The Intellectual Property Department traveled to Moo Tak district to advance the registration of 'Moo Tak dairy milk' as a geographically indicated product, highlighting its premium-quality identity originating from Thailand's first professional dairy farming region. On May 15, 2025, Intellectual Property Department Director Ormorn Sapthavithorn and her team visited the Moo Tak Dairy Cooperative Limited in Nong Yang Suea Subdistrict, Moo Tak District, Saraburi Province, to promote and verify the potential of 'Moo Tak dairy milk' for geographic indication registration, with the goal of adding value and protecting the identity of this premium dairy product that is a source of Thai pride.

The department director revealed that Moo Tak District in Saraburi Province has been a pioneer in dairy farming since 1960, following the royal initiative of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), who recognized the importance of developing dairy farming as a stable livelihood for farmers. The mountainous terrain at 300-600 meters elevation provides cool weather year-round and fertile soil that produces nutrient-rich animal feed high in protein and minerals, making it ideal for dairy farming.

Local farmers select high-quality purebred cattle and manage them with semi-natural systems, providing fresh roughage and animal feed while maintaining strict farm standards focused on cleanliness and cattle health. This results in Moo Tak milk's distinctive sweet, creamy taste, rich texture, and unique aroma, which has been recognized by consumers nationwide for over 60 years.

Today, Moo Tak dairy milk is crucial to the region's economy, producing approximately 259 million kilograms annually and generating annual sales of over 5.6 billion baht, creating income for approximately 4,200 small farms locally.

During this visit, the Intellectual Property Department director, accompanied by Commerce Ministry inspector Kanista Kangsawanich, Saraburi Commerce Officer Chai Choun Charoen, and representatives from agricultural and livestock offices, inspected dairy farms and modern milk production and processing facilities meeting international standards such as GAP and GMP/GHP, including pasteurized and UHT milk production.

They also consulted with Sukont Pakekaete, chairman of the Moo Tak Dairy Cooperative, Suporn Tiannawa, vice-chairman of Thai Milk Cooperative, and dairy farmers to assess the product's GI registration potential. Director Ormorn emphasized that Moo Tak milk is a source of pride for Saraburi residents, representing Thailand's dairy farming origins with the country's largest concentration of dairy farmers producing over 100 tons daily. Unlike ordinary raw milk, this product reflects the authentic identity of Moo Tak's soil and climate, delivering distinctive quality and flavor that are difficult to replicate, while meeting international standards that demonstrate the professionalism of local producers.

Check the latest government lottery results for the draw held on May 16, 2025. Watch the live prize announcement and verify all winning numbers here. (Prize draw in progress) The Government Lottery Office will conduct the May 16, 2025 draw at the Drawing Building, Government Lottery Office headquarters at Don Muang Airport, Muang District, Nonthaburi Province. You can check lottery numbers by entering digits here. First Prize: 6,000,000 baht per ticket. Adjacent to First Prize: 2 prizes of 100,000 baht each. First 3 digits: 2 prizes of 4,000 baht each. Last 3 digits: 2 prizes of 4,000 baht each. Last 2 digits: 1 prize of 2,000 baht. Second Prize: 5 prizes of 200,000 baht each. Third Prize: 10 prizes of 80,000 baht each. Fourth Prize: 50 prizes of 40,000 baht each. Fifth Prize: 100 prizes of 20,000 baht each. Source: Government Lottery Office. News Team, May 16, 2025.

May 16, 2026 — Sawaeng Boonmee, Secretary-General of the Election Commission (EC), addressed the submission of clarifications to the Constitutional Court regarding the barcode and QR code ballot case. In matters for which the EC office is responsible as a defendant, the Constitutional Court sent a letter last week requesting that witness statements cited by the EC be submitted back within 15 days.

Currently, the EC is in the process of collecting witness statements from 5 individuals: four are lawyers or those involved in drafting the constitution, and one is a technology expert.

When asked whether the EC's main argument revolves around the issue of secrecy, Sawaeng stated, "We fight with the truth. We bring truth to our defense."

Regarding former EC member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn's letter requesting 20 documents related to the barcode case, Sawaeng said he has not yet seen the letter but understands that Somchai requested documents. He noted that the EC must follow procedures regarding document requests and that some EC documents, such as procurement records, have already been publicly disclosed.

The EC continues to maintain that it operates under public scrutiny and follows the law. The commission awaits the outcome of the case.

Sawaeng also addressed the EC's filing of charges against 6 individuals, noting that three months have passed without formal charges being filed. These cases are currently at the investigation stage. He stressed that these prosecutions are not part of evidence to prove the EC is attempting to keep elections secret, but rather efforts to protect the electoral process itself, not the EC.

Regarding reports that Somchai plans to file a defamation suit against the EC next week, Sawaeng expressed indifference, noting that the EC is regularly sued.

Concerning the We Watch group's call to drop charges against protesters in Chonburi's District 1 election protest, Sawaeng reaffirmed that the EC's actions aim to protect the electoral process, which belongs to the people, not the EC. The EC has a duty to ensure elections proceed smoothly, and all citizens must operate within the law.

The Department of Business Development is proceeding with investigations into corruption allegations with an impartial stance, promising maximum penalties if wrongdoing is found. The department emphasizes cultivating integrity among all staff levels, ensuring both the organization and individual officials earn the public's trust and can take pride in transparent public service. Currently, the department has implemented digital systems for 100% of its business and public services, eliminating face-to-face interactions that could create opportunities for extortion and corruption.

Puenpong Nayanapaakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development under the Ministry of Commerce, stated that corruption in the public sector is a critical concern affecting the country's competitiveness and foreign investment decisions. The department adheres to good governance principles and welcomes audits of all procedures to ensure transparency. Officials have consistently maintained strict oversight of staff conduct with clear penalties, and complaints from the private sector or public are investigated immediately due to their impact on the department's credibility.

The department has implemented comprehensive digital systems including DBD Biz Regist for partnership and company registration, DBD e-PCL for public company registration, DBD e-Filing for financial statement submission, e-Foreign Business for foreign business permits, e-Secured for business collateral registration, and DBD DataWarehouse+ for legal entity information, with near-universal user adoption across all systems.

The department regularly updates its digital systems to be modern and secure while adapting to technological changes, reducing service time and procedural steps. Standardized service guidelines ensure uniform document verification, eliminate inequities, and reduce official discretion. A status tracking system communicates clear service timelines to the public and private sector, reducing uncertainty and building confidence in the department's services.

PHUKET — May 16, 2026, Authorities in Phuket are investigating allegations that a 2-year-old child was physically abused by a stepfather, officials said.

The case was reported in Kathu municipality, where local social welfare officials coordinated with security personnel and the Phuket Children and Family Shelter to provide emergency assistance and assess the child's condition.

Social welfare officers and municipal officials visited the area and interviewed people connected to the case as part of the investigation.

Authorities said the child's family had already filed a police complaint at Kathu police station seeking legal action against the alleged abuser.

Officials from the Phuket Children and Family Shelter later took the child to hospital for medical examinations and psychological assessments.

Authorities said information gathered from the examinations and interviews would be used in ongoing child protection proceedings.

Officials said agencies involved would continue monitoring the child's welfare and provide further assistance to ensure the child's safety and legal protection.

On May 16, 2025, the Government Savings Bank announced the results of its special 1-year savings lottery draw and special prize winners for both 1-year and 2-year lotteries, celebrating the bank's 113th founding anniversary. The first-prize draw on May 16, 2025 featured one grand prize of 10 million baht: Draw no. 625, ticket number S 4095899. The second-prize winner received 1 million baht: Draw no. 627, ticket number Q 8705603.