The Department of Foreign Trade has announced that border and cross-border trade in March 2025 reached a combined value of 178,320 million baht, growing 6.5% compared to the same period last year. Exports totaled 93,261 million baht (up 1.6%) while imports reached 85,059 million baht (up 12.4%), giving Thailand a trade surplus of 8,203 million baht.

For the first quarter of 2025, combined border and cross-border trade amounted to 478,897 million baht (up 2.5%), with exports at 256,886 million baht (up 0.4%) and imports at 222,011 million baht (up 5.1%), resulting in a quarterly trade surplus of 34,876 million baht.

Border trade with four neighboring countries totaled 72,689 million baht (down 21.6%), comprising exports of 44,764 million baht (down 19.8%) and imports of 27,925 million baht (down 24.3%), with a combined surplus of 16,839 million baht. Malaysia led bilateral border trade at 28,033 million baht (up 3.1%), followed by Laos at 25,571 million baht (down 4.4%), Myanmar at 17,085 million baht (down 7.4%), and Cambodia at zero.

Key border exports included diesel oil worth 6,045 million baht, refined petroleum products at 1,922 million baht, and computer equipment at 1,617 million baht. First-quarter border trade totaled 203,447 million baht (down 22.7%), with exports of 118,742 million baht (up 27.1%) and imports of 84,705 million baht (down 20.0%).

Cross-border transit trade to third countries surged to 105,631 million baht (up 41.4%), comprising exports of 48,498 million baht (up 34.8%) and imports of 57,134 million baht (up 47.4%). China dominated transit trade at 50,488 million baht (up 19.7%), followed by Vietnam and Singapore at 17,715 million baht (up 159.5%) and 17,066 million baht (up 80.8%) respectively.

Major cross-border exports included hard disk drives worth 9,865 million baht, telephone receivers and equipment at 5,661 million baht, and computer equipment at 2,963 million baht. First-quarter cross-border trade reached 275,450 million baht (up 35.0%), with exports of 138,144 million baht (up 40.0%) and imports of 137,306 million baht (up 30.4%).

Director Arada noted that March cross-border trade expanded 41.4% to exceed 100 billion baht, driven by growth in both exports and imports. Particularly notable was the 47.4% expansion in imports of electronics products, including computer components up 569.3% to 9,613 million baht, telecommunications equipment up 48.4% to 5,555 million baht, and magnetic storage media up 22.2% to 5,213 million baht.

Imports from China grew 34.9%, from Singapore 14.5%, and from Vietnam 208.5%. Border exports to Laos rebounded with 14.9% growth, led by diesel oil at 5,632 million baht (up 44.4%), refined petroleum at 1,453 million baht (up 44.1%), and pickup trucks at 594 million baht (up 180.5%). Exports to Myanmar grew 5.5%, featuring mobile phones and smartphones at 965 million baht (up 179.8%), miscellaneous chemicals at 522 million baht (up 434.8%), and beverages at 434 million baht (up 4.5%).

Actress Mae Pichyyanat devoted over two years of physical, mental, and financial effort to achieve pregnancy after 40, and she's now sharing her journey to inspire women struggling with infertility. During her two-year attempt, Mae consulted four renowned doctors, underwent 11 egg retrievals (ICSI), received 4-5 intrauterine inseminations (IUI), took Chinese medicine for a year, made countless temple prayers, played with her nieces and nephews, and even considered getting a dog and cat. Each ICSI cycle was extremely challenging due to her advanced age, low AMH levels, and thyroid disease—many cycles yielded no eggs or poor quality eggs. In the first year, she obtained one grade AA embryo but implantation failed, leading to severe disappointment. Her husband then took her on a relaxing vacation to recover mentally. In the second year, she shifted focus to body rehabilitation instead of aggressive egg retrieval. She sought treatment from Dr. Min, a traditional Chinese medicine specialist, and made lifestyle changes including reducing sweets, sleeping earlier, reducing stress, gentle exercise, and monthly hormone monitoring. After six months of Chinese medicine and behavioral changes, her hormone levels improved significantly. During cycles 10 and 11, she obtained quality embryos that passed chromosomal screening, and the final implantation succeeded under Dr. Somchart's care. Mae hopes her post will help all people struggling with infertility and women attempting to conceive, emphasizing that maintaining both physical and mental health is essential—and that when everything aligns properly, pregnancy will come naturally. She encourages others by saying: Mae did it, everyone can too. Keep fighting!

Bangkok is preparing to light up in rainbow colors once again with the grand celebration of diversity and equality at Bangkok Pride Festival 2026 under the theme 'Patch the World with Pride,' championing three core principles: PEACE, PEOPLE, and PRIDE. This year, Nirmit Pride is joining forces with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and partners from civil society, the private sector, and government to take the celebration to an even grander scale. The centerpiece will be a spectacular 500-meter rainbow flag that will unfurl across Silom Road, Henriette Street, and Rama 1 Road, transforming the heart of Bangkok into a global landmark celebrating equality and diversity.

