May 20, 2025 — Ployprawai Laksameesang Chanthran, Deputy Government Spokesperson, announced that the government has ordered the Ministry of Public Health to monitor and surveil the Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern.

According to Ployprawai, Ebola is a severe viral infection spread through blood and bodily fluids of patients, including blood, saliva, vomit, feces, and other secretions, particularly in severely ill patients. Transmission typically occurs within families, among healthcare workers, or among those in close contact with sick patients and deceased bodies. Unlike measles or COVID-19, the virus does not spread easily through the air. No cases have been reported in Thailand to date.

Initial symptoms may resemble common fever, including high fever, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. Some cases may involve abnormal bleeding. Without proper care, the disease can become severe with high mortality rates. However, because infected individuals typically show clear symptoms, close contacts can be tracked, quarantined, and the disease controlled more easily than certain airborne infections.

"The government has ordered the Ministry of Public Health to closely monitor the situation and coordinate with relevant agencies to prepare healthcare facilities, isolation rooms, personal protective equipment, and laboratory capabilities in case suspected cases are identified in the future," Ployprawai stated.

The public is urged to obtain information from health authorities, avoid spreading panic-inducing misinformation, and maintain basic hygiene practices consistently.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) held a contract signing ceremony on May 20, 2025, at Boromahat Hall, Bangkok Central Station in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, for two Red Line extension projects. The first contract, valued at 6.057 billion baht, covers the dark red line from Rangsit to Thammasat University Rangsit Center (8.84 kilometers) with four stations: Khlong Neung, Bangkok University, Chiang Rak, and Thammasat Rangsit Center. This ground-level line will require approximately 14 acres of land acquisition.

The second contract, valued at 14.72 billion baht, covers the light red line from Siriraj to Talad Noi to Salaya (20.50 kilometers total), consisting of 13.83 kilometers of ground-level track and 6.67 kilometers of elevated track with nine stations, including three new stations: Rama VI Bridge, Bang Kruai-MEA, and Ban Chimpli. No additional land acquisition is needed for this route.

Acting SRT Governor Anant Photinimadang stated the projects follow the national 20-year strategy and M-MAP2 master transportation plan, approved by the Cabinet in 2025. The State Railway plans to sign construction supervision contracts in June and July 2025, with pile driving expected to commence in July 2025. The three-year construction period will conclude with service opening in 2029. The light red line will add approximately 20 minutes to travel time from Bang Sue to Talad Noi, while the dark red line will add 9-10 minutes from Bang Sue to Rangsit. The existing 25 Red Line trains will be sufficient to operate both extensions. An Integrity Pact has also been signed with the Anti-Corruption Organization (Thailand) to ensure transparency throughout the project.

SPRC clarifies that it maintains continuous product delivery management and strictly adheres to all applicable laws and regulations in a fair manner to all parties, following government agencies' announcement of investigation results regarding fuel management during the recent energy price crisis, which is currently undergoing investigation and legal proceedings. Star Petroleum Refining Public Company Limited (SPRC) states that the company is prepared to cooperate with relevant government agencies by providing information and details to support the review process. During this situation, the company has continued its operations and product delivery management to appropriately meet the country's energy needs. The company is confident that government actions will be conducted according to facts, legal procedures, and principles of fairness to all parties. SPRC is committed to conducting business under principles of good governance, transparency, and strict compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, with internal measures and processes to oversee production, product management, and delivery according to standards.

IRPC reaffirms its commitment to conducting business with the highest standards of corporate governance and stands ready to cooperate with government agencies in transparent fact-checking to build public confidence. As the country's oil refining operator, IRPC has fully cooperated with relevant government agencies by providing information, documents, and statistical data to support transparent and fair fact-verification processes.

The company confirms that all refinery operations are conducted under strict control and auditing systems with international standard records for fuel intake and distribution, enabling complete transparency in audits. During the period in question, IRPC continued to produce and deliver fuel from storage in line with domestic fuel demand.

