The Pollution Control Department (PCD) affirms its readiness to open itself fully to corruption investigations, stating that the survey results from the Private Sector Joint Committee (PSJC) represent perception-based information and should not be used to rank government agencies or reflect the country's overall corruption picture.

On May 25, 2025, at the Pollution Control Department, Surin Vorakitdhammrong, Director-General of the PCD, announced the department's assessment of research documents from the PSJC's survey of opinions claiming the PCD received the highest average bribe offers at 102,160 baht per instance. Upon learning of the survey results, the PCD immediately convened nationwide administrator meetings and sent an open letter to the PSJC on May 15, 2025, requesting clarification of data sources, verification methods, and submission of relevant evidence within 7 days. This would allow the PCD to verify whether officials were actually involved in corruption.

The PSJC submitted an explanatory letter outlining survey principles and methodology to the PCD on May 22, along with supporting documents including a survey procedure summary, sample questionnaires, and materials accompanying the public announcement.

Director-General Surin stated that the PCD does not reject corruption investigations; rather, it welcomes thorough examination. Corruption undermines the economy, investment, and public confidence. If officials are found to have violated regulations, the PCD will take decisive disciplinary action without exception. The department has established a working group to review measures and administrative practices at every stage to prevent corruption, particularly in law enforcement and inspection procedures dealing with pollution sources—areas where there is risk of abuse of authority and position.

The PCD Director-General emphasized a key point: the survey results constitute "perception-based data," meaning information reflecting the feelings, beliefs, or experiences of survey respondents during a specific period—not facts verified through formal legal proceedings. Such data should be used to reflect private sector perspectives or confidence trends rather than to conclude that corruption actually occurred at the institutional level.

Reviewing the PSJC's documents, Director-General Surin identified several methodological concerns. The survey classified government agencies into 5 groups and sampled only 26 agencies out of 162 ministry-level agencies nationwide, which the PCD views as insufficiently representative of Thailand's overall civil service system and inadequate for establishing national-level policies on academic grounds.

Additionally, the questionnaire design referenced World Bank guidelines from 1999, which may not align with current roles and missions of many agencies. The sample size comprised only 401 respondents nationwide, surveyed over 16 days by individuals with direct experience—approximately 45 percent, averaging roughly 7 people per agency. Some survey questions appeared leading, such as using phrases like "it is commonly known" or posing negative hypotheticals: if additional payments are not made, processes may be delayed. Furthermore, both online and face-to-face questionnaires were used with different question structures.

According to the PSJC's own explanatory letter, confidence levels and sample error margins reference the overall survey and should not be interpreted as guaranteeing accuracy at the individual agency or sub-issue level. Therefore, the conclusion that the PCD received the highest bribe offers may not accord with research standards and ethics. Director-General Surin noted the PCD's previous cooperative efforts.

Music News: S2 makes a fiery comeback with the new single 'OVERHEAT,' bringing on producer NINO and songwriter Prong Praison.

Following the heartbreak themes of his previous track 'Phra Wrong,' S2 (Nouel Natrat Tangwai) is back stronger than ever with 'OVERHEAT,' a pop-hip-hop fusion that combines full choreography, expressing his identity, determination, and passion in unmistakable ways.

The track features NINO as producer, alongside Prong Praison on songwriting duties.

S2 debuted the live performance of 'OVERHEAT' at his birthday concert 'The Sunset Voyage Concert,' delivering an electrifying stage show that ignited the energy of both MagentaBoy and Horizone fans throughout the venue.

S2 shared his feelings: 'Thank you to everyone who has been with me until today. Four years have passed, and I've worked on developing myself both as a performer and as an artist. I'll continue to give my all in every aspect and strive to be the best version of S2 (Nouel). I hope you'll support my new single OVERHEAT.'

Fans can listen to 'OVERHEAT' on all major music streaming platforms and watch the music video on YouTube at S2 Official.

