Man Shot Dead on Street; Facebook Post Shows He Challenged Rival to Gunfight Before Death; Police Launch Manhunt. Police investigating underground business disputes; suspect has extensive criminal record. On May 7, 2025, Lieutenant Chittakorn Konghluea, an investigator at Thasala Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat, received a report of a body found on a roadside in Moo 1, Talinchan Subdistrict, Thasala District. Officers proceeded to the scene with Deputy Superintendent Bussarin Kiripet and Thasala Hospital medical staff. Upon arrival, they found the victim to be Phuripat, age 40, shot in the chest by an unknown firearm. A fallen motorcycle and an 11mm pistol with ammunition were discovered next to the body, believed to belong to the victim. Investigation revealed that before the incident, the victim, known as Nam Talinchan, was driving to the area when the suspect allegedly followed and shot him before fleeing. Police later searched a suspect's residence, someone known to have conflicts with the victim, but found no evidence. Preliminary investigation suggests the motive could involve underground business disputes or personal conflicts. A Facebook post by the victim challenging a rival to a gunfight was discovered, and the victim had multiple pending legal cases. Authorities are continuing their pursuit to apprehend the perpetrator.

The Jewellery & Gem ASEAN Bangkok 2026 (JGAB 2026) has wrapped up in grand fashion, achieving impressive attendance of over 11,593 participants from 80 countries worldwide. The event underscores its role as an international trading platform and reinforces Thailand's position as the central hub for the jewelry and gemstone industry in the ASEAN region.

Throughout the four-day event, the atmosphere bustled with buyers, business professionals, and industry experts from around the globe. Over 55% of attendees were senior executives and business owners, while another 30% were distributors, importers and exporters, and jewelry designers—reflecting the high caliber of decision-makers seeking international business opportunities and networking.

The event featured over 400 leading companies from more than 15 countries, covering raw materials, cut gemstones, finished jewelry, and manufacturing technology and innovation. This resulted in active business negotiations and trade partnerships throughout the four days.

Sarnchai Noombuonnai, General Manager of Informa Markets Thailand, stated: "JGAB 2026 has achieved tremendous success in both participant numbers and event quality, particularly with the continuous flow of foreign buyers. This reflects the global market's confidence in the ASEAN jewelry industry's potential and Thailand's role as a key regional trade hub."

Foreign buyers primarily came from high-potential markets such as China, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Middle East, which play crucial roles in the industry's future growth and offer Thai entrepreneurs concrete opportunities to expand internationally.

Beyond trade, the event featured quality programming including the Gallery of Thai Silver exhibition, The Next Gem Contest, and the ASEAN Jewellery and Gem Summit 2026, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, market trends, and innovation.

The overwhelming response from both domestic and international participants demonstrates ASEAN's emergence as a "global jewelry and gemstone market hub" receiving increased attention. The success also reinforces Thailand's position as a jewelry business hub that seamlessly blends local identity with modern innovation, opening new growth prospects, particularly in China and secondary cities.

Building on this momentum, organizers announced the next edition will be held May 17-20, 2027, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), aiming to elevate the event into a comprehensive "ASEAN Jewellery & Gemstone Sourcing Hub" covering trade, networking, and regional supply chain connections to global markets. The 2027 edition will enhance participant experience through improved buyer quality, business matching activities, seminars, and innovation zones, while highlighting key industry trends including contemporary design, sustainability, and technology-driven business solutions.

BANGKOK: The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) have launched the ThaiLLM Foundation Model with an B80-million investment, intending to secure artificial intelligence (AI) sovereignty and drive the digital economy.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued alerts to 60 provinces across the North, Northeast, Central regions, and Bangkok to prepare for thunderstorms, strong gusty winds, and heavy rainfall between May 7-10. On May 7, 2025, DDPM Director-General Theeraphatt Katchamat reported that the Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Operations Center is monitoring weather conditions and risk factors. The Meteorological Department's second announcement (51/2569) on variable weather conditions in Thailand (effective May 7-10) indicates that a high-pressure system and cold air mass from China will extend over the Northeast and South China Sea, while southerly and southeasterly winds will carry moisture from the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea into northern Thailand. Strengthening easterly winds over the South and Gulf of Thailand will trigger increased thunderstorms, strong gusts, and heavy rainfall in the North, Northeast, Central regions, Bangkok, and surrounding areas.

