Princess Sirivannavari opens landmark royal dress exhibition in Paris

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26 May 2026, 16:11

PARIS, France — Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana presided over the opening of a landmark exhibition celebrating the history and global influence of Thai royal dress at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, as Thailand and France marked 170 years of diplomatic relations.

The exhibition, titled “La Mode en Majesté: Royal Thai Dress from Tradition to Modernity,” brings together more than 200 items including royal garments, antique woven textiles, fine handicrafts, and contemporary works by Thai designers. Spread across seven galleries, the exhibition traces the evolution of Thai royal dress from its historical roots to its place on the international stage through art, textiles, and craft.

The Princess arrived dressed in a Siwalai Thai national costume and presided over the opening ceremony alongside cabinet ministers, ambassadors, and distinguished guests from Thailand and around the world. The evening opened with a welcome address by Bénédicte Gady, Director-General of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, before the Princess delivered her opening remarks and led the delegation on a tour of all seven exhibition galleries.

Following the exhibition tour, guests were invited to a gala dinner designed to reflect Thai identity and culture. The menu was crafted by the culinary team from CODA Bangkok, a Michelin one-star fine dining restaurant known for its contemporary interpretation of Thai local ingredients. Each dish combined the essence of Thai produce with modern cooking techniques, presenting a distinctive and refined Thai identity to an international audience.

The dinner tables were adorned with intricate handicrafts produced under the Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques, including yan lipao lacquer boxes repurposed as orchid vases, silver woven baskets arranged as floral displays, and silver sculptures of rabbits, elephants, and deer handcrafted by hill tribe artisans. The decorations reflected the depth and artistry of Thai traditional craftsmanship in a contemporary setting.

The exhibition is organised under the patronage of Princess Sirivannavari through a collaboration between four partner organisations: the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACIT) under the Ministry of Commerce, the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. It is open to the public until 1 November 2026.

The French government awarded Princess Sirivannavari the rank of Grand Officier of the Légion d’Honneur, one of France’s highest state honours, in recognition of her significant contributions to promoting French culture and lifestyle in Thailand and for strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations. The honour was presented in conjunction with the 340th anniversary of the first contact between Siam and France, commemorated in 2025, and the 170th anniversary of formal Thai-French diplomatic relations, celebrated in 2026.

Stepfather Arrested for Murder of 13-Year-Old Girl and Attack on Mother

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Khaosod English

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26 May 2026, 16:05

NONG BUA LAMPHU — 25 May 2026, A 38-year-old man with a prior conviction for sexual assault was arrested on Monday afternoon while attempting to flee on a motorcycle, following the discovery of his 13-year-old stepdaughter’s body and a brutal attack on his partner.

The suspect, identified by police only as Pornchai, 38, was apprehended at 14:10 on Monday on a rural road connecting Ban Don Klet and Ban Non Muang Noi in Sri Boon Ruang District.

The arrest followed a tragic discovery earlier that day. Pol. Lt. Col. Pichetphong Ratchabuakhot, an interrogation officer at Sri Boon Ruang Police Station, received a report at 12:30 regarding a fatality at a residence in Ban Mai Tanthawan, Nong Kung Kaeo Subdistrict.

At the scene, authorities located the body of a 13-year-old girl, a local Matthayom 1 student, in a bathroom at the rear of the property. The victim had been bound, and forensic evidence at the scene indicated she had been physically and sexually assaulted before her death. Her body has been transferred to Loei Provincial Hospital for a formal forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Outside the residence, authorities also located the victim’s 32-year-old mother. She had sustained severe, deep lacerations to her head and face. Neighbors and family members who arrived at the scene stated she had been attacked and knocked unconscious, effectively trapped inside the home for two days before regaining consciousness on Monday morning. She was immediately transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.

Investigation and Timeline

According to police investigators, the 13-year-old victim typically resided with her maternal grandparents in a neighboring village. However, on Friday 22 May, she traveled to the residence in Ban Mai Tanthawan to visit her mother and stepfather to attend the local Rocket Festival (Bun Bang Fai) scheduled for Saturday.

