In this grab taken from video, France's President Emmanuel Macron prepares to disembark a plane on arrival, in Hanoi, Vietnam, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)
PARIS (AP) — They were just playfighting.
That was French President Emmanuel Macron ‘s explanation Monday for video images that appeared to show his wife, Brigitte, pushing her husband away with both hands on his face before they disembarked from their plane to start a tour of Southeast Asia this weekend.
The moment quickly made headlines in France, with media trying to decipher the interaction that cameras spotted through the just-opened door of the plane. The headline of a story on the website of the daily Le Parisien newspaper asked: “Slap or ‘squabble’? The images of Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron disembarking in Vietnam trigger a lot of comment.”
Macron later told reporters that the couple — married since 2007 after meeting at the high school where he was a student and she was a teacher — were simply joking around.
“We are squabbling and, rather, joking with my wife,” he said, adding that the incident was being overblown into “a sort of geo-planetary catastrophe.”
In this grab taken from video, France’s President Emmanuel Macron prepares to disembark a plane on arrival, in Hanoi, Vietnam, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)
In video taken by The Associated Press as the Macrons arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Sunday, a uniformed man can be seen pulling open the plane door and revealing the president standing inside, dressed in a suit and talking to someone who wasn’t visible.
Two arms — in red sleeves — reached out and pushed Macron away, with one hand covering his mouth and part of his nose while the other was on his jaw. The French leader recoiled, turning his head away. Then, apparently realizing that he was on camera, he broke into a smile and gave a little wave.
In subsequent images, Macron and his wife, wearing a red jacket, appeared at the top of the stairs. He offered an arm but she didn’t take it. They walked down the carpeted stairs side by side.
The French leader argued that the images and reaction to them offered a cautionary tale about disinformation in the social media age.
He said that in recent weeks, other videos had been used to circulate made-up stories that he’d taken cocaine with the leaders of Britain and Germany — when, in fact, he said he’d just been picking up a tissue — and that he’d had a muscular encounter with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, when they’d been shaking and holding hands.
“Everyone needs to calm down,” he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron listens to Vietnamese General Secretary of the Communist Party To Lam at the office of the Party Central Committee in Hanoi, Vietnam Monday, May 26, 2025. (Luong Thai Linh/Pool Photo via AP)
His office also downplayed the interaction.
“It was a moment where the president and his wife were decompressing one last time before the start of the trip by horsing around. It’s a moment of complicity. It was all that was needed to give ammunition to the conspiracy theorists,” his office said.
Brigitte Macron was Brigitte Auzière, a married mother of three children, when they met at his high school. A teacher, she supervised the drama club where Emmanuel Macron, a literature lover, was a member.
He moved to Paris for his last year of high school, but promised to marry Brigitte. She later moved to the French capital to join him and divorced before they finally married.
A restaurant owner in Rawai subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket province, posted a photo of a tourist who secretly defecated on his restaurant. (This image has been edited to conceal the tourist.)
PHUKET — The owner of Sala Loy floating restaurant in Rawai subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district, has posted a message calling on Phuket provincial administrators to consider building additional public toilets for tourists in the area, after discovering foreign female tourists defecating on his restaurant premises.
Pannatat Asawapitakchon gave an interview after his post gained attention and received many comments, including widespread support. He said outsiders have now defecated on his restaurant property twice, with the most recent incident occurring on Thursday, May 22, during closing hours when he was sitting inside the restaurant and witnessed the female tourist’s behavior. He went out to ask her to clean up the area.
“At first she didn’t accept responsibility, but after talking for a while, she went to clean the spot where she had defecated. But it wasn’t clean enough, so I had to clean it again myself. That’s why I want to ask the relevant agencies about public restrooms – I’d like them to build restrooms in the Rawai Beach area,” he said.
A restaurant owner in Rawai subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket province, posted a photo of a tourist who secretly defecated on his restaurant premises to highlight the problem of public restroom shortage, despite Phuket being one of Thailand’s famous tourist destinations.
