SCB Financial Markets reports the Thai baht has temporarily rebounded following reports that the United States has submitted a ceasefire proposal to Iran, which has caused global crude oil prices to decline and weakened the US dollar index, supporting regional currencies including the baht. However, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has not returned to normal, keeping crude oil supplies and related supply chains disrupted, with crude prices remaining volatile in response to war developments and spreading news.

The correlation between crude oil prices and baht value has significantly increased since the Iran conflict began—rising from approximately 25% before the war to 78% after, and exceeding 90% during periods of escalation. The baht has weakened more than other regional currencies during oil price increases due to Thailand's deteriorating terms of trade, as the country imports energy at much higher prices while export index increases remain limited.

Patrick Poolia, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Financial Markets at Siam Commercial Bank, notes that while domestic factors haven't significantly impacted the baht, Moody's recent upgrade of Thailand's credit outlook to stable didn't strengthen the currency due to ongoing war concerns and high oil prices. Despite recent Thai economic figures exceeding expectations across exports and accelerating inflation, the baht hasn't strengthened materially.

Looking ahead, if the war continues unresolved and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the baht is expected to weaken slightly, with projections of 32.50-33.00 baht per dollar over the next month. However, if the conflict ends within 1-2 months, the baht could strengthen rapidly by 0.50-1 baht as Middle Eastern crude supplies recover to 70-80% of normal levels, pushing Brent crude to 80-90 dollars per barrel and weakening the US dollar index.

The Meteorological Department warns of severe weather today affecting 76 provinces with heavy rain covering an average of 60% of areas, accompanied by strong winds in some locations.

The Meteorological Department forecasts increased thunderstorms across upper Thailand over the next 24 hours with strong gusts and heavy rainfall in certain areas. Residents in affected regions are urged to be cautious of thunderstorm dangers and strong winds by avoiding open spaces, large trees, buildings, and weak signage. People should also be aware of heavy rainfall and accumulated water that could cause flash floods and runoff.

Bangkok and Vicinity: Hot daytime conditions with thunderstorms expected in 60% of the area, strong winds, and heavy rain in some areas. Low temperature 25-28°C, high 34-36°C.

Northern Region: Hot daytime conditions with thunderstorms in 60% of the area, strong winds, and heavy rain in some zones. Affected provinces include Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun. Low temperature 21-26°C, high 30-39°C.

Northeastern Region: Thunderstorms in 60% of the area with strong winds and heavy rain in places. Affected provinces include Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani. Low temperature 22-26°C, high 33-36°C.

Central Region: Hot daytime conditions with thunderstorms in 40% of the area, strong winds, and heavy rain in some areas. Affected provinces include Uthai Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Lopburi, Saraburi, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram, and Samut Sakhon. Low temperature 24-26°C, high 36-38°C.

Eastern Region: Thunderstorms in 60% of the area with strong winds and heavy rain in some zones. Affected provinces include Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chachoengsao, Sa Kaeo, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Low temperature 24-26°C, high 31-36°C. Seas at approximately 1 meter, rising above 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (Eastern Coast): Thunderstorms in 60% of the area with heavy to very heavy rain in some areas. Affected provinces include Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Low temperature 23-26°C, high 32-37°C. Seas at approximately 1 meter, rising above 2 meters in thunderstorm zones.

Southern Region (Western Coast): Thunderstorms in 60% of the area with heavy to very heavy rain in some zones. Affected provinces include Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. Low temperature 24-26°C, high 33-35°C. Seas below 1 meter, rising above 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Crystal Palace exacted revenge on Shakhtar Donetsk at home to advance to the UEFA Conference League final and a showdown with Rayo Vallecano, marking the first European cup final in both clubs' histories.

In the second leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Conference League semifinals on May 7, Crystal Palace hosted Shakhtar Donetsk from Ukraine at Selhurst Park. Palace won the first leg 3-1.

In this match, the hosts scored through Pedro Henrique in the 25th minute (an own goal) and Ismaila Sarr in the 52nd minute. The visitors scored through Ekinaldo in the 34th minute, giving Palace a 2-1 victory and a 5-2 aggregate triumph.

In the other semifinal, Strasbourg of France lost at home to Spain's Rayo Vallecano 0-1, with Vallecano winning the aggregate 2-0.

