Parliament members are calling on the Commerce Ministry to regulate online platform fees after small merchants have been hit with heavy profit margins. During a 9:00 a.m. session on May 14, 2026 at Parliament, with Sophon Sarum presiding, members discussed the government's approach to setting commission rates on various online platforms, which is currently having a severe impact on people earning their living online.

Jury Num Gaeo, a Democratic Party member from Songkhla, raised concerns about the state's direction and measures regarding commission fees, or "GP fees," on online platforms. He emphasized that earning through online platforms has become a vital artery of Thailand's economy, but the growing problem is the constantly rising fee caps that the government cannot control.

Jury noted that platform commission fees are essentially a "booth rental" or "market head fee" that merchants must bear. He illustrated the impact with an example: if someone sells 100 baht worth of goods, they now must pay 30 baht in platform fees. For 1 million baht in sales, platforms take 300,000 baht—compared to the original free model.

Having been involved in online commerce from the beginning, Jury observed that when platforms once charged only 2-3%, they now constantly increase rates, with all profits ultimately flowing to the platform. He cited a notable example: a seller earned 2.1 million baht but had to pay the platform 700,000 baht, something entirely beyond their control.

Jury warned of deeper consequences extending beyond merchants to consumers. When sellers earn smaller profits, they must cut costs by reducing raw material quality, ultimately affecting product standards and creating a cascading problem for the future.

Jury urged the Commerce Ministry and related agencies to take action. He stated that if they can accept online merchants and OTOP vendors gradually collapsing one by one, they need do nothing. However, if they wish to prevent this growing crisis, they must regulate GP fees and platform commissions to fair levels proportionate to product percentages and categories.

On May 14, 2025, reporters covering the Yala Provincial Transport Office noted that officials opened services starting at 8:00 a.m. to provide convenient, fast, and uncrowded service for residents seeking to obtain or renew their driver's licenses. This follows viral social media footage of people arriving at dawn and rushing through the office doors when they opened, with some residents even falling over in the scramble to secure early queue numbers—alarming scenes that caught public attention.

Adulai Hayisae, Yala Provincial Transport Officer, revealed that in response to the previous congestion problems, the office has implemented a new service system and expanded operating hours. Previously, new driver's license applications were accepted only on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, causing a backlog of applicants. The office now serves clients every weekday (Monday through Friday) in accordance with Land Transport Department policy, and has added Saturday services to accommodate the large volume of residents in the area.

Queue Management and Time Efficiency: The office uses a systematic queue management system with special walk-in queue requests beginning at 5:00 a.m. to relieve congestion and increase capacity. Staff distribute walk-in applicants across available days based on seating capacity.

Service Categories: Online queue booking through the DLT SmartQueue system accommodates approximately 60 people daily, allowing applicants to know their exact queue time. For license renewals, residents who have completed the online e-Learning training can walk in immediately. Special training programs are offered for those unable to complete online training, such as elderly citizens, and for large vehicle license applications.

Capacity Enhancement: The office currently handles approximately 70-80 people per day (including walk-ins and online bookings), with staff stationed at various points to answer questions and facilitate the process.

Fraud Prevention: A fake news and fraud prevention center has been established to counter individuals falsely claiming they can obtain driver's licenses without exams in exchange for money. Transport officials firmly deny any policy allowing money payments to obtain driving licenses.

Ms. Kanyarat Yodthong, a service user, shared that while initial news of the crowding alarmed her, she found the system greatly improved when visiting today. She praised the staff's service quality and noted that the system runs smoothly and proportionately without the chaos seen in previous videos. Staff were stationed throughout to provide clear guidance and answer questions, leaving her feeling reassured and confident. She encouraged everyone to obtain their licenses properly and cooperate with the system to ensure smooth, quick service for all.

Lucky Numbers Spotted at Rishi Hermitage Sacred Pool: Three-Digit Group Floats Above Water Surface. A business owner made offerings to Grandfather Rishi Phrom Mesh after her business succeeded beyond all expectations. On May 14, 2025, reporters documented the atmosphere at Rishi Hermitage Dhatu Buddhist Merit in Ayutthaya Province—a renowned spiritual tourism site where visitors regularly pay respects to sacred objects to improve their fortune and seek blessings. The hermitage features multiple sacred items including a 16-meter-tall nine-faced Thao Wessuwanna Pang statue, Mae Thaekian, Phra Phikhanesh, Phra Sangkachai, Luang Pho Mi, Chindamani Cave, and Kumarn Thong. Devotees bring various offerings including pumpkins, red water, sweets, toys, bicycles, and rice. Many also request the hermitage master to inscribe lucky marks on their foreheads, perform wealth-opening rituals, and receive blessed conch water for prosperity. Nang Phimphasiri, 69 years old, shared that she brought rice, instant noodles, milk, canned fish, and eggs to make merit with Grandfather Rishi Phrom Mesh, as her previous prayer for business success had been answered. In the merit hall area near Grandfather Rishi Phrom Mesh's altar, lottery enthusiasts examined red candle wax drops in the sacred pool to divine lucky numbers. Two prominent digit groups were spotted floating on the water: 356 and 124, prompting many visitors to photograph them from various angles for their lottery selections.

