CHONBURI — 16 May 2026, local administrative officials in Bang Lamung district raided an unlicensed entertainment venue in Nongprue early Friday after residents complained about loud music and concerts that allegedly kept nearby households awake at night.
The operation took place at 01:16 after Bang Lamung District Chief Mr. Anusak Piriyamorn ordered district officials led by Mr. Pichannon Thaweesuk and Mr. Nattawat Sophonsawetsin to inspect the venue, described by authorities as a large southern-style liquor establishment located in a soi in Nongprue subdistrict.
Officials said residents in the surrounding area had repeatedly complained that the venue played loud music late into the night, with some saying they were unable to sleep on certain evenings.
When officers arrived, they found the venue operating on a large scale, including a live concert featuring well-known performers and a large number of patrons.
Authorities ordered all activities to stop, instructed staff to turn off the music and switch on the lights, and conducted inspections for illegal items including weapons and narcotics. No illegal items were found during the search.
However, officials said the venue did not possess a licence to operate as an entertainment establishment.
The individual identified as the venue manager was detained for questioning and initially charged with operating an entertainment venue without a licence and selling alcohol beyond permitted hours. The suspect was handed over to investigators for legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz, director-general of the UNESCO, at Government House on 15 May to discuss cooperation on culture, artificial intelligence, education and sustainable development.
During the meeting at Thai Khu Fah Building, Anutin reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to working closely with UNESCO to strengthen the country’s international role and create new opportunities in culture, technology and the economy.
One of the key topics discussed was Thailand’s plan to nominate traditional Thai dress, or “Chud Thai”, for inclusion on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list.
The government said the move aims to promote Thai soft power and expand the economic value of Thai fashion, handicrafts, tourism and creative industries on the global stage.
Thailand is also preparing to hold an exhibition titled “Royal Thai Dress: From Tradition to Modernity” at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris on 25 May. The exhibition will feature outfits worn by Queen Sirikit as well as all eight styles of royal-endorsed traditional Thai dress.
The meeting also covered Thailand’s efforts to preserve its cultural and natural world heritage sites and plans to establish an international AI governance centre under the Electronic Transactions Development Agency in cooperation with UNESCO.
According to the government, the proposed centre would position Thailand as a regional hub for AI research, standards and ethical governance.
UNESCO also proposed that Thailand host a global education conference in early 2027, building on the country’s role in co-hosting the GFEAI 2025 conference with UNESCO earlier this year.
Anutin said cooperation with UNESCO would help strengthen Thailand’s international standing and support the country’s ambition to become a regional centre for cultural and technological cooperation.
A wedding ceremony in northeastern Thailand has drawn widespread attention online after a wife personally organised and led the traditional procession for her husband to marry another woman.
The unusual ceremony took place on 15 May in Ban Nong Phai village in Chaiyaphum, where villagers and social media users were captivated by the openly arranged second marriage.
The event featured a large traditional procession with more than 10 parade vehicles and a caravan of big bikes joining the celebrations, attended by relatives, friends and local residents.
The first wife, identified as Yupin Tadthai and affectionately nicknamed “Mia Phi” — literally meaning “senior wife” or “elder wife” in Thai — acted as the wedding elder and personally led the khan mak procession carrying 300,000 baht in cash and five baht-weight of gold as dowry.
The procession sought the hand of Oruma Janpheng, nicknamed “Mia Nong” or “junior wife”, who became the second wife of Yupin’s husband, Witsanu Prangchaiyaphum.
The wedding ceremony was held at the auspicious time of 09:09 and followed traditional Thai customs.
According to the family, Witsanu and Yupin have been married for more than 20 years and have one child together. The arrangement was reportedly made through mutual understanding within the family.
The story quickly went viral online, with reactions ranging from surprise to admiration over the family’s openness and the drama-free atmosphere surrounding the ceremony.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met leading Thai business executives at Government House on 15 May to discuss ways to strengthen the country’s economic competitiveness amid global economic challenges.
The meeting, held at Phakdibodin Building, brought together cabinet ministers and some of Thailand’s most influential business figures, including Dhanin Chearavanont of Charoen Pokphand Group, Vathit Chokwatana of Saha Pathanapibul, Sarath Ratanavadi of Gulf Development and Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha of King Power.
