On May 13, Phakamol Hunnanon, Pheu Thai Party list MP and spokesperson, responded to Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn's claim that he has no connection to land acquisitions near the Landbridge project. She noted that during a shadow cabinet meeting, she had suggested Phiphat visit Ao Khaoy in Ranong where locals reported that 500 rai of land had been purchased in recent months through nominee companies known locally as 'Amma.'

Phiphat gave an interview stating that his statements were unrelated to him. Phakamol countered, asking why they wouldn't be related—he is the deputy prime minister and transport minister, and one of the strongest promoters of the Landbridge project. She called for the premier to investigate, noting that large-scale capital has been acquiring land locally called 'Amma,' warning that allowing land resources to concentrate in the hands of a few capitalists would result in exploitation of natural resources and concentrate wealth among elites rather than distribute it to the public.

Phakamol pointed out the coincidence: the person she identified as acquiring land happens to share the same name as AMA Marine Company Limited (a publicly listed company owned by Phiphat's brother), which provides international maritime liquid cargo transportation services, specializing in vegetable oils and petroleum products across Southeast and East Asia. This suspicious coincidence prompted Phiphat's hasty denial.

She suggested that when the SEC law is enforced in the South, it must prove transparency regarding whether there are conflicts of interest between the transport ministry and businesses in southern industrial estates. She referenced the oil crisis when oil capitalists failed to solve hoarding problems, and noted that as transport minister involved in the Landbridge project, Phiphat should investigate cases of large capital purchasing land, including land without title deeds and even mountainous terrain.

Phakamol remarked this was the most ridiculous news story she had encountered, saying Phiphat essentially implicated himself by hastily denying involvement instead of investigating as a responsible transport minister. She criticized him for prioritizing his own transparency rather than the country's, calling his timing 'hellish,' as he rushed to clarify on behalf of his brother's company rather than fulfill his ministerial duties.

Pimjai Leeissaranukul, president of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), led the organization's executive team in a meeting with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister at Government House to discuss economic and industrial development strategies.

The FTI currently has over 16,000 members covering 48 industrial groups and 76 provincial industrial chambers nationwide, with approximately 90% being SME entrepreneurs. These businesses represent a crucial economic mechanism for Thailand, accounting for over 30% of the country's GDP, or approximately 5.7 trillion baht.

The FTI is advancing its organizational mission under the vision "The New Chapter of Thai Industry: Empowering Growth with 5-I" to enhance Thai industry's competitiveness and prepare for the new global economy through five key strategies:

1. Intelligent Industry (I1) - Driving smart industry through digital and AI technology 2. Innovation & Creative Industry (I2) - Promoting innovation and creative industries for value addition 3. International Alliance & Network (I3) - Expanding international business cooperation and networks 4. Industrial Infrastructure Reform (I4) - Upgrading industrial infrastructure for competition 5. Inclusive & Sustainable Growth (I5) - Promoting balanced, inclusive, and sustainable growth

Six Economic Development Guidelines Proposed; Revival of Industry Board Cooperation

During the meeting, six key guidelines were proposed to accelerate Thailand's economic growth:

Promoting Made in Thailand Using State Budget for Economic Stimulus

Kanistha Mueangkrajang, FTI Vice President, proposed that the public sector use government procurement as an important mechanism to stimulate Thailand's economy by promoting Made in Thailand (MiT) products. The proposal suggests allocating at least 40% of the 200,000 billion baht budget target for MiT procurement by 2027 to direct government funds into Thai manufacturing, distribute income to SMEs, and maintain domestic employment.

The initiative also proposes establishing a "Joint Task Force between FTI and the Ministry of Industry" to link government procurement with private sector production capacity (Demand-Supply Matching), elevate MiT standards and modernization, and expand the MiT product database, particularly in construction materials, machinery, and electrical equipment sectors to support future government investment projects.

Launching "FTI SME Funding Connect" to Help SMEs Navigate Capital Access

Veerachai Mansindhore, FTI Vice President, proposed establishing "FTI SME Funding Connect," which would serve as a hub connecting SMEs with appropriate funding sources including credit, credit guarantees, contribution funds, co-investment funds, and government support programs.

The initiative also promotes SME credit system reform to systematically address capital access problems and help Thai SMEs recover and compete long-term.

Proposing SME Credit System Reform Through Seven Measures

A comprehensive "SME Credit System Reform" was proposed through seven key measures:

– Establish an "SME Credit War Room" using a real-time dashboard to monitor credit disbursement – Require banks to explain credit rejection reasons to SMEs within 15 days – Upgrade the Small Industry Credit Guarantee Corporation (SICGC) to an enhanced credit guarantee system

On May 13, 2025, at 5:00 a.m., Pol. Lt. Col. Ratchaponchai Pensonkram, commander of Chaiyawan Police Station, led investigators from Region 4 Police and Udon Thani Provincial Police to arrest Suwijit (surname withheld), 54, at his residence in Banyao Subdistrict, Wang Sam Moe District, Udon Thani Province. The arrest followed the shooting death of Boonma (surname withheld), 56, a deputy village chief, who was shot five times in the chest on April 19, 2025, in front of his home on Kham Bon-Noon Muang Huan Road.

Suwijit, also a deputy village chief and former military officer, had been engaged in cattle trading with the victim. During the 25-day investigation, police discovered the key conflict stemmed from a 50,000-baht debt dispute between the two men.

