The government is preparing to submit a 'Old-for-New Vehicle' program to cabinet for approval, aimed at incentivizing truck and public transport operators to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) and reduce pollution from the transport sector.

On May 9, Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Perchvivattana announced that the government, through the Ministry of Transport, is advancing Thailand's road transport and logistics systems under a Digital Government policy. This involves leveraging information technology to develop modern, convenient, safe, and increasingly efficient transport management systems, designed to enhance the competitiveness of Thailand's logistics sector and support sustainable economic growth.

A key initiative is the development of the DLT-TMS (Transport Management System) by the Department of Land Transport, which will serve as a centralized database for road transport. This enables operators to use data for transport planning, cost reduction, and service quality improvement to meet international standards. Simultaneously, the government can analyze data to formulate accurate cargo transport policies and identify opportunities to improve national transport efficiency and cost structures.

The government is also preparing to revise freight rate and fare calculation formulas to reflect actual costs while tackling 'empty truck trips' through transport management data, ultimately reducing logistics costs and improving service efficiency.

Looking ahead, the government will propose a 'Vehicle Trade-In Program' for trucks and public transport buses for cabinet consideration, to encourage operators to transition to electric vehicles, promote environmentally-friendly transport, and reduce transport sector pollution. This effort will be coupled with pushing the Truck Service Quality Mark (Q Mark) standard, which currently certifies 462 operators managing over 64,000 trucks.

"The DLT-TMS system will help operators, particularly SMEs, access crucial transport data, reduce costs, and boost competitiveness," the spokesperson said. "The government will continue advancing digital logistics to elevate Thailand's transport system to international standards and support the modern economy."

Police arrested Ming Chen Sun, a 31-year-old Chinese national, on May 9, 2025, following a car accident in Na Jomtien police precinct, Sattahip district, Chon Buri province, where a Glock handgun and ammunition were discovered in his vehicle. A search of his residence revealed military-grade rifles, high-explosive devices, anti-personnel grenades, and other explosive materials including C4 plastic explosives totaling 4,832.4 grams. Senior police officials inspected the scene and coordinated with the provincial bomb disposal unit and forensic teams to thoroughly document and collect all evidence. The suspect, who has been living in Thailand for approximately two years on a renewable visa since 2020, is currently under investigation for weapons possession and potential national security threats. Authorities are conducting a multi-agency investigation involving immigration police, the Chinese embassy, and security agencies to determine the source of the weapons and whether any criminal activities were planned. The suspect was reportedly diagnosed with depression, and psychiatrists have been invited to assess his mental state. The complete inventory includes two M16 rifles, a Glock 26 pistol, approximately 801 rounds of various ammunition, and multiple explosive devices.

Yamaha Thailand Racing Team made a strong start to the 2026 Asia Road Racing Championship Round 2 with excellent form during Friday's first day of practice at Chang International Circuit in Buriram. Team leader Tee Anupap Samuul, piloting the YZF-R6 number 500, dominated the Supersport 600cc class by setting the fastest times in all three sessions under clear skies. His lap times improved progressively: 1:40.162 in the first session, 1:39.529 in the second, and 1:39.402 in the third, establishing the quickest pace in the category.

In the Asia Production 250cc class, rising Thai star Idea Kritphat Khueankham of Yamaha Thailand Racing Team faced a penalty reduction of 200 rpm on his engine displacement due to championship point regulations. Despite this handicap, Idea showed strong form by leading the first two practice sessions and finishing the day in second place with a lap time of 1:52.116, just 0.323 seconds behind the leader. Fellow Thai rider Gas Theeranai Tabtim, competing on a wildcard entry, finished 14th with a time of 1:52.961 as he continued to gain familiarity with the circuit.

Qualifying for grid positions takes place Saturday morning, May 9, with the first race scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The second race will be held on Sunday, May 10, with live coverage on PPTVHD36 and online through the Asia Road Racing Championship official page.

On May 9, 2025, the Thai Meteorological Department forecasted thunderstorms with strong wind gusts, hail, and heavy rainfall in various areas for the next 24 hours, particularly in northern and central Thailand due to a high-pressure system and cool air mass from China covering the northeastern region and South China Sea, combined with southerly and southeasterly winds bringing moisture from the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea into upper Thailand during hot weather conditions. The southern region is expected to experience heavy rain in some areas due to strengthened easterly winds covering the Gulf of Thailand and southern Thailand, with sea waves around 1 meter high and exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm zones. Residents are advised to beware of thunderstorm dangers and strong wind gusts by avoiding open areas, large trees, buildings, and weak signboards, as well as hazards from heavy and accumulated rainfall that could cause flash floods and flash flooding, especially in sloped areas near waterways and lowlands. Farmers should strengthen fruit trees and prepare to prevent damage to crops and livestock while maintaining health during weather changes, while fishermen should avoid sailing in thunderstorm-prone areas. Upper Thailand currently experiences minor to moderate dust and haze accumulation due to rainfall in some areas. The Meteorological Department's forecast from 6:00 a.m. today to 6:00 a.m. tomorrow shows: Northern region with 70 percent thunderstorms, strong gusts, hail, and heavy rain in Maehongson, Chiangmai, Chiang Rai, Lampun, Lamphang, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Tak, Kamphaengphet, Phitsanulok, Phichit, and Phetchabun with low temperatures 21-26°C, high temperatures 30-37°C, southeasterly winds 10-15 km/h. Northeastern region with daytime hot weather, 30 percent thunderstorms, and occasional strong winds in Loei, Nongbualamphoo, Chaiyaphum, Khonkaen, Nakhonratchasima, and Buriram with low temperatures 23-26°C, high temperatures 32-37°C, easterly winds 10-20 km/h. Central region with daytime hot weather, 70 percent thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy rain in Nakhonsawan, Uthaithani, Chaiynat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Lopburi, Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram with low temperatures 24-26°C, high temperatures 36-38°C, southeasterly winds 10-20 km/h. Eastern region with daytime hot weather, 40 percent thunderstorms, and occasional strong winds mainly in Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayong with low temperatures 24-26°C, high temperatures 34-38°C, southeasterly winds 15-30 km/h, sea waves around 1 meter with waves exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. Southern region (east coast) with 60 percent thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in Chumphon, Suratthani, Nakhonsithammarat, Phatthalung, and Songkhla.

Football Results - May 8, 2025

Bundesliga (Germany) Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Eintracht Frankfurt

Serie A (Italy) Torino 2-1 Sassuolo

La Liga (Spain) Levante 3-2 Osasuna

Ligue 1 (France) Lens 1-0 Nantes

English Championship Playoff Semi-Finals, First Leg Hull City 0-0 Millwall

Bruno Fernandes, midfield captain of Manchester United's "Red Devils" in the English Premier League, has been named Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season by the English Football Writers' Association (FWA). Fernandes showcased exceptional form this season, most notably through his playmaking ability, delivering 20 assists from 32 Premier League appearances while also scoring 8 goals. With nearly 900 FWA members voting, Fernandes received 45% of the votes, narrowly beating second-place finisher Declan Rice of Arsenal by just 28 votes. Erling Haaland of Manchester City came in third. This marks the first time a Manchester United player has won this award in 16 years, since Wayne Rooney's win in the 2009-10 season. Fernandes is also the third Portuguese player to win the award, following Cristiano Ronaldo (two-time winner) and Ruben Dias.