The Office of the Insurance Commission reported that Thailand's insurance business maintained steady growth throughout 2025 despite economic and risk volatility, with total direct premium income reaching 969.2 billion baht, a 3.17% increase from the previous year. Life insurance premiums totaled 676.4 billion baht (up 3.62%), while property and casualty insurance premiums reached 292.8 billion baht (up 2.17%).

Among life insurance products, the top five by premium value were ordinary life insurance at 402.8 billion baht, health riders at 135.1 billion baht, group life insurance at 41.9 billion baht, unit-linked insurance at 41.4 billion baht, and annuity products at 21.5 billion baht. These figures reflect growing consumer interest in health planning, long-term savings, and investment-linked protection.

Outstanding growth was seen in unit-linked insurance (up 15.48%), health riders (up 12.36%), and annuity products (up 10.18%), while renewal premiums represented 72% of total premiums, indicating sustained demand for continuous coverage protection.

Life insurance operations posted net profits of 74.9 billion baht in 2025, up 65.57% from the previous year, driven by improved underwriting results and investment income. Total invested assets reached 4.49 trillion baht, with 61% allocated to government bonds, reflecting financial stability in the life insurance sector.

In property and casualty insurance, the top five products by premium were voluntary motor insurance at 143 billion baht, personal accident insurance at 31.8 billion baht, miscellaneous property insurance at 30.3 billion baht, mandatory motor insurance at 20.6 billion baht, and health insurance at 19.4 billion baht. Motor insurance remains the largest segment, while health and accident insurance showed continued growth momentum.

Property and casualty insurance expansion was particularly strong in health insurance (up 19.75%), travel insurance (up 15.49%), and personal accident insurance (up 6.76%), reflecting economic recovery and increased domestic and international travel, which diversified coverage demand across multiple insurance categories.

This supernatural display is wasting electricity! A TikToker got terrified thinking a burglar had broken in, jumped up to record video as evidence, but ended up running away instead when the refrigerator door and wardrobe suddenly opened by themselves. Claims this has been happening for the full 2 years, and even the kids in the house call these entities to come play—everyone in the household is spooked.

On May 19, TikTok user @kratayorawe posted a terrifying video challenging brave souls to hunt for ghosts after experiencing unexplainable phenomena in the home. Both the refrigerator door and wardrobe doors open on their own, leaving the entire household frightened.

In the video, the poster's husband is the one filming. He went to investigate after hearing strange noises at night, initially thinking a burglar had broken in. Without turning on the lights, he grabbed his phone to record what he hoped would be evidence of a burglary. The video shows a dog howling intermittently, and as he approaches the refrigerator after hearing sounds, the door suddenly swings open forcefully. The husband screams and immediately runs away. Later, in the mother's bedroom, the wardrobe door slowly opens on its own.

Many netizens speculate the video might be staged and doubt it's a genuine paranormal occurrence. Some believe the refrigerator's door seal has deteriorated, causing it to open on its own. However, other netizens counter that if the seal were truly worn, the door wouldn't open that forcefully—it would likely just crack open slightly and stay that way. Yet according to the poster, the refrigerator door closes by itself afterward.

The poster further explains that the refrigerator was purchased only 2 years ago, so the door seal shouldn't be deteriorated. She also addresses skeptics who suggest string might be rigging the door open, challenging them to show her the string if they see any.

When asked by a netizen if the story is real, she responded: "It's real. Everyone in the house went to a funeral, leaving only my boyfriend home alone for 3-4 nights. Last night was the night after his head-shaving ceremony, so he had to sleep alone."

She added: "Everyone in the house has experienced it, but not like this. Usually, we just see someone open a door with multiple eyes staring out, then the door closes. We've seen it that way for 2 full years until we got used to it. But last night it happened like in the video. There are 2-3 kids in the house, and they cheerfully called it to come play. The adults just looked at each other in shock. They called out to whoever—or whatever—it was."

