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Thai Singha executive steps aside amid family abuse allegations

Siranudh “Psi” Scott (left) and his brother Sunit “Pie” Scott

Boon Rawd Brewery, the producer of Singha beer, issued a statement on 19 May expressing regret over allegations involving members of the Bhirombhakdi family and reaffirming its opposition to all forms of domestic violence.

The statement followed allegations made publicly by conservationist Siranudh “Psi” Scott, who said he had been abused by his older brother during childhood and was also facing a legal dispute with his mother over land ownership.

Siranudh “Psi” Scott and Sunit “Pie” Scott are sons of Chiranuj Bhirombhakdi and grandsons of Chamnong Bhirombhakdi of the Bhirombhakdi family, one of Thailand’s wealthiest business dynasties and owner of the Singha beer empire.

In its statement, Boon Rawd Brewery said it acknowledged the situation involving Sunit “Pie” Scott and expressed “deep regret” to Siranudh Scott for the impact the incident had caused to him, family members and society.

The company said it understood public concern surrounding the allegations and stressed that it does not support violence in any form, including physical abuse, verbal abuse, intimidation or any behaviour that violates the rights and dignity of others.

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Boon Rawd Brewery also confirmed that Sunit “Pie” Scott had stepped down from all positions within the company.

The statement, signed by managing director Purit Bhirombhakdi, said the company would fully cooperate with any investigation by relevant authorities to ensure fairness for all parties.

Separately, a letter titled “Request to suspend duties” attributed to Sunit “Pie” Scott was also circulated publicly.

Addressed to Purit Bhirombhakdi, the letter said he felt uncomfortable over the situation and apologised to members of the Boon Rawd group and his family for the impact caused by the controversy.

“To ensure fairness for all parties, I would like to suspend my duties as an employee and executive of Boon Rawd Brewery and all affiliated companies until all matters are clarified and clearly proven,” the letter stated.

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Car Bursts into Flames After Striking Wild Elephant; 1 Dead

Car Bursts into Flames After Striking Wild Elephant; 1 Dead

KANCHANABURI — 20 May 2026, A car collided with a wild elephant and burst into flames on a major highway in Kanchanaburi province, killing a 70-year-old man and injuring two others, police said.

On Wednesday, Deputy Inspector of Investigation, Latya Police Station, revealed that the accident was reported on Highway 323 inbound to Mueang Kanchanaburi District in Moo 9, Wang Dong Sub-district, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province at approximately 21:00 on Tuesday. Emergency responders quickly responded to the scene, including a medical team from Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital, forensics units, Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary officials, and Pitak Kan Foundation rescue workers.

Despite numerous streetlights, the crash site remained poorly lit. Authorities arrived to find a Toyota Corolla with Kanchanaburi registration on the shoulder. The front of the vehicle was completely destroyed by the impact, and the fire rapidly spread from the crushed engine bay through the passenger cabin. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze before the inspection took place.

70-year-old passenger, Chukiat (surname withheld), was found dead in the front seat. Following the initial on-scene medical examination, his body was transferred to Phaholpolpayuhasena Hospital.

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Moreover, two others sustained injuries: the driver, Charn, 64, and a rear-seat passenger, Supanutt, 74 (both surnames withheld). The damaged vehicle was later towed and secured at the Lat Ya Police Station for further inspection.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the vehicle driven by Charn was traveling down Highway 323 from Sai Yok District toward downtown Kanchanaburi. Upon reaching the accident site, where it was pitch dark, an unspecified number of wild elephants from the nearby Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary made their way onto the highway.

The elephant had wandered out of the protected forest, swam across the Khwae Yai River, and walked up onto the road where the collision occurred in search of food. While the car was completely totaled by the impact, the condition of the elephant following the crash remains unclear.

Vehicle collisions with wild elephants are common on Highway 3199, which connects Kanchanaburi to Si Sawat, but this tragic incident marks the first time in recorded history that such an accident has occurred on Highway 323.

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King posthumously honours teacher killed protecting students

Sasiphat Sinsamosorn, the former director of Phatong Prathan Khiriwat School in Songkhla.

The King has posthumously bestowed a royal decoration on Sasiphat Sinsamosorn, the former director of Phatong Prathan Khiriwat School in Songkhla province, in recognition of her sacrifice in protecting teachers and students during a hostage incident earlier this year.

According to a Royal Gazette announcement published on 19 May, Sasiphat was awarded the Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.

The announcement stated that while carrying out her duties, Sasiphat knowingly placed herself in danger to protect and assist teachers and students under her care. She reportedly volunteered to become a hostage in place of teachers and students during an armed attack at the school.

She was severely wounded after being shot by the assailant and later died from her injuries.

The incident took place at Phatong Prathan Khiriwat School in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province, on 11 February 2026, when an attacker took teachers and students hostage inside the school.

The royal decoration was granted with effect from 12 May 2026, according to the announcement.

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China calls for transparent investigation into Sa Kaeo kidnapping case

BANGKOK — The Chinese Embassy in Thailand has urged Thai authorities to conduct a lawful, fair and transparent investigation following reports that a Chinese national was allegedly abducted and held for ransom in Sa Kaeo province.

