The MONEY EXPO 2026 financial festival generated 11.6 billion baht in transactions over four busy days, with home loans and refinancing emerging as the star products. The organizers are preparing to continue momentum with the 16th Haad Yai Financial Expo scheduled for July 3-5 at Central Shopping Centre Haad Yai in Songkhla Province, following the successful 26th Bangkok Money Expo held May 7-10 at Impact Muang Thong Thani.

According to Pakani Viriyarangsirisit, event co-chair, the expo recorded over 11.6 billion baht in financial and investment transactions from more than 21,700 participants through both in-person attendance and online transactions via www.moneyexpo.net. Home loans and refinancing dominated the transaction rankings with combined borrowing amounts exceeding 4.15 billion baht, as major banks competed with attractive promotions including 0% interest rates. Leading banks such as Krung Thai Bank, Bangkok Bank, and Government Savings Bank offered special packages: Krung Thai Bank featured rates starting at 1.60% for the first three months with up to 100% financing and maximum 40-year terms, while Bangkok Bank provided first-year refinancing at 1.49% with waived registration and appraisal fees. Asset management companies (AMCs) also participated by offering over 21,000 second-hand properties including single houses, condominiums, land, townhouses, and commercial buildings throughout Thailand, with some offering zero interest for 24 months on direct installment plans.

SME loans ranked second with combined borrowing and guarantees exceeding 2.92 billion baht. Banks introduced specialized packages including SME D Bank's "3 Plus" program offering 3% interest over three years with maximum loan amounts of 30 million baht, Thai Commercial Bank's business loans at 2.99% for the first three months, and EXIM Bank's soft loans providing 3% interest for the first two years with 30 million baht maximum and up to five-year repayment terms.

On May 14, 2025, Lieutenant General Surpol Prembut, commander of Provincial Police Region 4, ordered an investigation team led by Major General Kritasarn Bamrungrutnayos and other officers to conduct raids on targets related to online gambling in Tak Province. Using a warrant from Mae Sot Provincial Court (No. 93/2569), officers raided a residence in Mae Kasa Subdistrict, Mae Sot District, Tak Province, and arrested former Police Lieutenant Buawan Chammanee, 33, a Tak Province native. Investigators seized one computer, one mobile phone, and one internet router.

The investigation revealed that the 'maruay 365' website had over 64,000 members and had been operating for more than two years. The site generated approximately 40 million baht monthly, or 480 million baht annually, offering illegal online gambling services including lottery, slots, foreign football betting, baccarat, tiger-dragon, high-low dice, and other games.

During questioning, Buawan admitted to working as an administrator managing customer communications for the gambling site for over three months, earning 20,000 baht monthly. He faces charges under the Computer Crime Act for operating an illegal online gambling platform and facilitating others' participation in gambling without authorization.

BANGKOK — 14 May 2026, Chinese actress Zhao Lusi, affectionately known to fans as "Rosy", has sparked a social media frenzy after appearing with a handbag from Thai fashion brand FUNDAO, drawing attention from both Thai and international media.

Thai fashion value soars after the Asian superstar, who has long enjoyed a warm reception from fans during visits to Thailand, was recently photographed carrying a handbag from Thai brand FUNDAO while posing with her favorite dachshund doll. This latest display of soft power continues to elevate Thai fashion's presence in the international arena.

Zhao paired a lace camisole-style outfit and the minimalist "AVA mini" handbag in Ivory, designed by Thai designer Yin-Fundao Baesakul. The bag creates an elegant aesthetic associated with the "Quiet Luxury" look, featuring its minimalist yet distinctive butterfly-wing silhouette and detailed handcrafted elements. Zhao's "ROSYDOEDIAN TOYS" plushie also made a cameo, adding a cute, playful touch that sent social media into a frenzy.

Fans were quick to take notice, instantly rushing to identify the bag and hailing it as the latest "it bag" after Zhao was seen using it. While FUNDAO had already gained recognition among international fashion circles and had been adopted by fashion enthusiasts worldwide, Zhao's endorsement is being viewed as another significant moment for Thailand's soft power movement. The attention generated by the actress has not only created excitement among fans but also intensified interest in Thai fashion in both domestic and international markets, marking another milestone for global recognition of Thai designers.

