Amid intense pressure on Thailand's capital market from capital outflows, weakening stock performance, and IPO activity at a 20-year low, the "JUMP+" initiative has been launched as a three-year strategic program to enhance listed companies' business operations, governance, and sustainability. The program aims to restore global investor confidence.

Key Challenges to Address

Sarawit noted that Thailand's capital market faces severe pressure from investor outflows, causing continuous declines in market value and stock indices despite slight recovery at year's beginning. Initial public offerings (IPOs) have slumped significantly, hitting a 20-year low and reflecting deteriorating confidence among both issuers and investors. Additionally, structural problems plague many listed companies, including low return on equity (ROE) and undervaluation relative to potential, with unfavorable price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-book (P/B) ratios dampening investor interest in Thai capital markets.

Value-Addition Model

The Stock Exchange developed "JUMP+" based on a Korean model to reduce the corporate discount—the gap between actual and potential company values—focusing on major enterprises. Participating companies number 180, representing only 7% of listed firms but accounting for 45% of market capitalization. Results show the program has successfully attracted foreign investment back into the market, boosting market indices and valuation metrics including P/E and P/B ratios since launch, aided by other factors such as AI trends and capital inflows.

JUMP+ Structure: Three Principles, Three Plans

The JUMP+ program operates on three key principles: Growth (emphasizing companies with expansion potential and commitment), Visibility (promoting disclosure of business plans, operational results, and investor communication), and Incentive (supporting company operations across various dimensions).

Participating companies must develop three-year JUMP+ plans (2026-2028) approved by their boards:

1. Business Plan: Targets company value enhancement by 2028 with comprehensive strategic plans 2. Governance Plan: Covering board structure and qualifications, oversight of accountability and transparency, and human resource and risk management oversight 3. Climate Action Plan: Addressing greenhouse gas management

Participant Profile: Small but Ambitious

Unlike Korea's program, Thailand's JUMP+ targets mid-sized and small companies. Among 143 participating firms—87 from SET and 56 from mai—analysis reveals:

– Approximately 78% have market capitalizations below 5 billion baht – About 60% show ROE below 10%, below their cost of equity, indicating returns below shareholder costs – More than half have P/E ratios below 10 times and P/B ratios below 1, reflecting significant valuation discounts with substantial growth potential

Participating companies have committed to profit growth targets of at least 50% over three years, demonstrating management determination.

Disclosure-Based Approach: Platform for Investor Decision-Making

JUMP+ operates on disclosure-based principles, using information transparency as its foundation while letting investors make their own decisions.

On April 17, 2569, the Royal Gazette published a royal proclamation granting ecclesiastical title to Phra Thammawitchirpatiphan Suphithandhammathanit, designated as a special Buddhist orator with elevated monastic rank, stationed at Wat Prayurawongsa Wiharn in Bangkok, with authority to ordain six new monks.

Phra Thammawitchirpatiphan (Bunya Akompunyo) is a Buddhist scholar and master of dhamma discourse who trains monks, novices, and laypeople. Rather than teaching merely for memorization, he emphasizes critical thinking and communicates Buddhist teachings in ways accessible to all levels of society. Currently 76 years old with 56 years of monastic life, he serves as assistant abbot of Wat Prayurawongsa Wiharn, head of the Phasi Charoen district sangha council, and deputy director of the First Buddhist Missionary Network.

Born on January 1, 1950, in Don Tae, Muang District, Ratchaburi Province, he ordained at age 11 on May 18, 1961, at Wat Na Nong. He completed Buddhist scriptural studies, earning bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in Dhamma. He transferred to Wat Prayurawongsa in 1983 and earned a doctorate in Buddhist Education specializing in dhamma instruction from Mahachulalongkorn Rajabhat University.

Wat Prayurawongsa is renowned as a center for dhamma discourse, having maintained distinctive teaching methods since the early Chakri period. The temple's motto emphasizes "fishing outside the house, connecting the ten directions, forging friendships far and wide, cultivating wisdom, and the sarika feeding the prey"—all aligned with authentic Buddhist principles.

Phra Thammawitchirpatiphan has consistently worked to disseminate Buddhism and inspire faith through lectures to students, officials, and professionals in both public and private sectors. He is particularly renowned for "witchir patiphan" (sparkling dhamma discourse)—spontaneous Dhamma dialogue requiring both wit and precise knowledge of the Tripitaka. He has authored numerous works including "Mantra of Happiness," "Meditation Methods," "Karma: Cause and Effect," "Dhamma Instruction Basics," and many others.

"All humans desire a happy life coupled with wisdom greater than a life filled with suffering—whether physical or mental—or cleverness without wisdom. Life with wisdom allows one to distinguish right from wrong, avoid mistakes, and overcome obstacles. Therefore, before acting, one must think carefully; if seeing something is wrong and harmful, find a better way. A good life is lived by those with good thoughts who do not allow themselves to sink into what is wrong."

