MGC-ASIA delivered strong results in Q1 2025, achieving a record net profit of 323 million baht—a 488% increase year-on-year—marking the third consecutive quarter of growth. Group CEO Santhavuth Thamchawaviriya attributed the expansion to the electric vehicle and renewable energy business, which boosted total revenue to 6.08 billion baht, up 49.6%. The primary growth drivers include Neo Mobility Asia's earnings contribution and the sustained expansion of the EV market, as consumers increasingly choose premium electric vehicles in response to volatile energy prices and oil costs.

The company views the automotive industry's future as competition not merely in vehicle sales but in building business ecosystems that connect customers and generate sustained long-term revenue—a strategy MGC-ASIA has developed over 25 years. Response to electric vehicles at the Bangkok International Motor Show remained strong following the launches of the XPENG X9, BMW iX3, ZEEKR 009, and BMW i5, resulting in over 2,000 backorders with deliveries beginning in Q2.

Other group businesses also performed well. Alpha X's financial services grew 1,765% with profit contribution of 11.4 million baht from wealth lending clients, while Howden Maxi insurance expanded its customer base. Car rental operations through Master Car Rental and SIXT generated 489 million baht in revenue, up 14.7%, benefiting from tourism recovery and corporate demand. Used vehicle sales reached 273.5 million baht, up 26.6%, maintaining healthy margins through efficient inventory and cost management.

Aftersales service and MMS service centers generated 931 million baht across dealerships and service centers for premium brands including BMW, MINI, Honda, Rolls-Royce, and Harley-Davidson, with plans underway to expand showrooms and service centers in major economic cities nationwide.

Khorat durian has distinctive characteristics that set it apart from Eastern region varieties, making it highly desirable in the market. Khorat durian features dense flesh, small seeds, minimal fibers, and a creamy, melting texture—sweet with a crispy exterior and tender interior, with a subtle aroma.

Thongsanun Durian Orchard, owned by Somchai Chaisamrong, a 43-year-old farmer from Ban Nong Jan, Takhaibaan Subdistrict, Khorat District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, harvested and began selling Khorat durian to market earlier than anyone else, starting in early May. Meanwhile, other orchards in Khorat District and throughout the Northeast are waiting to harvest in late June.

The farm owner attempted off-season durian production to reduce market competition pressures in the area and maintain standard pricing. Thongsanun orchard sells durian at 130-150 baht per kilogram. Importantly, the distinctive flavor differentiates it from commonly available Eastern region durian.

Somchai deliberately accelerated off-season production to achieve better prices. Eastern region durian produces from March, while Northeast and Southern durians produce from June to August. He chose to have his orchard produce in May instead. The durian trees have been cultivated for approximately 8 years. Originally, they would produce simultaneously with Northeast and Southern durians (June-August), creating intense market competition that sometimes resulted in below-normal prices. He decided to speed up flowering, beginning in late July 2568. However, persistently hot weather made flowering more difficult than usual, requiring precise water management and moisture control at appropriate levels.

This required considerable experience, as disease and pest management presented additional challenges requiring special attention. Despite being the first year attempting off-season production, results proved satisfactory, with yields not significantly lower than normal season production.

The advantage of off-season Northeast durian production lies in the product characteristics. Khorat and volcanic durians possess distinctive qualities that differ from Eastern and Southern varieties, which have already flooded the market for some time. Most market competition is therefore among Northeast region durians themselves.

Producing Northeast durian during this period targets the timeframe when Eastern region durian supplies decline while Northeast and Southern orchards still await their late June harvest. May harvests therefore represent an important opportunity to achieve premium prices and meet strong market demand. Currently, durian from this orchard sells at 130-150 baht per kilogram depending on grade.

Given the significant expansion of durian cultivation areas in the Northeast region, if farmers can properly maintain production without drought or storm damage, yields will increase substantially, intensifying price pressures. Meanwhile, production costs rise annually. Break-even prices should be approximately 100 baht per kilogram. If the government truly wishes to assist durian farmers, it should focus on reducing production costs—fertilizer, pesticides, and various risk factors—as this directly addresses root causes rather than other approaches. This would enable farmers to sell durian at break-even prices while consumers enjoy reasonably-priced fruit.

Somchai's Thongsanun orchard comprises approximately 50 trees on roughly 3 acres, with projected yields of about 6 tons.

Koh Pha Ngan nominee raids target 32 suspected companiesLegacyMore than 300 police officers raided 32 companies on Koh Pha Ngan this morning, May 13, as part of a crackdown on suspected foreign nominee businesses allegedly using Thai nationals to hold land on behalf of foreigners. Deputy national police chief Samran Nualma led the operation at 9am alongside officers from multiple police units, including the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, Immigration Bureau, Provincial Police Region 8, Surat Thani police and Crime Suppression Division officers. Police searched 32 target companies on Koh Pha Ngan. The companies reportedly hold 37 land plots worth around 150 million baht through suspected nominee arrangements designed to bypass Thai foreign business laws. Photo via DailyNews Investigators also sought to arrest four suspects linked to alleged illegal foreign business operations and nominee shareholding schemes. The group included one foreign national and three Thai nationals. DailyNews reported that during the searches, officers seized company registration records, shareholder documents, meeting reports, land title deeds, land sale agreements, lease contracts and management agreements. Police also confiscated financial evidence, including bank account records, income and expenditure statements, and documents related to international money transfers. Digital data and computer equipment were also seized for further examination. Photo via DailyNews Similarly, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui in Surat Thani today, following investigations into more than 10,000 businesses operated by foreigners through Thai nominees. The Department of Business Development (DBD) and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) recently launched a nationwide crackdown targeting illegal foreign-operated businesses using Thai nationals as nominees, particularly in major tourist destinations. Officials reported that southern Thailand had the highest number of suspected nominee-run operations. On Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui alone, investigators identified 11,426 companies allegedly linked to foreign ownership through Thai nominees. According to officials, 3,212 suspected illegal businesses were located on Koh Pha Ngan, while another 8,214 were found on Koh Samui. The story Koh Pha Ngan nominee raids target 32 suspected companies as seen on Thaiger News.

