The Federation of Thai Industries is closely monitoring the prolonged three-month conflict and has downward revised this year's automotive production forecast, with April Middle East exports plummeting 91.76% to a five-year low.

According to Surapong Paisitpattanapong, advisor to the automotive industry group and spokesman for the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), April 2025 vehicle production reached 103,794 units, down 0.44% year-on-year. Vehicle exports declined 8.43% to 60,190 units.

Thai exports to the Middle East market dropped to just 993 units from 11,053 units, representing a 91.76% decline—the lowest in five years. The collapse is attributed to the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which resulted in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, making vehicle exports impossible. Declines were also recorded in European, Central American, and South American markets.

Domestic production reached 36,532 units, down 1.70%, with pickup truck sales falling 9.7% due to stricter credit lending policies from financial institutions. Weak domestic economic growth, low industrial production indices, and concerns about investment and employment have weakened consumer purchasing power. Global economics remain threatened by international conflicts and trade wars.

"These factors, especially declining pickup truck exports to the Middle East due to the war and the Strait of Hormuz closure, could cause export production to miss this year's 950,000-unit target if the Middle East conflict extends beyond three months," the statement said.

Despite these challenges, April domestic vehicle sales rose 2.54% year-on-year, driven by delivery of pre-ordered electric vehicles from the Bangkok International Motor Show in late March-early April. Rising oil prices from the Strait of Hormuz closure, combined with new model launches and one company's new truck production facility, contributed to the growth.

First quarter 2025 economic growth of 2.8% and investment projects approved by the Board of Investment (BOI) could support stronger growth if investments are deployed this year. The government's 400-billion-baht loan to reduce energy imports and increase investment should also boost employment.

However, the FTI will closely monitor the conflict through May-June to assess its duration before revising the 2025 production forecast. Current targets remain 1.5 million units total: 950,000 for export and 550,000 for domestic sale.

A major concern is parts suppliers requesting price increases citing the Middle East conflict, which would further depress sales and production. The FTI has urged parts and vehicle manufacturers to maintain price discipline while consumer purchasing power remains weak.

On May 25, 2025, police received a complaint from a restaurant owner in Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province about a customer named Thongpoon (surname withheld), 42, who dined and drank at the establishment from early evening until 11:30 p.m. When staff presented a bill for approximately 600 baht, the man claimed to be a civil servant holding the rank of special colonel, stating his home was near Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's residence and that he was friends with several high-ranking police officers. He demanded a free meal, but the restaurant refused, explaining they needed to cover operating costs. The man simply sat smoking and refused to pay, so staff called Muang Nakhon Ratchasima Police Station.

Police traffic officers arrived and brought the man to the station for questioning. Investigation revealed no record of anyone named Thongpoon ever serving as a special colonel. Police will investigate whether he has used this deception at other establishments and will proceed with fraud charges under Article 345 of the Criminal Code.

Many people still fondly remember the story of how Chn Thana (Thanatrai Chaturachinda Phuchokkanan) publicly acknowledged the people who helped him during his darkest moments. One of those generous souls was actor Tak Boriburn Janruang.

Most recently on May 24, 2026, at the JSPKK STORE by JAZZ branch on Siam Square Soi 10, the good-natured actor Tak Boriburn attended a store opening celebration with Jazz. During an interview, he shared the touching backstory.

Tak recalled: "Back then, I was doing online content but had no money. I didn't know who else to call, so I reached out and asked Chn for help. That was when he was really at his peak in his career. It was touching, honestly. I called him and said 'Chn, I'm doing this online show and I need some money.' He just transferred it to me. He bought my products and supported me so much.

One day, he hit a rough patch. I heard about it and remembered his kindness. When I was struggling, he helped me. When he was struggling, I had to help him back. That's all there is to it."

Will you ever forget that debt of gratitude?

"Never. I went to support him and encourage him. He's truly a good person. If you start a business and have someone supporting you from day one, believe me, everyone remembers that. You never forget it—it stays with you. And when you're finally able to, you want to help them too."

Jazz added: "Tak helps everyone. He's an amazing person. He doesn't support his friends just for show or media attention. He's genuinely good."

Many admire Tak's generosity too?

Tak: "Thank you so much. May I be a good person. I'll try my best." (laughs)

Jazz: "He never abandons anyone, seriously. I can vouch for that. Back when I was struggling with Jang, he came through for me. He lent me 20,000 baht. I still remember it. And he's not even shy about it."

Young men, beware! Check these 5 common face-washing mistakes that keep acne from disappearing, along with solutions and tricks for selecting the best men's facial foam and acne-reducing cleansers for clear skin.

