Nawat Itsaragrisil, chief executive of Miss Grand International Public Company Limited, has announced a major regional expansion after securing rights to operate the Miss Universe business in five ASEAN countries.

In a filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the company said its executive board approved the agreement at a meeting on 30 April 2026.

Under the deal, the company has obtained exclusive rights to manage and operate the Miss Universe licence in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos.

The agreement covers national pageant organisation, related events and activities, commercial development tied to the brand, and the right to appoint one local sublicense partner in each country.

Miss Grand said the move strengthens its position in the regional pageant industry and expands its business footprint across Southeast Asia.

The company previously acquired the rights to organise Miss Universe Thailand in 2025.

The Thai Cycling Association is advancing personnel development in line with its strategic plan by launching a foundational national-level cycling coach training program. Federation President General Decha Mekarachari announced that the association is conducting its 2025 training curriculum in collaboration with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), beginning with a foundational cycling coach development and skills enhancement program from May 13-17 at Wasitthi City Hotel in Suphan Buri province. Twenty representatives from member clubs will participate, with the International Cycling Union (UCI) appointing American professional mountain bike coach Robert Huber Jr.—a Level 4 certified instructor—as the program's lead trainer.

General Decha stated that the program aligns with the federation's strategic vision, which extends beyond athlete development to encompass comprehensive personnel development across multiple domains: coaching, refereeing from apprentice to international levels, and professional bicycle mechanic training. This comprehensive approach enables the association to build a skilled workforce capable of advancing Thai cyclists to international standards.

"Our approach to elevating Thai coaches starts with building a strong foundation by recruiting new coaches through programs coordinated with both the Sports Authority of Thailand and the UCI," General Decha explained. "We primarily select participants from our member clubs to ensure we're developing coaches with solid theoretical and practical knowledge in cycling. These trained coaches will serve as crucial drivers in developing the next generation of cyclists for Thailand's national team and sustained success. Currently, we're seeing a significant increase in capable young coaches."

General Decha noted that five Thai coaches—"Coach Tum" (Wissuth Kasiyapat), "Coach Bass" (Pongchong Saiudomsil), "Coach B" (Juthadip Maniphanthae), "Coach Nop" (Adisak Wangsri), and national team cyclist "TJ" (Jay Angsudasavit)—have completed the UCI Level 3 advanced coaching curriculum at the World Cycling Center in Eagle, Switzerland. After six years of training at the world center, they earned certification and are now licensed UCI coaches eligible to work globally.

"The association continuously invests in personnel development, offering multiple courses annually across road, track, mountain bike, and BMX disciplines," General Decha said. "We've also been developing referees with strong UCI support for both national and advanced-level international training. Most recently, BMX cycling referee Katthiya Srisodata passed the theory exam for the UCI international referee program and is awaiting practical examination in June. Once certified, Thailand will have added another international BMX referee to our current roster of one international road and track referee, Nathpong Lohitnavi."

At 2:20 PM on May 5, 2025, at Government House, Wannor Muhammadnor Matha, Prime Minister's Advisor and Chairman of Palang Pracharath Party Council, met with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister at the Thai Khu Fah Building.

At 3:35 PM, Wannor gave an interview stating he had come to report to the PM on progress made since being tasked with finding ways to achieve peace in the southern border provinces. He said he had done his homework and came to brief the PM.

When asked how the initial push to solve the southern border problem had been framed, Wannor said they had set 2-3 key points: to bring peace to the southern provinces, they must build strong pillars including area security, ensuring justice, and economic prosperity for the people. He noted the PM had tasked the National Security Council with dialogue with those holding different views, and he himself was reviewing what could help achieve peace according to the PM's policy. The PM also has other teams working on this, and Wannor offered his perspective as someone familiar with the southern border region through work with 2-3 previous governments.

When asked if the situation would improve after talking with dissenting groups, Wannor said the problems had accumulated over many governments and would take time to resolve properly. However, if they act with genuine intent and follow the late King Bhumibol's principles that the PM has instructed all parties to implement—understanding, access, and development—they can succeed.

Wannor said he told the PM they would do everything to the best of their ability, particularly ensuring safety, since it is tragic when civilians or security personnel lose their lives and their families lose opportunities. They must maximize safety as much as possible.

Reporters noted that after the interview, the PM walked Wannor to his office in Command Building 2, fifth floor, and took the opportunity to tour Wannor's office before returning to Thai Khu Fah Building without giving any statement.

Thailand's bid to host the 2030 Youth Olympic Games, which advanced to the final selection round alongside Chile and Paraguay for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), faces a critical setback. The IOC dispatched representatives last week to assess Thailand's readiness to host the competition.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Punthajerawkul announced today (May 5) that after presenting the proposal to the cabinet meeting and careful deliberation, the government determined that Thailand currently lacks the economic and financial capacity to host. The event would require a budget of 5 billion baht, leading the government to conclude it cannot commit the necessary funds at this time.

The minister stated the government will not submit a letter of commitment to the IOC by next week's deadline, as Thailand has determined it is not ready to proceed as host.

"We must acknowledge that the government currently needs to borrow funds to address the energy crisis and provide relief to the people," Surasak explained. "Therefore, we are not prepared to allocate the budget required for hosting this competition. Furthermore, contingency plans from relevant agencies remain unclear. I have consulted with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and we will present this matter to the cabinet shortly for review of our hosting proposal. Once the cabinet reaches a decision, we will send a letter to the International Olympic Committee explaining that Thailand is not ready to proceed, along with the reasons I've outlined."

The Finance Ministry reported that Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprasert signed a ministerial order effective May 3, 2026, establishing a new succession line of nine officials to serve as acting Revenue Department Commissioner in cases where the commissioner position is vacant or the incumbent is unable to perform duties. The appointed successors in order are: Somsak Anantavat, advisor for tax collection strategy (energy business group); Kriangsak Prasoeng Sukanchon, efficiency advisor; Phinyyu Kamaenidlom, information technology and communications advisor; Salakchit Pongsirijan, advisor for tax collection strategy (financial services and banking group); Jitra Neesanant, tax base development advisor; Phavuvat Luangvilai, deputy commissioner; Suruyut Kobkitpanichphol, deputy commissioner; Khrida Kritiyachotiporpkorn, deputy commissioner; and Khwanruak Suwanram, deputy commissioner. This succession arrangement follows the resignation of Dr. Kulaya Tantittemit from his position as Revenue Department Commissioner before reaching retirement age.

Bangkok Hospital's main headquarters continues to inspire the next generation of doctors through the "Bangkok Hospital New Gen Doctors Workshop 2026 #2," following positive feedback from last year's inaugural event. Dr. Ekkitti Surakarn, Deputy Director of Bangkok Hospital, welcomed participants while Dr. Vasupol Manomaiwendt, a cardiologist at Bangkok Heart Hospital, provided guidance on the path to becoming a physician. Throughout the event, specialist doctors and experienced multidisciplinary teams conducted Medical Skills Workshops including CPR training, Basic Life Support (BLS), ICU care, surgical suturing practice in a simulated operating room, and emergency first aid. Selected participants also had the opportunity to experience cutting-edge robot-assisted surgery technology through the "Doctors Talk, Robots Show" program, where they could test the Surgeon Console and experience the precision and benefits of robotic surgery for patient care.

The "Bangkok Hospital New Gen Doctors Workshop #2" represents an important initiative by Bangkok Hospital to prepare the next generation of physicians. The program offers young people interested in medicine the chance to discover their career path, gain practical learning experience, and develop a deeper understanding of what it means to work as a physician.