On May 19, 2025, special suppression police from Muang Rayong Police Station, working with provincial rangers, arrested 43-year-old Thongdee, also known as 'Geng Thongsoe,' a Saraburi native. Officers seized 195.16 grams of crystal methamphetamine and his urine tested positive for drug use. The arrest followed public complaints about illegal drug sales at a rental house in Pak Nam Subdistrict, where teenagers and laborers were constantly coming and going.

After continuous investigation, authorities determined that Thongdee operated as a mid-level drug distributor, receiving crystal meth and reselling it to teenagers and workers in Muang Rayong and surrounding areas. He conducted transactions via phone and chat applications, arranging deliveries at rental rooms, street corners, and roadsides to evade capture. He frequently changed delivery locations to avoid police surveillance. Officers gathered evidence and executed a search warrant before making the arrest.

Thongdee confessed that all the seized methamphetamine was his. He stated he purchased approximately 400 grams at a time from someone named 'New Petchbun' at 10,000 baht per unit, then resold individual grams to customers at 16,000 baht per gram. He claimed he used the drug proceeds to pay debts and personal expenses through phone-coordinated transactions.

Authorities have charged Thongdee and are pursuing the drug supply network and sources of the narcotics.

On May 19, a 40-year-old mother brought her 18-year-old daughter to Mueang Udon Thani Police Station to file a complaint against a 38-year-old man named Nai Nod, accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting the teenager at a residence in Ban Dong Kaeng, Ban Chan subdistrict. The case is being investigated by Lt. Adulshai Khao Kham of Mueang Udon Thani Police Station.

The victim tearfully recounted that the first assault occurred on the evening of April 12 when she was 17 years old. After showering, her uncle called her over, then dragged her into the bathroom and forcibly assaulted her. Following this incident, she was raped a total of six times, with the most recent occurrence on May 7. Each time, the perpetrator threatened to kill her and her entire family if she told anyone, causing her to live in constant fear and silence.

Unable to endure the trauma alone, the teenager decided to confess to her mother but was afraid her uncle would discover her attempt. She resorted to writing a secret letter on paper, claiming it was a new phone number, and handed it to her mother. When the mother read the letter at home, she was shocked to discover the details of the sexual assaults and pregnancy.

The mother immediately retrieved her daughter and heard the full account. The victim explained she had never dared tell anyone because of the threats, and because the perpetrator was her own uncle—a family member who had helped raise her since childhood. She never imagined he would commit such terrible acts.

The mother purchased a pregnancy test kit, which showed a positive result with two lines, indicating pregnancy. However, she decided to file the police complaint before seeking medical confirmation to ensure swift legal action against the perpetrator. She vowed to pursue the case fully and refused any settlement or communication with the accused, fearing he might flee or tamper with evidence.

When police went to Nai Nod's house, he was not present. Journalists who visited the residence interviewed Nai Nod's 61-year-old mother, Khun Nee. She acknowledged knowing about the assault accusations and that her son had been charged, noting that the evidence appeared quite clear since her granddaughter had lived with them for an extended period.

Nai Nod's mother stated that seven family members shared the house, including herself, her husband, her daughter, Nai Nod, two other grandchildren, and an elderly grandmother. She claimed that during the alleged incidents, she was home as usual but noticed nothing unusual and heard no cries for help or quarreling. When asked if she believed the accusations, she admitted that given the circumstances and the victim's supporting evidence, she had to accept the situation.

According to Reuters on May 19, authorities are investigating a shocking incident in California following a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, May 18 at approximately 11:40 a.m. local time. Two male teenagers, ages 17 and 18, opened fire and killed three victims: one security officer and two other men. One suspect was found dead in a parked vehicle on the street, believed to have died by self-inflicted gunshot. San Diego Police Commander Scott Wahl stated that police and the FBI are investigating the incident as a hate crime, though no confirmed motive has been identified. Wahl disclosed that the mother of one of the two suspects called police approximately two hours before the shooting occurred, reporting that her son—who had suicidal tendencies—had fled home with three guns and their vehicle. She added that her son was with another friend and both were dressed in camouflage clothing. Police immediately began pursuing both teenagers and dispatched officers to nearby shopping centers and the suspect's high school as a precaution. However, they soon received notification of the shooting at the mosque. Authorities stated they recovered a letter the suspect left for his mother but refused to disclose its contents.

The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok released a statement on May 19, 2025, urging the Thai government to accelerate its investigation into four police officers accused of extorting ransom money and unlawfully detaining Chinese nationals in Sa Kaeo Province. The embassy's spokesperson emphasized that the matter has received the highest priority, with the embassy immediately contacting relevant Thai authorities for case details and demanding that an investigation be conducted legally, fairly, and transparently with swift action to identify facts and bring all wrongdoers to justice. China strongly hopes Thailand will strengthen law enforcement oversight and domestic security to better protect the lives, property, and legitimate rights of Chinese citizens in Thailand, while maintaining a favorable environment for people-to-people exchanges and China-Thailand cooperation. The Chinese Embassy has also issued a warning to Chinese citizens residing in or planning to travel to Thailand to strictly comply with Thai laws and regulations, heighten security awareness, report emergencies to police promptly, and contact the embassy or consulate general for assistance when needed.

Thailand's men's sepaktakraw singles team secured a hard-fought 2-1 set victory over Myanmar to successfully reclaim the world championship at the ISTAF Sepaktakraw World Cup 2026 held at Titiwangsa Stadium in Malaysia on May 19. The team had previously advanced past Malaysia in the semifinals. The Thai squad featured three main players—Pornthep Thin Bangbon (server), Jatupol Siri-art, and Mruekint Phan Mokorn—with reserves Kritsanaphong Nonthakoht and Thanapol Sap-yen on the bench. Thailand dominated the opening set with an impressive 15-8 victory to take a 1-0 set lead, but Myanmar rallied in the second set to claim a narrow 15-13 win and level the match at 1-1. The decisive third set saw Thailand secure an emphatic 15-7 victory to clinch the world title, bouncing back after losing this championship to Malaysia two years prior. Thailand still has another team event to compete in, with the men's team division still pending.

A grieving family lit incense and invited a monk to perform a spirit-calling ceremony for Thanatphipat Khiaovijit, known as 'Nong Khanu,' a 22-year-old victim of a train-bus collision, then transported the body for merit-making at Wat Khlong Neung temple in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province. At 6:45 PM on May 19, 2026, near the Soi Asok and Kamphaengphet 7 railway intersection close to the Airport Rail Link Makkasan station—where the train-bus collision occurred—the victim's father Santi Khiaovijit, 48, accompanied by his wife and other family members, received the deceased's body from the Police Hospital's forensic institute. They then invited a Buddhist monk to perform the spirit-calling ritual at the accident site before returning the body to Wat Khlong Neung temple for merit-making ceremonies. As the monk performed the ritual, placing ritual objects on white cloth to invoke the spirit, family members lit incense amid a somber atmosphere.