Agriculture Minister Suriya Jurungruangkit, a leading member of the For Thailand Party, has recovered and left the hospital to resume field work in Udon Thani province following his original schedule, citing his concern for residents who came to welcome him. His medical team continues to monitor him closely. On May 25, 2569, Suriya had lost consciousness and required emergency hospitalization late on the night of May 24, but has since regained consciousness and is safe. Despite only recently passing through this medical crisis, Suriya is determined to continue with his duties, having been discharged from the hospital around 9:30 a.m. Sources close to the minister reveal his commitment to proceed with scheduled activities out of respect for awaiting residents, with medical clearance already obtained. However, his support team will maintain close supervision. His Udon Thani itinerary includes a visit at 11:00 a.m. to the Sam Phraao water drainage gate in Mueng Udon Thani district to hear public concerns and monitor water conditions. In the afternoon, he will travel to the Nong Daeng wetland area in Kud Samran subdistrict to oversee progress on the World Horticultural Expo. Additionally, he is scheduled to attend the ordination ceremony of Rachan Silparayya, former director-general of the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department, later today.

On May 25, 2567 in Phichit province, the first day of identity verification for the Thai Help Thai Plus program was bustling with activity. Starting from 6 a.m., large crowds of residents who already had the Pao Tang app arrived to verify their registration for the Thai Help Thai Plus (60/40) program, which is open for registration from May 25-29 with 30 million available benefits.

Residents hope to participate in the program to ease household expenses. However, some residents experiencing app access issues, version problems, and failed verification attempts were mostly elderly individuals with unreliable internet connections, forcing them to rely on family members to help them access the app and claim their benefits.

Sujai Bunyavat, a resident of Tambon Muang Kao in Muang Phichit District, shared that she asked her grandson to verify her benefits on the system because she feared making a mistake during the verification process for Thai Help Thai Plus.

At Krung Thai Bank, large numbers of residents traveled to Krung Thai Bank Phichit branch to verify their benefits with bank staff. The bank processed app access for customers and linked their Krung Thai accounts for identity verification. The crowds became so overwhelming that staff had to direct residents to wait in queues outside the building to reduce congestion and help them understand the process. Services were organized separately between those verifying benefits and those conducting regular banking transactions.

One resident reported waiting in line from 7 a.m. to complete the Pao Tang app verification and facial scanning with bank staff, worried about missing out due to the long queue.

Bankstaff set up additional service points with interns and staff to guide residents. However, the main problems encountered during this registration were equipment and technical system limitations, particularly for elderly people using older smartphones whose operating systems don't support the application. This raised concerns among residents: "If my phone doesn't support it, do I have to buy a new device to get the benefits?" This represents an added financial burden in the current economic situation.

Other technical issues also caused confusion, such as failed identity verification, particularly with facial scan failures, and requirements that SIM card information and registered name match the national ID number. Staff had to constantly promote ways residents could verify using their ID number and telephone signals with internet connectivity.

Some residents experienced slow internet signals that hindered registration, and the system's uncertainty combined with complex requirements left many residents anxious and worried about missing out on this assistance opportunity.

News: Thai Help Thai Plus

Government expands Thai Help Thai Plus 60/40 benefits through delivery apps starting June 15 this year.

The Prime Minister has outlined a 24-mission diplomatic agenda to advance the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement and promote an active 'Diplomatic 2.0' strategy, emphasizing that the current government maintains strong political stability and positioning Thailand as the best investment choice.

On May 25, 2569, PM Anuthín Charnveerakul chaired a meeting with ambassadors and consuls-general representing 24 countries across the European region at Salon Foch in Paris on May 24. The meeting was attended by Deputy PMs Ekniti Nitithanprapha (Finance Minister), Supachai Suthammapun (Commerce Minister), and Yotchanon Wongswaddhi (Education Minister), along with other senior officials.

The PM emphasized that diplomats serve as vital representatives of Thailand, tasked with bridging the nation with people globally while navigating shifting geopolitical landscapes. He stressed that when negotiating from a position of strength, Thailand benefits significantly. With its central position in Southeast Asia and amid current tensions between major powers, Thailand has unique opportunities for growth if it maintains strategic direction.

The PM outlined 'Diplomatic 2.0' as a pragmatic, proactive approach balancing global conflicts and emphasizing four pillars: security, economic, social and environmental, and humanitarian concerns. He expressed confidence that Thailand's government has established the country's security effectively against neighboring threats and demonstrated its sovereignty cannot be compromised.

The PM further discussed how despite global disputes, economic considerations alone prove insufficient when conflicts escalate militarily. He highlighted his background in local politics and security matters, noting that understanding regional security dynamics has informed the government's policy approach to strengthen national defense and stability.

The government is expanding the 'Thai Helping Thai Plus 60/40' program to food delivery platforms, running from June 15 through September 30, 2025, between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periwiwattana announced on May 25 that under the leadership of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Ministry, the program will now include food delivery services to provide restaurants and beverage shops with expanded sales channels and allow citizens to easily access their benefits through delivery apps, reflecting modern digital spending habits and stimulating grassroots economies. Businesses can participate through the 'Tung Ngoen' app starting June 10, 2025, by downloading the latest version, clicking the 'Food Delivery Project' banner, accepting terms and conditions, and selecting their preferred delivery platform partner. Once registered, shops can receive food and beverage orders from customers through the delivery system, with the platform providing riders for pickup and delivery while merchants can track payment history through the Tung Ngoen app. The government expects the integration of Thai Helping Thai Plus 60/40 with food delivery platforms will expand marketing opportunities for small restaurants, increase sales and income for business owners, and provide citizens with more affordable and convenient access to food and services. Lalida emphasized that the government prioritizes using digital technology to drive grassroots economic growth, support small entrepreneurs, and reduce living costs while ensuring money circulates and reaches communities broadly.

Industry Minister Verawuth Silpaacha has warned that cybersecurity threats to Thailand's industrial sector are rising, particularly attacks on factory operational technology (OT) systems, automated systems, and supply chain management networks that could impact production stability, exports, and international business confidence.

The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards is developing cybersecurity standards based on the IEC62443 framework for industrial control and automation systems. These standards will apply to machinery control systems and IoT networks connecting electronic devices to the internet within factories, as several regions—particularly the European Union—have begun implementing stricter digital security and supply chain safety measures.

The minister cautioned that cybersecurity compliance may become a future trade condition or non-tariff trade barrier affecting manufacturers, service providers, and supply chain participants. "If Thai industry doesn't accelerate its cybersecurity measures, especially in factories, it could harm our competitiveness, production base, and long-term investor confidence," he stated.

To address these challenges, the ministry is pursuing four strategies: upgrading industrial cybersecurity standards, developing cyber threat monitoring and response systems, building awareness of basic cyber hygiene practices for protecting devices and personal data, and preparing regulatory, standards, and personnel frameworks to meet future international trade requirements.

Gold prices have risen on May 25, 2026, according to the Gold Traders Association's latest announcement released at 9:03 AM. Ornamental gold (96.5% purity) is now selling at 70,900 baht per baht weight, up 250 baht from the previous day's close. Gold bars are trading at 69,900 baht per baht weight for buying and 70,100 baht for selling. Ornamental gold is purchased at 68,508.04 baht per baht weight and sold at 70,900 baht. Global gold spot prices stand at 4,566.00 US dollars per ounce. Gold traders predict prices may surge an additional 1,000-2,000 baht per baht weight tomorrow, potentially breaking through the 80,000 baht mark.