The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has explained its personnel transfers and position rotations for officials completing four-year tenures, aimed at preventing concentrated power and eliminating personal conflicts of interest in their work. On March 10, 2025, the Royal Gazette published new NACC regulations signed by the commission's chairman, taking effect March 4, designed to enhance transparency and improve personnel management aligned with the organization's new structure.

The Personnel Management Regulation No. 5 establishes clear duty periods: officials in director positions must be rotated after three consecutive years, while group directors and center directors must be transferred after four years. The NACC emphasized three key reasons for mandatory four-year rotations: protecting personnel and their families in provincial and regional anti-corruption work from threats and intimidation; preventing officials from misusing authority or personal relationships to benefit their work areas; and addressing historical issues where some officials transferred from the predecessor agency remained in the same regional offices, merely changing positions without actual relocation.

The commission stated that in the past, over 3,000 cases were pending, with some important cases exceeding the statute of limitations. However, the current NACC board has reduced pending cases to several hundred and established a two-year case resolution timeline with one-year extensions. Currently, the NACC has over 2,000 personnel nationwide and plans to add 1,500 more within two years to strengthen proactive operations. This expansion is crucial as corruption costs Thailand hundreds of billions of baht annually. Thailand's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index score of 33 out of 100 placed it 116th globally and 7th in Southeast Asia, prompting urgent action. The NACC stressed that the personnel transfers were conducted transparently by a multi-department committee, though some individuals may object.

Pompam Niti, also known as "Grandma Pompam," a renowned broadcaster, actress, writer and producer famous for shows like Thai Travel and Talk-Ka-Gay, shook up the stand-up comedy world with her first-ever performance last year titled "Born, Aged, Sick: Grandma POMPAM's Stand Up Comedy." Though the laughter-filled performance was well-received, fans have been clamoring for an encore.

Now Grandma Pompam is back with a brand new stand-up comedy show: "EUCERIN Presents POMPAM'S STAND UP COMEDY – Rambling Elder with Dry Mouth, Holding Strong in Old Age SHINE Version," scheduled for Sunday, July 12, 2026, with two shows at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM at Ballroom 1-2, Level 1 of Siri Kiti Convention Center.

This time around, Pompam takes the stage to share her personal stories about perseverance and resilience while navigating life's increasing complications and striving to live healthily. She explores dealing with people of different personalities and ages, workplace chaos, family matters, and a modern coming-of-age experience in a different phase of life.

"Rambling Elder with Dry Mouth" doesn't describe a cranky old person, but rather someone who talks endlessly, sharing stories from late adolescence that must be experienced to gracefully transition into old age—experiences you may not enjoy but must live through nonetheless.

Don't miss it! "EUCERIN Presents POMPAM'S STAND UP COMEDY – Rambling Elder with Dry Mouth, Holding Strong in Old Age SHINE Version" tickets go on sale May 23 via Thai Ticket Major branches and www.thaiticketmajor.com. Prices: 2,500 / 3,000 / 3,500 baht. Follow Nang Maew Paa on all social media channels for more details.

The announcement made on May 14 has once again generated buzz as a Malaysian Pokémon card collector listed his personal collection for sale at 4.44 million Malaysian ringgit, approximately 36.6 million baht, with a broker commission of over 80,000 ringgit or roughly 660,000 baht for whoever successfully finds a buyer.

Damiral Imran, a collector from Penang state in Malaysia, previously made headlines when he sold a complete Pokémon card set for 1.87 million ringgit or about 14 million baht. Recently, in early May, he posted on Facebook announcing the sale of part of his personal Pokémon card collection, pricing it at 4,444,444 Malaysian ringgit or approximately 36.6 million baht.

Imran revealed that he spent only six months accumulating this collection and estimates the current market value between 4.68 to 4.75 million ringgit or roughly 38-39 million baht. He also accepts exchange offers in the form of 3.8 million ringgit in cash, approximately 31.3 million baht, plus a Mercedes-AMG GTS sports car.

To increase the chances of closing the sale, the collector is offering a 660,000 baht commission to anyone who successfully helps find a buyer. All transactions will be conducted in cash with direct delivery in Kuala Lumpur.

Previously, Imran set a record selling a Pokémon card set valued at over 2 million ringgit (approximately 16.5 million baht) for 1.87 million ringgit (about 14 million baht) within just 10 days of the announcement. At that time, he offered the buyer the option to pay 1 million ringgit (around 8.2 million baht) in cash plus a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S sports car, but ultimately the buyer chose to pay the full amount in cash instead.

The popularity of Pokémon cards continues to grow among collectors worldwide, particularly rare cards and complete collections whose values have increased rapidly over the past several years.

At 10:40 AM on May 14, 2025, during a parliamentary session chaired by House Speaker Sophon Sararum, Democrat Party MP Karan Chatigavanich questioned Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanaprasad about capital market problems and the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) handling of an oil refinery company allowing Thauvin capital group members to join its board in 2024.

Ekniti explained that regarding oil prices, the Finance Ministry reviewed refining margins and presented findings to the Cabinet on April 7, concluding that excess profit margins existed. He stated the proposal was to use excess profits for public benefit and create a transparent system by reducing refining margins and evaluating actual costs. The Cabinet approved these measures on April 8, reducing excess refining margins by 2 baht per liter for March and 5 baht per liter for April.

