On May 14, 2025, the Health Promotion Foundation (HFEP) joined with the Council of Deans of Dental Schools of Thailand and Naresuan University to conduct the workshop 'DENTAL MIND CONNECT 360°: Integrated Digital Counseling & Proactive Mental Health Screening for Dental Students' at Amari Don Muang Airport Hotel in Bangkok.

Under the mental health promotion and network strengthening project in dental schools, the initiative aims to develop a proactive mental health care system for dental students across the country.

Dr. Pairojn Saonuam, Deputy Manager of HFEP, stated that this collaborative effort in establishing a proactive mental health care system represents a significant step toward mental health support for youth and students who face continuously increasing psychological risks.

Data from Thailand's 2024 mental health assessment shows that young people aged 18-24 in higher education and early career stages face higher mental health risks than other groups, with 26.9% at risk of depression, 24.5% experiencing high stress, and 6% developing clinical depression. This directly impacts mental health, academic performance, daily functioning, and related issues.

Dr. Pairojn stated that HFEP collaborates with networks to develop multiple mental health promotion models for university-aged youth, including specific models for the dental school network. Working with the Council of Deans of Dental Schools of Thailand and Naresuan University, they designed approaches aligned with the specific challenges faced by dental schools.

These include promoting knowledge, understanding, and mental health skills; developing supportive environments, curricula, and teaching methods that benefit mental well-being; establishing mental health care mechanisms, counseling systems, and mental health monitoring; as well as developing best practices, mental health innovations, and collaborative networks.

'Mental health in education is critically important as it affects quality of life and learning. This workshop provides an excellent opportunity to develop dental school personnel from 19 institutions to effectively support their students, and the work will generate lessons that can be scaled and shared as knowledge for other organizations,' Dr. Pairojn said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Patcharpol Samneang from the Faculty of Dentistry at Naresuan University, who heads the mental health promotion and network strengthening project for dental schools, stated that mental health issues among dental students are a serious concern requiring all institutions' attention.

A survey of 4,255 dental students from 17 universities revealed a concerning mental health situation, with many students at risk who have never accessed mental health services, reflecting critical gaps in care systems and service accessibility.

Key stress factors for dental students stem from academic pressure, clinical training demands, social relationships within the learning community, and the intense educational environment, which directly affect academic achievement, quality of life, and students' mental well-being.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Patcharpol stated that through this project, the Council of Deans of Dental Schools of Thailand aims to develop a comprehensive and sustainable mental health care system for dental school personnel and students.

The workshop included participation from 19 dental schools nationwide, aiming to strengthen the mental health care system.

At 3:40 p.m. on May 14, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphase held a press conference at Government House regarding the opposition's petition to the Constitutional Court challenging the decree authorizing the Finance Ministry to borrow 400 billion baht to address the energy crisis and advance the country's energy transition. The government stands firm that the decree is economically necessary, he said, citing a global economic crisis stemming from ongoing conflicts, energy crises driving up oil prices, and rising inflation expected to reach 2.9 percent and impact living costs. Ekniti emphasized this current crisis differs from past financial crises like the 1997 Asian financial crisis or the 2008 global financial crisis.

Ekniti stated the decree aims to support citizens' livelihoods and questioned why energy transition couldn't proceed simultaneously, describing it as "killing two birds with one stone." He illustrated how rising costs could force businesses to cut profits or lay off workers, making immediate intervention crucial. Using a medical analogy, he argued that just as a sick patient cannot wait five months for medicine, Thailand cannot delay action. He cited the Russia-Ukraine crisis's impact on electricity costs, arguing the country should have shifted to clean energy then, noting that solar panels, biodiesel transport, and renewable energy reduce living costs while addressing long-term challenges.

Ekniti expressed confidence the decree was comprehensively designed with emergency safeguards and clear mechanisms. He dismissed opposition concerns about favoritism toward big business, asserting the decree includes oversight committees and transparency measures with detailed project screening processes. He stressed that immediate action is necessary as the sick patient needs medicine today, not waiting four to five months for next year's budget allocation.

Nanthaphas 'Jade' Muljaha, an emerging star for Thailand's national volleyball team, has confirmed her ambition to compete in foreign leagues after her stint in Vietnam's Division 2 competition.

The rising player recently claimed the MVP award along with the title of league's leading scorer in her second year of the Volleyball Thailand League 2026. She previously competed in Vietnam's league during the 2026 season with club HCDG in late 2025.

On May 14, 2025, Muljaha disclosed that her second year with the national team has brought significant development, including improved game understanding and learning how to compete against world-class athletes. She credited the national team's senior players for their mentorship, though acknowledges there is still much to learn. The national team experience has substantially enhanced her performance in club competition. Moving forward, she aims to maximize her learning from her teammates and bring that knowledge back to benefit her club's league performance.

When asked about playing in foreign leagues, Muljaha expressed her clear intention to pursue international opportunities, stating she wants to experience how professional volleyball is played abroad and gather additional experience.