When the child failed to return home as expected, her grandfather attempted to locate her at the village and her school but found no trace.

Separately, a local resident went to the property on Monday morning to retrieve a motorcycle that the family had borrowed on Friday to access an ATM in town. Upon arrival, the resident discovered the severely injured mother outside the home and immediately alerted relatives and emergency services.

Suspect Intercepted and Tested Positive for Drugs

Following the discovery of the homicide, Sri Boon Ruang District Chief Thanayut Yaikaew, acting in his capacity as an Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) official, coordinated with local administrative staff, village leaders, and Sri Boon Ruang Police to establish checkpoints along potential escape routes.

Administrative officers spotted Pornchai operating a red-and-white Yamaha motorcycle away from the subdistrict. Officials successfully intercepted and detained him on a village road.

While a physical search yielded no illicit items, a mandatory drug screening returned positive for methamphetamine. According to officials, Pornchai admitted to consuming the substance on Saturday morning.

District Chief Thanayut confirmed that the suspect has confessed to the crimes. Pornchai was initially booked on charges of illegal consumption of a Category 1 narcotic and operating a motor vehicle with illicit substances in his system. He has been handed over to case investigators at Sri Boon Ruang Police Station for further interrogation and the filing of additional criminal charges, including homicide and sexual assault.

History of Recidivism

Pol. Lt. Col. Pichetphong, the investigating officer, noted that the suspect is a repeat offender with a documented history of violence. The officer had previously overseen a past criminal case against Pornchai involving narcotics offenses and the sexual assault of an elderly woman in Sri Boon Ruang District. Pornchai served a prison sentence for those crimes and, upon his release, cohabitated with the victim’s mother before committing the current offenses.

The incident has caused profound shock within the local community and the victim’s school. The school director, Montri Phonphaengkwha, stated that he has submitted a formal report on the tragedy to the regional educational authority. He described the victim as a well-behaved student who lived primarily with her grandparents and had shown no prior signs of distress or safety concerns.

District Chief Thanayut urged local leaders and residents to remain highly vigilant regarding high-risk individuals in their neighborhoods. Speaking to community representatives, village headmen, and educators at the scene, he stated that local administrative networks must prioritize early intervention and reporting to prevent severe criminal offenses within the community.

Thailand orders 21-day quarantine for arrivals from Congo and Uganda over rising Ebola threat

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Khaosod English

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26 May 2026, 15:16

BANGKOK — Thailand has imposed mandatory 21-day quarantine on all travellers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, effective immediately, as Ebola cases in both countries continue to rise.

The Ministry of Public Health announced the upgraded measures following a meeting of the National Communicable Disease Committee on 26 May. Permanent Secretary Dr. Somruek Chuengsamarn said the decision came after the previous self-monitoring system proved difficult to enforce.

Under the old measures, travellers from the two countries were required to report their whereabouts and monitor their own symptoms for 21 days. However, authorities found that some individuals changed hotels multiple times after arrival, making them hard to track. Hotels had also begun turning away guests from high-risk areas.

Officials said an average of five to seven travellers from Congo and Uganda enter Thailand daily via connecting flights, as no direct routes exist. That number has climbed in recent days, peaking at 19 arrivals in one day. Roughly 100 travellers from both countries have entered Thailand in total, with more expected.

All new arrivals from the two countries must now enter a government quarantine facility immediately upon landing, regardless of whether they show symptoms. The Bamrasnaradura Institute will serve as the primary quarantine site, with Department of Disease Control staff monitoring those in quarantine daily.

Costs will be covered by authorities for the first 72 hours. After that, travellers will bear the expenses themselves. Thai nationals will be exempt from charges. Only those who originated from Congo or Uganda are subject to quarantine — passengers on the same connecting flights from other countries are not affected.

Dr. Somruek said no travel ban is currently planned, but that measures will be reviewed regularly based on the situation in both countries. He noted that Thailand’s response already goes beyond World Health Organization guidelines.

