The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the National Innovation Agency (NIA) in partnership with the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and Kasetsart University (KU), is launching a product promotion and technology innovation showcase for Thai food entrepreneurs under the Thai Kitchen 2026: Crafted FoodTech Accelerator Program at THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2026. The initiative aims to create business and marketing opportunities for Thai food and beverage innovators by facilitating meetings, product presentations, and business negotiations with international importers, distributors, investors, and business partners.

Dr. Kricchapon Boonfeuang, Director of NIA, stated that the food industry is a high-potential sector for driving Thailand's economy. NIA is committed to promoting and supporting innovative entrepreneurs through four key mechanisms: Groom (nurturing and developing innovation potential), Grant (providing funding), Growth (creating market expansion opportunities and capital sources), and Global (entering global markets). The Thai Kitchen 2026 program serves as an additional platform to strengthen Thai entrepreneurs through product development, business model creation, market linkage, and the Growth Lab Journey, which provides customized consulting and activity planning tailored to each participating company.

The Thai Kitchen 2026 Program, operated by NIA and Kasetsart University, aims to accelerate growth and expand Thai innovation-based businesses—including MSMEs, FoodTech startups, and social enterprises—into international markets. The program emphasizes commercializing Thai food research, technology, and innovations while enhancing business strategy capabilities, product development, international standard compliance, and access to business partner networks.

The NRCT, which operates the HIVE Food Hub (a center of expertise for healthy and sustainable food industry along the value chain) and Innovative House, is supporting these entrepreneurs through training in booth preparation, business negotiation guidelines, pricing strategies, and business matching activities. The program includes 12 entrepreneurs from the Thai Kitchen 2026 Program and 12 from the Innovative House network, presenting their products at booth 9BB-01 in Hall 9 of Impact Muang Thong Thani during May 26-30, 2569 (2026).

The showcased products include health-conscious foods, raw materials and seasonings, functional foods and beverages, and high-value processed food products, demonstrating the potential of Thai researchers and entrepreneurs in developing value-added food innovations with distinctive characteristics capable of competing on the global stage.

On May 26, 2026, Facebook user Surasak Ketsen posted a warning after his mother swallowed two betel nut seeds that caused serious medical complications requiring emergency surgery. His mother arrived at the hospital with severe abdominal pain, blood pressure over 180, breathing difficulties requiring a breathing tube, and X-rays revealed a perforated stomach. Surgeons operated from 7:00 PM to 9:20 PM, discovering two betel nut seeds that had damaged not only her stomach but also torn her small intestines, forcing doctors to remove approximately a wrist-length section of bowel and create an artificial anus. She also developed a bloodstream infection and is currently recovering in ICU with an uncertain treatment timeline.

Surasak emphasized that betel nut seeds can be life-threatening, urging everyone to never swallow them as the human body cannot digest them—a danger that increases with age. He expressed gratitude to the medical team for successful surgery and asked for prayers for his mother's recovery without further complications. In a follow-up post, he reported his mother is responsive but experiencing dangerously low blood pressure requiring medication, kidney dysfunction, and new antibiotics to combat infection, requesting continued prayers to prevent additional complications.

Prime Minister Anupthon Chanyaweerakul confirmed on May 26 from France that he has reviewed the legal clarification for the 400-billion-baht emergency decree and is confident it does not violate the Constitution. He stressed that the borrowing is domestic with low interest rates and will deliver funds directly to citizens to stimulate the economy and increase liquidity—not to boost government popularity, since the government's popularity was already established on February 8.

The PM emphasized that every baht from this emergency decree goes directly to the people, not to any government agency or ministry for infrastructure projects that would take years to show results. Instead, the funds aim to stimulate the economy and provide financial security. He noted that the government's decision to borrow is beneficial to all parties: banks can lend from their massive deposit reserves, and lenders are confident the loan is not at risk since they agreed to it. The government received favorable long-term borrowing terms over 9-10 years at very low interest rates.

The PM explained that interest payments will be offset through tax revenue and economic circulation generated by citizens' spending, so the government can repay comfortably without worrying about foreign exchange rates. He assured that every baht will reach the people directly—a direct transfer from government to its citizens—with no leakage or intermediaries.

When asked if he is confident there will be no problems after review, the PM said the government will not presume how the Constitutional Court will rule, but is confident the decree underwent thorough legal scrutiny before issuance. He stated the government has no concerns about violating any laws or the Constitution, as the decree is appropriate with favorable terms that are all positive factors. The primary beneficiary of this action will be the people.

At 9:30 a.m. on May 26, 2025 (French local time, five hours ahead of Thailand), Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister gave an interview regarding the Thai Help Thai Plus program registration, which currently has approximately 5.3 million benefits remaining from the total 30 million allocated. On the first day of registration (May 25), the public responded overwhelmingly with 25 million people confirming their eligibility. The PM credited all relevant agencies, including the Finance and Interior Ministries, for their role in verifying participants before benefit disbursement.

