In a world first, the Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University successfully used the HugoTM robotic system to perform liver surgery harvesting from a living donor, marking a major milestone in Thai liver transplantation.

At 9:30 AM on May 27, 2025 on the 15th floor of the Chaleam Phrakiat Building at Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Medicine, Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narendra Chotiros announced the successful use of the HUGO robotic system for living donor liver surgery. The surgical team was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vorkitti Labhpisetkpun and Dr. Asara Thepbancharchai, professors in the Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery at CMU's Faculty of Medicine.

The patient, Kanyanpha Panyanoi (U'm I'm), along with her mother Nan U, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and medical team who successfully treated her liver disease. U'm I'm shared her emotional journey, revealing that before surgery she had told her mother to be mentally prepared, as she wasn't certain she would see her again. She also expressed a simple hope to taste iced tea again and understand its flavor. "I finally got to taste iced tea today, and it was delicious," she said. U'm I'm concluded by expressing her determination to become a doctor herself, so she could treat patients and help them recover as her own doctors had helped her.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vorkitti Labhpisetkpun and Dr. Asara Thepbancharchai announced that CMU's Faculty of Medicine has achieved a significant advancement in international surgical practice. The transplant surgical team successfully used the HugoTM Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) system to perform robotic-assisted living donor left hepatectomy (removal of the left lobe from a living donor) for transplantation to patients with cirrhosis, both in pediatric and adult patients. Two cases have been successfully completed in Thailand.

This achievement marks the world's first use of the HugoTM robotic system for living donor liver surgery and Thailand's first robotic-assisted liver transplant from a living donor. This represents an innovative application of robotic technology to highly complex surgical procedures requiring exceptional precision and skill, thereby enhancing safety for both donors and recipients.

The first case involved a 40-year-old mother who donated liver to save her 9-year-old daughter, who suffered from congenital biliary atresia (narrowing of the bile ducts from birth). The daughter had undergone a Kasai procedure in infancy to create an alternative bile drainage route, but later developed severe cirrhosis complicated by portal hypertension and hepatopulmonary syndrome, which affected her respiratory system causing low blood oxygen levels requiring home oxygen support. Liver transplantation was medically indicated to improve her chances of long-term survival and quality of life.

The medical team planned a living donor liver transplant in which the mother underwent HugoTM robotic-assisted left hepatectomy, making it the world's first use of the HugoTM system for living donor liver harvest and Thailand's first such robotic-assisted procedure for liver transplantation.

The second case involved a 27-year-old daughter who donated liver to save her 61-year-old father.

At 11:35 a.m. on May 27, 2025, at Parliament, Senator Pisit Abhiwattanapongse commented on the People's Party's plan to submit a constitutional amendment draft that would have Constitutional Charter Assembly members selected through elections, stating he believes this approach risks conflicting with the Constitutional Court's ruling.

Regarding the first reading consideration, Pisit explained that voting to accept the draft does not preclude later amendments, but rejecting it outright would mean rejecting the entire draft. Therefore, he believes both the House and Senate should prioritize public interest by voting to accept constitutional amendment drafts from all political parties, as no draft is 100 percent perfect—all have strengths and weaknesses with provisions that can be applied.

When asked whether he still maintains that charter drafters should not come from elections, Pisit affirmed his position is based primarily on the Constitutional Court's ruling, which clearly stipulates that direct public selection is not permitted. Given legislators have a duty to filter legislation, the court's ruling must be considered paramount.

On concerns that non-elected charter drafters could lead to backroom dealing, Pisit questioned whether representatives in the House of Representatives represent the people, arguing that parliamentary authority to appoint charter drafters is already legitimate. He rejected the People's Party's alternative proposal—having the public elect candidates first, then having parliament select from them—saying the first step alone violates the ruling, and having parliament choose from publicly-elected candidates is not an indirect method. He urged against confusing the public on this matter, as it ultimately constitutes direct election.

At 9:00 AM on May 27, 2026, the Bangkok Southern Criminal Court delivered its verdict in the defamation case brought by lawyer Kung against former actress Pu Mantana. The court sentenced Pu Mantana to 2 years imprisonment with a 2-year suspension, a fine of 80,000 baht, damages totaling 100,000 baht, a requirement to publish an apology in newspapers for 7 days, and payment of 10,000 baht in legal fees. Previously, on April 22, 2026, the Phra Nakhon District Court convicted Pu Mantana of fraud in a separate case brought by Lokmee Rasmi Thongsiripraisri and associates, sentencing her to 2 years without suspension, with the sentence to run consecutively with this defamation conviction. That fraud case involved alleged damages exceeding 3 million baht.

