Surat Thani - Land Department Director Pornpetch Penpat and his team inspected the Koh Samui Land Office in Koh Phangan District on May 13, 2025, to address recent social media reports about land ownership issues on the island. Following a Fourth Army Region investigation that suggested foreign nationals might be using Thai nominees to hold property, the department's field investigation found concrete evidence of 1,832 foreign companies holding land on Koh Phangan, with 47 companies identified as potentially violating Thai law. Police arrested 12 of these companies this morning, with the remaining 35 under investigation. Director Penpat clarified that there is no widespread foreign land seizure on Koh Phangan as reported on social media, confirming that foreign nationals hold only 6% of the island's 38% total private land.

Over 2,400 PTT stations spanning 760 districts are joining forces to reduce fuel costs for mobile vendors distributing affordable consumer goods across the country. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Interior Minister, Commerce Minister Supachai Suthummaphand, along with Luang Pik Thong Thongyai, Chief Executive of PTT Oil and Retail Company Limited (OR), and Suchart Rammase, Managing Director, held a press conference to launch the "Thai Help Thai - Reduce Cost of Living" campaign at Government House. The initiative distributes affordable consumer products to communities through mobile vendors to help citizens access low-cost goods and reduce living expenses during May-June 2026. Luang Pik Thong revealed that PTT stations are supporting mobile vendors by reducing their fuel expenses, enabling them to distribute affordable products to districts nationwide. With over 2,400 PTT service stations in more than 760 districts ready to support mobile vendors throughout their routes, this initiative not only eases the burden on vendors but also reinforces PTT stations as community hubs under the "Living Community" concept. PTT remains committed to operating while contributing to social development and creating economic opportunities for all Thais.

At 11:00 AM on May 13, 2026, at Don Mueang Royal Thai Air Force Base 2, Squadron 6 in Bangkok, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister gave an interview regarding clarity on the constitutional amendment draft confirmation due to expire on May 14. He stated that Pheu Thai Party's stance must align with public wishes. When asked if the referendum results from over 20 million votes would prompt the draft's reratification, Anutin responded that all processes begin at parliament and should not be tied to the government, as that belonged to the previous administration. The constitutional amendment referendum was held on the same day as general elections, so the amendment process must start from parliament and cannot be linked to the previous draft. When asked whether parliament must initiate the process according to a Constitutional Court ruling, the PM confirmed a Constitutional Court judgment had been issued. When pressed on whether parliament would initiate proceedings, he affirmed this was the case. The timing of the new restart process is parliament's decision, not the government's. When asked if there would be a fresh count, he said that depends on parliament, and noted that as Pheu Thai Party leader, he had previously stated certain provisions touching on Thai sovereignty should not be altered, with other matters being open for discussion. Regarding whether reratifying the old draft would proceed faster than a fresh start, he said he did not know.

At 11:00 AM on May 13, 2025, at Don Mueang Airport Terminal 2 in Bangkok, Prime Minister Anuthpin Charnveerakul and Interior Minister addressed an audio clip circulating on social media allegedly featuring the PM discussing opening the Thai-Cambodian border. "That's clearly AI," Anuthpin stated. "I don't speak that way. Don't believe it. Why does the method start sounding off every day? That's unreliable. I never said it. There will definitely be no border opening."

When asked about Hun Sen, chairman of Cambodia's Senate, calling on the Cambodian government to reject new bilateral negotiations with Thailand over maritime disputes following Thailand's MOU 44 termination, Anuthpin clarified that Thailand unilaterally terminated the agreement and required no permission or notification. He noted that during ASEAN meetings in Cebu, Philippines last week, he had already informed the Cambodian PM of the decision, which they acknowledged with disappointment.

Anuthpin stated that Thailand would pursue mandatory conciliation mechanisms, though Cambodia's position differs. Thailand's approach follows UNCLOS principles regarding maritime law, with no negotiation format yet determined. Regarding detained Thai nationals facing Cambodian military charges, he said his government is coordinating assistance. "If our people didn't intentionally violate their laws and aren't involved in smuggling or security threats, we'll seek their return. This is a government-level disagreement unrelated to the public," Anuthpin emphasized, urging citizens not to become entangled in the dispute.

On border wall construction progress, Anuthpin confirmed that the military has received budgetary approval from the government, with implementation proceeding through various security agencies including Army, Navy, and Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters, each responsible for their respective border sections.