On the 400 billion baht emergency loan decree, Ekniti noted this crisis differs from 1997's currency crisis or the global financial crisis, as it stems from energy and cost-of-living issues affecting purchasing power. He characterized it as an urgent economic security matter.

Regarding the SEC, Ekniti stated it operates as an independent agency under Finance Ministry oversight. New regulations were approved prohibiting individuals from companies with legal violations from joining boards. He instructed SEC officials to enforce good governance, transparency, and clarity, directing the Finance Ministry's representative to support independent directors and remove representatives of legally-troubled companies from risk committees.

On the SEC chairman issue, Ekniti instructed the SEC secretary and Finance Ministry permanent secretary to strictly follow legal procedures. If investigation clearly proves wrongdoing and unsuitability for office, removal will proceed according to law. Regarding Thauvin capital, he confirmed close coordination with the Justice Ministry and stated he fulfilled his legal responsibilities without inaction.

Deputy National Police Chief Trairongpol Phonphisai, speaking as spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, announced progress on May 14, 2025, in the "dismantling foreign shell companies on Koh Phangan" operation. Following government policy and the National Police Office's directive to scrutinize foreigners engaged in tourism or business in Thailand within legal frameworks, authorities have been conducting targeted investigations in areas with high concentrations of foreign residents and investors. Koh Phangan has been identified as a priority target area.

Authorities conducting investigations on Koh Phangan identified a total of 3,754 registered companies, with 2,381 involving foreign shareholders. Two suspects have been arrested, three additional arrest warrants have been issued, and 37 land title deeds valued at over 150 million baht have been seized. Investigators will now accelerate efforts to trace financial flows and identify true beneficial owners.

While foreigners may legally conduct business in Thailand under legal frameworks, such as shareholding within legally prescribed limits, the primary issue identified is the use of "nominees"—Thai nationals holding shares on behalf of foreigners—to conceal foreign ownership of businesses and assets, which violates Thai law. Officers are currently investigating cross-shareholding patterns among various companies to determine if they constitute illegal fronting schemes, with evidence suggesting certain Thai individuals repeatedly serve as shareholders or directors across multiple companies, potentially qualifying them as "shell companies" or nominee entities.

Regarding potential involvement of state officials or law offices, Deputy Chief Trairongpol stated that investigators are examining whether relevant individuals or entities "knew or should have known" that business registrations facilitated foreign concealment of control over Thai businesses. This particularly applies to law offices and lawyers facilitating company formation, which will require careful evidentiary examination.

Thai nationals acting as nominees who are found to have knowingly assisted or facilitated foreign share-holding may face criminal liability. Two cases are currently under prosecution with additional charges pending. Deputy Chief Trairongpol emphasized that this operation aligns with government policy and the National Police Commissioner's directive to intensify suppression of foreign capital groups using Thai nominees, thereby preventing illegal foreign control and ownership of Thai businesses and assets.

A 37-year-old Taiwanese man's decision to file for divorce has become a hot topic on Taiwan's internet after his wife secretly gave away his Nintendo Switch 2 to someone else because she disapproved of how often he played games.

The story began when the wife anonymously posted to a Facebook page venting about her husband. She explained that he has worked at an industrial company for over 10 years and currently holds a manager position with an annual income of approximately 2 million baht. Although he has a stable job, she views him as lacking "ambition" because he spends his free time after work playing sports and games. She decided to give away his Nintendo Switch 2 without telling him beforehand.

She also mentioned that while her husband only keeps about 10,000 baht monthly for personal use, he was willing to spend 5,000 baht on a "mystery box" and was lucky enough to get a Nintendo Switch 2. He then plays Pokémon every night until late, which deeply upset her.

However, when the story spread online, the public response wasn't what she expected. Many netizens felt the husband was handling his family responsibilities and finances well, and that having a hobby to relieve stress is normal.

The husband later posted a response on the same Facebook page, revealing that he has already signed the divorce papers and is waiting for formal proceedings. He emphasized that the main reason for ending the marriage was his wife's disrespect—giving away his Nintendo Switch 2 without his consent.

He shared that his wife constantly criticized him for still playing games at 37 years old, saying he "doesn't know how to improve himself" and compared him unfavorably to people in the tech industry with higher incomes.

He explained that his daily life is filled with pressure from work, meetings, sales targets, managing subordinates, and family responsibilities. The only time he feels like himself again is at night after everyone goes to bed, when he quietly plays games alone in the living room.

He also revealed that since marriage, almost all his income has gone to his wife to manage. The house and car are both registered under her name, while he keeps only a small amount for himself. The 5,000 baht spent on the mystery box was the first time he wanted to "buy happiness for himself."

He admitted that what hurt most wasn't losing the gaming device, but his wife's lack of respect for his interests and feelings. When discussing the divorce, he was willing to give her everything—the house, savings, and all assets—asking only for the Nintendo Switch 2 and the mystery box contents back. But her response broke his heart. She said, "If you ask for it back, I'll lose face."

This made him realize that what mattered to his wife wasn't their relationship, but rather dignity and image. He decided to end the marriage with these parting words:

"This divorce may be the best and bravest decision of my life. I truly cannot spend my entire life with someone like this."

After reading the husband's account, most netizens expressed support for him, agreeing that the real issue isn't about gaming, but about a lack of mutual respect in the marriage.

Source: Oriental Daily Edited by the Online News Team