Anutin said the meeting was intended as a platform for the private sector to speak while the government listened, stressing that economic growth could not be achieved without close cooperation between the state and businesses.
“The government and private sector must move forward together,” he said. “If businesses succeed, Thailand succeeds. Everyone becomes a winner.”
The prime minister said the government was focused on reducing regulatory obstacles, simplifying approval procedures, addressing labour shortages and supporting industries linked to green energy and modern technologies.
Anutin also referred to discussions during last week’s ASEAN Summit in the Philippines, where regional leaders focused on clean energy cooperation, an ASEAN power grid and food security.
He said ASEAN countries were increasingly aligned on issues such as clean energy, logistics and food security, adding that Thailand had strong potential to become a regional hub in all three sectors.
The meeting was followed by a dinner hosted by the government for the business leaders.
CANNES — 15 May 2026, Thai film “The Confession of Shaman” drew international attention as Thai K-pop star, BamBam, joined high-profile actors, Alek-Theeradej Methawarayut and Denise Jelilcha Kapaun, at the Cannes Film Festival 2026, spearheading a promotional push to showcase the growing global potential of Thailand’s cinema industry.
One of the most highly anticipated Thai films of 2026, “The Confession of Shaman”, produced by M STUDIO, officially launched its international promotional campaign at the Cannes Film Festival 2026, France, ahead of its Thai cinema release on 12 August 2026. Leading the team is BamBam (Kunpimook Bhuwakul), alongside co-stars Alek (Theeradej Methawarayut) and Denise Jelilcha Kapaun. The delegation also included M STUDIO chief executive, Surachet Asvaroenganan, and director, Ton-Natthanon Chollumpi, to showcase the Thai production to global media and international film industry insiders, paving the way before the film is scheduled for release in Thailand’s theaters on 12 August.
Activities on the festival’s first day began in the morning with an official briefing alongside representatives from Thailand’s Ministry of Culture, followed by the grand opening of the Thailand Pavilion, which captured steady interest from international media and attendees alike.
“I am deeply honored to a part of representing Thai cinema on a global stage like Cannes. For me, this is not just about promoting a single movie, but a vital step forward for the Thai film industry. I want the world to witness the unique charm and capability of our filmmakers,” BamBam revealed after the Pavilion opening.
Alek Theeradej also shared his feeling. “I’m so thrilled because this is one of the very first times, I have experienced the atmosphere of a world-class film festival so up close. Seeing people from so many different countries come together out of a shared love for cinema is incredibly special. I am incredibly happy to be part of ‘The Confession of Shaman’ team and to help bring Thai cinema to the global stage,” he said.
While Denise Jelilcha described her experience of attending Cannes: “Arriving here in Cannes, I feel both exciting and immense proud. Here is a stage that filmmakers worldwide dream of. For our team and Thai cinema to have the opportunity to stand here is a milestone moment I want to cherish forever. I hope international audiences open their hearts to Thai cinema.”
Surachet Asvaroenganan, Chief Executive Officer of M STUDIO, emphasized that “M STUDIO team have always believed in the potential of Thai cinema and remained committed to expanding Thai film into global markets. Bringing ‘The Confession of Shaman’ team to the Cannes Film Festival this time is more than just presenting a single movie, but it is an opportunity to demonstrate the quality and unique identity of Thailand’s film industry to stand firmly on the international stage. We hope this journey will be another vital step toward creating new commercial opportunities for the industry in the future.”
NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 15 May 2026, two dogs were rescued after being left trapped inside a parked car under the hot sun for several hours in northeastern Thailand, prompting concern from local residents who feared the animals could die from heat exposure.
The incident occurred near Talad Nok market in Sikhio district, where residents noticed the dogs had been left inside the vehicle from the morning until around midday during extremely hot weather. The car windows had been left slightly open.
Video recorded by bystanders showed the dogs appearing weak and distressed inside the overheated vehicle. A white dog was seen lying beneath the driver’s seat, while a brown dog struggled with its head stuck through a partially opened window, panting heavily and whining for help.
Unable to free itself or climb back into the vehicle, the brown dog remained trapped as local residents and market vendors attempted to cool the car by pouring water over it while waiting for authorities to arrive.
A local vendor said residents became alarmed after noticing the dogs had been inside the vehicle for an unusually long time during intense heat and feared the animals could suffer fatal heatstroke.
