Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin and his team visited Ratchaburi province on May 27, 2026, to monitor operations of agencies under the ministry and deliver policies on natural resource management, environmental protection, water management, land administration, and disaster preparedness.

The inspection was welcomed by Ratchaburi Deputy Governor Phutthapong Suriyasing and attended by Water Resources Director-General Thirachunn Boonsitthi, regional offices, local government organizations, and area officials.

Suchart emphasized that all agencies must integrate work under the "single ministry approach" with people at the center, coordinating efforts across forest care, wildlife protection, water resources, groundwater, pollution, land management, and disaster prevention to deliver concrete, swift, transparent solutions that address public needs.

For forestry operations, he stressed the Forest Department must work with sincerity, stability, and transparency under strict legal principles—right is right, wrong is wrong—while ensuring convenient, swift, and fair public services.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants must strengthen conservation area management, prevent encroachment, care for wildlife, and protect natural resources while building public understanding in local communities.

On water resources, the minister assigned the Water Resources Department to manage and develop sustainable water systems in cooperation with the Groundwater Department to support agriculture, domestic consumption, and establish water sources in the area. He also promoted rainwater harvesting to reduce drought risk and ensure water security.

For land administration, priority was given to implementing community land-for-farming programs under government policy, enabling farmers to secure agricultural livelihoods while participating in forest conservation. This approach reduces forest encroachment, promotes environmentally friendly farming, and supports the green economy and long-term income generation.

The Pollution Control Department and relevant agencies were tasked with closely monitoring and controlling pollution issues—odors, smoke, wastewater, noise, dust, and haze—through appropriate legal action while fostering understanding and coexistence between business, communities, and residents.

Suchart requested Ratchaburi identify suitable wetlands, forests, or natural areas as firebreaks and buffer zones for fire prevention in the western region, integrating risk area data, hot spots, and fuel management approaches to prevent and reduce impacts from wildfires, haze, and PM2.5 on the public.

He encouraged field staff and reiterated that the ministry's mission extends beyond resource management.

At 7:15 a.m. on May 27, 2026, investigators from Wang Khon Daeng Police Station responded to a collision between two trucks on Highway 304 at kilometer 210 near the Phu Thon Shrine emergency exit area. The location is a steep, winding downhill section between Khao Yai and Thab Lan National Parks in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

At the scene, a fully loaded two-trailer rubber truck registered in Chaiyaphum collided with a chicken transport truck registered in Nakhon Ratchasima, causing it to lose control, hit the median barrier, and completely block traffic heading toward Kabinburi. The collision resulted in one fatality—the rubber truck driver identified as Mr. Pornphai (surname withheld)—and two injured persons. Emergency responders from the Sattasamputthatham Foundation rushed the injured to Nadi Hospital.

Initial investigation revealed the rubber truck was traveling from Nong Khai to deliver cargo to Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chonburi. At the downhill section, the truck experienced brake failure, rendering it uncontrollable before it struck the chicken transport truck traveling from Nakhon Ratchasima to a slaughterhouse in Kabinburi.

Traffic authorities from the Department of Highways Region 5, Prachuap Khiri Khan Highway Office, and the Prachuap Khiri Khan Road Safety Command Center coordinated traffic management. The Prachuap Khiri Khan Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office opened a special contraflow lane at kilometer 210+400 to 209+700 to clear backed-up traffic. Authorities expected normal traffic flow to resume by approximately 1:00 p.m. after removing vehicle wreckage.

During a House session on May 27 led by Speaker Sopon Saramung, opposition deputy faction leader Sirikanya Tansukul requested the speaker reconsider his decision to reject the urgent designation for a bill to establish a special committee to oversee the 400 billion baht loan decree. She presented three reasons why she believed the speaker lacked complete information: First, while the speaker said no borrowing has occurred yet, the cabinet already approved various projects on May 19 and was set to begin borrowing this week to distribute funds by June 1. Second, the speaker had cited the Constitutional Court's ongoing review as reason to wait, yet the government was proceeding with spending without waiting for the court's decision. Third, she noted the speaker had applied different standards—declaring the land bridge bill urgent while refusing the same designation for oversight of the 400 billion baht loan.

