Pimjai Leeissaranukul, president of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), revealed that the April 2025 industrial confidence index stands at 85.3, declining from 88.6 in March. The drop stems from multiple factors, including slower manufacturing output due to reduced working days during the Songkran festival holiday period, while global oil prices remain elevated. In April 2025, Brent crude averaged $120 per barrel, pushing diesel prices to an average of 45.32 baht per liter—a 33.2% increase from the previous month.

Simultaneously, the Oil Fuel Fund maintains a negative balance of 62 billion baht, forcing the Oil Fund Office to borrow an additional 20 billion baht, increasing financial burden. Raw material costs across multiple industries have risen, including plastic pellets, packaging, and construction materials, driven by higher energy prices, transportation costs, and logistics expenses that reduce business profitability. Shipping rates on major trade routes have climbed, particularly on the US West Coast route (up 5.7% month-on-month), while the Middle East conflict has triggered additional surcharges and insurance fees, further raising logistics and export costs.

Government investment spending disbursement lags behind schedule at 38.31% as of April 24, 2025, below the 45% target, slowing economic money circulation. However, April saw some positive factors, including Songkran festival activities that boosted tourism and domestic spending, generating over 30.35 billion baht during April 11-15, up 6% year-on-year.

The government has implemented relief measures for the transport sector, subsidizing diesel for non-scheduled trucks at 6 baht per liter between April 20 and May 31, 2025, easing short-term logistics costs. Private investment shows expansion trends, with Q1 2025 investment promotion applications valued at 1.02 trillion baht—2.4 times higher than the previous year—particularly in electronics, energy, agriculture, and food sectors.

Government oversight of domestic fuel distribution has helped address petroleum shortages and reduced disruption risks to transport and manufacturing. Additionally, Moody's upgraded Thailand's credit outlook to "stable," boosting investor confidence. The three-month industrial confidence forecast stands at 92.8, down from 95.9 the previous month, with concerns centered on the proposed 400 billion baht government borrowing decree, which may intensify pressure on public debt and long-term fiscal stability.

At 10:35 a.m. on May 20, 2025, at Government House, Pokin Aramwattananont, president of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, spoke following an integrated public-private sector cooperation meeting on elevating corruption prevention and suppression efforts. He thanked the Prime Minister and government for establishing the Anti-Corruption Coordination Committee (ACCC) to investigate corruption allegations, calling it swift action. Following the private sector committee's (PSC) collaboration with academic institutions including Thammasat University, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, TIJ, and the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) to compile academic data and facts, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's serious commitment to combating corruption through public-private cooperation.

When asked about providing data that could be used against agencies, Pokin questioned "Who would be prosecuted?" He explained that discussions with the Permanent Secretary of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry clarified that all survey questionnaires align with World Bank and OECD standards, assessing whether corruption exists rather than targeting individuals. The data aims to reveal problems and past corruption issues, moving the country forward.

When asked if such surveys would be repeated, Pokin stated there's no need since the government has established committees—the focus now is joint problem-solving to free Thailand from corruption, a national and societal issue requiring new values if the problem continues.

Thanaworn Polvichay, rector of Thammasat University and chair of the Economic and Business Forecasting Center, clarified that the PSC had scheduled to submit survey procedure information to the Pollution Control Department by May 22. He emphasized the survey uses broad methodology aligned with the Office of the Civil Service Commission and World Bank, designed to identify structural gaps rather than pinpoint specific agency errors. Future cooperation with various agencies will involve deeper investigations into which departments have procedural failures.

This week's hit song competition features "Gaebun" by Gan Tong Tung Ngern as the theme song. Hosts Noh-Thanakorn Sribunchang and On-Akkarawat Jumpoonvivat welcome three seasoned judges—Hi-Apadawn, Ice-Sranyou, and Grace-Patchsita—to crown the week's champion. The judges will evaluate contestants on their vocal ability, emotional expression, and stage charisma. Before the competition, there will be a performance by the College of Performing Arts to warm up the audience. Three competitors—Save, Phleng, and Tonhom—will face off performing "Gaebun," a contemporary lukthung hit by Gan Tong Tung Ngern that has gone viral across all platforms. The song addresses themes of love, hope, and heartbreak, complete with a catchy dance routine that has captured audiences across age groups and genders. Contestants will give their all, delivering complete vocal and dance performances that captivate both judges and viewers. Don't miss the action on Wednesday, May 20 at 1:10 PM on Channel 7HD (Cable 35). Follow updates on Facebook at Ch7HD and Ch7HD Entertainment, and watch live on BUGABOO.TV and Ch7HD's online channels including Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube, and www.ch7.com.

