Government Savings Bank Plans to Distribute 300 Billion Baht in New Loans in 2025 to Support Grassroots Communities. Songphol Cheevapaññarojanam, Director of the Government Savings Bank, announced that in 2025 the bank plans to distribute new credit loans valued at approximately 270-320 billion baht to assist grassroots entrepreneurs and SMEs. The loans will be divided into three groups:

1. Grassroots microenterprises (over one million borrowers) requiring no collateral, with individual loan amounts between 100,000-200,000 baht depending on customer needs and repayment capacity. The bank targets new disbursements of approximately 70,000-100,000 million baht, comprising various credit types such as revolving credit to improve liquidity and occupational loans tailored to customer needs. Interest rates will be kept low to ease borrower burden.

2. Small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (SMEs) without collateral, with a target of 120,000 million baht in new credit—40% higher than the previous year. This segment receives priority attention as these customers have been significantly impacted by the economic crisis.

3. Low-interest loans (soft loans) valued at 100,000 million baht to support liquidity, create new momentum, facilitate transition and development, and provide loans for solar panel installation and all types of electric vehicles approved by the Cabinet. This program began in late 2024, with 9 billion baht already disbursed; the remaining 90,000 million baht is expected to be distributed more quickly this year. The bank is negotiating memorandums of understanding with commercial banks and non-bank financial institutions to facilitate soft loan disbursements.

Cheevapaññarojanam stated that the Government Savings Bank aims to be a "bank for society, for all lives" serving people at every stage of life. He noted that the Thai economy faces challenges in 2025 from Middle Eastern conflicts and energy price crises, making it essential for the bank to support struggling grassroots communities and SMEs. The bank will offer interest rates below those of commercial banks while providing financial literacy education to help customers understand proper money management. The bank commits to leaving no one behind.

"There are many challenges ahead in this year that we must prepare for. This crisis is an opportunity because our geographic position allows us to continue earning and exporting. We must work together and move forward. The Government Savings Bank is ready to be part of ensuring everyone survives. We will be a bank for society, for all lives, and for all ages," Cheevapaññarojanam said.

Additionally, the bank has implemented a policy to reduce interest rates for borrowers with good repayment discipline. The policy was piloted with home loan applicants—for example, when borrowers complete three years of fixed-rate interest periods and face higher floating rates, the bank will negotiate with borrowers to reduce rates to 3-4% without waiting for the full three-year term to expire. This will be expanded to business loans and microenterprises to encourage and reward those with good payment discipline.

Cheevapaññarojanam announced plans to support customer savings with higher returns, including the planned issuance of Government Savings Bank lottery bonds with total prize money of 113 million baht. Previously, the grand prize was valued at 70 million baht alone, but the structure will be modified.

Managing Director Praapat Bunpan of Matichon Public Company Limited announced that the board of directors approved a dividend payment of 0.10 baht per share for fiscal year 2568, totaling 18,534,920 baht from retained earnings on 185,349,200 shares. The dividend rate matches the previous year's payout despite economic challenges. The company has faced significant disruption in the media business over the past two years, a struggle shared across the media industry in Thailand's stock market.

Praapat stated that Matichon is continuously restructuring its revenue streams, with online advertising now accounting for 52% of income, special events and activities contributing 27%, and traditional print advertising declining to just 20%. The book business (pocketbooks) remains strong, representing 45% of total sales, particularly during book festivals in April and October.

A key cost management measure involved an early retirement program costing approximately 90 million baht, which is expected to reduce annual personnel and employee welfare expenses by 36 million baht starting in 2569. The company faces two primary challenges: cost reduction and current revenue generation, requiring periodic review of business models and organizational structure.

Praapat acknowledged that while the company has attempted new business models, none have fully replaced the traditional model. He stated that 2569 may require reconsideration of daily newspaper operations, but the company has not yet raised prices due to concerns about damaging print media business confidence amid weak economic conditions. He reaffirmed that Matichon will continue operating under professional media standards while seeking business survival strategies.

