Pheu Thai Urges Government to Fast-Track Constitutional Amendment, Key Laws, and CARE Pension Plan, insisting that if the government is sincere in respecting the people, it must not reject the public referendum vote.

At 10:30 AM on May 11, 2025 at Parliament, Nathpong Ruangpanyawuthi, list MP and leader of the Pheu Thai Party, chaired the party's second shadow cabinet meeting and presented demands to the government. The urgent priorities are:

1. The government should confirm the constitutional amendment draft's return to parliamentary consideration quickly. In the recent election, 21 million people gave a clear mandate for a new constitution, so concerns that the old draft won't pass parliament are unconvincing. The government should honor the people's referendum intention.

2. The Cabinet should quickly approve the CARE pension formula from the Social Security Office. Labor Minister Julapan Amoriwiwattana promised to push this forward for the Social Security Fund advancement, so tomorrow's Cabinet meeting should show concrete progress.

3. The government should review multiple laws still pending Cabinet approval. Tomorrow's meeting is the final deadline to reconsider bringing stalled laws back to parliament, such as the PRTR law and labor protection law to establish fair working hours. The Cabinet should make a decision on May 12 to advance these laws to parliament.

When asked how he would monitor the Cabinet's decision on returning the original constitutional amendment draft to parliament, Nathpong stated that a government claiming to derive legitimacy from the people cannot reject the referendum in which a clear majority voted for a new constitution.

He added that if the government is genuinely sincere and respects the people's voice, it should let parliament itself decide whether the original draft will pass, rather than using concerns about its passage as an excuse to block it in Cabinet. If the government is truly sincere and respects the people, it must bring the original draft back for parliamentary consideration.

At 11:00 AM on May 11, 2026, Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Perisivivattana announced that Prime Minister Anuthit Charnveerakul and Interior Minister presided over a policy briefing for village headmen and elders at the Government House's Santhimaitri Building (Outer Section). The briefing included Interior Ministry deputies, administrators, and representatives from village headman associations.

The Prime Minister outlined that village headmen and local leaders serve as critical mechanisms of governance, operating as the frontline closest to citizens and serving as a lifeline during times of hardship. They bridge the gap between state institutions and communities, bearing responsibility for public welfare while acting as the public's eyes and ears. He emphasized they must perform their duties with transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to law, stating: "Be suppressors of abuse of power, not wielders of power, to serve as a reliable foundation for the people and support the work of district officers and the Department of Local Administration with concrete results."

The Prime Minister stressed coordinated efforts across all agencies, particularly on drug prevention and suppression using the "card never falls" principle, disaster management enhancement, and ensuring citizens receive genuine, transparent, and fair state protection. He also highlighted the need to stay vigilant against emerging crimes such as human trafficking and online fraud scams, enabling citizens to recognize threats and protect themselves and their families.

Economic development initiatives were emphasized through the "Thai Helping Thai Plus" program to alleviate hardship, aiming to distribute state benefits equitably to all target populations. The PM requested village headmen and local administrators to disseminate information and facilitate public access to state benefits and measures.

Additionally, the Prime Minister asked village headmen to monitor local situations and coordinate continuously with district officers and provincial governors to ensure coordinated, efficient problem-solving. An integrated coordination meeting among all parties is scheduled within two weeks to strengthen collaboration between local administration and police.

Following the policy briefing, the Prime Minister shared lunch with village headmen and organizers at the Santhimaitri Building's central hall, then posed for photos with them at the Thai Koo Fah building.

The Department of Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce is actively managing prices for school uniforms and educational supplies during the school term opening, despite increased transportation costs and reduced consumer spending due to economic conditions. Most business operators have maintained prices similar to the previous year.

On May 11, 2569, Deputy Director-General Jirawut Suvannaaj revealed details following field inspections of major school uniform retailers in Bangkok's Thonburi district. The department launched the "Thai Help Thai Plus: Big School Opening, Easy on the Wallet - Back to School 2026" program, with multiple business sectors cooperating to reduce prices for school uniforms and related educational supplies.

The department visited major retailers including Thonburi Education Company, S. Chang Education shop, and Taraso department store. These establishments are helping reduce parent expenses through the program while maintaining original pricing, comparable to the previous year. Despite increased transportation costs, items from existing inventory remain at the same price. Additionally, stores offer promotional discounts on educational supplies and services such as free embroidery or school initials.

According to data collected in early May across Bangkok's department stores, distributors, and regular shops, most school uniform prices remain stable compared to the previous year. Examples include Samjai Nueuk boys' shirts at 215-360 baht per item, Thomson boys' trousers at 325-375 baht, and Samjai Nueuk girls' shirts at 165-360 baht. Some items showed slight increases, such as Nom Chit boys' shirts rising from 139-300 baht to 179-290 baht, while others decreased, like Taraso boys' trousers dropping from 260-375 baht to 238-350 baht.

