Mahattana Ampornsisitth, managing director of the Government Housing Bank (GHB), announced the bank's initiative to ease the burden of high electricity bills through a solar rooftop home loan campaign featuring introductory interest rates of just 0.99% per annum with monthly payments starting from 3,600 baht per million baht borrowed. Special offer: installation assistance up to 50,000 baht for solar rooftop loans. For a 300,000-baht solar installation loan, monthly payments begin at just 1,100 baht. The bank also offers high-yield savings accounts at 1.55% per annum, lottery-style savings certificates, and second-hand home loans with fixed 0% interest for the first two years and discounts up to 50%.

Managing Director Mahattana Ampornsisitth revealed that the bank is unlocking expensive electricity costs by offering a solar rooftop home loan campaign with introductory interest rates of only 0.99% per annum, starting monthly payments at 3,600 baht per million baht borrowed.

Special promotion: Installation assistance up to 50,000 baht for solar rooftop installations. For a 300,000-baht solar rooftop installation loan over 40 years, monthly payments start at just 1,100 baht.

Additionally, the bank offers high-yield savings accounts at 1.55% per annum, GHB lottery savings certificates with attractive returns and chances to win major prizes, and second-hand home loans with 0% fixed interest for the first two years.

The event is being held at the 26th Bangkok Finance Festival (Money Expo 2026 Bangkok) from May 7-10, 2026 at Impact Muang Thong Thani.

The bank is committed to helping customers save energy long-term, offering financial products with special promotions to reduce expenses and enable citizens to own energy-efficient homes. The solar rooftop home loan program offers a 1-billion-baht lending framework.

For those interested in purchasing or constructing a home with a solar rooftop installation, interest rates are tiered: 0.99% per annum for months 1-2, 1.99% for months 3-6, and 2.99% for months 7-12 (subject to insurance requirements). The first-year average interest rate equals 2.32% per annum with a 40-year loan term. Borrowing 1 million baht means monthly payments of 3,600 baht. For solar rooftop installation loans with a 40-year term and 300,000-baht limit, monthly payments begin at 1,100 baht.

The bank also reduces installation costs for solar rooftop customers: maximum 30,000 baht for systems under 5KW and maximum 50,000 baht for systems 5KW and above.

The "Cool Home, Happy Living" housing loan offers free mortgage registration and appraisal fees, with fixed interest rates starting from just 2.20% per annum in the first year, covering all loan purposes. The average 3-year interest rate is just 2.86% with a 40-year loan term. Borrowing 1 million baht requires monthly payments starting from just 2,900 baht.

Savings accounts and GHB lottery certificates provide financial security, including savings accounts with interest rates up to 1.55% per annum (for deposits not exceeding 200,000 baht), with tax exemption on interest for individuals.

GHB lottery savings certificates "Golden Prosperity Set" are available at 1,000 baht per unit with a one-year maturity, offering 0.30% per annum face value returns (upon maturity) and a chance to win first prizes worth 3 million baht across 12 drawings.

GHB lottery savings certificates "Prosperity Enhancement Set" are priced at 5 million baht per unit with a one-year maturity, offering 1.20% per annum face value returns (upon maturity) and a chance to win first prizes worth 5 million baht across 12 drawings.

Special offer: Receive monthly interest payments directly into your savings account every month.

Second-hand homes from GHB feature quality properties in diverse locations including single houses, duplexes, and townhouses from across the country—over 600 listings—sold at discounts up to 50% off regular prices. Product promotions include special 0% interest rates fixed for the first two years.

Customers who purchase properties and transfer ownership during the event within the bank's specified timeframe—the first 20 customers—will receive gift vouchers worth 1,000 baht each (one reward per customer).

Properties nationwide can be reserved during the event, May 7-10.

On May 7th, the Athletics Association of Thailand hosted World Youth Athletics Day at the Sports Authority of Thailand building. Thai national track and field athlete Biu Phuriphol Bunsorn gave an interview about his goals this year, focusing on improving his performances in both the 100m and 200m events to break Asian records.

