Thailand's Department of Foreign Trade revealed that Thai rice exports in the first quarter of 2025 reached approximately 1.79 million tons, representing a 2.87% increase from 1.74 million tons in the same period of the previous year. However, export value declined to 1.046 billion USD (approximately 32.4 billion baht), down 4.65% from 1.097 billion USD (approximately 37.1 billion baht) year-over-year. The Thai baht strengthened by 6.92% against the US dollar, averaging 31.61 baht per dollar during the period.

All rice varieties experienced price declines in March 2025. Jasmine rice fell 2.19% to $1,026 per ton, Thai fragrant rice dropped 6.52% to $645 per ton, sticky rice decreased 4.66% to $818 per ton, parboiled rice fell 6.05% to $404 per ton, and white rice declined 6.86% to $380 per ton.

White rice remained Thailand's largest export segment at 47.16% of volume, with primary markets including Iraq, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Mozambique. Jasmine rice accounted for 25.33% destined mainly to the United States, Senegal, Hong Kong, and Canada. Parboiled rice represented 18.34% going to South Africa, Yemen, and Congo. Thai fragrant rice comprised 6.11% to the US, Senegal, and Cameroon, while sticky rice made up 2.62% to China, Japan, the US, and Belgium. Brown rice represented 0.44% to South Korea, the US, and Canada.

Africa emerged as Thailand's primary rice export market, accounting for 43.48% of total volumes, followed by Asia at 23.48%, the Middle East at 13.91%, the Americas at 12.17%, Europe at 5.22%, and Oceania at 1.74%.

The first-quarter volume increase of 2.87% was driven by strong domestic rice supply from the dry-season harvest in March-April, combined with a weaker Thai baht that improved export competitiveness. Major importers like Malaysia and the Philippines are expected to increase purchases to meet domestic consumption and build food security reserves amid geopolitical uncertainties involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. These countries' proximity to Thailand shields them from shipping route disruptions in conflict zones, and their preference for white rice may partially substitute Thai white rice exports to Iraq.

Baan Chan Sod Sohng Luang Awaits Thaksin Following Sentence Suspension and Release; Grandchildren to Meet Him at Home. Media Personnel Stationed; Police Ensure Order.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra received a sentence suspension today (May 11, 2025) after serving 243 days in prison under probation conditions.

The morning of May 11, 2025, at Baan Chan Sod Sohng Luang on Charoen Sanit Wong 71 Soi remained quiet, with police managing security and preparing designated areas for media personnel using metal barriers along the roadside.

Meanwhile, a Mercedes-Benz, Thaksin's personal vehicle that was previously used officially in 2024, was seen departing from Baan Chan Sod Sohng Luang.

Reports indicate that Khunying Pojaman Damapong, his former wife, along with grandchildren, will be waiting at home to welcome Thaksin, while some family members plan to receive him directly from the prison.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been sentenced to a total of eight years imprisonment across three court cases. He returned to Thailand on August 22, 2023, and entered the judicial process that same day, but was admitted to the 14th floor of Police Hospital after falling ill that night. On August 31, 2023, the Royal Gazette published a royal pardon reducing his sentence to one additional year. On February 18, 2024, Thaksin was granted his first sentence suspension, meeting the criteria as a prisoner over 70 years old with serious health conditions, and was released to his home at Baan Chan Songhlai.

However, this first suspension led former Democrat Party MP Chaiyachai Isaraenatrakul to file a petition with the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, requesting an investigation into the enforcement of the sentence. The court conducted inquiries into all relevant parties, including Department of Corrections officials and medical personnel. On September 9, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the time Thaksin spent recovering at Police Hospital would not count toward his sentence, ordering him back to Khlong Prem Central Prison to serve the remaining one-year term.

Thaksin has now served eight months of his court-ordered sentence, meeting the two-thirds requirement for another sentence suspension consideration. The Justice Ministry's Sentence Suspension Committee has approved his second probation suspension under stricter conditions: he must wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet at all times, participate in a supervised probation program with strict reporting requirements, and is prohibited from traveling outside designated areas without permission until his sentence expires completely on September 9, 2025.

Oak Phan Thong Thae traveled by van to encourage red-shirt supporters camped overnight in front of Klongprem Central Prison, awaiting Thaksin's sentence commutation. He waved, greeted supporters and bowed respectfully as crowds lined up to take selfies with him.

A sentencing committee has approved former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as one of 859 eligible inmates to receive a general sentence commutation. Having already served two-thirds of his one-year sentence—eight months—he will be released on September 9, 2026, subject to electronic monitoring ankle bracelet conditions.

On the evening of May 10, 2569, as red-shirt activists held an overnight rally in front of Klongprem Central Prison, a van pulled up alongside the rally stage. When the window rolled down, Thaksin's eldest son, Phan Thong Thae Shinawatra, known as Oak, emerged to show his support. He smiled, waved, and bowed respectfully to the crowd, telling them: "See you tomorrow."

The red-shirt supporters cheered with excitement, eagerly lining up to shake hands and take selfies with Oak before his vehicle drove away.

Atthaya Thitikul has once again made her mark on the global stage by successfully defending her Mizuho Americas Open championship and claiming her ninth LPGA Tour title. The LPGA Tour event took place in New Jersey, USA on May 10, with the world's second-ranked Thai golfer securing victory in the final round. Thitikul, the defending champion from 2025, shot a final round 3-under par 69, bringing her 72-hole total to 13-under par 275 to claim the championship and the $487,500 prize purse. This marks her ninth LPGA Tour victory. Yin Ruoning of China finished second at 9-under par 279, while Choi Hye-jin of South Korea, Gaby Lopez of Mexico, and Americans Jen Kupcho and Alison Lee tied for third at 8-under par 280. Other Thai competitors' results included Patchariya Anantanaseewarak in 25th place (even par 288), Apinya Yubol in 34th (1-over par 289), and Thidapa Suwannaphura in 46th (4-over par 292).

Barcelona has triumphantly won the 2025-26 La Liga championship after a commanding home victory over Real Madrid in El Clásico, securing the title mathematically. The Spanish La Liga 2025-26 match took place on May 10, marking the 263rd official El Clásico encounter. Barcelona opened the Spotify Camp Nou stadium to host Real Madrid in this historic 263rd official meeting.

Barcelona struck early, scoring in the 9th minute when Marcus Rashford curled a free kick from the right side of the penalty area over the wall and into the far corner for a 1-0 lead. In the 18th minute, Fermín López provided a pass from the left wing into the box, where Dani Olmo flicked the ball to Ferrán Torres, who finished to make it 2-0 at halftime.

In the second half at the 63rd minute, Vinícius Júnior sent a through ball into the penalty area for Jude Bellingham, who struck it past the goalkeeper, but the goal was disallowed due to Bellingham's offside position. No further goals were scored, and Barcelona secured a 2-0 victory. With both teams having played 35 matches each, Barcelona now leads with 91 points and has officially won the championship, as Real Madrid sits second with 77 points—14 points behind with only three matches remaining.

This is Barcelona's 29th league title and their second consecutive championship. Real Madrid finishes the season without a title.