The five-day festival runs from May 28 to June 1, 2026, with the campaign 'Road to Bangkok WorldPride 2030' as its driving force to elevate Bangkok to a world-class Pride destination. The highlight is the Bangkok Pride Parade 2026 on Sunday, May 31, from 2 PM to 10 PM, featuring the magnificent 500-meter rainbow flag running the full length of Silom Road from Naradhivas intersection through key Bangkok landmarks including Sanam Luang, Rama IV Road, Chulalongkorn University, and terminating at Thammasat Stadium. The parade will include over 150 contingents covering 3.8 kilometers, plus a special 'PATCH OF GLOBAL PRIDE' procession from EM District.

This year's parade is organized into six color-coded sections representing six dimensions under the three main axes of PEACE, PEOPLE, and PRIDE: PATCH of HARMONY (green), PATCH of UNITY (blue), PATCH of IDENTITY (purple), PATCH of DIGNITY (orange), PATCH of LOVE (red), and PATCH of SPIRIT (yellow). The festival will conclude with a performance by Rabibvad Art reflecting the powerful fusion of Thai culture with contemporary expression. Organizers expect over 350,000 participants this year. The general public can join the parade for free without registration, while groups of 10 or more can apply to participate with special activities or presentations.

Beyond the spectacular parade, the festival features four major activities: Bangkok Pride Awards 2026 honoring individuals and organizations advancing equality across 11 categories and 24 awards; Bangkok Pride Forum 2026 hosting over 35 discussion sessions covering economy, health, technology, and human rights; the Bangkok Pride Parade 2026; and Drag Bangkok Festival 2026 promoting Thai drag art on the world stage with Asian-level competitions.

Waddao Chunmapha, founder and chairman of Nirmit Pride Company Limited, the event organizer, states that this year is significant for Thailand's LGBTQIAN+ community and another year of empowering LGBTQIAN+ youth to represent Thailand on the international stage.

On May 13, 2025, Supamas Israphakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and overseer of the Consumer Protection Board (CPB), disclosed updates on the case against Kriang Kai Raywaiklang, known as 'Chang Nueng,' a construction contractor and owner of the Facebook page 'Suan Jib Home Construction.' The defendant was summoned to provide a statement on May 12 but failed to appear as scheduled.

Supamas reported that while 40 of 60 alleged victims came to testify, the defendant's absence prevented mediation proceedings. She ordered the CPB to issue a second summons, warning that non-compliance would result in criminal penalties: imprisonment not exceeding one month, a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht, or both.

The CPB has been gathering evidence for a civil lawsuit on behalf of victims and coordinating with law enforcement agencies handling fraud cases and consumer protection violations. Supamas emphasized this action reflects the government's commitment to protecting consumer rights in housing, a fundamental human need.

The CPB requested a 15-day financial investigation from banking channels. Potential penalties for breach of contract include imprisonment up to one year, a fine up to 200,000 baht, or both. Advertising violations carry penalties of up to six months imprisonment, up to 100,000 baht fine, or both. The CPB's legal proceedings are expected to conclude within two months.

Regarding Modern Teej Co., Ltd., a separate housing construction case, the Consumer Protection Committee previously approved civil proceedings against one defendant. However, approximately 60-70 additional complaints have been filed, while the company has already registered for business dissolution. The CPB must gather additional evidence for the committee's further review.

Criminally, the CPB has forwarded 90 cases to law enforcement for further questioning and documentation. Two cases have already been forwarded for prosecution. The CPB continues investigating other construction contractors with similar patterns seen on online media and social platforms.

Supamas advised consumers to carefully verify online purchases or services match advertisements, research contractor and company history before signing contracts, and avoid paying large lump-sum deposits disproportionate to project scope. She assured that the CPB will pursue all legal remedies in both civil and criminal cases without exception.

Lionel Messi, Argentina's star striker for Inter Miami, continues to hold the top spot as the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer. According to the MLS Players Association, Messi's guaranteed salary for this season reaches $28.33 million, approximately 916 million baht, a significant increase from his previous $20.45 million in 2025 following his contract extension with the club through 2028. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas previously revealed to Bloomberg in March that Messi's total annual earnings from all sources could reach $70-80 million, and it is anticipated that he may also hold equity in the club upon retirement. Son Heung-min, the South Korean striker for LA FC, ranks second among MLS players with guaranteed compensation of $11.15 million, followed by Rodrigo de Paul of Inter Miami, who earns $9.6 million.