As the school term approaches, residents are flocking to pawn shops with household items including televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines to raise cash for back-to-school expenses. Pawn shop managers report receiving approximately 300 items daily for collateral loans. May 6, 2026 — Sirichin Hanjpitakpong, Mayor of Phitsanulok Municipality, revealed that the municipality's pawn shops are experiencing a surge in activity ahead of the new academic term. The municipality has allocated 137 million baht in revolving capital to its two pawn shop branches and introduced reduced interest rates to support families during the back-to-school period.

The municipality is offering promotional interest rates from May 1 to June 30. Loans up to 5,000 baht carry 0.25% monthly interest for the first three months, then 0.50% thereafter. Loans between 5,000 and 10,000 baht are charged 0.75% monthly for the first three months, then 1% per month afterward.

Somkhid Kitjahkairt, manager of Phitsanulok Municipality Pawn Shop No. 1, reported that the branch receives 100 to 300 items daily from residents preparing for school expenses. Items include electrical appliances such as televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, agricultural machinery, construction tools, granite mortars, and brass items. Gold is particularly popular, with the pawn shop offering valuations at up to 80% of the current daily gold price. The initiative aims to ease the financial burden on parents and families during the school opening period.

Nattapong Ruengpanya, speaking at Parliament on May 6, confirmed that Pheu Thai is leading the draft petition to investigate the NACC regarding Sakdisiam Chidchob's nominee shareholding case, stating that opposition parties have been coordinating through the opposition mechanism. He noted that some Democrat MPs are ready to co-sign with Pheu Thai, with ongoing efforts to gather the 140 signatures required by the Constitution to submit to the parliamentary president. Pheu Thai's legal team is heading the petition drafting process. Regarding the Democrats' separate announcements on both the NACC matter and the borrowing decree case, Nattapong emphasized that all opposition parties have the duty to conduct oversight, though he cautioned about the borrowing decree petition to the Constitutional Court, expressing concern about potential public impact given the ongoing energy crisis. He noted there is a 60-day timeframe for the court petition, and if the borrowing decree bill enters Parliament, Pheu Thai is ready to debate and question the government on it.

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — On Wednesday morning, May 6, 2026, chaos erupted at a drug rehabilitation centre in southern Thailand when hundreds of patients attempted to escape, prompting authorities to deploy officers from multiple agencies to the scene.

Authorities responded to reports of unrest at the facility in Moo 3, Kaew Saen subdistrict, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Around 500 people undergoing treatment reportedly tried to flee. Police fanned out across the area to track down those who escaped, while senior officers, including regional police commanders, arrived at the centre to oversee operations.

No injuries or property damage were reported. Police urged residents to report any suspicious individuals they spotted.

By 1 p.m., district chief Weeraphan Sukawal announced the situation had been brought under control. The majority of those who left the facility had been located and returned, with approximately 30 departing safely with their families.

Investigators determined that roughly 10 patients—who had been in treatment for nearly a year—sparked the incident. The centre had previously sought to arrange their discharge with families, but relatives had not responded. Stressed and desperate to leave, the group allegedly exploited a power outage in the morning to pry open a door and initiate the mass escape. Once the exit was open, others followed.

Officials confirmed there was no violence or destruction of property, attributing the incident to stress among residents. The rehabilitation centre will remain temporarily closed while authorities conduct a review of the situation.

On May 5 at the Anti-Corruption Division, Madam Kaeng Thian-tawornwong appeared with her lawyers to clarify allegations made by Tonton Sukkaew (Tone Bang Kaew) at Phaholyothin Police Station regarding events on April 17, 2568. Madam Kaeng prostrated herself tearfully, apologizing to Deputy Police Chief Jaruenjit Pan-aew for the disturbance, stating she felt deeply wronged and believed the matter was unjust. She swore, despite the rain falling, that Big Turtle never accepted any money.

Madam Kaeng detailed the timeline of her relationship with Tonton, explaining that in 2565 she wanted to sell a Bentley worth 35 million baht. A middleman named Mr. A, an amulet collector, introduced her to Tonton, who claimed expertise in pricing luxury vehicles. Their first transaction involved 10 checks of 3.5 million baht each, with payment due 10 months after contract signing.

When the checks bounced, she still believed Tonton was trustworthy and continued doing business with him. That same year, Tonton borrowed 100 million baht, claiming he would expand a telescope-lens manufacturing business for 1,000 units. He offered a building as collateral valued over 100 million baht, but later assessment showed only 60 million baht value with clear mortgage documentation.

Tonton claimed the merchandise sold out but offered to resell at 10,000 baht per unit with only 2,600 baht in costs. This caused her initial disappointment, but Tonton reassured her through brotherhood language, leading her to continue transactions. She emphasized never providing money as gifts but acknowledged bounced checks accumulating to 120 million and 180 million baht.

Tonton showed her 152 accumulated Buddha statues, claiming 400-500 million baht value if held for profit. Believing him since she wasn't an amulet expert, she later appraised them at only 35-40 million baht when needing liquidity, causing further disappointment. Though the 180 million baht loan had a contract through 2573 in installments of 5.5 million baht per check, she couldn't deposit them, leading to stress-induced depression.

