The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) revealed that March 2025 vehicle production reached 133,413 units, up 2.69% year-over-year, boosted by increased export output from passenger car production rising 19.91% to 16,814 units and pickup trucks climbing 3.82% to 71,837 units. March export production totaled 88,651 units, up 6.53%, bringing the first-quarter total to 369,751 units, a 5.32% increase from 2024, with 249,343 units designated for export, up 5.78%. Despite March finished-vehicle exports declining 0.64% to 80,394 units due to the Strait of Hormuz closure affecting Middle East shipments down 15.96%, exports increased to Australia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Notably, hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) dominated March registrations with 16,111 units representing 31.57% of the 51,037 total vehicles registered across fuel types, surpassing traditional gasoline cars. Battery electric vehicles (BEV) recorded 10,075 units at 19.74%, marginally exceeding gasoline-only models at 10,025 units or 19.64%. Hybrid popularity partly reflects consumer concerns about charging station availability.

Domestic vehicle sales in March reached 59,865 units, up 7.29% year-over-year, with first-quarter sales totaling 182,083 units, up 18.86%. Suriya Paisitphattanapong, FTI spokesperson, attributed the growth to delivery of pre-ordered vehicles from the Bangkok International Motor Show in late March-early April, particularly electric vehicles representing over 50% of bookings, plus new modified pickup truck variants. Numerous EV models became price-competitive with internal combustion engines.

Domestic production in March declined 4.15% to 44,762 units as pickup truck sales fell 6.36% due to stricter credit policies from financial institutions amid slow economic growth, making buyer installment payments difficult. Paisitphattanapong urged the new government to quickly present fiscal policy and budget proposals to accelerate investment projects and build confidence among domestic and foreign investors. Thailand must stimulate industries with extensive supply chains, increase employment and production beyond previous years, achieving double-digit industrial output growth using over 70% production capacity. Strong domestic economic growth will attract foreign investment in a sustainable cycle, eventually lifting Thailand from middle-income country status.

True 5G has partnered as the official primary sponsor of Miss World Thailand 2026, continuing its commitment to meaningful collaboration. Under the concept "The World is TRUE," True 5G reinforces its belief that true beauty lies in the power of heart, thought, and communication that connects people, sparks inspiration, and drives positive change in society.

As a Telecom-Tech Company, True Corporation leverages its capabilities in smart networks, AI technology, cybersecurity, and digital ecosystems to elevate the pageant beyond a competition into a powerful platform that amplifies voices and connects Thai stories to a global audience.

TPNGTERO, the organizer of Miss World Thailand 2026, officially unveiled all 23 contestants at Cloud 11 Bangkok. The pageant aims to find Thailand's representative to compete for the crown at Miss World 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on September 5th.

Oliver Kittipong Weerateecha, Brand and Media Executive Head at True Corporation, stated: "True 5G believes every act of courage, every dream, and every heart has the power to change the world. True beauty is not just what we see, but the power of communication that meaningfully connects people. Under 'The World is TRUE,' we view a world where everything is connected—where sincerity, belief, and human power can inspire millions."

The partnership pursues three key missions: Inspiring Hearts—giving meaning to every story and power to every voice; Empowering Possibilities—using True5G's smart networks, AI, and digital infrastructure to help Thai women's dreams flourish on the global stage; and Protecting the World—using technology responsibly to safely connect society, support environmental initiatives, and promote cybersecurity awareness through True CyberSafe, as well as enhance digital and AI literacy for Thai people.

Miss World Thailand 2026 seeks not just the most beautiful woman, but one with vision, courage, and a heart ready to create value for the world. This collaboration reflects a shared purpose between True5G and Miss World Thailand: technology and beauty converge as a force of inspiration, connecting people, emotions, opportunities, and hope to create lasting positive change for society.

Sukhumvit Asset Management Company (SAM) announced on April 27 that it is opening an auction of 53 non-performing assets (NPA) with prime locations nationwide, totaling over 154 million baht, covering both residential and investment properties. The properties on offer include vacant land, townhouses, single-family homes, duplexes, commercial buildings, and office structures priced under 20 million baht, as well as factories and warehouses for business expansion valued above 20 million baht.

To support buyers with financing, SAM has partnered with six leading banks—Bangkok Bank, UOB, TMB Thanachart Bank, Kasikornbank, CIMB Thai Bank, and Government Housing Bank—to provide special credit terms exclusively for SAM customers. The company is also running a "SAM Second-Hand Properties Worth Sharing" campaign that rewards referrers with commissions up to 3 million baht per transaction when friends or acquaintances purchase SAM properties through auction or direct sale.

