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.

AIS, Thailand's leading digital infrastructure provider, has announced a major milestone for the telecommunications industry with the launch of 'AIS 5G-ADVANCED,' the first service of its kind in Southeast Asia. The upgrade elevates the 5G network to a new standard of intelligent connectivity through Downlink 3CC and Uplink 2CC technology—a first-of-its-kind implementation that enables faster, more accurate performance and full network capacity across downloads, uploads, and network response times.

The technology leverages 5G SA Carrier Aggregation to combine multiple frequency bands, including 3CC utilizing 700 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 2600 MHz frequencies, as well as 2CC combining 700 MHz and 2600 MHz to significantly enhance operational efficiency. The service increases maximum download speeds by 1.5 times through 5G SA Downlink 2CC/3CC and boosts upload speeds by up to 2 times via 5G SA Uplink 2CC. AI integration enables autonomous network management, allowing the network to analyze, adapt, and support usage across all scenarios with optimal efficiency.

Currently, 5G SA Downlink 3CC is available in Sathorn and Bang Rak areas, with plans to expand to major Bangkok areas and surrounding provinces by 2026. 5G SA Downlink 2CC is already operational in Bangkok, surrounding areas, and major cities nationwide, while 5G SA Uplink 2CC is available in northeastern cities, Bangkok, and the metropolitan region, with nationwide expansion expected by 2026.

Vasit Watanasup, head of AIS's nationwide operations and technical support unit, stated that AIS's core mission is to strengthen Thailand's digital infrastructure to support economic growth. 'Network development today isn't merely about increasing speed or coverage, but creating new capabilities for the nation and delivering the best digital experience for customers across all applications,' he explained. The 5G-ADVANCED launch represents a critical step in AIS's evolution from a connectivity network to an intelligent digital platform capable of driving Thailand's long-term economic and social development through the combination of global partnerships, AI-powered network management, and continuous innovation—the foundation for future Autonomous Networks.

Buddha expresses shock after revealing allegations against a famous past-life fortune teller he once respected, who now faces sexual misconduct charges. He appeals to celebrities, country singers, and models to come forward. Young Kongkraphan also expresses surprise, revealing he once brought Mekhla Winai to visit the fortune teller.

A 32-year-old businessman filed a complaint through the "Sai Mai Tong Rohd" page against a renowned fortune teller from northern Thailand. The accused is famous for having many celebrity disciples and claims to communicate with hell and heaven. The businessman alleges he was sexually assaulted three times, with the perpetrator claiming it was treatment and karma resolution. Charges are being prepared with authorities.

Buddha Aphiwan expressed shock upon reading the news, saying he was surprised someone he once respected could behave this way. He declined to name the person but said he spoke with a disciple. Buddha mentioned several celebrities who have visited this fortune teller, including Vinai Kraibutr, Tik Glinsee, and Young Kongkraphan.

Young Kongkraphan expressed surprise, revealing when he accompanied Mekhla Winai to visit the famous past-life fortune teller. Kongkraphan described the fortune teller, saying: "He had special perception, could identify your karma debtor. When you visited, he'd tell you to pay respects at five different temples, then return on a full moon day when he'd reveal who your karma debtor was. But there was never any private room, no undressing. That went on for many years."

"After he became famous, I don't know what he did because I haven't visited him in many years," Kongkraphan continued. "He worked voluntarily without asking for money, helping people. I brought Mekhla because there were no medications, no injections, just herbal remedies—no risks. It was just asking forgiveness from whoever was perceived as the karma debtor and resolving it together. He worked out of good will."

"We felt he was helping people. Even though it seemed unbelievable, it wasn't wrong. He never pressured anyone or demanded money," Kongkraphan said. "But with news like this, we wait for the evidence. It's a personal matter. I never knew him from this angle. When we visited, we were like other people waiting for hours because so many came. When I brought Mekhla, he wasn't this famous yet—he became well-known because of that event."

"I haven't visited him in many years, don't know what's happened, don't know him that well. We just came to film a show, like inviting a guest. That's all."

Regarding the disciple's response, program sources reported that the fortune teller is aware of the news but doesn't want to make statements or give interviews. If the accuser considers himself a victim, authorities should file charges and arrest the fortune teller. The fortune teller has a lawyer and is fighting the allegations vigorously. The other party may have intentionally tried to damage the fortune teller's reputation or doesn't understand the karma resolution procedures.

Sources indicated that in the Siwalungka ritual, a man uses water from swallowing a deity's image and splashes it on the fortune teller's face, but permission is requested first. Anyone who doesn't consent can refuse—there's no force involved.

