The Department of Business Development, working with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, is launching a comprehensive crackdown to dismantle nominee networks operating in tourist destinations and eliminate illegal business operations. A substantial number of Thai nationals have been implicated. Poonpong Nainapakarana, Director-General of the Department of Business Development at the Ministry of Commerce, announced that following a field operation in Koh Pangan District, Surat Thani Province on May 13, 2025, coordinated with the Prime Minister's office to combat the practice of Thais holding shares as nominees for foreigners, and led by General Samran Nualma, Deputy National Police Commissioner for Security and Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking and Illegal Immigration Center, multiple agencies have deployed enforcement operations to dismantle networks of foreigners illegally operating businesses in violation of Thai law. The Prime Minister assigned the Department of Business Development—the lead agency for company registration—to guide and coordinate other government agencies in carrying out their respective enforcement duties. Current data shows 3,754 registered companies on Koh Pangan with 2,381 involving foreign shareholders, 12,050 on Koh Samui with 8,213 foreign shareholders, 29,646 in Phuket with 11,626 foreign shareholders, 1,685 in Phang Nga with 346 foreign shareholders, 3,587 in Krabi with 749 foreign shareholders, 33,314 in Bang Lamung (Pattaya) with 19,910 foreign shareholders, 4,061 in Hua Hin with 2,081 foreign shareholders, and 139 in Pai with 50 foreign shareholders. The department will intensify checks on entities showing nominee characteristics, including companies where foreigners hold the highest share proportion as legally permitted but exercise signing authority binding the company. Cases involving Thai nationals appearing redundantly as shareholders or directors across multiple companies in an unusual pattern, potentially masking nominee arrangements or assisting foreigners in business as per the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542, carry penalties of up to three years imprisonment and fines of 300,000 to 1,000,000 baht. The department will strengthen inter-agency cooperation to seriously combat nominee businesses, ensure fairness for Thai entrepreneurs, prevent disguised asset ownership, and maintain confidence in the country's economic and investment systems. As the originating agency for company registration, the department has implemented stricter registration procedures through orders effective January 1 and April 1, 2025, requiring applications involving foreign shareholders below 50 percent or foreign board members—high-risk nominee groups—to submit bank statements of Thai shareholders to verify genuine investment. Additionally, managers or directors signing registration applications must provide written confirmation that all partners and shareholders have made genuine investments, received no assistance or support from, nor engaged in nominee-style business with foreigners. Registration statistics following these orders show a reduction in high-risk business entity registrations.

Deputy Prime Minister Phrawat Prisdananandkul clarified that the government has not backed down from plans to broadcast the 2026 World Cup, contrary to recent reports. The Prime Minister instructed the Department of Public Relations to coordinate with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to explore all viable options for live streaming the tournament to Thai audiences. However, preliminary discussions revealed significant obstacles: purchasing the broadcasting rights costs 1.3 billion baht, with approximately 300 million baht in taxes and another 100 million baht in operational costs, totaling over 1.7 billion baht in taxpayer funds. Public sentiment questions whether this expenditure will meaningfully sustain Thai football development, inspire youth, or advance the national team toward World Cup participation. Concerns include the short one-month broadcasting window and unfavorable time zones for Thailand. Phrawat emphasized that the government welcomes private sector support and would not oppose private entities purchasing the rights. However, a decision must come quickly as the tournament begins in 15 days. He suggested that 1.7 billion baht could instead fund youth development programs like the Prime Minister Cup or enhance Thailand's T3 professional football league across provinces, which would require only 200-300 million baht annually and create more sustainable growth. Therefore, the government must carefully reconsider how best to allocate these taxpayer funds for Thai football's long-term benefit.

Thai Airways Public Company Limited is celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Royal Orchid Plus (ROP), its frequent flyer program, by offering members special privileges through a "50% Mile Rebate" campaign for reward ticket exchanges on Bangkok-Amsterdam routes. The airline is also celebrating the 55th anniversary of Royal Orchid Holidays (ROH) with exclusive travel packages titled "The Timeless Charm of Amsterdam" and "Hollanda Village in Ayutthaya," showcasing the cultural and historical connections between Thailand and the Netherlands.

ROP members can exchange reward tickets on Thai Airways flights between Bangkok-Amsterdam and Amsterdam-Bangkok and receive a 50% rebate on accumulated miles used. Tickets must be issued between June 1-30, 2025, with travel between July 1-31, 2025. Members can book through www.thaiairways.com, the THAI Contact Center, and Thai Airways ticket offices worldwide.

Royal Orchid Holidays is also launching "The Timeless Charm of Amsterdam – 8 Days 6 Nights," an 8-day, 6-night cultural and art tour covering major European cities including Amsterdam, featuring attractions such as the Rijksmuseum, Dam Square, Magna Plaza, and the fishing village of Volendam in the Netherlands, as well as Dinant in Belgium.

