The Thai Health Foundation, collaborating with running federations, associations, and network partners, is preparing to host the 25th 'Mindful Walking-Running Visakha Buddha Worship Day—Five Precepts Observance, Reduce and Abandon Bad Behavior 2569' simultaneously across 70 locations nationwide on May 31, 2569. The campaign aims to spark behavioral change among Thai citizens toward reducing sedentary living and practicing mindful movement, under the powerful yet simple principle: 'A strong body requires movement; a resilient mind requires calm.' Dr. Pairoj Saonuam, Deputy Manager of the Thai Health Foundation, revealed that the activity integrates 'active living' with 'mindfulness in physical activity,' using Visakha Bucha Day as a unifying moment for people nationwide to practice self-care through mindful walking and running. The event emphasizes participation and accessibility across all age groups rather than competition. The program targets at least 30,000 nationwide participants and aims to create 'new runners' representing at least 10 percent of participants, welcoming those with no prior exercise habits or inconsistent physical activity to start in a friendly and safe manner. The initiative addresses both physical and mental dimensions, particularly cultivating 'intrinsic motivation' to help people apply mindfulness principles to daily work, life, and health management. Dr. Pairoj highlighted that Thai society's major challenge is 'sedentary behavior'—insufficient physical activity—a primary risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. WHO data indicates adults should engage in moderate physical activity for 150–300 minutes weekly, yet 28.9 percent of Thais aged 18 and over fall below this threshold. The activity reflects the Foundation's commitment to building 'health-conscious lifestyles' rather than short-term campaigns, using symbolic events as catalysts for sustained behavioral change. 'This activity isn't just about getting people out to run once and finishing; we aim for long-term behavioral change, helping people understand that physical movement is achievable daily in forms suited to their needs, eventually becoming part of their lives,' Dr. Pairoj stated. Prasad Jirchaisokul, Chairman of the Thai Running Association for Health Foundation, emphasized the event's hallmark feature: 'accessible design' meeting safety standards, open to all—children, adults, seniors, and those newly beginning health management—without restriction to professional runners. The flexible format accommodates walking, running, or combined meditation practice.

The Petroleum Fund Management Committee (PFMC) approved on May 7, 2025, a comprehensive price reduction of 0.85 baht per liter across all fuel types to reflect weakening global market trends. The price cuts follow investor relief over the US-Iran conflict, with reports of temporary ceasefire progress and reopened shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.

Global oil prices on May 7 closed at approximately $149 per barrel for diesel and $128 per barrel for gasoline, down from April 30 levels of $179 and $138 per barrel respectively. The new fuel fund rates effective May 8, 2025, include:

Diesel Group: Standard diesel increases collection by 0.63 baht per liter to 1.17 baht per liter, resulting in a retail price of 39.95 baht per liter. B20 diesel reduces compensation by 0.44 baht per liter to 5.38 baht per liter, bringing retail prices down to 32.95 baht per liter. Premium diesel increases collection by 0.63 baht per liter to 2.67 baht per liter.

Gasoline and Gasohol Group: Regular gasoline increases collection by 0.53 baht per liter to 9.87 baht per liter, resulting in a retail price of 52.04 baht per liter. Gasohol 95 increases collection by 0.41 baht per liter to 2.58 baht per liter, bringing retail prices to 42.45 baht per liter. Gasohol 91 increases collection by 0.41 baht per liter to 2.58 baht per liter, with retail prices at 42.08 baht per liter. E20 gasohol reduces compensation by 0.27 baht per liter to 2.61 baht per liter, resulting in a retail price of 35.45 baht per liter. E85 gasohol reduces collection by 0.46 baht per liter to 1.39 baht per liter, bringing retail prices to 31.39 baht per liter.

This price reduction not only helps lower the cost of living for consumers but also improves liquidity management for the Petroleum Fund, which generates approximately 75.65 million baht in daily revenue.

Two young men have been exempted from mandatory military service after appealing for fair treatment over inaccurate body measurements with errors of 1-2 centimeters. A committee voted to prevent their conscription.