On May 13, Phakamol Hunnanon, Pheu Thai Party list MP and spokesperson, responded to Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn's claim that he has no connection to land acquisitions near the Landbridge project. She noted that during a shadow cabinet meeting, she had suggested Phiphat visit Ao Khaoy in Ranong where locals reported that 500 rai of land had been purchased in recent months through nominee companies known locally as 'Amma.'

Phiphat gave an interview stating that his statements were unrelated to him. Phakamol countered, asking why they wouldn't be related—he is the deputy prime minister and transport minister, and one of the strongest promoters of the Landbridge project. She called for the premier to investigate, noting that large-scale capital has been acquiring land locally called 'Amma,' warning that allowing land resources to concentrate in the hands of a few capitalists would result in exploitation of natural resources and concentrate wealth among elites rather than distribute it to the public.

Phakamol pointed out the coincidence: the person she identified as acquiring land happens to share the same name as AMA Marine Company Limited (a publicly listed company owned by Phiphat's brother), which provides international maritime liquid cargo transportation services, specializing in vegetable oils and petroleum products across Southeast and East Asia. This suspicious coincidence prompted Phiphat's hasty denial.

She suggested that when the SEC law is enforced in the South, it must prove transparency regarding whether there are conflicts of interest between the transport ministry and businesses in southern industrial estates. She referenced the oil crisis when oil capitalists failed to solve hoarding problems, and noted that as transport minister involved in the Landbridge project, Phiphat should investigate cases of large capital purchasing land, including land without title deeds and even mountainous terrain.

Phakamol remarked this was the most ridiculous news story she had encountered, saying Phiphat essentially implicated himself by hastily denying involvement instead of investigating as a responsible transport minister. She criticized him for prioritizing his own transparency rather than the country's, calling his timing 'hellish,' as he rushed to clarify on behalf of his brother's company rather than fulfill his ministerial duties.

Pimjai Leeissaranukul, president of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), led the organization's executive team in a meeting with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister at Government House to discuss economic and industrial development strategies.

The FTI currently has over 16,000 members covering 48 industrial groups and 76 provincial industrial chambers nationwide, with approximately 90% being SME entrepreneurs. These businesses represent a crucial economic mechanism for Thailand, accounting for over 30% of the country's GDP, or approximately 5.7 trillion baht.

The FTI is advancing its organizational mission under the vision "The New Chapter of Thai Industry: Empowering Growth with 5-I" to enhance Thai industry's competitiveness and prepare for the new global economy through five key strategies:

1. Intelligent Industry (I1) - Driving smart industry through digital and AI technology 2. Innovation & Creative Industry (I2) - Promoting innovation and creative industries for value addition 3. International Alliance & Network (I3) - Expanding international business cooperation and networks 4. Industrial Infrastructure Reform (I4) - Upgrading industrial infrastructure for competition 5. Inclusive & Sustainable Growth (I5) - Promoting balanced, inclusive, and sustainable growth

Six Economic Development Guidelines Proposed; Revival of Industry Board Cooperation

During the meeting, six key guidelines were proposed to accelerate Thailand's economic growth:

Promoting Made in Thailand Using State Budget for Economic Stimulus

Kanistha Mueangkrajang, FTI Vice President, proposed that the public sector use government procurement as an important mechanism to stimulate Thailand's economy by promoting Made in Thailand (MiT) products. The proposal suggests allocating at least 40% of the 200,000 billion baht budget target for MiT procurement by 2027 to direct government funds into Thai manufacturing, distribute income to SMEs, and maintain domestic employment.

The initiative also proposes establishing a "Joint Task Force between FTI and the Ministry of Industry" to link government procurement with private sector production capacity (Demand-Supply Matching), elevate MiT standards and modernization, and expand the MiT product database, particularly in construction materials, machinery, and electrical equipment sectors to support future government investment projects.

Launching "FTI SME Funding Connect" to Help SMEs Navigate Capital Access

Veerachai Mansindhore, FTI Vice President, proposed establishing "FTI SME Funding Connect," which would serve as a hub connecting SMEs with appropriate funding sources including credit, credit guarantees, contribution funds, co-investment funds, and government support programs.

The initiative also promotes SME credit system reform to systematically address capital access problems and help Thai SMEs recover and compete long-term.

Proposing SME Credit System Reform Through Seven Measures

A comprehensive "SME Credit System Reform" was proposed through seven key measures:

– Establish an "SME Credit War Room" using a real-time dashboard to monitor credit disbursement – Require banks to explain credit rejection reasons to SMEs within 15 days – Upgrade the Small Industry Credit Guarantee Corporation (SICGC) to an enhanced credit guarantee system