Four political parties submitted an urgent motion to address urban rail transport safety issues. A Democrat Party MP advised the Prime Minister to perform a new ritual blessing of an amulet, questioning whether the Prime Minister's practice of binding an amulet around his waist might be causing accidents.

At 1:30 p.m. on May 20, 2025, during a House of Representatives session chaired by First Deputy Speaker Mallika Jiraphunthawanich, representatives from four parties—Bhumjaithai, Pheu Thai, Move Forward, and Democrat Party—verbally submitted an urgent motion. The motion requested the House to study and develop solutions to improve safety standards in urban rail transport and provide compensation to victims affected by the recent accident involving a train collision with a public bus at the Asok-Din Daeng intersection on May 16.

After the representatives explained their rationale, the floor was opened for debate. Pitthakit Detdetecho, a Democrat Party MP representing Nakhon Si Thammarat, raised several critical safety concerns, including: (1) Substandard railroad infrastructure and grade-level crossings with faulty signal systems; (2) Staff errors and failure to follow safety protocols strictly; (3) Reckless driving and signal violations by vehicle operators; (4) Law enforcement issues; and (5) Lack of coordination between rail authorities and local governments. He emphasized the need for urgent victim compensation and systematic reforms to prevent recurrence.

"With great concern, I see events that shouldn't happen actually happening—like landslides, major floods, train collisions, and border instability. Like the Prime Minister, based on real experience, I don't know if the ritual amulet he brought to bless is correct or not. The way the Prime Minister ties an amulet cord around a replica amulet—I'm unsure if this is making the amulet uncomfortable, causing these disasters. I urge the PM to fix this and perform a new blessing. I'm worried these bad events will keep repeating," Pitthakit said.

Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Lawon Saengsinit announced that the Thai Help Thai Plus crisis relief program will comfortably accommodate 30 million 60/40 welfare entitlements during registration. He expressed confidence in sufficient entitlements based on previous programs like the 50/50 scheme and Shop-Taste-Use initiative, which peaked at 28 million registrants. This round raises the age requirement to 18 years old, up from the previous 16-year threshold, as the program targets working-age individuals to alleviate living costs rather than stimulate economic growth like previous initiatives.

Registration will run May 25-29 through the Krung Thai Bank's Pao Tang application, with officials confident the system will not crash due to experience with similar campaigns. An estimated 13.2 million existing welfare cardholders will receive immediate benefits without re-registering for two months, during which new eligibility criteria will be refined to ensure truly low-income individuals qualify. Officials are developing these new criteria for Cabinet approval before opening registration for new welfare cardholders, with some previously ineligible groups expected to gain access while those losing welfare status will receive 60/40 benefits instead.

Data from new welfare cardholder registrations will be stored for future benefit consideration. Regarding the 400 billion baht government borrowing authorization, livelihood support and energy transition spending can proceed simultaneously, though no agencies have yet submitted energy transition projects—submissions are expected within 1-2 weeks for screening committee review.

The police spokesman announced on May 20, 2025, that the Crime Suppression Division found no Chinese illegal gambling den in central Yaowarat after investigating claims circulating on social media that such an operation existed in a shopping mall's 10th-floor parking structure on Mangkorn Lane in Yaowarat. Deputy Police Chief Trairat Phiwphan stated that the National Police Chief had ordered an immediate investigation and pledged strict enforcement if the allegations proved true. The investigation team reviewed CCTV recordings and conducted an on-site inspection with the location owner's cooperation, ultimately finding no evidence of any gambling operation. The National Police Chief has now instructed all police units to implement surveillance measures and warned that any areas found negligently allowing illegal gambling or other lawbreaking activities will face immediate penalties under Royal Thai Police Regulation 1212/2537, with no exceptions.