Disaster prevention officers from Sikhio municipality later arrived at the scene and forced open the vehicle after failing to locate the owner.
Officials immediately removed the white dog from the car, while the brown dog required additional assistance because its head remained wedged in the window opening. A motorcycle taxi rider helped support the animal’s body while rescuers carefully freed its head.
The vehicle owner later returned and apologised, saying personal business had taken longer than expected.
Municipal disaster prevention officials warned the public not to leave children or pets unattended inside parked vehicles during hot weather, even if windows are partially opened, because temperatures inside cars can rise rapidly and become life-threatening within a short period.
BANGKOK — 15 May 2026, Chinese actress, Zhao Lusi, has inadvertently sparked fresh interest among Chinese tourists after sharing photos featuring a Thai fragrance diffuser in her hotel room, prompting fans online to add this fragrance item to their “must bring home” checklists for future Thailand trips.
A recent social media post by Chinese superstar, Zhao Lusi, quickly gained traction on Weibo, where many fans flooded the enthusiastic comments with plans to purchase the exact same scent during future trips to Thailand.
What began as admiration for the actress’s relaxed and cheerful holiday atmosphere soon evolved into growing attention for Thai consumer products, with social media users describing the fragrance item as a popular souvenir choice from Thailand. The product shown beside Zhao was identified by fans as the new REUNROM Room Diffuser Luxury Hotel Collection, a Thai-made fragrance product inspired by local scents and hospitality experiences, producing aromatherapy and personal care products that combine traditional Thai ingredients with modern manufacturing techniques.
Fans noted that the diffuser is more than a decorative piece; it represents Thai taste, relaxation, and fond travel memories. These qualities they said were reinforced by Zhao’s endorsement. To accommodate the expected surge in demand from visiting fans, the product is readily available at REUNROM retail counters.
Senate security run after gunfire was heard along a hallway at the Philippine Senate in Pasay, Philippines, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine senator wanted by the International Criminal Court for an alleged crime against humanity has fled from the Senate, where he sought refuge to evade arrest, officials said Thursday.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa ’s exit from the heavily guarded Senate came after volleys of gunshots were fired Wednesday night by the building’s security personnel during an argument with government agents positioned in an adjacent building, sparking chaos that apparently helped the senator to slip out.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made a late-night TV statement to ask the public to remain calm. A police investigation was underway, including into suspicions that the incident was instigated to provide dela Rosa a cover to escape.
“There is no obstruction of justice,” Senate President Alan Cayetano said of dela Rosa’s escape while in the Senate’s protective custody.
He told a news briefing that he did not see any ICC warrant of arrest against dela Rosa and the senator was free to leave the premises.
Critics, however, said Cayetano and the Senate’s security chief should be held responsible for dela Rosa’s escape.
Dela Rosa, 64, served as the former national police chief of Rodrigo Duterte, who was president from 2016 to 2022. Duterte was arrested in March last year on a ICC warrant for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with deadly anti-drugs crackdowns he launched and for which he is now facing a trial in The Hague.
A warrant unsealed Monday by the ICC charges dela Rosa with the crime against humanity of murder of “no less than 32 persons” between July 2016 and the end of April 2018, when he led the national police force under Duterte and enforced his bloody crackdowns.
Dela Rosa has questioned the ICC warrant’s legality and asked the Supreme Court to immediately stop the Philippine government from enforcing it. The court asked dela Rosa and government officials Wednesday to provide more details in 72 hours.
Philippine Senator Ronald dela Rosa speaks to reporters at the Philippine Senate in Pasay, Philippines on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Dela Rosa and Duterte have separately denied authorizing extrajudicial killings although the former president has openly threatened drug suspects with death while he was in office.
Dela Rosa’s legal predicament came as political disputes escalated between the Duterte family and Marcos. Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter, has blamed Marcos for what she said was the “kidnapping” of her father and handover to a foreign court.
The disputes reflect the deep divisions that have long plagued the rambunctious Asian democracy.
On Monday, Sara Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives, which is dominated by Marcos’ allies, over alleged unexplained wealth, misuse of state funds and a public threat to have Marcos, his wife and the House speaker assassinated if she herself was killed in their intensifying conflict.
She has denied any wrongdoing but has refused to answer specific allegations in detail.
The Senate will convene into an impeachment court on Monday at the earliest to prepare for the trial of the vice president, Cayetano said.
