Samchai Chuaybuunchum, head coach of Lamduanpleung Sisaket United, has withdrawn from the AFC Pro License coaching course after the Thai Football Association set a non-negotiable lump sum fee of 500,000 baht. The Football Association of Thailand announced 18 coaches selected for the fourth AFC Pro License course, but both Chuaybuunchum and Janthaphen Srisoem, a former Thai national women's footballer, were excluded due to late payment. Although Lamduanpleung Sisaket United offered to pay the fee upfront, Chuaybuunchum decided against participating because the association insisted on a single payment of 500,000 baht despite his attempts to negotiate installments. He explained that the one-year training program carries significant risk—if he cannot complete the course for any reason, the entire fee would be forfeited. At 72 years old, he argued, the financial risk is substantial and unpredictable. He therefore advocated for installment payments or at least splitting the cost in half. With extensive experience coaching Thai League teams and having previously led Thailand's U-19 national team to the Asian Championship in 2011 before reaching the continental final, Chuaybuunchum believes that Thailand's football league should provide opportunities for A-licensed coaches to gain experience, noting that such qualified coaches are plentiful in the country.

On May 8, 2025, at Centara Life Chaeng Wattana Service Center, Sawang Boonmee, Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC), gave an interview on the progress of House election results completion. He confirmed that the 5/18 House election results have been verified by provincial authorities and fully posted on the website.

Regarding the review of House election complaints, Sawang stated that all matters are being expedited. Over the past two years, elections have been held at all levels—Senate, local government, and House elections—generating over 2,000 complaints. The most urgent matter is one major Senate election dispute case, while other cases will follow specified timeframes: qualification issues within 60 days, vote recounts within 90 days after results announcement, and general complaints within one year. The EC will determine which cases to prioritize while ensuring no deadlines are exceeded.

When asked about complaints from Chiang Rai and Surat Thani provinces where law enforcement arrests were made, Sawang stated that investigations are ongoing with the EC office accelerating the process. Regarding the Senate election dispute case progress, Sawang noted that the EC office submitted all documents to the Election Commission in late April. The outcome now depends on the Commission's review timeline, with updates to be reported periodically if there is progress.

On the matter of election ballots with QR codes and barcodes being heard in the Constitutional Court, Sawang reported that five witnesses have been named. Witness statements are still pending within the 15-day deadline, and no court documents have been received yet. The office has asked witnesses whether they need to provide additional clarifications.

Thanawat Treewisavet, Managing Director of CK Power Public Company Limited (CKP), one of the region's largest renewable energy producers with one of the lowest carbon footprints, announced that from April 27-29, CKPower successfully placed three tranches of green debentures totaling 5 billion baht. The offering was oversubscribed by more than double, reflecting investor confidence in the company's business fundamentals and growth trajectory amid global economic uncertainty.

"CKPower thanks all investors for their trust and confidence in our green bonds and operations, as well as the lead arrangers—Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited, CIMB Thai Bank Public Company Limited, Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited, and Kiatnakin Phatra Securities Public Company Limited—who played a crucial role in the successful placement," Thanawat said. The outcome demonstrates strong confidence in the company's solid business foundation and its renewable energy strategy focused on energy security and sustainable growth.

The debentures received an "A-" credit rating from Tris Rating with a stable outlook, equivalent to the company's corporate credit rating. They were classified as green debentures in compliance with the Green Bond Principles 2021, Green Loan Principles 2025, and Thailand Taxonomy 2023, and underwent independent external review by DNV, reflecting international best practices in transparent and verifiable capital raising.

The three tranches consist of: - 4-year maturity: 2.5 billion baht at 3.89% annual interest - 7-year maturity: 1 billion baht at 3.46% annual interest, with early redemption rights - 10-year maturity: 1.5 billion baht at 3.75% annual interest, with early redemption rights

Proceeds will fund the Luang Prabang hydroelectric project in Laos, currently under construction, strengthening Thailand's energy stability and supporting the global renewable energy transition. This successful placement reinforces CKPower's role as a green bond issuer linking capital raising to environmentally friendly energy projects.

Thanawat noted that for the five-year plan (2025-2029), CKPower aims to expand capacity through solar projects via private PPAs and government bidding processes, alongside renewable energy certificate (REC) sales. The Luang Prabang hydroelectric project is 65% complete by end-2024 and is expected to achieve commercial operation by 2029. CKPower remains committed to supporting innovation and development of energy efficiency solutions.