Homesick conscripts flee camp, steal motorcycle, fail drug testLegacyTwo reportedly homesick conscripts who had been in training for just 18 days were arrested yesterday, May 19, after allegedly fleeing a military camp in Udon Thani and stealing a woman’s motorcycle. The theft happened at about 6.10pm on May 17 on Mittraphap Road in Non Sung subdistrict, Mueang district. The 22 year old woman had parked the motorcycle with the key left inside before two men, reportedly dressed in military uniforms, rode away on it. CCTV footage reportedly showed the pair taking the motorcycle and fleeing towards central Udon Thani. The victim ran after them and called for help but could not catch them before filing a complaint with police. Photo via Khaosod Military trainers later found the pair at a home in Fao Rai district, Nong Khai province, after police contacted their supervisors. Officers recovered the motorcycle, worth 181,900 baht, and seized a pink bicycle the pair allegedly borrowed after leaving the camp and left about 15 metres from the theft scene. The two men, aged 22 and 20, reportedly admitted escaping from the camp by climbing over a rear fence. They told police they had volunteered for military service and had been in training for only 18 days before leaving because they missed home. Photo via Khaosod They said they first planned to travel to the older suspect’s home before changing plans and heading to the younger suspect’s home in Nong Khai. They claimed they waited for a bus for more than an hour, but none arrived. Police said the older suspect then saw the motorcycle parked with the key still inside and rode away with the younger suspect. The pair allegedly drove the motorcycle to Nong Khai, where military officers and trainers detained them the following morning. The suspects reportedly apologised to the victim and said they had not intended to steal the motorcycle permanently. They claimed they planned to return it later. Photo via Khaosod Khaosod reported that they also admitted taking two methamphetamine pills each before being detained. Police later tested their urine, with both results coming back positive. The pair were charged with theft using a vehicle to facilitate the crime and illegal use of a Category 1 narcotic. In similar news, the Royal Thai Army admitted that eight soldiers physically assaulted three conscripts at Sura Dham Pithak Military Camp in Nakhon Ratchasima, resulting in one conscript being beaten to death. The story Homesick conscripts flee camp, steal motorcycle, fail drug test as seen on Thaiger News.

Heavy rain from early morning left a 20-baht curry shop unable to make any sales, leaving about 100 bags unsold. When the local abbot learned of the situation, he purchased all 100 bags and had them distributed free to residents in the community. The vendor was touched by the gesture, which at least allowed her to recover enough to buy ingredients for the next day's sales.

On May 20, reporters received word that a 20-baht rice and curry shop in Pan Thong Subdistrict, Pan Thong District, Chachoengsao Province announced through loudspeaker that it was giving away 100 bags of curry for free. On-site inspection found numerous residents lining up to receive the free curry, which came in various menu options with no limits.

Ms. Nid, 42, the curry vendor, revealed that heavy rain since early morning prevented her from making any sales, leaving her with approximately 100 bags. Phrakhru Thawarasatthakun, abbot of Wat Woraphrot Sangkhavas Temple, learned of the heavy rain and called to ask if business was good. She replied that it wasn't at all and that she had about 100 bags left. The abbot then purchased all 100 bags and had his disciples post an announcement to distribute them to community members.

The abbot is known for his great compassion and this isn't the first time he's done this. Whenever it rains heavily in the morning, he calls to check on business. If sales are poor and there's excess inventory, he arranges for free distribution to the community. The vendor is grateful for his help, as it allows her to recover enough capital to buy ingredients for the next day's sales.

Her curry sells for only 20 baht per bag, with virtually no profit margin since she prices it so affordably. But she maintains this price to help support residents and factory workers who live hand to mouth.

On May 20, 2025, Wan Muhammadnoor Matha, advisor to the Prachathai Party and chairman of the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee, posted on Facebook regarding the death of Kamlasak Leewamoh, also known as Wayuhaeh, a Prachathai MP from Narathiwat. Wan Noor stated that this loss extends beyond family grief—it strikes at the heart of the Muslim community and all people who value justice. The assassination reflects alarming injustice permeating society that affects not just a few individuals but the entire population. While Muslims have historically suffered injustices in silence, recent prayers and solidarity shown in Narathiwat mosques signal a awakening that one person's suffering is everyone's suffering. Wan Noor emphasized that although some perpetrators have been arrested, society demands to know: who ordered this killing? Who is the mastermind behind the darkness? Those who authorize the murder of a people's representative without fear of God represent tyranny akin to pharaohs in history and must be exposed and held accountable. He called on anyone with information—whether publicly or anonymously—to come forward, as justice cannot prevail while society remains silent from fear. In developed societies, people readily stand as witnesses and protect truth, but in Thailand, many choose silence out of fear. He urged society to change this mindset, emphasizing that allowing injustice today could bring it to one's own doorstep tomorrow.