ERGO Insurance is implementing a business stability strategy amid global economic risks, prioritizing profitability and balanced portfolio management rather than aggressive growth. In partnership with Zurich Cover-More, the company is launching "ERGO Travel Guard" travel insurance and aims to rank in the top 3 travel insurance providers within three years, while expanding supplementary health insurance for SMEs.

Adisak Thetaratworngse, President and CEO of ERGO Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, a subsidiary of ERGO Group and Munich Re, revealed the company's business direction for 2025. Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, the company will prioritize building "sustainability" through balanced portfolio management, maintaining profitability levels, and controlling financial ratios and organizational stability. This approach reflects external uncertainties, particularly global economic conditions, international conflicts, and varying impacts across business segments that have increased costs, transaction volumes, and asset values subject to high volatility.

"Some may think wars have little impact, but certain business groups face clear consequences in both costs and transaction volumes," Adisak stated, adding that the company must work closely with customers and partners to ensure insurance products address changing risks effectively.

Regarding health insurance, the company currently has no plans to enter the OPD or comprehensive health insurance market in the short term due to medical inflation risks and various uncertainties.

On financial targets, the company will prioritize maintaining profit levels and stability over growth acceleration, despite recent impacts from natural disasters such as flooding and earthquakes that increased claims.

As part of its growth strategy, ERGO recently announced a significant partnership with Zurich Cover-More, a leading travel assistance service provider within Zurich Insurance Group, to launch "ERGO Travel Guard" international travel insurance. The product covers accidents and health issues, including delayed or cancelled flights, starting at 186 baht. Key features include worldwide hospital admissions without advance payment and coverage for travelers aged 0-80.

"Currently, Thai travel insurance penetration rates remain low compared to international standards, despite travel carrying multifaceted risks from unfamiliar locations, language, food, and changing weather. This collaboration isn't just a product launch but delivers world-class protection standards designed specifically for Thai travelers to create worry-free travel experiences at all destinations."

ERGO Travel Guard consolidates traveler risks into 29 coverage categories across four main groups:

1. Life and Health: Covers inpatient and outpatient medical treatment without advance payment upon admission, including emergency evacuation. 2. Travel Inconvenience: Covers flight delays, denied boarding (overbooking), trip cancellations, and new coverage for pet care costs if owners return to Thailand late due to unforeseen circumstances. 3. Assets: Protects against damage or loss of luggage, passport, cash, and related items.

Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the brutal murder of Prasayad, a 65-year-old taxi driver whose body was found dumped in a rice field off Highway 9 in Bang Sai district, Ayutthaya province. The victim sustained severe head injuries, and his taxi was left parked with the door open at the scene. On May 6, 2025, investigators apprehended the suspect, Narathorn (surname withheld), in a rented room in Pathum Thani province near the victim's residence. During initial questioning, the suspect confessed that the conflict originated from a dispute over a mobile phone repair. The victim had asked the suspect to repair his phone and promised 400 baht in payment. When the victim later demanded the phone back, the suspect became dissatisfied and angry, ultimately planning to lure the victim to a remote location where he fatally attacked him. After the incident, the suspect went into hiding in the surrounding area until police tracked and arrested him. Authorities are now conducting detailed interrogation, gathering additional evidence, and expanding the investigation to establish all facts of the case.

On May 6, 2569, the Election Commission office conducted a drawing to appoint election observers for Bangkok and Chachoengsao province. Eight election observers were selected for Bangkok to oversee elections for Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMA) members and Bangkok governor: Pol. Lt. Col. Pichai Chiamaroj, Pongtep Thirapunth, Pol. Col. Charat Wadkhian, Prasop Chumsri, Pol. Maj. Suchart Surasatchya, Thierapong Chantachat, Pol. Air Vice-Marshal Niwat Boonpradis, and Charan Virassaman. Five observers were selected for Chachoengsao province to oversee Pattaya City Council and mayoral elections: Pol. Maj. Prasong Sonchan, Surachat Manit, Thawon Koulsiri, Chaiwarn Niyom, and Piravat Wangrutkul. The EC office will submit these names for formal appointment. The observers will begin duties on May 23, 2569, and conclude on June 29, 2569, for a total of 38 days. Their responsibilities include monitoring election officials' compliance with procedures, investigating election law violations and political party misconduct, accessing polling stations and vote-counting areas, and performing other duties as assigned by the EC.

Social media users are scrambling to identify the person being referenced following a post by the popular gossip page Madam Mount, who revealed hints about a sharp-tongued TV presenter. The post stated: "Hey everyone, do you know about this blunt-talking TV presenter who loves gossiping about celebrities? Madam has heard that he has a preference for Gen Z students and takes them on secret trips, then uses money to keep them quiet. But this time, some parents of these young people refuse to stay silent and are prepared to expose his shameful behavior!" The post continued with further allegations: "According to insider information, this presenter is set to receive a major position on the network's board, yet his behavior remains questionable. Many young people, both male and female, have been affected by him. He's paid them off and even threatened some that if they speak up, their futures won't look good. This kind of behavior should not go unpunished." Amid widespread social media speculation and debate, users are attempting to guess the identity of the person being described. The allegations were originally reported by the Madam Mount page and picked up by news teams on May 6, 2026.

"Practice is about swimming against the current, against the inclinations of our own hearts," reflects Venerable Luang Pho Cha Suphattho from Wat Nong Pa Phong in Ubon Ratchathani. Rewind to 1994: the late Luang Pho Yid Chantsuvanno from Wat Nong Jok in Kuiburi District, Prachuap Khiri Khan, a renowned ascetic teacher, presided over the installation of an ancient sandstone Buddha image from the Dvaravati period, which became the principal Buddha image "Luang Pho Thep Nimit." The official ordination ceremony and sacred object consecration took place over three days, April 7-9, 1995.