Overpass collapse during demolition kills one, traps workers in western Seoul

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Khaosod English

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26 May 2026, 14:36

South Korea Collapse — South Korean firefighters and rescue team try to search at the overpass collapsed while it was being dismantled in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (Choi Jae-gu/Yonhap via AP)

SEOUL, South Korea — One person has been killed and another is in cardiac arrest after a section of an overpass collapsed during demolition works in western Seoul on Tuesday, trapping workers beneath the rubble.

The incident occurred at around 14:32 at the Seosomun overpass demolition site in Seodaemun-gu. Part of the road deck gave way while crews were carrying out demolition work, leaving an estimated six people and one demolition vehicle trapped underneath.

Emergency services reached the scene within six minutes. A Level 1 emergency response was declared shortly after, bringing 62 rescue personnel, 16 vehicles, and five additional ambulances to the site. Around 30 police officers were also deployed.

By Tuesday afternoon, four of those trapped had been pulled out. One died at the scene and another was found in cardiac arrest. Two people remained unaccounted for, with rescue teams still working to reach them.

The collapse forced a suspension of train services between Seoul Station and Sinchon Station, disrupting the Gyeongui Line and nearby routes, according to state railway operator Korail.

The incident cast a shadow over the city’s upcoming mayoral race. Both frontrunners in the 3 June election halted campaigning and headed to the site. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok issued an emergency directive ordering all relevant agencies to maximise rescue efforts, identify nearby medical facilities, and ensure injured people were transported quickly to minimise casualties.

The Korea Herald reported that authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the collapse.

British man arrested after hit-and-run leaves renowned Thai doctor critically injured on Ko Pha-ngan

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Khaosod English

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26 May 2026, 13:29

KO PHA-NGAN — A British man has been arrested after allegedly hitting a prominent Thai doctor with a motorcycle on Ko Pha-ngan and fleeing the scene, with cocaine found in his system following the incident.

The collision occurred at 21:21 on 23 May 2026 on the road between Ko Pha-ngan Hospital and Thong Sala, in front of Noppharat Furniture Shop, Moo 1, Ko Pha-ngan subdistrict, Surat Thani province.

The victim, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thirasak Kaew-Amatawong, a respiratory medicine specialist and lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, was struck while walking and left critically injured. Bystanders rushed him to Ko Pha-ngan Hospital before police arrived.

news135347 1hbsec74jf1779764550 — Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thirasak Kaew-Amatawong

The suspect fled the scene immediately after the collision. Officers reviewed CCTV footage from the area and surrounding roads, eventually identifying and locating the man on a tour boat moored at Wok Tum pier, Moo 4, Ko Pha-ngan. He was found with multiple abrasions on his body.

The suspect, identified as Duncan Wilcock, 51, a British national, confessed to police that he was the driver. He then led officers to the motorcycle used in the incident.

A drug test found no alcohol in his system, but detected cocaine. Wilcock was immediately charged and remanded in custody. Investigators presented him to Koh Samui Provincial Court on the morning of 26 May to seek a detention order. Police opposed bail, citing the severity of the charges, the risk of flight as a foreign national without a fixed address, and concern that he could flee the country if released.

As of 26 May, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thirasak remains in a critical but stable condition at Bangkok Hospital Samui. His medical team and family were making arrangements to transfer him by Royal Thai Police Aviation Division aircraft to Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok for further treatment.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thirasak has long been known for his volunteer work supporting the Ko Pha-ngan community.

Building integrity and responsible governance through Thai–Norwegian partnership

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Mc Marketing

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26 May 2026, 10:51

The Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce (TNCC), in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Bangkok, recently hosted the “Integrity in Practice Forum: Shaping the Future through Responsible Governance” at Hotel Nikko Bangkok. The event gathered more than 100 representatives from the public and private sectors, academia, and international organisations to promote transparency, integrity, and responsible business practices in Thailand.

The forum highlighted the importance of strengthening anti-corruption measures and embedding ethical governance into corporate culture and education systems, in line with international frameworks including the OECD Anti-Corruption and Integrity Framework and the World Bank’s Business Ready (B-READY) initiative.

H.E. Mrs. Astrid Emilie Helle, Norwegian Ambassador to Thailand, emphasised the strong partnership between Norway and Thailand, noting that transparency, sustainability, and international cooperation are key drivers for long-term economic growth and quality investment.

