On May 13, 2569, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister visited a demonstration rice field to collect royal seed strain after completing the royal blessing ceremony. The Prime Minister joined locals in gathering the seeds into prepared bags, saying it was his first time collecting royal seed rice. When asked what he would do with the seeds, he initially avoided answering but then revealed he has his own farmland, saying "I'll plant it and let you know which field."

The Prime Minister emphasized that the government has measures in place to support farmers, anticipating drought conditions this year. He noted that multiple agencies—including the National Water Resources Office, Royal Irrigation Department, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, and Ministry of Public Works and Town & Country Planning—are coordinating efforts to supply water sources such as groundwater to farmers. Officials are planning to maximize water conservation to prevent agricultural hardship.

During the seed collection, a local resident jokingly asked the Prime Minister in the northeast Thai dialect whether he was "authentic" or a "fake northeast Thai farmer." Anutin responded humorously that he was a "fake one." Another person asked whether everyone would receive the promised 1,000 baht at month's end, but the Prime Minister did not answer the question.

Halodera – POTATO releases a new music video for 'Chaotic Life' featuring Heartrocker, directed by Tong-Tae Thiti. The video maintains the band's signature gritty and authentic style with their characteristic storytelling pace, transforming daily struggles into stylish moments of reality rather than mere chaos. BLVCKHEART, a hip-hop artist from the bYOND unit under Believe Artist Services, returns with 'When Will There Be (Giving Each Other Hearts)' produced by Toon from Three Man Down. The track blends Pop and R&B with 90s-era sounds to convey loneliness, using phone ring sound effects to tell stories of endless waiting. The band TWODAYS releases 'Like a Flower,' a pop-rock track using flower symbolism to explore how relationships flourish with proper care but can become toxic with excess. PLAYGROUND, a pop-rock band from ME RECORDS, releases '18 Golden Humans,' inspired by Shaolin temple martial arts training, comparing unrequited love to gold refined by fire, growing stronger through each disappointment. Sony Music Thailand and Smallroom introduce 'Juna Mae,' a new musical identity of Image Suthita, through her first English-language song 'All Over Again' in Indie Folk style, with Michael Selby as producer. SLAPKISS under LOVEiS label releases 'No Role,' exploring the pain of being undefined, produced by MILO from Tilly Birds with lyrics and composition by Do Thanakorn, featuring 'AA' from BUS in the music video.

News anchor Aom Sorochaa (Sorochaa Proludamsakdi) has posted a heartfelt message on Facebook following her years-long battle with cancer, indicating she is now entering the final chapter of her life. She expressed profound gratitude to Dr. Israng from Yueang Yen social enterprise, nurse May, and other caregivers who have provided close medical care to ease her physical suffering and support her mental wellbeing. Aom offered special thanks to Sonthi, whom she describes as a second father figure, crediting him with guiding and supporting her through this journey. She took the opportunity to seek forgiveness from anyone she may have wronged through body, speech, or mind, intentionally or unintentionally, in this life or any other. Aom asked everyone not to be sad, but rather to rejoice with her as she begins a new chapter with a stronger and more steadfast spirit. She requested that her business partner and beloved younger sister Puy continue operating their quality product line Aravinda, with plans to expand Thai products to ASEAN markets. She closed with deep gratitude and respect to all.

Bangkok, Thailand – May 13, 2025 – KONVY PTE.LTD., a leading omnichannel e-commerce platform specializing in beauty and personal care products across Southeast Asia, has announced its growth trajectory following the successful completion of its Series B funding round led by Cool Japan Fund Inc. (CJF), with participation from existing investor Insignia Venture Partners.

KONVY has established a strong market leadership foundation in Thailand across multiple channels including e-commerce marketplaces, social commerce, and offline retail, offering over 20,000 products from approximately 1,000 brands. The company has earned widespread recognition as one of the most influential beauty and personal care platforms in the country, building long-term consumer trust through product diversity, authenticity, and a seamless omnichannel shopping experience.

