The Board of Investment (BOI) hosted the BOI Symposium, bringing together leading EV manufacturers from China, Japan, and Europe to propel Thailand toward 'Smart and Green Mobility' and reinforce Thailand's position as ASEAN's EV Hub.

BOI Secretary-General Naruetom Terdsteerasukdi revealed that on May 13, 2026, the symposium titled 'Thailand Driving Toward Smart and Green Mobility' was held as part of SUBCON Thailand 2026, featuring China EV100, a leading electric vehicle think tank, alongside automotive executives and global component manufacturers from China, Japan, and Europe investing in Thailand. The event reflected global automotive industry direction amid the transition to the Smart and Green Mobility era.

The forum also served as a platform for exchanging perspectives on future technology, supply chain systems, and opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs to connect with global supply chains, positioning Thailand as the region's future automotive industry hub. Over 500 investors and interested parties participated.

Secretary-General Naruetom delivered a keynote speech on 'Policies to Accelerate Smart and Green Mobility,' noting that the global automotive industry is transitioning to electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and digital technology, collectively known as ACES, comprising Autonomous, Connected, Electric, and Shared Mobility. Software, electronics, battery management systems, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have become competitive differentiators, presenting Thailand with an opportunity to leverage its strong automotive base to become a 'comprehensive future automotive manufacturing hub' for the region in both Green and Smart Mobility dimensions.

Middle East crises affecting global energy prices have accelerated the shift to electric vehicles, demonstrating that Green Mobility transcends environmental concerns and impacts energy security and national competitiveness.

Thailand prioritizes promoting EV adoption, energy efficiency improvements, and clean energy promotion to strengthen energy security and build long-term economic resilience.

'Thailand is not merely following the automotive industry's transition but is seizing the opportunity to lead it, attracting leading companies worldwide—from all types of EV manufacturers to advanced technology component producers—to establish manufacturing and export bases here,' Naruetom stated. 'We are also committed to supporting Thai entrepreneurs in connecting strongly with global supply chains. We have coordinated with four major automotive industry associations to develop further measures, including continuous support for Thai automakers, increased use of domestic components, and capacity building for Thai entrepreneurs.'

'From 2017 to March 2026, investment promotion requests in the EV automotive industry totaled over 182,000 million baht, covering EV manufacturing of all types, batteries, key components, and charging stations. This reflects global investor confidence in Thailand as the region's primary EV manufacturing base, advancing Thailand's goal to become the region's future automotive industry hub.'

Zhang Yongwei, President of the Institute for New Energy Vehicle Technology Development (China EV100), stated that the global automotive industry is entering an 'acceleration phase' of transition to electric vehicles, with projections that by 2030, EVs...

CHONBURI — Authorities in Chonburi province arrested 16 Chinese nationals during a late-night raid on an illegal poker den operating from a luxury house in Bang Lamung district on Wednesday night.

At 11:46 p.m., a coordinated task force led by Naphatphong Khositsuriyamanee (Chonburi Immigration Superintendent), Nattapol Pongsooksakul (Nong Prue Police Chief), and Prabda Suksoontree (Inspector General of Tourist Police Sub-Station 4, Subdivision 2, Tourist Police Division 1) raided a residence at 243/15 Soi Mab Yai Lia 24, Nong Prue Subdistrict. Officers from the Immigration Bureau, Tourist Police, and Bang Lamung Administrative Office participated in the operation.

Authorities arrested 16 suspected gamblers and seized approximately 100,000 baht in cash, gambling chips valued at several million baht, three poker tables, and large quantities of playing cards and gambling equipment.

The investigation began following complaints from local residents who noticed unusually large numbers of Chinese tourists entering the property. Residents expressed additional concerns about security, citing a previous incident in which Chinese nationals were allegedly found hiding C4 explosives in the area. Officers monitored the house, confirmed regular activity by Chinese nationals, and planned the late-night raid to catch the group off guard, given the property's perimeter surveillance cameras.