The event featured two panel discussions. The first session, “From Vision to Practice: Transparency Roadmap,” brought together experts from TDRI, ACT, CAC, Bangchak Corporation PCL, and Aibel (Thailand) Ltd. Speakers discussed corruption risks facing Thai SMEs, the need for stronger accountability systems, and the importance of integrating integrity into organisational culture.

Representatives from Bangchak and Aibel highlighted that transparency and ethical leadership are no longer optional, but essential factors for sustainable growth, investor confidence, and global competitiveness.

The second panel, “Future of Integrity,” focused on the role of education and leadership development in shaping ethical business practices. Speakers from Jotun Thailand, Yara Thailand, and Bangkok Patana School shared perspectives on compliance training, responsible leadership, and preparing future generations to make ethical decisions in an increasingly complex business environment.

The forum concluded with an interactive workshop led by the Thai Private Sector Collective Action Against Corruption (CAC), encouraging participants to apply integrity principles to real-world business challenges and strengthen long-term collaboration between Thai and Norwegian business communities.

F1 legend Mika Salo located after hit-and-slash attack on Bangkok crossing

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Khaosod English

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26 May 2026, 10:45

0-featured — Former F1 driver Mika Salo (left) pictured during a meeting in Bangkok after authorities located him regarding an incident where his leg was flashed by a passing motorcycle.

BANGKOK — 26 May 2026, Police have located former Formula One driver Mika Salo after he was slashed on the leg by a motorcycle rider while crossing a pedestrian crossing in central Bangkok.

Salo, 59, a Finnish national, said he was crossing a zebra crossing in the Sukhumvit area when a moped rider passed and struck him. He initially felt only a slight impact and was unaware he had been injured until a bystander pointed out that his leg was bleeding. “I looked down and saw that my shoe was completely covered in blood,” he told a Finnish newspaper.

The former Ferrari stand-in driver was taken by taxi to a nearby hospital, where doctors found a deep open wound to his calf. Salo said doctors had to stitch both muscle and skin, with eight stitches in the muscle and 20 more in the skin, for a total of 28 stitches.

Doctors suspected the wound may have been caused by a knife or another sharp object because the cut was deep, clean and straight, according to Salo’s account to Finnish media. However, the exact cause has not been independently confirmed by Thai authorities.

Salo also said hospital staff later told him several other people had been treated for similar slash wounds on the same evening and overnight. Some reports said the injuries may have occurred in the same area near his hotel, raising concern that the incident may not have been isolated.

No Thai police statement has yet been found confirming whether the reported cases were linked or whether a suspect has been identified.

“If this was intentional, they only tried to injure me,” Salo was quoted as saying by reports citing Finnish media, adding that the outcome could have been worse if the blade had struck another part of his body.

At 12:20 on 26 May 2026, Pol. Maj. Gen. Phanlop Raemla, deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau overseeing investigation affairs, inspected the area alongside the commander of Lumpini Police Station. Officers located Salo at a hotel in the Sukhumvit area and brought him to Lumpini Police Station for further questioning.

Salo said he has been returning to hospital for wound cleaning and dressing changes and is taking antibiotics while recovering in Bangkok. He praised the treatment he received in Thailand, describing the doctors and hospitals as efficient and professional.

26 เที่ยว2 — Salo walks with a bandaged leg after the reported attack in Bangkok.

Salo competed in Formula One from 1994 to 2002, racing for teams including Lotus, Tyrrell, Arrows, BAR, Ferrari, Sauber and Toyota. He is best known for replacing the injured Michael Schumacher at Ferrari for six races during the 1999 season.

Well-known wild elephant “Plai Kor Kaew” shot dead in Chanthaburi

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Khaosod English

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26 May 2026, 10:06

CHANTHABURI — 25 May 2026, A well-known wild elephant named Plai Kor Kaew was found shot dead in an orchard near Khao Khitchakut National Park, prompting renewed concerns over the long-standing conflict between humans and wild elephants in eastern Thailand.

