Province. The Tourist Police Command has launched proactive measures to protect tourists and foster cooperation between government agencies and international networks to prevent and suppress crimes damaging Thailand's tourism reputation.

Representatives from multiple countries participated, including Finland, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Mongolia, and the Russian Federation, along with foreign volunteer networks from over 20 countries in the Pattaya area.

Maj. Gen. Pongsiam stated that the meeting exchanged intelligence and discussed collaborative approaches to address issues involving foreigners in major tourism areas, particularly illegal shell company operations, criminal activities, unlawful immigration, overstays, drug trafficking networks, and online scam rings—all of which undermine tourism confidence and public safety.

The meeting also emphasized establishing tip-reporting networks, educating tourists and foreigners about Thai law, and promoting traffic discipline. This follows incidents of foreigners driving cars and motorcycles without proper licenses or violating traffic laws, a significant cause of accidents in tourism areas.

Maj. Gen. Pongsiam added that the Tourist Police will continue integrating cooperation with all sectors to enhance safety measures, build tourist confidence, and sustainably protect Thailand's tourism image.

On May 19, 2026 at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister's Office spokesperson Patdararasmi Thongsluayakorn announced Cabinet approvals for senior civil service appointments across multiple ministries. The Foreign Ministry proposed two appointments: Ms. Phaensom Lertsitchai, Deputy Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs, as Ambassador to Doha, Qatar; and Sek Nopthaisongh, Consul-General in Chengdu, China, as Ambassador to Tehran, Iran. The Finance Ministry appointed Somsak Anantawat, tax strategy advisor for the energy sector at the Revenue Department, as Revenue Commissioner. The Digital Economy and Society Ministry appointed Theerawut Thongpakdi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Digital Economy and Society Committee, as Ministry Inspector. The Cabinet also extended Pichet Kunathammarak's term as Director-General of the Railway Transport Department for one additional year through May 20, 2027. The Budget Bureau appointed Patcharaphon Sithipong, Budget Bureau Advisor, as Deputy Director. The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry appointed Pranome Chanmai, Senior Cooperative Specialist, as Cooperative Expert. Additionally, the Cabinet approved six political appointees, including Phinitmeth Thegthanan and Jidapa Suntharathanakul as advisors to Deputy Prime Minister Thongsri, and three other political staff members for the Prime Minister's Office.

Vietjet Thailand is rolling out its mega annual campaign 'Vietjet Online Travel Fair' featuring 1 million zero-baht flight tickets along with hotels and complete travel packages to support travel demand recovery.

According to Pinyos Pibulsongkram, Deputy President of Commercial and Customer Relations at Vietjet Thailand, while the aviation and travel industry in 2026 still faces challenges from consumer purchasing power and spending caution, travel demand continues to grow steadily. Consumer behavior has shifted toward becoming 'Value Travelers' who prioritize value and careful expense planning.

This is reflected in Vietjet Thailand's ticket sales, which grew over 35% in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, while promotional campaign bookings were 15% higher than normal periods. Moreover, booking trends through the airline's platform have grown significantly, prompting the airline to expand its role from carrier to comprehensive travel platform. Passengers can now book hotels and attractions directly through the airline's website, making travel planning convenient and complete in one place.

'Value Travelers prioritize value at every stage of travel planning, from finding reasonably priced tickets to selecting packages that fit their budget while seeking cost management options alongside comprehensive travel convenience,' Pinyos said.

To meet current travel trends, Vietjet Thailand has launched the year's major campaign 'Vietjet Online Travel Fair' offering comprehensive travel deals including special ticket prices, hotel discounts, and popular attractions from May 19-31, 2026. Travel dates covered are August 1, 2026 to October 20, 2027, with bookings available on Vietjet Thailand's website and app.

The campaign offers:

Special ticket prices covering all domestic and international routes starting at 0 baht for Eco seats and 399 baht for Deluxe seats (excluding taxes and fees), up to 1,000,000 seats.

Addons discount: 15% off checked baggage (20-40kg) on routes to Phuket, Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Surat Thani for travel by October 31, 2026. Plus 30% off the 'Fly2Ferry' air-sea service for round trips on Suvarnabhumi-Koh Samui (Nathon), Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan routes for travel by September 30, 2026.

10% discount with no minimum for hotel bookings and attractions through www.vietjetair.com using code 'VZTRAVEL10' at checkout, covering hotels, attraction tickets, transportation, and restaurants both domestically and internationally.

'This campaign is part of our strategy to boost ticket sales while elevating ancillary and comprehensive tourism services through Vietjet Thailand's digital platform, reflecting our commitment to delivering valuable, convenient, and easily accessible travel experiences for modern travelers,' Pinyos said.

Two Chinese suspects detained in Chon Buri ‘zombie’ drug lab raidLegacyPolice raided a luxury pool villa in Chon Buri today, May 19, after finding it had been turned into a makeshift drug lab with machines and other items linked to chemicals used in ketamine-laced e-cigarettes, locally known as Pod K. Chon Buri Governor Naris Niramaivong and Pol Maj Gen Phongphan Wongmanithet, commander of Chon Buri Provincial Police, led officials with a search warrant from Pattaya Provincial Court. The villa covered about one rai, or 1,600 square metres, and had two two-storey buildings. Police searched the rear building and found more than 80 chemical-related items on the first floor, including blue 20-litre plastic containers, tins, sacks, black boxes, and other storage containers. Photo via DailyNews The second floor had been converted into a laboratory. Officers found large glass containers and three chemical-processing machines lined up together, all of which were still operating during the search. Police said the machines appeared to be producing Etomidate, known locally as a zombie drug. The chemical is believed to be a key ingredient used to make Pod K, which police said are popular among nightlife tourists. Two Chinese workers were detained at the villa: 47 year old Jia Jing Zhuang and 24 year old Teng Ji. Police said they are preparing charges of working in Thailand without permission. The suspects allegedly admitted they were responsible only for watching the property and supervising the chemical-mixing machines. Police took them for further questioning. Photo via DailyNews Investigators later searched a warehouse about 20 kilometres from the villa after surveillance found the group had been moving between the two sites. At the warehouse, officers found more chemical containers, including 20-litre and 200-litre drums, glass tubes used for mixing chemicals, and scales. Police seized the equipment as evidence, saying it appeared unused and ready for chemical production. Naris said the raid followed an earlier case about two months ago, when police seized large amounts of suspected psychoactive chemicals from a rented house in Nong Pla Lai, Bang Lamung. Investigators later found similar activity at the Huai Yai villa. Photo via DailyNews Pol Maj Gen Phongphan said the raid followed complaints from residents about Chinese nationals allegedly mixing chemicals, prompting Huai Yai police to monitor the property before seeking a search warrant. DailyNews reported that police will now work with Provincial Police Region 2 investigators, narcotics suppression police, and immigration police to trace the source of the chemicals and identify others involved. Similarly, back in late 2025, police raided a house in Pattaya and arrested a Chinese national for producing and distributing Pod K, a substance that has gained popularity among both Thai and foreign partygoers in Pattaya. The story Two Chinese suspects detained in Chon Buri ‘zombie’ drug lab raid as seen on Thaiger News.