'Big Joke' Denies Knowing Thon Bangkae and Amulet Collector Group, Claims He Didn't Use Anyone as a Tool to Attack 'Big Turtle' and Asks the Media Not to Connect the Dots

At 2:00 PM on May 7, 2026, at the Central Investigation Police Office, General Surachet Hakphaul, also known as 'Big Joke' and former Deputy Police Commissioner, gave an additional statement to suppression division investigators. This came after his former close aides Pol. Col. Aris Kurasertrat and Pol. Lt. Col. Krisada Periyakaetu filed a complaint accusing him of assault causing bodily or mental harm.

General Surachet revealed that he came today to provide supplementary testimony regarding the complaint filed by his former subordinates, though he asked that details be directed to his lawyer. He confirmed that all actions are being conducted within the framework of the law. Regarding his relationship with 'Thon Bangkae' and the amulet collector group in question, he stated he does not know either Thon or the collector group, and he did not coordinate with them to come to the suppression division.

When asked about reports suggesting that General Surachet may have used Thon Bangkae as a tool to file a complaint, General Surachet requested that the media not connect these issues. He emphasized that he does not know anything about Thon, does not know him personally, and did not use anyone as a tool.

According to Sanyaphach Samart, General Surachet's lawyer, today's supplementary testimony addressed allegations of assault and mental harm. The general brought outside witnesses, including 3-4 medical witnesses whose names he preferred not to disclose, as he came seeking justice and wanted investigators to examine the evidence and consider it in building the case. Initially, General Surachet has provided complete testimony to the investigators, though the investigator's decision on whether to file charges remains at their discretion.

The lawyer clarified that regarding previous reports suggesting General Surachet's testimony contradicted his lawyer's account, the investigators actually summoned General Surachet to provide supplementary information to police. General Surachet's intention that day was to also file a counter-complaint against his former subordinates, but due to other commitments and time constraints, he only acknowledged the facts and did not file the counter-complaint that day. However, he will proceed with filing the counter-complaint afterward.

'General Surachet has not yet discussed the case with the opposing party. He continues to deny assaulting his former subordinate. Whether today's testimony will be favorable to General Surachet remains unclear, but he has provided all facts and information, particularly the medical evidence that cannot be altered.'

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Panitchpakdi announced that her recent visit to Washington, D.C. with the "Team Thailand+" delegation from May 4-5, 2026, was aimed at promoting economic cooperation, trade, and investment between Thailand and the United States, an important economic partner. The delegation participated in significant activities and held comprehensive discussions with both U.S. government and private sector representatives.

The visit reflected the Thai government's commitment to strengthening economic relations with the United States across all dimensions including trade, investment, and public-private cooperation. Thailand is prepared to work closely with all U.S. sectors to drive economic relationships toward concrete and sustainable results.

Supachee stated that she participated in the SelectUSA Investment Summit 2026 alongside Panpriya Pahithanakul, advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, and Poj Aramwattananont, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, representing "Team Thailand+" as a unified effort between the Commerce Ministry, Foreign Ministry, and Thai Chamber of Commerce, together with leading Thai business representatives. The delegation sought to create opportunities and promote Thai investment in the United States, particularly in sectors where Thailand has competitive advantages such as energy, agricultural processing, and advanced technology industries, reflecting Thai business confidence in the U.S. economy and Thailand's role as an important investment partner.

Supachee reported positive discussions with U.S. Commerce Department representatives, who expressed readiness to facilitate Thai private sector investments in the United States. She also met with private sector representatives from various U.S. states including Texas and Utah, which are potential hubs for energy, technology, and future industry investments, and all expressed willingness to welcome Thai investments.

Supachee noted that leading Thai private sector participants in the SelectUSA Investment Summit 2026—representing energy, petrochemicals, food, and electronics sectors—demonstrated Thailand's plans for continued investment expansion in the United States. Current Thai investments in the U.S. exceed $17 billion with growing momentum. The summit participation also created opportunities for Thai private companies to connect with U.S. business partners and government agencies to expand cooperation in supply chains and target industries.

Additionally, Supachee held discussions with the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), where she presented Thailand's vision and invited U.S. private sector companies to invest in Thailand. She emphasized Thailand's economic policies focused on enhancing competitiveness, restructuring the economy for the future, and promoting target industries such as Food Innovation and the Digital Economy—sectors with potential for supply chain linkages between Thailand and the United States.

U.S. private sector representatives expressed interest in expanding cooperation and investment in Thailand in mutually beneficial sectors including food technology and innovation, tourism and hospitality, and as partners supporting economic growth and development.

