KRABI — 6 May 2026, Tourists flocked to Ao Nang beach on Phi Phi island in Krabi after authorities relaxed restrictions on fire-twirling performances along the shoreline.

The atmosphere at Ao Nang beach became lively again after the Protected Area Committee (PAC) approved the return of fire shows under strict regulations.

Large numbers of Thai and foreign tourists gathered along the beachfront from dusk to watch the performances. Flames spun skillfully through the air, drawing loud applause and excitement from crowds lining the beach, helping revive the local night-time economy and tourism sector.

The performances had previously been banned by Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park because they were deemed illegal.

One of the most popular performance spots featured a disabled local performer and his team. Sarawut Bilmat, also known as "Nong Bao", expressed his gratitude to Krabi provincial authorities, national park officials, the PAC and the provincial Social Development and Human Security Office for helping restore the performances.

"We can clearly see tonight that Ao Nang beach has come back to life after being quiet for some time without the fire shows," he said.

Sarawut said his team would perform for around 40 minutes each evening, approximately from 18:40 to 19:20, before cleaning the area in accordance with national park regulations.

The easing of restrictions followed discussions between local operators and Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park to find a compromise. Authorities introduced guidelines covering zoning and designated performance areas to minimize impacts on the environment and other beachgoers.

All performers must register with the national park authorities and comply with safety measures, including the use of protective equipment and precautions to prevent sparks or oil stains from contaminating the sand.

The return of the fire shows is seen as restoring livelihoods for local performers, including the disabled entertainer, while also strengthening Krabi's tourism image through cultural "soft power" attractions.

On May 7, 2569 at Bangkok City Hall, Chatchatchai Sittiphan, Bangkok Governor, presided over the 5th meeting of Bangkok department heads in 2569, marking the final session of this administration term. The meeting was attended by political executives including Secretary Narong Ruangsri, all 50 district directors, heads of government sections, unit heads, and relevant officials.

Chatchatchai stated that this was the final meeting of this management team and thanked everyone for working together, expressing that he had been very happy. He believes Bangkok has many talented people who work excellently. Over the past four years, he maintained he was unbiased, but residents have told him the work has improved with many accomplishments addressing public needs. However, the work is not yet 100% complete, so progress must continue.

Rating himself, Chatchatchai gave himself 5 points out of 10, while giving his team 8 points, thanking them for consistently excellent work. He emphasized that remaining issues require careful attention to various policies and urged against letting standards slip.

Regarding homelessness, the situation has improved with the Baan Im Jai shelter program still able to accommodate more residents. He called for intensified efforts given the difficult economic situation. He warned about street vendors potentially exploiting gaps during the leadership transition and stressed existing protocols must continue rather than waiting for the new administration.

As the rainy season approaches, Chatchatchai expressed concerns about flooding, particularly regarding ongoing construction projects including the orange electric train line on Ratchadamnoen and Banglad roads. Currently 12 areas are experiencing flooding. He ordered the Drainage Department to accelerate completion of wastewater collection and treatment systems in Thonburi due to public complaints.

On foreign birth registrations, he instructed district directors to survey their areas for registration integrity and asked the Bangkok Secretary to develop more comprehensive measures, particularly in districts with unusually high foreign registrations.

Regarding the upcoming election, Chatchatchai called for all officials to remain neutral and build public confidence in the electoral process, emphasizing equal treatment whether for Bangkok governor or other elections, without showing favoritism.

On May 7, 2026, Krungthai Bank announced the launch of a new "Direct Cross-Currency Exchange" feature on its Global Savings foreign currency savings account via the Krungthai NEXT app, reinforcing its position as a leader in international financial services. The feature allows direct currency exchanges between foreign currencies without converting to Thai baht first, reducing multi-step exchange costs and maximizing foreign currency management efficiency.

The Direct Cross-Currency Exchange supports three major currency pairs: USD/EUR, USD/GBP, and USD/JPY, providing convenient and swift solutions for travel, investment, and overseas spending through a single platform. The Global Savings account is designed as a comprehensive solution supporting savings, transfers, investment, and spending, with the ability to hold up to 20 currencies and earn interest rates up to 2.5% annually for six major currencies including USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, NZD, and CNY. Account opening and transactions are easy through the Krungthai NEXT app and can be linked with the Krungthai Travel Debit Card for seamless overseas spending.

Krungthai Bank is committed to enhancing its international financial service capabilities through technology and innovation, developing products and services tailored to modern customer lifestyles including travelers, investors, and international business operators. This enables efficient foreign currency management across all dimensions—convenient, fast, secure, and cost-effective. More details about the Global Savings account and Direct Cross-Currency Exchange feature are available at https://krungthai.com/link/globalsavings or by contacting Krungthai Contact Center at 02-111-1111.