Monitored areas for thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy rain between May 7-10 include:

May 7-9: Northern provinces (17): Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampoon, Lamphang, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani. Northeastern provinces (20): Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani. Central provinces (23): Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Samut Prakan.

May 10: Northern provinces (15): Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampoon, Lamphang, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun. Northeastern provinces (5): Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani.

Bangkok and surrounding areas are on alert May 7-10.

The Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Operations Center has coordinated with 60 provinces across the North, Northeast, Central regions, and Bangkok, including local disaster prevention centers in high-risk areas, to remain alert and prepared. Authorities are instructed to closely monitor weather and disaster situations, coordinate with local government organizations to warn residents in advance, and prepare emergency equipment and response teams. The public is urged to follow official weather forecasts and alerts, inspect homes and buildings for structural integrity, avoid staying in open areas under large trees, billboards, or weak structures to prevent collapse injuries and lightning strikes, and be alert to dangers from heavy rain that may cause flash floods and flash flooding. Farmers should prepare to protect agricultural products and livestock, and everyone should maintain health during weather changes. Residents can monitor alerts through the 'THAI DISASTER ALERT' application.

The Government Savings Bank has announced a special promotional deposit product exclusively available at the 26th Bangkok Money Expo, held May 7-10, 2025, at Impact Challenger Hall 1-2 in Muang Thong Thani.

The 113-day special on-demand deposit features a stepped interest rate structure: - Days 1-52: 1.00% per annum - Days 53-108: 1.99% per annum - Days 109-113: 9.99% per annum Average interest rate: 1.88% per annum (equivalent to a 2.21% fixed deposit)

Registration schedules (200 quotas per day, first-come-first-served): - May 7: 200 quotas, Jupiter Room 11-13, Registration 12:00-14:00 - May 8: 200 quotas, Challenger Hall 2 front, Registration 10:00-12:00 - May 9: 200 quotas, Challenger Hall 2 front, Registration 10:00-12:00 - May 10: 200 quotas, Challenger Hall 2 front, Registration 10:00-12:00

Key conditions: - Minimum opening deposit: 10,000 baht; maximum per person: 500,000 baht - Requires registration certificate obtained at the Money Expo - Deposit period: May 7-17, 2025 - Open to both individuals and juristic entities - Individuals exempt from withholding tax - One quota per person throughout the entire event - Valid ID required for registration

Visit the GSB booth at Money Expo Bangkok, May 7-10, 2025, at Impact Challenger Hall 1-2. Terms and conditions are subject to bank regulations and may be changed without prior notice.

EGCO Group has been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices (DJ BIC) in the electric utility category at the highest tier of the emerging market indices group. Chief Executive Officer Thawatchai Samranyavanitchai announced that the company's selection reflects over three decades of continuous commitment to balancing growth with sustainable development, while positioning the organization to address energy transition and climate change challenges to promote a global low-carbon society.

Sustainability has guided the company's business strategy and decision-making processes, ensuring growth creates value across economic, social, and environmental dimensions in the long term. The company has integrated sustainability concepts comprehensively throughout its operations, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This 2026 DJ BIC selection represents another validation of the company's commitment to responsible business practices and strengthens confidence among global shareholders, investors, and stakeholders.

In the 2025 Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) for electric utilities in emerging market indices, 30 companies globally competed for selection, with only 3 companies ultimately chosen for the 2026 DJ BIC. EGCO Group demonstrated outstanding performance in systematic risk management and preparedness for emerging risks, portfolio management focused on increasing renewable energy investments and driving innovation projects, efficient environmental management including energy reduction and air pollution control, and human resource management emphasizing quality of life, flexible work arrangements, and continuous staff development.

S&P Dow Jones Indices rebranded its sustainability and ESG indices in 2025, changing the name from Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) to Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices (DJ BIC), effective February 10, 2025, with annual reviews moved to the end of April to align with S&P Global's corporate sustainability assessment framework. Prior to this rebrand, EGCO Group was continuously selected for inclusion in the DJSI from 2020 to 2024.