Supreme commander joins F-16 patrol flight to inspect border areas

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19 May 2026, 12:33

TAKHLI —Thailand’s top military commander flew aboard an F-16 fighter jet on Tuesday during a combat readiness inspection at Wing 4 in Nakhon Sawan province, as the Royal Thai Air Force reaffirmed its capability to defend the country and monitor border areas.

At 09:00 on 19 May, Air Force Commander ACM Seksan Kanta welcomed Supreme Commander Gen. Songwit Noonpackdee to inspect the operational readiness of Wing 4 at Takhli air base. The visit included a performance demonstration of F-16 fighter aircraft and the presentation of a 403 Squadron F-16 patch to the Supreme Commander before the flight mission.

Gen. Songwit wore a full F-16 flight suit and joined an aerial mission alongside Wg. Cdr. Chanon Sattayuk, commander of 403 Squadron. The flight surveyed training areas and Thailand’s western border region and lasted about one hour.

Other senior Air Force officers also joined the operation, including Air Chief Marshal Rawin Thanomsingh, commander of the Air Operations Control Command, aboard another F-16, while Air Chief Marshal Anurak Romanarak, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, flew in a T-50TH trainer jet.

Before takeoff, Gen. Songwit addressed Wing 4 personnel, praising their dedication and sacrifice in protecting national sovereignty. He said the Air Force maintained strong operational capabilities and remained prepared for missions in all situations, including joint operations with other branches of the military.

ACM Seksan also thanked Wing 4 personnel for their service, stating that “Wing 4 is the real force protecting the country.” He urged personnel to maintain professional standards in aviation, maintenance and mission support operations.

The Supreme Commander used the call sign “UK Biker” during the mission and underwent full aviation medical and safety checks before the flight, including hearing and vision tests, heart monitoring and hypobaric chamber training, according to the Air Force.

The mission formed part of ongoing combat readiness inspections and air operation exercises aimed at strengthening the Air Force’s capabilities and supporting national sovereignty protection missions.

What to know about a deadly attack by teen gunmen on a San Diego mosque

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Associated Press

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19 May 2026, 12:00

Islamic Center Shooting — A crowd gathers near the scene of a shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday, May 18, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Police raced Monday to catch an armed teenage runaway before he and another teen opened fire on a San Diego mosque, killing three men and then themselves.

About two hours after one boy’s mother called to warn police that he had run away with her weapons and vehicle, shots rang out at the Islamic Center of San Diego, and a mosque security guard and two others were killed, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said.

The gunmen, ages 17 and 18, were found dead of apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, the chief added.

The shooting is being investigated as a hate crime, he added.

Here’s what is known about the attack:

Search for suspects began hours before attack

Wahl said the mother, who called the police around 9:40 a.m., had described her son as suicidal. The search for the boy took on more urgency as police learned that he was dressed in camouflage and with an acquaintance — facts that were not consistent with someone about to die by suicide, the chief said.

AP26138744276979 — Police stage on a roof at the scene of a shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday, May 18, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Police used automated license plate readers to try to find the teens, dispatched authorities to a nearby mall and alerted Madison High School, where at least one suspect was a student, Wahl said. Officers were still interviewing the mother about places the teens might be when they received reports of a shooting at the largest mosque in San Diego County.

As police arrived, gunshots rang out a few blocks away where a landscaper was shot at but uninjured. The shooters were soon found dead in a vehicle stopped in the middle of a road nearby, Wahl said.

Suspects engaged in ‘generalized hate rhetoric’

There was no specific threat made against the the Islamic Center of San Diego but authorities found evidence that the suspects engaged in “generalized hate rhetoric,” Wahl said. He declined to immediately share more details.

The mosque’s director, Imam Taha Hassane, said the center focused on interfaith relations, and that a group of non-Muslims had been touring the mosque earlier Monday to learn about Islam.

AP26138807259760 — People embrace near the scene of a shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday, May 18, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

The white mosque is surrounded by homes, apartments and strip malls with Middle Eastern restaurants and markets. It is home to the Al Rashid School, which offers courses in Arabic language, Islamic studies and the Quran for students ages 5 and up, according to its website. No students were harmed, Hassane said, and aerial TV footage showed the school children holding hands as they were led out of the parking lot surrounded by police vehicles.

Security guard remembered as ‘heroic’

Police have not yet released the names of the victims. But a family friend identified one as Amin Abdullah, a security guard whom Wahl said “played a pivotal role” in preventing the attack from being more deadly.