In a statement issued on 19 May, a spokesperson for the embassy said the Chinese side had attached great importance to the case and immediately contacted relevant Thai agencies to seek details about the incident.

The embassy called on Thai authorities to quickly establish the facts, thoroughly investigate the case and bring all those involved to justice.

China also expressed hope that Thailand would strengthen law enforcement oversight and public security measures to better protect the lives, property and legal rights of Chinese nationals in the country.

The statement said maintaining safety and stability was important for people-to-people exchanges and friendly cooperation between Thailand and China.

The Chinese Embassy also issued a renewed advisory urging Chinese citizens living in Thailand or planning to travel to the country to strictly comply with Thai laws and regulations, remain vigilant about personal safety and promptly report emergencies to police or Chinese diplomatic missions in Thailand.

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What to know about Thailand ending 60-day visa-free stays

BANGKOK — Thailand will revoke the 60-day visa-free stay scheme for all 93 eligible countries and territories as part of a sweeping overhaul of the country’s visa policy, the Department of Consular Affairs announced on 19 May.

Mangkorn Pratoomkaew, director-general of the Department of Consular Affairs, said the Cabinet had approved a review of Thailand’s visa exemption and visa privilege measures following a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Under the new policy, each country or territory will receive only one visa exemption privilege.

The government will also review the 30-day visa-free tourism scheme, reducing the number of eligible countries and territories from 57 to 54. In addition, Thailand plans to introduce a new 15-day visa-free tourism scheme for three countries or territories and drastically reduce the number of countries eligible for Visa on Arrival from 31 to just four.

The changes will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette under three announcements issued by the Ministry of Interior.

Mangkorn said the review followed discussions among agencies under the Visa Policy Committee and took into account security, tourism, economic factors and reciprocal treatment between countries. He added that overlapping visa privileges had caused confusion among foreign travellers and complicated the Foreign Ministry’s e-Visa system.

Foreign nationals already in Thailand, or those entering before the new measures take effect, will still be allowed to remain in the country under their current permitted stay until it expires. After the new rules come into force, incoming travellers must comply with the updated visa conditions.

Mangkorn also said the prime minister had signed an order appointing a new committee to regularly review Thailand’s visa policies, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, to ensure visa measures remain aligned with current conditions in all dimensions.

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Thai Teen “Mind Sakol” Wins 2026 World Women’s Snooker Title

Thai Teen

DONGGUAN, China — 19 May 2026, Thai teenager, “Mind Sakol” Panchaya Channoi made snooker history on Tuesday by defeating 12-time world champion, Reanne Evans, to capture her maiden World Women’s Snooker Championship title and become Thailand’s 3rd World Snooker Champion.

The 2026 “World Women’s Snooker Championship,” held at the Changping Snooker Center in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China, reached its climax on Tuesday with the highly anticipated final match. The 18-year-old Thai sensation “Mind Sakol” Panchaya Channoi, ranked 15th in the world, defeated her fellow compatriot world number 3 and 2022 world champion, “Mink Saraburi” Nutcharut Wongharuthai, 5-3. She overcame England’s Reanne Evans, the world number 4 and legendary 12-time world champion, 6-2 in the best-of-11 frame final.

In the final that was played under a best-of-11 frames format, the current two-time consecutive Under-21 World Champion, Mind Sakol, started aggressively, opening race into a 3-0 lead against Evans. Although Evans fought back to trail 4-2, Mind closed out the match with a 6-2 victory.

This triumph propelled Mind Sakol to the world title along with a 550,000 Baht cash prize. She also completes an astonishing historic double for her, who successfully defended her World Under-21 division and the main senior tournament title within a single year.

With this win, Mind Sakol becomes the third Thai player to claim the women’s world crown, following Mink Saraburi and “Baipat Sriracha” Siripaporn Nuanthakhamjan.

Moreover, Mind matches a record set by China’s Bai Yulu in 2024 by becoming only the second woman in snooker history to win both the junior and senior world titles in the same calendar year, 2026.

The championship victory earns Panchaya a top prize of £13,000 (approximately 559,000 Baht) and a coveted spot in the elite 2026 Champion of Champions tournament. More significantly, the title grants her a two-season tour card to compete on the prestigious, professional World Snooker Tour alongside male professionals starting in the 2026/27 season.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s world number 3, “Mink Saraburi” Nutcharut Wongharuthai, faces a tougher road back to the professional circuit. Having competed on the main tour since 2022, her contract extension is now uncertain. She must either compete in the Q School qualifying tournament in England, or secure a remaining World Snooker Tour wildcard invitation If neither option materializes, she will have to climb back to world No. 1 via the women’s ranking circuit to regain her professional status.

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Rescuers search for 3 missing after German building collapse possibly caused by gas explosion

Police and firefighters stand near a collapsed house in the city center of Goerlitz, Germany, Monday, May 18, 2026. (Paul Glaser/dpa via AP)

GÖRLITZ, Germany (AP) — Rescue teams in eastern Germany searched Tuesday morning for three people who were missing after a building collapsed in the eastern city of Görlitz near the Polish border.

