The Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (FETCO) has revealed that investor confidence for the next three months remains at a stable level, with investors viewing government economic stimulus measures, foreign capital inflows, and easing global tensions as key supporting factors for the Thai stock market. International conflicts, trade wars, and fiscal concerns continue to present significant headwinds for the investment atmosphere.

On May 11, 2025, Kobsak Pootrakul, chairman of FETCO, unveiled the investor confidence index based on April 2025 surveys (conducted April 20-30). The index for the next three months stands at 114.16, maintaining a stable range. Investors identify government stimulus measures as the strongest confidence booster, followed by capital inflows and signs of easing international tensions. International conflicts emerge as the primary confidence dampener, with trade wars and fiscal concerns as secondary concerns.

The survey results show individual investor confidence increased 21.3% to 90.00, securities company accounts rose 14.3% to 100.00, domestic institutional investors declined 14.4% to 110.00, and foreign investors surged 33.3% to 133.33. The most attractive sector is petrochemicals and chemicals (PETRO), while fashion (FASHION) is least attractive. Government stimulus measures are identified as the strongest market driver, while international tensions represent the greatest drag.

During April's first half, the SET Index gained momentum from easing Middle East tensions and government stimulus announcements. The second half saw volatility from Q1 corporate earnings that disappointed in some sectors, combined with oil and commodity price fluctuations, ongoing geopolitical risks, and concerns about Thailand's weight reduction in MSCI Emerging Markets indices. The SET Index closed April at 1,493.69, up 3.15% from the previous month, with average daily trading volume of 58,688.27 million baht. Foreign investors recorded net selling of 2,513 million baht in April, though year-to-date they have purchased a net 16,638 million baht.

Key external factors warranting attention include the monetary policy directions of major economies, particularly signals from the Federal Reserve under new leadership and the European Central Bank, which will influence foreign capital flows. The unresolved tensions between the United States and Iran also remain a factor affecting price volatility.

The more you do them, the more exhausted you become. Experts warn against five behaviors many people mistakenly believe are 'rest,' but actually deplete vital energy and increase health risks. If you're still doing these, change your habits immediately.

Compiled by Saod Online News team May 11, 2025

Based on international media reports, amid a stress-filled lifestyle, the need to restore physical and mental energy is crucial. However, the line between 'proper rest' and 'inactivity that harms health' is thinner than most people think.

Many people believe that taking a break, stopping work, or spending time on enjoyable activities equals self-care. In reality, certain behaviors actually make the body more exhausted and harm physical and mental health long-term, potentially causing chronic diseases. Here are five such behaviors:

1. Obsessing over social media and electronic devices For many young people, scrolling through their phones is seen as a quick stress reliever. However, experts warn this actually continuously and intensely overstimulates the brain. Receiving large amounts of unorganized information causes the brain to overwork, leading to addiction and mental exhaustion. Additionally, screen light damages eyes and skin, and disrupts sleep quality. Particularly, FOMO (fear of missing out) from prolonged social media use increases the risk of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Experts recommend that for genuine rest, you should distance yourself from the online world to allow your nervous system to fully relax.

2. Sleeping too much—when your body is like an 'overcharged battery' While sleep is the body's best restoration method, oversleeping produces the opposite effect, like an overcharged battery. Experts from WebMD in the United States state that adults should sleep approximately 6-9 hours per day. Sleeping beyond that can disrupt the body's circadian rhythm, resulting in drowsiness, fatigue, and weakness despite getting rest. Meanwhile, UK research found that oversleeping is associated with cognitive decline, reduced intelligence levels, and increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, quality and adequate sleep is better than trying to sleep as long as possible.

3. Indulging in excessive eating beyond necessity Eating is a way many people choose to regain energy, but overeating according to cravings can have unexpected health consequences. When the body receives excess food, blood flow to the digestive system increases, reducing blood flow to the brain, causing drowsiness, depression, fatigue, and weakness after meals. Particularly, sweets and fried foods are seen as 'mood destroyers' because excessive sugar consumption can cause blood sugar levels to drop sharply afterward, resulting in trembling hands, dizziness, and weakness. Trans fats in fried foods also increase depression risk and force internal organs to work hard to eliminate toxins.

4. Spending excessive time gaming, especially online games While gaming can relieve stress in the short term, playing continuously for long periods can become an energy drain. High-concentration games or intense content keep the nervous system in constant tension rather than allowing rest. Additionally, sitting and gaming for extended periods damages bones, joints, eyes, and skin from prolonged screen radiation exposure.

At 2 p.m. on May 11, 2026, at Government House, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister chaired a steering committee meeting to monitor progress and ensure readiness for three auspicious ceremonies: (1) Celebrations of the 99th birthday anniversary of Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, on June 26, 2026; (2) Honors marking the fourth-cycle birthday celebration of Her Majesty the Queen on June 3, 2026; and (3) Tributes to Rampoey Panee, the Queen Consort of the Seventh Reign, commemorating 100 years of her illustrious service. The Supreme Patriarch's celebrations will include a Buddhist merit-making ceremony on June 26, 2026 at 7 a.m., an ordination program from June 13-29 at Wat Rajbopitsatitmahaseemaaram, and exhibitions and commemorative activities from June 19-21. Memorial publications, medals, coins, and postal stamps will also be produced.

