On May 26, 2025, at TK Palace Hotel, Sawaeng Boonmee, secretary of the Election Commission (EC), addressed a petition filed seeking to dissolve the Pheu Thai Party (Pheu Thai). The petition was prompted by comments and interviews from Nattapong Ruangpanyawit, the party's leader, regarding drought mitigation efforts in ways that reportedly alluded to the monarchy and government. The petitioner argued this may violate political party laws and constitute actions hostile to democratic governance.

Sawaeng stated that the matter is currently in administrative processing and must determine whether the statements constitute legal violations. The party dissolution petition process begins with the Political Party Registrar gathering factual evidence. He could not specify how long the review would take, as the petition was just submitted and requires careful consideration.

When asked if a special subcommittee would be established, Sawaeng noted that the EC currently has over 10 party dissolution cases under review. Each new case undergoes preliminary fact-checking to determine if it warrants consideration before being forwarded to the existing fact-checking committee.

Regarding whether Nattapong's actions constitute sedition and whether the EC would apply Constitutional Court standards in preliminary review, Sawaeng said he had not yet reviewed the factual details and would not comment on those issues, as they involve legal questions. He emphasized the EC follows standard procedures for all parties equally.

Sawaeng also reported progress on the Senate election fraud case, stating the EC is reviewing information submitted by its office and expects to bring the matter to a full commission meeting by early next month. Once the case enters the meeting agenda, the 90-day legal deadline for the EC's action begins.

The police chief has ordered all 88 police stations to investigate the assault on Mika Salo, the legendary Finnish Formula 1 driver, 59, who was attacked by a Thai assailant on a motorcycle who slashed his leg with a knife, causing severe lacerations. The victim was visiting Bangkok at the time. International media reported the incident on May 25th. According to a report from the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Command on May 26th, 2569, Police General Siam Bunyasorn, the police commander, has instructed all 88 police stations to investigate the case of Mika Salo being assaulted in Bangkok. The victim was injured in the Thonglor police station area and is receiving treatment at Bangkok Hospital. Deputy Police General Witthawat Shinkhom, commander of Region 5, ordered Pol. Colonel Ratthananth Eakthitikul, superintendent of Thonglor Police Station, along with Pol. Major Nathakitti Jokkhoksong, deputy superintendent of Thonglor, to investigate. However, no report of such an incident has yet been found. The authorities will coordinate with the Finnish embassy to gather additional information about the victim, file a formal complaint, and pursue criminal charges against the assailant.

On May 26, 2025, reporters surveyed the verification process for the second day of the Thailand Help Thailand Plus program at Krung Thai Bank's Bang Nam Priao Branch in Bang Nam Priao District, Samut Prakan Province. Large crowds of elderly citizens and those unable to verify through a mobile app were lined up throughout the morning. Nang Lek Chanthapoht, 74, had left home at 6:00 a.m. and hired a motorcycle taxi from Soi Bang Sai in Muang Samut Prakan District to travel to the bank, hoping to verify her eligibility and receive the program benefits. However, she found a massive queue and had to wait nearly three hours for her turn. When staff checked her phone, they discovered it had no internet connection—it was only a basic calling device with no data plan, as she had never purchased an internet package and didn't know how to use the internet. This prevented her from completing the verification process. Lek expressed frustration, saying she had intended to use the money to support her family and daily expenses, but the complicated procedures and long wait defeated her purpose. She has decided not to participate in this program again, having only once received benefits from the "Khon la Khrun" (People's Half) program before and never qualifying for assistance since.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suthep Thaugsuban made remarks during a breakfast roundtable meeting with MEDEF International at Salon Foch in Paris, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presiding. Suthep noted that this year marks 170 years of diplomatic relations and 340 years of initial contact between Thailand and France, reflecting their enduring friendship and multifaceted cooperation.