Additionally, ROH invites travelers to experience "Hollanda Village in Ayutthaya," a domestic cultural tourism package exploring Dutch heritage and Western architecture in Ayutthaya province under the theme "Dutch Heritage & Western Architecture in Ayutthaya." The tour traces Thai-Dutch historical relationships and includes expert lectures on Thai-Western history and culture. The tour is scheduled for May 30, 2025, starting at 4,900 baht per person. Inquiries and bookings are available at www.royalorchidholidays.com.

Both campaigns reflect Thai Airways' commitment to delivering meaningful travel and tourism experiences that strengthen cultural connections and relationships between Thailand and international destinations.

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney believes that if he were Liverpool manager Arne Slot, he would drop Mohamed Salah from this weekend's farewell match following the Egyptian forward's recent post calling for a return to aggressive "heavy metal" football.

Salah's social media post has created internal turmoil at Liverpool after he called for the team to adopt a more attacking approach and maintain that distinctive identity. In his post, Salah stated: "That's the football I know how to play, and that's the identity we need to bring back and preserve. It's not negotiable, and everyone who joins this club should adapt to it."

Many view the post as a full-frontal attack on manager Arne Slot's tactics, particularly following the team's disappointing season performance.

Rooney recently expressed his view that if he were Slot, he would not let Salah anywhere near the pitch in the final game, especially since the winger is set to leave after this season. Rooney believes Salah's post shows a lack of trust in the head coach.

"I feel sorry for what he's achieved and done at Liverpool, but it's not the time for him to attack Arne again," Rooney said.

"He wants heavy metal football, so he's essentially saying he wants Jürgen Klopp's style of football. I think Mo Salah can't handle that intensity anymore. I don't think his legs can cope with the pace and intensity required."

"If I were Arne Slot, I wouldn't have him anywhere near the pitch in that final game. I had problems with Sir Alex Ferguson - we disagreed and fought. In Sir Alex's final game at Old Trafford, he dropped me for that reason."

"He's basically thrown a bomb and said he doesn't trust and doesn't believe in Arne, and he's left his teammates who will be here next season to deal with this mess too."

The Cooperative Promotion Department is moving swiftly to address a massive fraud case at Hat Yai Credit Union, where members have lost over 399 million baht. Following a parliamentary inquiry by Songkhla MP Churi Numkaew about complaints from cooperative members whose savings had disappeared, department director Nirandon Moolthida revealed details of the investigation into Hat Yai Credit Union Limited's fraud.

Investigators found that the IT department head altered computer system codes in the deposit, loan, and member account systems, affecting 88 accounts total. The perpetrators then created ghost accounts using closed member information with altered names and registration numbers to generate fraudulent deposits, which were then withdrawn from the cooperative. The offender entered deposit information into the system without actual cash or transfers, then had accomplices withdraw the funds.

The investigation identified structural weaknesses: the cooperative had only one IT head with unrestricted access to all systems and no confidentiality protocols, creating opportunities for fraud. The total damage amounts to nearly 400 million baht involving 92 suspects. The cooperative's board has dismissed 10 employees implicated in the scheme, including the IT head, and filed criminal complaints with investigators. A civil lawsuit is being prepared for filing by May 2026, and the Anti-Corruption Commission is being coordinated to trace the financial trails.

To prevent future incidents, the department will implement technology-based safeguards, encouraging cooperatives to deploy applications allowing members real-time access to their account information and integrate with the department's central MIS warning system for anomaly detection. The department is also strengthening internal controls, upgrading auditor training in technology oversight, and building inter-agency cooperation with the Anti-Corruption Commission and national police. Orders have been issued to all provincial cooperative offices to conduct thorough inspections of all cooperatives under their jurisdiction and immediately investigate any irregularities or suspected fraud.

Chonburi FC has successfully agreed to a contract extension with Gigue Linares, a defender for the Philippine national team, for one additional season to remain a key player for the 'Chonburi Sharks' in the 2026/27 campaign.

Linares delivered outstanding performances throughout the 2025/26 season, becoming one of the core defensive players. He appeared in all 24 matches across all competitions, totaling 1,811 minutes and recording one assist.

Linares is a versatile defender capable of playing multiple defensive positions, with extensive professional experience across several clubs including UD San Pedro, UD Montijo, El Palo, Lampang Warriors, and PSM Makassar in the Indonesian league, before returning to Thai football as part of Chonburi FC in the 2025/26 season.

This contract extension marks another significant move by the 'Chonburi Sharks' as they prepare for the new season, with the Philippine national team defender set to continue as a key defensive player for Chonburi FC in the 2026/27 campaign.