BOI Secretary-General Narutt Therdsteerasukdi announced that on May 25, 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Thai delegation, including BOI officials, met with senior executives from five leading French companies in Paris to advance investment cooperation in strategic industries amid the global supply chain restructuring. France is a European leader in advanced technology across aviation, smart electronics, advanced materials for battery production, and digital identity systems. The discussions represent a critical opportunity for Thailand to attract investment, technology, expertise, and industrial networks to strengthen the country's manufacturing base.

The five companies discussed were:

1. Airbus Group SE – Europe's largest aircraft and defense systems manufacturer, promoting Thailand's development as a digital aviation hub with modern aerospace expertise using Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality technologies.

2. EssilorLuxottica – the world's leading eyeglass and optical lens company owning brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Varilux. Operating in Thailand for nearly 40 years with over 16,000 million baht invested, the company recently decided to expand AI Glasses manufacturing in Thailand.

3. Imerys S.A. – a global advanced materials leader producing graphite and Conductive Carbon Black, critical components for lithium battery electrodes in EV vehicles and high-performance energy storage systems. The company holds over 50 percent global market share.

4. Thales Group – a global leader in defense, aerospace, digital security, and cybersecurity technologies. The company proposed developing cybersecurity infrastructure for the Thai government, including electronic passport systems.

5. IN Groupe – France's digital identity verification system leader specializing in passports, digital national ID cards, driver's licenses, and Digital ID systems. The company proposed collaborating with Thailand to develop new Digital ID systems, biometric technology, and digital authentication systems.

PM Anutin invited these companies to consider investment in Thailand, noting that Thailand is the region's largest EV manufacturing base and offers strategic advantages in location and EV ecosystem readiness to support advanced materials manufacturers. The discussions reflect that leading French technology companies view Thailand not merely as a manufacturing hub but as a strategic partner in building a new regional supply chain across EV, aviation, and digital sectors.

CPF is participating in THAIFEX-ANUGA ASIA 2026 to strengthen Thailand's position as a regional food innovation center, showcasing food innovations alongside building strong strategic partnerships.

On May 26, 2026, Prasit Boondwong, CEO of Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF), revealed that "today's global consumers are looking for food that is not only delicious and safe, but also convenient, nutritious, and produced responsibly. CPF is committed to continuously developing and applying innovation at every stage of our production to deliver better experiences, support good quality of life, and meet the ever-changing needs of consumers worldwide."

The event features award-winning products sold domestically and internationally. CPF's innovations highlight its achievement in elevating Thai chicken to meet space food safety standards, building Thailand's reputation as the world's kitchen. Featured products include Bencha chicken and Chiva pork, developed using innovations that promote internal health through flaxseed and probiotics without antibiotics, enriched with naturally high omega-3 levels.

The innovations also include convenient, diverse products with excellent taste. The event showcases products exclusively sold abroad, including Authentic Asia and Kitchen Joy authentic Thai and Asian cuisine in ready-to-eat formats such as green curry chicken, massaman curry chicken, tom yam chicken, spicy shrimp wontons, and laksa shrimp wontons. These are currently available in over 18 European and American countries.

Also featured is CP Nippon, a new brand resulting from collaboration between CPF and NH Foods, Japan's leading meat business. Hamburgers and cheese gyoza are on display and available for tasting.

Prasit added that this joint venture aligns with CPF's 2026 strategy to develop ready-to-eat food products meeting consumer demands, particularly the growing preference for convenience in accessing food both domestically and internationally.

CPF holds 51% and NH Foods holds 49% of the partnership, with plans to expand their ready-to-eat and processed meat products jointly. They have already expanded into the US market through Walmart's 1,500 retail and supermarket branches with positive reception, with plans to expand to 3,000 branches and other countries.

"With our 'World's Kitchen' vision, CPF is ready to use the THAIFEX-Anuga Asia 2026 platform to present various products including ready-to-cook meals, ready-to-eat food, high-protein healthy options, and Asian-flavored menus developed for global markets, to strengthen business partnerships and serve as an important mechanism for creating new opportunities for the food industry in the future," Prasit concluded.

