CKPower, one of the region's largest renewable energy producers with one of the lowest carbon footprints, has demonstrated continued operational growth in Q1/2025. The company achieved core net profit of 115.9 million baht, up 52.5 million baht or 82.9 percent year-on-year, primarily driven by strong performance from its two hydroelectric facilities. CKPower recognized 198.6 million baht in net profit share from Sayaboury Power Company (XPCL), an increase of 190.7 million baht compared to the same period last year, resulting from higher water flow through the Sayaboury hydroelectric plant and increased electricity sales volume. The gains were also supported by reduced financing costs at XPCL from long-term loan repayments and declining global interest rates.

Performance at Ngiim Hydro 2 Company (NN2) also improved with higher electricity sales volumes compared to the previous year, as reservoir water levels at the start of 2025 were higher and water inflows during Q1/2025 increased. This sustained growth occurred despite the dry season period. Managing Director Thanawat noted that CKPower's renewable energy-focused capacity structure insulates operations from Middle East tensions and global energy price volatility, with fuel cost impacts limited to about 3 percent of total production through its industrial subsidiary Bangkok Cogeneration Company (BIC).

In preparation for potential El Niño conditions forecast for the second half of 2025, CKPower has developed an advanced Hydrometeorological Monitoring and Forecasting System to improve accuracy in power generation capacity announcements. The Luang Prabang hydroelectric project is 72 percent complete as of March 31, 2025, on schedule. The company maintains a strong financial position with a liquidity ratio of 1.78 times and a net interest-bearing debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47 times. Further US and Thai interest rate cuts could provide additional cost savings and support continued operational performance in 2025.

The Agricultural Economics Office (AEFO) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives supported Thailand's participation at the ASEAN-EU Sustainability Summit 2026 regional cooperation forum. Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Kanjana Khwanmuang represented Thailand and the Ministry of Agriculture as a panelist at the discussion titled "Food Security, Animal Health, and Climate Resilience: A Sustainability Imperative for ASEAN" on May 7, 2026, at Tambuli Seaside Resort & Spa in Cebu, Philippines.

The summit, organized by the EU-ASEAN Business Council and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, brought together government officials, private sector representatives, international organizations, and partners from ASEAN and the European Union to discuss green growth, sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate change adaptation.

During the forum, the AEFO deputy presented Thailand's agricultural policy direction, integrating sustainability and climate resilience into agriculture and food systems through the BCG economic model, smart and precision agriculture, water management and proactive risk management, and digital technology and early warning systems to boost productivity and farmer resilience.

On animal health, Thailand presented a comprehensive policy overview through the Department of Livestock, emphasizing disease surveillance, prevention, control, and food safety standards. The ministry stressed that animal health is essential for food security, rural economies, and consumer confidence, particularly for smallholder farmers who depend on livestock as household assets.

Thailand promotes proactive disease prevention following the One Health approach through biosecurity systems, vaccination, disease surveillance, standardized farm management, and data-driven decision-making to reduce economic losses, prevent antimicrobial overuse, and support sustainable livestock production.

Regionally, Thailand advocates elevating ASEAN cooperation from addressing immediate problems to systematic, data-informed collaboration, including information and early warning system sharing and policy coordination to manage transboundary risks such as animal disease outbreaks, disasters, climate change, and supply chain disruptions.

The Corrections Department spokesman reported that Chinese detainee Ming Chen Sun, 30, was transferred from Pattaya Special Prison to Pattaya Pathumkun Hospital after suffering severe seizures during the intake procedure on the evening of May 11. The suspect had been showing signs of stress and depression, refusing food for three days while consuming only water since his arrest.

Sun was arrested following a car accident in Sattahip, Chon Buri, during which police discovered firearms in his vehicle. Investigation expanded to uncover an arms cache at his residence, containing M4 assault rifles and explosives, leading to the arrest of five suspects total.

During custody, authorities noted the suspect displayed severe seizure symptoms and physical weakness. Medical teams administered IV fluids and relaxants, with doctors monitoring his condition around the clock. Police from Bang Lamung Station provided security with over 10 officers stationed at the hospital.

Medical assessment attributed the seizures to possible drug overdose combined with extreme stress, severe dehydration from three days of refusing food, and lack of family visits. Deputy Provincial Police Commander Wasurachai Chaithaipattana visited the hospital to oversee security procedures and ensure continuous close monitoring.