Featured investment properties include a four-story office building (Property 8Z4575) in Phayuha, Nakhon Sawan, spanning 5 rai and 389 square meters adjacent to Highway 1, starting at 43.6 million baht. A residential project in Roi Et comprises 30 homes including townhouses (16.7-34.5 square meters) priced from 665,000-807,000 baht and single-family homes (31.4 square meters) starting at 421,000 baht, located near temples, schools, and shopping centers.

Other highlighted properties include a two-story house in Bangkok's Khlong Samwa district (starting at 3.56 million baht), a three-story townhouse in Rat Burana (3 million baht), and 15 rai of land in Sa Kaew province near the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge (3.79 million baht). Interested buyers can register and submit bids at SAM's headquarters on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok, or contact the call center at 1443 extension 2 for more information and property details at www.sam.or.th.

Police Deputy Spokesman Warns Against Creating and Sharing 'Trash Content' or Face Legal Action! Reveals case involving alleged use of substances during Songkran festival, no victims have filed complaints yet

On April 27, 2025, at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, Police Major General Sirivat Deepho, Deputy Spokesman of the Royal Thai Police, stated that following an incident where an influencer created content by allegedly mixing a powder claiming to be an anesthetic drug with water and applying it to people's faces during the Songkran festival, such behavior, if true, would not only cause public annoyance but could potentially harm the public. He issued a warning to YouTubers, influencers, online content creators, and the general public to prevent copycat behavior and mitigate potential harm:

1. Cease creating prank content that causes public distress – Actions that cause annoyance, threats, or public embarrassment violate the Criminal Code Section 397, with penalties up to 5,000 baht. If hazardous materials or chemicals are used causing bodily or psychological harm, charges of assault under Section 295 apply, carrying imprisonment up to 2 years or fines up to 40,000 baht, or both.

2. Avoid spreading false information for views or publicity – Posting false videos or messages likely to cause public panic may violate the Computer Crime Act B.E. 2550 (and amendments), Section 14(2), with penalties of imprisonment up to 5 years or fines up to 100,000 baht, or both.

3. Stop sharing or supporting channels producing trash content – To reduce risks of misinformation spread and prevent becoming a tool to increase viewership for those creating social problems, which could lead to illegal copycat behavior.

Police Major General Sirivat further stated that investigations at Phra Pradaeng Police Station in Samut Prakan, where the influencer was conducting Songkran activities, found no reports of victims being harmed or affected by the powder application. However, if any member of the public suffers harm or impact from being sprayed with such substance, they have the right to pursue legal action against the perpetrator.

If citizens witness criminal acts, creation of content causing public distress, or suffer harm from pranks, they can report tips or emergencies to the emergency hotline 191 or the Royal Thai Police hotline 1599 available 24 hours.

The Corruption Court has sentenced a former principal of a prestigious school to 27 years in prison, with two other defendants each receiving 18-year sentences in a case involving improper student admissions during 2016-2018. On April 27, 2026, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) released court verdicts from its 78th criminal indictment issued in March 2026. The NACC had initially filed criminal charges on July 10, 2023, against Pramese (surname withheld), the former principal of Triam Udomsuksa School, and associates for establishing student admission criteria for the 2016-2018 academic years in violation of regulations set by the Secondary Education Area Office Zone 1 and the Office of the Basic Education Commission. The defendants were charged under the Criminal Code sections 147, 149, 157, and 162, combined with sections 86 and 91, as well as the Anti-Corruption Act B.E. 2542, sections 103, 122, and 123/1. The NACC approved an appeal on March 2, 2026. The case was filed at the Corruption and Misconduct Court under black case number OR 31/2568 and red case number OR 179/2568 on October 9, 2025, with defendants Pramese (defendant 1), Garrat (surname withheld) (defendant 2), and Dr. Paisal (surname withheld) (defendant 3). The court found all three guilty under sections 149 and 123/1 of the Anti-Corruption Act and section 172 of the 2561 Anti-Corruption Act combined with section 86. For multiple separate offenses combined under section 93, the defendants were sentenced under the heaviest applicable statute. Defendant 1 was convicted of being a government official who solicited, accepted, or agreed to accept assets or benefits improperly for himself or others to perform or refrain from performing duties—whether proper or improper—and received three consecutive nine-year sentences totaling 27 years. Defendants 2 and 3 were convicted of abetting a government official in soliciting or accepting improper benefits and each received three consecutive six-year sentences totaling 18 years. Other charges and claims were dismissed.