In his social media post, he explained that when his restaurant is open, he allows tourists and passersby to use the restroom. He mentioned previous discussions about this issue, where staff had suggested charging a restroom fee, but the restaurant decided they could absorb costs like labor, water, electricity, cleaning supplies, and tissue paper, since tourists who visit do spend money. Even if they don’t eat at the restaurant, they spend on other things, bringing money into Thailand, which increases employment rates and people’s spending power.
“But what happened at my restaurant shows we’re not ready to efficiently accommodate tourists. This incident wasn’t the first time, and there have been many other occasions where the restaurant has had to clean up urine or feces around the restaurant area. I don’t know if other business operators have experienced this,” he wrote.
He emphasized at the end of his post: “I ask those involved to help solve this small problem. It’s not urgent, but I’m raising the issue for future improvements. In the meantime, I’ll probably have to keep cleaning up urine and feces myself.”
Officers from Regional Police Investigation Division 2 escort three Chinese nationals (2 men, 1 woman) without work permits to Pattaya Police Station for legal proceedings on May 26, 2025.
PATTAYA — Police arrested three Chinese nationals for working without permits during a raid on a Chinese real estate company in Pattaya on Monday.
Officers from Regional Police Investigation Division 2 conducted a search of the building belonging to a Chinese real estate company in Nong Prue Sub-district, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province on May 26. They found several Chinese and Thai employees working inside the building – 16 Chinese nationals and approximately 30 Chinese customers waiting for services.
From preliminary questioning, the building manager claimed it was an office providing advisory services for buying and selling houses, land, and condominiums in Pattaya to Chinese clients. The company acts as an intermediary in real estate transactions. Officers are investigating whether this constitutes any legal violations.
Police officers conduct a search of a Chinese office in Nong Prue Sub-district, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province on May 26, 2025.
Subsequently, police inspection revealed that 3 Chinese nationals (2 men, 1 woman) out of the total 16 did not have work permits in Thailand. They will face legal action for working without authorization.
Meanwhile, officers have summoned Mr. Kham, age 40, from Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai Province, one of the company’s shareholders, for additional questioning to investigate deeper connections and proceed with legal procedures.
Previously, Prachachat Business, Thailand’s business media, reported survey results from Colliers Thailand indicating that the earthquake in Myanmar in late March became a positive factor for Pattaya real estate, which lies outside the earthquake impact zone, attracting more investors.
Condominium and housing projects in Pattaya have seen foreign buying demand surge in 2025.
Watthanapol Polcheewin, President of the Chonburi Real Estate Association, revealed that the aftermath of Trump’s tariffs and trade wars has led to a significant influx of foreign investors, particularly from China, purchasing land to build factories in industrial estates in Chonburi and Rayong provinces from mid-2024 to present.
“Condominium and housing projects in Pattaya have seen foreign buying demand surge dramatically by 20% compared to 2024, as foreigners can legally purchase condominiums up to 49% ownership under Thai law. They buy for residential use as second homes while working in Thailand. They typically purchase properties priced between 2-4 million baht in North Pattaya, Central Pattaya, and South Pattaya locations,” he said.
The Thai government is working to balance encouraging Chinese tourism and investment while ensuring business legal compliance, following public backlash against the surge of illegal Chinese enterprises.
Thai police officers conduct a preliminary investigation at the crime scene in a Pattaya restaurant on May 26, 2025.
PATTAYA — A heavily intoxicated Chinese tourist stabbed a fellow countryman at a Chinese restaurant in Pattaya early Sunday morning after being confronted for entering the wrong dining room while drunk.
The incident occurred at 12:46 a.m. on May 26 at a Chinese restaurant on Pattaya Second Road in Nong Prue sub-district, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province.
Police Lt. Col. Suchart Dusdee of Pattaya City Police Station responded to reports of a stabbing incident. Upon arrival with rescue volunteers, officers found Mr. Dong, a 40-year-old Chinese national, suffering from a stab wound to his left ribcage from a sharp object. Emergency responders provided first aid before rushing him to the hospital.
