On May 20, 2025, social media users shared video clips and accounts from a TikTok user describing a join-tour diving experience near Koh Laan in Pattaya, Chonburi Province that ended in disaster when they encountered severe waves and a sudden storm at sea, sparking criticism over marine tourism safety protocols.

Other social media users claiming to have been present reported that many tourists were forced to help themselves because there were insufficient staff to assist, while some staff responses were considered inappropriate, generating further online backlash.

According to the original poster, she traveled to Koh Laan with her sister from another province and decided on May 4 to purchase a join-tour diving package as no other tour options were available. She recounted that after the boat reached the diving site, everyone entered the water normally without any weather warnings or storm alerts, despite already visible high waves and strong winds.

Approximately 10 minutes after entering the water, a staff member supervising tourists swam back to the boat and announced an incoming storm. A nearby tour boat immediately brought its tourists out of the water, but her group was left floating in the sea. As waves intensified, tourists struggled to climb aboard an increasingly rocking vessel while life buoys were swept away by waves, causing some to exhaust themselves fighting the currents and swallow seawater.

The woman reported that when her sister sought help from a jet ski operator, she was told to hold onto a buoy—even as strong waves pulled her underwater. She eventually released the buoy and swam to another boat by herself. The poster and her boyfriend were swept toward another vessel, where they were safely rescued. She acknowledged the experience as "a moment of life and death" as the wind continuously intensified, though rain had not yet fallen heavily.

The poster noted that despite many children participating in the marine activities that day, there were no clear evacuation warnings or orders. Some families kept their children clinging to floating toys in the sea unaware a storm was approaching.

Only after rain began and the storm worsened did jet ski operators gradually retrieve children back to boats, with some crying in shock. The poster called for marine tourism operators to enhance safety measures, including advance weather alerts, appropriate staff-to-tourist ratios, and timely emergency response protocols.

While no injuries or fatalities occurred, she expressed disappointment and noted she had not received any apology or explanation from boat staff or dive trip coordinators since the incident.

KANCHANABURI — May 20, 2026: A car collided with a wild elephant and burst into flames on a major highway in Kanchanaburi province, killing a 70-year-old man and injuring two others, police said.

On Wednesday, the Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Lat Ya Police Station reported that the accident occurred on Highway 323 heading toward Mueang Kanchanaburi District in Moo 9, Wang Dong Sub-district at approximately 9 p.m. Tuesday. Emergency responders, including medical personnel from Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital, forensics units, Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary officials, and rescue workers, quickly arrived at the scene.

Despite streetlights in the area, the crash site was poorly illuminated. Authorities found a Toyota Corolla with Kanchanaburi plates on the roadside, its front completely demolished by impact. Fire spread rapidly from the crushed engine compartment through the passenger cabin before firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Chukiat, a 70-year-old passenger, was found dead in the front seat and later transferred to Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital. Two others were injured: driver Charn, 64, and rear-seat passenger Supanutt, 74. The damaged vehicle was towed to Lat Ya Police Station for further investigation.

Investigations revealed the vehicle driven by Charn was traveling from Sai Yok District toward downtown Kanchanaburi when, in complete darkness, one or more wild elephants from Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary crossed the highway. The elephant had left the protected forest, crossed the Khwae Yai River, and ventured onto the road in search of food. While the vehicle was completely destroyed, the elephant's condition following the crash remains unknown.

Wildlife collisions are common on Highway 3199, which connects Kanchanaburi to Si Sawat, but this marks the first recorded fatal incident of its kind on Highway 323.

Gold prices on May 20, 2026 have seen a sharp decline across all 10 announcements released by the Gold Traders Association today. The latest announcement marks the 10th update, with ornamental gold selling at 70,050 baht per gram. Compared to yesterday's close on May 19, ornamental gold has dropped 950 baht per gram. According to the Gold Traders Association's official website update at 10:08 AM, gold bars are quoted at 69,050 baht per gram for buyback and 69,250 baht per gram for selling. Ornamental gold (96.5% purity) is offered at 67,674.24 baht per gram for buyback and 70,050 baht per gram for selling. Global gold spot prices currently stand at $4,464.00 per ounce. Throughout the day's 10 announcements, prices have continuously declined, with ornamental gold starting at 70,400 baht per gram in the first announcement and falling to 70,050 baht per gram by the 10th. Industry experts predict that gold prices may surge 1,000-2,000 baht per gram when markets open tomorrow, potentially breaking through 80,000 baht per gram.