Leveraging this success, KONVY is now expanding into the Philippines and Malaysia markets, deploying its proven omnichannel business model that integrates marketplace platforms, social commerce, and localized marketing strategies tailored to each market.

These markets represent significant growth opportunities, driven by expanding middle-class consumer bases and increasing demand for premium, curated beauty products. The partnership with Cool Japan Fund will enhance KONVY's ability to curate products and adapt strategies for local markets, while facilitating the introduction of Japanese beauty and health brands to Southeast Asian consumers.

By combining KONVY's marketing expertise and distribution network with CJF's strategic support and international connections, the collaboration aims to accelerate the growth of Japanese beauty brands in the increasingly competitive regional market.

Meanwhile, KONVY continues to strengthen partnerships with leading global and regional beauty brands through exclusive distribution agreements, leveraging consumer insights and omnichannel distribution capabilities to drive efficient regional expansion and strengthen brand equity and consumer relationships across markets.

In Khon Kaen province, farmers observe the traditional Crop Blessing Day to plant rice this year, hoping for abundant harvests. Farmers are advised to use walking tractors to reduce average field preparation costs to 50 baht per rai, while appealing to the government to monitor fertilizer and rice prices.

May 13, 2026 – Somchai Siriserm, a farmer from Ban Ton Noi village in Ban Kho subdistrict, Mueang Khon Kaen district, Khon Kaen province, is using a walking tractor to prepare the soil in his paddy field to plant rain-fed rice this year. He observes the Crop Blessing Day, known locally as the First Blessing Day, as an auspicious occasion for planting, following tradition as he has done every year. Somchai explains that this day holds significant importance for farmers because it marks the right moment for agricultural activities and is a belief passed down through generations. He has begun soil preparation on one rai of land, choosing this auspicious day to plant his rice.

This year, he selected direct seeding rather than transplanting to reduce costs. Once seeds are sown, he waits for rain to naturally germinate them. With continuous rainfall expected this season, he can begin rice planting.

His rice cultivation strategy involves plowing under rice stubble after harvest, then planting velvet beans until they die back, which he then plows in as organic fertilizer. By May, after tilling the soil again, the decomposed velvet beans serve as additional fertilizer.

Beyond using velvet beans as fertilizer, Somchai uses his walking tractor instead of hiring larger tractors, saving 50 baht per rai in fuel costs compared to 350 baht per rai when hiring machinery – a significant cost reduction.

However, Somchai appeals to the government to ensure rain-fed rice prices are fair and cover production costs. Current high fuel prices have increased farming expenses, with tractor preparation and harvesting costs reaching nearly 1,000 baht per rai combined. Despite these costs, farmers must continue farming to feed their families, selling any surplus.

He urges the government to balance rice prices with fertilizer and fuel costs, which form the basis of production expenses, so farmers can sustain themselves without losses from rice farming.

CHONBURI — On May 13, 2026, rescue teams and over 50 villagers launched an overnight search for a 54-year-old man with a neurological condition who had wandered away from his home. The man was eventually found exhausted but unharmed in a forested area after a thermal-imaging drone detected his heat signature.

Rescue workers from Sawanghet Thung Hiang Rescue Unit received the alert around 8 p.m. on Tuesday that the man had gone missing near Wat Krabok Khu in Moo 5, Tha Bun Mi subdistrict, Ko Chan district, Chonburi. According to relatives, he had disappeared from his home around 6 p.m. After initial family searches proved unsuccessful, local authorities and rescue teams were called in.

Village Head Janjira Thongthanom coordinated the response, mobilizing local officials, village leaders, a rapid response unit from the Department of National Parks, rescue workers, and villagers to search the dense forest surrounding the community. The thermal-imaging drone proved decisive, detecting a heat signature near a pond approximately 600 meters from the man's residence. Ground teams reached the location around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday and found him alive and largely unharmed, though in an exhausted state. Both family members and rescue teams expressed their relief once he was brought to safety.