The Department of Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce is actively managing prices for school uniforms and educational supplies during the school term opening, despite increased transportation costs and reduced consumer spending due to economic conditions. Most business operators have maintained prices similar to the previous year.

On May 11, 2569, Deputy Director-General Jirawut Suvannaaj revealed details following field inspections of major school uniform retailers in Bangkok's Thonburi district. The department launched the "Thai Help Thai Plus: Big School Opening, Easy on the Wallet - Back to School 2026" program, with multiple business sectors cooperating to reduce prices for school uniforms and related educational supplies.

The department visited major retailers including Thonburi Education Company, S. Chang Education shop, and Taraso department store. These establishments are helping reduce parent expenses through the program while maintaining original pricing, comparable to the previous year. Despite increased transportation costs, items from existing inventory remain at the same price. Additionally, stores offer promotional discounts on educational supplies and services such as free embroidery or school initials.

According to data collected in early May across Bangkok's department stores, distributors, and regular shops, most school uniform prices remain stable compared to the previous year. Examples include Samjai Nueuk boys' shirts at 215-360 baht per item, Thomson boys' trousers at 325-375 baht, and Samjai Nueuk girls' shirts at 165-360 baht. Some items showed slight increases, such as Nom Chit boys' shirts rising from 139-300 baht to 179-290 baht, while others decreased, like Taraso boys' trousers dropping from 260-375 baht to 238-350 baht.

Deputy Director-General Jirawut noted that consumer purchasing power has declined this year due to economic conditions and rising living costs, causing many families to be more cautious about spending. Some reuse old uniforms or buy only essentials. The department is therefore prioritizing both price controls and promotions to alleviate back-to-school expenses.

The "Thai Help Thai Plus: Big School Opening, Easy on the Wallet - Back to School 2026" program runs from April 30 to May 31, 2569, with 49 participating merchants covering over 1,000 education-related products and services with discounts up to 86%. This is expected to reduce household expenses by at least 300 million baht.

For parents in other provinces, the Department of Internal Trade is collaborating with provincial commerce offices to organize similar "Thai Help Thai Plus: Back to School 2026" activities in areas coordinated with the Ministry of Education, including Chachoengsao, Phetchabun, and Mae Hong Son provinces, making affordable school supplies more accessible.

May 11, 2025 – The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center under the Department of Mineral Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, has issued an alert for landslides and flash floods in high-risk areas experiencing continuous heavy rainfall, particularly in the northern region, specifically Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, and Chiang Mai provinces.

According to the Meteorological Department, between May 10-11, 2025, the upper part of Thailand will experience thunderstorms with strong gusty winds and heavy rainfall in some areas, especially in the northern region. This is caused by a high-pressure zone and cold air mass covering the Northeast and the South China Sea, combined with southerly and southeasterly winds carrying moisture from the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea into northern Thailand.

The southern region will also see increased rainfall with heavy downpours in some areas due to strengthening easterly winds covering the Gulf of Thailand, the South region, and the Andaman Sea. Wave heights in the Gulf of Thailand are expected to reach approximately 1 meter, with thunderstorm areas experiencing waves exceeding 2 meters.

