On May 7, 2026, Nathaphisit Chettudomlab, acting Chief Executive Officer of Stella X Public Company Limited (STELLA), announced the company's business direction for 2026. STELLA is driving growth across three main business divisions: real estate and hotels, healthcare and medicine, and energy, with primary focus on the first two. The company is shifting its portfolio from emphasizing residential housing development toward generating more revenue from the hotel business, which offers recurring income with strong long-term profit potential.

In real estate, STELLA continues developing single-family home projects and is preparing to launch the Nova Westgate project in the Westgate area, valued at approximately 600 million baht, within the second quarter of this year. The company is implementing a "fast-turnaround" strategy to generate cash flow and reduce interest burden, while preparing to sell large non-core land parcels to pay down debt and strengthen liquidity.

The hotel business will be the primary growth engine moving forward, particularly the Khao Yai project which has a substantial landbank of 400-500 rai. Currently, two hotels are operating, with significant potential for further development. STELLA plans to enhance existing hotel operations over the next 1-2 years before expanding with new hotel developments and upgrading brand standards to increase long-term asset value. The company is considering bringing in new hotel chains to manage properties and maximize revenue potential from its extensive landbank.

In healthcare, STELLA is revitalizing Rama II Hospital and expanding into wellness and longevity businesses by recruiting experienced management from leading hospitals. The company targets expanding its customer base domestically and internationally, viewing the health trend as continuously growing and capable of integration with hotel and real estate businesses to create a comprehensive quality-of-life ecosystem.

The 2026 turnaround will emphasize financial restructuring through debt reduction via asset sales and refinancing to lower financial costs and optimize debt structure. STELLA has issued three debenture tranches at 7.3% annual interest with approximately 1.5-year maturity, backed by collateral valued at 1.5 times the debt amount. The company has maintained a perfect payment record with no defaults, strengthening investor confidence and supporting long-term recovery plans. Management expects to see clear evidence of STELLA's transformation beginning this year.

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.