Shaykh Uthman Ibn Farooq said he had spoken with Abdullah’s son. The family could not immediately be reached for comment.

“He wanted to defend the innocent so he decided to become a security guard,” he said.

Wahl credited Abdullah with saving lives.

“It’s fair to say his actions were heroic,” the chief said at a news conference.

Regional Army Chief Inspects Border Blast Site Near Cambodia

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Khaosod English

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19 May 2026, 11:41

Regional Army Chief Inspects Border Blast Site Near Cambodia

SISAKET — 19 May 2026, A senior Thai military commander has inspected the “Ta Maria” frontline border base at Phu Makhuea in Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province, where linked to reports of an explosion near the Thai-Cambodian frontier earlier this month, and distributed morale-boosting supplies to troops and local residents along the border.

Maj. Gen. Kampanart Wapansu, the chief-of-staff of the Operations Centre of the Second Army Region, led a delegation at 10:00 on Monday to the Ta Maria Operational Base near Phu Makhuea in Sao Thong Chai Subdistrict, Kantharalak District, Sisaket Province, to investigate the incident following reports of a blast-like sound inside Thai territory on 14 May. The delegation was welcomed and guided through the inspection area by Lt. Col. Samart Kaewsiwai, Commander of the 14th Infantry Battalion under the Suranaree Task Force.

Military personnel examined terrain surrounding the base, which consists of the dense jungle and deep ravines. Investigators located a suspicious site in a low-lying bamboo forest approximately 200 meters from the compound. Due to the rugged terrain, access to the site was severely restricted. However, military officials confirmed that no ordnance or impact marks were found within the perimeter of the operational base itself.

Kampanart said this site visit was aimed at thoroughly verifying the facts on the ground and providing clarity regarding the reported incident. The military delegation later travelled to the Chong Khan Ma checkpoint to meet with frontline personnel. They also distributed care packages and praised the troops for their dedication to securing the Thai-Cambodian border.

Meanwhile, local residents continue to monitor the situation through community leaders and government channels, while expressing full confidence in the military’s ability to maintain surveillance and ensure safety along the border.

Thai man confirms crossing into Cambodia while foraging

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Khaosod English

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19 May 2026, 10:36

Thai man confirms crossing into Cambodia while foraging

SURIN — 19 May 2026, Thailand’s Second Army Region said an investigation had confirmed that Yot Sainoi, a Thai villager detained by Cambodian soldiers near the border last month, had accidentally crossed into Cambodian territory while foraging for forest produce.

The Suranaree Task Force under the Second Army Region assigned a military unit to inspect the route and location where Yot was detained south of Chong Ta Liang border crossing in Kap Choeng district, Surin province.

The inquiry followed claims on social media alleging that Cambodian soldiers had crossed into Thailand and arrested a person inside Thai territory, causing public confusion.

The field inspection was led by Col. Thanin Domhom, commander of Task Force 2, together with Col. Kittisak Bangphimai and Col. Nitikon Sirikham, along with Yot and his 21-year-old son. The group retraced the route on foot in front of reporters to verify the facts publicly.

Yot said he had wandered across the border while foraging and was later detained by Cambodian authorities on 15 April 2026.

He was released and returned to Thailand on 15 May 2026 following coordination between Thailand’s Second Army Region and Cambodia’s Regional Military Region 4, officials said.

Military officials said an inspection of the area found that Yot had crossed barbed-wire barriers and Thai military positions before entering Cambodian territory. He was estimated to have travelled about 5 kilometres from where he parked his motorcycle.

Yot said he had previously been uncertain whether he had actually crossed the border, but after officials showed him boundary markers, maps and the route, he accepted that he had entered Cambodia by mistake.

He thanked Thai authorities for helping secure his safe return and urged local residents gathering forest products near the border to exercise greater caution.

Military officials said additional barbed-wire fencing would be installed along the border to help prevent similar incidents and improve public safety in the area.

Myanmar Teens Held After Assault on Thai Youth in Pattaya

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Khaosod English

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19 May 2026, 10:19

Myanmar Teens Held After Assault on Thai Youth in Pattaya

CHONBURI — 19 May 2026, Police detained a group of Myanmar teenagers accused of attacking a 16-year-old Thai boy in a street assault. The suspects, however, gave their account of events, claiming they had earlier been held at gunpoint and robbed of a pair of Converse sneakers by the victim’s group. They are now asking police to review CCTV footage.