During the raid, three suspects attempted to escape by jumping from a second-floor window and sustained injuries when they hit the ground. Medical personnel provided first aid while officers secured the premises. Officers found 13 Chinese gamblers—both male and female—in a panicked state along with evidence of gambling activities and food and beverages prepared for the players.

All 16 suspects (13 men and three women) were taken into custody for questioning. Authorities are currently verifying their immigration status before they are transferred to investigators for further legal proceedings.

Khunna Chidchob, vice president of Buriram United, posted inflammatory comments on Facebook following the club's dramatic 120-minute victory over Johor Darul Takzim from Malaysia. Despite losing the second leg 1-2, Buriram United advanced on aggregate 4-3, with Kingsley Schindler scoring a vital goal in the 98th minute to keep his team alive. The match was intensely contested with yellow cards issued throughout, and the home team was reduced to nine players after Guillaume Bissoli and Goran Kauščič received red cards, meaning both will be suspended for the AFC Club Championship final against Malaysian club Selangor FC. Chidchob posted twice on Facebook, first writing "They're nothing but cheaters" and then "We only had 9 players, but we still made it to the finals!!!" Meanwhile, club owner Newin Chidchob posted his own message saying "Lost, but won. Thank you for all your support. Thank you to every fighter. No matter how many are on the pitch, everyone in Chang Arena has one heart and fights together. Buriram United."

Yossanan is clearing regulatory obstacles to turn Thai research into revenue, unlocking a Fast Track pathway to help startups conduct business more quickly while developing stable career prospects for innovation managers.

On May 14, 2025, at the Asia Hotel in Bangkok's Ratchathewi district, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yossanan Wongsawat presided over the 2025 annual general meeting and delivered a keynote address titled "Advancing Research and Innovation as a New Engine to Drive Thailand's Economy," organized by the Association of Intellectual Property Managers and Technology Transfer Professionals (AITP).

Yossanan stated that Thailand is advancing toward becoming a high-income nation, and leveraging innovation and commercializing intellectual property (IP) are critical mechanisms for achieving success.

Past obstacles have included IP processing backlogs and legal barriers or concerns about audits, preventing many excellent research projects from creating real commercial value.

Solving these problems requires more than one agency—it demands systemic structural and ecosystem reform. This is why efforts are underway to unite professional networks and associations like AITP as central hubs for connecting, sharing case studies, and standardizing the work of Technology Licensing Offices (TLOs) nationwide with consistent direction.

Yossanan emphasized that concrete implementation requires a key policy focused on creating an "IP Marketplace" through coordinated efforts between the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) and the Ministry of Commerce to link research to the private sector. Artificial intelligence technology will be integrated to support workflows, reducing administrative burden and improving intellectual property screening quality.

Regulatory deregulation efforts are being accelerated by creating fast-track pathways for startup establishment, licensing agreements, and holding company formation, as well as establishing standardized TLO operational practices that are clear, internationally comparable, and eliminate redundancy across institutions.

Yossanan further noted that success cannot be achieved without capable personnel. Advancing the TLO profession with international standards and compensation reflecting their abilities is a priority.

When workers can demonstrate that intellectual property management processes create economic value and generate revenue for institutions and the nation, career advancement structures and compensation will be upgraded accordingly.

Yossanan urged all agencies, educational institutions, and personnel to use this network association as a shared learning space to promote sustainable and robust growth of Thai innovation.

On May 14, the Election Commission (EC) clarified procedures for Bangkok Governor succession. When a Bangkok Governor completes their term in office, they must remain in position until the newly elected governor assumes duty. However, if the governor vacates the position for reasons other than term expiration—such as resignation—the Bangkok Deputy Governor will serve as acting governor until a new governor officially takes office. This arrangement complies with Section 54 of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Act B.E. 2528 and its amendments. The EC noted that Bangkok's governance structure differs from other local administrative organizations like provincial administrations, municipalities, and subdistrict administrations, which automatically transfer authority to their deputy administrators when leadership vacancies occur.