In economic and trade matters, bilateral trade exceeded $5 billion annually, with over 290 French companies operating in Thailand and creating more than 45,000 quality jobs. Suthep emphasized Thailand's three guiding principles for strategic partnerships: mutual benefit, high standards and quality, and open and balanced partnerships with all parties. She reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to international standards, transparency, and regulatory alignment, including progress toward OECD membership.

Regarding the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement, Suthep stated Thailand's strong commitment to accelerating negotiations. After nearly two years and eight rounds of talks, the ninth round is scheduled for late June in Brussels. Thailand aims to resolve outstanding issues quickly, projecting the deal could increase bilateral trade by at least 40 percent.

Suthep stressed Thailand's strategic advantages as a "Gateway to ASEAN and Asia," positioned at the center of Asia with key connections along north-south and east-west economic corridors. This makes Thailand an ideal location for foreign companies seeking to expand into ASEAN markets, offering one of the strongest options for French businesses entering the region.

At 10:00 AM on May 26, 2569 (2026) in Meeting Room 501 of the Government House Building 1, Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn and Transport Minister presided over the cabinet meeting in place of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister, who is on an official visit to Paris, France between May 21-27. Several related ministers also accompanied him, resulting in 11 cabinet members being absent from today's meeting, including PM Anutin, Deputy PM Ekniti Nitithanprasap and Finance Minister, Deputy PM Yosthana Wangsawasdi and Higher Education Minister, Deputy PM Sihasak Phuangketkaew and Foreign Affairs Minister, Deputy PM Suphajee Suthammaphan and Commerce Minister, Culture Minister Sabida Thaiseetchart, Public Health Minister Pattana Prompattana, Deputy Transport Minister Sariprecha Bunyamani, Deputy Education Minister Akkanun Kankittinan, Deputy Interior Minister Cheesetsart Thaiseetchart, and Deputy PM Office Minister Suphamas Israpakdi.

At 11:10 AM, Pipat revealed that after the cabinet meeting, he requested postponement of the mobile cabinet meeting (provincial cabinet session) in Hat Yai, Songkhla scheduled for June 8-9 by approximately one month. Consultations had been conducted with the Budget Bureau and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).

Pipat reiterated that this was merely a request to postpone the provincial meeting, but no specific timeframe has been set. Further consultation with the Prime Minister is necessary.

At 9 a.m. on May 26, 2025 at Parliament, Prayut Wachchirasindhu, a list-based MP and deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, explained the meaning of the "blue system" as a political faction exploiting loopholes in the 2017 Constitution. These loopholes allow Senate selection to be self-selecting and disconnected from the public, enabling political groups to manipulate and control Senate votes. By controlling the Senate, they can then control appointments to independent organizations, consolidating power across the executive, legislative, and independent agencies.

When asked if the blue system would complicate constitutional amendments, Prayut said the challenge is real, but the critical factor for success is the voice of 21 million citizens who voted in the referendum demanding a new constitution. They want to escape political factions created through collusion and weak oversight mechanisms.

Asked how 21 million voices can counter the blue system in Parliament, Prayut outlined three ways: First, Pheu Thai representatives will be seated in Parliament as the opposition to scrutinize the process. Second, he believes the 21 million referendum votes will bind all parties to proceed with a new constitution. Third, the public's voice matters for a potential second referendum, since if Bhumjaithai uses its parliamentary majority to push through Article 256 amendments favoring their draft—which risks monopolizing power by concentrating authority with the Senate—and if most citizens reject it in a second referendum, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul should take political responsibility.

Prayut referenced international standards: when governments clearly take a position on referendums and results contradict them, prime ministers typically resign to show accountability, citing the British Brexit referendum example.

When asked if a second referendum campaign against the new constitution draft is possible, Prayut said not to rush to conclusions, as they're currently preparing for the first reading. The goal is aligning the draft with Pheu Thai's three principles and passing the first reading to find common ground in the subcommittee. He insisted the people's voice has meaning: "If Bhumjaithai uses parliamentary majority to make the final draft match theirs entirely..."