Krung Thai Bank is preparing to debut 18 new Depositary Receipts (DRs) covering technology, rare earth minerals, consumer goods, and future industries, providing Thai investors with convenient access to world-class companies.

Executive Ravint Bunyanusasn from Krung Thai Bank's Money Market and Capital Market Business Group stated that the bank is committed to developing investment products that make it easier for Thai investors to access quality global companies through the Thai stock market.

Most recently, the bank has issued 18 new Depositary Receipts for foreign securities, carefully selecting assets aligned with long-term growth mega-trends including digital technology, clean energy, modern consumption, and rare earth minerals that are crucial to future industries. The offering also includes alternative assets and gold-backed funds to help diversify risk and increase portfolio flexibility.

The new DR package covers 18 leading securities across four major industry groups:

Technology Group (4 securities): Led by SoftBank Group Corp. (SOFTBANK80), a Japanese telecommunications company that has expanded its role into global technology investments through SoftBank Vision Fund, holding stakes in OpenAI and major AI projects like Project Stargate. Also included are Arista Networks (ANET80), SanDisk Corporation (SNDK80), and Montage Technology (MONTAGE80).

Energy and Rare Earth Group (6 securities): Led by MP Materials Corp. (MP80), the only rare earth mining operator in the United States with government support to reduce dependence on China. Also included are NextEra Energy (NEE80), GE Vernova (GEV80), JL Mag Rare-Earth (JLMAG80), China Northern Rare Earth (Group) High-Tech (CNRE80), and SPDR® Gold Shares ETF (GOLDUS80).

Global Consumer Products Group (4 securities): Led by Midea Group (MIDEA80), a leading Chinese electrical appliance manufacturer expanding into robotics and industrial automation. Also included are Kweichow Moutai (MOUTAI80), Mao Geping Cosmetics (MAOGEP80), and Mixue Group (MIXUE80).

Future Industries Group (4 securities): Led by Coinbase Global (COIN80), a leading U.S. digital asset trading platform serving as both exchange and custodian for over 1,000 financial institutions worldwide. Also included are AbbVie (ABBV80), Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB80), and The Boeing Company (BOEING80).

"The launch of these new DRs enhances opportunities for convenient, transparent, and standardized access to foreign investments, addressing Thai investors' needs at all market conditions. It enables investors to plan confidently and achieve their long-term financial goals," said Ravint.

Existing securities account holders can invest in Thai baht through the Streaming application immediately without pre-subscription. Those without securities accounts can open one independently through KTX on the Krungthai NEXT application, receiving the same benefits as direct foreign investment.

Trading of all 18 DRs will commence on May 13, 2025. DRs referencing Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Japanese stocks can be traded between 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM. DRs referencing U.S. stocks and U.S. ETFs can be traded in two sessions: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM – 2:45 AM (T+1).

A devastating explosion at the Huasheng Fireworks factory in Liuyang, Hunan Province, has claimed at least 21 lives and injured 61 others. Nearly 500 rescue personnel were mobilized to search for survivors and treat the wounded, with robots deployed to help locate workers potentially trapped inside the facility. Authorities evacuated all residents within a 3-kilometer radius of the plant as a precaution. Police are investigating the cause and will pursue strict accountability measures against company officials responsible for the blast. Officials identified two gunpowder storage warehouses within the factory as high-risk areas and implemented safety measures including area humidification to prevent secondary explosions during rescue operations. The force of the blast was so powerful that windows in nearby residential buildings were shattered. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an expedited search and rescue effort and ordered a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable. Liuyang, known as the world's largest fireworks manufacturing hub, has experienced repeated industrial accidents. In February, another fireworks shop explosion in Hunan Province killed 12 people and caused numerous injuries.

Minister Suchart Chomklin expressed delight and pride in the success of Ao Kuak within the Similan Islands National Park being ranked among the world's top 10 beaches for 2026. He thanked park officials for their strong natural resource management and emphasized maintaining strict management standards to preserve this world-class beauty sustainably.

On May 5, 2026, the global rankings of "The World's 50 Best Beaches 2026" were announced by a network of over 1,000 tourism experts worldwide. Ao Kuak (Donald Duck Bay) within the Similan Islands National Park achieved the 10th position globally.

This recognition reflects the bay's outstanding natural beauty, complete ecosystem integrity, and unique characteristics acknowledged on the international stage.