At the scene, friends of the victim had already apprehended the perpetrator, later identified as Mr. Wenqiang, along with the weapon – a fruit peeling knife in the kitchen. Inside the fifth-floor dining room V6 where the incident took place, investigators found signs of a struggle with bloodstains on the floor and walls.
Friends of stabbing victim Mr. Dong apprehend the attacker in the kitchen of a Pattaya restaurant after he fled from the dining room, along with the weapon – a fruit peeling knife – on May 26, 2025.Police escort the Chinese stabbing suspect from the Pattaya restaurant to the police station for investigation on May 26, 2025.
Restaurant serving staff told police that the victim had been dining and drinking alcohol with friends in a private room when the perpetrator, whose origins were unknown, suddenly grabbed a fruit knife and stabbed the victim. Staff immediately notified police after the incident.
Dong’s friends explained they did not know the attacker beforehand. While they were drinking together in their private room, the heavily intoxicated perpetrator unexpectedly opened the door and entered. Dong scolded him for being so drunk that he had entered the wrong room and told him to leave. Wenqiang became extremely angry and used the knife to stab Dong.
Police Lt. Col. Wuttinant Kongdee, investigation officer at Pattaya City Police Station, along with detective officers, conducted a preliminary investigation at the crime scene. They are currently reviewing CCTV footage to determine the exact cause of the incident and will proceed with legal action according to due process.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, right, greets Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra before the plenary session at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur Monday, May 26, 2025. (Mohd Rasfan/Pool Photo via AP)
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Southeast Asian nations will forge a common front to face challenges including economic headwinds from U.S. tariffs and a four-year civil war in Myanmar, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Monday.
Opening an annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Anwar said he has sought a unified bloc meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the tariffs. Officials are hopeful it could happen later this year. Malaysia is the current chair of ASEAN.
“For ASEAN, our peace, stability and prosperity have often depended on an open, inclusive, rules-based international order… These foundations are now being dismantled under the force of arbitrary action,” Anwar said.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends the plenary session at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
ASEAN, which has agreed to avoid retaliatory measures, has formed a taskforce to coordinate a response to the U.S. tariffs in parallel with bilateral negotiations by some member countries, Anwar said. ASEAN members include bigger economies such as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, as well as Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
The region relies on exports to the U.S. and is hurt by the Trump administration’s tariffs, which range from 10% for Singapore to as high as 49% for Cambodia. Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs in April for most of the world, and this month struck a similar deal with key rival China, easing trade war tensions.
Anwar said an ASEAN leaders’ meeting on Tuesday with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and the Gulf Cooperation Council — the first such tripartite meeting — would spur new cooperation that could help insulate ASEAN’s economy. The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, center, attends the plenary session at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
ASEAN leaders later Monday will launch a new 20-year vision to deepen their economic and social integration, Anwar said.
Analysts said China, which is ASEAN’s top trading partner, wants to expand its influence by presenting itself as a reliable ally in the region. But tensions persist over Beijing’s aggressive stance in the disputed South China Sea that has led to frequent clashes especially with the Philippines.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told the ASEAN summit that a “code of conduct” being negotiated by ASEAN and China to govern the busy sea passage must be binding — one of the factors that has hampered talks.
“We underscore the urgent need to accelerate the adoption of a legally binding code of conduct in the South China Sea to safeguard maritime rights, promote stability and prevent miscalculations at sea,” he said.
From left to right, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Philippine’s President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., pose for a picture before the start of the plenary session at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
On the Myanmar crisis, Anwar said Malaysia has managed to “move the needle forward” after forming an informal advisory group headed by former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra. Anwar met last month with Myanmar military chief Gen. Ming Aung Hlaing in Bangkok and held virtual talks with the opposition National Unity Government.
Officials said the current emphasis on aid delivery following a March earthquake that killed 3,700 people could eventually pave the way for peace talks. But critics accuse the army of violating a self-proclaimed ceasefire with dozens of airstrikes, with aid not freely allowed into areas not under the army’s control.