Corrections Department Deputy Director-General and Spokesman Yutthana Nakruangchai clarified that the suspect remains hospitalized at Pattaya Pathumkun Hospital and has not been transferred to Chon Buri Hospital. The initial cause is believed to be overdose of medication the suspect carried, likely consumed before detention. Officials noted that bringing medication into prison requires official authorization and inspection. Despite refusing food for three days, the suspect consumed some water, with high stress likely contributing to the seizures, compounded by having no family visits.

CKPower Managing Director Thanawat Triwiswvet announced the company's strong first quarter 2025 performance, with core net profit reaching 1.159 billion baht, up 525 million baht or 82.9% year-on-year. The growth stems from robust operations at both of the company's hydroelectric plants, including a 198.6 billion baht share of net profits from Xayaburi Power Company Limited (XPCL), up from 190.7 billion baht the previous year, thanks to increased water flow and higher electricity sales volumes combined with reduced financing costs from long-term debt repayment and declining global interest rates.

Perfirmance at Fak Kham 2 Power Company Limited (NN2) also improved with higher electricity sales compared to the previous year, driven by reservoir water levels at the beginning of 2025 that exceeded the prior year and increased water inflow during the first quarter. This sustained growth occurred despite operating during the dry season.

Thanawat explained that the company's production capacity structure, based primarily on renewable energy, insulates operations from Middle East instability and global energy price volatility. Energy price fluctuations affect only fuel costs for electricity sold to industrial customers through Bangpakong Cogeneration Company Limited (BIC), representing just 3% of total company output.

In preparation for potential El Niño conditions expected in the latter half of 2025, CKPower has developed a Hydrometeorological Monitoring and Forecasting System to enhance efficiency and accuracy in predicting hydroelectric power plant output capacity.

The Luang Prabang hydroelectric project is 72% complete as of March 2025, on schedule. The company's financial position remains solid, with a liquidity ratio of 1.78x and a net interest-bearing debt to equity ratio of just 0.47x, reflecting efficient cash management and debt repayment capabilities.

Management stated that further interest rate reductions in the U.S. and Thailand would reduce financing costs and support continued 2025 performance, with the company continuously monitoring interest rate adjustments and managing long-term debt appropriately.

Under its five-year plan (2025-2029), CKPower aims to expand production capacity through solar power projects, both via private PPAs and participation in government-sponsored renewable energy auctions, while selling renewable energy certificates (RECs). In 2024, the company's renewable energy plants supplied Thailand with over 10 million megawatt-hours.

Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain fans face a headache with accommodation prices in Budapest surging ahead of the UEFA Champions League final on May 30th. The 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League final will be held at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary at 6:00 PM on May 30th, attracting thousands of supporters for this European showdown. Although travel is generally convenient within Europe, limited flight and train schedules force many fans to stay overnight in Budapest, creating an opportunity for hotels and landlords to dramatically inflate prices—some charging over 10,000 euros per night (approximately 360,000 baht).

Hotel and rental platform prices have skyrocketed. On Booking.com, luxury accommodations for two people exceed 10,000 euros for a night after the final, while even standard apartments and mid-range hotels command premium rates, with the cheapest remaining options around 2,000 euros per night. Airbnb shows similar pricing, though data reveals that just one night after the match, prices plummet back to normal levels of approximately 100 euros per night.

A shocking shooting incident unfolded in central Nakhon Pathom when a sub-district chief allegedly fired on a local pork farm owner. The incident appears to have roots in a jealousy dispute, as the victim had been associating with the suspect's ex-wife, a market vendor at Sri Wichai Market in Nakhon Pathom city. The two reportedly encountered each other at a restaurant, engaged in a heated argument, and later the shooting occurred outside an entertainment establishment in Sanam Chan subdistrict around 2 a.m. on May 12, 2025. The victim, 54-year-old Udom Phong, a pork farm owner, was found in a black BMW with a red license plate, having sustained a severe head wound from a .38 caliber gunshot. Police arrived to provide first aid and transport him to the hospital for emergency treatment. At the scene, officers recovered a firearm from inside the vehicle. The suspect, identified as Khom Sak, or "Kamnaan Jiew," the sub-district chief of Don Yai Hom in Muang district, waited at the scene and confessed to the shooting. A second firearm was discovered on his person during a search. He was taken into custody for further questioning at Muang Nakhon Pathom Police Station.