Thai Commercial Bank is strengthening liquidity support for SME customers to reduce the impact of Middle East tensions, launching sustainable business financing with a maximum credit line of 50 million baht, no collateral required, and 10-year repayment terms.

On April 27, 2025, Pikul Srimahan, Chief Debt Recovery Management Officer and Chief Business Banking Officer at Thai Commercial Bank, stated that the Middle East conflict is creating pressure on Thai business operations, particularly SMEs in the supply chain, due to rising operational costs from increased energy prices.

Following the Bank of Thailand's directive for financial institutions to accelerate assistance to affected customers through new funding and relaxed debt repayment terms, Thai Commercial Bank has launched Sustainable Finance with a special interest rate of 2.99% in the first year, enabling entrepreneurs to invest in long-term cost reduction and competitive advantage.

The sustainable financing package includes business loans up to 50 million baht with no collateral required and a 10-year repayment period, as well as energy-efficient vehicle hire-purchase loans up to 30 million baht with a maximum 5-year repayment term. The bank also offers in-depth consulting, sustainability training seminars, and continuous monitoring of greenhouse gas emission reductions to guide SMEs toward environmentally friendly long-term business transformation.

"The Middle East situation not only affects short-term energy prices but is fundamentally reshaping the overall economic cost structure, forcing businesses to operate under higher costs and greater revenue uncertainty," Pikul said. "Entrepreneurs must view this crisis as an opportunity to transition from energy-dependent business models to clean energy operations that align with future competitive dynamics."

Interested entrepreneurs can contact their relationship managers or call the SCB Business Call Center at 02-722-2222 from today through June 30, 2025.

Thai celebrities Nap Narongdej and his wife Dao Poruthai flew across the globe to attend the spectacular wedding of an Indian billionaire couple, turning heads with their elegance. The lavish celebration was held in Marrakech, Morocco, and counted among the most prestigious weddings to invite Thailand's top celebrities and VIP guests from numerous countries for what is reported to be a billion-baht affair. Throughout the multi-day event, Dao Poruthai earned admiration for coming prepared with an impressive array of gorgeous outfits to honor the bride and groom, showcasing the couple as true ambassadors of Thai celebrity style.

On April 27, 2025, at Sak Yanant Shrine (Sorn Sming Khwet, Khong Whet Street No. 4, Moo 10, Si Bua Thong Subdistrict, Sawang Ha District, Ang Thong Province), teacher Sorn Sming Khwet organized an annual teacher reverence and crown blessing ceremony with large attendance from his disciples.

Reporters noted that attendees examined candle tear patterns in sacred water and discovered the number 87 for lottery gambling purposes. The ritual was considered spiritually significant and solemn, performed with sacred incantations. During the ceremony, numerous disciples reportedly experienced spiritual manifestations, which represents a matter of personal belief.

Bangkok has become the first city and first public-sector entity in the Asia-Pacific region to receive the "Gold" level certification for gender equality from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), marking a major milestone in its push for inclusive urban development.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt received the Gender Equality Seal for public institutions at the Rattanakosin Room of City Hall on April 24, 2026, alongside UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo, who attended the ceremony with senior officials and partners.

The UNDP Gender Equality Seal is an international certification framework that assesses public institutions on their commitment to advancing gender equality and reducing structural gaps that hinder development. The programme currently works with more than 100 institutions across over 30 countries.

Chadchart said the award reflects not only Bangkok's achievement but also Thailand's broader progress, noting that the city represents people from across the country.

"This is not just Bangkok's award, but Thailand's achievement," he said, adding that it is the first city in the Asia-Pacific region to reach the Gold standard.

He said Bangkok began the certification process more than two years ago, initially scoring just 8.8%. Through cooperation between public agencies, private sector partners and civil society, the city improved its score to 94.8%, meeting 38 of 40 indicators, including all 14 Gold-standard benchmarks.

Chadchart said sustainability will depend on embedding gender equality into organisational culture, ensuring it continues regardless of leadership changes.

Bangkok Deputy Governor Taweeda Kamolvej said collaboration with UNDP helped identify remaining gaps and improve policy implementation, adding that the achievement was only possible through cooperation with citizens, private sector partners and diverse communities.

UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo congratulated Bangkok and its residents, calling the achievement a collective success and highlighting the city's leadership role in the region.

He also pointed to Thailand's recent progress on equality policies, including the passage of marriage equality legislation, as well as Bangkok's bid to host World Pride.

According to the UNDP, Bangkok improved its score from 8% at the start of the programme in 2023 to 94.8% in the final assessment, integrating gender perspectives into more than 200 municipal projects aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.

Initiatives include free sanitary pad distribution, installation of more than 30,000 LED streetlights under the "Bangkok Must Be Bright" campaign, and efforts to close the gender pay gap from 3.1% to 0.9%.

The city has also expanded inclusive healthcare services through 31 "BKK Pride Clinics", providing care for more than 8,400 people, particularly from LGBTQI+ communities.

Bangkok has also implemented progressive workplace policies, including 120-day maternity leave and childcare support.

The National Parks Department expressed gratitude to Carabao Group for donating 100 cases of beverages to boost morale and energy among wildfire suppression personnel who are sacrificing their efforts for the nation.

On April 27, 2026, Deputy Director-General Weerayut Khunchariyarak of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation accepted 100 cases of Carabao beverages from Carabao Group Public Company Limited. The donation was presented to strengthen the resolve of wildfire suppression officers who are working tirelessly monitoring and preventing forest fires.

Thienpat Nawamawat, a working committee member of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Kamaldit Samutkojon, Deputy Managing Director of Carabao Group Public Company Limited, jointly presented the beverages at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Deputy Director-General Weerayut Khunchariyarak expressed appreciation to Carabao Group for recognizing the importance of the staff, stating that the beverages will be distributed to operational units in various areas to support officers during their ongoing field operations.

Kamaldit Samutkojon, Deputy Managing Director of Carabao Group Public Company Limited, stated: "As a private sector organization, we are delighted to support the Department's mission. This donation of Carabao beverages demonstrates our commitment to backing these 'great warriors'—the forest protection officers who work with dedication to maintain environmental balance for our nation."

At 2:00 PM on April 27, 2569 at Parliament, Kravee Parisnanantakul, Ang Thong MP from the Bhumjaithai Party and chairman of the House of Representatives coordination committee (opposition liaison), discussed the committee meeting agenda. Today marks the first opposition coordination meeting to prepare topics for Wednesday and Thursday parliamentary sessions. Wednesday's agenda will cover bills, while Thursday will address questions, general interpellations, and informational matters as regular parliamentary business.

When asked about discussions with the opposition regarding concerns over ministerial responses, Kravee expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and cabinet for prioritizing legislative work in parliament. He noted that the PM has emphasized to all ministers the importance of responding to questions on Thursday. All confirmed ministers will attend to answer questions. For spontaneous questions from the government, coordination will occur in advance, identifiable by Monday, ensuring the relevant ministers are scheduled to respond.

Regarding the opposition's two additional questions, Kravee requested cooperation, asking the opposition to notify the opposition liaison office in advance of which minister will be questioned, without necessarily disclosing the question content. During Tuesday's cabinet meeting, advance coordination will ensure proper responses. The government and cabinet confirm commitment to prioritizing question-and-answer sessions this parliamentary term.

When asked about draft law discussions in the opposition coordination meeting, Kravee stated the government will adhere to the constitutional timeline. Discussions are ongoing regarding the timeframe, with the government still awaiting law confirmation to schedule parliamentary submission within specific weeks, though no cabinet confirmation has been received for next week.

Regarding constitutional amendment, Kravee said details must be discussed between the government and parliament regarding the approach, timing, and urgency of amendments. Currently, the government appears focused on addressing cost-of-living issues, economic problems, energy, and Middle East conflicts.

When asked about concerns regarding the constitutional amendment given the public referendum requirement, Kravee assured there are no concerns, as the complete constitutional amendment has already passed public referendum, meaning regardless of speed, the matter must be presented to parliament for consideration. He noted that when appropriate timing arrives for amendments, the direction and procedural mechanisms for transitioning to a new constitution will become clear.