Volunteers and network coordinators in at-risk areas are urged to continuously monitor and track landslide and flash flood conditions while preparing emergency response measures. Relevant agencies must closely follow the situation and conduct immediate field inspections if disasters occur, providing timely reassurance and preliminary guidance to residents in vulnerable areas.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission and Interior Ministry have investigated a Chinese national's Thai citizenship documentation, with preliminary findings showing no legal violations. Online media sparked controversy by publishing an identity card belonging to Cheng Zhao Wu, registered in Bangkok's Bang Khae District, raising questions about his connection to a Chachoengsao weapons case and how a Chinese citizen obtained Thai identification. Initial investigations revealed that Cheng Zhao Wu received his Thai identity card through proper procedures via nationality verification, with his family obtaining Thai citizenship dating back to his grandfather's generation. Cheng himself acquired Thai nationality in 2008 and operates a phone equipment wholesale and retail business, denying any knowledge of another individual mentioned in connection with the case. On May 11, 2025, at 11:40 a.m., anti-corruption officials led by Secretary-General Pumiwisai Kasemsukon and Deputy Secretary-General Siripong Sritula, along with Interior Ministry representatives, visited Bang Khae District office to investigate the identity card's issuance. District Director Tianchai Wongsuwan explained the legal procedures and supporting documents dating back to 2008, noting that officials at that time reviewed immigration documents and blood relationship evidence for paternal nationality verification. Tianchai clarified that previous statements to media merely explained existing documents without confirming legal compliance, as the incident occurred over a decade ago. The district is currently investigating only Cheng Zhao Wu's case due to its public exposure, with other relevant documents requiring coordination with the Interior Ministry and relevant registration offices. Regarding the possibility of retroactively investigating other foreign nationals with similar cases, Tianchai stated that procedures from a decade ago cannot be easily verified, but the news prompted officials to review the original case files. Police confirmed that Cheng Zhao Wu's case has no connection to a Chachoengsao weapons and explosives case, though they did not verify the legal validity of his identity card. Officials who processed the 2008 case have since retired, and there is currently insufficient grounds to summon them for testimony unless central authorities issue specific orders.

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun has issued a royal decree granting ecclesiastical rank certificates to three Buddhist monks on May 11, 2025. The Royal Gazette website published the royal proclamation announcing the elevation of three monks to the rank of Phrarachakhan (ordinary class). The three recipients are: 1. Phra Kru Sophon Kunnathar from Wat Sali in Suphan Buri province, elevated to ordinary class Phrarachakhan with the new title Phra Sophon Vachirathada. 2. Phra Kru Kovit Sutkarn from Wat Khok Khema in Nakhon Pathom province, elevated to ordinary class Phrarachakhan with the new title Phra Vajradhamma Kovit. 3. Phra Kru Soraphanya Pisuthi from Wat Mai Thepnimit in Bangkok, elevated to ordinary class Phrarachakhan with the new title Phra Vajrapanya Suthee. These appointments are effective from May 9, 2025, and were officially announced on May 11, 2025, marking the 11th year of the current reign.

On August 11, 2569, Ms. Saowanee (surname withheld), 40, from Surat Thani province, demanded justice regarding her father's death following a plantar wart surgical procedure. Her father experienced severe wound pain five days after the January 5 surgery and returned to the hospital on January 10 at 1:48 PM. Although he could walk into the emergency room, doctors indicated they would administer antibiotics, but later denied having done so. After eating fried noodles, he suffered vomiting and seizures before dying at 3:05 PM.

The daughter noted her father had no previous heart disease history, only hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and stage 3 kidney disease. Staff did not measure his blood pressure upon readmission despite his medical conditions. An autopsy performed on January 20 at a Nakhon Si Thammarat hospital revealed tryptase levels exceeding 200 ng/mL (normal range: 1.9-13.5), indicating severe allergic reaction. The pathologist concluded death resulted from sudden cardiac arrest, likely triggered by anaphylaxis.

CCTV footage appeared to show intravenous medication administration through IV lines, yet hospital records claim no medications were given. The family observed severe vomiting and seizures preceded death, contradicting the hospital's documentation. The family is demanding accountability and transparency regarding the treatment provided and the discrepancy between observed medical intervention and official hospital records.

International Entertainment – Hunt in the shadows! "In the Grey" is this year's most explosive action thriller! Featuring a powerhouse cast delivering pure cinematic mayhem. Where there's a criminal underworld, there's a team to take them on! Director Guy Ritchie's blockbuster action film "In the Grey" stands out for its distinctive approach to action cinema, featuring brutal, precise, and sharp combat sequences.

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When billions of dollars are stolen by a sinister shadowy organization, the mission to recover it must fall into the hands of this elite team. Bravo, Sid, and Sofia form a legendary covert unit operating in the shadows. They're as skilled in wielding power as they are with weapons and devastating firepower, along with elaborate deception tactics.

Get ready to witness pure adrenaline-fueled madness. Full action spectacle hits theaters May 14th.