At 9:00 AM on May 20, 2025 at Phakdi Bodin Building, Government House, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who also serves as Interior Minister, chaired an integrated public-private sector cooperation meeting to strengthen anti-corruption prevention and suppression efforts, with relevant agencies participating.

The Prime Minister stated that today's meeting represents integrated cooperation between the public and private sectors to enhance anti-corruption prevention. The government acknowledges public concerns based on private sector surveys regarding transparency in government operations by the Joint Private Sector Committee with Three Institutions (CPR). As the head of government and those managing state agencies, he deemed it appropriate to listen to and analyze their additional views to find solutions and continue combating corruption.

The PM emphasized that the government is seriously committed to addressing structural problems, including reforming approval and licensing processes to promote transparency and reduce corruption risks in all forms, accelerating obsolete law reforms, and strengthening Thailand's anti-corruption image domestically and internationally.

Recently, he ordered the establishment of an anti-corruption coordination committee to coordinate cooperation among all sectors for concrete results and to improve the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), though he expressed disagreement with the approach.

Regarding the public sector, he has instructed all agencies to implement policies enhancing transparency in government operations, while requesting strict compliance with relevant laws and regulations. He called for all agencies to adopt modern innovations and technology to ensure transparency and open disclosure of operational information to the public.

The PM noted he had previously been on the side of information requesters, where some requests were granted while others were denied with exceptions. He instructed Deputy PM Phakarun Niyamprapen that if opening data, it should be fully open with no restrictions. Since laws already exist permitting public disclosure, obsolete laws with exemptions must be reformed rather than selectively opening certain information.

This prompted his criticism of the CPI index, which he discussed with the NCPO Secretary-General. If anyone believes a civil servant or prime minister has committed fraud, they need not rely on such metrics but should report to the NACC, NCPO, PPRP, courts, or supervisory agencies with evidence, as criminals inevitably leave traces. He believes the emphasis should be case-by-case, expecting public support and information to trace corruption to its roots, rather than relying on survey-based measurements.

A well-known Northern Thailand spiritual healer has been taken into police custody following charges of indecent assault and endangering a minor. A 32-year-old man and an 18-year-old reported to police that they were sexually assaulted by the spiritual healer, including unwanted touching and sexual acts. After receiving the complaint, the Suppression Bureau launched an investigation and gathered evidence.

Police Colonel Natssakdi Chaowasenjai ordered Deputy Police Colonel Patthanasak Buppasuwan and Lieutenant Colonel Eksit Panseeta to arrest the suspect. Officers successfully apprehended 62-year-old Paisal at his residence in Moo 2, Pa-Pong Subdistrict, Pa Sang District, Lamphun Province on May 20, 2025, at 6:30 AM. The suspect was transferred to the Suppression Bureau's interrogation building for detention processing.

Initial questioning revealed the suspect appeared normal during transport, though he displayed signs of fatigue consistent with his age. A formal press briefing with full case details is scheduled for 10:30 AM at the Suppression Bureau's media room, with Police Colonel Natssakdi Chaowasenjai presiding.

The series Sukuna Hidden Love brings romance as Kan Naphatthorn and Dom Jaruewat perform two tender versions of "Will It Be True Love." VARITDA from Melodic Corner releases the romantic new track "Slow Burner," produced by acclaimed English producer Nick Tsang, who has collaborated with Backstreet Boys, Ed Sheeran, and Charli XCX, with engineering support from Charlie Holmes and Simon Francis. Indie pop band FREEHAND opens their love mode with "Finally She Found," a romantic song born from gratitude. Frontman Khem, who wrote the track, explains: "The lyrics came from people around us and our fans. We're lucky to have supporters cheering us on at various events, encouraging us to reach more listeners. But honestly, just meeting you means everything to us, so I captured that moment in this song." Eighteen-year-old Thai-British singer Moly Groves releases the upbeat indie-pop single "Falling In Love," expressing Gen Z's desire to emphasize that confessing love to someone isn't complicated—if hearts align, just say it directly. The music video was directed by Artee Sarut Liw Kesamsan from band bamm, capturing the adorable chaos of being in love. The series "Sukuna Hidden Love" features Kan Naphatthorn and Dom Jaruewat performing "Will It Be True Love" in two versions with different emotional tones. Kan's version carries a classic Bangkok flavor, while Dom's contemporary pop rendition infuses Soul R&B elements. Gen Z duo PS (Purse and Sydney) from XOXO Entertainment returns with "Breathing Is You (Original by Four-Mod)," the third single from THE TEST OF TIME 2000 project, reinterpreted with a fresh perspective while maintaining the sense of infatuation through their distinctive soft and charming vocals. Hot young artist PUN collaborates with friend MUON for the first time on "Sleep Tonight (Zzz.)," a bonus track from PUN's EP "While I'm Away" produced by UrboyTJ, capturing the lonely feeling of sleepless nights without companionship.

The NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission) has announced support for the K Script Lab project, operating under the Thailand Artists Association, with the goal of fostering entertainment industry collaboration between Thailand and South Korea through internationally-standard screenwriting curriculum.