Buddha unveiled still images in the program showing an elderly person and posed the question: who is this and what do they do? Evidence exists. Buddha ended the program by appealing to celebrity disciples and models to come forward, saying that if the alleged misconduct occurred, it's not karma resolution.

EGCO Group has been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices (DJ BIC) in the electric utility category at the highest tier of the emerging market indices group. Chief Executive Officer Thawatchai Samranyavanitchai announced that the company's selection reflects over three decades of continuous commitment to balancing growth with sustainable development, while positioning the organization to address energy transition and climate change challenges to promote a global low-carbon society.

Sustainability has guided the company's business strategy and decision-making processes, ensuring growth creates value across economic, social, and environmental dimensions in the long term. The company has integrated sustainability concepts comprehensively throughout its operations, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This 2026 DJ BIC selection represents another validation of the company's commitment to responsible business practices and strengthens confidence among global shareholders, investors, and stakeholders.

In the 2025 Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) for electric utilities in emerging market indices, 30 companies globally competed for selection, with only 3 companies ultimately chosen for the 2026 DJ BIC. EGCO Group demonstrated outstanding performance in systematic risk management and preparedness for emerging risks, portfolio management focused on increasing renewable energy investments and driving innovation projects, efficient environmental management including energy reduction and air pollution control, and human resource management emphasizing quality of life, flexible work arrangements, and continuous staff development.

S&P Dow Jones Indices rebranded its sustainability and ESG indices in 2025, changing the name from Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) to Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices (DJ BIC), effective February 10, 2025, with annual reviews moved to the end of April to align with S&P Global's corporate sustainability assessment framework. Prior to this rebrand, EGCO Group was continuously selected for inclusion in the DJSI from 2020 to 2024.

At 2:30 AM on May 7, 2025, Pol. Lt. Col. Phachawee Reungphu, commander of the Kanchanaburi Provincial Police, along with Pol. Maj. Sittipong Sangsaeng, superintendent of Ladyai Police Station, led investigators from both Ladyai Station and the provincial police to arrest Chayant (surname withheld), who shot Sariree (surname withheld), 54, his ex-mother-in-law, causing serious injuries. Satya (surname withheld), 32, Sariree's son, and Songwan (surname withheld), 64, his ex-father-in-law, were killed in the incident at a residence in Tambon Ladyai, Muang District, Kanchanaburi Province.

Chayant was apprehended on a public road in Tambon Nong Bua, Muang District, carrying a Glock 17 handgun in 9mm, seven 9mm rounds, and one magazine.

Initial charges against Chayant include premeditated murder, attempted premeditated murder, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition without registration, and carrying weapons through populated areas without justifiable cause.

According to preliminary interrogation, Chayant, a former son-in-law of the victims, had family disputes stemming from a divorce. The family previously cultivated sugarcane on approximately 700 rai of land. When Chayant's ex-wife filed for divorce in late 2024, the court awarded all the sugarcane crops to her family but granted Chayant a portion of the land. When the ex-wife's family harvested the sugarcane but did not clear it from Chayant's section, preventing him from preparing his land for new planting, he requested their cooperation. After receiving no response to his requests, Chayant rode to the house to demand when they would clear the sugarcane but was ignored, prompting him to commit the attack. Authorities continue investigating the full circumstances.

Bedrock Analytics, a subsidiary of AI & Robotics Ventures (ARV) and expert in data infrastructure development, location intelligence platforms, and spatial data services, has partnered with RISE, a regional innovation accelerator, to host an open house event. The event welcomed Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) executives, staff, and participants in the Talent to Innovator program, led by Deputy Governor Thanom Ratneseth, to demonstrate how Location Intelligence and AI technology can optimize public sector infrastructure and asset management across the country.

Veerawat Rathavara, co-founder of Bedrock Analytics, highlighted the critical role of spatial data in Thailand's development, stating: "As cities expand rapidly, spatial data becomes a key mechanism for national development. Bedrock Analytics has developed Location Intelligence and AI technology to serve as an 'intelligent assistant' for government agencies. We are confident that leveraging technology for asset management will reduce costs, increase accuracy, enhance transparency standards, and drive Thailand toward becoming a concrete digital government."

To demonstrate practical applications, Bedrock Analytics showcased three key innovations: AI for Surveying, which automates field data collection from satellite imagery, drones, mobile mapping systems, and IoT networks, significantly reducing time and labor while improving data completeness; Smart Asset Management, which transitions from traditional to real-time digital systems, automatically detecting and recording public asset conditions to prevent loss and enable predictive maintenance planning; and Land Change Detection, which combines GIS with AI to continuously monitor land-use changes, urban expansion trends, and detect illegal land use or public encroachment.