A sedan struck a wild elephant on Highway 323 near Kanchanaburi's Muang District on the evening of May 19, with the vehicle catching fire and burning almost entirely. Deputy Superintendent Natthapon Thongsikhaew of Lad Yao Police Station reported that at 9 p.m., officers responded to the scene along with medical staff from Phahol Phol Yuhasena Hospital, wildlife officials, and representatives from the Kan Wildlife Foundation.

The heavily damaged Toyota Corolla was found abandoned along the roadside with its engine compartment engulfed in flames that spread throughout the vehicle. Firefighters extinguished the blaze before discovering the body of 70-year-old Chukiat (surname withheld) in the front left seat. Two other occupants were injured: the driver, 64-year-old Charn (surname withheld), and 74-year-old Suphanutt (surname withheld), who was sitting in the back.

Authorities determined that the driver was traveling on Highway 323 from Thai Yoak toward Muang Kanchanaburi when, in the darkness, a wild elephant from the Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary crossed the Khwae Yai River and onto the highway, causing the collision. The extent of injuries sustained by the elephant remain unknown. This incident represents the first recorded vehicle-elephant collision on Highway 323 in history; similar accidents typically occur on Highway 3199 between Kanchanaburi and Si Sawat.

Mix Pattaya, son of Hom Jokmok, expressed deep regret over not speaking with his father for four years, finally understanding his father's long-sighted vision after the rift was resolved.

Recently, the talk show 'Tee Taikhruakrua' featured Hom Jokmok opening up about the touching moment between him and his son, revealing how the young man had been unable to comprehend his father and hadn't spoken to him for four years before finally understanding his reasoning.

Mix Pattaya didn't understand why his father opposed him studying film and refused to explain his reasoning, resulting in four years of minimal communication. During the show, Hom Jokmok revealed his rationale:

"M (his older daughter) already studied film. Why would he repeat the same path? He can study anything he enjoys. We wanted him to study marketing, economics, law—anything but film."

Eventually, Mix studied communications instead. "Because Dad didn't tell me, and at that age I couldn't think the way I do now, so I didn't talk to him. We barely spoke at all. I tried to avoid seeing him. I wanted to know why he wouldn't let me study, but he wouldn't tell me."

Hom Jokmok believed his son needed to think for himself: "M was the same—came back from abroad and just traveled. He spoke one sentence. His whole life was just like a movie preview. He couldn't make real progress. If M keeps just traveling and saying that, then so be it."

"Mix is the same. I didn't want to explain when he was 17, 18, or 19. At 17, I was already thinking differently. At 18, with my wife, we started buying rice by the sack. M was on the way. At around 19, we bought canned fish by the sack. We didn't know when work would come, but we always had food. Mix only started understanding the value of money at 30."

When the truth finally emerged, Mix was devastated. After four years, he finally comprehended Hom Jokmok's forward-thinking approach. When asked when he understood his father and reconciled, Mix recalled what his father's longtime driver told him. The driver had asked Hom why he didn't explain to his son, and Hom replied:

"If someday he doesn't make movies or do anything else, at least he'll have this skill to work in an office, do regular work. That's when I realized Dad thinks so broadly. I felt terrible then that we didn't talk for four years because of my limited thinking at that time."

Mix became emotional, finally understanding his father's reasoning. He felt remorseful about the four-year estrangement and realized his father didn't deserve his anger.

Source: 'Tee Taikhruakrua' talk show

The Thailand Futures Exchange (TFEX) is preparing to launch Mini Gold Online Futures, a new online gold trading product that increases profit opportunities and makes gold investment more accessible, starting May 25. The standout feature is a contract size reduced 10-fold, requiring an initial margin of roughly 15,000 baht to give investors easier market access.

Trivit Wangworrawut, CEO of TFEX, explained that amid volatile global markets and international tensions, gold has attracted significant investor interest, with prices reaching new highs continuously. Direct gold purchases face accessibility limitations, and even standard Gold Online Futures require substantially higher margin deposits. To address this, TFEX is launching Mini Gold Online Futures with contracts 10 times smaller than the original—scaled down from approximately 10 troy ounces to just 1 troy ounce (roughly 2 baht of gold).

This reduction allows margin requirements to reach more accessible levels, enabling investors to increase profit opportunities or use gold to complement their investment portfolios more conveniently. Mini Gold Online Futures (contract code: MGO) retains all the features of standard Gold Online Futures—contracts based on 99.5% purity gold bars, priced according to world gold markets in US dollars per troy ounce. Margin deposits and profit/loss settlements are in Thai baht, with a 30-fold price multiplier meaning each dollar fluctuation equals 30 baht in gains or losses, eliminating exchange rate risk concerns and making price tracking easier.

Trading is available on business days from 9:15-16:55 (daytime) and 18:45-3:00 the next day (evening). Mini Gold Online Futures uses cash settlement with no physical gold delivery. Expected margin requirements are approximately 15,000 baht or 10-15% of contract value. Trading begins May 25, 2026.