The Myanmar war, which has killed thousands and displaced millions, is a challenge to ASEAN since refugees have fled across borders to neighboring nations. The region has also seen rising transnational crimes and cybercrimes. The bloc has made little headway after the Myanmar military refused to comply with its peace plan, including a ceasefire, delivery of humanitarian aid and negotiations.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, center, attends the plenary session at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Anwar said more engagement is being planned in Myanmar.
“Quiet engagement matters. The steps may be small and the bridge may be fragile but as they say: In matters of peace, even a fragile bridge is better than a widening gulf,” Anwar said.
Thomas Daniel from Malaysia’s Institute of Strategic and International Studies said ASEAN has no real leverage to push for reconciliation. The Myanmar military has reportedly lost control of a large part of the country, making the situation even more challenging.
“The conditions on the ground are extremely difficult. I don’t think we have reached a stage where ASEAN can facilitate any kind of political dialogue between conflicting parties. They are not ready for that yet,” he said.
TK Park, in collaboration with the Cultural Centre of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Thailand, organizes the activity "Read Iran : More Than Just Books
BANGKOK — TK Park will host a nine-day cultural celebration showcasing Iranian arts, literature, and cinema to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Iran.
The “Read Iran: More Than Just Books; It’s Life” event, organized in partnership with the Cultural Centre of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Thailand, runs from June 7-15, 2025, at TK Park in CentralWorld.
The festival aims to offer visitors fresh perspectives on Iran and Persian culture beyond common perceptions through interactive activities, film screenings, and hands-on workshops.
Film Festival Features Four Iranian Movies
The cultural program kicks off with a film festival on June 7-8, featuring four carefully selected Iranian films shown twice daily at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. The diverse lineup includes the family animation “Dolphin Boys,” drama “Twenty One Days Later,” romantic comedy “Goodbye Shirazi Girl,” and family drama “In the Arms of the Tree.”
Traditional Art Workshop with Master Artist
Visitors can participate in an exclusive Persian pattern painting workshop on June 7-8 from 1:00-4:00 PM, limited to 10 participants per day. Master artist Arash Ghaheroiyian, whose works have been exhibited in international museums, will teach traditional watercolor techniques using Persian ink mixed with 24-karat gold and honey – methods rooted in classical Persian art.
Cultural Walking Tour and Food Experience
The program includes a “Following the Rose” walking tour on June 14, exploring Bangkok’s Persian community and its historical connections. The festival concludes on June 15 with “Persian Taste,” offering visitors traditional Persian tea and desserts accompanied by stories about Iranian food culture.
Exhibition Showcases Rare Books and Contemporary Art
Throughout the nine-day event, an exhibition will display Iranian books and artworks, including rare publications and contemporary pieces that illustrate modern Iranian life in formats accessible to all visitors.
The organizers describe “Read Iran” as an initiative designed to foster deeper cultural understanding in today’s diverse world through storytelling, literature, and lifestyle experiences.
The event takes place at TK Park, 8th Floor, CentralWorld, Bangkok. Additional information is available at www.tkpark.or.th.
Bangkok Open House highlights 55 degree programmes and international learning opportunities..
The University of Hong Kong (HKU), ranked 17th globally, held its Open House 2025 at the Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok, drawing strong interest from Thai students, parents, and educators eager to explore one of Asia’s most distinguished universities.
The event featured keynote sessions and interactive engagements with HKU’s academic representatives. Attendees were welcomed by Professor Bennett Yim, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and International Student Exchange, and Professor Cecilia Chan from the Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, who introduced HKU’s forward-looking approach to higher education—highlighting innovations in AI literacy and interdisciplinary teaching.
HKU’s Business School, renowned across Asia, was also presented. Attendees received personalised consultations with the Admissions Team, joined open Q&A with academic staff from various faculties, and heard firsthand from current undergraduates about life at HKU—both academically and socially.