The PM stated that the public's strong response demonstrated their support for the government's stimulus initiative designed to boost spending and reduce living costs during a period when global conflicts in the Middle East are impacting energy prices. Unlike the previous fifty-fifty cash handout program that lasted only two months (November-December), Thai Help Thai Plus operates on a 60/40 ratio—where the government contributes 60 percent and citizens contribute 40 percent—over four months with 1,000 baht distributed monthly.

Anutin urged citizens to use their benefits each month, emphasizing that unused allocations cannot be carried forward and the government must budget accordingly. He stressed this is not a giveaway program but a collaborative effort where both citizens and the state contribute. When citizens spend, merchants and retailers benefit, creating positive economic momentum. Feedback from business owners showed sales increases of 5 to 10 times, indicating genuine economic stimulation beyond break-even points.

"This is Thai helping Thai—citizens contribute 40 percent while the state provides 60 percent," the PM explained. "The real beneficiaries are the merchants we buy from, who then purchase from others, creating a chain of mutual support that strengthens Thailand's financial foundation. I'm eagerly awaiting June 1st to see these funds circulate through our economy as quickly as possible."

Thailand is launching its biggest professional basketball competition in the Basketball Thailand League 2026, with 10 top clubs competing for a combined prize pool of 3 million baht, plus 200,000 baht per team in preparation support. The tournament will run from May 30 to August 8, 2026, across Bangkok and four provinces—Pathum Thani, Chonburi, Ratchaburi, and Bangkok—with teams bolstering their rosters significantly.

Prodpran Samanmit, deputy director of the Sports Authority of Thailand's professional sports division, Nipont Chawallitmontien, president of the Basketball Association of Thailand, and Manit Vorthnasarn, chairman of Thailand Basketball League management, announced the 2026 professional basketball championship at the Sports Authority of Thailand headquarters on May 26, 2026. Prodpran stated that the Sports Authority will continue supporting professional sports across all dimensions, including budget allocation, systematic competition structure, elevating clubs to professional standards, and promoting media coverage to expand the fan base, particularly among youth who show growing interest in basketball.

Nipont "Hia Tai" Chawallitmontien emphasized that the league aims to create a professional-standard competition platform allowing Thai basketball players to continuously develop skills and compete within a league system. The league serves as a foundation for raising Thai athletes' capabilities to international levels, while promoting professional management standards among clubs and expanding the basketball fan base nationwide. The championship winner will represent Thailand in the Asian club competition the following year.

Manit Vorthnasarn detailed the tournament format: 10 leading teams will compete in the first leg with round-robin matches, narrowing down to 6 teams for the second leg, then 4 top teams advancing to a best-of-three playoff semifinals. The tournament spans Bangkok and four provinces from May 30 to August 8, 2026, with total prize money and support reaching 5 million baht, with each team receiving 200,000 baht in initial preparation support. The 10 participating clubs include eight returning clubs, including High-Tech Basketball Club.

Property Perfect (PF) is advancing its liquidity management following the completion of all scheduled bond interest payments in May, while accelerating the sale of assets including Silom-area office buildings and Chao Phraya riverfront land valued at over 2 billion baht to strengthen cash flow. The company is also reorganizing its structure and reducing its workforce by over 100 employees after posting first-quarter sales representing a 40-year low.

Sanit Artanasksul, CEO of Property Perfect Public Company Limited, revealed that the company has successfully paid the PF263A bond interest due on May 25, 2025, following completion of nine other bond interest payments due in May 2025. These include five bonds maturing between May 7-11 (PF264A, PF265B, PF268A, PF25NA, and PF258B) and four bonds maturing on May 18-19 (PF258A, PF265A, PF268B, and PF26NA).

Following the bond interest payments, Sanit stated that the company plans to enhance liquidity to ensure full payment of employee salaries, with asset sales progressing as scheduled. The company has agreed to sell a six-story office building on Silom Road worth 150 million baht and 8 rai of riverside land near IconSiam valued at 2 billion baht, from which the company holds a 9% stake in the joint venture and expects to receive funds within three months.

Some asset sales have been delayed due to global economic uncertainty and Middle East conflicts affecting the investment climate. However, the company believes the situation is becoming clearer and anticipates improved momentum for other business transactions.

The company will continue implementing cost-control measures and operational efficiency improvements through organizational downsizing and reduction of over 100 employees in the second half of the year, with human resource management aligned to current business directions.

"In Q1 2025, our sales hit a 40-year low, requiring us to accelerate new strategies to boost sales for both housing and condominium projects," Sanit said, adding that the company plans to implement a new standard housing construction strategy emphasizing environmental conservation and reduced household expenses, while improving quality of life through upgraded club facilities converted into health centers. The company will also integrate AI systems into real estate business management.