The Department of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Commerce is moving forward to strengthen Thai SMEs in an increasingly competitive landscape by officially launching the 'Thai SME Add Value Through IP' project. The initiative emphasizes the role of intellectual property as a vital tool to reinforce business operations, boost the value of goods and services, prevent counterfeiting, and capitalize on business opportunities in today's market.

The project launch took place on May 20, 2026, at the Department of Intellectual Property with attendance from government representatives, private sector officials, SME entrepreneurs, media, and stakeholders.

Ormorn Saipthaveetham, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property, revealed that SMEs are crucial drivers of Thailand's economy, with the country having over 3.28 million SMEs, representing 99.5% of all businesses. However, Thai SMEs currently contribute only 34.95% of GDP, approximately 1.72 trillion baht, reflecting their limitations in market access and value creation for products and services.

To strengthen Thai SMEs and increase their economic contribution, the Department of Intellectual Property partnered with the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) to launch this comprehensive project, recognizing that intellectual property plays a crucial role in differentiating goods and services through branding, packaging development, and innovation—creating competitive advantages that meet market and consumer demands while enhancing credibility and expanding trade opportunities.

The project aims to encourage Thai SMEs to innovate, protect their intellectual property, and practically apply IP to create added value for their businesses, particularly through the strategic use of trademarks to build brand identity and business credibility. The initiative aligns with Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Suthummapan's policy to strengthen SME entrepreneurs by enhancing their competitive capabilities through intellectual property.

The program features comprehensive SME entrepreneur development with key activities including: training sessions for over 300 SME operations across Thailand from June to August 2026 in six regions—Bangkok and surrounding areas, Ratchaburi, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Songkhla, and Khon Kaen—offering holistic IP development covering IP knowledge promotion, marketing, and branding, plus one-on-one consultations and logo design guidance to ensure proper trademark registration, starting in Ratchaburi and Bangkok in June 2026. Additionally, the first 300 entrepreneurs joining the program will receive subsidized trademark filing fees.

The Department of Energy Business has partnered with oil traders and the automotive industry to guarantee B20 fuel standards as a joint strategy to advance Thailand's energy security amid the global energy crisis. Department Director Sarawut Kaewtatip announced the initiative, launched following the Middle East conflict that erupted on February 28, which directly impacts global fuel supply stability. With global oil consumption reaching 103 million barrels daily and the Middle East producing 10-20 million barrels per day, transportation and production disruptions have prompted many countries to tap strategic reserves.

The department is closely monitoring energy security daily and assures that Thailand has sufficient oil for at least 100 days of full-scale conflict operations: 50-60 days from domestic reserves, 30 days from vessels en route, and approximately 30 days from supply contracts. All six refineries have been instructed to maintain continuous production and maximize output of finished fuels. Oil traders under Section 7 and Section 10 are required to continuously submit stock data to prevent hoarding and ensure adequate public fuel supply.

The department also supports the government's biofuel promotion policy, particularly B20 and E20, as key strategies to reduce imports and assist farmers. B20 standards are strictly monitored according to European Union standards, with Mobile Lab units regularly testing fuel quality nationwide to reduce PM 2.5 particulates and greenhouse gases in line with global clean energy goals.

Director Sarawut emphasized the government's commitment to sustainability through studying strategic oil reserves while building domestic biofuel dependence, enabling Thailand long-term energy independence regardless of fossil fuel price volatility. Deputy Director Atisak Chusuk of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency noted that Thailand's palm production is projected at 21.87 million tons annually in 2026, yielding approximately 3.94 million tons of crude palm oil (CPO) per year.

With domestic demand for CPO at approximately 2.25 million tons annually and exports at 1.20 million tons, about 1.49 million tons remains available for energy use. Promoting B20 diesel at 10% of total diesel consumption would utilize approximately 1.23 million tons of CPO annually for biodiesel production, aligning with projected output and confirming Thailand's palm production sufficiently supports B20 biodiesel blending.

Thailand Automotive Industry Association President Yupin Bunsirijan noted that consumers' primary concern is engine impact. The association's 13 major member brands—including Toyota, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, MG, Hino, Hyundai, Scania, Great Wall Motors, UD Trucks, and Volvo Trucks—have addressed these concerns.