“It was inspiring to learn directly from students who are already studying there,” said a Thai student currently in Mathayom 6, with plans to pursue engineering. “They shared what it’s really like to live in Hong Kong and how the university helps them adjust to international life.”
55 Programmes Across 10 Faculties and 3 Specialised Schools
Professor Yim emphasised that HKU now offers 55 undergraduate programmes, with over 100 elective modules allowing students to tailor their studies to fit personal goals and future careers.
HKU’s ten faculties are:
Faculty of Architecture
Faculty of Arts
Faculty of Dentistry
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Medicine
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Social Sciences
Faculty of Business and Economics
Students may also pursue studies in specialised schools in Innovation, Computer Science, and Biomedical Engineering, designed to meet global demands and develop professional excellence.
A Global, Supportive Learning Environment
Ms Esther Kwok, Director of Admissions, noted that HKU welcomes students from over 90 countries, fostering a truly international and inclusive academic community. The university offers high-calibre teaching, modern infrastructure, and a dynamic student life—creating an environment where students thrive.
“As a parent, I was reassured to see how much effort HKU puts into supporting international students,” said a Bangkok-based parent who attended the Open House with their daughter. “It’s not just about the rankings—it’s about the people, the atmosphere, and how the university makes you feel confident your child will be in good hands.”
Partnerships with Thai Schools and Targeted Initiatives
HKU continues to engage with Thai schools across various sectors—including public, private, and international institutions—through programmes such as:
Counsellor Fly-In Programme A fully sponsored visit for Thai school counsellors to experience HKU’s academic culture and student life on campus.
HKU Academy for the Talented A pre-university initiative for high-potential students in Years 10–12 (Mathayom 4–6), offering access to workshops, seminars, and academic resources both online and in person.
Principal Nomination Scholarships
Partner schools—including Mahidol Wittayanusorn School, Triam Udom Suksa School, Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Pathum Thani, and Kamnoetvidya Science Academy—are invited to nominate top-performing students for special scholarship consideration.
Scholarships for Thai Students Each year, HKU provides approximately 10 to 15 merit-based scholarships to Thai students across all educational backgrounds. The scholarships cover tuition fees of around THB 900,000 per academic year, although accommodation and living expenses remain the responsibility of students and families.
“Knowing that scholarships are available makes studying abroad feel more within reach,” added a prospective applicant interested in biomedical sciences. “It gave me real hope that I could be part of something bigger.”
For further information on programmes, applications, and scholarships, visit: https://www.hku.hk
ASEAN Foreign Ministers attend the opening ceremony of the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, May 25, 2025.(AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Southeast Asian nations must accelerate regional economic integration, diversify their markets and stay united to tackle the fallout from global trade disruptions resulting from sweeping U.S. tariffs, Malaysia’s foreign minister said Sunday.
Mohamad Hasan, at a meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, also reiterated the bloc’s call for an end to Myanmar’s civil war and downplayed plans of Myanmar’s ruling military to hold elections later this year as a “whitewash.”
“ASEAN nations are among those most heavily affected by the U.S.-imposed tariffs. The U.S.–China trade war is dramatically disrupting production and trade patterns worldwide. A global economic slowdown is likely to happen,” Mohamad said. “We must seize this moment to deepen regional economic integration, so that we can better shield our region from external shocks.”
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan delivers an opening speech at the opening ceremony of the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, May 25, 2025.(AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
ASEAN countries, many of which rely on exports to the U.S., are reeling from tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration ranging from 10% to 49%. Six of the bloc’s 10 members are among the worst-hit, likely affecting ASEAN’s targeted growth forecast of 4.7% this year, trade officials said.
When Trump last month announced a 90-day pause on the tariffs, countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam swiftly began trade negotiations with Washington.