The critical breakthrough came from forensic evidence—specifically ballistic analysis of shell casings recovered at the crime scene, which matched the firearm in Suwijit's possession. "We traced physical evidence from the scene and established the connections that led us to identify this individual. Once the forensic evidence was conclusive, it formed the basis for the arrest warrant," Pol. Lt. Col. Ratchaponhai stated.

Police have charged Suwijit with premeditated murder and opposed bail, citing the violent and shocking nature of the crime. The case will proceed through the legal system.

Television host Moddam Kachapa found herself in the headlines again after photos surfaced showing her with Monk Pae from Surin province, known as "Carbon Monk," via the Saw Bao page. The controversy intensified when Saw Bao posted the images with a caption claiming Moddam had gotten into trouble after being photographed with the monk, alleging that Pae had secretly dated young men and frequently met them for meals in vehicles. Saw Bao later clarified that Moddam herself wasn't at fault, stating that celebrities visiting monks or spiritual figures is merely a matter of personal belief and faith, and if there were wrongdoing, it lay with the monk himself and his character. Saw Bao also suggested that the "Carbon Monk" would unlikely be ordained at any temple again due to his history.

Moddam addressed the rumors during a reveal episode on May 12, 2025, explaining that Pae had called her "mother" from the beginning and that her family had performed merit-making at Luang Pu Hongsa's temple, which holds spiritual significance. She clarified that the shared photos were from her television program and that she was promoting Surin province, even featuring Surin beef in the episode. Not Vorarut supported her statement, noting that Moddam had encouraged Pae to practice the monastic life properly, as Pae had followed Luang Pu Hongsa since childhood.

Moddam emphasized that she didn't know about Pae dating men and had simply been conducting interviews as part of her program work. She defended Not against accusations of falsely claiming spiritual authority, insisting that Not only spoke about Luang Pu Hongsa's spiritual power and that she herself took full responsibility for any issues. Regarding claims that she had escaped the influence of Ajarn Phaisarn, Moddam admitted that while she thought she had moved past it, she remained entangled and now accepts full accountability, stating she no longer dares to guarantee anyone's character. Despite living a routine life without attending events, she acknowledged being the subject of news stories every week. She explained that her involvement with spiritual figures and monks stemmed from her faith in Luang Pu Hongsa and her desire to promote Surin's economy, adding that she had helped various people including a large woman by installing air conditioning and assisting with soup kitchen operations. Moddam concluded by noting that while many good monks still exist, she no longer dares to vouch for anyone's character.

CHANTHABURI — On May 12, 2026, Thai authorities detained 18 Thai nationals repatriated from Cambodia after investigators uncovered their connections to online scam networks, including mule bank accounts tied to more than 60 fraud cases.

Maj. Gen. Phadungsak Raksasuk, commander of Chanthaburi Provincial Police, reported that the group arrived at 10:00 at the Ban Phak Kad permanent border crossing in Pong Nam Ron district following coordination with the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The operation involved officers from Pong Nam Ron police station, Chanthaburi Immigration Police, and military personnel from the Chanthaburi Marine Task Force.

The 18 individuals had recently completed prison sentences in Cambodia for illegal entry and other violations. Upon arrival in Thailand, immigration officers charged them under the Immigration Act for crossing borders outside official checkpoints. Further background checks revealed additional criminal connections.

Four suspects—Wicha Singnan, Ekpot Rattanakorn, Saharat Rattanakorn, and Phachara Phonrit—had outstanding arrest warrants and were immediately transferred to the appropriate jurisdictions.

Investigators identified seven members with links to mule bank accounts used by scam syndicates in the Thai Police Online database. Among them, Phuwadon Nonkhamphai was connected to 17 cases, Thitinan Suwanmek to 16 cases, and Thananan Maplian to 11 cases. Together, the seven suspects were linked to more than 60 fraud-related cases.

Military officials said the suspects would be held for up to seven days under the Martial Law Act of 1914 due to suspected involvement with transnational online crime networks operating along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Authorities indicated the investigation would aim to identify broader criminal networks using the Chanthaburi border as a transit hub for scam operations. Chanthaburi police confirmed they were coordinating with police agencies nationwide to gather evidence and pursue further action against the scam syndicates.

At a Democrat Party press conference on May 13, 2025, party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed strong opposition to the government's emergency decree allowing a 400 billion baht borrowing to address energy crisis impacts and support the country's energy transition. Abhisit argued the measure increases economic risk, pointing out that while some have borrowed before, Thailand's current economic situation differs significantly—with growth at 1.5%, industrial index up 0.8% in March, and Moody's improving its outlook. He cautioned that spending the full 200 billion baht allocated for cash handout and "Thailand Helps Thailand" programs within four months could worsen economic instability if another crisis emerges, especially amid rising inflation.

Abhisit proposed three alternative approaches: reducing diesel tax to 33 baht per liter through excise tax exemptions (costing only one-third of the borrowing plan), implementing a windfall tax that could lower prices to 30 baht per liter while increasing state revenue, and refocusing energy transition efforts. He criticized the current EV and solar roof support programs for relying heavily on foreign technology and creating minimal domestic value. Instead, he recommended expanding B20 and B50 biodiesel programs by increasing palm oil content, investing with vehicle manufacturers to retrofit engines, and supporting palm farmers—reducing oil dependency while strengthening the agricultural sector.

"If you're solving the problem at its root, you don't need to drive recklessly," Abhisit said, criticizing the government's approach as creating additional economic pressures and pushing public debt toward its ceiling without addressing fundamental issues.