The Tourism Authority of Thailand's domestic market division showcased strong first-quarter results from January to March 2025, generating 275,037 million baht in tourism revenue across the country with a 2.21% increase compared to the same period last year. The agency welcomed 51.2 million domestic visitor arrivals, up 2.04%, with average spending of 3,867 baht per person per trip and hotel occupancy rates averaging 74.89%. Revenue distribution across regions showed the Central and Western regions leading with 53,010 million baht, followed by the South with 52,412 million baht, and Bangkok with 51,281 million baht. Top-performing provinces included Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phuket, Phetchaburi, Krabi, Kanchanaburi, and Surat Thani.

For the second half of the year from June through September 2025, the authority is implementing a comprehensive domestic tourism stimulus under the campaign 'Thai Charm: Feel All The Feelings,' leveraging the viral popularity of singer LISA, who serves as Thailand's tourism brand ambassador. The 45 Tourism Authority offices and two tourism centers nationwide will showcase the '5 Must Do in Thailand' travel experience concept through festivals, activities, routes, and promotions coordinated with partner airlines, hotels, travel platforms, credit card companies, and private sector partners. The initiative spans all five regions with 26 campaigns and 27 events designed to increase travel frequency, distribute tourism revenue, and promote sustainable travel practices.

The Central region campaign emphasizes 'Travel Central, Travel Close, Travel Easy, Travel Now' with five campaigns and four highlight events targeting high-value tourism segments including food enthusiasts, health-conscious travelers, pet lovers, and childless couples, while promoting diverse experiences from coastal destinations to natural attractions, local communities, and floating markets. The Northeast region campaign highlights 'Isan Traditions: The Path of Faith' with five campaigns and five events celebrating regional culture, festivals, faith-based attractions, music, and lifestyle. The Eastern region offers 'Colors of the East' with five campaigns and five events combining coastal and forest attractions, local culture, distinctive cuisine, fruit orchards, sports tourism, and health-focused travel experiences.

Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Piyarat Chiyapairat revealed her plan following an official inspection visit to Mae Chan and Mae Sai districts in Chiang Rai on May 24, 2025. The ministry aims to promote high-value agriculture, product value-added processing, and strengthen cooperative efficiency. She met with young farmer groups at Mae Chan Municipal Market before visiting the Nan Non Durian Community Enterprise in Khui Khai subdistrict, which grows durians on volcanic soil at Doi Nan Non. These durians possess unique dense flesh, fragrant aroma, and are harvested later than other regions (July-August), commanding premium prices. The group requested support for infrastructure, processing facilities, freeze-dry equipment, and irrigation systems. Chiyapairat recommended upgrading the community enterprise to cooperative status to access low-interest financing and connecting with Khao Luang-Khun Nam Nang Noi National Park to develop a one-day agro-tourism route marketing "earth-guardian durians" for sustainable income.

The deputy minister also visited Mae Sai Agricultural Cooperative (Sri Muang Chum branch), a financially healthy cooperative with green-rated financial health status and transparent management through mobile applications. It features solar panel installation reducing electricity costs by 50%, serving as a clean energy model. She supported introducing financial monitoring programs for cooperatives to track quarterly financial risks and prevent fraud.

She reviewed a water diversion project from Mae Sai River through pipelines to supply over 20,000 rai of agricultural land in Sri Muang Chum subdistrict and inspected the RMC.1 water intake structure at Ban Muang Daeng to establish systematic water management and address agricultural contamination.

Chiyapairat concluded by monitoring a rice field group project at Ban San Sai Noi in Ban Dai subdistrict using alternating wet-dry technology combined with red earthworms, substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The group requested support for rice dryers and mills to prevent grain damage and maintain quality. The ministry will consider continued support. On this occasion, the deputy minister distributed production inputs including mushroom spawn, biofermented extract, vegetable seeds, chemical fertilizers, and high-quality organic fertilizers to farmers to reduce costs and enhance modern agricultural efficiency.

Thai band Ponglang Saon experienced an unexpected turn of events during their performance in Stockholm, Sweden, when authorities were forced to temporarily halt the show due to an overwhelming crowd that exceeded safety control capacity.

Lala Kwannapa Ruangsri, the band's frontwoman, posted on Facebook describing the incident: "So happy and so sad that we had to stop the performance early. Ponglang Saon was banned from continuing because Stockholm was completely packed! Officials couldn't control the crowd size and situation, so they had to stop to calm things down. Even though Lala didn't get to perform the full set, I'm grateful to all the Thai people in Stockholm who drove for hours or flew in to see us. You gave me the courage to perform."

Among the supportive comments, one critic sarcastically wrote: "Really? People show up in huge numbers because it's a free event in the city center anyway. In two months it'll be the same story again. It has nothing to do with the performers, does it?"

