On May 5, 2569, Sirikanya Tansukul, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, criticized the Cabinet's decision to issue a 400 billion baht emergency borrowing decree, expressing concern that the borrowing amount raises questions about whether the government will need to expand the debt ceiling. While the expansion may not be necessary by the end of fiscal year 2569, it will become inevitable when fiscal year 2570 begins, meaning the government will still need to expand the public debt ceiling during the 2570 budget process.

She noted that Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ek Niti has raised similar concerns, pointing out that the government's projections assume GDP growth will help reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio even if inflation increases. However, this raises further questions about why such a massive borrowing amount is necessary.

Sirikanya stated she supports the 200 billion baht emergency relief for citizens facing urgent hardship, but the remaining 200 billion baht for long-term economic restructuring should not require an emergency decree. The government should instead develop detailed projects and submit a regular bill to Parliament for consideration, as only the first 200 billion baht meets the constitutional emergency criteria under Article 172.

Emergency decrees should be used sparingly and only when truly necessary, as they represent executive power that bypasses parliamentary oversight and scrutiny. Such extraordinary measures should only occur during genuine crises or urgent emergencies.

Regarding the government's argument to combine the borrowing with economic restructuring using the COVID model, Sirikanya cautioned that different crises require different responses. The COVID pandemic relief, distributed through cash handouts, was appropriate for economic stimulus during that specific downturn. However, the current energy crisis is fundamentally different from the pandemic crisis.

She raised additional concerns about the government's "half a million per person" cash transfer program, noting it has limitations and unclear modifications. While cash assistance appears helpful for reducing living costs, it remains restrictive and may not be the most suitable tool for addressing the current crisis. The government hasn't specified whether it will expand the program to 60 percent government subsidy.

The half-a-million program has conditions and restrictions that make it difficult to access and unsuitable for addressing the current emergency. Given that Thailand is facing an energy crisis with rising costs of living across all sectors, not just daily expenses, conditions should be broadened significantly. Direct cash payments without additional restrictions would be more appropriate, since existing conditions were designed to stimulate the economy during growth periods, not during the current economic downturn and high inflation.

The Narathiwat Provincial Court approved temporary bail for two naval officers charged in the shooting of MP Kamlasak Leewamoh from Pheu Thai Party's 5th District of Narathiwat. After Lieutenant Montri Toh-prasert and Petty Officer Detcho Rattanaphun underwent intensive questioning lasting over five hours, authorities submitted a detention request to the provincial court with a recommendation against bail, citing flight risk and potential witness tampering. The court ultimately granted temporary release on 200,000 baht bail, determining that both suspects had voluntarily appeared as summoned and showed no initial flight risk. They were ordered to report to the court as scheduled and comply strictly with all conditions.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphasat revealed that the Fiscal Policy Office has modeled a royal decree authorizing the Finance Ministry to borrow up to 400 billion baht to address impacts from the energy crisis and facilitate the country's energy transition. All funds are projected to stimulate an additional 0.8% growth in Thai GDP, while inflation in 2027 is expected to remain at 1.5%. However, he emphasized that the primary objective is not economic stimulus but providing relief and alleviating burdens on citizens, SMEs, and business operators facing the current energy crisis.

The next steps include submitting the royal decree draft to the King for announcement in the Royal Gazette, then including it in the fiscal year 2569 borrowing plan for consideration by the Public Debt Management Committee before presenting to the Cabinet for review by May 12, 2569, with submission to Parliament on May 14 and Senate on May 18.

"The government must act immediately," Ekniti stated. "We've exhausted all budget options. The 2569 budget and budget transfers will yield less than 50 billion baht, while the central budget has only 20 billion baht remaining. The 2570 budget requires another five months. If we wait that long, people, farmers, and business operators will suffer severely, leading to reduced purchasing power, business closures, and unemployment. The government cannot allow this."

Ekniti confirmed that this borrowing will not require raising the public debt ceiling from its current 70% of GDP, as projections show Thailand's public debt will peak at 69% of GDP in fiscal year 2571 before gradually declining.