King Eggs has partnered with Advance Vending, a subsidiary of Advance Web Service Public Company Limited, to launch an automated egg vending machine business targeting 10,000 locations within three years. Chanuwat Sivamokkh, chairman of King Eggs (Thailand) Limited, explained that the "Farm to Table" model through "King Eggs Vending Machine" elevates fresh egg sales using smart technology, connecting consumers directly with the farm and reducing supply chain complexity to meet the lifestyle needs of urban consumers seeking freshness, convenience, and ease.

The company has already installed 100 machines across Bangkok condominiums and communities with positive reception, and plans to grow the vending machine business to approximately 10% of company revenue initially. Egg packages are sold in portions of 2 eggs for 17 baht, 6 eggs for 48 baht, and 10 eggs for 79 baht, with a promotional campaign offering eggs at 1 baht per egg to introduce customers to fresh farm eggs.

Sivamokkh noted that the company invested comprehensively in machine infrastructure, backend systems, quality control, stock refill systems, inventory tracking, and consumer experience. The company utilizes IoT technology to manage farm environments and vending machines in real-time, monitoring conditions from farm to transport to machine status and inventory levels. The business also emphasizes GMP and HACCP standards throughout production, sorting, packaging, transport, and distribution, enabling full traceability and assuring consumers of clean, fresh, safe products.

Viroj Siriratanarak, CEO of Advance Web Service Public Company Limited, noted that the partnership with King Eggs exemplifies how technology elevates Thai agriculture for modern consumers. He stated that automated vending machines are evolving beyond simple retail into Smart Retail Platforms that seamlessly connect producers and consumers, offering 24-hour access while meeting consumer demands for quality, cleanliness, freshness, and product transparency.

As of May 20, 2569, the Forensic Institute at Police Hospital has updated the list of six confirmed victims from the train-bus collision on Route 206 at the Makkasan railway crossing and Asoke-Din Daeng intersection. The identified victims are: 1. Thanatphipat Khiavwijit (Khanun), 22, a third-year student at Silpakorn University studying Information Technology; family has claimed the body. 2. Wipharuk Phaephuri (Nong Rose), 25, a former media studies graduate from Kasetsart University working as a graphic designer and part-time music pub owner in the Bangna area; family has claimed the body. 3. Ueang Manocharm, 66; family has claimed the body. 4. Thiam Puangyot, 57, a housemaid at a company in the Pratunam area; family claimed the body today. 5. Ms. Aye Aye Myint, 36, a Myanmar national; family is in the process of claiming the body today. 6. Theekha Theekhautamakorn (Thane), 33, a private sector employee; family is in the process of claiming the body today. All six victims' families have been issued documentation by Makkasan Police Station to claim the bodies. Two additional bodies remain under identification, with one family currently en route from Chiang Mai to provide DNA samples for comparison. One victim remains unidentified with no family contact yet, and authorities are urging any families with missing persons to contact the Forensic Institute at Police Hospital 24 hours a day.

Chaiyachonok Denies Newin's Involvement in Constitution Drafting After Padipat's Jab at Chidchob Family; Phraradt Asks 'Who is Mor Ong' - At 8:50 AM on May 20, 2569 at Government House, Chaiyachonok Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society and secretary-general of Phum Jai Thai Party, responded to comments by Padipat Santiphada, former first deputy speaker of Parliament, who suggested the government's constitution draft proposal was a waste of time and proposed appointing Newin and his family to write it instead. Chaiyachonok said he was uncertain about the intentions behind such comments. He emphasized that the constitutional amendment process is intended to maximize benefits for the nation and guaranteed his lack of involvement in the drafting, noting instead that an experienced team is overseeing the effort. He added he was simply providing his perspective as he wasn't sure how else to respond. Meanwhile, Phraradt Parisnanantkul, Prime Minister's Office Minister and Ang Thong MP from Phum Jai Thai Party, smiled when media asked about the issue before asking in return, 'Who is Mor Ong?' After being informed Padipat was the former first deputy speaker, Phraradt smiled and said 'Oh, I see.'