Deputy Director-General Jirawut noted that consumer purchasing power has declined this year due to economic conditions and rising living costs, causing many families to be more cautious about spending. Some reuse old uniforms or buy only essentials. The department is therefore prioritizing both price controls and promotions to alleviate back-to-school expenses.

The "Thai Help Thai Plus: Big School Opening, Easy on the Wallet - Back to School 2026" program runs from April 30 to May 31, 2569, with 49 participating merchants covering over 1,000 education-related products and services with discounts up to 86%. This is expected to reduce household expenses by at least 300 million baht.

For parents in other provinces, the Department of Internal Trade is collaborating with provincial commerce offices to organize similar "Thai Help Thai Plus: Back to School 2026" activities in areas coordinated with the Ministry of Education, including Chachoengsao, Phetchabun, and Mae Hong Son provinces, making affordable school supplies more accessible.

May 11, 2025 – The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center under the Department of Mineral Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, has issued an alert for landslides and flash floods in high-risk areas experiencing continuous heavy rainfall, particularly in the northern region, specifically Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, and Chiang Mai provinces.

According to the Meteorological Department, between May 10-11, 2025, the upper part of Thailand will experience thunderstorms with strong gusty winds and heavy rainfall in some areas, especially in the northern region. This is caused by a high-pressure zone and cold air mass covering the Northeast and the South China Sea, combined with southerly and southeasterly winds carrying moisture from the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea into northern Thailand.

The southern region will also see increased rainfall with heavy downpours in some areas due to strengthening easterly winds covering the Gulf of Thailand, the South region, and the Andaman Sea. Wave heights in the Gulf of Thailand are expected to reach approximately 1 meter, with thunderstorm areas experiencing waves exceeding 2 meters.

Volunteers and network coordinators in at-risk areas are urged to continuously monitor and track landslide and flash flood conditions while preparing emergency response measures. Relevant agencies must closely follow the situation and conduct immediate field inspections if disasters occur, providing timely reassurance and preliminary guidance to residents in vulnerable areas.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission and Interior Ministry have investigated a Chinese national's Thai citizenship documentation, with preliminary findings showing no legal violations. Online media sparked controversy by publishing an identity card belonging to Cheng Zhao Wu, registered in Bangkok's Bang Khae District, raising questions about his connection to a Chachoengsao weapons case and how a Chinese citizen obtained Thai identification. Initial investigations revealed that Cheng Zhao Wu received his Thai identity card through proper procedures via nationality verification, with his family obtaining Thai citizenship dating back to his grandfather's generation. Cheng himself acquired Thai nationality in 2008 and operates a phone equipment wholesale and retail business, denying any knowledge of another individual mentioned in connection with the case. On May 11, 2025, at 11:40 a.m., anti-corruption officials led by Secretary-General Pumiwisai Kasemsukon and Deputy Secretary-General Siripong Sritula, along with Interior Ministry representatives, visited Bang Khae District office to investigate the identity card's issuance. District Director Tianchai Wongsuwan explained the legal procedures and supporting documents dating back to 2008, noting that officials at that time reviewed immigration documents and blood relationship evidence for paternal nationality verification. Tianchai clarified that previous statements to media merely explained existing documents without confirming legal compliance, as the incident occurred over a decade ago. The district is currently investigating only Cheng Zhao Wu's case due to its public exposure, with other relevant documents requiring coordination with the Interior Ministry and relevant registration offices. Regarding the possibility of retroactively investigating other foreign nationals with similar cases, Tianchai stated that procedures from a decade ago cannot be easily verified, but the news prompted officials to review the original case files. Police confirmed that Cheng Zhao Wu's case has no connection to a Chachoengsao weapons and explosives case, though they did not verify the legal validity of his identity card. Officials who processed the 2008 case have since retired, and there is currently insufficient grounds to summon them for testimony unless central authorities issue specific orders.

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun has issued a royal decree granting ecclesiastical rank certificates to three Buddhist monks on May 11, 2025. The Royal Gazette website published the royal proclamation announcing the elevation of three monks to the rank of Phrarachakhan (ordinary class). The three recipients are: 1. Phra Kru Sophon Kunnathar from Wat Sali in Suphan Buri province, elevated to ordinary class Phrarachakhan with the new title Phra Sophon Vachirathada. 2. Phra Kru Kovit Sutkarn from Wat Khok Khema in Nakhon Pathom province, elevated to ordinary class Phrarachakhan with the new title Phra Vajradhamma Kovit. 3. Phra Kru Soraphanya Pisuthi from Wat Mai Thepnimit in Bangkok, elevated to ordinary class Phrarachakhan with the new title Phra Vajrapanya Suthee. These appointments are effective from May 9, 2025, and were officially announced on May 11, 2025, marking the 11th year of the current reign.