Thai police raid fake cat medicine factory near Bangkok

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16 May 2026, 14:30

Thai police raid fake cat medicine factory near Bangkok

BANGKOK — 16 May 2026, Thai police, livestock officials and food and drug regulators have raided an illegal animal medicine operation accused of importing and diluting unregistered cat medications before selling them online, authorities said.

Investigators seized products and equipment worth more than 1 million baht ($27,000) during a raid at a factory in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok.

The operation was carried out by the Central Investigation Bureau, the Department of Livestock Development and the Food and Drug Administration after complaints about illegal antiviral drugs marketed for treating feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP, in cats.

Authorities said the suspects sold products under the brand name “Emune”, claiming the medicine contained GS-441524, an antiviral compound used in some FIP treatments.

Police said investigators discovered that the operators allegedly increased profits by diluting liquid medicines with water and mixing powdered substances into tablet formulations before repackaging and selling them online through social media pages and websites.

During the raid on 29 April, officers seized dozens of boxed and unpackaged medicine products, pill-making machinery, sealing equipment, chemicals, labels and thousands of empty bottles and packaging materials.

Officials said the products were not registered under Thai drug regulations and were manufactured without quality or safety controls.

Authorities warned that the medicines could pose serious risks to pets because of unknown ingredients, unsanitary production methods and inconsistent concentrations of active substances.

Police said the suspects could face charges under Thailand’s Drug Act, including illegal production, importation and sale of unregistered medicines, as well as unauthorised advertising.

Livestock officials and the Thai FDA warned pet owners and veterinarians to verify whether animal medicines are legally registered before purchasing them, particularly through online platforms.

Search underway after man swept away at Phuket beach

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16 May 2026, 12:46

Search underway after man swept away at Phuket beach

PHUKET — 16 May 2026, Rescue workers in Phuket were searching for a man believed to have been swept out to sea by strong waves at Nai Thon Beach, authorities said.

The incident occurred at about 18:30 on 15 May at the beach in Thalang district during rough monsoon conditions, with waves reported to be more than 2 metres high.

Lifeguards attempted to rescue the man but were unable to reach him because of strong currents and heavy surf, officials said. The search was temporarily suspended at 19:00 before resuming the following morning.

Search teams including local officials, police, lifeguards and rescue foundation personnel later established a command centre at Nai Thon Beach.

Authorities said severe weather conditions continued on 16 May, preventing boats from conducting offshore searches. Rescue workers instead focused on searching rocky areas and stretches of shoreline.

An 18-year-old lifeguard who witnessed the incident said he spotted a man struggling beyond the surf zone while clearing tourists from the beach shortly before sunset.

The lifeguard said he ran to retrieve rescue fins, but the man disappeared before he could return, apparently pulled away by strong currents in an area known for dangerous rip tides.

Officials believe the missing person is a Thai man in his 20s who had arrived at the beach alone.

Authorities said red warning flags had been placed along the beach throughout the day to prohibit swimming because of hazardous monsoon conditions.

Police later discovered a silver Toyota Camry with Chiang Rai licence plates parked near the beach and believe it may belong to the missing man. The vehicle was taken to Sakhu police station as authorities attempted to identify and contact relatives.

10-baht noodles survive in Ratchaburi despite rising costs

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16 May 2026, 11:21

RATCHABURI — 16 May 2026, a noodle vendor in Ratchaburi has continued selling bowls for 10 baht despite rising ingredient and fuel costs, offering one of the cheapest meals still available as inflation continues to affect household spending in Thailand.

The stall, operated by 59-year-old Jiraprapa Chulert, known locally as “Jae Tor,” sits beside a road near the Kobkul Bridge crossing the Mae Klong River in Tha Rab subdistrict, Mueang district. The small cart-based shop attracts students, labourers and local residents seeking low-cost meals.

The shop serves several noodle varieties, including nam tok, a rich Thai-style boat noodle soup, tom yum noodles with a spicy and sour broth, clear soup noodles and yen ta fo, a pink noodle soup made with fermented tofu sauce. All dishes are priced at 10 baht per bowl. Jiraprapa said the price has remained unchanged for about eight years despite repeated increases in the cost of meat, vegetables and other ingredients.

2web 1 — A bowl of 10-baht noodles at Jiraprapa’s roadside stall

She said many of her regular customers are workers and schoolchildren from a nearby school, and raising prices would make meals less affordable for some families.

Jiraprapa said the business now earns far less than it once did because operating costs have steadily increased. After expenses, she said the stall typically brings in around 500 to 600 baht per day, relying on large customer volume rather than profit margins.

She added that the income has helped support three grandchildren through vocational school, although maintaining the 10-baht price has become increasingly difficult as raw material costs continue to rise.

The stall opens daily from 08:00 to 14:00 or until sold out.

Customers at the shop described the noodles as inexpensive at a time when many everyday goods have become more expensive. One customer said two bowls for 20 baht was still enough for a full meal, adding that prices at most food stalls have increased significantly in recent years.

Police investigate alleged abuse of 2-year-old by stepfather

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16 May 2026, 11:01

Police investigate alleged abuse of 2-year-old by stepfather

PHUKET — 16 May 2026, Authorities in Phuket are investigating allegations that a 2-year-old child was physically abused by a stepfather, officials said.

The case was reported in Kathu municipality, where local social welfare officials coordinated with security personnel and the Phuket Children and Family Shelter to provide emergency assistance and assess the child’s condition.

Social welfare officers and municipal officials visited the area and interviewed people connected to the case as part of the investigation.

Authorities said the child’s family had already filed a police complaint at Kathu police station seeking legal action against the alleged abuser.

Officials from the Phuket Children and Family Shelter later took the child to hospital for medical examinations and psychological assessments.

Authorities said information gathered from the examinations and interviews would be used in ongoing child protection proceedings.

Officials said agencies involved would continue monitoring the child’s welfare and provide further assistance to ensure the child’s safety and legal protection.

Motorcycle bursts into flames after crash in Bangkok

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16 May 2026, 09:35

Motorcycle bursts into flames after crash in Bangkok

BANGKOK — 16 May 2026, A motorcycle was destroyed by fire after its rider crashed while trying to avoid a dog that suddenly ran across a road in Bangkok, authorities said.

Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at about 3:00 in Soi Rat Burana 40 in Bangkok’s Rat Burana district.

Firefighters and rescue workers arrived to find a blue Yamaha motorcycle engulfed in flames in the middle of the road. Crews extinguished the fire within about 10 minutes, but the vehicle was completely destroyed.

Authorities said the crash occurred after a dog ran into the rider’s path, causing the motorcycle to lose control, skid along the road and ignite.

The rider, a 55-year-old man, suffered abrasions and other minor injuries. Rescue volunteers transported him to Rat Burana Hospital for treatment.

Chonburi officials raid unlicensed concert venue after noise complaints

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16 May 2026, 09:19

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.

PM meets UNESCO chief, pushes Thai dress for heritage status

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15 May 2026, 20:31

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.

First wife leads wedding procession for husband’s second marriage

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15 May 2026, 20:13

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.

Anutin gathers Thailand’s top tycoons for economy talks

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15 May 2026, 19:56

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.

BamBam Leads “Confession of a Shaman” Debut at Cannes

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15 May 2026, 17:06

BamBam Leads “Confession of a Shaman” Debut at Cannes

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.”

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