IRPC prioritizes corporate governance, transparency, and accountability to all stakeholders, and remains committed to working with the Ministry of Energy, the Special Cases Investigation Department, and other relevant agencies to support clear fact-checking and maintain public confidence.

A former conscript and border hero who served at Sadao Pass returned home in shock after being discharged on May 1st, only to find his mother and 9-year-old sister had been evicted by relatives and were living in a deteriorating shed. On May 20th, a reporter visited house number 74 in Nong Pling subdistrict, Kamphaeng Phet province, after receiving reports of the family's hardship. Warawut Somngoen, 22, is a former conscript from the 10th Cavalry Squadron of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Nan province and a former sergeant instructor who had recently been discharged.

The family's dwelling is merely a makeshift shelter converted from an old tractor garage, with a roof and walls covered in corroded metal sheeting and wooden frames that provide no protection from sun or rain. During heavy downpours, the family must scramble to find shelter from leaking water.

Warawut revealed his frustration, explaining that he had served on the front lines at Hill 677 near Sadao Pass in Ubon Ratchathani province for nine months. However, during his military service, his mother Waree Saensoem, 48, who works as a laborer and had divorced his father ten years prior, fell into conflict with an aunt who owned their house and was forced to move. His mother and 9-year-old sister have lived in this converted garage for over a year.

Upon returning from leave, Warawut was shocked and deeply troubled by their living conditions. During his service, he had filed requests for assistance with his unit, though he was initially overlooked and the matter was eventually forgotten. Now unemployed and struggling to find work, he is attempting to support his family.

Warawut appealed emotionally to government agencies and relevant authorities to investigate his family's plight and provide assistance to all three family members. The deteriorating conditions make it impossible to sleep when it rains.

His mother Waree, speaking through tears, expressed sympathy for her son who went to fight for the nation, only to return to such difficult circumstances. She admitted suffering greatly during rainy nights when the family must scramble to escape seeping water. Nevertheless, she remains proud of her son's service to protect national sovereignty.

The family owns approximately 2 acres of vacant land nearby and is appealing to government agencies to support the construction of a permanent residence so the family can have stable and safe shelter.

Details on what the 2025 State Welfare Card can be used for, when money will be deposited, and what hours benefits can be accessed each day. On May 20, 2025, Winit Wisetsuwannaphoomi, Director of the Office of Fiscal Economics and acting spokesman for the Finance Ministry, announced that on May 19 the Cabinet approved the "Thailand Helping Thailand Plus" program to reduce the impact of the energy crisis affecting all sectors of the population and business operators suddenly, severely, with high uncertainty and prolonged trends. This will be implemented through additional funding under the 2025 Decree authorizing the Finance Ministry to borrow for solving energy crisis impacts and creating the country's energy transition.

Without swift economic relief and support measures, economic activity will contract, businesses will close, and unemployment will rise rapidly. The "Thailand Helping Thailand Plus" program will focus on: 1) assisting and mitigating impacts on vulnerable groups through the State Welfare Card mechanism, and 2) reducing public expenses and supporting purchasing power, as well as helping small merchants continue their livelihoods to maintain national economic security as urgently necessary.

The Cabinet approved budget allocations to the Grassroots Welfare and Social Economy Fund to support and assist low-income earners registered in the State Welfare Registration Program throughout fiscal year 2025. Benefits include consumer goods purchases, cooking gas discounts, public transportation allowances, and electricity and water utilities, plus additional welfare premiums for persons with disabilities.

Approximately 13.18 million cardholders will receive an additional 700 baht per person per month beyond the existing 300 baht per person per month, totaling 1,000 baht monthly for four months from June to September 2025. Unused balances do not roll over to the next month.

The Finance Ministry will expedite new registration rounds to screen applicants according to specified criteria, while coordinating with the Interior Ministry to identify marginalized groups. The program summary shows 13.18 million people will receive 1,000 baht per person per month from June 1 to September 30, 2025, totaling up to 4,000 baht. Benefits include consumer goods purchases, 80-baht cooking gas discounts over three months, and 750-baht public transportation allowances.