On May 14, 2569, even as Parliament has not yet approved the emergency decree (Royal Decree) authorizing the Ministry of Finance to borrow funds to address the energy crisis impacts and facilitate the country's energy transition—the 400 billion baht loan authorization—Minister Phisadej Pirisanananthakoet, attached to the Prime Minister's Office, stated that the government can continue moving forward. This is because the 400 billion baht emergency loan decree came into effect upon its publication in the Royal Gazette on May 8. On May 14 in the afternoon, the screening committee overseeing the use of borrowed funds under this emergency decree held its first meeting and can proceed accordingly. Meanwhile, parliamentary procedures will await the Constitutional Court's ruling.

Thai Airways Public Company Limited announced its first-quarter 2025 operating results with total revenue of 51,029 million baht, down 596 million baht or 1.2 percent from the same period last year due to lower production and transportation volumes. However, average revenue per passenger remained close to prior-year levels despite baht appreciation impacts, demonstrating strong pricing management. Total operating expenses reached 37,282 million baht, a 1.8 percent decrease from lower jet fuel costs proportional to reduced production volumes, along with baht strength benefits.

Operating profit before financing costs stood at 13,747 million baht, up 0.6 percent from last year, with an EBIT margin of 26.9 percent. Finance costs decreased to 2,987 million baht, down 494 million baht year-over-year. One-time items generated net gains of 1,088 million baht, primarily from aircraft lease cancellations and derivative valuations, resulting in net profit of 10,107 million baht against 9,839 million baht previously, with EBITDA of 17,548 million baht.

As of March 31, 2025, the airline operated 80 aircraft with average utilization of 13.8 hours per aircraft daily, carrying 4.18 million passengers total. Available seat kilometers (ASK) totaled 17,389 million, down 1.9 percent year-over-year, while revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) reached 14,453 million, down 2.2 percent, resulting in a load factor of 83.1 percent versus 83.3 percent previously. Total assets increased to 324,542 million baht, up 6.7 percent from year-end 2024, while shareholders' equity rose 16.7 percent to 88,622 million baht, with cash and liquid financial assets totaling 132,320 million baht.

US President Donald Trump told Chinese President Xi Jinping it was 'a great honor to be your friend' during a highly-publicized bilateral meeting, while China's leader warned of potential conflicts between the two nations. The stark differences in tone reveal the two leaders remain far apart on sensitive issues including the Iran war, trade disputes, and US relations with Taiwan. Though the meeting was closed-door, China's Xinhua news agency reported that Xi warned Trump that mishandling the Taiwan question could lead to clashes and conflicts that would jeopardize the entire relationship.

These warnings came after Trump's public opening remarks at the Great Hall of the People, where he praised Xi lavishly. 'You are a great leader. Sometimes people may not like me saying this, but I will say it because it is the truth. It is a great honor to be with you. It is a great honor to be your friend,' Trump said, adding that 'the relationship between China and the United States will be better than it has ever been.'

While Trump's tone was upbeat, Xi took a more cautious stance, expressing hope that the two nations could avoid conflict. The world is asking whether the two countries can overcome what Xi called the 'Thucydides Trap'—the concept that conflict often arises when a rising power threatens an established one.

Xi emphasized that cooperation benefits both sides while confrontation endangers both. 'The two countries should be partners, not rivals. Work together to achieve success, pursue common prosperity, and chart the right course for the relationship between two great powers in a new era,' Xi stressed.

April Bakery, owned by Singha Food Industries (Thailand) Co., Ltd., is undertaking its first major rebranding in 16 years with a 200-million-baht investment. Managing Director Kanokkan Madhurapon announced the company is rolling out new store designs, expanding its branch network, developing new operational models, and strengthening backend systems to support long-term growth and prepare for a stock exchange listing in 2029.

The company plans to grow from approximately 40 current branches to over 60 by year-end and exceed 100 branches by 2029, focusing initially on Bangkok and surrounding areas before expanding to other provinces and overseas markets. The new store concept, called "Fresh Bake Experience," features in-store baking to create a complete sensory experience for customers. After successful testing at the Charoen Krung branch, this format will roll out to all new locations from Q3 onward.

The 200-million-baht investment covers rebranding, new store design, packaging updates, branch expansion, and management system development. Investment costs range from 2 million baht per standard store to 4-5 million baht for larger locations.