Matichon and AIS hosted a major seminar showcasing the Board of Investment's (BOI) strategy to capture the third wave of foreign investment, targeting three new industries to position Thailand as a global business center. BOI Secretary-General Naruethep Terdsteeraksak stated that the current timing represents a critical opportunity for Thailand to leverage investment to restructure the economy. Thailand has experienced two previous major investment waves, and is now entering the third wave, driven by trade wars and technological competition.

The first investment wave occurred 60 years ago when the Thai government established the BOI to offer the first trade privileges, emphasizing resource and labor-intensive industries to attract foreign investment. The second wave emerged after 1985 following the Plaza Accord, which forced the Japanese yen to strengthen rapidly, compelling Japanese manufacturers to relocate production. Thailand became their primary manufacturing base, resulting in Japanese investment projects skyrocketing from 10-15 annually to nearly 200.

The third wave centers on technology and innovation, driven by three key factors: AI advancement, electric vehicles, batteries and robotics; sustainability and ESG standards with green investment growth; and geopolitical considerations reshaping global supply chains. In 2024, global foreign direct investment declined 11%, but ASEAN increased 8%, making the region a strategic investment "Bright Spot."

Thailand stands out for its stable infrastructure, reliable power systems, quality industrial estates, and comprehensive supply chains. An A.T. Kearney survey ranked Thailand 20th globally and second in ASEAN after Singapore for investment destinations. Q1 2025 figures show investment applications totaling over 1 trillion baht across more than 600 projects—a 2.4-fold increase, with digital sectors including data centers and cloud services leading, followed by electronics and automotive.

The BOI targets six strategic industries as economic drivers: Bio & Green leveraging food, clean energy and medical strengths; EV ecosystem development from manufacturing to charging stations; advanced semiconductors and electronics targeting IC design; AI infrastructure and applications; Automation & Robotics including humanoid robots; and International Business Centers attracting regional headquarters and distribution hubs to Thailand.

The Home Building Contractors Association expressed concern on May 11, 2569 about contractor abandonment cases that have caused widespread harm to consumers who planned to build homes but ended up with nothing. Association chairman Anon Kor Amonwathee revealed that the association has analyzed the root causes of these problems to provide guidance for preventing contractor abandonment nationwide.

The increasing abandonment cases reflect pressure from continuously rising construction costs amid fierce price competition, forcing many contractors to face shrinking profit margins. Some have been unable to continue operations because selling prices do not reflect their actual costs. When they run out of liquidity and have no new projects flowing in, the damage directly affects consumers who don't get their promised homes, creating a difficult-to-remedy cycle of harm.

Consumers planning to build homes are particularly vulnerable to marketing strategies that set "unrealistically low prices"—selling prices that don't reflect the real costs of certain contracting companies trying to attract customers.

"When selling prices don't reflect actual costs, contractor abandonment problems become increasingly visible, forcing many contractors to face shrinking profits, with some unable to continue operations. When they lack liquidity and no new projects circulate, consumers directly suffer by not receiving their promised homes, creating a widespread damage cycle," Anon Kor said.

To prevent homes from becoming ruins, the association recommends six ways to choose professional, standardized contractors operating under legal supervision:

1. Beware of "unrealistically low prices." Prices significantly below market average are the first danger signal, since quality work has standard costs including management and comprehensive service. Professional home builders have more comprehensive oversight systems from design through complex engineering, and appropriate costs are critical variables ensuring smooth and stable construction.

2. Verify legal entity status. Hiring a verifiable legal entity with clear company location and registered capital ensures someone remains responsible throughout the contract, from construction start to delivery—unlike individual contractors or Facebook pages that can easily disappear.

3. Contracts must follow OTCC standards. Standard contracts must specify detailed work and tight responsibilities according to Consumer Protection Office guidelines, including clear timelines starting from the construction license date, detailed material specifications like brand, model, and grade, penalty clauses for delays, and warranties.

4-6. [Incomplete in source material]

BANGKOK — May 11, 2026. Thailand's Cabinet is set to hold urgent discussions on Tuesday about securing broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with hopes that Thai viewers will once again be able to watch the tournament at no cost.

A Government House source said the issue would be brought up during the Cabinet meeting on May 12 due to tight deadlines in negotiations with FIFA, world football's governing body.

The 2026 World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

According to the source, the government views this matter as urgent, aiming to ensure the public can access the global football tournament without subscription fees.

Officials said the policy aims to provide entertainment for the public while encouraging young people to develop interest in sports and healthy living.

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul previously stated the government was working toward the best possible broadcast arrangement, though the state cannot directly purchase the rights and will instead seek partnerships with the private sector.

Last week, Anutin also met with the chairman of Thailand's National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to discuss the matter, with further details expected after Tuesday's Cabinet meeting.