Peeraphun Khortong, Secretary-General of the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), revealed that Thailand's agricultural sector must adapt to a low-carbon economy in response to climate change and increasingly stringent environmental trade requirements. The OAE conducted research on "incremental cost analysis for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in economic crop production (wet season rice)" to evaluate the economic viability of emissions reduction measures and support sustainable rice production policies using the BCG Economy Model.

The study, conducted by the OAE's agricultural economic offices 1-12, collected data from farmer interviews during the 2567/68 production year across 37 major rice-growing provinces nationwide. The sample consisted of 534 farmers total—267 conventional farmers and 267 using soil-analysis-based fertilization. Researchers employed marginal abatement cost (MAC) analysis to compare the economic value between both groups. The study found that wet season rice farmers face multiple pressures including rice price volatility and uncertainty, rice diseases and pests, climate conditions, drought, insufficient water, and rising production input costs, particularly expensive chemical fertilizers and seeds. Therefore, soil-analysis-based fertilizer application is an approach that addresses both cost reduction and increased production efficiency while reducing environmental impact.

Comparison between conventional and soil-analysis-based fertilizer users showed that soil analysis before fertilizer application helped farmers save an average of 145.62 baht per rai on fertilizer costs. Farmers using soil-analysis-based fertilization had total costs of 4,400.78 baht per rai, yields of 553.57 kilograms per rai, and returns of 6,105.88 baht per rai (based on wet season rice prices at 15% moisture averaging 11,030 baht per ton as of February-April 2568). They earned 1,705.10 baht profit per rai, or 3.08 baht per kilogram. Compared to conventional farmers, they had 5.24 percent lower costs, 3.41 percent higher yield per rai, and 31.06 percent higher profit per kilogram—demonstrating that this approach creates economic incentives for farmers to shift toward environmentally friendly production methods.

Regarding the environment, conventional farmers emitted an average of 854.64 kgCO₂e per rai in greenhouse gases, while soil-analysis-based farmers emitted only 787.98 kgCO₂e per rai—a reduction of 66.66 kgCO₂e per rai or 7.80 percent. Examining chemical fertilizer use, urea application produces carbon dioxide emissions; conventional farmers emitted an average of 12.68 kgCO₂e per rai compared to only 7.41 kgCO₂e per rai for soil-analysis-based farmers—41.56 percent lower. Nitrogen fertilizer use affects nitrous oxide emissions, with conventional farmers emitting 52.07 kgCO₂e per rai versus 33.20 kgCO₂e per rai for soil-analysis-based farmers—a reduction of 18.87 kgCO₂e per rai or 36.24 percent—because this approach selects fertilizer formulas and quantities that match crop requirements. From an environmental economics perspective, soil analysis before fertilizer application demonstrates cost-effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

After navigating through many difficult experiences, Tray Scott has courageously stepped forward to pursue justice, buoyed by overwhelming support from both Thailand and abroad. On May 20, he posted a video on his personal Instagram account, expressing heartfelt thanks to followers and people around the world who sent encouraging messages over the past several weeks. In the video, Tray appeared deeply moved, describing it as a significant and meaningful week for him, while acknowledging it has also been an extremely challenging period.

Tray stated: "I simply want to thank everyone who has sent me encouraging messages from every corner of the world over the past few weeks. It has been a very difficult time for me, but all of you have given me much greater hope."

While Tray hopes everything will improve going forward, he acknowledged uncertainty about what the future holds. However, he felt compelled to express his gratitude without further delay, emphasizing his hope that circumstances will develop in a positive direction.

WHAUP has partnered with Soh Farm to develop a solar power generation project and energy storage system spanning over 65 rai in Lopburi Province, supporting clean energy for industrial, agricultural, and food businesses. Akarin Prathuangsit, Chief Executive Officer of WHAUP (W.H.A. Utilities & Power Public Company Limited), announced that the company is advancing comprehensive renewable energy solutions across Thailand and Vietnam to meet rising clean energy demand in industrial sectors while supporting business partners' transition to decarbonization. The company has recently signed a contract with Soh Farm to install a 10 MW ground-mounted solar farm alongside a 20 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), representing a significant project reflecting the trend toward clean energy adoption combined with smart energy management technology in industry. The installation is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026. Following this latest agreement, WHAUP's total solar power generation capacity for Soh Farm has increased to 56.47 MW, with a combined 20 MWh BESS system, reinforcing long-term cooperation between both organizations in deploying clean energy efficiently. "Integrating a solar farm with a BESS system is a crucial step in elevating renewable energy solutions from mere electricity generation to comprehensive energy management," Akarin stated. "This not only helps customers maximize solar energy efficiency but also strengthens energy stability, reduces electricity cost volatility, and increases energy flexibility for industrial users—essential factors in driving sustainable decarbonization." Jaruwan Chotthewanya, Head of International Marketing, Head of Accounting and Finance, and Board Secretary of Soh Farm, noted that the company continues to drive business operations alongside environmental goals under its Go Green initiative. "Our partnership with WHAUP represents another critical step in introducing clean energy innovation to support our operations and advance our Net Zero targets," Jaruwan stated. The project is expected to help Soh Farm reduce average annual energy costs by over 21 million baht, totaling more than 294 million baht throughout the contract period. Over the project's 30-year lifespan, energy cost savings could reach as high as 1.647 billion baht, marking a significant turning point in strengthening energy stability for businesses in Lopburi Province while enhancing competitiveness through tangible operational cost reductions.