On May 14, 2025, at Parliament, Chulaphant Amornvivat, Minister of Labor and Pheu Thai Party leader, addressed the case of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's interview regarding the press briefing by Deputy Prime Minister's Office Spokesperson Flight Lieutenant Pathdarasmi Thongsalueykorn on the deregulation of eight foreign businesses that require no permits, stating he had not yet discussed it with the Prime Minister.

Following the cabinet meeting last Tuesday (May 12), the team dispersed. The government spokesman's team is responsible for press briefings, and Chulaphant said he did not verify the content of the announcement, but based on preliminary discussion, the division of labor among deputy spokespeople is organized by ministry to ensure proper public communication. "Regarding the business matter, it was proposed by the Commerce Ministry to the cabinet. You must understand that the new deputy spokesman just started only a week ago and may need to adjust the pace and content of statements according to previous discussions, but nothing went wrong. Everyone is ready to work for maximum benefit," Chulaphant said.

When asked whether this would impact the coalition government's operations or smooth functioning, Chulaphant said there was nothing that wouldn't run smoothly and confirmed there was no issue requiring discussion with the Prime Minister. He stated it is the spokesman team's responsibility to discuss internally and adjust their working method, and he personally would not interfere with the government spokesman's work as they are capable of handling such matters.

Jeff Satur has returned to playing sports with updates on his latest project, which he's quite satisfied with. He insists he's not obsessed with maintaining a six-pack body.

The schedule has been relentlessly busy for Jeff Satur lately. He recently appeared at the "est Cola 3×3 Basketball U-League" campaign launch on May 14 at CU Sports Complex, where he opened up about his fitness regimen, sports activities, and new projects coming soon for his fans.

The young man admitted his schedule is quite packed, but he still tries to find time to exercise and play sports. He also revealed that his latest project has finished filming and he's very satisfied with the results. As for maintaining his physique, he's keeping it at about 70% discipline—not to the point of obsession, but doing his best to stay in shape.

How does it feel to play sports regularly? "It's really fun. Without days like this, I wouldn't have time to play sports at all. It's been a while since I've been able to, and it's great. But my schedule is packed right now."

What about your fitness? "I'm in decent shape. It's not bad. (You've been away from the court for a while, haven't you?) Yeah, quite a bit actually. I'd love to train more often and play with the younger guys, but I don't have much time. Still, whenever I get the chance to play like this, it's really fun."

You mentioned wanting to get abs—have you seen the struggle? "When playing, it's not that hard. But eating clean is the tough part. You have to eat dry chicken breast and boiled eggs. We don't just survive; we have to live life. (Since you said it was torture?) Yeah, torture. But when I see my physique on screen, it's worth it. (Do you still have to do it?) Kind of. I eat clean about 70% of the time."

Is your project done? "Yeah, it's done. (Will we see it this year?) I'm not sure, but I'm really happy with it. I can see myself with a nice tan. I dyed it too, and it suits the project."

Are you obsessed with your abs? "No, I'm just maintaining them. Whether they stay or not is fine. But after having them, I crave pastries and egg tarts. (How do you fight those cravings?) I look for zero-calorie foods."

BORDEAUX — 14 May 2026, French authorities barred more than 1,700 passengers and crew aboard the British cruise ship MS Ambition from disembarking after around 50 people fell ill in an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, officials said.

Authorities said there was no indication the outbreak was linked to the recent hantavirus cases reported aboard the Dutch-operated cruise ship MV Hondius.

The MS Ambition, operated by Ambassador Cruise Line, was on a 14-night voyage departing from Belfast and Liverpool, with scheduled stops in northern Spain and along France's Atlantic coast.

The vessel arrived in Bordeaux on the evening of 13 May.

Étienne Guyot, prefect of the Gironde department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, ordered passengers and crew to remain on board and restricted contact between the ship and Bordeaux port authorities following recommendations from regional health officials.

Authorities said about 50 passengers showed symptoms consistent with acute gastrointestinal infection after the ship's captain alerted French officials. Sick passengers were initially treated by onboard doctors and isolated in their cabins.

Medical teams supervised by France's maritime medical coordination centre were later deployed to the ship, while infectious disease specialists at Bordeaux University Hospital began analysing patient samples to identify the pathogen, assess transmission risks and determine additional health measures.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 16 gastrointestinal outbreaks were reported on cruise ships in 2024, the highest annual total in more than a decade. Most were linked to norovirus, including a recently identified strain believed to spread more easily.