Visit CPF booths 1-RR01 and 1-RR15 in Challenger Hall 1 at Impact Muang Thong Thani, May 26-30, 2026, 10:00-18:00.

Thailand's shrimp industry associations have submitted an urgent letter to the Prime Minister and four relevant ministries requesting immediate intervention to address a deepening crisis. According to Akkarapoj Yodpinit, chairman of the Thai Shrimp Association, the letter was co-submitted by allied shrimp farmers and the Thai Frozen Food Association to the Ministries of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Commerce, Energy, and Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, urging coordinated action across the entire supply chain.

The industry is proposing a national-priority action plan comprising 11 measures with a budget allocation of 5.537 billion baht to restructure the entire shrimp sector. The proposals include expanding domestic and international markets, promoting solar-powered shrimp farms, researching disease solutions, and developing microbial management systems to reduce costs and improve competitiveness.

Akkarapoj explained that Thailand's shrimp industry was once a world champion, generating substantial export revenue and supporting over 2 million people across the production chain. However, since an acute disease outbreak began in 2012, annual shrimp production has plummeted to just 270,000-280,000 tons, with only 160,000 tons reaching processing factories. This has resulted in annual export losses of approximately 60 billion baht, representing a cumulative economic opportunity cost of over 720 billion baht across 13 years.

Despite farmers and industry stakeholders' independent efforts to address the crisis, they have been unable to reverse the decline. The primary obstacle remains disease, which constrains production and keeps costs uncompetitively high compared to rival nations. "This letter to the Prime Minister and four ministries is an urgent call for the government to recognize the severity of the situation," Akkarapoj stated. "Without implementing coordinated measures that all stakeholders agree on, Thailand's shrimp industry may collapse entirely, which would be tragic given our competitive advantages in production capacity, quality, food safety standards, and traceability systems."

Akkarapoj expressed confidence that with government support and implementation of the proposed measures, the structural problems plaguing the entire industry could be resolved, potentially restoring Thailand's shrimp sector as a major driver of national economic growth.

Pattani FC, a newly promoted team from Thai League 2 to the Thai League, has been fined 143,333 baht by the Disciplinary Committee following the final playoff promotion match. The club secured their promotion ticket to the Thai League by defeating Nongbua Pitchaya FC with an aggregate score of 5-4 over two legs.

During the second leg playoff match at Pattani Provincial Organization Stadium, approximately 12,800 fans attended. After the match concluded, supporters and cheerleaders rushed directly from around the pitch onto the playing field to celebrate with the team's players.

The Disciplinary Committee has now issued penalties against Pattani FC for failing to prevent cheerleaders from occupying areas not designated for seating, in violation of penalty regulations Chapter 3, Section 2, Article 5.3.17, imposing an initial fine of 80,000 baht. Since this is a repeat offense within the same competition season, an additional 40,000 baht penalty was added, totaling 120,000 baht. However, due to this being a Thai League 2 competition, the fine was reduced to two-thirds, resulting in a 80,000 baht penalty.

The supporter group was separately penalized 50,000 baht for breaching the perimeter fence and entering the playing field, reduced to 33,333 baht under Thai League 2 regulations.

Pattani FC was additionally fined 30,000 baht for inadequate security management protocols under penalty regulations Chapter 3, Section 2, Article 5.3.18(3). Since the club had previously received penalties on August 16, 2568 and April 3, 2569 for similar violations in the same season, an additional 15,000 baht penalty was imposed, bringing the total to 45,000 baht, reduced to 30,000 baht under Thai League 2 competition standards.

In a first for Thailand, Sansiri (SIRI), the country's leading luxury real estate developer, announces a strategic partnership with SCB WEALTH, Thailand's leading wealth management business, launching 'SANSIRI x SCB WEALTH Curated with WEALTH-MASTERY.' The initiative seamlessly connects a Wealth Ecosystem by integrating wealth advisory expertise with luxury living to elevate the Seamless Wealth Experience for clients across asset management, investment, luxury real estate living, and world-class lifestyle experiences within a single ecosystem. The partnership delivers comprehensive services and privileges aimed at setting a new benchmark for Thailand's real estate and wealth management industries under The Ultimate Synergy strategy.