Cayetano, a key ally of Rodrigo Duterte, wrested the presidency of the Senate Monday after he got the support of 13 of 24 senators. He gained the majority after dela Rosa, who has been absent for months due to fears of his possible arrest, suddenly showed up in the Senate Monday, arriving in Cayetano’s car.
National Bureau of Investigation agents tried to serve the ICC arrest warrant, but dela Rosa darted toward a narrow stairway into the Senate plenary hall and sought the help of allied senators, who took him into protective custody.
CHAIYAPHUM — 15 May 2026, Thai and British palaeontologists have identified a new species of long-necked dinosaur believed to be the largest ever discovered in Thailand and Southeast Asia, researchers said.
The dinosaur, named Nakha Titan Chaiyaphumensis, was identified from fossil remains unearthed in Chaiyaphum province in northeastern Thailand.
The right upper arm bone measuring 178 centimetres in length.
Researchers estimated the plant-eating sauropod measured about 27 to 30 metres in length and weighed more than 26 tonnes.
The discovery was announced by Sita Manitkul, a researcher at the Palaeontological Research and Education Centre of Mahasarakham University, who led the study of the new species.
The rib bone, with Mr. Thanom, the first founder of the fossil.
Scientists examined more than 20 fossil fragments, including a right upper arm bone measuring 178 centimetres in length, as well as ribs and hind leg bones exceeding 2 metres.
Researchers said the dinosaur belonged to the Titanosauriformes group, a branch of giant sauropods that lived during the Early Cretaceous period around 100 million to 115 million years ago.
Dr. Sita Manitkul, a researcher at the Palaeontological Research and Education Centre of Mahasarakham University.
The name “Nakha Titan” combines “Nakha,” referring to the mythical serpent of Thai folklore, and “Titan,” the giant figures of Greek mythology. The species name “Chaiyaphumensis” honours Chaiyaphum province, where the fossils were discovered.
The fossils were first noticed in 2016 by a local resident in Ban Phanang Suea village before the discovery was reported to Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources.
Dr. Sita Manitkul with two leg bones.
Subsequent excavations by government geologists and palaeontologists uncovered more than 20 fossil pieces, including vertebrae, pelvic bones and the unusually large humerus.
Some of the fossils are now preserved at the Sirindhorn Dinosaur Museum in Kalasin province, while the excavation site has been developed into a local dinosaur learning centre.
The study team of the new species.
The research project later received support from the National Geographic Society under a programme focused on studying Thailand’s largest dinosaur discoveries and promoting education in Chaiyaphum Geopark communities.
Researchers said the discovery provides important evidence about prehistoric ecosystems, biodiversity and the evolution of giant land animals on Earth before the emergence of humans.
CPF reported a net profit of THB 4.875 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 349% from Q4 2025, as the meat oversupply situation began to ease. Overseas operations accounted for 65% of total sales.
Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) reported Q1 2026 sales revenue of THB 136.697 billion, down approximately 5% year-on-year, mainly due to the impact of foreign exchange translation from overseas operations into Thai baht. Operations across 13 countries generated about 65% of total sales, with Vietnam ranking as the second-largest revenue contributor after Thailand, accounting for 18% of total revenue.
Mr. Prasit Boondoungprasert, Chief Executive Officer of CPF, said the company’s first-quarter performance showed clear signs of recovery from the meat oversupply situation seen at the end of last year. The improvement reflected effective business management and continuous efficiency enhancement measures. However, operations in China remained affected by significant pork oversupply, causing performance to fall short of target.
CPF continues to operate amid external challenges, including rising energy prices driven by conflicts in the Middle East, which have pushed up transportation, packaging, and animal feed raw material costs. At the same time, the sluggish global economy, weaker consumer purchasing power, and more cautious spending behavior have added further pressure, with the potential to trigger deflationary conditions in several markets.
To mitigate volatility and sustain profitability, CPF is strengthening its integrated supply chain management while accelerating the development of ready-to-eat food products to meet rising consumer demand for convenience. The company has expanded this segment in several countries and sees strong growth opportunities in Vietnam.
Compared with the same period last year, CPF’s net profit declined by around 43%, mainly due to pork oversupply in several countries and weaker consumer demand. However, market balance has continued to improve and is expected to become clearer in the second half of 2026.
