Amid ongoing discussions about the close, sibling-like friendship between Louis Skok and Tray Skok—particularly after Louis left a supportive comment when Tray posted an emotional video discussing childhood trauma—social media users have been revisiting a March 26 post from Tray Skok featuring a warm moment with Louis. Tray's caption read: "Today I don't know if we're related or not, but if we are, that's great because older brother Louis has such a good heart."

Fans have been rushing to the comments to praise both of them, noting they clearly see the resemblance and commenting on how charming and kind they both are. Comments include: "Louis and Tray are both so charming and good-hearted," "Both Skoks are handsome," "They must be related," "They look so similar and have great chemistry," and "Their faces look the same," among many others.

Source: Tray – Merman

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the cabinet invited over 35 senior business executives from 10 major industry groups to Government House at 5 p.m. on May 15, 2569 for a consultation and dialogue session aimed at developing Thailand's economic competitiveness. The meeting includes representatives from three main business institutions and the Thai Tourism Industry Council, featuring leaders from the financial institutions sector, agriculture and food industry, electronics manufacturing, automotive industry, energy business, hotel industry, and healthcare and wellness sectors. Participants include prominent figures such as Poch Aramwattananont (Thai Chamber of Commerce), Pimjai Lee Itsaranukul (Federation of Thai Industries), Payong Srivanucci (Thai Bankers Association), Chai Arunanantchai (Thai Tourism Industry Council), and executives from major companies including Bangkok Bank, Kasikornbank, Siam Commercial Bank, CP Group, Betagro, Thai Beverage, Siam Kubota, Delta Electronics, Seagate, Toyota, Honda, Great Wall Motors, Gulf Energy, PTT, Bangchak, Dusit Thani, and healthcare representatives.

On May 14, 2025, Lieutenant Colonel Pattanasak Bubphasuwan, commander of the Crime Suppression Division, ordered officers Suriyansakdi Jirawat and Eaksitthisak Inthoelo to apprehend Prapai (surname withheld), age 56, based on an arrest warrant from the Bangkok South Criminal Court dated August 3, 2016, charging her with embezzlement of employer property. She was captured in the Ban Yai subdistrict of Nakhon Nayok province.

The case originated in August 2016 when a private company filed a police report at Palat Plachay 1 Police Station after discovering fraudulent activity. Prapai, who worked as the company's accountant, had diverted three customer checks intended as payment to the company into her own bank account:

- February 1, 2016: 123,200 baht - May 3, 2016: 81,251 baht - June 1, 2016: 178,746 baht Total losses: 383,197 baht

After the company verified the facts with the bank, Prapai initially confessed to depositing the checks into her personal account but subsequently fled and became untraceable. She remained a fugitive for over nine years until her arrest. During interrogation, she confessed to all charges and has been transferred to Palat Plachay 1 Police Station for legal proceedings.

Chatchai Sittiphand is preparing to submit his resignation letter as Bangkok Governor today before registering as a candidate in the upcoming gubernatorial election. He will also unveil his deputy governor team and staff on May 28.

On May 15, 2569 at Bangkok City Hall, reporters noted that while Chatchai was originally scheduled to brief on the Bangkok Master Plan's 4th revision, Deputy Governor Vishnu Saempol delivered the briefing instead. When asked why Governor Chatchai did not appear personally or whether his absence was related to resignation preparations, Vishnu replied that the governor had multiple commitments.

When further asked whether the current administration would remain in place if Chatchai returns to office following his re-election bid, Vishnu stated he did not know and would wait for the governor's announcement on whether he would run again. Regarding new policies, Vishnu noted they would continue with existing policies for now.

According to reports, Chatchai will submit his resignation letter to the Ministry of Interior today to register for re-election as Bangkok Governor. He will then take leave to travel to the United States to congratulate his son on completing his bachelor's degree, before returning to register as a candidate and unveil his deputy governor and staff team on May 28.

Meanwhile, offices in Bangkok City Hall—including those of deputy governors, the governor's advisors, and the governor's secretary—have begun packing up their belongings. The administration is expected to complete the fiscal year 2570 budget of 93 billion baht today, ready for the incoming governor to present to the new Bangkok Metropolitan Council so budget disbursement can begin on October 1, 2569.