Both Palace and Rayo are making their first-ever European cup final appearances. The final will be held at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany on May 27.

Aston Villa crushed Nottingham Forest at home, securing a spot in the UEFA Europa League final final to face Fiorentina. In the second leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League semi-final on May 7, Villa opened Villa Park against Nottingham Forest, who had won the first leg 1-0.

In the first half, Villa created opportunities but Nottingham's goalkeeper Stefan Ortega made crucial saves. Villa broke through in the 36th minute when Emiliano Buendía drove down the left flank and squared the ball for Ollie Watkins, who finished cleanly to make it 1-0. Watkins had another chance in the 38th minute but Ortega turned away his shot.

The second half saw Villa take control completely. In the 56th minute, VAR confirmed a penalty after Nikola Milenković pulled down Pau Torres in the box, and Buendía converted to make it 2-0. In the 70th minute, Nottingham threatened when Chris Wood broke through but Aston Villa's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made a crucial save.

Villa sealed the tie with two more goals. In the 77th minute, John McGinn fired in from close range to make it 3-0. McGinn struck again in the 80th minute with his left foot to complete a 4-0 victory and a 4-1 aggregate triumph.

This is Villa's first European cup final appearance and only their second in club history, with their previous European Cup triumph coming in the 1981-82 season, 44 years ago.

In the other semi-final, Fiorentina defeated Braga 3-1 at home to win 4-3 on aggregate and reach their first European cup final in club history.

The final between Fiorentina and Aston Villa will be held at Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey on May 20.

On May 7, while Muang Kanchanaburi police were operating a crime prevention checkpoint near the Mae Nam Khwae Vocational College on Saengchooto Road in Tambon Thamakham, a gray Toyota sedan passed through with 56-year-old Somsakdi behind the wheel. Officers noticed he showed clear signs of intoxication and conducted a search, discovering a small brown glass bottle containing 28 methamphetamine pills hidden inside the vehicle.

Somsakdi confessed that the methamphetamine was his, purchased at 50 baht per pill. He was driving to visit his wife, who is imprisoned at Kanchanaburi Provincial Prison on drug charges. Before leaving home, he had consumed two pills before being arrested at the checkpoint.

Police transferred Somsakdi to investigators at Muang Kanchanaburi Station for further legal proceedings.

'Tae' announces Bangkok governor bid, highlighting 'half-price massage' policy and establishing 'matchmaking office' to address single working-age people, while increasing cosmetic surgery hospitals to help Bangkok residents achieve good appearance at affordable prices. On May 7, Mongkolkitti Suksintharanont and his team visited Building 6 at Rangsit University in Pathum Thani after students scheduled to create content and conduct interviews about his vision for preparing to run for Bangkok governor. Mongkolkitti stated that his bid for Bangkok governor represents an independent group not affiliated with any political party, with an administrative team already established featuring multiple deputy governors currently being selected. His policies will focus on beauty, health, and the service economy to improve quality of life for Bangkok residents. Regarding PM 2.5 dust pollution: vehicle standards must be checked for both old and new cars and automobile manufacturing plants, with non-compliant vehicles ordered off the road, while limiting vehicle entry to Bangkok by dividing operating hours into three 8-hour shifts to reduce traffic congestion. Addressing the single population issue: Currently, working-age people in Bangkok aged 25-34 have a single status rate as high as 50-60%, affecting birth rates and long-term population structure. He proposes establishing a 'matchmaking office' as a new Bangkok agency distributed across districts with staff to facilitate pairing and create opportunities for people to find partners within 30 days. Cosmetic surgery hospitals: Another important initiative is making Bangkok residents beautiful by converting 12-13 hospitals. If Bangkok resident illness decreases, these will become specialized cosmetic surgery hospitals with additional specialist surgeons as civil servants, and may partner with private sector to provide surgical services such as nose jobs, chest surgery, skin treatments, body care, and cosmetic repairs to help Bangkok residents achieve good appearance at affordable prices. Half-price massage project: This concept involves allocating a portion of Bangkok's budget to subsidize massage expenses for Bangkok residents in a cost-sharing model where the city covers half—for example, if a service costs 600 baht, Bangkok pays 300 baht, similar to the government's past 'half-price for all' program model.