Lala didn't let it slide. She screenshotted the comment and responded: "I appreciate you paying attention to us. If you don't want to be happy for us, that's fine. Ponglang Saon is just a local artist. We're not famous at all. Ask anyone. Very few people know us. The officials had to manage the situation because 50,000 people came to watch us."

She continued: "By the end of the day, the event coordinator came to apologize, saying that since they started hosting Thai concerts, they've never had to manage a crowd like this. They said we're the most amazing artists they've ever seen, and they're sorry for disappointing us. Next time, our team will do better, and we hope you'll come back to see us."

Lala concluded: "To everyone in Sweden and Stockholm, you can confirm—we're really not famous. It's just the applause and screams from 50,000 people that was loud. Thank you for commenting on this not-so-famous artist."

Fans flooded in with support and confirmation: Some noted they live in Stockholm but had never attended a concert there before, specifically coming out for Ponglang Saon because they've loved the band for years. Others shared they took time off work or traveled specifically for the show, praising the band's authentic Thai cultural style and appearance. Critics of the naysayer commented that jealousy doesn't suit anyone, pointing out Ponglang Saon has been famous for a long time, with some fans even booking hotels specifically to attend the concert.

On May 25, 2026, Phra Mahaabhisit Viriyo, the monastic leader of Nong Khi District in Buriram Province, along with senior monks, village headmen, temple committee members, and Nong Khi Police Station officers, launched an investigation following complaints that a junior monk had been engaging in inappropriate behavior—specifically, secretly using methamphetamine, entertaining numerous male visitors in his quarters, and distributing explicit video recordings from dating app encounters.

Initial findings confirmed that the videos feature the accused monk, but officials are awaiting further questioning once he returns from provincial duties. The temple will establish an investigative committee to examine the facts and evidence fairly.

According to one monk's testimony, since the accused transferred to the temple approximately two years ago, he had exhibited suspicious behavior: numerous unfamiliar men visited his quarters, some staying overnight. The monk frequently traveled to other provinces with male companions. Previous reports to community leaders yielded no action due to lack of evidence. A fellow monk and an informant then infiltrated a dating app group chat, where they found the accused monk's account and recorded explicit video call evidence.

The village headman noted the accused had earned respect as a well-educated monk pursuing a doctoral degree who frequently organized merit-making trips for villagers. The community was shocked and hesitant to believe the allegations.

The monastic authorities and village committees will conduct a formal fact-finding investigation to ensure fairness to all parties. However, if evidence confirms the misconduct allegations, the monastic order will impose appropriate disciplinary measures.

SC Asset Corporation is launching a major promotion offering 0% interest financing on home and condo purchases for up to 60 months, along with pre-approval and credit consultation services at SC Days 2026, running May 26-31 at Siam Paragon. Managing Director Mongkut Techola stated that current real estate market conditions see consumers taking more time to make purchasing decisions, particularly regarding financial planning and monthly payment obligations. To help customers plan their finances more easily and visualize homeownership, SC has partnered with three banks to offer special 0% interest loans for up to 60 months, reducing initial financial burden and building confidence among prospective buyers. Additional promotions include 0% installment options on reservation and contract fees for up to 10 months via credit card, with customers approved for pre-approval receiving 5,000 baht Siam Paragon gift vouchers (limited 10 per day). Early bookings also qualify for additional benefits including free appliances, lucky draw participation, and prizes totaling over 2.5 million baht throughout the campaign. SC is presenting condo brands STILL, COBE, and Reference at premium locations, along with special activities including mini concerts and talk sessions with financial experts and celebrities. The event runs May 26-31 at Fashion Hall, Level 1, Siam Paragon, with details available at https://hub.scasset.com/campaigns/scdays2026.

Two new films arrive in cinemas on May 28: The Legend Hunters and Until We Meet Again.

The Legend Hunters is an action-adventure film adapted from the Chinese novel Ghost Blows Out the Light, which ranked among China's top three best adventure novels. Starring Zhang Hanyu, Jiang Wu, Selena Gomez, and Lorenzo de Moura, and directed by Simon West, the film is set in the 1990s and follows three grave robbers who intend to retire from their profession. However, circumstances force them back into the work, only for what they expect to be a simple job to thrust them into a crisis filled with unexpected events and unforeseen dangers.

Until We Meet Again is a romantic drama adapted from Nagatsuki Amane's masterpiece debut novel, which won the prestigious Shogakukan Bunko Novel Award. The film tells the poignant story of Shimizu Misora (played by Hamabe Minami), a young woman who has failed to find employment and has nowhere to stay, but possesses the extraordinary ability to hear the voices of the deceased. Her fate changes when she meets Urushihara Reiji (played by Menguro Ren), a professional funeral planner who discovers her secret and invites her to intern at his funeral company, allowing her to put her ability to good use. Together they become partners in funeral planning.

Both films open on May 28 at cinemas.