Gold prices for May 11, 2025 have been announced by the Gold Traders Association, with prices declining compared to the previous close. Ornamental gold is selling at 72,700 baht per baht weight, down 50 baht from the final price on May 8. According to the latest data from the Gold Traders Association released on their website at 9:02 AM, gold bars are trading at 71,700 baht per baht weight for purchase and 71,900 baht per baht weight for sale in the first announcement. For 96.5% ornamental gold, the purchase price is 70,266.60 baht per baht weight and the selling price is 72,700 baht per baht weight. Global gold spot prices are currently at 4,691.50 USD per ounce. Gold bar prices: Buy at 71,700 baht per baht weight, Sell at 71,900 baht per baht weight. Ornamental gold prices: Buy at 70,266.60 baht per baht weight, Sell at 72,700 baht per baht weight. Gold traders predict that tomorrow's market opening could see prices surge by 1,000-2,000 baht per baht weight, potentially breaking through the 80,000 baht level.

A fire broke out in the medical technology laboratory on the second floor of the Vasana Karun Building at Somdet Phra Sangkharat Hospital in Bo Phong Subdistrict, Nakhon Luang District, Ayutthaya Province at approximately 2:00 AM on May 11, 2025. Lieutenant Colonel Charoenchai Phosarasat, the investigation officer from Nakhon Luang Police Station, responded along with firefighting units from local government organizations and emergency personnel from the Putai Sawanyai Foundation.

Thick smoke billowed from the building as firefighters immediately sprayed water to prevent the fire from spreading to other hospital buildings. The situation was brought under control after about 30 minutes of firefighting efforts. Staff, nurses, and rescue volunteers urgently evacuated approximately 20 patients on wheelchairs from the building to outdoor areas. Five critical patients were transferred by ambulance for temporary care while smoke was being ventilated and the situation controlled amid the chaos.

Initial investigation revealed the fire originated from a computer desk within the medical technology laboratory, which was completely destroyed along with ceiling and wall damage. Neing, 54, a patient's relative, reported hearing a fire alarm around 1:30 AM and initially thought it was a routine alert before nurses rushed in ordering an immediate evacuation due to the fire. She was deeply frightened by the massive smoke covering the entire building.

Fo Phong Subdistrict firefighters disclosed that upon receiving the alert, they immediately brought equipment to the site, discovering the fire on the second floor. They deployed water nozzles and had to open windows for ventilation while using smoke extraction equipment to control the situation. The computer desk was completely destroyed by the fire.

Investigation officers documented the incident scene as evidence and are examining the laboratory. The preliminary cause is suspected to be an electrical short circuit from a plugged-in computer combined with hot weather conditions, though forensic examination is still pending to confirm the actual cause. After the fire was extinguished, non-critical patients were transferred to other hospital buildings, while critical patients remained in rescue vehicles for safety. The incident resulted in no injuries or fatalities.

Thailand's Department of Foreign Trade revealed that Thai rice exports in the first quarter of 2025 reached approximately 1.79 million tons, representing a 2.87% increase from 1.74 million tons in the same period of the previous year. However, export value declined to 1.046 billion USD (approximately 32.4 billion baht), down 4.65% from 1.097 billion USD (approximately 37.1 billion baht) year-over-year. The Thai baht strengthened by 6.92% against the US dollar, averaging 31.61 baht per dollar during the period.

All rice varieties experienced price declines in March 2025. Jasmine rice fell 2.19% to $1,026 per ton, Thai fragrant rice dropped 6.52% to $645 per ton, sticky rice decreased 4.66% to $818 per ton, parboiled rice fell 6.05% to $404 per ton, and white rice declined 6.86% to $380 per ton.