Financially, the company reported current assets of 774 million baht (down 158 million from 2567's 933 million), total assets of 1,583 million baht (down 199 million), and liabilities of 287 million baht (down 30.7 million). Sales and service revenue declined to 464 million baht from the previous year's 590 million baht.

On April 28, 2569, at Government House, Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Cabinet meeting approved an expenditure budget framework of 3,788,000 million baht for fiscal year 2570, an increase of 7,400 million baht from fiscal year 2569's allocation of 3,780,600 million baht, representing a 0.2 percent increase.

The budget framework was developed through consultations among four agencies: the Budget Bureau, Ministry of Finance, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, and the Bank of Thailand on April 22, 2569. It aligns with the medium-term fiscal plan for fiscal years 2570–2573 previously approved by the Cabinet.

The budget maintains fiscal discipline with a projected net government revenue of 3,000,000 million baht, up 79,400 million baht or 2.7 percent from the previous year, and a deficit budget policy set at 788,000 million baht, a reduction of 72,000 million baht or 8.4 percent from fiscal year 2569.

Ratchada stated that the Prime Minister has instructed all government agencies to prepare budgets with precision and efficiency, focusing on directly addressing public hardships while adhering to principles of cost-effectiveness, necessity, urgency, and appropriateness to the current situation. The approach includes implementing zero-based budgeting concepts for maximum benefit and utilizing alternative funding sources outside the regular budget, such as off-budget funds or alternative capital, for government investment projects to reduce the overall budget burden on the nation.

On April 28, 2025, the Thai Meteorological Department issued the third severe summer thunderstorm warning affecting northern Thailand from April 29 to May 1, 2025. During this period, Thailand's upper regions will experience severe thunderstorms characterized by strong gusty winds, hail, heavy rainfall in some areas, and possible lightning strikes. The storms will first impact the northern, northeastern, and eastern regions before affecting central Thailand, Bangkok, and surrounding areas. This is caused by a high-pressure system and cold air mass from China moving over the northeastern region and the South China Sea while northern Thailand experiences hot to very hot conditions.

The public is urged to take precautions against thunderstorms by avoiding open areas, large trees, buildings, and weak signage. Farmers should strengthen fruit trees and prepare protective measures for crops and livestock. The Meteorological Department recommends monitoring weather updates via its website at http://www.tmd.go.th or by calling 0-2399-4012-13 and 1182 available 24 hours daily.

High-risk provinces for April 29 include: Northern region—Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Phichit, and Phetchabun; Northeastern region—Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nongbua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani.

For April 30, high-risk provinces shift to: Northern region—Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lampun, Lamphang, Sukhothai, Tak, and Kamphaeng Phet; Northeastern region—Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, and Surin; Central region—Nakhon Sawan, Lopburi, Saraburi, and Ayutthaya; Eastern region—Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, and Chonburi.

By May 1, medium-risk conditions are expected across northern provinces including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, and others; northeastern provinces including Loei, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Buriram; central provinces including Bangkok and its vicinity; and eastern provinces including Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaew, and Chachoengsao.

The Pheu Thai Party is preparing to announce 14 parliamentary committee chairs next week, with positions already allocated. Key appointments include: Asopdal Sannartribupt (Sri Saket) to head the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Prevention Committee; Thanyos Timsuwann (Loei) to lead the Administration Committee; Wachrapong Kuwijittasuwarn (Saraburi) chairing the Police Committee; Kongkrit Chaturaleeratna (Ranong) leading the Decentralization Committee; Thiwalrat Anksinantana (Phetchburi) heading the Religious Affairs Committee; Supon Julsi (Chumphon) chairing Energy; Supachoke Srisukjorn (Nakhon Pathom) leading Industry; Samret Thansap (Chaiyaphum) chairing Commerce; Chuti Krairik (Phitsanulok) heading Finance; Atthapol Trisiree (Phang Nga) leading Consumer Protection; Dr. Alongkot Manigat (Nakhon Phanom) chairing Communications; Serisit Butneiam (Prachuap Khiri Khan) heading Debt Solutions; Montien Songpracha (Chainat) leading National Security; and Kulanvali Nophomrabadee (Ratchaburi) chairing Land Affairs.