Finance Secretary Luarwan Saengsonit discussed the consideration of using the remaining 24 billion baht from the first tranche of the 200 billion baht borrowing decree, noting that which projects will receive funding depends on proposals submitted by relevant ministries. Each ministry is currently reviewing whether they have projects that align with this decree, and those seeking to utilize the funds can submit project proposals. The Finance Secretary revealed that requests for the second 200 billion baht tranche have already begun arriving, with a screening committee to evaluate which projects fit better with the first or second budget allocation. Regarding a cabinet resolution to assist vulnerable groups lacking welfare cards and access to technology, Saengsonit stated that the Interior Ministry will conduct outreach to identify those who have fallen through the cracks and determine what assistance can be provided. When asked about the volume of incoming requests, he noted that only one project has passed cabinet approval as of May 19, and acknowledged the need to review the overall 400 billion baht budget picture.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — Thai forestry officials, police and local volunteers launched an operation to destroy illegal frog traps in a protected forest in northeastern Thailand amid concerns over declining amphibian populations during the rainy season.

Authorities said frequent rainfall in Nakhon Ratchasima province had prompted large numbers of bullfrogs and other amphibians to emerge from hibernation to breed, attracting villagers seeking to catch them for food and sale.

Officials warned that widespread trapping could rapidly reduce local frog populations and risk driving some species towards local extinction, particularly inside protected forest areas where hunting is prohibited.

The operation took place in Nong Teng and Chakkarat national reserved forests in Chalerm Phra Kiat district, an area covering about 10,206 rai of mixed deciduous forest near Nakhon Ratchasima airport. Authorities said some villagers had illegally entered the forest to install pit traps and other devices used to catch frogs and small animals.

More than 40 officials from forestry agencies, local administration offices, police units and volunteer groups joined the inspection and trap-removal operation on May 19. Officials said only part of the traps had been destroyed because of the large number scattered throughout the forest.

Local authorities urged residents gathering forest products in the area to avoid setting traps or hunting wildlife inside reserved forests, warning that offenders face severe penalties under Thailand's Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act and national forest laws.

Put Pongraphiporn, district chief of Chalerm Phra Kiat, said authorities were concerned that repeated illegal trapping could threaten wildlife populations in the forest reserve if left unchecked. He said officials would continue public awareness campaigns and increase patrols to prevent further illegal hunting activities in the protected area.

Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi presided over the opening ceremony of 'Thai Night Cannes 2026,' an elite gala designed to showcase Thailand's entertainment industry on the global stage. The event took place at 7:30 p.m. local time on May 14 at the Grand Salon of the Carlton Cannes Hotel in Cannes. Organized by the Ministry of Commerce alongside the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, the gala attracted over 250 prominent international film industry professionals and aimed to elevate Thailand's entertainment sector while fostering strategic international business partnerships.

During her opening remarks, the Princess highlighted the current state of the Thai film industry and emphasized Thailand's readiness to collaborate with international partners on global cinematic projects. The evening featured multimedia presentations of work from Thai entrepreneurs at the Marché du Film and the Thailand Pavilion, along with a creative performance blending music and live vocals to showcase the potential of Thai entertainment. A promotional showreel titled 'Reimagining Thailand' demonstrated the multidimensional strengths of the nation's creative industry.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun noted that the Department of International Trade Promotion regularly hosts Thai Night events at major global markets, including the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market, Cannes Film Festival, and the American Film Market. This year's event reflected a strategic repositioning of Thailand's entertainment sector from being a production base to a creative originator, from a service provider to a story creator, and from a domestic industry to a global creative partner.

Themed 'Thailand – Where Films Come Alive,' the event highlighted Thailand's end-to-end production capabilities, creative strengths, and openness to international co-productions, positioning the country as Asia's premier hub for cinema and entertainment media. This strategy capitalizes on the growing global demand for Thai films and content, fueled by recent international success in Thai cinema and the country's robust foreign location shooting sector. Suphajee said the Ministry of Commerce invited influential figures from across the global film industry, including buyers, producers, distributors, investors, filmmakers, and directors.