Police said a gas explosion may have been the cause for the collapse of the building, which took place Monday night.

Emergency responders proceeded with great caution at the scene in case of gas leaks, German news agency dpa reported.

After unsuccessful attempts to locate the missing under the rubble with the help of search dogs, rescuers began clearing debris with an excavator and by hand around 2 a.m. Tuesday.

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Emergency services from the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) use their bare hands to remove the mountain of rubble from the collapsed residential building in the city center of Goerlitz, Germany, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Paul Glaser/dpa via AP)

Initial concerns that up to five people may have been buried under rubble turned out to be wrong, police said.

A man who feared his wife and cousin might be trapped under the rubble said Monday they had arrived that day for a vacation in the rented house. While shopping at nearby supermarket, he heard an explosion and returned to the house to find nothing but a large pile of rubble, dpa reported.

The collapsed building in the historic Wilhelminian style contained rental and vacation apartments, police said.

Görlitz is Germany’s easternmost city with a population of 57,000. The historic, undamaged old town district is a popular location for international film productions.

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Young Thai barber turns old bus bus into trendy barbershop

UTHAI THANI — 19 May 2026, a 22-year-old Thai barber has drawn attention after transforming an old passenger bus into an air-conditioned barbershop offering low-cost haircuts and free Wi-Fi in central Thailand.

The unusual salon, called Luk Chang Barber, is located in Nong Khayang district of Uthai Thani province and has become popular among local residents and passing customers because of its distinctive design.

Owner Theerapong Karinta, also known as Thanwa, said he previously worked in construction with his father, who wanted him to pursue a more stable career.

Thanwa said his father offered to invest in an old bus and convert it into a barbershop if he seriously studied hairdressing.

He later trained as a barber in Nakhon Sawan province for nearly a year before returning home to help his family renovate the retired bus into a fully equipped salon.

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The converted bus features barber chairs, large mirrors, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi for customers waiting for appointments.

Haircuts for students start at 40 baht, while adult styles cost 60 baht and fashion cuts or new hairstyles are priced at 80 baht.

Thanwa said the affordable prices and unusual setting had attracted students, local residents and customers from nearby districts.

He said the shop serves more than 20 customers a day, with some days fully booked.

Thanwa added that the business allowed him to work close to home without travelling elsewhere for employment and described barbering as a stable profession because “people will always need haircuts when their hair grows”.

Although the bus no longer has an engine, the vehicle can still be towed to provide mobile barber services at other locations, he said.

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Congo health ministry reports 131 deaths and 513 suspected Ebola cases in eastern Congo

People wait to have their temperature taken in front of Kibuli Muslim Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/ Hajarah Nalwadda)

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — At least 131 deaths and over 500 suspected cases have been reported in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, the Congolese health ministry said Tuesday as details emerged about the government’s delayed response.

Samuel Roger Kamba, the minister of public health, said: “513 suspected cases and 131 deaths have been recorded in the affected areas.”

“These are suspected deaths, and investigations are underway to determine which ones are actually linked to the disease.”

The WHO on Sunday declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

Health authorities say the current outbreak, first confirmed on Friday, is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare variant of the Ebola disease that has no approved therapeutics or vaccines. Although more than 20 Ebola outbreaks have taken place in Congo and Uganda, this is only the third time that the Bundibugyo virus has been detected.

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A health official uses a thermometer to screen people in front of Kibuli Muslim Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/ Hajarah Nalwadda)

Cases have now been confirmed in Bunia, North Kivu’s rebel-held capital of Goma, Mongbwalu, Butembo, and Nyakunde.

The World Health Organization’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in Geneva on Tuesday that he is “deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic” and the U.N. health agency will convene its emergency committee Tuesday to advise on recommendations.

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Mastercard and TAT launch new AI-powered “Amazing Thailand” app

Mastercard and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) officially launched the new “Amazing Thailand” application at Dusit Central Park. The platform introduces the Mastercard Integration Layer, designed to deliver world-class benefits and privileges to Mastercard cardholders traveling to Thailand from around the globe.

A Vision for Digital Transformation

Senior executives from TAT and Mastercard highlighted the importance of technology in creating hyper-personalized travel experiences, aiming to accelerate Thailand’s digital tourism economy while strengthening the country’s position as a leading travel destination in the ASEAN region.

Advancing Technology with Cloud-Native Standards

The technical strategy behind the platform modernization was led by Dr. Monsinee Keeratikrainon, serving as an AI Advocate for the TAT Digital Master Plan Working Committee and Advisor to the Board of Predictive Co., Ltd.

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Dr. Monsinee spearheaded the full application modernization into a cloud-native architecture, featuring:

-Microservices Architecture

Containerized services enabling seamless auto-scaling and high availability, ensuring the platform remains stable even under large volumes of simultaneous users.

-API-First Infrastructure

Secure and seamless integration with centralized data warehouses, enabling interoperability across digital services based on international data standards.

-Advanced Data Analytics

Implementation of Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to provide deeper insights into traveler behavior and customer journey analytics.

-TAT- AI Innovation

Integration of the TAT-AI Widget, an intelligent AI assistant designed to interact with international travelers in real time and deliver personalized travel information.

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