The Luang Pho Yid amulet features a spherical design with loop ears and no rim. The front displays a half-figure relief with Khmer script reading "U Pu Tho Ya" on the robe. The right side shows a raised image of Sangkachai, while the left features Sivali. Below the figure, Thai script reads "Luang Pho Yid, Wat Nong Jok." The back resembles a pan-shaped surface with a turtle yantra in the center, surrounded by various mystical designs including the Nang Kwak figure, guru yantra, and closed-eyed Buddha images. Below bear Khmer script and Thai letters identifying "Kuiburi District, Prachuap Khiri Khan," stamped with the Khmer code "U."

Prat Pathom Chedi amulets from Nakhon Pathom remain highly popular. Beyond the celebrated "first edition Prat Pathom Chedi medal from 1922," the "Khandara Ratsadon cast flat amulet" created by Venerable Dhammavarodom (Luang Pho Choti) using ancient casting methods with mixed metal in an inverted boat shape, featuring peacock patterns on both sides, commands equal admiration. The front displays a standing Buddha in rain-requesting pose, supported by a lotus dais, with the right hand raised and left hand open to receive rainfall. The back features raised Khmer script yantra, making it a valuable historical treasure.

"Luang Phu Songkhom Kantdhamma," a revered teacher at Wat Ban Sai in Ban Mee District, Lopburi, created the first edition "Brahma Wealth Amulet" to fund temple restoration. All sacred objects are numbered and coded individually. The amulet features a square rice-grain shape design with solid loop ears. The front shows a full seated meditation figure with Thai script reading "Wat Ban Sai, Lopburi" beside it and "Luang Phu Songkhom" below, with Thai numerals "102-2557." The back has bordered edges with Khmer script underneath, centered with Four-Faced Brahma yantra containing the merchant's heart symbol guarded by directional incantations—another amulet worthy of respect.

"Luang Pho Plod Suphattho" from Wat Nong Mor in Nakhon Sawan created sixteen "hand-blessed protection amulets" for disciples assisting temple work. He insisted, "Preserve these well—this is the final edition." The egg-shaped design features no loop ear, with the front border showing a half-figure relief in yellow glaze bearing Khmer script and yantra on the robe. Thai and Khmer script identify the monk. The back shows a plain surface with handwritten yantra and Khmer script. All sixteen amulets were blessed by Luang Pho Plod's own hand before distribution, making them highly sought after by collectors despite the absence of any disciples willing to part with theirs.

During the Indochina War era, four renowned Buddhist masters with countless devoted disciples were particularly sought after for their sacred amulets, known for their exceptional mystical powers and protective qualities—stories that continue to circulate today.

These single-syllabled masters are famously known collectively as 'Jad-Jong-Kong-Ee,' consisting of Luang Pho Jad Khangkhonsaro of Wat Bang Krabaow in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Luang Pho Jong Putthosaro of Wat Nangdang Nok in Ayutthaya, Luang Pho Kong Thammacho of Wat Bang Kapom in Amphawa, Samut Songkhram, and Luang Pho Ee Putthosaro of Wat Sattahip in Chachoengsao.

Luang Pho Jad, or Phra Kru Sitthi Samkun, was a brilliant meditation master at Wat Bang Krabaow in Ban Sarang District, Prachuap Khiri Khan. Originally named Jad Wongkampuch, he was born on March 17, B.E. 2415, corresponding to a Tuesday in the fourth lunar month of the year. In his youth, he was adopted by the respected family of Mr. Thin and Mrs. Klin Sisang from Ban Sarang.

At age twenty, his adoptive father brought him to study under a respected teacher at Wat Ban Sarang to learn Buddhist chanting and serve the monastery. On April 13, B.E. 2436, he was ordained with proper ceremonies at the Buddhist monastery, with Phra Kru Prachanamuni of Wat Luang Prichakul as his preceptor.

He later traveled to care for his father at Wat Koh Kaew Weluwan before spending the Buddhist Lent there. During his retreat, he studied under the renowned Phra Ajarn Jan, a respected elder known for his meditation instruction. In his second year, he followed Phra Ajarn Uan to study scriptures with Phra Ajarn Yu at Wat Kraisiha in Bangkok. By his fourth year, he returned to spend Buddhist Lent at Wat Bang Krabaow.

Following this, he spent several years in forest retreat, encountering many notable monks including Luang Pho Ee of Wat Sattahip, Luang Pho Jong of Wat Nangdang Nok, and Luang Pho Chaem of Wat Tak Gong in Nakhon Pathom. He studied various teachings including protective chants, loving-kindness meditation, and advanced meditation practices until around age forty, when he returned to spend Buddhist Lent at Wat Bang Krabaow.

He became renowned for his exceptional meditation expertise, particularly in powerful protective practices, though he never boasted of his abilities and only used his knowledge when necessary. During the Southeast Asian War, countless sacred amulets were created, with the most significant production occurring in B.E. 2483 when accomplished masters throughout the country crafted amulets for soldiers.

He was later invited by Field Marshal P. Phibunsongkhram to consecrate protective talismans, creating full-figure seated Buddha medals with a Great Buddha image seated on a lotus flower behind, made in both silver and copper. His reputation became widespread when French aircraft dropped bombs without anyone being injured—a miracle attributed to his protective powers, earning him the title 'Deity of the East.'

He served as an exemplary model for monks and was deeply respected by senior elders, particularly the Supreme Patriarch. He served as district abbot of Ban Sarang from B.E. 2447 to 2457, as preceptor from B.E. 2461, and received a promotion to the rank of Phra Kru Sitthi Samkun (Second Class) in B.E. 2470. He passed away peacefully on November 10, B.E. 2499, at the age of eighty-five.