China calls for transparent investigation into Sa Kaeo kidnapping case

By

-

19 May 2026, 19:00

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.

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

By

Khaosod English

-

19 May 2026, 18:46

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.

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

By

Khaosod English

-

19 May 2026, 17:44

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.

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

By

Associated Press

-

19 May 2026, 17:24

Germany Building Collapse — 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.

AP26139336900705 — 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.

Young Thai barber turns old bus bus into trendy barbershop

By

Khaosod English

-

19 May 2026, 16:58

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.

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.

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

By

Associated Press

-

19 May 2026, 16:51

Uganda Ebola — 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.

AP26136413586187 — 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.

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

By

MC Marketing

-

19 May 2026, 16:48

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.

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.

CKPower and CH. Karnchang Group install ceremonial umbrella at Wat Na Huai

By

MC Marketing

-

19 May 2026, 16:45

CK Power Public Company Limited or CKPower, together with CH. Karnchang Group, held a traditional blessing ceremony and installed a five-tiered white ceremonial umbrella above the principal Buddha image at the ordination hall of Wat Na Huai in Pran Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, to mark the completion of the ordination hall restoration. The ceremony was conducted to bring auspiciousness and to help preserve religious heritage as well as Thai arts and culture. Wat Na Huai’s ordination hall is a historic religious site of the local community. Historical records suggest that it was originally constructed during the late Ayutthaya to early Rattanakosin period. The restoration received guidance from the Office of Architecture, Fine Arts Department, and the Regional Office of Fine Arts 1 Ratchaburi, to ensure that the conservation and restoration aligned with the original architectural style and principles of historical preservation. The initiative forms part of a shared effort to preserve an important religious landmark so that it remains a spiritual center for Buddhists and continues to safeguard Thailand’s cultural heritage for future generations.

On this occasion, Mr. Thanawat Trivisvavet, Managing Director of CK Power Public Company Limited (CKPower) (5th from left), presided over the ceremony, together with Mrs. Siwalee Trivisvavet, Company Advisor; Ms. Walainut Trivisvavet, Managing Director of TTW Public Company Limited; and Dr. Anukool Tuntimas, Executive Vice President: Human Resource and General Administration of CH. Karnchang Public Company Limited. The ceremony took place at Wat Na Huai, Pran Buri District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

Families demand answers from transit chiefs after fatal crash

By

Khaosod English

-

19 May 2026, 16:16

Families demand answers from transit chiefs after fatal crash

BANGKOK — 19 May 2026, relatives of victims killed in Saturday’s catastrophic train and public bus crash at the Makkasan railway crossing have accused state transit agencies of institutional negligence, demanding direct accountability over the fatal accident.

At 10:50 on Tuesday, the relatives of a fatality from the train-bus crash, identified affectionately as Aunt Eiang, arrived to retrieve her body from the Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Medicine for funeral rites at Wat Nam Daeng in Samut Prakan province.

The family later revealed that they did not know the compensation details but were deeply troubled by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). As the authority are quick to defend their internal personnel, but they have said nothing about compensation packages or taking real responsibility. The family also want to know why the bus driver stopped across the tracks. They need the justice system to find out the truth whether there was a mechanical failure or what caused the driver to do so.

They pleaded for this tragedy to be the absolute last time. These identical incidents have happened so many times before. They expressed bewilderment over why such events continue to happen and questioned how many more lessons must be drawn. The relative added that the family has no interest in financial compensation, because Aunt Eiang was the pillar of the family, and no one can accept this loss.

At 12:30, Santi arrived to meet with investigators to collect documents to retrieve the body of his son for a funeral at Wat Khlong Nueng in Pathum Thani province. He revealed that his son was on his way to visit a friend near the Phatthanakan Intersection and was just three bus stops away from his destination when the crash occurred. The family felt certain from the beginning that the victim was their son, as they had been tracking his location via a mobile sharing app linked to his friend’s phone and his signal abruptly vanished at the exact time of the accident.

Santi argues that public transport should be the safest mode of travel available, making such a severe tragedy unacceptable. He shared that his son was still young, who was due to graduate next year, aspired to be a software application programmer, and had such a bright future ahead of him. Santi launched a scathing critique against both the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and the SRT that this accident is the result of institutional negligence. The drivers are just low-level employees. The organizations themselves must take responsibility for their systems and manage their staff properly, rather than blame the driver, claiming the worker was the problem, while the organizations evade accountability, refuse to provide compensation, and force the victims’ families to fight individual lawsuits against the employees. The organizations must be held directly accountable.

Thailand’s GDP grows 2.8% in first quarter of 2026

By

Khaosod English

-

19 May 2026, 16:07

Thailand’s economy expanded by 2.8% in the first quarter of 2026, accelerating from 2.5% in the previous quarter, according to the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).

Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul welcomed the latest GDP figures, saying they reflected a continued economic recovery and showed the government was on the right track in addressing economic challenges.

According to the NESDC report, the agricultural sector expanded by 1.2% in the first quarter, up from 0.6% in the previous quarter. The non-agricultural sector grew by 3.0%, compared with 2.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025.

On the expenditure side, private consumption continued to expand steadily, while government spending, fixed investment and exports of goods and services also accelerated.

Private investment rose by 10.1%, up from 6.5% in the previous quarter, driven by increased investment in machinery, equipment and construction.

Exports to key markets including the United States, Europe and ASEAN countries expanded, while exports to Japan and the Middle East declined.

Rachada said the government was preparing to explore new export markets in Africa and the Middle East to diversify risks and create new opportunities for Thai businesses.

She added that the government would introduce measures to reduce production costs for farmers and low-income groups, while stimulating local economies nationwide.

Measures under the Emergency Loan Decree would help ease living costs and support economic growth through projects such as the “Thais Help Thais” scheme and energy sector restructuring aimed at strengthening Thailand’s long-term energy security, she said.

The government remains confident that Thailand’s economic growth in 2026 will meet its target of around 2%, Rachada added.

Hot News

LATEST NEWS