Mohamad said that Malaysia, ASEAN’s current chair, has requested a special summit with the U.S. as a bloc to discuss tariffs and is hopeful it could happen later this year. He said ASEAN is also exploring making Ukraine its dialogue partner while accelerating the process of admitting East Timor as its 11th member.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers line up for a photo call at the start of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting opening ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
ASEAN leaders meet Monday in an annual summit that will be followed by a joint meeting Tuesday with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
ASEAN’s unity is crucial as the region grapples with climate change and disruption from the malevolent use of artificial intelligence and other unregulated technologies, Mohamad said, adding that the bloc will be tested by external pressure, including a superpower rivalry.
Mohamad said the conflict in Myanmar, where the military seized power in 2021, had spilled over its borders with a growing number of refugees fleeing to neighboring nations and rising transborder and cybercrimes, making it now “an ASEAN issue.” He said ASEAN does not prefer any foreign intervention as the bloc should resolve its own internal affairs.
Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, left, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, and Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, talk before a group photo at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting opening ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, May 25, 2025.(AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Myanmar’s military leaders are barred from ASEAN meetings after refusing to comply with the bloc’s peace plan, which includes negotiations and delivery of humanitarian aid.
Mohamad said the March earthquake that left more than 3,700 dead had opened up opportunity for ASEAN to reach out to warring parties with the aim of creating a dialogue toward peace.
Mohamad said the bloc plans to appoint a permanent envoy to Myanmar with a three-year term to bolster the process, and that he would visit Myanmar in June. Currently an envoy is appointed each year from the country holding the bloc’s rotating chair.
Mohamad said that violence must cease before any elections in Myanmar, which he said would be futile if there was just partial participation. Opposition parties are mostly either banned from contesting or are boycotting elections. It is also unclear how the polls can be carried out as the military has reportedly lost control of a large part of Myanmar.
“What is the point if it’s just a whitewash to cover up in the eyes of the international community?” Mohamad said.
Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra and Deputy PM/Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, also Bhumjaithai Party leader, play golf together at Stone Hill Golf Club, Pathum Thani Province, December 22, 2024.
This week’s ruling on May 22 by the Supreme Administrative Court against former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, ordering the former premier (who is a fugitive) to pay 10 billion baht in damage compensation incurred by her rice-pledging scheme, was a clear reminder that her elder brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who is widely regarded as the real PM today, is not in full control of Thailand.
By Saturday, two days after the ruling, Thaksin’s aide Jakraphon Penkair had to attempt to quell a rumour by saying Thaksin did not flee abroad and is still in Thailand. Jakraphob said the rumor that Thaksin had fled to Cambodia after an unfavorable ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court against Yingluck was just that – a rumour.
Jakraphob wrote on FB that Thaksin is still “laughing in Bangkok,” adding that when Thaksin is very active, people criticise him for overdoing it, but now that he is “quiet,” people imagine things, particularly those in the opposition camp.
The rumor came amidst a probe into whether Thaksin was given privileged treatment during his stay while serving his corruption-related crimes at the Police General Hospital. Three medical doctors were found to have distorted their examinations of Thaksin’s health status, which enabled Thaksin to be transferred from prison to the hospital after serving less than a full night in prison. The worst-case scenario for Thaksin is that he may be ordered by the court to return to serve his time in a proper prison, thus the rumor that he had fled the kingdom.
“It’s hard to placate them,” Jakraphob wrote, adding that Thaksin has an important lunch appointment at a major hotel in Bangkok on May 30.
Meanwhile, on Friday, a prominent Finland-based lese-majeste fugitive, Janya Yimprasert, reposted his open letter to Thaksin, which was originally penned in February 22, 2022, calling Thaksin to stand with those who want to see the monarchy institution reformed.
In another related development, prominent royalist law expert Assoc Prof Jade Donavanik declared earlier this week that he has lost faith in the democratic system after seeing Paetongtarn Shinawatra running, or ruining, the country, and calls for the overthrow of the democratic system – a thinly veiled call for a military coup.
It also comes at a time when the Pheu Thai Party is in conflict with its royalist coalition partner, the Bhumjaithai Party. The latter is widely believed to be in control of the majority of the Senate, which are now facing a probe by the Election Commission over alleged widespread rigging of last year’s senatorial election.