At 11:00 AM on May 20, 2026, at the Asoke-Din Daeng railway crossing, the family of Ms. Tiem Phuangyot, 57, one of the victims of the train-bus collision on May 16, traveled to the accident site to perform a spirit summoning ceremony. They invited monks from Wat Chong Lom on Rama III Road to conduct the ritual.

The family brought incense, candles, flowers, and Ms. Tiem's favorite foods including pork blood soup, stir-fried kale with crispy pork, and jasmine rice. During the ceremony, they spiritually called her soul back home, followed by a merit-making ritual to conclude the ceremony. A photograph of Ms. Tiem wearing traditional Thai dress and seated on a chair with a radiant expression was displayed.

Ms. Jia, Ms. Tiem's granddaughter, revealed that her grandmother regularly commuted on bus route 206, as she worked as a housekeeper in the Asoke area. She typically traveled during her afternoon shift break around 3 PM, which coincided with the tragic accident.

During the ceremony, she sent spiritual messages inviting her grandmother's soul to return home, as her grandmother had suffered enough and deserved rest. The family will later retrieve the body from the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Police Hospital and conduct religious merit-making ceremonies at Wat Kratai Don in Samoe subdistrict, Prang Phu district, Sisaket province. A three-night chanting ceremony is scheduled, with the funeral rites planned for Saturday, May 23.

Two members of Thailand's women's water polo team preparing for the Asian Games—Am Pantila Asayuttha and Phrawa Raksina Rueangtharp—have been performing excellently for Hapoel Yoqneam, a leading Israeli water polo club, helping the team capture the Israeli Cup championship.

Thai national team head coach Maksim Kordovsky, who has been monitoring the two athletes' development, revealed that this is not the Yoqneam club's first championship. The club is a top-tier European team with strong infrastructure, excellent traditions, and professional working practices. He expressed genuine pride in the athletes' commitment and discipline, noting how they have performed well in their positions and contributed to this success.

For Thai water polo, this represents a historic achievement—the first time Thai athletes have won a national-level championship abroad at such a high level. This is not merely a personal achievement for the athletes but a source of pride for Thailand's entire aquatic sports federation.

Kordovsky also noted that while it is difficult for him to assess the athletes' development from a distance, he is fully confident in Yoqneam's professional approach, having worked closely with the club's coaching staff and management. He believes the athletes are gaining invaluable experience that cannot be obtained from ordinary training—competing in the Israeli league, Israeli Cup, and European competitions develops not only technical and tactical skills but also shapes the athletes' character and mental fortitude, helping them understand what true excellence means.

Regarding the Asian Games, Kordovsky stated that both players are undoubtedly key members of the Thai national team with exceptional talent and important roles. Championships result from team effort rather than individual players. He thanked all athletes, both those training in Thailand and those gaining experience abroad, as every step forward and every competition brings the team closer to its greater goals.

"We continue to await new successes from our athletes competing in Europe. For Yoqneam, there are still the Israeli league semifinals on May 28 and the Israeli championship finals on May 30. I sincerely hope this season will bring another important championship to the team," Kordovsky said.

At 10:25 a.m. on May 20, 2025, at Parliament, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, serving as Bhumjaithai Party leader, along with party MPs, submitted a constitutional amendment draft to House Speaker Somphan Saranum. Speaker Somphan confirmed receipt and stated the draft would be placed on the parliamentary agenda for further proceedings, while other parties could also submit additional proposals. Anutin emphasized that Bhumjaithai's submission reflects the party's commitment to hearing public concerns about constitutional amendments following the referendum results, where citizens voted in favor of certain article modifications. He addressed criticism that the party lacks sincerity, asserting that today's action proves Bhumjaithai's genuine intention and that it is the first party to submit such a draft. When asked about confidence in Senate approval, Anutin deferred to both chambers' decisions. Regarding a reported Democrat Party plan to submit a competing draft next week, he said he would review it first. Explaining why the submission came from the party rather than the Cabinet, Anutin stated that political parties serve as the public's first line of defense and must follow proper procedure. He noted that while initial discussions with other parties had occurred, all parties could propose amendments, and support would depend on shared intentions benefiting the country and citizens, not limited to coalition partners.