Foreign motorcyclist arrested on Koh Pha Ngan after leaving Thai doctor in comaLegacyPolice arrested a foreign motorcyclist for a hit-and-run incident on Koh Pha Ngan on Saturday, May 23, that left a Thai doctor in a coma. Colleagues of the injured doctor, Theerasuk “Ton” Kawamatawong, contacted several media outlets seeking justice after the crash, which occurred at about 8.40pm on a road behind the Koh Pha Ngan District Office. CCTV footage shared online showed Ton walking along the left side of the road before being struck from behind by a motorcycle. The footage indicated the road was poorly lit, with illumination coming mainly from a nearby residence. Streetlights in the area appeared not to be operating at the time. According to reports, the rider was a foreign national who left the scene immediately after the collision. Witnesses and passing motorists later assisted the injured doctor and transported him to hospital. Photo via Facebook/ Intirarat Wongtawan Thai media outlets reported that Ton remains in a coma at Bangkok Hospital Samui after suffering severe injuries, including bleeding in the brainstem and significant brain swelling despite undergoing surgery. The case attracted widespread attention on social media before Koh Pha Ngan Police Station officers arrested the foreign suspect on the island yesterday, May 24. Police have not yet publicly released the suspect’s identity or confirmed the charges being pursued. Under Thai law, causing serious injury through reckless driving can carry penalties of up to three years in prison, fines of up to 60,000 baht, or both. Photo via Matichon According to Ton’s colleagues, the doctor regularly travelled to Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan to carry out volunteer medical work. He used his free time to assist local communities while also enjoying the island’s natural surroundings and lifestyle. In another recent case involving a foreign motorcyclist, a Thai teenager was seriously injured in Phuket on May 10 after a foreign rider changed lanes suddenly and collided with the teenager’s motorcycle. The rider reportedly fled the scene and was later seen on CCTV running a red light while escaping. Thai media have not reported any arrest in that case.

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On May 25, 2025, the Facebook page Drama-addict posted a warning about counterfeit gold leaf from China. According to the post, a follower discovered shops selling baking supplies that were stocking Chinese gold leaf products. When the label was scanned and translated, it revealed the product was labeled as decorative gold leaf made from copper—not food-grade gold leaf—yet it was being sold in the food-grade section of stores and apps, with over 10,000 units already purchased.

The page's admin purchased samples for testing and found the price suspiciously cheap at only 20 baht per tube, which would be impossible for authentic gold leaf (genuine food-grade gold leaf at that quantity would cost thousands of baht). Testing revealed the fake product could be rolled into balls or crumbled when rubbed between fingers, unlike genuine gold leaf which disintegrates almost instantly. When burned, the counterfeit product immediately changed color, proving it was not real gold but rather a metal alloy like copper or iron that reacts with oxygen when heated.

The conclusion is that this product is not suitable for food use and is only meant for crafts. However, it is being sold both in physical stores and online as food-grade gold leaf for edible use. The danger is that consuming these products could expose people to heavy metals and toxins. Most alarming is that the checks on shopping apps suggest over 10,000 units have been sold, raising concerns about how many Thai consumers may have already unknowingly ingested these counterfeit products in food and baked goods.

The page is urging relevant authorities to urgently inspect and take action against this dangerous counterfeit product that poses a health risk to Thai consumers.

LAMPHUN — Two major fires broke out within 30 minutes of each other in Lamphun's Muang district on Saturday night, damaging a rice warehouse, several pickup trucks and a wooden building, authorities said.

The first fire was reported at about 9:00 PM on May 24 in the San Mueang area of Muang Nga subdistrict, near a cluster of restaurants and old wooden buildings. Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control by 9:30 PM.

A second fire erupted around 9:30 PM at the warehouse of Pool Panich Lamphun Limited Partnership on Charoenrat Road in Nai Mueang subdistrict. The fire spread rapidly through the warehouse, which stored rice and other goods, prompting authorities to mobilise firefighting teams from across Muang district.

Firefighters spent more than one hour spraying water to contain the blaze before bringing it under control at about 10:50 PM. Several pickup trucks were destroyed in the fire, and the warehouse sustained heavy damage.

Authorities said both fires had been extinguished and no deaths were reported. The cause of the fires and the total cost of the damage remain under investigation by forensic police.