Following viral social media posts by the victim’s sibling, a Facebook user claimed his younger brother was attacked by nearly 10 youths believed to be Myanmar nationals. The group allegedly beat the teenager, stole his shoes, damaged his motorcycle and spat on him. The incident occurred on Sukhumvit Road in front of Wat Chong Lom, inbound to Chonburi, in Moo 2 of Na Kluea subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province.

On Tuesday, Pol. Col. Sarawut Nuchanart, superintendent of Banglamung Police Station, said a joint task force detained the group for questioning on the evening of 18 May. The operation was led by Pol. Lt. Col. Yongyuth Wanneua, deputy investigation chief; Pol. Lt. Col. Wutthiphong Kasa, investigation inspector; and Pol. Lt. Natthathan Chanthawong, inspector at Tourist Police Station 4, Subdivision 2, Tourist Police Division 1, along with officers from local police, tourist police and immigration police.

During questioning, the suspects admitted attacking the Thai teenager.

However, one member of the group alleged that the Thai youth had earlier threatened him with what he believed was a firearm and forced him to hand over a pair of Converse shoes. His friends later arrived and intervened, leading to the confrontation captured on security camera footage.

The group also asked police to examine CCTV footage recorded before the incident to support their claims, insisting they too had been victims.

Investigators will question both sides in detail and review all available evidence before deciding whether to pursue charges. Because minors are involved in the case, the investigation will be conducted with relevant agencies and a multi-disciplinary team. Authorities said legal action would be taken against anyone found guilty to ensure fairness for all parties.

Meanwhile, the ‘Thai Mai Ton’ (‘Thais Won’t Tolerate’) group, led by local figures Hia Tee Kratha Ron and Bird Pattaya, said they were satisfied with the arrests. The group thanked authorities for moving quickly to pursue the case and track down the suspects.

Thai student reports break-in by police officer’s son

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Khaosod English

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19 May 2026, 09:50

UDON THANI — 19 May 2026, A female university student in northeastern Thailand has filed a police complaint after alleging that a senior student, who is the son of a police officer, climbed into her room before dawn to confront and apologise over a personal dispute.

Police in Udon Thani said the complaint was lodged on the evening of 18 May by a 54-year-old apartment owner, identified only as Narumon, and a 21-year-old fourth-year university student, identified by the pseudonym “A”.

The complaint was accompanied by CCTV footage allegedly showing 21-year-old Kittipong, a senior student at the same university, entering the student’s accommodation at about 05.02 on 18 May.

According to the footage, Kittipong arrived home on a motorcycle at 04.59 before leaving his house shortly afterwards. He appeared to pause and observe his surroundings before crossing the road towards the victim’s apartment building.

He was then seen climbing over the apartment fence while carrying what appeared to be a torch or lighting device, heading to the rear of the student’s room and entering the property. Police said he remained inside for around 30 minutes.

At 05.36, CCTV footage showed him climbing back out of the apartment compound, crossing the road and returning home.

After receiving the complaint, investigators and patrol officers from Muang Udon Thani Police Station inspected the scene and questioned nearby residents to establish how the suspect entered the premises.

During the inquiry, officers discovered that the neighbouring homeowner was also a police officer. A review of evidence and CCTV footage identified the alleged intruder as the officer’s son.

Police said Kittipong admitted his actions in front of his father and investigators after being confronted with the evidence.

He allegedly told police that he climbed from his family home into the apartment compound and entered the student’s room through an unlocked rear door.

Questioned about his motive, Kittipong said he wanted to discuss and resolve tensions and apologise to the student over an earlier disagreement involving jealousy from his girlfriend, who had become suspicious of the woman and unfollowed her on Instagram.

The student said she had always respected him as a senior student who had helped her with academic work, and stressed that she already had a boyfriend and had never viewed the relationship romantically.

“If he genuinely wanted to talk or apologise, he should have come to the front door during normal hours when people were awake,” she said.

“Instead, he climbed the fence and entered my room at 05.00 while I was asleep. It has caused me serious fear and anxiety.”

Investigators said witness statements had been recorded and that the suspect would be formally summoned for questioning as legal proceedings continue.

AI transforms Thai classrooms: Microsoft drives nationwide skill-up

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Mc Marketing

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19 May 2026, 09:00

AI is dramatically changing classrooms, with tools like Microsoft Immersive Reader boosting student focus and engagement. This nationwide revolution in AI skills is significantly driven by Microsoft Elevate, Microsoft’s initiative to empower educators and students across Thailand.

