KTC announced that e-commerce spending now accounts for 40-45% of total expenditure through their credit cards, a dramatic increase from the previous 10-20% share. The first four months of 2025 showed spending growth of approximately 16% and transaction growth exceeding 25% year-over-year, driven by the "Speed Economy" trend and changing consumer behavior.

Nathassit Suntranya, Senior Executive of the Credit Card Marketing Division at Krung Thai Card Public Company Limited (KTC), revealed that consumer behavior has clearly shifted toward the "Speed Economy," resulting in sustained growth in e-commerce and food delivery platform transactions. During the first four months of 2025, KTC credit card transaction volume grew more than 25% compared to the same period last year, while spending grew approximately 16% on average.

This growth stems from consumers preferring to "buy less but buy more frequently" and desiring speed in product and service delivery, particularly through e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop, as well as food delivery services including Grab, LINE MAN, Hungry Hub, Robinhood, and ShopeeFood.

"Today's consumers demand greater speed—whether it's getting food delivered during a meeting or ordering essentials late at night through a platform for immediate delivery. These trends are significantly driving online transaction growth," Suntranya explained.

Suntranya noted that while spending growth is 16%, transaction growth exceeds 25% because consumers are spending less per transaction but making purchases more frequently. Average transaction values increased from approximately 600-700 baht to around 800 baht.

Meanwhile, online platforms are competing fiercely through discount codes, VIP membership programs, and promotional campaigns that continuously stimulate consumer spending, particularly during "Double Day" events like 9.9, 11.11, and 12.12, which remain crucial for the online market.

Suntranya noted that while the 11.11 campaign was historically most popular, 12.12 now shows notably higher spending due to year-end timing and seasonal shopping peaks. Double Day events remain the primary strategy for online platforms to boost sales, though Mid-Month and Payday campaigns have been added throughout the year.

The proportion of KTC credit card spending on e-commerce platforms has increased to approximately 40-45% of total spending, up from just 10-20% previously, reflecting that e-commerce has become integral to consumer lifestyle. This behavior acceleration began during COVID-19 and has continued to the present.

Regarding product categories with highest KTC spending on e-commerce, beauty and cosmetics, fashion, and consumer goods remain dominant, as these items are frequently repurchased and benefit from online platform promotions.

Among e-commerce platforms, Shopee remains the clear leader among KTC customers, followed by Lazada and TikTok Shop. Each platform has distinct strengths and marketing positioning—TikTok emphasizes social commerce and entertainment through short videos, while Lazada highlights LazMall products with authenticity guarantees.

KTC also prioritizes online transaction security with a 24-hour fraud detection team monitoring unusual transactions.

National Police Chief Police General Kittirat Patthanapetch has delegated authority to Police Lieutenant General Charuenjkiatti Panakaew, Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, to file a complaint and proceed with legal action against Police Lieutenant Colonel Wirutm Sirisawatsidibut and others on charges of defamation by advertisement under Sections 326 and 328 of the Criminal Code. The legal proceedings stem from an interview Wirutm gave on the "Tok Mai Thieng" program on Tero Digital on November 19, 2024, in which he reportedly made statements characterizing the Royal Thai Police as a criminal organization and claiming it collects bribes and illicit benefits in various forms across the country. The National Police Bureau determined that these statements constitute serious defamation that damages the police organization's image, credibility, and public trust, significantly harming its reputation. The bureau has therefore instructed that maximum legal action be taken against those involved.

On May 20, 2025, Police General Pattanasak Bupasuwan, commander of the Crime Suppression Division, authorized an operation called 'The Red Line' to arrest 10 suspects involved in a mule account network across eight provinces nationwide. The suspects include Jongruk (29), Winas (28), Pattanpong (32), Tinbhat (22), Yongyut (51), Chanitkan (24), Korrachit (37), Pattanaporn (39), Nathavut (27), and Passit (37), operating under arrest warrants No. 525-535/2025 issued by the Thonburi Criminal Court on May 8, 2025, on charges of fraud, unauthorized computer data entry, and money laundering. Two Cambodian nationals, Miss Chankhema (25) and Mr. Sophorn (44), were also sought for operating transfer accounts within the network.