KGI Securities Marks 17 Years with Launch of 1,100 New DW Warrants to Capture Fund Flows into Thailand

KGI Securities, a giant in the derivatives market, celebrates 17 years of success with DW13 warrants capturing a historic 70% market share, reinforcing its image as the most trusted derivatives trading platform among Thai investors.

Jenwittaya Chingkulkitniwatvon, Executive Vice President of Derivatives Business at KGI Securities (Thailand) Public Company Limited, revealed that amid volatile Thai stock market conditions hovering around 1,500 points and facing headwinds from inflation and Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions, investors are seeking tools to "capture profits" and hedge risks. DW13 provides the ideal solution.

Key Factors Behind DW13's Dominance

KGI's ability to capture 70% market share stems from its "Localized Standard" strategy, which goes beyond global standards to develop products specifically for Thai investors. This includes the Thaiwarrant.com website and precisely calibrated pricing tables.

Both Offense and Defense: Investors use SET50 Put DW as a "shield" to protect portfolios during stock declines and Call DW as a "sword" to profit during rallies.

Beyond Buy & Hold: Sophisticated investment strategies using high-leverage DW on individual stocks with deep basis adjustments, strong volume recovery, and potential for significant rebounds.

2025 Strategy: Launching 1,100 New Products

To meet overwhelming demand, KGI plans to make history in 2025 by launching over 1,100 DW products for the first time, expanding its investor base across all trading styles—from extreme leverage enthusiasts to long-term strategy investors.

"We stand beside Thai investors and are ready to elevate industry standards further, making DW13 the weapon of choice for traders in all market conditions," Jenwittaya concluded.

Investors can check prices and access more information at www.thaiwarrant.com, the definitive source for DW warrants that traders need to know about.

CHUMPHON — On May 13, 2026, Thai police seized more than 519 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and arrested two suspects during a late-night drug interdiction operation in southern Thailand.

The suspects were detained at approximately 04:10 near the Pathomphon checkpoint on Phetkasem Road in Muang district, Chumphon province, a key transit route through Thailand's southern region.

Police also confiscated a vehicle and two mobile phones during the operation.

The seizure was conducted by officers from the Pathomphon checkpoint under the supervision of Provincial Police Region 8 and Chumphon provincial police, which have intensified inspections along major southern highways as traffickers continue attempting to move narcotics through the area.

The operation was directed by Lieutenant General Sitthichai Lokanphai, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, along with senior regional and provincial police commanders.

Officers led by Lieutenant Colonel Piyaphon Chatphum, chief of the Pathomphon checkpoint, stopped and searched the suspects' vehicle before discovering the methamphetamine shipment.

Authorities charged the two suspects with possession of a Category 1 narcotic with intent to distribute without authorization, an offense related to commercial trafficking and public security threats under Thai law.

Investigators said they are expanding the inquiry to identify additional suspects and trace the broader trafficking network believed to be operating in southern Thailand and neighboring provinces.

GMM Grammy has selected 10 talented young people from over 2,300 nationwide applicants for the "Youth Preserving Thai Music" program seasons 1 and 2, organized by the Office of the Royal Household. The initiative aims to develop youth potential in vocal and instrumental arts, preserve traditional Thai Luk Thung and Luk Krung music for sustainability, and inspire the next generation of professional artists through the professional artist selection process and behind-the-scenes entertainment industry tours.

The highlight of the visit was entering GMM Grammy's trainee artist selection process. All participants performed their singing and dancing skills on stage with full effort and dedication, judged by professional selectors including Vice President of Music Academy Withawat Weeranyano and Dance Trainer Supervisor Nopas Rodboon, who provided personalized feedback and recommendations. Participants also toured BLKGEM Studio to see artist development preparation for debuts, GMM Music Studio to observe producers and equipment used in creating hit songs, ATIME Media to experience live radio broadcasting, and One31 Channel studio to see real-time broadcast operations and professional news reporting by anchors Anuwat and Srisupang.

Participant Cartoon (Salilthip Suotrang) from season 1 and Miki (Orallin Punyawatthanon) from season 2 shared their excitement about the opportunity to showcase their talents on stage with professional guidance and witness real entertainment industry operations. Music (Pochon Boonma), also from season 2, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to pursue his artist dreams and gain inspiration from the professionals at GMM Grammy.

Over the past two seasons, the Youth Preserving Thai Music program has become a launching point for thousands of young people nationwide. The announcement for season 3 will be held on May 15 at the Office of the Royal Household.