On May 19, 2026, Deputy Government Spokesperson Phattharasmee Thongsaluay announced the Cabinet's approval of the National Human Rights Commission's recommendation regarding the issuance of educational documents to students with unpaid school fees at basic education institutions. The Cabinet tasked the Ministry of Education with reviewing the proposal in coordination with relevant agencies to determine its feasibility, with a report due within 30 days. The government remains committed to its Thailand Zero Drop Out policy aimed at reducing student dropouts to zero while safeguarding children's educational rights as provided by the Constitution and international human rights conventions to which Thailand is a signatory.

The Cabinet approved adjustments to Thailand's public debt management plan for fiscal year 2569, according to government spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek following the May 19, 2569 cabinet meeting. New borrowing has been set at 1.48 quadrillion baht, an increase of 221 billion baht from the previous plan. Existing debt management was adjusted to 1.62 quadrillion baht, a reduction of 23.9 billion baht, while debt repayment was increased by 27.6 billion baht to a total of 561 billion baht. Key projects include 200 billion baht in borrowing under emergency decree provisions and 20 billion baht in long-term loans to support the fuel oil fund's liquidity for maintaining stable domestic fuel prices. The spokeswoman stated that the adjustment remains within legal and regulatory frameworks, with projected public debt reaching 68.03% of GDP after the adjustment, staying below the 70% ceiling.

Acting State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor Anant Phothninmadaeng revealed progress on measures to reduce railway-vehicle collisions, announcing plans to accelerate the 'Missing Link' project—a railway connection initiative linking Bangkok Railway Station (Hualamphong) with Bangkok Central Station (Abhaibhubejhr) to provide a long-term solution to inner-city railway crossing problems.

Currently, the SRT is updating previous feasibility studies and plans to submit budget proposals for 2027-2028 before seeking Cabinet approval in 2028. Construction bidding is targeted for 2029, with completion and service opening expected by 2034. The project will reduce traffic congestion and accidents at railway crossings through elevated and underground construction, particularly on the Talad Nung-Siriraj route, which currently has eight level crossings. Plans include building overpasses for vehicles and elevated pedestrian walkways.

The Transport Ministry is collaborating with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to survey 27 additional high-risk crossing points to develop targeted solutions, including temporary traffic control measures during peak hours and adjustments to freight and passenger train schedules for safety.

Regarding concerns about reducing or ending southern and eastern line services into Hualamphong Station, Anant acknowledged public anxiety, noting current infrastructure remains incomplete and some commuter lines cannot yet transition to the Red Line electric system. Officials have been instructed to develop a three-month transition plan minimizing public impact.

For the accident investigation, bus drivers underwent additional questioning, and the SRT implemented strict drug and alcohol screening for all railway personnel nationwide, including drivers, mechanics, and operations staff. Initial test results showed no positive cases. Anyone testing positive faces immediate suspension and strict disciplinary action.

The SRT also requested approval to hire 2,850 additional personnel to address ongoing maintenance engineer shortages from retirements, as current staff face excessive overtime. For accident victims, the SRT confirmed full support: deceased receive 340,000 baht (80,000 for funeral expenses and 260,000 for beneficiaries), while injured passengers are covered by insurance with additional assistance based on injury severity.

BANGKOK — Thailand's Cabinet has approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free stay scheme for visitors from more than 90 countries, reverting to the previous criteria that generally allowed stays of around 30 days, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on 19 May.

Speaking at Government House, Surasak said the Cabinet also agreed to revoke arrangements allowing multiple visa privileges under the current scheme and return to the former regulations.

He said relevant agencies would be notified of the Cabinet resolution before implementation proceeds.

Surasak added that the Visa Policy Committee would review visa rules on a country-by-country basis and determine which type of visa would be appropriate for each nation, taking into account security and economic considerations.

Under the change, countries previously granted 60-day visa-free entry will return to their former visa conditions, with most visitors expected to receive stays of approximately 30 days.