The investigation stemmed from the Anti-Online Fraud Center's (ACSC) policy to suppress online criminal networks. A doctor reported being targeted by the 'Sergeant Poi Pet' gang, who used video calls with fake police station backgrounds and forged court documents to intimidate victims into sharing their phone screens for five consecutive days. Victims were then coerced into transferring their entire bank balances to designated accounts.

The suspects operated as multi-level mule accounts, including primary transfer accounts, temporary holding accounts, and deep-level transfer accounts, with some serving as 'cash mule couriers' withdrawing money nationwide to break the financial trail. Records from Thai Police Online show the group was linked to over 76 cases with total damages exceeding 123 million baht. During interrogation, one suspect confessed to being victimized by the same gang and provided evidence assisting the investigation. However, all arrested suspects denied the charges and claimed no involvement in the fraud scheme. They remain in custody pending further legal proceedings.

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing on Wednesday in a meeting meant to reaffirm ties and that takes place only days after a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to China.

Xi welcomed Putin with a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People. The two delegations later held bilateral talks, to be followed by a ceremony for signing cooperation agreements.

Putin's visit comes just days after Trump's own trip to Beijing – in a sequence that is meant to cement Beijing's image as an influential superpower, experts say.

"The message is clearly one that China maintains friendship and strategic partnership with whichever power it likes, and the USA is just one of them," said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said earlier that there was "no connection" between Trump and Putin's visits, noting the trip by the Russian leader was agreed several days after Putin and Xi spoke via videoconference on Feb. 4.

The Russian and Chinese leaders are set to discuss energy and security as well as their overall ties. The two sides agreed to extend a friendship treaty first signed in 2001, Chinese state media reported.

China became Russia's top trading partner following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Beijing has said it is neutral in the conflict while maintaining trade ties with the Kremlin despite economic and financial sanctions by the U.S. and Europe.

China is the top customer for Russian oil and gas supplies, and Moscow expects the war in Iran to increase the demand. China also has ignored demands from the West to stop providing high-tech components for Russia's weapons industries.

Ushakov said Russia's oil exports to China grew by 35% in the first quarter of 2026 and that Russia is one of the biggest exporters of natural gas to China.

During "the crisis in the Middle East," Russia remains a reliable energy supplier and China is a "responsible consumer," Ushakov said.

Putin noted earlier this month that Moscow and Beijing have reached "a very substantial step forward in our cooperation in the oil and gas sector."

"Practically all the key issues have been agreed upon," he said. "If we succeed in finalizing these details and bringing them to a conclusion during this visit, I will be extremely pleased."

Kem Sokha, Cambodia's former opposition leader who remains under house arrest, was reunited with his critically ill mother on the morning of 20 May after authorities granted permission for the visit. According to his lawyer, Pheng Heng, Kem Sokha was escorted by Ministry of Interior officers to visit his mother, Sao Nget, at his sibling's home in a gated community in Phnom Penh. The request for the visit was submitted on 19 May amid concerns over her worsening condition. A video posted on Pheng Heng's Facebook page on 20 May showed the 72-year-old politician embracing his mother in tears, while she appeared to hold him close and offer a blessing. Sao Nget is believed to be around 100 years old. Kem Sokha, former president of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court in 2023 to 27 years in prison on treason charges, although the court ordered him to serve the sentence under home detention. He was arrested in 2017 over allegations of conspiring with a "foreign power" to overthrow the Cambodian government. The court also imposed a lifetime ban on his involvement in politics.

A speedboat used to transport tourists to Koh Thalu caught fire in Bang Saphan Noi district on 20 May, leaving the vessel heavily damaged and its driver injured. According to local sources, the two-engine speedboat belonged to a tour company operating trips from the mainland to Koh Thalu. The boat, which had been in service for around seven to eight years, had reportedly experienced engine problems and had recently undergone repairs. The incident occurred while the boat was parked near the shoreline due to shallow water conditions preventing it from docking at the pier as usual. Sources said the driver was preparing the vessel to pick up tourists when a loud explosion-like sound was heard as the engine was started, before flames rapidly engulfed the boat. The driver reportedly suffered burns to his arms and body while attempting to use onboard fire extinguishers to control the blaze. However, the fire spread too quickly and damaged most of the vessel. He later jumped into the sea to escape and was taken to hospital for treatment. Initial damage was estimated at around 3-4 million baht. No tourists were injured, as passengers were transferred to another boat operated by the same company to continue their trip to Koh Thalu.