Chememan reports Q1/2569 profits up 32% through efficient customer portfolio management, tight cost control, and internal efficiency improvements while preparing for challenging market conditions. Luang Chantrajuta Chantrathat, Chairman of Chememan Public Company Limited (CMAN), a lime and chemical products manufacturer under the "CHEMEMAN" brand, announced that Q1/2569 operating results showed combined revenue of 980 million baht, down 4.6% year-on-year, while net profit attributable to shareholders reached 172 million baht, up 32%.

Average selling prices declined due to increased competition and baht appreciation, but higher lime sales volumes to domestic sugar mill customers and foreign mining sector clients partially offset these impacts. The company achieved higher profitability through efficient customer portfolio management, increased production capacity utilization that reduced per-unit production costs, and lower operating expenses, resulting in gross profit margin rising to 41.4% from 36%. Financial costs decreased due to lower interest rates and reduced total debt, while tax expenses declined from increased tax benefits, driving higher shareholder profits.

"Overall conditions in 2569 present significant challenges," Luang Chantrajuta stated, "with market forecasts suggesting lime demand will remain flat or grow modestly. We've prepared by investing in operational efficiency improvements and continuous cost management, including installing 8.7 MW solar capacity at our Thai facilities, enabling strong competitiveness even in economic slowdowns."

The company has both short-term and 2-3 year plans to address market challenges. Short-term strategies include timely cost management such as purchasing additional electric trucks for raw material and product transport to offset rising fuel costs, and postponing non-essential investments. Medium-term plans involve expanding business in strategic regions including India, Indonesia, and Australia; strengthening long-term partnerships with strategic allies and key customers; and driving new efficiency strategies to reduce costs and operational expenses sustainably.

Investment initiatives include alternative energy projects and technology and digital systems to reduce work steps, lower costs, and improve production and service processes. "The company has chosen a strategy of 'defending strongly while aggressively pursuing high-potential markets,' emphasizing internal efficiency improvements through technology," the chairman noted. "One key reason we established Gristman Company was to develop cutting-edge technology and STEM resources for managing our expanding asset portfolio across the Indo-Pacific region."

On May 12, 2569, Pol. Maj. Worrawit Umpornprathan, an investigator on duty at Tha Ta Fang Police Station, reported that early morning on May 11, officers received a call about a motorcycle that lost control on Highway 1194 in the Mae Sa Riang-Mae Sam Laeb area, near Wai Pho Village, Moo 6, Mae Yuwm Subdistrict, Mae Sa Riang District, Mae Hong Son Province. Upon arrival, they found a red Honda Dream motorcycle with no license plate suspended in a tree about 2 meters above ground, roughly 50 meters from the roadway. The engine was still running with the right turn signal still blinking.

Nearby, officers discovered the body of a middle-aged man wearing a dark blue short-sleeved shirt and gray pants with a shoulder bag. The on-duty doctor from Mae Sa Riang Hospital was contacted to perform an initial examination, and the body was transported to the hospital. Initial investigation revealed the deceased was a resident of the Mae La Oon War Refugee Center, Unit 9, Sob Moei District, Mae Hong Son Province. Police found no evidence of collision with another vehicle at the scene and believe the motorcyclist lost control and fell on his own. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the victim's relatives.

The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shut down online retailers selling VTEAY MAGNESIUM GLYCINATE + ZINC supplements following the discovery of counterfeit FDA registration numbers, with the agency warning consumers to verify products carefully before buying.

Pharmacist Suphattra Bunserm, Secretary of the FDA, revealed that ongoing monitoring of online health product sales uncovered fraudulent operations selling the VTEAY supplement at discounted prices while displaying FDA registration numbers belonging to other products on various e-commerce platforms.

Investigations also found that the stores involved in selling these products had forged manufacturing authorization documents and used them to open official stores on online platforms to build credibility. The FDA has coordinated with all major e-commerce platforms to close these shops and requested that service providers strengthen document verification procedures to ensure consistency with actual goods, preventing counterfeit products that could pose health risks to consumers.