Official launch with Korean industry leaders broadcast live The project will officially launch at Major Cineplex Ekamai in Bangkok in January 2025, followed by a Precourse Workshop on January 30-31. This workshop will bring together over 500 interested participants for direct learning and exchange with three international instructors from South Korea: Byung-In Kim, Chairman of the Screenwriters' Guild of Korea; Pil Gamsung, director and screenwriter of the award-winning films Bloody Lucky Day and Hostage (2025); and Chulsoo "Charles" Kim, a producer with over 30 years of experience in the Korean entertainment industry. The workshop will be held at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi and Asia Hotel Bangkok.

Two-round competitive selection for 60 final positions Following the Precourse Workshop, the program will open applications for a two-stage selection process. In the first round (February), applicants submit a logline and one-page story online, with 500 applicants narrowed down to 120. The second round (March) requires selected applicants to submit a 3-5 page developed treatment, with the final selection resulting in 60 participants for the main curriculum.

Intensive 21-week course, completely free for all participants All 60 selected participants will enter the Fundamental Module from April to May 2025 at no cost. Classes will be held at Asia Hotel, TK Park, Central World, and Thai Broadcast Television in Bangkok. The curriculum covers screenwriting fundamentals, story structure, character development, pitching package preparation, and Final Draft software training according to international standards, with ongoing monitoring and evaluation by Thai and Korean instructors throughout the course.

Culminating with Pitching Day, a real opportunity for entertainment industry entry Upon course completion, all 60 participants will present their work at the Pitching Day event at Asia Hotel Bangkok, pitching their projects to producers from major film and series production companies. The day concludes with a certificate ceremony in the evening, and all 60 works will be compiled into a portfolio to be presented to the entertainment industry.

On May 20, 2025, social media users shared video clips and accounts from a TikTok user describing a join-tour diving experience near Koh Laan in Pattaya, Chonburi Province that ended in disaster when they encountered severe waves and a sudden storm at sea, sparking criticism over marine tourism safety protocols.

Other social media users claiming to have been present reported that many tourists were forced to help themselves because there were insufficient staff to assist, while some staff responses were considered inappropriate, generating further online backlash.

According to the original poster, she traveled to Koh Laan with her sister from another province and decided on May 4 to purchase a join-tour diving package as no other tour options were available. She recounted that after the boat reached the diving site, everyone entered the water normally without any weather warnings or storm alerts, despite already visible high waves and strong winds.

Approximately 10 minutes after entering the water, a staff member supervising tourists swam back to the boat and announced an incoming storm. A nearby tour boat immediately brought its tourists out of the water, but her group was left floating in the sea. As waves intensified, tourists struggled to climb aboard an increasingly rocking vessel while life buoys were swept away by waves, causing some to exhaust themselves fighting the currents and swallow seawater.

The woman reported that when her sister sought help from a jet ski operator, she was told to hold onto a buoy—even as strong waves pulled her underwater. She eventually released the buoy and swam to another boat by herself. The poster and her boyfriend were swept toward another vessel, where they were safely rescued. She acknowledged the experience as "a moment of life and death" as the wind continuously intensified, though rain had not yet fallen heavily.

The poster noted that despite many children participating in the marine activities that day, there were no clear evacuation warnings or orders. Some families kept their children clinging to floating toys in the sea unaware a storm was approaching.

Only after rain began and the storm worsened did jet ski operators gradually retrieve children back to boats, with some crying in shock. The poster called for marine tourism operators to enhance safety measures, including advance weather alerts, appropriate staff-to-tourist ratios, and timely emergency response protocols.

While no injuries or fatalities occurred, she expressed disappointment and noted she had not received any apology or explanation from boat staff or dive trip coordinators since the incident.

KANCHANABURI — May 20, 2026: A car collided with a wild elephant and burst into flames on a major highway in Kanchanaburi province, killing a 70-year-old man and injuring two others, police said.

On Wednesday, the Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Lat Ya Police Station reported that the accident occurred on Highway 323 heading toward Mueang Kanchanaburi District in Moo 9, Wang Dong Sub-district at approximately 9 p.m. Tuesday. Emergency responders, including medical personnel from Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital, forensics units, Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary officials, and rescue workers, quickly arrived at the scene.

Despite streetlights in the area, the crash site was poorly illuminated. Authorities found a Toyota Corolla with Kanchanaburi plates on the roadside, its front completely demolished by impact. Fire spread rapidly from the crushed engine compartment through the passenger cabin before firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Chukiat, a 70-year-old passenger, was found dead in the front seat and later transferred to Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital. Two others were injured: driver Charn, 64, and rear-seat passenger Supanutt, 74. The damaged vehicle was towed to Lat Ya Police Station for further investigation.

Investigations revealed the vehicle driven by Charn was traveling from Sai Yok District toward downtown Kanchanaburi when, in complete darkness, one or more wild elephants from Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary crossed the highway. The elephant had left the protected forest, crossed the Khwae Yai River, and ventured onto the road in search of food. While the vehicle was completely destroyed, the elephant's condition following the crash remains unknown.

Wildlife collisions are common on Highway 3199, which connects Kanchanaburi to Si Sawat, but this marks the first recorded fatal incident of its kind on Highway 323.