"TFEX is confident that Mini Gold Online Futures will serve investors by making gold investment more accessible—whether for profit-making or protecting portfolio volatility," Trivit said. "Since it trades on an exchange, investors can trust its transparent operations and oversight standards."

To prepare investors, TFEX and member firms are conducting seminars on the new product, trading strategies, and tools. A special "Gold Trading Day: Crisis vs Opportunity—Building Portfolios and Profits with Gold" seminar is scheduled for Sunday, May 24 from 9:00-12:30 at the Stock Exchange of Thailand Building (free admission). Additionally, a "Trade Gold, Get Gold" promotion offers special incentives for new TFEX account holders who trade Mini Gold Online Futures.

PTT Global Chemical (GC) has issued a statement denying any involvement in fuel hoarding or supply delays, reaffirming its commitment to good governance principles. The statement comes in response to government announcements regarding an investigation into severe fuel shortages at gas stations during the recent Middle East crisis. GC clarifies that as a fuel trader under Category 7 regulations, it operates solely as a refinery selling finished petroleum products directly from the refinery gate, without any retail gas stations or supply chain transportation infrastructure. The company asserts it has fully cooperated with government authorities through inspections, data provision, and strict compliance with all policies, laws, and regulations. During the Middle East crisis, GC continued production and product distribution to customers to help maintain the country's energy stability and security. The company emphasizes that its refinery operations maintain standard industry control systems, audit procedures, and inventory records for petroleum inputs and outputs, with all refining and delivery operations conducted according to complete sales and delivery plans and disclosed to relevant government agencies. GC also confirms that all fuel transportation documents comply with applicable laws. The company reiterates its commitment to good governance principles and readiness to coordinate with and provide additional information to government authorities to maintain public confidence.

On May 20, 2569, the Thai Meteorological Department issued alert No. 15 regarding heavy to very heavy rainfall across Thailand and strong winds in the Andaman Sea (affecting through May 21). The alert indicates that during May 20-21, rainfall will increase significantly with heavy to very heavy rain expected mainly on the western side of the country, including the northern, upper northeastern, central, eastern, and western southern regions due to an intensifying southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, combined with a low-pressure system over northern Vietnam's coast.

Residents are urged to be cautious of heavy rainfall and accumulated water, which may cause flash flooding and flash floods, especially in hillside areas near water channels and low-lying areas. Approximately 56 provinces are expected to experience heavy rainfall.

Sea conditions: The Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand face moderately strong waves. The upper Andaman (from Phuket northward) has waves 2-3 meters high, with thunderstorm areas exceeding 3 meters. The lower Andaman (from Krabi southward) and upper Gulf of Thailand have waves approximately 2 meters high, with thunderstorm areas exceeding 2 meters.

Fishermen are advised to exercise caution and avoid sailing in thunderstorm areas. Small boats in the upper Andaman should remain ashore during this period.

The public is encouraged to monitor updates from the Meteorological Department via their website (http://www.tmd.go.th) or by calling 0-2399-4012-13 and 1182 (24-hour service). The next alert will be issued on May 20 at 5:00 PM.

May 20, 2025 — The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts continuous rainfall across Thailand over the next 24 hours, with heavy to very heavy rain in parts of the western Andaman coast, Northeast, and Eastern regions. Heavy rainfall is also expected in the North, Central Thailand, and Bangkok with surrounding areas. The weather is driven by a strong southwest monsoon covering the northern Andaman Sea and Thailand, combined with a low-pressure system over northern Vietnam. Authorities warn residents of dangers from intense rainfall and accumulated water that could trigger flash floods and landslides, particularly in hillside areas, near waterways, and low-lying zones. The public is also advised to maintain health during this weather transition.

Sea conditions in the northern Andaman are moderately rough with waves 2-3 meters high, exceeding 3 meters during thunderstorms. The lower Andaman and northern Gulf of Thailand have approximately 2-meter waves, exceeding 2 meters during storms. Fishermen are urged to exercise caution and avoid thunderstorm areas. Small boats in the northern Andaman should remain ashore.

Regional Forecast (06:00 today to 06:00 tomorrow):

North: 60% thunderstorms with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Nan, Tak, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces. Temperatures: 24-26°C low, 33-38°C high. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Northeast: 70% thunderstorms with heavy to very heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani. Temperatures: 23-25°C low, 30-34°C high. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Central: 60% thunderstorms with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Lopburi, Saraburi, Singburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi. Temperatures: 24-26°C low, 31-35°C high. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

East: 60% thunderstorms with heavy to very heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Temperatures: 25-28°C low, 31-34°C high. Southwest winds 20-35 km/h. Sea waves approximately 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters during thunderstorms.

South (Eastern Coast): 60% thunderstorms with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, and Songkhla. Temperatures: 23-26°C low, 30-35°C high. From Surat Thani northward: Southwest winds 20-35 km/h, sea waves approximately 2 meters offshore and during thunderstorms exceeding 2 meters. From Nakhon Si Thammarat southward: Southwest winds 15-35 km/h, sea waves 1-2 meters near shore, approximately 2 meters offshore during rain.