Opposition faction leader Prissadang Vatcharasindhu responded that while the opposition agrees to cooperate through inter-bloc consultation, Parliament rules clearly state that only the speaker holds authority to determine whether a bill is urgent before it enters the chamber. He questioned what criteria the speaker was using to judge urgency, asking why the land bridge matter qualified as urgent while the loan decree did not.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed understanding for both sides and the committee's reasoning, noting that historically when the Constitutional Court accepts cases, past governments have suspended related actions awaiting the court's ruling. However, he pointed out that the current situation differs—the government appears ready to proceed without waiting for the court's decision, thus creating a genuine need for oversight. He asked whether the speaker could request the committee review the matter again given these changed circumstances.

Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphas has held discussions with leading French companies, positioning Thailand as ready to receive new rounds of investment from around the world, serving as ASEAN's advanced manufacturing and technology base. The Thai government, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, along with relevant cabinet members and the Board of Investment (BOI), met with major French firms including Imeyrs, Thales, and IN Groupe on May 25, 2026, in Paris. The discussions focused on advanced materials for lithium batteries, cybersecurity, and digital identity. Deputy PM Ekniti reiterated Thailand's potential as ASEAN's advanced manufacturing and technology hub, inviting these companies to strengthen Thailand's electric vehicle supply chain, collaborate on cybersecurity infrastructure development, and help establish Thailand as a regional secure identity technology development center. Amid shifting global geopolitics, these investment discussions with leading French companies reflect Thailand's confidence and capability in attracting new waves of global investment, which will serve as a crucial engine for sustainable economic advancement.

At 10:30 a.m. on August 27, 2026, at Parliament, Burhanuddin Samae, a Pattani MP from the Bhumjaithai Party, announced details of an armed attack on a family that resulted in the death of teacher Fatimaah Ya Ngo, wife of Lt. Col. Adul Hayeesulong, and injuries to their 36-day-old daughter outside Prasarn Wittaya Foundation School in Pattani. Speaking on behalf of Pattani MPs and Bhumjaithai Party members in the southern border region, Samae expressed deep condolences and made the following demands: First, he extended heartfelt sympathies to the deceased and injured. Second, he called on military police and security forces in the area to urgently pursue and prosecute the perpetrators according to the law. Third, he condemned the violent attack on innocent civilians, particularly children, women, and families. Fourth, he urged the government and relevant agencies to provide compensation to those affected by this security incident, emphasizing that women and children are not combatants and all civilians deserve humanitarian legal protection.

Samae stressed that conducting an attack in front of a school and children constitutes an inhumane and cruel act that causes severe psychological trauma to the community. He sent condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased teacher.

When asked about violence persisting despite the emergency decree in the area, another Pattani MP, Cossay Mamu, stated that as a local representative, he wants the area in front of schools to be safe zones for children. He noted that terrorists have been targeting vulnerable groups and that local representatives are coordinating with agencies to protect these populations.

Regarding whether security measures need to be increased, Cossay explained that military and administrative authorities have implemented measures throughout the emergency decree period. He acknowledged that perpetrators try to exploit gaps during shift changes but expressed confidence that officials are doing their utmost to protect the community.

CP Extra, operator of the Makro-Lotus wholesale and retail business, is advancing its commitment to "stand by Thai people" through the "Thai Help Thai Plus" program, helping reduce living costs while creating economic opportunities for small business operators, community shops, and SMEs nationwide. The company is opening "Half-Price Market Plus" spaces within Makro-Lotus shopping centers and branches to increase sales channels, generate income, and stimulate grassroots economy. CP Extra emphasizes its role as both a "Happy Mall" and "platform of opportunity" connecting business operators, communities, and consumers to drive inclusive and sustainable Thai economic growth.

Under this initiative, CP Extra supports small business operators, community shops, and local merchants by offering free space to sell goods in Makro and Lotus mall areas across various provinces nationwide. This creates direct consumer access while stimulating grassroots economy circulation within communities. Additionally, Makro-Lotus offers opportunities for business operators to participate in various formats, including community market zones, pop-up shops, food courts, and fair events within branches to create employment, increase income, and expand business opportunities for small business operators throughout the country.

Makro-Lotus is among the retail networks most supporting the "Thai Help Thai Plus" program by offering the most free spaces for the general public in the country. This reflects CP Extra's role extending beyond a wholesale-retail business to become a "platform of opportunity" connecting business operators, communities, and consumers together. The company commits to supporting the grassroots sector continuously under the "Thai Help Thai Plus 60/40" concept, which aims to create mutual benefits for both merchants and Thai consumers nationwide.

Interested business operators and shops can contact Makro and Lotus branches for more details and can check participating branches at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/home or scan the QR Code.