White rice remained Thailand's largest export segment at 47.16% of volume, with primary markets including Iraq, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Mozambique. Jasmine rice accounted for 25.33% destined mainly to the United States, Senegal, Hong Kong, and Canada. Parboiled rice represented 18.34% going to South Africa, Yemen, and Congo. Thai fragrant rice comprised 6.11% to the US, Senegal, and Cameroon, while sticky rice made up 2.62% to China, Japan, the US, and Belgium. Brown rice represented 0.44% to South Korea, the US, and Canada.

Africa emerged as Thailand's primary rice export market, accounting for 43.48% of total volumes, followed by Asia at 23.48%, the Middle East at 13.91%, the Americas at 12.17%, Europe at 5.22%, and Oceania at 1.74%.

The first-quarter volume increase of 2.87% was driven by strong domestic rice supply from the dry-season harvest in March-April, combined with a weaker Thai baht that improved export competitiveness. Major importers like Malaysia and the Philippines are expected to increase purchases to meet domestic consumption and build food security reserves amid geopolitical uncertainties involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. These countries' proximity to Thailand shields them from shipping route disruptions in conflict zones, and their preference for white rice may partially substitute Thai white rice exports to Iraq.

Baan Chan Sod Sohng Luang Awaits Thaksin Following Sentence Suspension and Release; Grandchildren to Meet Him at Home. Media Personnel Stationed; Police Ensure Order.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra received a sentence suspension today (May 11, 2025) after serving 243 days in prison under probation conditions.

The morning of May 11, 2025, at Baan Chan Sod Sohng Luang on Charoen Sanit Wong 71 Soi remained quiet, with police managing security and preparing designated areas for media personnel using metal barriers along the roadside.

Meanwhile, a Mercedes-Benz, Thaksin's personal vehicle that was previously used officially in 2024, was seen departing from Baan Chan Sod Sohng Luang.

Reports indicate that Khunying Pojaman Damapong, his former wife, along with grandchildren, will be waiting at home to welcome Thaksin, while some family members plan to receive him directly from the prison.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been sentenced to a total of eight years imprisonment across three court cases. He returned to Thailand on August 22, 2023, and entered the judicial process that same day, but was admitted to the 14th floor of Police Hospital after falling ill that night. On August 31, 2023, the Royal Gazette published a royal pardon reducing his sentence to one additional year. On February 18, 2024, Thaksin was granted his first sentence suspension, meeting the criteria as a prisoner over 70 years old with serious health conditions, and was released to his home at Baan Chan Songhlai.

However, this first suspension led former Democrat Party MP Chaiyachai Isaraenatrakul to file a petition with the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, requesting an investigation into the enforcement of the sentence. The court conducted inquiries into all relevant parties, including Department of Corrections officials and medical personnel. On September 9, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the time Thaksin spent recovering at Police Hospital would not count toward his sentence, ordering him back to Khlong Prem Central Prison to serve the remaining one-year term.

Thaksin has now served eight months of his court-ordered sentence, meeting the two-thirds requirement for another sentence suspension consideration. The Justice Ministry's Sentence Suspension Committee has approved his second probation suspension under stricter conditions: he must wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet at all times, participate in a supervised probation program with strict reporting requirements, and is prohibited from traveling outside designated areas without permission until his sentence expires completely on September 9, 2025.

Large numbers of red-shirt supporters gathered outside Khlong Prem Central Prison along Ngamwongwan Road from before dawn on May 11, 2025, to welcome former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra following his sentence commutation and transition to probation. According to the schedule, Thaksin will begin processing paperwork inside the prison at 7:00 AM and will appear at the prison gate at 7:45 AM, followed by a national flag salute at 8:00 AM with family members present. Some supporters traveled through the night, while others came from multiple provinces, particularly in the northeastern and northern regions, to show their support. Prison officials divided the area into two zones—one for family members and Pheu Thai Party associates, and another for media—to prevent overcrowding and maintain order. Security personnel from the Nakhon Chai Police Station and the Department of Corrections managed safety and traffic flow, with general supporters positioned outside the prison perimeter. After media coverage, Thaksin will depart the prison for his residence at Baan Chan Song Lao.