Prime Minister Anuthon Chanyaweerchul participated in the opening ceremony of the 48th ASEAN Summit on May 8, 2026, at the Mactan Expo center in the Philippines, alongside other ASEAN member leaders. At the full plenary session, the PM delivered Thailand's position statement, emphasizing the country's commitment to working collaboratively with all ASEAN members to maintain the region as a pillar of peace, stability, and prosperity.

The PM noted that this was the second ASEAN Summit he has attended as Thailand's premier, occurring during a period of significant global uncertainty. Despite ASEAN's history of navigating multiple crises and emerging stronger, the bloc faces renewed challenges. The summit theme, "Navigating Our Future, Together," reflects the need for collective action and unity in facing change.

The PM highlighted three priority areas: Energy Security—addressing supply chain vulnerabilities and maritime security threats by accelerating the ASEAN Power Grid, utilizing the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement, and increasing renewable energy investments in solar and biofuels; Food Security—a concern raised by all ASEAN leaders—requiring expanded cooperation beyond existing frameworks like the Thailand-Singapore rice trade agreement to cope with rising energy and fertilizer costs; and broader Regional Security—emphasizing the need for ASEAN unity, adaptability, and forward-looking cooperation to address regional tensions and their economic impacts.

The Royal Thai Police Office has organized an internal sepak takraw championship with 10 teams competing at the 4,000-seat Nakhon Pathom Municipal Sports Center gymnasium to prepare for the Armed Forces Games. General Sompremsong Yenthuam, special advisor to the Police Office and chairman of the Police Sepak Takraw Association, presided over the opening ceremony alongside other senior officials. The tournament runs from May 7-11, 2025, at the sports facility in Nakhon Pathom's Muang District, with representatives from each command headquarters participating.

General Sompremsong expressed his honor at opening this preparatory project for the 56th Armed Forces Games scheduled between May and June 2025. He emphasized that the primary value of athletic competition lies in the experience gained and the strengthening of health and fitness. The general urged all athletes to respect the rules and etiquette of competition, noting that whether they win or lose, they should take pride in fulfilling their duties to the best of their ability, as true athletic spirit is what ultimately matters.

At 9:50 AM on May 8, 2025, at the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) headquarters, Pakornsut Udomphipattanakul, a Pheu Thai party list MP and deputy party leader, submitted a request to access and review documents related to former Transport Minister Sakdisiam Chidchob's stock manipulation case, in his capacity as the original plaintiff.

Parkornsut requested six specific documents: (1) fact-finding reports and all evidence collected in the case; (2) the notice of charges against Sakdisiam; (3) Sakdisiam's written statements to the NACC; (4) opinions from all NACC officials responsible for the case; (5) minutes of NACC committee meetings; and (6) the NACC committee's final verdict on the case.

Parkornsut noted this is not the first such request, citing the precedent of former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan's jewelry case, where the Supreme Administrative Court ultimately ruled that the NACC must open case files to requesters. He expressed hope the NACC would not use privacy laws or state secrets as reasons to deny access, given this established precedent.

When asked if he doubts the NACC's decision, Pakornsut said he absolutely does. He stated the case involves irregularities, having reviewed evidence presented to the Constitutional Court. He wants to know how the NACC's evidence compares to what the Constitutional Court used, questioning why the NACC may have omitted certain documents that could be crucial to the investigation.

Regarding the NACC's previous clarification, Pakornsut argued the case involves falsely filed assets, with the critical element being intent to conceal. He emphasized that proving intent must be based on the time the assets were filed in 2019, not on subsequent events in 2024 or 2025, making the NACC's reasoning illogical.

When asked whether the NACC's dismissal might allow Sakdisiam to return to political office, Pakornsut acknowledged that Sakdisiam became eligible for ministerial positions two years after the Constitutional Court's verdict. However, he noted uncertainty about the Prime Minister's Office's qualification verification process, though Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has already stated Sakdisiam would not be appointed as a minister.

Parkornsut also addressed observations that cases are dismissed when certain administrations take power, acknowledging the previous government also faced similar dismissals, but questioning the pattern itself.