Thailand's construction materials market remains sluggish with a 10% contraction, weighing on COTTO sales, yet the company continues strengthening profits while expanding products and distribution channels. It is pushing affordable engineered flooring and smart bathroom fixtures to tap into home improvement trends and modern consumer demands.

Tanongchai Asvinchaichote, managing director of SCG Ceramics and Siam Sanitary Ware Industry, revealed that the domestic construction materials market is contracting by roughly 10% due to Middle East logistics disruptions and developers delaying new projects. This aligns with the five-year trend following peak recovery in 2022 post-COVID before gradual slowdown.

Despite slightly negative year-to-date sales, COTTO maintains continuous profit growth through rigorous cost management over recent years—installing solar panels to cut energy costs, automating production processes, and optimizing product portfolios without significant price increases. The company distributes through three equally-balanced channels: project sales, dealer networks, and its own retail outlets, currently operating five COTTO LiFE showrooms nationwide targeting affluent customers and over 100 "Ceramic Warehouse" stores for mid-market segments.

A standout product is SPC flooring (Stone Plastic Composite), which has achieved double-digit growth for the second consecutive year due to water-resistant properties and versatile applications. Though representing under 10% of the flooring market, SPC shows strong growth potential, prompting the company to build its own manufacturing facility for competitive advantage and supply chain efficiency.

COTTO is also expanding automated bathroom fixtures into more affordable price segments, now offering products under 10,000 baht in the KLIRR series, alongside the new SENSIS model featuring contactless Kick Sensor technology. It also launched the "SILN Series" sink with hidden drainage design, reflecting a shift toward smart living and wellness, plus mid-range 30,000-baht products maintaining premium functionality and aesthetics.

In 2026, the company accelerates expansion of "COTTO THE SURFACE" covering 10 finish materials including tile, vinyl tile, wood, clay and stone décor, worktops, mosaic, grout, doors, windows, and bathroom furniture to deliver design continuity. Worktops from large-format tiles with lower water absorption than natural stone are gaining popularity.

Tanongchai noted COTTO leads Thailand's ceramic tile and sanitaryware markets, competing closely with the second-largest player while facing continued pressure from Chinese imports. The company emphasizes innovation and design coupled with integrated production control from its Saraburi manufacturing base.

On May 4, 2025, the Thai Meteorological Department issued a 24-hour weather forecast for Thailand's upper regions, which will experience hot daytime temperatures with isolated thunderstorms and strong gusts due to heat-induced low pressure and moisture-carrying winds from the southwest and southeast. Northern and central regions are particularly affected. The public is advised to avoid prolonged outdoor activities and remain vigilant for thunderstorms and hazardous wind conditions.

The southern region faces scattered thunderstorms, with rainfall expected to intensify between May 6-8 due to easterly wind waves affecting the lower south. Heavy rain warnings remain in effect. Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea conditions include 1-meter waves, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. Fishermen should exercise caution and avoid storm zones.

Air quality in upper Thailand shows good to moderate dust accumulation due to localized rainfall. Regional forecasts detail temperatures ranging from 21-41°C across the north, 22-38°C in the northeast, 24-40°C in the central region, 25-39°C in the east, and 24-38°C in the southern region, with varying rainfall percentages and wind patterns specific to each area.

Inter Milan defeated Parma 2-0 at home on May 3 in the 2025-26 Serie A season, clinching the Italian championship and securing their record 21st Scudetto trophy. Playing at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Inter dominated with goals from Marcus Thuram (45+1) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (80). The victory brought Inter to 82 points from 35 matches, mathematically eliminating all challengers and guaranteeing the title with a 12-point gap over second-place Napoli with just three matches remaining.

Tottenham Hotspur pulled off a crucial 2-1 away victory against Aston Villa in the English Premier League match on May 3rd, 2026. The hosts fielded Yuri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, and Tammy Abraham, while Tottenham deployed Matis Ttel, Randal Kolo Muani, and Richarlison in their starting lineup.

Tottenham dominated the match, with Connor Gallagher opening the scoring in the 12th minute and Richarlison adding the second goal in the 25th minute. Aston Villa pulled one back through Emiliano Buendía's dramatic 90+6th minute strike, but it proved too little too late.

With this result, Tottenham climbed to 37 points from 35 matches, moving into 17th place and overtaking West Ham United by one point. Aston Villa remained in 5th place with 58 points from their 35 matches.

Other results from the day: Bournemouth 3-0 Crystal Palace Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool

Michael Carrick, Manchester United manager, revealed his satisfaction after guiding the team to a thrilling 3-2 home win against longtime rivals Liverpool in the Premier League, successfully securing a return ticket to UEFA Champions League football.

"Yes, in some ways, the work we've done and how the players have executed on the pitch—we've gained plenty from this match," Carrick said. "The idea of finishing in a Champions League spot seemed distant at one point, but it's not something we should be celebrating. We simply want to finish as high as possible in the league."

Carrick highlighted the importance of team cohesion and player quality: "Having good players and a good staff certainly helps. The unity we have as a working group, overcoming changes and difficult challenges—we just try to do the right things, and the players have responded excellently. We want to finish this season as strongly as possible."

Speaking to Sky Sports about United's improved finishing this era, Carrick noted: "We've been scoring goals and have been clinical over the last five matches. What we focus on is playing without the ball. We try to use our strengths in the game. We started well, and I'm pleased with how we closed out the match. Being pegged back twice could have derailed us, but the players are very talented and we came back to win. The players have regained confidence, though it's been tested. They want to work hard for each other."

Regarding Benjamin Sesko's injury, the Slovenian striker who was substituted at halftime, Carrick confirmed that Sesko has been dealing with an ankle problem and reaggravated the issue during the match.

At 5 p.m. on May 3, 2026, Deputy Superintendent Wikhit Suutroong of Muang Udon Thani Police Station received a report that a son was threatening and assaulting his mother at a boarding house in Udon Thani Municipality. Officers rushed to a five-story boarding house where they found Gao, 36, and his mother, 64, who claimed her son had verbally abused her with foul language and forced her from the room. She requested police arrest him on drug charges, hoping he would receive treatment for methamphetamine addiction and reform. She mentioned he had assaulted her once before, which she forgave. She noted that before his drug addiction, he was handsome and well-groomed, but had since neglected his appearance.

Gao explained he worked at a noodle shop, rented a room monthly at the boarding house, and did maintenance work there. His mother had only been staying with him for two months. He said he told her she could stay but not to cause trouble, as they had argued before.

"Today my mother came to the shop claiming the gas stove exploded and burned her arm," he said. "I was shocked and brought her here to care for her. I've looked after her and provided for her, but she's caused problems that made my wife leave. I'm in this situation because I chose her. She only thinks of herself and never considers my feelings."

Police initially attempted mediation but the argument continued. Officers contacted relatives to pick up the mother, while the son was charged with Category 1 drug possession (methamphetamine) and sent to Udon Thani Hospital for treatment.