The 20-year-old runner stated he has set targets of 9.80 seconds for the 100m and approximately 19.6-19.7 seconds for the 200m, which represent his ultimate goals. "When my coach (Coach G, Gentry Bradley) returned, he asked me to write down my goals for this year. I wrote that I want to improve my personal records in both 100m and 200m, and also want to break the Asian record in both events," he said.

"In the past, I've competed in many events, including the Asian Games in China, but I didn't have enough experience then. Now I've learned a lot and fixed various shortcomings. For this year's Asian Games, I'm hoping to win the gold medal," he added.

At 10:21 AM on May 7, 2569, Deputy Sergeant Major Natthawut Prabsakul, Investigation Officer at Bang Phli Police Station, received a report of a fatal truck trailer accident on Theppharat Road, parallel express lane heading out, kilometer marker 18 in Samut Prakan province. He rushed to the scene with medical examiners from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and Thai Red Cross Foundation personnel.

The victim, identified as Khun Mong Soe, a 34-year-old Myanmar national, was found with severe head trauma from the truck trailer's wheels. His Honda motorcycle bearing a Bangkok license plate was discovered about 500 meters away. The truck trailer was located but the driver was missing, having fled the scene. Police found identification documents naming a 57-year-old man, with blood and brain matter detected on the trailer's left rear wheel.

CCTV footage revealed the motorcyclist was traveling in the far left lane when, seeing the truck approaching in his mirror, he suddenly braked to avoid hitting a curb. This caused his bike to skid on sand, lose control, and collide with the truck trailer behind him. The impact threw him directly under the rear wheels, where he was crushed. The truck driver continued without stopping, but was later identified by witnesses who alerted authorities.

At 11:30 a.m. on May 7, 2025, Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam Boonsom, Police Chief, accompanied by Pol. Maj. Thierdej Tharmsutheep, Deputy Police Chief, went to an apartment on Soi Kosumruamjai 14, Don Muang Subdistrict, Don Muang District to announce the arrest of two suspects in connection with the theft of exotic animals from Pata Zoo at Pata Pinklao Department Store.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam and police officers searched the apartment and discovered evidence consisting of 13 exotic animals including snakes, raccoons, and Sulcata tortoises, along with stolen animals from Pata Zoo such as tiger-striped salamanders and Chinese crocodile geckos, as well as animals stolen from Samsen Zoo in Bang Khen, including baby squirrel monkeys.

Both suspects confessed before Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam that they had committed the thefts from zoos. However, they denied selling the animals, claiming they kept them as personal pets, and they apologized for their actions.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam revealed to the media that the arrest stemmed from a tip to the Narcotics Division of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, led by Pol. Maj. Thierdej, regarding a drug investigation at the apartment. The male suspect had outstanding arrest warrants for drug offenses in other provinces and an arrest warrant for the Pata Zoo theft from Bang Yee Khen Police Station.

Operational units executed the arrest warrant and discovered numerous exotic animals in the suspects' room, particularly those stolen from Pata Zoo as well as those from Samsen Zoo.

Initially, both suspects admitted to stealing tiger salamanders and Chinese crocodile geckos from Pata Pinklao Zoo, and baby squirrel monkeys from Samsen Zoo in Bang Khen. They also confessed to previously stealing a Sulcata tortoise from Ayutthaya Province. Investigations continue regarding the origins of the other animals.

The suspects further revealed that they stole these animals to sell online and used the proceeds to purchase drugs. However, the theft was not commissioned by anyone—rather, both suspects had an interest in and knowledge of exotic animals.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam stated that these exotic animals command high prices and are sought after by rare animal enthusiasts, generating substantial income. The suspects have engaged in this activity for over 2-3 years, constantly moving to different locations to evade arrest. The Don Muang apartment was only recently occupied, within the past week, specifically to avoid easy apprehension.

The suspects targeted locations selling or keeping exotic animals, including various zoos, monitoring Facebook pages and online information. In the case of Pata Pinklao Zoo, the male suspect first surveyed the area, then exploited blind spots in the CCTV coverage while the female suspect watched the cameras and blocked the view. The male suspect then reached into the enclosures and removed two animals, placed them in a bag, and exited the zoo during a time when few people were present.

All animals will be examined to determine their legal status, whether they were stolen property, and to identify which species are protected under wildlife conservation laws, in order to file appropriate charges.