Ekniti expects the May 19 Cabinet meeting will approve the "Thailand Helps Thailand Plus" program, encompassing the "Half for All Plus" scheme and welfare card top-ups, funded through borrowing, central budget allocations, and budget transfers—all subject to a screening committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary of Finance.

He confirmed that citizens will definitively be able to access benefits under the Half for All Plus program on June 1 as the Prime Minister announced.

Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Laweron Saengsonit expects government agencies to begin submitting funding requests under the royal decree next week, with Cabinet consideration possible from May 19 onwards. He confirmed that despite the 400 billion baht borrowing, the public debt ceiling will not exceed 70% of GDP during fiscal years 2570-2573.

The Pure Heart Foundation presented snacks to the Thai Social Welfare Council in support of a merit-making ceremony honoring the late Princess Galyani Vadhana. On May 5, 2025, Foundation President Theeraphant Nawamawat delivered 2,400 snacks valued at 33,600 baht, sponsored by Saranjitr Wang, board member of Bai Lee Enterprise Company Limited, to the Thai Social Welfare Council under Royal Patronage.

The donation was made to support the memorial event "In Remembrance of the Gracious Kindness of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, Princess of Nakhon Sawan" scheduled for May 6, 2025 at the Nawamaharat Building, with Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Manas Nonuch, President of the Thai Social Welfare Council, receiving the donation.

The foundation president stated that the Pure Heart Foundation is deeply committed to supporting this commemorative event, which reflects the care and cooperation among different sectors. This reinforces the ongoing collaboration between the foundation and the Thai Social Welfare Council in conducting activities that benefit society and improve the quality of life for people in the long term.

Historically, the foundation and the Thai Social Welfare Council have jointly implemented various public benefit activities, including assistance for disadvantaged groups, social welfare support, and quality-of-life improvement initiatives across the country. These efforts demonstrate the power of civil society working together concretely, aiming to create opportunities, reduce inequality, and extend assistance widely to target groups.

The memorial event comprises two components: a merit-making ceremony honoring Princess Galyani Vadhana and a scholarship award ceremony for persons with disabilities and children of disabled persons.

At 5:35 PM on May 5, 2025, Chadchart Suwanrüjitr, list MP and deputy leader of the People's Party, presented his vision as the party's candidate for Bangkok Governor. He argued that while Bangkok is often portrayed as the most comfortable city for those with sufficient wealth, ordinary workers such as street food vendors, delivery riders, and office employees face a much harder reality. Chadchart emphasized that life in Bangkok is genuinely difficult due to transportation challenges, the costs of raising children and elderly parents, and increasing job losses in an era of AI technology displacement.

Chadchart spoke from personal experience, growing up in the old riverside neighborhoods of Bangkok and commuting long distances by multiple buses and boats for work. He challenged Bangkokians to question whether the capital should settle for its current state or whether it can offer better quality of life.

He highlighted the People's Party's commitment to addressing structural problems and outlined four policy packages to make life easier: (1) easier family support through assistance with childcare, (2) streamlined commerce, (3) job creation for the unemployed, (4) developing a walkable city with improved transportation. Chadchart emphasized that Bangkok is fundamentally about its people, not just infrastructure, and that the city should return time to residents currently wasted on daily commutes and administrative tasks. He stated that Bangkok should aspire to be a world-class capital that provides opportunities and support during difficult times, viewing citizens as the city's greatest resource rather than merely as administrative subjects.

The Democrat Party has approved all 50 Bangkok Metropolitan Assembly (BMA) candidates along with its Bangkok governor candidate. The party is preparing for Abhisit Vejjajiva, the party's list MP and leader, to announce the candidates in mid-May.

On May 5, 2569, reporters confirmed that the Democrat Party's executive committee approved the complete list of 50 BMA candidates across all Bangkok districts. The approved candidates include candidates from Dusit (Sriram Phumijai), Phra Nakhon (Natchathanya Saspyankorn), Bang Sue (Thanvat Satitolapreecha), and other districts throughout Bangkok, spanning all 50 electoral zones.

While the party's executive committee has already approved the Bangkok governor candidate, the identity cannot yet be disclosed. Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva will make the official announcement unveiling both the assembly candidates and the governor candidate in mid-May.