Government Advances Infrastructure Upgrades to Attract Digital and Clean Energy Investments for Future Industries

May 11, 2026 – Rachada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, announced that the government is advancing infrastructure upgrades and promoting investment to support the economy and future industries.

The Board of Investment (BOI) has approved 6 major investment projects worth a combined 958,168 million baht. Simultaneously, 9 additional projects have been selected for the Thailand FastPass accelerated investment program phase 2, valued at 52,104 million baht combined.

This brings the total number of projects in the system to 25, worth over 223,216 million baht. These measures aim to reduce approval steps and enable faster investment implementation.

Rachada stated that beyond short-term investment facilitation measures, the government is also accelerating energy infrastructure upgrades to support high-electricity-consuming industries and long-term power demand. The energy ministry is preparing electricity guarantee measures for major power consumers.

Meanwhile, the provincial and metropolitan electricity authorities are developing standards for electricity guarantees to align power network investment plans with business electricity usage plans. The Energy Ministry is pushing forward the Power Development Plan (PDP) to support high-electricity-consuming industries by studying the recommissioning of decommissioned power plants and promoting modern energy technologies in the electrical system. The government is also advancing clean energy support mechanisms, including the Direct PPA program, which has completed rate calculations and awaits consideration by the Energy Regulatory Commission. The green electricity rate (UGT2) has been announced by the provincial and metropolitan electricity authorities as of April 30, 2026. Additionally, the government is reviewing regulations regarding rooftop solar systems to increase flexibility and support investor needs in transitioning to environmentally friendly business operations.

Popular content creator Fuerst Nittakarn has apologized after feeding returned sausages to fish, claiming she meant no harm and simply thought it was appropriate fish food. She explained in an emotional video that she regularly feeds fish with pellets and bread, and since the fish eat everything completely without leaving oil residue, she thought the oil-free baked sausages would be suitable as well. Fuerst stated that when customers returned the sausages, she didn't want to serve them to people anymore, so she decided to give them to the fish instead. She emphasized that the sausages contained no oil and were fully consumed by the fish without leaving anything that could contaminate the water. The post has received supportive comments from entertainment figures, celebrities, and fans encouraging her to stay strong, with many praising her kind heart.

At 5:00 AM on May 11, 2025, outside Klong Prem Central Prison, reporters documented enthusiastic red-shirt supporters who had traveled to cheer former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on his scheduled conditional release day. Large crowds of red-shirt supporters lined the prison fence starting from the morning of May 10 to show their support. At 6:00 AM, Pheu Thai party leaders including Bhumi Vetayachai (party advisor), Somsak Thepsuthin (former Public Health Minister), Wisutthi Chaiyarun, Kattiya Sawasdipon, Chusakdi Sirinil, Jiraphon Sindupai, Chayapa Sindupai, Manporn Charoen, Saruang Thiantong (party deputy leader), Pongkwin Chungrungrueangkit (party deputy leader), Pongsak Raktpongpaisarn (former Transport Minister), Phaophoomi Rojnaskul, Chanok Chantathong, Natthawut Saiyaem, Khuanchai Pairapan (former red-shirt leader), and lawyer Vinyat Chatimontre arrived at the prison to welcome Thaksin after he met bail requirements for conditional release in a general case. At 7:20 AM, party leaders began gathering at the prison entrance. At 7:30 AM, Thaksin's family including Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Panthongthaem Shinawatra, Pintongtha Shinawatra, and other family members arrived. At 7:40 AM, Thaksin walked out of prison wearing a white shirt and long pants, embracing his daughter, grandchildren, and sister, with Paetongtarn being the first to receive his embrace. He then greeted party leaders and supporters, paid respects to the national flag at the flagpole on the prison grounds, and waved to the red-shirt crowd before departing for Bangkok Metropolitan Probation Office 1 in Bang Kok Noi to report as required by the Department of Corrections before heading home.

Fortune teller Mor Plai Prai Krasib has released zodiac predictions for the second half of the year. The three most fortunate signs are Aquarius, Virgo, and Gemini—no matter what work or travel they undertake, everything will go smoothly because opportunities come easily without the struggle of previous times. For those blessed with miraculous wealth flow, Taurus, Cancer, and Virgo should chant prayers and pour water frequently for blessings. Signs requiring caution include Sagittarius, which should watch out for health issues and easily catching infections or accidents involving bone injuries; Leo, which may face problems with bodily fluids including blood and inner ear imbalances causing dizziness; and Dragon, which should be warned against being deceived.

On May 10, Udom Prongfah, chairman of the Suphan Buri Provincial Administration Organization, led an incense and candle lighting ceremony at Wat Chainawat in Mueang District to inaugurate a new pollution-free crematorium, funded with 2 million baht from the provincial administration. The temple held a test cremation for a 109-year-old man named Kluay, with participants writing wishes for the removal of suffering, sorrow, sickness, and hardship on papers placed in the coffin. After the ceremony, Udom and community members paid respects to a statue of the late Luang Pho Thom, the temple's former abbot. Attendees then sought out lucky numbers: 109 (the deceased's age) and 492 and 83 (derived from the coffin lid), creating such a frenzy that lottery vendors sold out their inventory within the temple grounds as everyone rushed to buy tickets for the May 16 lottery draw.

The Thai Meteorological Department has issued warnings for heavy downpours affecting 41 provinces, with Bangkok and surrounding areas expecting rainfall covering 40% of the area. The southern region faces particular risk of sudden flooding. On May 11, 2025, the department forecasts hot conditions in northern Thailand during midday with continued thunderstorms and strong gusts in some areas, caused by weakening high-pressure systems and cold air masses from China over the Northeast and South China Sea. Meanwhile, southerly and southeasterly winds are bringing moisture from the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea into northern Thailand. Residents are advised to avoid open areas, large trees, buildings, and weak structures, and to be cautious of heavy rainfall and accumulated water that could cause flash floods and landslides, especially in hilly areas near water sources and low-lying regions. Farmers should reinforce fruit trees and prepare to protect crops and livestock from potential damage, while also maintaining health during weather changes. Southern Thailand will experience increased rainfall with heavy downpours in some areas from May 11-12 due to strengthening easterly winds. The Gulf of Thailand will see waves approximately 1 meter high, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. The northern region experiences hot midday temperatures with 60% thunderstorm coverage and strong winds, mainly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lampun, Lamphang, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, and Tak provinces, with lows of 22-25°C and highs of 32-38°C. The Northeast has 20% thunderstorm coverage in areas like Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani, with lows of 23-27°C and highs of 35-37°C. The Central region experiences 40% thunderstorm coverage with strong winds in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram, with lows of 25-27°C and highs of 37-38°C. The Eastern region has 40% thunderstorm coverage in Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat, with lows of 24-25°C and highs of 34-38°C, and 1-meter waves exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. The southern region (east coast) experiences 60% thunderstorm coverage with heavy rainfall in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, with lows of 24-27°C.