Sorayuth Sutasnachinda confirmed he once visited the famous Lumphun spiritual master offering VIP karma cleansing services, but insisted he did not participate in the ceremony. Sorayuth further disclosed that Noes Udom had previously shared on air that his subordinate experienced incidents matching the reported allegations. According to Sorayuth's account, Noes explained that he had not secured copyright permission before sharing his colleague's story publicly. "When they were alone together, something unexpected happened," Sorayuth recalled Noes saying. "I went there before, but I didn't go inside. I'm older and can tell by looking at someone's face what's suspicious. People believe in this stuff, so we wonder what's going on. If I had gone, I'd probably have even more to say. But Udom is now questioning whether the story was about his subordinate, a friend, or if he himself went and left early."

Luang Pho Thong Suk Intathocho, formally known as Phra Kru Pinit Sut Khun, was a highly esteemed Buddhist abbot at Wat Tonod Luang in Bangkao Subdistrict, Cha-am District, Phetchburi Province—a figure of legendary status not only in Phetchburi but throughout neighboring provinces, particularly renowned for blessed amulets imbued with spiritual merit and personal experience. Originally named Suk with the surname Deelert, he was born on Friday, May 19, 1877, at Ban Thabdai in Hinleelai Subdistrict, Phetchburi, during the reign of King Rama V.

At age nine, he enrolled at Wat Phi in Ban Lad Subdistrict under the tutelage of the abbot, learning to read and write, and also studying Khmer and Pali scriptures. He developed a passion for martial combat, excelling in boxing, swordsmanship, and stick fighting—disciplines he later taught to numerous students.

At fifteen, he relocated to Ban Phleng in Ratchaburi Province during his restless adolescence. He enjoyed wandering with friends and rarely stayed home, instead performing in traditional theater and shadow puppetry, even teaching these arts to others. Eventually tiring of performance, he continued to roam aimlessly, eventually associating with gangsters and becoming involved in organized crime. He became a notorious criminal operating across Phetchburi, Ratchaburi, and Samut Songkhram provinces, forced to hide in forests to evade authorities.

During one escape into the wilderness, after three days without food, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening, recognizing that his lifestyle was fundamentally wrong. Fearing continued suffering in body and mind, he resolved to ordain as a Buddhist monk at age 32 on July 12, 1909, at Wat Pramaot in Samut Songkhram Province, with Luang Pho Tad of Wat Bang Wang Thong as his preceptor.

He spent four Buddhist Lent periods at Wat Pramaot, two at Wat Kaew in Ratchaburi Province, and one at Wat Mai. He then undertook forest wandering with Samaneru Chan (later Phra Kru Chan Thammasaro, abbot of Wat Meuk Daiyawan). After extensive travels through multiple provinces, he eventually arrived in Bangkao Subdistrict, Cha-am. At that time, Wat Tonod Luang lacked an abbot, and local residents who met him were so impressed they invited him to serve as abbot in 1904.

He dedicated himself to Buddhist advancement, restoring the dilapidated Wat Tonod Luang to its former glory. Driven by compassion, he also established Wat Chang Thang Krajad, Wat Tha Kham, and Wat Khao Look Chang. In education, he funded the construction of school buildings on three occasions.

Possessed of exceptional virtue and knowledge of ancient medicine, as well as occult expertise, he attracted widespread reverence. He became especially famous for sacred tattoo marking and mystical incantations, drawing local residents and disciples from distant regions who sought his services. His hut overflowed with students, and even prominent national figures—including Field Marshal Prayut Pahonpholpayuhsena and Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram—revered him and sought his teachings and spiritual markings.

For his manifold contributions to community development, the sangha appointed him as a Phra Kru, education committee member, and preceptor. He eventually received the royal title of Phra Kru Pinit Sut Khun. In 1915, he became abbot of Wat Tonod Luang. He passed away peacefully on December 13, 1957, at the age of eighty.

Regarding popular amulets, the Luang Pho Thong Suk Series 2 coin from Wat Tonod Luang is highly prized in amulet collecting circles. These coins were created in 1955 for a temple cell celebration and cast in three types: gold, silver, and copper, with no documented production numbers. Series 2 coins became more popular than Series 1 due to their superior facial features and design.