Through this program, teachers are experiencing a transformation. AI-powered tools free them from routine tasks, allowing more time to focus on student growth and progress.

Wattana Wittaya Academy, Thailand’s oldest girls’ boarding school, exemplifies this shift. By joining the Microsoft Showcase School program under Microsoft Elevate, the school enhances “digital competitiveness of both our teachers and students,” according to Manager Lantip Dvadasin.

Committed to digital equity, Microsoft delivers Elevate through strong partnerships with government agencies like OBEC and OVEC. Their ambitious goal: train and certify over 150,000 educators this year, amplifying digital capabilities nationwide.

The initiative has already shown tangible results. Teachers are gaining valuable AI skills, creating engaging lessons and dynamic worksheets in minutes, not hours. A recent AI Impact Survey found 67.2% of 1,414 educators use AI in classrooms, saving an average of four hours weekly – equivalent to 95 full-time teachers annually. This frees time for student-focused learning.

Beyond efficiency, 76.3% report increased student engagement, and 88.6% of schools are developing AI guidelines, signaling a clear shift towards practical, responsible AI integration. Students are also using AI to brainstorm, summarize, and show improved exam performance.

In schools like Dhammajarinee Wittaya, Microsoft Elevate empowers visual, interactive learning, from creative Cover Dance to Python coding, with students achieving national recognition.

AI, facilitated by the program, also upgrades teacher skills, shifting their role to guiding students in critical thinking, data evaluation, and ethical AI use. Teachers also emphasize teaching students to “use AI responsibly.”

The School Director Dr. Aunampai Passakchai concludes: “The Microsoft Elevate program is definitely designed to help address this need,” equipping students with essential AI skills for a successful, self-reliant future.

La Mode en Majesté: Thai royal fashion shines in Paris exhibition

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Khaosod English

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18 May 2026, 19:35

Thai textiles, royal fashion and contemporary design have taken centre stage in Paris with the opening of “La Mode en Majesté: Royal Thai Dress from Tradition to Modernity,” a major exhibition celebrating the artistry and evolution of Thai dress.

online 3 728x485 1 — HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya

The exhibition is now open to the public at Musée des Arts Décoratifs until 1 November 2026 under the patronage of Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya. The showcase marks the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and France.

Organised through a collaboration between the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand, the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles and the Thai Embassy in Paris, the exhibition explores how fashion and textiles have long served as cultural and diplomatic bridges between the two countries.

Spread across seven galleries, the exhibition features more than 200 items, including royal attire, antique brocade textiles, intricate handicrafts and contemporary fashion pieces by leading Thai designers.

Visitors begin with a gallery tracing 170 years of Thai-French relations through clothing and diplomacy, followed by a section dedicated to the eight styles of traditional royal Thai dress. The display includes outfits worn by Queen Sirikit, Queen Suthida and Princess Sirivannavari, reflecting the evolution of Thai royal fashion across generations.

One of the exhibition’s highlights focuses on royal craftsmanship, showcasing Thai artisanal works such as embroidered fans, handbags and Benjarong porcelain. Another gallery explores Queen Sirikit’s collaborations with French fashion house Balmain and embroidery atelier Maison Lesage, featuring sketches, fabrics and couture embroidery that blend Thai artistry with French haute couture.

The exhibition also spotlights regional Thai weaving traditions and the transformation of mudmee silk into international high fashion.

The final gallery presents embroidery work from the SIRIVANNAVARI label alongside creations by Thai contemporary designers including ASAVA, WISHARAWISH and MESHMUSEUM, offering modern interpretations of Thai identity through fashion.

Photo Facebook: HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, สถาบันส่งเสริมศิลปหัตถกรรมไทย, Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, ผ้าไทยใส่ให้สนุก

Senate pushes new plan for blackchin tilapia management and community income

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Mc Marketing

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18 May 2026, 18:16

Bangkok – Thailand’s Senate Committee on Agriculture and Cooperatives is proposing a new approach to managing Blackchin tilapia, shifting the focus from eradication alone to systematic utilization and value-added processing as a way to reduce ecological impacts while creating income opportunities for farmers, fishers and local communities.

The proposal was discussed at an academic seminar titled “A New Dimension in Blackchin Tilapia Management: Utilization and Value Creation,” held at the Parliament Building on May 14, 2026. The event was presided over by General Kriangkrai Srirak, First Vice President of the Senate, and organized by the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Cooperatives, chaired by Thawat Suraban.

