Phetchabun province experiences third flash flood surge, waters overflow Saraburi-Lom Sak highway following sustained heavy rainfall; strong currents sweep away motorcycles

On May 20, 2025, heavy rains continued to pummel Muang district in Phetchabun province, particularly in the mountainous regions of Ban Tok and Pa Lao subdistricts. By 5:00 p.m., flash floods surged through San Ta Phia canal, breaching its banks and inundating homes in villages 2 and 7 of Ban Tok subdistrict for the third time. The first flooding occurred on May 13, the second on May 19, and this third occurrence brought significantly larger water volumes than the previous two.

Floodwaters submerged homes along the canal banks and in low-lying areas, with water depths reaching approximately one meter in some spots. The water flowed across village roads, and because most homes sit on elevated ground above street level, the roads transformed into temporary waterways with dangerously strong currents in certain areas—particularly in village 7 of Ban Tok, where the force of the water swept away villagers' motorcycles.

The Rom Phot Phetchabun volunteer foundation deployed flat-bottomed boats to transport residents moving between homes and to evacuate patients from isolated houses situated in low areas. Officials worried that additional heavy rain could pose serious dangers. With large water volumes and inadequate narrow drainage channels, floodwaters spilled onto the Saraburi-Lom Sak highway leading into Phetchabun town for a distance of 200 meters.

Authorities restricted traffic to a single lane and managed slow movement to prevent accidents. As the skies cleared and no additional rain fell, conditions improved steadily. Within approximately one hour, water levels on the highway receded enough to restore normal traffic. Floodwaters in the villages continued to subside, and officials expect that if no further rain falls tonight, conditions should return to normal by midnight.

Reports indicate that Arsenal is preparing to reward Spanish manager Mikel Arteta with a new contract following the club's first Premier League title in 22 years, which would make him one of the highest-paid head coaches in the world. Arteta has successfully ended Arsenal's 22-year championship drought after the Gunners clinched the Premier League trophy this season. According to The Guardian, Arsenal will offer Arteta a new deal that would place him among the world's highest-earning managers as a reward for ending the club's 22-year wait for a title. Arteta's contract extension negotiations, which extend beyond next summer, have been temporarily suspended while Arsenal competes with Manchester City in the Premier League, though sources confirm expectations that he will remain with the club even if the season ends without silverware. His current contract is believed to be worth approximately 10 million pounds per season plus 5 million pounds in bonuses for Champions League qualification. However, Arteta will receive a significantly higher salary offer, with some reports suggesting it could approach the compensation of Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone, who reportedly earns 30 million euros annually.

On May 19, 2026, Deputy Metropolitan Police Commander Thawatchai Wongsoong presided over a ceremony distributing 1,760 red crosswalk safety flags to all 88 Metropolitan Police stations throughout Bangkok. The flags will be utilized to facilitate traffic flow and enhance public safety at zebra crossings. The event was attended by deputy commanders from the nine Metropolitan Police divisions, operations personnel, traffic police officials, and relevant staff at the Metropolitan Police Headquarters multipurpose hall.

The distribution was supported by Bangkok's Traffic and Transport Office under the Bangkok Road Safety Command Center (BRSCC) in cooperation with the Health Promotion Foundation Office, with Metropolitan Police Commander Siam Bunsam overseeing the initiative. Deputy Commander Thawatchai Wongsoong emphasized the importance of road user safety, particularly for pedestrians, by launching the campaign "Bangkok Safe, Stop for Pedestrians" or the "Asok Model." Through symbolic activities at crossings where volunteers hold red flags while crossing zebra crossings, the campaign aims to raise awareness and alert drivers to reduce speed, exercise greater caution, and respect pedestrians' rights.

This initiative represents a collaborative effort among government agencies, private sectors, and educational institutions to reduce road accidents effectively and elevate road safety standards, working toward making Bangkok a sustainably safe metropolis for all residents.

A former male model has come forward with allegations against a renowned 'karma cleansing' master from Lamphun province on May 20, 2026, through the 'Sai Yai Must Survive' Facebook page in Bangkok's Sai Yai district. The man, identified as 'Mr. B' (pseudonym), age 40, from Chiang Mai, says that nearly 20 years ago he was introduced to the master by a university vice rector who was the practitioner's student. The vice rector convinced him to visit for a past-life reading. The man later told a friend—the daughter-in-law of a former government minister who now has a child serving as a current minister and prominent MP—about the experience. His friend became interested because she wanted to resolve issues regarding her husband's infidelity, having been told his mistress might be his 'karma debtor' from a past life.

When they arrived around midday, there was a long queue of people waiting for readings. The man received queue number 29 while his friend got number 30. The master noticed his friend's surname matched that of a prominent former minister and, after learning they came together, invited them both to skip the queue and come upstairs to his residence. Inside, the man saw food trays with 2-3 types of chili paste, suggesting the master had just finished eating.