Sansiri customers purchasing homes in the Sansiri Luxury Collection and participating luxury projects across over 37 developments nationwide—including brands Narasiri, Sethsiri, Narunsiri, and VIA—who secure credit approval from Thai Commercial Bank will receive comprehensive wealth management privileges and solutions designed around three key dimensions: living, investment, and wealth management, all seamlessly integrated.

Customers will receive privileges across three dimensions: Wealth Privileges including comprehensive financial advisory, portfolio solutions, and liquidity planning tailored to individual goals; Living Privileges offering comprehensive services and benefits such as Sansiri Priority access and SLC Life Curator world-class luxury services and lifestyle experiences through Sansiri partners; and Financial Benefits including special interest rates, customized credit structures, and curated financial offerings.

Uthai Utaiyangsukhum, Chief Executive Officer of Sansiri Public Company Limited, stated that wealth clients maintain strong purchasing power and clearly seek quality flight strategies. These clients continue investing and value trusted brands alongside high-confidence assets and locations. Today's luxury market is not driven by price but by 'trust' and quality ecosystem. Amid economic volatility, luxury real estate remains a core wealth asset class that outpaces inflation, preserves value, and drives long-term growth through land scarcity and continuously rising land prices. The partnership with SCB WEALTH elevates strategic financial partnerships and sets a new benchmark for Thailand's real estate and wealth management sectors.

On May 26, Deputy Secretary of Transport Jiraphong Theppituk, chairman of the fact-finding committee, announced the investigation results regarding the concrete beam and crane collapse on Highway 82 (Rama II Road), joined by Highway Department Director Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisarn and State Railway of Thailand Acting Governor Anan Pothnim.

Jiraphong stated that on January 15, a massive crane used for bridge construction, along with prefabricated concrete components weighing several hundred tons combined, collapsed onto Rama II Road at kilometer 30+300 in Tha Chin Subdistrict, Mueang District, Samut Sakhon Province, while the public was using the route. Two people were killed and two injured.

The Ministry of Transport established a fact-finding committee immediately on the same day and appointed an engineering subcommittee comprising national-level experts led by Associate Professor Anak Siripanichkul, President of the Engineering Institute of Thailand. The committee held 8 main meetings and 4 additional engineering subcommittee sessions, conducting comprehensive investigations including:

– Site inspection of the accident location to examine damage firsthand – Collection of 21 documentary pieces from the Highway Department covering contracts, construction drawings, crane manuals, and safety reports – Testimony from 13 involved parties including the employer, designer, and contractor – Testing of concrete material quality in laboratory and field conditions – Structural analysis using computer modeling (Finite Element Method) – Systematic examination of all 7 hypothetical causes

After eliminating hypotheses through engineering evidence, the subcommittee concluded the root cause was not poor-quality materials, soil subsidence, or natural disaster. The collapse resulted from accumulated installation defects that eventually led to failure.

The bridge under construction had a slope, requiring the hundreds-ton crane to stand on this inclined surface. The contractor attempted to solve this by stacking 8 layers of steel plates over 80 centimeters high and adding a sand layer—comparable to stacking nearly 1 meter of bricks and placing heavy trucks on the sloped area. This resulted in incorrect crane fastening system installation, changing from the manual-specified Pin-Roller system (allowing thermal expansion) to a Pin-Pin system (completely locked on both sides).

Morning sunlight raised metal temperature approximately 8 degrees Celsius, causing thermal expansion. Due to both sides being locked, lateral pressure developed, pressing down on the stacked steel plates on the sloped surface. The steel plates began sliding off layer by layer rapidly, causing the crane's supporting legs to collapse and the entire crane to fall.

The committee found fault with both the contractor and the work supervisor. The contractor (Italian Thai Development Public Company Limited) improperly installed the crane fastening system, changing it from Pin-Roller to Pin-Pin without approval.