Khon Kaen authorities are preparing to investigate foreign objects found in fish dumplings purchased at Bueng Kaen Nakhon Market. If confirmed, the vendor will face penalties, and a comprehensive inspection of the market is planned to reassure residents.

The incident began when a 58-year-old woman purchased fish dumplings at Bueng Kaen Nakhon Market within Khon Kaen Municipality's jurisdiction. Upon returning home and preparing to eat them, she discovered tissue paper inside the dumplings. She shared the incident on social media, which generated significant public criticism and concern.

On May 15, 2569, Deputy Mayor Nuchniwan Dordeedlert provided an update. The municipality has contacted market officials and determined that the vendor in question was not a regular stallholder but rather a street vendor who set up near the entrance behind the temple. Authorities believe the vendor entered the market on the evening of May 13 before leaving. Health and environmental officials are now tracking down the vendor. The municipality is requesting any customers who purchased the dumplings to bring them for forensic examination. If contamination is confirmed, legal action will be taken against the vendor. Additionally, a full inspection of Bueng Kaen Nakhon Market will be conducted this evening to restore public and tourist confidence in the market's food safety standards and to protect Khon Kaen Province's tourism reputation.

Most Thai businesses report bribe demands from officials, survey findsLegacyNine in ten businesses in Thailand have encountered bribe requests from government officials, according to a nationwide survey released this week by a coalition of Thailand’s top private sector bodies, with the Pollution Control Department topping the rankings for the highest average payment demanded per encounter. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCIB), comprising the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Thai Bankers’ Association, conducted the survey alongside its Zero Corruption working group. Responses were collected from 401 business operators and private sector representatives across Thailand between March and April 2026. The findings paint a broad picture of bribery embedded in routine government dealings. Some 89.1% of respondents said corruption was a moderate to severe obstacle to doing business, while 51.2% reported conditions had worsened compared with three years ago. Only 3% said the situation had improved. Among those who had applied for government permits or approvals, 60.9% said they had received implicit signals or direct requests for payments or other benefits. Of those, 45.9% confirmed they had paid, whether in cash, gifts, or other forms, and 37.3% said winning a government contract required paying an additional 11 to 15% of the contract value.

Cash was the most common form of bribe in Thailand, cited by 46.6% of respondents, followed by gifts and hospitality at 23.1%, and donations or sponsorships at 18.7%. In procurement processes, 27.3% said someone had claimed they could guarantee a contract win, and an equal proportion said they had been directed to use a specific intermediary. In a notable departure from previous surveys, the JSCIB named specific government agencies. The Pollution Control Department recorded the highest average bribe amount per incident at 102,160 baht, followed by the Marine Department at 100,000 baht and the Excise Department at 94,667 baht. The Revenue Department came fourth at 89,498 baht, and the justice process (excluding the courts) at 88,750 baht. The Food and Drug Administration and public health services averaged 74,643 baht per incident, while the Department of Highways recorded 70,167 baht and the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning 70,000 baht. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation averaged 68,000 baht per incident, and the Royal Forest Department 67,500 baht. Ranked separately by frequency of bribe requests in Thailand relative to the number of contacts, highway and traffic police came first with a rate of 100%, meaning a payment or offer was recorded on every single interaction. The justice process followed at 94.4%, subdistrict administrative organisations (SAOs) at 91.7%, the Marine Department at 90%, and the Department of Highways at 82%.

Despite the scale of the findings, 52.3% of respondents said they had no confidence in government whistleblowing channels, and 43.7% said they would not report bribery even if they witnessed it. The most commonly cited reasons for paying were complex bureaucratic procedures (29.1%), laws that grant officials excessive discretionary powers (25%), and the need to resolve problems arising from the respondent’s own regulatory non-compliance (18.8%). The survey findings align with Thailand’s standing in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024, which gave the country a score of 34 out of 100, placing it 107th out of 180 countries. That was down from 35 the previous year. Within ASEAN, Thailand ranked fifth, behind Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Despite having a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for anti-corruption, the survey suggests enforcement remains far removed from day-to-day business reality. The Pollution Control Department rejected the findings, stating that its operations are transparent and subject to scrutiny at every stage. The department said it would hold a formal press conference today, May 15, at its headquarters. The story Most Thai businesses report bribe demands from officials, survey finds as seen on Thaiger News.