Once in the master's room, the practitioner began a ritual by asking for his birth date and requesting he hold the master's hand. The master then made unusual tongue movements and began touching various parts of the man's body, each time ending at his genitals, repeating this cycle approximately three times. On the fourth round, the master pulled down the man's shorts and immediately performed oral sex on him. Shocked and in severe pain from the chili paste residue on the master's mouth and lips, the man pushed the master away, ran to a water bottle in the room to wash his genitals, and fled the residence in wet clothes.

When he met his friend outside, he told her they needed to leave immediately and would discuss details in the car. Over the years, he shared the story with friends, and when he saw news reports about actor Winai Kraibutr visiting the same master 2-3 years ago, he joked about whether his friend would experience the same thing. Last week, after watching a talk show where another victim complained to a broadcaster named 'Sai Yai Must Survive,' he decided he wanted to resolve this matter. After 20 years, he said he couldn't get the incident out of his head. When he learned police had raided and arrested the master, he decided to file a formal complaint and serve as a witness for other victims to ensure justice.

The Rubber Authority of Thailand is rolling out an aggressive market management strategy to create price stability and push Thai rubber prices to new highs. Kosol Bunkhong, acting Governor of the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RTA), revealed that rubber prices showed consistent improvement throughout the first half of 2025. Grade 3 ribbed smoked sheets rose from an average of 60.51 baht per kilogram in January to a peak of 89.50 baht per kilogram in May, while latex rose from 56.92 baht to 86.50 baht per kilogram during the same period—marking the highest price increase in a decade.

Several factors are driving these gains. Strong global demand for natural rubber remains elevated, with the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) predicting sustained strength in world markets. Global demand for natural rubber in 2025 is projected at approximately 15.60 million tons, while production stands at about 15.32 million tons, creating a supply shortage of roughly 280,000 tons. This demand-supply imbalance supports continued price growth, and Thailand remains the world's largest natural rubber producer with output of approximately 4.85 million tons.

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have also contributed to higher prices by pushing up crude oil costs and consequently synthetic rubber prices. Since synthetic rubber derives from petroleum, increased crude prices make it more expensive, prompting tire manufacturers and other industries—particularly in China and Europe—to shift toward cheaper natural rubber. Additionally, the weakened Thai baht relative to the US dollar enhances Thailand's competitive advantage in the global market.

During the second half of 2025, as the region transitions from the dry season to the rainy season and rubber trees flush with new leaves, farmers will begin tapping trees more frequently, which could affect prices somewhat. However, sustained international demand to replenish depleted stocks and potential weather impacts that could reduce output are expected to maintain market balance and support prices at appropriate levels.

The RTA is employing an active market management strategy to stabilize conditions and maximize Thai rubber prices. This includes holding back portions of farmer production through storage and deploying 80% of the value in rotating credit to maintain liquidity, with strategic sales timed for peak prices through RTA-controlled distribution channels.

How could the driver not notice? A ten-wheeler truck shed a heavy 485-kilogram air compressor in the middle of the road before continuing on without realizing what happened. The municipality has been stuck storing it while waiting for the owner to claim it. The equipment's value is nothing to sneeze at—between 80,000 and 100,000 baht.

At 4:00 PM on May 20, 2569, Bang Len Municipality in Nonthaburi Province contacted reporters requesting help publicizing the search for the owner of the large air compressor found on the Bang Kruai-Sai Noi Road near the Bang Yai roundabout in Bang Len Subdistrict, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi Province. The incident occurred at 10:30 AM on May 20, 2569.

Upon inspection, the air compressor that fell in the roadway measured 80 centimeters wide, 80 centimeters tall, and 120 centimeters long, weighing 485 kilograms and painted red. It was estimated to be worth between 80,000 and 100,000 baht. The location where the compressor was found on the Bang Kruai-Sai Noi Road showed impact damage and oil stains. Municipality staff had to spread sand over the oil residue to prevent the road from becoming slippery.

Footage from the closed-circuit camera at the Bang Yai roundabout captured a white ten-wheeler truck traveling from Bang Len-Bang Khurada Road, passing through the Bang Yai roundabout for approximately 10 meters on a curve, which caused the air compressor to fall from the truck bed. Fortunately, no motorcycles following behind were hit.

At 10:23 AM, Bang Len Municipality staff deployed a red pickup truck to partially close the road and prevent accidents. They then requested help from an 18-wheel trailer truck passing by to drag the air compressor to the roadside due to its heavy weight. Bang Len Municipality staff brought a ten-wheeler truck and crane to lift the compressor onto the truck bed for storage at the municipality.

Bang Len Municipality has issued a public notice searching for the air compressor's owner to contact the municipality at Bang Len Municipality, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi Province to claim it.