Knight Frank Thailand indicates that Bangkok office market demand is beginning to recover, with the crucial turning point being changing tenant behavior that values quality and long-term efficiency. This has created a widening performance gap between Grade A properties and older buildings, while average rental rates have declined slightly to 847 baht per square meter per month.

On May 7, 2025, Panya Chenkitvatanalert, partner and managing director of Knight Frank Thailand's office division, revealed that despite market concerns about future oversupply of office space, the latest Knight Frank report shows Bangkok's office market is undergoing a deeper transformation. Demand is gradually recovering, but the key turning point centers on tenant behavior adjustments.

Leasing activity has clearly improved, with approximately 111,000 square meters of space leased and net absorption at around 70,000 square meters. This pushed the market's overall occupancy rate to 77.6%, continuing its increase into the second quarter.

However, despite improving demand, the market faces intense competition from new supply entering continuously, keeping tenants in a strong negotiating position. Building owners cannot raise rents, with average asking rents declining slightly by 0.4% quarter-on-quarter to 847 baht per square meter monthly.

The market's key issue is the widening "efficiency gap" between new and older buildings. Grade A and new buildings continue attracting demand, while older properties face mounting competitive pressure.

Today's tenants are no longer simply expanding space for growth; they make more selective decisions prioritizing building quality, user experience, and long-term cost efficiency. This concentrates demand in high-quality buildings and intensifies market differentiation.

Meanwhile, high-quality office development outside the CBD provides tenants more options and opportunities to manage costs effectively while maintaining space standards.

Short-term market trends suggest Bangkok's office market will remain tenant-favorable, as significant new supply completing in 2025 continues creating competitive pressure. Even with recovering demand, market rebalancing may take time as tenants remain cautious about space expansion.

"This market's turning point isn't about leasing volume, but about tenant thinking," Panya stated, noting tenants are increasingly selective, considering quality, costs, and long-term suitability—widening the gap between premium and older buildings and reshaping the entire competitive landscape.

Sky and Nani Finally Collaborate!

【New Drama Coverage】Listen up, everyone! The most intense dual-lead drama of 2026 has arrived! Our talented powerhouse Sky and charming action star Nani bring their new series 'WU' to the screen!

This clash of passion and talent:

A peak showdown of looks and ability: Sky takes on a challenging role with absolutely stunning eye-acting, while Nani transforms into an action master with hard-hitting, visceral fight choreography that's truly impressive.

The premiere was electric: At the CentralwOrld premiere event, everyone agreed the pacing was incredibly fast—nobody could blink. Seeing how exhausted they were from their rigorous preparation for this drama really touched our hearts and showed their true professionalism!

Your Tuesday night appointment: Starting May 5th, tune in every Tuesday at 8:30 PM on GMM25. International viewers can catch replays on Viu at 9:30 PM—absolutely worth following!

Fans are saying: Everyone agrees Sky and Nani's chemistry is perfect together. A drama with this kind of dual-lead dynamic is endlessly rewatchable.

📅 Interactive moment: After watching the first episode, which actor's performance surprised you more—Sky or Nani? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let's show our support for 'WU'!

Thailand is preparing for the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony, one of the kingdom's oldest and most symbolic royal traditions linked to agriculture and the rice-growing season.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives held the second full rehearsal for the ceremony at Sanam Luang on Thursday ahead of the official rite on May 11. Winairoj Subsongsuk, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, performed the role of Phra Ya Raek Na, or Lord of the Plough, during the rehearsal.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, known in Thai as "Phuetcha Mongkhon," dates back more than 700 years and marks the traditional beginning of the rice farming season in Thailand. The ceremony is traditionally presided over by the King or a senior member of the royal family and combines both Buddhist and Brahmin rituals intended to bring prosperity, favorable rainfall and abundant harvests for farmers across the country.

One of the ceremony's most closely watched moments involves sacred oxen pulling a plough around the ceremonial field while rice seeds are scattered onto the ground. The oxen are later presented with symbolic foods and drinks, including rice, corn, grass, sesame seeds, water and alcohol. What the oxen choose to eat is traditionally interpreted as a prediction for the year's agricultural conditions, rainfall and economic outlook.

Another symbolic stage involves the Lord of the Plough selecting one of three pieces of cloth of different lengths. The chosen cloth is believed to forecast the amount of rainfall expected during the coming farming season.

Large crowds usually gather at Sanam Luang to watch the ceremony and collect blessed rice seeds, which many believe bring prosperity and good fortune. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day is observed as a public holiday in Thailand and remains an important cultural event reflecting the country's deep historical connection to agriculture.