These are reminders that although the Pheu Thai Party has been in power for nearly two years now, the marriage of convenience between the Thaksin camp and the royalist camp is fragile, and that given the right conditions, the latter is more than willing to betray the former (or vice versa).
The Pheu Thai Party was originally chosen to join the Conservative royalist camp (which includes the military and diehard ultraroyalists) because the more progressive monarchy-reform movement supported the then Move Forward Party (now known as the People’s Party) and won most MP seats in the general election. In the end, Thaksin’s Pheu Thai Party outmaneuvered the Move Forward Party and its leader Pita Limjaroenrat and managed to form a coalition with conservative royalist parties, including Bhumjaithai.
The popularity of the opposition People’s Party appears to be decreasing, however, judging from its lacklustre performance in local elections over the past year and less charismatic new party leader, Nattapong Ruangpanyawut.
This means we can expect more tension between the Thaksin-Pheu Thai camp and the conservative royalist camp, particularly since the latter has never trusted Thaksin or thought he was a genuine royalist to begin with.
The political “honeymoon” between the two camps is over, if there was any.
Director Jafar Panahi, winner of the Palme d'Or for the film 'It Was Just an Accident', poses for photographers at the awards ceremony photo call at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Iranian dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday for his revenge thriller “It Was Just an Accident,” handing the festival’s top prize to a director who had been banned from leaving Iran for more than 15 years.
Cate Blanchett presented the award to Panahi, who three years ago was imprisoned in Iran before going on a hunger strike. For a decade and a half, he has made films clandestinely in his native country, including one film (“This Is Not a Film”) made in his living room, and another (“Taxi”) set in a car.
The crowd rose in a thunderous standing ovation for the filmmaker, who immediately threw up his arms and leaned back in his seat in disbelief before applauding his collaborators and the audience around him. On stage, Panahi was cheered by Cannes jury president Juliette Binoche, who in 2010 in Cannes held up Panahi’s name to honor the director when he was under house arrest.
Director Jafar Panahi, centre, accepts the Palme d’Or for the film ‘It Was Just an Accident’, as he poses with Cate Blanchett, left, and jury president Juliette Binoche during the awards ceremony of the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
On stage, Panahi said what mattered most was freedom in his country.
“Let us join forces,” said Panahi. “No one should dare tell us what kind of clothes we should wear, what we should do or what we should not do. The cinema is a society. Nobody is entitled to tell what we should or refrain from doing.”
The win for “It Was Just an Accident” extended an unprecedented streak: The indie distributor Neon has now backed the last six Palme d’Or winners. The latest triumph for Neon, which acquired “It Was Just an Accident” for North American distribution after its premiere in Cannes, follows its Palmes for “Parasite,” “Titane,” “Triangle of Sadness,” “Anatomy of a Fall” and “Anora.”
All those films were Oscar contenders and two, “Parasite” and “Anora,” won best picture.
Last year, filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran to attend the premiere of his film in Cannes and resettle in Germany. Panahi, though, has said that unlike his friend Rasoulof, life in exile isn’t for him. He planned to fly home to Tehran on Sunday.
“It Was Just an Accident” was inspired by Panahi’s experience in prison. In the film, a group of former prisoners encounter the man who terrorized them in jail, and weigh whether or not to kill him.
In 2009, he was banned from traveling out of Iran after attending the funeral of a student killed in the Green Movement protests. Through those years, Panahi continued to make films illegally in Iran, without a permit, and had his films smuggled to festivals on USB drives. His travel ban was lifted after his release in 2023.
“The film springs from a feeling of resistance, survival, which is absolutely necessary today,” Binoche told reporters after the ceremony. “Art will always win. What is human will always win.”
