Bank of Thailand Governor Vithaya Rattanakorn stated that the central bank estimates the government's 400 billion baht emergency borrowing decree will add 0.6% stimulus to economic growth, bringing this year's overall GDP expansion to 2.1%, up from the previous 1.5% forecast based on a 300 billion baht borrowing plan.

Looking ahead to 2027, economic growth is projected at 1.6%, down from the earlier 2% forecast, due to the higher growth base this year. Regarding inflation, this year is expected to see 3.0-3.1% inflation, up from the previous 2.9% estimate, while next year's inflation is projected at 1.4%, compared to the earlier 1.5% forecast. As of April 2026, inflation stood at 2.89%, consistent with the Bank of Thailand's prediction that inflation will spike to 4-5% in some months before gradually declining in the second quarter of 2027.

Governor Rattanakorn stated that Thailand has not entered "stagflation" because, by definition, stagflation requires economic contraction combined with sustained high inflation. Currently, while inflation has risen moderately, it is expected to decline gradually in the second quarter of next year, meaning inflation will not persist long-term. Therefore, the country is not experiencing stagflation.

"However, circumstances change constantly, and there remains a stagflation risk that we must monitor and assess," the Bank of Thailand governor said. "That said, if we compare Thailand's inflation rate with other countries, Thailand's inflation remains on the lower end, while many countries are experiencing higher inflation rates."

On May 7, 2025, police conducted a traffic discipline checkpoint in front of Mae Nam Khwae Vocational College on Saengchuoto Road in Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province. Officers stopped a Toyota sedan with Kanchanaburi registration traveling from the Kaeng Sian intersection toward downtown Kanchanaburi. While checking the driver's documents, officers observed suspicious behavior consistent with drug use and conducted a detailed search. They discovered 28 methamphetamine pills hidden in a glass bottle in the driver's seat cushion.

The suspect, identified as Songsakdi (surname withheld), age 56, was taken into custody. Upon interrogation at Mueang Kanchanaburi Police Station, a urine test came back positive. He admitted to purchasing 30 methamphetamine pills from a dealer named Naen from Ban Bong Dee, Sai Yok District, at 50 baht per pill. He had consumed two pills, leaving 28 remaining. He was driving to Kanchanaburi Provincial Prison to visit his wife, who is imprisoned on drug charges. The suspect had previously been arrested on drug charges by Sai Yok Police and was released approximately five years ago.

The suspect faces three charges: possession of Category 1 controlled substances without authorization, illegal consumption of Category 1 controlled substances, and driving under the influence of drugs.

The Intellectual Property Department and The One Enterprise are collaborating to promote geographical indication (GI) products through television dramas and series, while strengthening copyright laws and protecting performers' rights to advance Thailand's content industry. Ormon Sabtwitthidharm, director-general of the Intellectual Property Department, announced the partnership following meetings with Takol Kiattiwirawan, CEO of The One Enterprise Public Company Limited at GMM Grammy Place, where both organizations explored strategies to promote intellectual property use and create tangible value for the creative economy through comprehensive support of Thailand's content industry—from creation and talent development to commercial expansion and international market growth. The collaboration leverages the power of dramas and series as important tools to promote GI products both domestically and internationally.

"This discussion reflects the commitment of both public and private sectors to strengthen Thailand's content industry and enhance its global competitiveness, while developing personnel capabilities and content that can support growth in international markets," the director-general stated. The partnership emphasizes systematically linking storytelling, brand identity, and economic value, aligning with Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Sudhiramphunt's policy to strengthen Thai SMEs through intellectual property as a value-adding tool and to elevate Thai creative works and identity products to the global market.

Both parties discussed upgrading copyright laws and performer rights protections. The Intellectual Property Department is currently proposing amendments to the Copyright Act to enable Thailand's accession to the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) under RCEP obligations, with completion targeted for 2025. This will enhance protection of performers' and sound recording producers' rights in the digital age. The department is welcoming private sector input and planning educational forums on copyright law to balance rights protection with sustainable development of the Thai film and drama industry.

The two organizations also identified opportunities to benefit communities by integrating GI products with local narratives into drama and series content through product placement and storyline connections—such as featuring GI products in dining scenes, using GI production facilities as filming locations, and linking character storylines to producers' lifestyles. Thai dramas, series, and news programs serve as soft power to convey local charm, lifestyle, and national identity to audiences at home and abroad, thereby creating tangible economic value.

At 10:30 a.m. on May 7, 2025, during a House session chaired by Sophon Saramoon, opposition MP Sirikanya Tansukul questioned Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister about a proposed emergency decree authorizing the Finance Ministry to borrow 400 billion baht to address energy crisis impacts and facilitate the country's energy transition. Anutin delegated Phruet Panisnanangkul, Prime Minister's Office Minister, to respond.