On January 14, 2568, she assigned her team to file a complaint with the anti-corruption division, but the case stalled. This made Tonton realize he'd face trouble, so he repeatedly tried scheduling negotiations with Big Turtle through intermediary Por Suthaporn but failed. On April 17, she confirmed Tonton arranged the three-party meeting through Por Suthaporn, with eight people present total.

At 10:30 AM on May 6, 2025, Police Captain Chairojn Theerawanwatth and his investigation team from Kumphawapi Police Station brought in 48-year-old Buunchay, accused of shooting a burglar to death who had broken into his residence. Buunchay confessed to the shooting, stating that at approximately 8:30 PM on May 5, a burglar attempted to break into his house in Wapi subdistrict, Phandone tambon, Kumphawapi district, Udon Thani province. When he noticed light inside and went to check, he discovered the intruder forcing open an aluminum door frame on the second floor. After shouting at the burglar, the intruder grabbed a machete and charged toward him with intent to harm. In self-defense, Buunchay fired one shot. The suspect, identified as Winai (Khiao), 50 years old, jumped from the second-floor balcony. Buunchay fired a second shot as the man fled into the nearby forest and collapsed near an abandoned resort about 100 meters away.

Paramedics from Phandone Subdistrict Municipality transported the injured man to Kumphawapi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The bullet had struck his right back, with the projectile lodged inside. After reporting the incident to police, Buunchay drove his orange Chevrolet pickup truck to take his children to another residence in Non Saoat district before his wife brought him to turn himself in to authorities.

Police Colonel Natthapong Chueethong, commander of Kumphawapi Police Station, led an investigation team to the scene. They seized a registered .32 caliber revolver with four rounds of ammunition found in the truck, plus two spent cartridges. At the crime scene, police recovered a 50-centimeter machete, a hammer, a tire iron, and a screwdriver belonging to the deceased burglar, as well as a pink women's bicycle hidden in nearby bushes that belonged to the victim.

The house showed signs of previous burglaries with extensive damage—electrical appliances, wiring, doors, windows, and frames had been pried open and stolen. Buunchay explained that he purchased the house over 10 years ago but had relocated to open a shop in Non Saoat district about a year ago. Despite advertising the property for sale, it remained vacant and had been repeatedly targeted by burglars who stole air conditioning units, washing machines, and other electrical equipment, even stripping electrical wiring and door frames. Buunchay said he had been randomly checking on the property to catch the burglar but never succeeded until this night.

"Last night I drove my pickup with my 10-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter to run errands in Kumphawapi town," Buunchay recounted. "On the way back, I noticed lights on inside the house, so I parked and told the children to wait in the truck. I carried my gun to check the house. When I climbed the stairs to the second floor, I saw a man forcing open the door frame. I shouted at him, and he shouted back in surprise. Then he grabbed a machete and charged at me, so I fired once in self-defense. The burglar dropped the blade and jumped from the second-floor balcony. I fired another shot as he fled."

Bangkok – May 5, 2025 – Mr. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand) Public Company Limited (MRDIYT), a leading retailer of home decoration equipment and lifestyle products, has successfully held its annual shareholder meeting (AGM) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.

The meeting was held on April 30, 2025, at True Digital Park in Bangkok, representing the company's first shareholder meeting following its listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) on November 5, 2024. The company trades under the ticker symbol "MRDIYT," and its initial public offering (IPO) was recognized as the highest-valued offering in Thailand in 2024.

The meeting was chaired by Adrian Ong, Chairman of the Board, and attended by board members and senior executives, including Andy Chin Guan Kui, Chief Executive Officer.

Shareholders approved all agenda items, including the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, and the allocation of annual net profit. Shareholders also approved an annual dividend payment of 0.261 baht per share, totaling approximately 1,507 million baht, or 57.27% of net profit. The company had previously paid an interim dividend of 0.201 baht per share (1,145.97 million baht), with a remaining dividend of 0.06 baht per share (361.03 million baht) to be paid as a final dividend.

During 2024, Mr. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand) continued expanding, reaching a total of 1,127 branches nationwide, supported by ongoing infrastructure investments and operational capabilities. This growth reflects the company's commitment to making everyday essential products affordable and easily accessible to communities across Thailand, while maintaining disciplined operations.

As part of the regional Mr. D.I.Y. group, the company benefits from a strong brand and recognized business model, enabling continuous expansion while efficiently meeting domestic market demand.

Mr. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand) remains focused on strengthening business fundamentals and building stable, sustainable long-term growth.

"Last year was another significant milestone for us with our listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand," said Andy Chin Guan Kui, Chief Executive Officer. "In 2024, the company expanded branches across all 77 provinces nationwide, reflecting the strength of our scalable business model and enhanced ability to serve customers comprehensively throughout Thailand. As we continue growing, our vision remains clear: to deliver quality products at affordable prices and convenient access for customers, while building a stable, disciplined, and sustainably growing business. We are confident in the potential of the Mr. D.I.Y. brand and ready to leverage this strength to expand growth in Thailand."

The successful completion of this first shareholder meeting reflects the company's commitment to conducting business with integrity and transparency.