Ebrahim Azizi, from left, Mariam Afshari, Majid Panahi, director Jafar Panahi, Delnaz Najafi, Hadis Pakbaten, and Vahid Mobseri pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film ‘It was just an accident’ at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Lewis Joly/Invision/AP)
The Cannes closing ceremony followed a major power outage that struck southeastern France on Saturday in what police suspected was arson. Only a few hours before stars began streaming down the red carpet, power was restored in Cannes.
“A day without electricity,” sighed John C. Reilly, who sang an English-language “La Vie En Rose” at the ceremony. The festival’s films, he said, supplied “all the needed electricity.”
Other winners at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival
The Grand Prix, or second prize, was awarded to Joachim Trier’s Norwegian family drama “Sentimental Value,” his lauded follow-up to “The Worst Person in the World.” Some had expected “Sentimental Value” to win the Palme, but Trier — whose film reunites him with actor Renate Reinsve — still took a major prize.
“We live in a time of tremendous excess and saturation of images. Moving images are being thrown at us all the time,” said Trier. “And I want to give homage to the Cannes Film Festival for being a place where the big cinematic image, which is the foundation of the moving image, the free image, the image that we take time to look at, the image where we can identify with each other in contemplation and empathy, to be cherished in this place in such a way is very important in this moment.”
Director Joachim Trier, centre, winner of the grand prix for the film ‘Sentimental Value’, poses with Elle Fanning, from left, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgard at the awards ceremony photo call at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)
Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Brazilian political thriller “The Secret Agent” won two big awards: best director for Filho and best actor for Wagner Moura. Though Cannes juries are generally urged to spread awards around, the two for “The Secret Agent” showed the jury’s strong feelings for it. Asked about the two prizes, juror Jeremy Strong explained, simply, “That was our wish.”
The wins, which followed the international film Oscar victory for Walter Salles’ “I’m Still Here” in March, gave Brazil more to celebrate. On X, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said the awards “show that our country’s cinema is second to none.”
The jury prize was split between two films: Óliver Laxe’s desert road trip “Sirât ” and Mascha Schilinski’s German, generation-spanning drama “Sound of Falling.” Best actress went to Nadia Melliti for “The Little Sister,” Hafsia Herzi’s French coming-of-age drama.
The Belgian brothers Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, who are two-time Palme d’Or winners, won best screenplay for their latest drama, “Young Mothers.” Its their ninth prize in Cannes. The festival’s award for best first film, the Camera d’Or, went to Hasan Hadi for “The President’s Cake,” making it the first Iraqi film to win an award at the festival.
Nadia Melliti, winner of the award for best actress for the film ‘The Little Sister’, poses for photographers at the awards ceremony photo call at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
What else shaped Cannes this year
Saturday’s ceremony brought to a close a 78th Cannes Film Festival where geopolitics cast a long shadow, both on screen and off. Shortly before the French Riviera extravaganza, which is also the world’s largest movie market, U.S. President Donald Trump floated the idea of a 100% tariff on movies made overseas.
Most filmmakers responded with a shrug, calling the plan illogical. “Can you hold up the movie in customs? It doesn’t ship that way,” said Wes Anderson, who premiered his latest, “The Phoenician Scheme” at the festival. At the opening ceremony, honorary Palme d’Or recipient Robert De Niro called Trump “America’s philistine president.”
Director Kleber Mendonca Filho poses with his award for best director for the film ‘The Secret Agent’ as well as the best actor award received on behalf of Wagner Moura at the awards ceremony photo call at the 78th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)
Panahi’s win put him in rare company. He’s now won Cannes’ Palme d’Or, Venice’s Golden Lion (for “The Circle”) and Berlin’s Golden Bear (for “Taxi”). Only three other filmmakers have done that: Henri-Georges Clouzot, Michelangelo Antonioni and Robert Altman.
Addressing reporters after his win, Panahi spoke about filmmakers and artists always being able to find a way, “even in complicated situations.”
“They must realize that no powers that be can halt such people in their tracks,” said Panahi. “You have this power.”
___
Jake Coyle has covered the Cannes Film Festival since 2012. He’s seen approximately 40 films at this year’s festival and is reporting on what stands out.