Following the incident where Adinun, 29, a footballer from Moo 8, Tambon Thammuang, Amphoe Thepa, Songkhla province, was fatally shot after the "Thammuang Cup" football match held during the annual sports competition of Thammuang Municipality on April 30, the latest development occurred on May 1, 2569, when military officials from the Ingkhayuth Camp in Amphoe Nongchik, Pattani province brought 20-year-old conscript Sukhanya to surrender to Pol. Col. Piyawat Kwansri, the investigating officer at Huaypling Police Station.

Initially, investigators charged the suspect with premeditated homicide, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and carrying firearms in civilian areas without authorization. The suspect claims he disposed of the firearm in a canal while fleeing. Pol. Col. Piyawat revealed that the suspect has confessed to the incident, claiming the shooting was solely in self-defense because the deceased's group was numerous. After interrogation, the suspect was transferred to military court at the 42nd Army Region Command at Camp Senanarong, Hadyai District, Songkhla.

At the victim's home in Nongsamai, Moo 8, Tambon Thammuang, relatives and friends continued paying respects amid mourning, with the family preparing to bury the body at the village cemetery. The victim's father stated his son had been a footballer for many years, but never expected this tragic outcome. He requested police prosecute the perpetrator severely.

A relative who witnessed the incident explained that tensions arose during the football match when the suspect's team collided with the victim's team. After the 0-0 match ended, both teams exchanged apologies and dispersed. Later, while watching the next match, the suspect approached the victim's nephew asking why he had fouled him, leading to a physical altercation. When the victim intervened to help his nephew, the suspect drew a firearm and shot immediately, striking the victim's right chest, left armpit, and right ankle.

Authorities have uncovered 45 fraudulent birth registrations connected to a Chinese smuggling ring operating in Nakhon Ratchasima, with six pairs of twins registered illegally. Officials are accelerating the investigation and pursuing comprehensive legal action. Dr. Kitipong Pongsuravet, sub-district mayor of Phothikhlang in Muang Nakhon Ratchasima district, filed a complaint with police after discovering that municipal registry staff had committed fraud by falsifying birth documents for foreign nationals in an organized scheme involving 27 cases, each receiving tens of thousands of baht in benefits. In the latest development on May 1, 2026, Dr. Kitipong revealed that following a meeting with Suranari Camp Hospital—which was falsely listed as the birth location—an additional 28 suspicious registrations were identified, bringing the total to 45 cases. All registered names are Chinese nationals with no Thai citizens involved. Investigators also discovered significant irregularities, including six pairs of twins being fraudulently registered. The registrations occurred between July and October 2025, with suspicious clustering in certain months, such as June 2025 when six registrations were processed in a single month. Immigration officials at Suvarnabhumi Airport have also detained two Chinese nationals who were preparing to leave the country. The initial investigation indicates the fraudulent registrations were conducted in Phothikhlang sub-district, and relevant agencies are coordinating a comprehensive investigation and pursuing maximum legal penalties.

Auau Thanapoom, also known as Auau DEXX, has spoken out about an unsettling experience involving a fan following her to her rehearsal studio. This common problem for artists and celebrities involves invasive fan behavior that violates their personal space outside of work hours.

On April 30, Auau appeared as a Brand Ambassador at the "Dr.Choice presents: Punch Your Blues with Auau and Yuzu" event at Thailand Pet Expo 2026 at the Sirikit National Convention Center, where she opened up about the incident.

According to Auau, she was followed from morning until late at night when she arrived at the rehearsal studio. She admitted feeling uncomfortable because the studio is a private space, and other people were present. She emphasized that everyone deserves a safe work zone and that if they happen to meet by chance, a normal greeting is fine—but she'd prefer fans approach her at official events instead.

"It happened during our concert rehearsals," Auau explained. "I had to be there for quite a while, and I noticed someone following me from early morning. That space felt quite private to me, and I wasn't sure what to do. I really want them to understand it's a private area. If they want to follow me, it's better to do it at events. All artists have personal lives. I'd prefer fans approach me at official events."

When asked if there were other people in the space, Auau confirmed: "Yes, there were others, not just me. And honestly, it made them uncomfortable too."

Regarding how she felt about being followed in a shared space, Auau said: "I felt bad for them. Everyone deserves privacy, actually. I think they themselves would want personal space too. As an artist, my colleagues and I have our own privacy. When we're rehearsing, it should be a safe zone, but when cameras are constantly recording, it doesn't feel very private."

When asked if it was late, she confirmed it was, occurring right after rehearsal ended. She had already encountered the fan earlier in the day. The follower was female. Auau expressed concern for the fan's safety as well, noting it was quite late and isolated. She clarified her intention wasn't to scold anyone, just to ask fans to meet her at official events instead.

Asking fans to respect boundaries, Auau said: "If we happen to meet, a casual conversation is fine. But there needs to be some space. Don't rush in, search for me, or follow me like this. I just need space for my safety and my friends' safety too."