Minister Suchart Chomklin expressed his joy and pride in this success, thanking the Department of National Parks staff and all relevant parties for their strong commitment to natural resource management. He emphasized maintaining strict management standards and using this achievement as a model to elevate national parks throughout the country, promoting Thailand's conservation-based tourism for sustainable growth and international recognition.

Athitpol Charoenchansri, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, noted this success as a point of national pride, reflecting the effectiveness of proactive management measures including visitor capacity limits, seasonal resource rehabilitation closures, and strict waste management, which help maintain high-level marine and coastal ecosystem integrity.

Sirivat Supsai, Director of Similan Islands National Park, explained that Ao Kuak on Eighth Island (Similan Island) features crystal-clear waters, fine white sand, and the distinctive "Sailing Stone" rock formation that attracts visitors worldwide. Balancing tourism with conservation and cooperation from operators and visitors have been key factors in gaining international recognition.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation affirmed its commitment to conserving and protecting invaluable natural resources, ensuring this world-class beauty remains for Thailand and future generations in a sustainable manner.

CHONBURI — May 4, 2026. A fight erupted on Pattaya beach after a foreign tourist allegedly assaulted a Thai man who had asked him to stop smoking cannabis in a public area, according to police reports.

Kittipong Sa-ardchandee, 29, the victim, said he had been relaxing and eating with relatives by the beachfront when a group of foreign tourists at a nearby table began smoking cannabis, with the smell drifting to other visitors.

He said he approached them politely to ask that they not smoke in a public space. Despite the tourist's Thai girlfriend attempting to intervene, the man reportedly became angered.

Kittipong said that as he turned to walk back to his table, the foreign tourist adopted a fighting stance and attacked him from behind, triggering a scuffle. The assailant allegedly claimed to be a boxer.

The victim added that earlier, another group of Thai diners had also warned the same tourist and were similarly assaulted.

Municipal officers quickly intervened to stop the incident, but the foreign tourist continued to provoke the group, pacing near the scene and making obscene gestures. Authorities eventually ordered him to return to his accommodation and instructed both parties to disperse to prevent further escalation.

At 9:30 a.m. on May 5, 2025, at Government House, Senator Norrasetr Prajyakorn, chairman of the Senate Committee on Political Development, Public Participation, Human Rights, Liberties and Consumer Protection, announced the postponement of a bill requesting the government to reconsider the Land Bridge project. Although the bill had been added to the Senate agenda, numerous senators expressed strong interest in debating it and requested time to study the details. At least two Senate committees, including his own and the Transport Committee, have been studying the issue and calling relevant agencies to clarify the facts. Senators requested moving the bill to next week to allow adequate time for preparation. "After careful consideration, I believe we need sufficient time to thoroughly study the information without rushing and without debate lacking a proper factual basis. Therefore, I've decided to postpone this bill to next week so that senators can properly prepare for the discussion," Norrasetr stated. He also mentioned submitting an interpellation to Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, already on the agenda, requesting him to present clarifications and answer questions confidently about how this project will drive the nation's economic development. When asked whether appointing Deputy PM and Finance Minister Ek Niti Nitithaprasop as chairman of the Land Bridge project study committee and confirming no conflicts of interest could ease concerns, Norrasetr said the concerns remain unresolved. He noted the project is extraordinarily large with significant impacts, yet was not part of the ruling party's campaign platform nor the government's policy statement—making it suspicious that such a major initiative wasn't in the government's declaration but became the first priority it pushed aggressively. "This raises a question: why the rush? Is it to solve economic problems or to rush closing a deal?" Norrasetr asked. He warned that the government's introduction of the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) law covering Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces should be closely monitored, as there are lessons from the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The SEC law reportedly mirrors the EEC entirely, and the EEC experience—with its powerful committee expediting environmental laws—has essentially turned the eastern region into a "zero-margin capital" zone.

The Ministry of Public Health's Dental Institute warns the public not to believe false information being spread online about treating tooth cavities through various methods claiming to cure "tooth worms." The actual cause of cavities is bacterial infection, not parasites or insects. Cavities are caused by Streptococcus mutans bacteria, which is found in dental plaque and is the primary cause of tooth decay. When these bacteria break down starches and sugars from food, they produce acid that gradually destroys tooth enamel and dentin, creating cavities. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the tooth pulp, causing inflammation, severe pain, or abscess.

Proper cavity prevention methods include: brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily, regularly using dental floss to remove plaque between teeth, and visiting a dentist every six months for checkups and tartar removal. The Ministry urges the public not to share or forward unscientific claims and to rely only on information from trusted sources.