On May 2, 2025, the Royal Gazette website published an announcement from the House of Representatives regarding the advancement of the next candidate on the party list to fill a vacant parliamentary seat for the Pheu Thai party, dated May 1. The announcement states that Suriya Chungrungjit, the third-ranked Pheu Thai list MP, submitted his resignation from the House of Representatives effective April 29, 2025. As a result, Ms. Kattiya Sawatdiphol, who was ranked 17th on the party list, has been promoted to fill the vacant parliamentary seat.

The Finance Ministry has revealed that net government revenue collection during the first half of fiscal year 2569 (October 2568 to March 2569) totaled 1,243,788 million baht, exceeding the budgeted estimate by 7,472 million baht—0.6% above target—and surpassing the same period last year by 44,138 million baht, a 3.7% increase.

The revenue growth stems from three main sources: First, carried-over revenue from the previous year and dividend payments exceeded forecasts due to improved performance by certain state enterprises. State enterprises remitted 96,192 million baht in revenue, up 17,138 million baht (21.7%) from the previous year and 12,347 million baht above target (0.7% over). Other agencies contributed 98,931 million baht, up 4,090 million baht (4.3%) year-on-year and exceeding their target by 12,984 million baht (15.1%).

Second, the government's bond sales surplus from deficit-financing borrowing of 646,129 million baht increased by 17,376 million baht (2.8%) compared to last year.

Third, value-added tax collection across three revenue departments—the Revenue Department, Excise Department, and Customs Department—totaled 1,334,526 million baht, up 45,948 million baht (3.6%) from the previous year and exceeding the target by 8,736 million baht (0.7%). The Revenue Department collected 992,095 million baht (up 2.7%, 0.8% above target), the Excise Department collected 285,817 million baht (up 7.9%, 2.0% above target), and the Customs Department collected 56,614 million baht (down 1.3%, 7.2% below target). Tax refunds by the Revenue Department reached 224,789 million baht, exceeding forecasts by 23,674 million baht (11.8% higher) due to accelerated corporate income tax refund processing to improve business liquidity.

Regarding fiscal position, government revenue deposits totaled 1,242,578 million baht in the first half, up 49,529 million baht (4.2%) year-on-year, while budget expenditures reached 2,282,548 million baht, up 168,493 million baht (8%) from the previous period. This resulted in cash reserves of 240,647 million baht as of March 2569, representing an increase of 25,281 million baht (11.7%) compared to the same period last year.

Crackdown Underway: Narathiwat Increases Reward to 50,000 Baht for Information on Forest Arsonists After Nearly 100 Rai Destroyed, as Officials Rush to Dig Water Catchments and Build Barriers to Contain the Spread

On May 2, 2569, Bunchoo Homyamyen, Narathiwat Provincial Governor, inspected the peatland fire situation in villages 2 and 3 of Pron Subdistrict, Takob District, located just one kilometer from the Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Reserve. He announced an escalation of enforcement measures to prevent arson that has caused widespread damage.

Bunchoo revealed that multiple fires have erupted in the area, with preliminary analysis pointing to human activity as the primary cause. Despite involving fewer than 10 perpetrators, the fires have destroyed nearly 100 rai of forest, causing extensive damage and air pollution.

The governor noted that smoke from the fires negatively impacts public health while requiring massive government expenditures funded by taxpayer money for fire suppression operations.

In terms of strict legal enforcement against offenders, the province has increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of forest arsonists from 10,000 baht to 50,000 baht. The authorities will utilize detection technology and deploy drones for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance of surrounding areas.

"Anyone caught secretly setting fires in forest areas will face immediate prosecution with no exceptions. We urge the public to act as our eyes and ears by reporting any suspicious activity immediately," the governor stated.

Given the challenging terrain of the peatland—thick with vegetation and accumulated leaf litter that generates heavy smoke and proves difficult to extinguish—officials have accelerated efforts to secure water sources. They are using backhoes to dig water catchment basins throughout the area and have mobilized high-pressure water pumps (75 horsepower) to deliver water to hard-to-reach fire zones. Additionally, small dams are being constructed to store water for creating firebreaks to prevent flames from advancing into the deeper peatland areas.

On the same day, the provincial governor met with residents of Ban Kok Nai, Village 2, Pron Subdistrict, to explain the devastating impacts of forest fires and seek their commitment to stop burning entirely during the dry season to protect natural resources and public health.

On May 2, 2025, Samut Prakan Provincial Police arrested 39-year-old Art after discovering he had been producing and uploading explicit content, including nude images and sexual videos, on the X (Twitter) platform using the account Hayate Ayasaki (@HayateAkap). Acting on a tip, police raided a hotel room on Srinakharintr Road in Muang District, Samut Prakan, where Art was allegedly filming explicit material. Upon entering, officers found filming equipment, including a mobile phone with encrypted accounts for posting obscene content. Art confessed to self-producing and posting all the nude photos and sexual videos for the past three years purely as a personal hobby, with no financial transactions involved. He stated his sole purpose was to distribute indecent content. Preliminary charges have been filed under computer law regarding obscene material, with the case forwarded to Muang Samut Prakan Police Station for further legal proceedings. The arrest was coordinated by several investigating officers from Samut Prakan Provincial Police.

Audacious thieves have targeted Utayan Temple, stealing donations in front of a Buddha statue. Police are actively pursuing the perpetrators. On May 2, 2569, authorities reported that criminals broke into Utayan Temple in Nonthaburi Province. Security cameras captured clear footage of the criminals as they pried open a safe containing temple donations before fleeing with several tens of thousands of baht. After successfully breaching the safe, the criminals systematically collected all donations from the monks' alms bowls throughout the temple, causing significant distress to the monastic community and local Buddhists. In a separate incident on the night of April 29, 2569 at approximately 23:34, the criminals returned and struck again—this time a group of two—targeting the Sangha Donation Hall. Authorities believe this may be a different group from the first incident. Police have investigated the scene and collected CCTV evidence to track down the perpetrators. They suspect the criminals are very familiar with the temple grounds, as they knew the exact location of the donation storage. The investigation is ongoing and authorities are pursuing legal action against those responsible.

Prince of Songkhla University's Halal Institute officially opened its Halal Spa Learning Center and celebrated 15 years of operation, advancing the halal wellness industry to global standards while creating jobs and positioning southern border regions as a hub for halal health economics. The ceremony, chaired by Arun Boonchom, a Royal Advisor, brought together over 150 participants including Pattani Governor Patiema Sadiyamu and university officials, establishing a crucial network among government, private sector, and civil society to develop sustainable economy and society based on halal identity while supporting Thailand's international health center ambitions.

The event featured panels on "The Future of Thai Massage and Halal Spa: Gaining Global Muslim Recognition," exhibitions of the institute's 15-year achievements in halal industry research and innovation, and the formal opening of the spa learning center. Arun Boonchom emphasized how the center reflects Thailand's progress in developing comprehensive halal standards encompassing wellness dimensions, building confidence among domestic and international users while establishing Thailand as a model for halal society. He highlighted that this center represents a critical step in expanding halal services into high-potential, rapidly growing wellness industries by raising spa service standards to comply fully with Islamic principles across hygiene, products, and service ethics.

The Pattani Governor and PSU Rector Niwat Kaewprab both stressed that over 15 years, the Halal Institute has successfully connected halal principles with science, innovation, and services, generating academic, research, and grassroots economic benefits. They noted that opening the Halal Spa Learning Center marks another significant milestone for the university while creating new economic opportunities and sustainable growth for southern border communities through creative economy development.