The seminar brought together policymakers, academics, farmers, community enterprises and relevant agencies to explore practical ways to manage the large population of alien species now found in natural water sources, while transforming the issue into an economic opportunity. Backed by research highlighting the fish’s high nutritional value, the committee aims to promote policy measures supporting procurement and value-added processing to create sustainable income opportunities for farmers and local communities.

Mr. Thawat said Thailand must recognize the practical reality that complete eradication of Blackchin tilapia is unlikely. The more urgent question, he said, is how to manage the species responsibly and convert the existing population into useful raw material.

He said Blakchin tilapia could become an upstream raw material for several value-added products if supported by proper procurement systems, processing standards and risk-control measures. Potential applications include fermented fish products, chili paste, fish sauce, bio-fermented products, animal feed, bio-fertilizer and other processed goods that can support women’s groups, community enterprises and small-scale fishers.

In some provinces, blackchin tilapia is already being used as feed for crabs and seabass, helping farmers reduce feed costs while converting the invasive fish into a useful resource. Thai researchers have also succeeded in extracting calcium and other valuable compounds from the fish, further expanding its potential for value-added applications.

Policy Support and Controlled Movement

Mr. Thawat also called for a review of existing regulations to allow inspected and controlled blackchin tilapia, which no longer poses a risk of further spread, to be transported outside restricted areas for industrial use, including fishmeal production.

He said such measures would help create a more practical management system by combining ecological control with economic value creation.

“It depends on perspective and value creation,” he said.

Research Points to Value-Added Potential

Research presented at the seminar indicated that Blackchin tilapia has potential for further development in several areas, including animal feed production, bio-fertilizer, collagen extraction and food processing.

Preliminary studies also found that the bones of Blackchin tilapia contain significant nutrients, with some qualities comparable to certain commercial marine fish species. This opens up potential opportunities for use in food, health and agricultural industries, provided that safety standards and proper processing controls are applied.

Toward a Circular Economy Model

The Senate Committee plans to compile recommendations from the seminar into a policy report for submission to the government and relevant agencies.

The report is expected to propose measures such as continuous procurement mechanisms, local processing centers, community-level value-added production and regulatory adjustments to support safe utilization of blackchin tilapia.

The committee said the goal is to build a circular economy model that turns blackchin tilapia from burden into a commercially viable raw material — helping reduce pressure on natural ecosystems while generating economic circulation in local communities.

Thai Smile Bus joins UITP, expands global standing

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Khaosod English

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18 May 2026, 17:51

BANGKOK, 18 May 2026 — Thai Smile Bus Co., Ltd. has officially joined the International Association of Public Transport, marking a major step in bringing Thailand’s public transport sector closer to international standards.

Thai Smile Bus (TSB), a Thai-owned public transport enterprise, has stepped onto the international stage after officially received its membership certificate from the International Association of Public Transport (UITP). Furthermore, the company secured recognition as the “world’s largest electric bus (E-Bus) operator outside China,” underscoring the Thai company’s position as a major player in clean-energy mass transit.

The formal induction into the global transport network UITP, which boasts more than 2,000 members across the Asia-Pacific and worldwide, plays a key role in promoting sustainable public transport development across multiple regions.

Kulaporn Wongmacharaphinya, Chief Executive Officer of TSB, said membership in UITP represented an important milestone as a significant leap forward for both the company and Thailand’s road-based public transport sector. It reflects the international recognition that would allow the firm to exchange expertise, concepts, and technological innovations with global operators to improve operational standards, technology, and safety metrics. This aims to elevate Thailand’s public transport to meet international standards.

Moreover, TSB has been honored by UITP as the world’s largest E-Bus operator outside of China, ranking number one globally for the largest fleet of 100% EV clean-energy buses. This achievement reflected Thailand’s readiness and capacity to expand Thailand’s urban transport grid and support the country’s broader net-zero carbon emissions target.

During the visit to Transit Smart Hub, the first fully integrated intelligent control center in Thailand, at the company’s headquarters, the TSB executive team welcomed the delegation and Worawit Chanchayanon, TSB’s Chief Operating Officer and Strategy Officer, formally accepted the 2026 Membership Certificate presented by Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General of the UITP.

Search for suspects began hours before attack

Suspects engaged in ‘generalized hate rhetoric’

Security guard remembered as ‘heroic’

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