On May 12, 2025, a 55-year-old homeowner from Ban Phontong in Muang District, Chaiyaphum Province (name withheld upon request) approached media outlets with documents after receiving a property seizure notice from Chaiyaphum Provincial Enforcement Office dated May 8, 2025. He maintains that he has completely paid off his mortgage with Bank for Agriculture and Cooperatives' Chaiyaphum branch, with zero balance remaining.

The documents he presented include enforcement office notices from both 2024 and 2025, along with a payment receipt from the bank confirming that the outstanding debt of 418,140 baht has been paid in full.

According to the seizure notice, the enforcement officer has seized titled land and a residential house in Phontong Subdistrict, Muang District, valued at approximately 418,140 baht, with a dispute mediation hearing scheduled for June 4, 2025 at the Chaiyaphum Provincial Enforcement Office.

The homeowner explained that he mortgaged the property with the bank over 10 years ago, paying approximately 4,000 baht monthly until he faced payment difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. After mediation between the bank and enforcement office in 2024, he agreed to settle the outstanding balance within the specified period.

On May 8, 2024, he brought 418,140 baht plus all associated fees to pay off the loan at the bank and received documentation confirming zero debt. However, he recently received another seizure notice, causing him alarm and concern about losing his family home.

The homeowner stated he visited both the bank and enforcement office seeking clarification but received no clear explanation. He questioned the responsibility of the agencies involved, worried about potential damage to his credit bureau record, family reputation, and trustworthiness.

He is demanding that Bank for Agriculture and Cooperatives investigate the matter, correct the records promptly, and prevent similar incidents from affecting other citizens.

Pond Krit Da addressed the controversy over her comments to a contestant in True Academy Fantasia 2026 auditions, denying any intention to spark viral drama while admitting her word choice was inappropriate and accepting this as an important lesson. She explained at a press conference that she was unaware the footage would be used for promotion, and emphasized that neither the show nor her team sought to create controversy, as they don't believe that's a constructive working method. She also stated that behind the cameras, there were follow-up conversations and mutual encouragement with the contestant, whom she helped prepare for final auditions. Pond clarified that her role in the show was to oversee production and artist development, not social media management, and that she only learned about the viral clip a week after it spread online. She revealed that the contestant ultimately performed excellently in the final auditions, successfully channeling feedback into a strong performance, and remained happy and motivated afterward based on the positive impact of the guidance provided.

A hot-headed motorcycle rider involved in a traffic collision with a car escalated the dispute verbally before fatally stabbing the other party. Police are searching for the assailant to press charges. At 9 p.m. on May 11, 2025, Mueang Nonthaburi Police received reports of a vehicle collision followed by a stabbing that left the victim critically injured. The incident occurred at the entrance to the Forest Industry Organization (Forestry Department) on Rewadee Road, opposite Soi Rewadee 7 in Talat Khwan Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nonthaburi Province. Officers responded along with rescue volunteers and paramedics from Phra Nang Klao Hospital.

At the scene, police found 39-year-old Chaleam Kiarti lying on the road with labored breathing. He had sustained one stab wound beneath his left chest. His pulse stopped, but paramedics from Phra Nang Klao Hospital performed CPR for over 15 minutes before his heartbeat returned, and he was immediately transported to the hospital.

A 48-year-old eyewitness named Mr. O described what he saw: he arrived as the two parties were already arguing and rushed in to stop them, telling the motorcycle rider to leave it alone. The rider apparently complied, starting his motorcycle to depart. However, his chain fell off, and he spent time reattaching it before riding away. The witness then approached the injured man, who was being supported by others, and the victim told him he had been stabbed before collapsing. The assailant was described as a young man in his late 20s riding a small motorcycle similar to a taxi bike, dressed in a green rider's uniform.

Following the incident, investigators visited the scene and reviewed CCTV footage from cameras along the route before and after the attack to identify and locate the suspect for prosecution.