The Royal Gazette has officially announced the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand's (MRTA) new fare structure for the MRT Blue Line, with prices ranging from 17 baht to 44 baht based on the number of stations traveled, effective July 3, 2026.

The new fare breakdown is as follows: - 1 station: 17 baht - 2 stations: 20 baht - 3 stations: 22 baht - 4 stations: 25 baht - 5 stations: 27 baht - 6 stations: 29 baht - 7 stations: 32 baht - 8 stations: 34 baht - 9 stations: 37 baht - 10 stations: 39 baht - 11 stations: 42 baht - 12 or more stations: 44 baht

The announcement provides seniors with a 50 percent discount on regular fares, with any fractional amounts rounded up to the nearest full baht. The authority has also established transfer guidelines between different transit lines following a "first entry charge only" principle to reduce costs for passengers using multiple lines.

Exemptions from fares include children with heights not exceeding 120 centimeters and persons with disabilities presenting valid government-issued disability identification cards. Additionally, the MRTA board maintains the authority to determine special ticket products such as monthly passes, package tickets, or additional fare reduction measures to promote public transportation use and support future government policies.

Sithikorn Direkasunthon, chairman and managing director of the Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation for Small and Medium Enterprise (TCGI), revealed that SME credit has contracted for 15 consecutive quarters, with high credit rejection rates remaining a persistent problem. SME entrepreneurs seeking guarantors or collateral and improved access to credit to strengthen cash flow and navigate economic volatility and energy crises have found support through the 'TCGI Quick Big Win' program with a 50-billion-baht guarantee pool launched mid-December 2024. The program functions as a key stimulus mechanism to encourage financial institutions to extend more credit.

Since its launch, the program has demonstrated clear benefits for SMEs, with guarantee amounts reaching 26.048 billion baht as of April 30, 2025, representing a 2.37-fold increase compared to the same period last year. The program addresses all SME segments, including micro and small enterprises and informal traders seeking loans from 10,000 to 1 million baht, featuring free guarantee fees for the first three years, with subsequent years calculated using risk-based pricing to reflect each SME's credit costs.

TCGI is introducing credit scoring tools called 'TCG Score' to assess customer risk levels and reduce financial costs. The program also offers high-rate NPL compensation to help reduce credit costs and encourage greater lending by financial institutions. For SMEs already struggling with NPL status, TCGI provides continued support through the 'TCGI Ready to Help' program, offering debt reduction up to 50%, restructured payments extending up to 7 years with minimum installments of 500 baht, zero interest rates, and the ability to reduce principal before interest.

The measures also support SME traders and informal merchants needing working capital during the government's 'Thai Helping Thai Plus' campaign, which runs from June 1 to September 30, 2025. SME owners facing cash flow shortages, lacking collateral or guarantors, and concerned about operational disruptions can contact TCGI's Financial Advisory Centers for SMEs through LINE OA @tcgfirst for free financial health checks and consultation services.

Palumpum and 10 Former Bangkok Councilors Resign from Pheu Thai to Support 'Working Group' in Bangkok Election Campaign with Full Commitment to Address Issues and Develop Bangkok

On May 27, 2026, Palumpum Viphatphumiprathset, former Bangkok City Councilor from Pheu Thai Party, posted on Facebook announcing his resignation from the party to fully support the Working Group's campaign for Bangkok Metropolitan Council members.

In his statement, he wrote: "Today, I have decided to resign from Pheu Thai with respect, understanding, and goodwill toward one another. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to serve the people with the party's support, both as a Bangkok councilor, Member of Parliament, and in administrative work. I thank Pheu Thai, all seniors, colleagues, and citizens who have supported me throughout this journey. Every period has been a valuable experience that I will always remember with respect and gratitude.

From now on, I will fully support the Working Group's efforts. The Working Group is a coalition of people dedicated to serving the public and ready to cooperate with all sectors to help solve problems and improve Bangkok. I believe that working for Bangkok requires experience, understanding of local areas, and cooperation from many parties to create real solutions. From today onward, I will continue to engage with communities, listen to their concerns, and perform my duties as a working member with full commitment. Thank you for your continued support."

Reporters noted that a total of 10 former Pheu Thai Bangkok councilors have resigned from the party to join the Working Group and maintain their independence in their work.