Officials said the male elephant, also known locally as “Ai Mua”, was about 30 years old and had tusks measuring more than 80 centimetres. At the scene, initial examinations found at least six severe wounds believed to have been caused by gunfire, including injuries near the ears, chest, abdomen and upper front legs.

Chawinth Pinkaew, chief of Khao Khitchakut National Park, and Pol. Capt. Yodtha Cherdchuechon, an investigator at Khao Khitchakut Police Station, joined forensic officers and veterinarians from the Department of National Parks on Monday to inspect the carcass after local residents reported the death near a pond at the edge of a fruit orchard in Khlong Phlu subdistrict of Chanthaburi province.

Officials said evidence was being collected from the scene to help identify those responsible.

The carcass was later transported to a national park protection unit in Thung Phlo for a detailed post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.

Authorities said the case reflected the worsening conflict between villagers and wild elephants around the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary and nearby forest areas in eastern Thailand.

Plai Kor Kaew was known among local residents as a solitary elephant that could sometimes behave aggressively, making him well known among nearby communities.

Wildlife officials said the increasing elephant population and declining food sources inside forests had pushed more elephants into farmland and residential areas in search of food, often resulting in property damage and clashes with villagers.

Despite ongoing monitoring and mitigation measures, officials warned that the death of Plai Kor Kaew highlighted growing tensions between people and wildlife in the region.

Officials said more sustainable long-term measures were needed to prevent further losses of wild elephants, which remain important symbols of Thailand’s natural heritage.

Gunmen in hijabs kill teacher holding infant in Pattani

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Khaosod English

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25 May 2026, 18:57

Gunmen disguised as women wearing hijabs opened fire on a police officer and his family outside a school in Pattani province on Monday afternoon, killing the officer’s wife while she was holding their infant child inside the vehicle.

The attack took place at around 15:30 near Prasan Wittaya Foundation School in Pong Sta subdistrict of Yarang district.

Police said four attackers dressed in women’s clothing and wearing hijabs arrived on two motorcycles before pulling alongside the victims’ car and opening fire.

The injured officer was identified as Pol. Snr. Sgt. Maj. Adul Hayeesulong of Yaring Police Station. His wife, Fatimoh Ya-ngoh, a teacher at the school, was killed at the scene while holding their baby in the car.

Authorities said the couple had travelled to the school to pick up their child when the attack occurred.

Security forces rushed the wounded officer to hospital and sealed off the area while launching a manhunt for the suspects. Checkpoints were also set up across nearby areas to prevent further attacks and track down those responsible.

The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Command strongly condemned the attack, describing the gunmen’s actions as “inhumane” and contrary to religious principles.

Officials said the incident had deeply shocked local residents, particularly because a woman and infant child were present during the shooting.

Over 20 taken to hospital after unknown substance allegedly sprayed in Tokyo shopping area

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Associated Press

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25 May 2026, 18:27

Japan Ginza Incident — First responders gather near the scene after a person allegedly sprayed a substance that caused an odor, in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

TOKYO (AP) — More than 20 people developed sore throats near a luxury department store in Tokyo’s posh Ginza shopping area on Monday after a person allegedly sprayed an unknown substance, Japanese fire department officials said.

The Tokyo Fire Department said 26 people complained of suddenly developing throat pain and felt unwell near the Ginza Six shopping complex, and all but one of them were taken to a hospital. Their symptoms were believed to be mild, officials said.

AP26145258063420 — Tokyo police examine the scene after a person allegedly sprayed a substance that caused an odor, in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Fire department and police officials said an investigation was underway. The largest-circulation Yomiuri newspaper said police have detected traces of pepper spray on the wall.

Dozens of fire engines and ambulances were parked outside the complex, and the surrounding roads were temporarily closed. Television footage showed firefighters and officials in hazmat suits assisting people, with some being brought out of the building.

Yuzo Tsuda, a 78-year-old Tokyo resident, told The Associated Press that he walked toward the shopping complex after having lunch with friends, drawn by the commotion, when he suddenly felt pain in his throat and started coughing. He said the ache in his throat subsided about an hour later and he did not plan to go to the hospital.

Investigation and Timeline

Suspect Intercepted and Tested Positive for Drugs

History of Recidivism

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