On May 7, 2025, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, list-system MP and Pheu Thai Party leader, posted a message titled "Three Public Agendas PM Anutin Must Boldly Present Thailand's Leadership Role at the ASEAN Summit." Before the Prime Minister travels to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines between May 7-9, 2025, he wants to offer recommendations to PM Anutin as head of Thailand's government delegation regarding Thailand's diplomatic role and importance amid significant challenges in an era of great power competition, with Southeast Asia as one of the critical battlegrounds. However, Thailand's role in ASEAN has declined, as has ASEAN's clout as a regional negotiating power. Today we face critical issues that affect not just Thailand, but the economies and security of nations throughout ASEAN. The key challenge for Thai leadership is to reverse Thailand's international role. If the government has the political will and courage to assume a leadership position, Natthaphong proposes three agendas where the PM can use the ASEAN platform to resolve problems: the maritime boundary dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, the energy crisis, and environmental issues.

On the first issue of resolving the overlapping maritime claims between Thailand and Cambodia, Pheu Thai believes the Cabinet's decision to rescind MOU 44 poses risks to Thailand's image on the world stage. The party views MOU 44 as potentially beneficial in protecting Thai interests. However, with the Cabinet's May 5 decision to rescind it, and the PM's potential meeting with Cambodia's premier, Natthaphong sees a crucial opportunity to reach resolution through bilateral negotiations where Thailand can control the pace—the best way to protect national interests rather than submitting the dispute to UNCLOS's binding arbitration process, which would involve third parties and make outcomes unpredictable.

On the energy crisis, the Middle East conflicts have caused significant global energy price volatility, directly impacting energy costs and living expenses for Thai citizens. This challenge affects not only Thailand but the entire ASEAN region, especially countries dependent on energy imports, making them vulnerable to global fluctuations.

During such challenges, ASEAN member states must collaborate through pushing cross-border electricity grid connectivity. Thailand should lead efforts to realize the ASEAN Power Grid concretely, reducing dependence on energy imports from outside the region. Such connectivity not only improves energy management efficiency and reduces external risks but opens new investment opportunities at the regional level. Thailand possesses strategic advantages in geography as a central hub and infrastructure readiness to drive this grid's success.

Man Shot Dead on Street; Facebook Post Shows He Challenged Rival to Gunfight Before Death; Police Launch Manhunt. Police investigating underground business disputes; suspect has extensive criminal record. On May 7, 2025, Lieutenant Chittakorn Konghluea, an investigator at Thasala Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat, received a report of a body found on a roadside in Moo 1, Talinchan Subdistrict, Thasala District. Officers proceeded to the scene with Deputy Superintendent Bussarin Kiripet and Thasala Hospital medical staff. Upon arrival, they found the victim to be Phuripat, age 40, shot in the chest by an unknown firearm. A fallen motorcycle and an 11mm pistol with ammunition were discovered next to the body, believed to belong to the victim. Investigation revealed that before the incident, the victim, known as Nam Talinchan, was driving to the area when the suspect allegedly followed and shot him before fleeing. Police later searched a suspect's residence, someone known to have conflicts with the victim, but found no evidence. Preliminary investigation suggests the motive could involve underground business disputes or personal conflicts. A Facebook post by the victim challenging a rival to a gunfight was discovered, and the victim had multiple pending legal cases. Authorities are continuing their pursuit to apprehend the perpetrator.

The Jewellery & Gem ASEAN Bangkok 2026 (JGAB 2026) has wrapped up in grand fashion, achieving impressive attendance of over 11,593 participants from 80 countries worldwide. The event underscores its role as an international trading platform and reinforces Thailand's position as the central hub for the jewelry and gemstone industry in the ASEAN region.

Throughout the four-day event, the atmosphere bustled with buyers, business professionals, and industry experts from around the globe. Over 55% of attendees were senior executives and business owners, while another 30% were distributors, importers and exporters, and jewelry designers—reflecting the high caliber of decision-makers seeking international business opportunities and networking.

The event featured over 400 leading companies from more than 15 countries, covering raw materials, cut gemstones, finished jewelry, and manufacturing technology and innovation. This resulted in active business negotiations and trade partnerships throughout the four days.

Sarnchai Noombuonnai, General Manager of Informa Markets Thailand, stated: "JGAB 2026 has achieved tremendous success in both participant numbers and event quality, particularly with the continuous flow of foreign buyers. This reflects the global market's confidence in the ASEAN jewelry industry's potential and Thailand's role as a key regional trade hub."

Foreign buyers primarily came from high-potential markets such as China, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Middle East, which play crucial roles in the industry's future growth and offer Thai entrepreneurs concrete opportunities to expand internationally.

Beyond trade, the event featured quality programming including the Gallery of Thai Silver exhibition, The Next Gem Contest, and the ASEAN Jewellery and Gem Summit 2026, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, market trends, and innovation.

The overwhelming response from both domestic and international participants demonstrates ASEAN's emergence as a "global jewelry and gemstone market hub" receiving increased attention. The success also reinforces Thailand's position as a jewelry business hub that seamlessly blends local identity with modern innovation, opening new growth prospects, particularly in China and secondary cities.

Building on this momentum, organizers announced the next edition will be held May 17-20, 2027, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), aiming to elevate the event into a comprehensive "ASEAN Jewellery & Gemstone Sourcing Hub" covering trade, networking, and regional supply chain connections to global markets. The 2027 edition will enhance participant experience through improved buyer quality, business matching activities, seminars, and innovation zones, while highlighting key industry trends including contemporary design, sustainability, and technology-driven business solutions.