5 Face-Washing Habits That Trigger Acne No matter how well you care for your skin, if you're washing incorrectly, acne won't go away! Let's check your bathroom mirror habits to see if you're unknowingly inviting acne with these 5 practices:

1. Using Bar Soap Instead of Face-Specific Foam Cleanser One of the most common mistakes is grabbing the same bar soap you use for showering to wash your face. Regular bar soaps have a pH level too high for facial skin, causing dryness, tightness, and stimulating sebaceous glands to produce excess oil to compensate for lost moisture. This leads to clogged pores and acne. Choosing an acne-reducing men's facial foam with balanced pH is a much better solution.

2. Washing Your Face Too Frequently—3-4 Times Daily Many believe the more you wash, the cleaner you get and the better you fight acne. The opposite is actually true! Over-washing strips away natural oils, disrupting your skin's balance and causing it to produce twice as much oil. Washing just twice daily (morning and before bed) is the ideal frequency for men's skin.

3. Scrubbing Too Hard Based on the Belief That "Harder Equals Cleaner" Many men aggressively scrub their faces, especially acne-prone areas, believing it removes all impurities. However, rough scrubbing causes irritation, inflammation, and spreads existing acne. The correct method is to gently massage the foam using your fingertips in circular motions for just 30-60 seconds.

4. Using Extremely Hot or Cold Water to Wash Your Face While hot water does open pores, it also strips natural oils and moisture. Extremely cold water shrinks pores too quickly, trapping debris deep inside. Room-temperature or slightly warm water is the ideal solution for face washing.

5. Overlooking the Choice of Cleanser Suited to Men's Skin Men's skin has distinct characteristics different from women's—stronger sebaceous glands, larger pores, and greater sun and sweat exposure. Using generic or women's facial foam doesn't address the real acne problem. Men's facial foam specifically designed for this purpose contains ingredients that control oiliness, reduce acne inflammation, and deeply cleanse pores without causing dryness.

Tricks for Choosing the Right Acne-Reducing Facial Cleanser for Men Selecting a quality acne-reducing men's facial foam is the crucial first step in proper skin care. A good foam should contain active ingredients that address acne problems, such as:

Salicylic Acid (BHA): Exfoliates skin cells and reduces clogged acne Tea Tree Oil: Reduces bacterial buildup that causes acne Charcoal: Absorbs impurities and excess oil from pores

Additionally, choose gentle formulas that are free from harsh ingredients.

Deputy Prime Minister Pracharya Prissananuntakul expressed satisfaction after the Thai Help Thai Plus registration surpassed expectations in nearly five hours, with 8 million benefits still available. He assured registrants not to worry about the three-day verification process, as benefits are already reserved for those awaiting review. The program will use the original 13.2 million welfare cardholders during the first two months before any adjustments.

Speaking at Government House on May 25, 2025, at 10:25 a.m., Prissananuntakul explained that Thai Help Thai Plus registrations fall into two categories: existing welfare program users can immediately confirm their eligibility, while new applicants must wait for verification through the Interior Ministry's online system, which may take up to three days.

When asked about the risk of benefits running out during the verification period, Prissananuntakul reported that 10 million benefits had already been claimed just 25 minutes after registration opened, leaving 8 million remaining. Those awaiting the three-day verification have their benefits reserved by the system, and once verification is complete, they are considered eligible recipients.

Acknowledging numerous complaints that truly poor people were excluded while ineligible individuals received benefits, the government plans to review the 13.2 million beneficiaries. The Interior Ministry will survey people outside this list to identify those below the poverty line, working with the Social Development Ministry before sending recommendations to the Finance Ministry. The Finance Ministry will apply additional screening criteria including annual income, land ownership, and business status. This process is expected to take approximately two months, during which the program will continue using the existing 13.2 million figures before any adjustments are made.

Online Station and zbing z., Thailand's number one gaming creator with over 21.7 million followers, have collaborated to launch 'Zimby Land,' a new virtual playground on Roblox featuring the 'Crash' map. Unlike a typical gaming space, Zimby Land blends zbing z.'s signature fun, vibrant personality and unique style with accessible, entertaining gameplay that still delivers hidden scares and challenges to keep players excited throughout their journey. The world welcomes both newcomers and longtime fans alike. Beyond gaming, Zimby Land features a dedicated community where players can engage in conversations, receive updates, and participate in special events. The platform brings together partners and brands to create limitless imaginative experiences for all, making it a true destination for Gen Z culture. Zimby Land is now open for everyone to explore a colorful world filled with surprises and countless activities waiting to be discovered. Players can follow updates and participate in the community through the official channels including Discord and Roblox Community pages.