On May 7, 2026, a Songkhla provincial reporter noted that three excess military conscripts submitted appeals to the senior committee for 2569. The first, Mr. Saranun (surname withheld), passed physical examination from Committee 1, measured at 172 centimeters tall with chest measurement of 77/80 centimeters, and drew a red lot (Army Unit 4/69). However, Mr. Saranun argued the chest measurement was inaccurate, claiming his own measurement showed 75/78 centimeters, below the required standard.

The second, Mr. Phalakorn (surname withheld), passed examination from Committee 3, measuring 168 centimeters tall with 76/79 centimeters chest measurement, and drew a red lot (Navy Unit 3/69). He filed a similar appeal stating his chest measurement was 75/78 centimeters, below the required standard.

The third, Mr. Muhammad Rizzuan (surname withheld), passed examination from Committee 4, measuring 167 centimeters tall with 82/85 centimeters chest measurement, and drew a red lot (Navy Unit 2/69). He appealed based on having a chronic condition of depression, which he argued could hinder military service.

At a recent meeting of the Songkhla Provincial Internal Security Command, Songkhla Governor Ratthaphun Chidchoo assigned Deputy Governor Sangkhom Koetko to chair the hearing on appeals regarding the conscript selection process for 2569. The meeting included Brigadier General Yutthapong Visetsak, Songkhla Provincial Commander, and Chatkrit Tinchart, prosecutor at the Office of Attorney General.

During the meeting, proper measurement procedures were emphasized: conscripts must stand straight with heels together, the measuring tape placed horizontally at chest level, with measurements taken at full exhalation and full inhalation. Decimal points and fractions must be dropped entirely (for example, 75.9 centimeters counts as 75 centimeters). Measurements cannot be taken with arms spread, fingers inserted into the tape, or above or below chest level.

Following a re-measurement before the senior committee, both the first and second applicants' chest measurements were confirmed at 75/78 centimeters, which does not meet the required standard since exhalation measurements did not reach 76 centimeters. The committee voted to exempt both from conscription.

The third applicant is currently undergoing additional medical consultation from Songkhla Hospital before his case is presented to the senior committee for further consideration.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand revealed that the SET index rose approximately 3% in April compared to March, continuing its recovery with a year-to-date gain of 20%, ranking fourth among Asian markets after Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. Deputy Manager Saraphon Tulyasetheeyar of the SET noted that April trading volume averaged 65 billion baht daily, relatively stable from March, while foreign fund outflows slowed to only billions of baht compared to significant March losses. The market shows emerging momentum from what officials call the 'Thailand Story'—a combination of government measures addressing cost of living, economic stimulus, energy restructuring, and the Land Bridge project that are easing investor concerns.

Market conditions in April reflected less panic about geopolitical tensions than in March. Saraphon stated that investors are adapting to current conditions, with both US and Thai interest rates likely remaining stable through year-end. Positive economic indicators include rising exports, 11 million tourists in four months, Moody's maintaining Thailand's credit rating at stable outlook, and improved domestic economic figures, suggesting relative stability for the next six months.

April 2025 Thai Stock Market Performance: – SET Index closed at 1,493.69 points, up 3.15% from March and 18.58% from end-2024 – Best-performing sectors: Technology, Industrial Products, and Resources – Average daily trading value for SET and mai: 58.69 billion baht, up 48.88% year-over-year; first four months of 2025 averaged 63.65 billion baht, up 51.45% – Foreign investors posted net sales of 2.51 billion baht; however, year-to-date net purchases reached 16.64 billion baht – Foreign investors maintained 54.43% of total trading value, followed by retail domestic investors (31.68%), institutional investors (7.53%), and brokerage firms (6.37%) – One new listing: Uniplastic Industries (UNIX) – Forward P/E: 15.16x (higher than Asian average of 12.96x); Historical P/E: 17.05x (lower than Asian average of 17.31x) – Dividend yield: 4.42% (higher than Asian average of 2.76%)

Deputy Police General Surapong Thanomjit, Deputy Police Chief, presided over the opening ceremony of the training program for provincial registrars under the Security Business Act B.E. 2558, held May 6-8, 2026. Joining him were several high-ranking police officers including Deputy National Police Chiefs Somkhwor Peungtrap and Charin Kopatthanta, as well as other senior officials. The program trained 228 participants with the support of administrative and related personnel. The event was held at the Ashvin Grand Convention Hotel.