Sirikanya argued that the Cabinet's approval of the 400 billion baht borrowing was rushed through as a secret agenda, making it impossible to assess the decree's actual contents. She questioned the program's vagueness, noting only 11 articles exist in what appears to be just a few pages requesting public funds. She criticized the first 200 billion baht allocation targeting 30 million people through a half-and-half welfare distribution, using 1.2 trillion baht of existing budget and adding 528 billion baht to state welfare cards.

Sirikanya highlighted contradictions in the government's 5T framework, particularly the "Target" component. She noted the first-come-first-served registration system prevents identification of genuinely distressed individuals, making the relief appear random. She acknowledged understanding the government's financial constraints but argued that fiscal discipline should be tighter during economic hardship.

Sirikanya's main concern involved the government stuffing 200 billion baht for energy transition restructuring into an urgent emergency decree. She questioned why a non-urgent project required emergency status and what percentage of the energy transition goal could realistically be achieved within one year. She argued the government reduced its original 500 billion baht request to 400 billion baht while still attempting to combine unrelated energy projects with immediate relief measures.

Listen to Another Perspective: Gong from Hive Salon Posts Commentary as JJ and Ta-Heneng Announce Relationship Status Change, Drawing Agreement in the Comments

The breakup of this popular young celebrity couple continues to be widely discussed and lamented. JJ Krishnaputra and Ta-Heneng Kanyavee have finally announced their relationship status change.

Gong from Hive Salon Responds on the Day of the Announcement

From Gong Kriset's perspective—owner of the well-known Hive Salon who is close friends with numerous celebrities, including JJ and Ta-Heneng—when checking X (Twitter) under the handle G24 @Gonghive24, Gong posted the following message on the day JJ and Ta-Heneng announced their status change:

"The future is something we can't predict. It takes time to work things out. Why should they be forced to admit something? The conclusion is that when they get back together, it will have to be a couple that already changed their status once—because of other people. Why, when they've been apart and needed time from being together for 10 years, should they not be given space to figure things out? Why can't we respect their privacy?"

Commenters Strongly Agreed with Gong's Perspective

The comments showed overwhelming agreement with Gong's viewpoint, who is a close friend of JJ and Ta-Heneng, along with various criticisms:

- You're absolutely right, P'Gong. No one should comment on things the people involved haven't spoken about themselves, because some things really do take time. 10 years means so much. What they did was so ugly—they pressured them into making a statement about something that shouldn't have required a public announcement at all. - When love is no longer just between two people, I feel sorry for both of them, P'Gong. - P'Gong is right. This is between the two of them. They're working things out. Why force them to speak? That's so cruel. I want to encourage both of them. I've been following and supporting both of them for a long time. Sending hugs. - That's true. I understand both of them. Sometimes they might not be at the point of making an announcement yet. They might be at a point of trying to understand each other. 10 years—they may have gone through situations like this before. But this time it feels like they were forced to admit it. I feel so sorry for them. And so on.

Source: G24 @Gonghive24 Fresh News Team, May 7, 2026

Bhumjaithai Party has submitted a proposal to amend the Criminal Code, allowing poor defendants unable to pay court-ordered fines to perform community service instead of serving jail time. The party believes all parliamentary factions will support the measure, which aims to address prison overcrowding.

At 11:15 AM on May 7, 2569 at Parliament, Kravee Parisananuntkul, Bhumjaithai MP for Ang Thong and opposition leader, along with other party MPs, submitted a letter to the Parliamentary President through Deputy Speaker Mallika Jirapunphanwanit proposing amendments to the Criminal Code.

The core issue addresses cases where poor people are prosecuted, courts impose fines, but defendants lack funds to pay and are jailed instead. Bhumjaithai proposes changing this practice.

Suphat Jaisamutr, a Bhumjaithai list MP and party legal representative, explained that while various criminal penalties exist—detention, imprisonment, fines, and capital punishment—the societal problem particularly affecting the poor is when courts sentence defendants but they cannot afford fines. Courts then impose detention at 500 baht per day. This creates a situation where many poor people lose their freedom through imprisonment for unpaid fines. Bhumjaithai proposes legal amendments allowing community service as an alternative to incarceration.

The party proposes amending two articles of the Criminal Code, believing all parliamentary parties will support it. If expedited, the law could pass all three readings quickly or be assigned to a special committee.

Kravee stated this law is important to Bhumjaithai as it affects citizens' lives. Yesterday (May 6) at Parliament, during discussion of a justice matter, fellow members raised concerns about prison overcrowding. This law will address that issue.