Kanokkan described this as the company's largest brand investment to date, as previous investments focused primarily on machinery and manufacturing. The company currently derives over 80% of revenue from 7-Eleven with 15 SKUs and average daily sales of 270,000 units. However, it aims to rebalance revenue to 60% from convenience stores and 40% from direct retail and OEM manufacturing.

In 2024, the company recorded 1.3 billion baht in revenue. For 2025, it targets 30% growth reaching 1.7 billion baht, with 2029 revenue projected at 2.5 billion baht, driven by branch expansion and overseas market growth. Despite cost pressures from raw materials and consumer spending concerns, the company plans no price increases and will instead focus on launching new products weekly—March-May 2025 sales grew 55% year-over-year.

The company is also studying construction of a new 20-rai manufacturing facility to support long-term production capacity, complementing its current nine factories. This expansion will serve both domestic and international markets, particularly OEM orders from Taiwan and South Korea.

Thai-Norwegian racing driver Sandy Kraakiaew Stuvik, competing under Ford Thailand Racing (FTR), Thailand's first team of its kind, is prepared to take on the country's largest annual motorsports competition, the Thailand Super Series (TSS), in the Super Pickup class. For the 2026 season, Sandy has set his sights on winning the annual championship alongside his team while delivering pride and excitement to motorsports fans.

The year 2026 marks a crucial turning point for FTR as the team significantly expands its roster to strengthen its competitive grid. This season, Sandy will join YK Motorsports, a vehicle development team, to spearhead development of the team's new racing project.

Under this new partnership, Sandy will race a Ford Ranger single-cab with a 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine in the Super Pickup class, which has become one of the most fiercely competitive divisions in the series. This year, 39 vehicles are entered in the competition, making it a speed battle where even a single second's mistake cannot be afforded.

Moving to YK Motorsports represents not just a new opportunity but also comes with significant challenges, as the team must rapidly build and develop an entirely new racing package within a limited timeframe before the season opener at Chang International Circuit in Buriram Province on May 22-24. Having just claimed victory in the final race of the 2025 season, Sandy is confident heading into competition, though he remains vigilant about the increasingly intense competition year after year.

Sandy stated: "I'm very pleased to work with Ford Thailand Racing again, marking our seventh season together. This year presents another major challenge with the new vehicle development team. We're working together to fine-tune our new racing car, and although time is somewhat limited, I'm ready to give my all to push the team forward into contention and fight for our ultimate goal of winning this year's championship."

The Thailand Super Series 2026 season opener will ignite excitement from May 21-24 at Chang International Circuit in Buriram Province. Motorsports fans cannot miss a blink, as Sandy's new team debut could become one of the season's most significant highlights.

Abbot Thruad expressed devastation over the systematic theft of Buddha images stripped of their brass ornaments throughout the temple, describing the violation as deeply wounding. The abbot suspects an insider—possibly a temple youth—after police found brass pieces that the youth claimed the abbot had given him, raising questions about how stolen sacred items ended up being removed at night.

On May 14, residents near Wat Tham Kunchon Ratkit in Nong Krathum, Pak Tho district, Ratchaburi province, reported a major theft. The hillside temple, which houses only three resident monks, suffered extensive losses including all brass crowns from over 10 Buddha images, three historically significant Buddha Chinaraj images, a small brass Buddha figure, the large brass replica Buddha footprint from the cave meditation chamber, electrical panels, plugs, two air conditioning units, ceiling fans, wiring, and surveillance cameras. Brass water faucets were also stripped out.

Abbot Phaanuphong Phurinyano revealed the thefts occurred gradually—first the air conditioners were removed, then fans, wiring, and water faucets. The most heartbreaking loss was the large brass replica Buddha footprint housed in the cave, constructed over 10 years ago with donations from devoted supporters. The abbot believes thieves cut it into pieces to sell incrementally, as removing it whole would be impossible.

The primary suspect is a temple youth who was caught with two brass pieces claimed to be gifts from the abbot. When police inquired, the abbot realized these pieces were from the stolen footprint. The suspect claimed to have caught the thief himself, but the abbot questions why he then took items away at night. The abbot did not reprimand him, leaving the matter to police investigation and legal proceedings.