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.

MGC-ASIA, a comprehensive lifestyle mobility business leader, has joined forces with XPeng Thailand, a distributor of premium-tech smart electric vehicles, along with business partners including Alpha X, Sight Car Rental Thailand, Howden Maxi, AIS, and ROYS HOTEL to support Thai youth development through ice hockey competitions. The 'XPENG International Ice Hockey Cup 2026-Asia Elite Series' will feature U15 and U20 age categories, creating a strong foundation for young athletes and opening pathways to higher-level competition.

At the press conference held on May 7, 2025, Dr. Sanhavirot Thamchuanviriya, Group Executive Officer of MGC-ASIA, presided over the official announcement alongside Apiwun Singtaveesardk, CEO of XPeng Thailand. Notable attendees included Phu Tatchcai Limpanyakul, a BUS band member and former Thai national youth ice hockey player known as the "Ice Prince," along with his brother Phim Thanat Limpanyakul, a Thai national ice hockey athlete. Phu will return to compete alongside his younger brother in this event.

Dr. Sanhavirot stated: "MGC-ASIA believes that supporting youth creates a strong foundation for society long-term. Today we're not just supporting a competition, but supporting the growth pathway of Thai youth. Ice hockey develops the body, mind, and discipline, aligning with our commitment to nurturing new generation potential while driving sustainable organizational growth."

Apiwun added: "XPeng isn't merely a premium-tech smart electric vehicle brand—we aim to be part of the new generation's lifestyle. Previously, we connected with younger audiences through fashion and design initiatives. Now we're expanding into sports, supporting ice hockey, a sport full of energy, speed, challenge, and perseverance that reflects our brand identity and genuinely connects us with Gen Z."

Thong Siriwan, representative of the Sports Authority of Thailand, expressed: "On behalf of the Sports Authority of Thailand, I'm delighted to see ice hockey's progress from a niche sport to broader recognition. With determination and support from various sectors, it's developing significantly. We don't focus solely on competition results but also on building a strong ice hockey foundation for sustainable long-term growth. I thank MGC-ASIA and XPeng Thailand for elevating competition standards to international levels and providing crucial encouragement to athletes and sports personnel to bring glory to our nation."

At 10:00 AM on May 7, 2026, at the Traffic Police Division headquarters on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Police General Siam Bunsawm, the National Police Commissioner, led a delegation including Police General Paiboon Jiamanukulkij (Medical Officer Rank 8) and the Royal Thai Police Hospital's chief physician, along with several senior police officers. The medical team visited and offered moral support, providing financial assistance and a fruit basket to Senior Sergeant Major Charnvit Saenkaew, head of the Driver Examination Section at the Traffic Police Division, who was injured while performing his duties.

The 'Looking Back, Looking Forward' program is a collaborative initiative between the Royal Thai Police Office and Royal Thai Police Hospital. The program sends medical teams and commanding officers to visit the homes or residences of police officers who have been injured or disabled in the line of duty, to provide moral support, financial assistance, and close follow-up on their medical treatment and recovery.