A Chinese tourist had an unforgettable Bali experience when a monkey snatched his smartphone right out of his hands and nearly sent it tumbling off a cliff. Fortunately, the phone was recovered, but when he checked his photo album, he found a major surprise that went viral online.

According to the tourist known as "Hu," the incident occurred on May 11 while he was visiting a popular tourist spot on the island of Bali. Suddenly, a monkey rushed in and grabbed his phone, then quickly ran off.

After the incident, he immediately sought help from local staff, who warned him to prepare himself as the monkey might throw the phone off a cliff, making recovery impossible. However, about two hours later, the staff successfully retrieved the phone.

But the story didn't end there. When Hu opened his photo album, he discovered numerous photos that appeared to have been taken randomly, along with a 23-second video clip that looked like the monkey was vlogging its own life.

He believes that after the monkey grabbed the phone, it accidentally tapped the camera shortcut on the screen, causing the phone to inadvertently record images and videos of the monkey's jungle life while it was running away.

After posting the clip on social media, it went viral instantly. Many netizens shared similar experiences of having glasses, hats, or headphones stolen by monkeys, joking that these monkeys were "gang thieves of the tourist destination."

Kia Sales Thailand is launching its May campaign with valuable offers covering the entire Kia lineup to meet the needs of Thai customers across all lifestyles. This campaign demonstrates Kia's confidence in its product range and reinforces its position as an intelligent choice for customers seeking world-class vehicles with excellent value and long-term ownership benefits. Special offers are presented for each model as follows: The Kia EV5, a 100% electric SUV equipped with advanced cabin technology, features a special price starting at 1.08 million baht (Air trim after 319,000 baht discount). The Kia Sorento PHEV is a three-row, six-seat SUV combining plug-in hybrid performance with premium comfort and AWD capability at a special price of 1.499 million baht (after 600,000 baht discount). The New Kia Carnival HEV offers luxurious hybrid driving, ideal for families and executives, with a 200,000 baht discount. The Kia Carnival Diesel SXL continues to set the standard as a premium MPV, available with a 595,000 baht discount (for Astra Blue color). Beyond attractive pricing, Kia strengthens ownership confidence with comprehensive care packages including up to 7 years of vehicle warranty, up to 8 years of high-voltage battery warranty, and 24-hour emergency assistance service. Customers can now experience and test drive all Kia models at official dealers nationwide or visit www.kia.com/th for additional details.

A Thai employee working a mobile meatball food cart became furious when his Vietnamese employer refused to purchase a grindstone for his motorcycle sidecar. In a drunken rage, he grabbed a knife and slashed his boss's throat, nearly killing him.

At 11:00 AM on May 14, 2025, Deputy Sergeant Atsit Rungchet of Rattanakosin Police Station received a report of an assault with an injury victim. The incident occurred on Nonthaburi Soi 48, Branch 9 in Tha Trai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nonthaburi Province. Officers rushed to the scene.

The incident took place at a two-story townhouse used as a meatball preparation and sales location, with a motorcycle sidecar food cart parked in front. Signs of a violent struggle were visible, including a fallen tree. The injured victim, Tuan Ho, 55, a Vietnamese national, received first aid from Nonthaburi municipal rescue workers. He sustained a knife wound to the throat, a fish-shaped laceration, and multiple abrasions from the struggle. He was transferred to Phra Nang Klao Hospital.

Police arrested the suspect at the scene: Jamrus, 45, from Kalasin Province, who was found in a state of intoxication. A fruit peeler knife was seized as evidence. The suspect confessed to the assault while intoxicated, claiming he wanted the grindstone to sell better goods from his cart, but the victim refused to buy it for him. He admitted to slashing the victim's throat, intending to kill him, but the victim survived.

Nguyen Thi Thao, 42, the victim's wife, stated she was on the second floor when she heard her husband arguing with Jamrus, the Thai employee. The suspect had been living with them despite lacking a permanent residence. She noted that he had been drinking and bringing women into the house. That morning, he had asked her husband for the grindstone, but when refused, he became drunk and aggressive. She recalled he had previously hit and kicked her husband and slapped a friend, but this time he acted with extreme violence.

Police initially charged Jamrus with attempted murder. He was detained along with the knife evidence and transferred to Rattanakosin Police Station in Nonthaburi for further legal proceedings.