A massive fire erupted around 10:00 AM on May 20, 2026, at an aluminum manufacturing facility in Moo 1, Tha Sao Subdistrict, Krathum Ban District, Samut Sakhon Province. The Krathum Ban Police Station dispatched more than 10 fire trucks from Tha Sao Municipality and nearby areas to contain the blaze. The operation was commanded by Pirun Roch Nakdontri, District Chief of Krathum Ban, alongside other officials including Police Captain Phasapong Monthan, Vallabh Thongphasak (Tha Sao Mayor), and Deputy Inspector Nattipat Naktsang.

The large-scale facility, spanning over 10 rai across four warehouse sections, specializes in producing steel rods, aluminum sheets, and various molded aluminum products. The fire consumed Warehouse 4, approximately 1.5 rai in size, damaging the roof, structural framework, machinery, and production equipment. Fortunately, no casualties were initially reported among the workforce.

However, tragedy struck when a Myanmar national supervisor requested firefighters to search inside the burning building for 10 baht of gold and approximately 200,000 baht in cash stored in his desk drawer. He perished in the flames, consumed entirely by the fire.

Investigators determined the fire started when a worker performing overhead welding accidentally sent sparks onto combustible materials, triggering a rapid and intense blaze. Staff evacuated immediately as the fire spread. Firefighters successfully contained the fire before it could engulf the entire structure.

District Chief Pirun Roch Nakdontri ordered the damaged warehouse sealed and restricted access to the danger zone pending further investigation. Officials from the municipality and forensic teams were instructed to inspect the scene and gather evidence.

The Cooperative Promotion Department is preparing to launch an online shopping platform called 'E-Catalog' that emphasizes easy access and partners with Thailand Post to deliver products directly to consumers at fair prices.

Nirand Moolthida, director-general of the Cooperative Promotion Department, revealed that the department is preparing to comprehensively upgrade agricultural product distribution by establishing Cooperative Distribution Centers (CDC PLUS) in every province nationwide. These centers will serve as distribution and exchange points for cooperative products both offline and online, with products circulating throughout the year. Each provincial cooperative has been asked to identify at least one suitable location to serve as a distribution center, consolidating prominent cooperative products from the area for distribution to consumers.

Nirand explained that to make cooperative products easily and quickly accessible to consumers in each province, the department is preparing an online sales platform called 'E-Catalog.' This will showcase featured cooperative products from each province on a real-time website, allowing consumers to search and shop conveniently from their mobile devices. The Cooperative Promotion Department has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Thailand Post Company Limited to deliver cooperative products to consumers quickly and efficiently at fair prices.

'The online trading platform 'E-Catalog' is currently under system development to align with the one distribution center per province model,' Nirand said. 'We intend for this to be a platform that consumers can access easily and conveniently with quick delivery. Users will be able to see immediately what products are available at the source and where they will be distributed, as well as where customers are located, to prevent risks of unsold inventory after receiving products. This serves as another online marketplace channel for cooperatives.'

The 'E-Catalog' online cooperative products platform is expected to be completed and officially launched at the Cooperative Products Fair at Larn Khon Muang in front of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Hall between July 12-17, 2025. The launch will begin with fruits before expanding to other agricultural products.

Thai entertainment stars Tutor Krabanjorn and Yim Parinya Pon have spoken out about an alarming stalking incident that occurred while they were traveling to Guangzhou, China for the "TutorYim Fan sign" event. The pair was followed intensely by fans from the airport through various locations including restaurants and their hotel, marking what they describe as their most serious encounter with overeager admirers.

On May 19, while attending the screening of their series "Chim Chae" at Lido Connect Hall 2, both actors opened up about the harrowing experience. They explained that fans tracked them from dawn until night, following them so closely that they felt unsafe and were unable to leave their hotel room to eat breakfast or visit the gym—activities they normally do while traveling. Yim described being startled by fans getting uncomfortably close, sometimes walking dangerously near them with phones pointed at their faces. Tutor recounted that fans would follow their car and get so close while walking that their feet would bump into each other, nearly causing them to trip.

Both actors emphasized they understand fans' affection but strongly urged them to meet at official scheduled events instead. They expressed concern not only for their personal safety but also for their public image and the safety of other people in public spaces who could be accidentally hit by overeager fans. While acknowledging that their security team attempted to manage the situation, they stressed that this level of stalking directly impacts their quality of life and ability to conduct normal daily activities. Tutor noted that while most fans understand appropriate behavior, a small minority are motivated by wanting to watch their everyday lives—seeing them eat breakfast or go to the gym—which he finds invasive and unsafe.