Central Retail announced its first quarter 2025 financial results with revenues surging to 66.514 billion baht and achieving record-breaking net profit, reflecting the success of its business portfolio restructuring focused on Thailand and Vietnam markets. On May 14, 2025, Suthisarn Chiratthivatwong, CEO of Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited (CRC), revealed that despite global business challenges from geopolitical pressures and energy crises in early 2025, Central Retail continues to see strong consumer confidence with shoppers maintaining their trust in the company's retail ecosystem. The company has successfully refined its portfolio to focus on high-growth markets including Thailand and Vietnam.

"We are aggressively expanding and developing our business in both countries under our 'New Heights, Next Growth' strategy across five dimensions implemented over the past year, particularly in expanding customer base and strengthening our CRC foundation through branch expansion, store renovations, and launching new brands," the CEO stated. The company has secured Master Franchise rights to launch 'No Brand' from South Korea and invested in JD Sports Thailand to fully penetrate the premium sports lifestyle market.

Panate Mahakananuruk, Chief Financial Officer, added: "Beyond business growth, Central Retail prioritizes careful financial management and allocates investments for maximum efficiency, enabling us to maintain strong balance between growth and profitability. First quarter 2025 results showed total revenue of 66.514 billion baht (up 1.4% year-over-year) and net profit of 2.888 billion baht (up 12.5% year-over-year), marking a new quarterly record for the company."

On sustainability, Central Retail continues supporting customers and society by participating in the government's 'Thailand Helps Thailand' cost-of-living reduction program through Tops and Go Wholesale, offering over 2,300 essential items at special prices. The company also provides 38 free vehicle inspection services through Auto One while advancing environmental initiatives including increased solar energy usage and transitioning to electric vehicles for long-term energy security.

Mountain bike coach Robert Herber Jr. expects strong performances from Thai cyclists Poon Siri and Pong Pheera in the cross-country event and Pla Chart and Watchara Korn in the eliminator competition, while road cyclists are competing in the 2026 Tour de Gueom to accumulate Olympic qualifying points for 2028. Pol. Gen. Daecha Hemkraseri, president of the Thai Cycling Association, vice president of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), and president of the ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF), announced that the cycling association has assembled all national cycling athletes across road, track, mountain bike, and BMX disciplines to prepare for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, utilizing comprehensive sports science methodology. The association coordinated with Thailand's Institute of Sports Science to conduct blood lactate testing for road and mountain bike cyclists at Chateau de Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima on April 28-30 to enable coaches to design appropriate training programs. For mountain bike athletes under coach Robert Herber Jr.'s supervision, training incorporates sports science analysis and lactate testing results, along with power meter technology to precisely measure cyclists' actual output and enable targeted performance development. The Thai mountain bike team for the 20th Asian Games comprises eight athletes: five men—Pla Chart Nak Thong Kam, Watchara Orn Tuli, Vorapong Mueang Suk, Pong Pheera Pong Ayukul, and Poon Siri Sirimongkol—and three women—Pin Phak Chiang Suan, Porn Phukt Prapodit Tang, and Phumrat Chelinkit. The cycling association plans to send mountain bike athletes to compete in the 2026 Asian Mountain Bike Championships in Uzbekistan from June 23-27, with coach Herber focusing on events contested at the Asian Games, primarily men's and women's cross-country, while also having athletes compete in eliminator events to test readiness for Nagoya. Early competition is essential, as athletes trained since March need international races to gauge their true potential and avoid training monotony. Road cyclists will relocate to Chiang Mai province once PM2.5 air quality improves, as the terrain resembles Nagoya. The cycling association received cooperation from Chiang Mai University's medical technical team to provide comprehensive sports science support including anatomy, physiology, nutrition, psychology, biomechanics, sports medicine, and sports technology. After training in Chiang Mai, the cycling association will send male cyclists to compete in the 2026 Tour de Gueom in South Korea.

The Bank of Thailand has extended its Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio relaxation for housing loans by one additional year, now ending on June 30, 2027. The measure enables 100% financing for second homes priced up to 10 million baht and homes exceeding 10 million baht from the first loan contract, intended to maintain consumer confidence and support the real estate sector's recovery.

On May 14, 2025, Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthilertvorakul announced that the Financial Institution Policy Committee (FIPC) approved the extension of the LTV relaxation period for housing credit and related loans. The timeline has been extended by one year from the original expiration date of June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2027, with the following details:

1. The LTV ratio ceiling is set at 100% for housing loans in both cases: (1) properties valued below 10 million baht starting from the second loan contract onwards, and (2) properties valued at 10 million baht or more starting from the first loan contract.

2. This relaxation is temporary for loan contracts executed between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2027.

The Bank of Thailand's extension of the LTV relaxation aims to sustain confidence and support the real estate sector's recovery. Housing demand has remained weak due to economic slowdown and has been further impacted by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have affected business costs and household purchasing power.

The committee assessed that the LTV extension would have limited impact on financial system stability, as financial institutions remain cautious in credit extension and there have been no unusual speculative signals observed to date.