At the Thai Pride Party headquarters on May 19, Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angsukulkiat addressed today's cabinet meeting, noting that the Transport Ministry's involvement concerns the May 16 train-bus collision incident. The Prime Minister expressed deep concern in the meeting and instructed the Transport Ministry to urgently clarify matters of public doubt, as new evidence and questions from civil society continue to emerge daily. The ministry was ordered to promptly summarize key questions, including whether the train operator was in the cab, what lapses may have occurred if the operator used drugs, given the government's emphasis on drug suppression.

Regarding compensation, Siripong stated it does not require cabinet approval as it falls under the Transport Ministry's purview, with funding from the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and State Railway of Thailand using various funds. Death compensation is set at approximately 2.39 million baht, while injury compensation maxes out at 1 million baht.

The State Railway of Thailand has established an investigation committee expected to conclude findings today (May 19), with results submitted by tomorrow (May 20). On the issue of train operator licensing, Siripong clarified that the Rail Department's lack of license issuance is not a refusal, but rather relates to new railway transport legislation effective March 27 with a 120-day implementation period. In this case, the operator has not yet confirmed with the Rail Department, though the State Railway had issued an operator license. The Rail Department's license will not factor into penalty considerations for this case, as the law still has 60 days remaining.

Regarding drug detection in the train operator, Siripong noted that previous discussions focused mainly on competence, but future discussions must also address substance abuse. When asked about the railway union's claim of insufficient staffing, Siripong said structural review is needed, noting that staffing standards date to around 1997 under civil service downsizing legislation with set retirement and replacement rates. The State Railway governor has proposed structural adjustments, but any increases require coordination with the Civil Service Commission due to budget constraints, with options including regular positions, contract work, or technological solutions. Siripong added that today the State Railway repainted all high-risk railway crossings, including the collision site, and completed traffic condition checks.

At 4:25 p.m. on May 19, 2025, at Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Paradon Prissananantakul, representing the party as MP for Ang Thong, announced that the party's parliamentary caucus voted unanimously with 190 signatures to propose a constitutional amendment. The draft would amend Article 256 by adding Chapter 15/1 to create a new constitution, in accordance with the results of a referendum supported by 21 million voters on February 8, 2025.

Paradon stated that tomorrow (May 20), Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister, as Bhumjaithai Party leader, will lead party MPs to submit the amendment draft to the Parliament speaker around 10:30-11:00 a.m.

The Bhumjaithai draft includes two main modifications: expanding Parliament's duties and powers by amending Article 156, adding Chapter 15/1 for new charter creation, and inserting Articles 256/1 through 256/23 to establish a 100-member Constitutional Drafting Assembly (CDA) tasked with completing the new constitution within 360 days from the first CDA session.

The CDA membership will be drawn from qualified individuals and interested parties from various provinces, with one representative and three alternates selected per province, then submitted to Parliament for proportional selection based on parliamentary member distribution.

To address previous conflicts that derailed earlier charter amendment attempts, Bhumjaithai's new draft has adjusted the Senate approval requirement for stages 1 and 3 from one-third to one-quarter of senators, expected to facilitate negotiations in committee. Notably, the new constitutional draft will not modify Chapters 1-2.

The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across Thailand over the next 24 hours due to strong southwest monsoon winds and a low-pressure system. Severe weather is expected in the northern, central, northeastern, and eastern regions, with particularly dangerous conditions across Thailand's western coast and parts of the south. Residents are warned to prepare for flash floods and flash floods, especially in foothill areas, near waterways, and low-lying zones, with smaller boats in the upper Andaman Sea advised to stay ashore. Waves in the upper Andaman Sea are expected to reach 2-3 meters, exceeding 3 meters during thunderstorms. The northern region will see 60% thunderstorm coverage with heavy rainfall in Chiang Mai, Lampun, Lamphang, Phrae, Nan, Tak, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces, with low temperatures of 24-26°C and highs of 34-38°C. The northeastern region faces 70% thunderstorm coverage and heavy to severe rain in Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Chaiyaphum, Buriram, and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces, with temperatures ranging from 23-25°C low to 32-36°C high. The central region will experience 60% thunderstorm coverage and heavy to severe rain in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Lopburi, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi provinces. The eastern region faces similar conditions with 60% thunderstorm coverage and heavy to severe rainfall in Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces, with southeast winds of 20-35 km/h and 2-meter waves. Southern Thailand's east coast will see 60% thunderstorm coverage and heavy rainfall in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, and Songkhla provinces.

5 police and 1 civilian try to extort Chinese national at 300,000 baht eachLegacyFive police officers and a civilian were arrested in Sa Kaeo after allegedly detaining and attempting to extort Chinese nationals at 300,000 baht each. Another police officer accused of involvement remains at large. The arrests were made on Saturday, May 16, after officers from Wang Somboon Police Station received information from the Sa Kaeo Provincial Immigration Office about the alleged extortion case. According to police, the five Chinese nationals contacted immigration officers through the LINE application seeking urgent assistance. The Chinese victims reportedly told immigration officers they were being detained at a house in Sa Kaeo province. Officers later raided the property at about 11am. Photo via 77Kaoded Police found the five Chinese nationals outside the residence. Officers said the group appeared relieved when authorities arrived at the scene. The victims told investigators they had been detained at about 2am the same day. The suspects allegedly placed them in handcuffs and demanded US$10,000 (around 300,000 baht) from each person in exchange for their release. Two of the victims reportedly transferred US$2,000 each to the suspects before the raid took place. Police said the victims provided transfer receipts as evidence. Investigators later identified four of the suspects as police officers. Authorities said the officers initially detained the Chinese nationals for entering Thailand illegally but then demanded money instead of pursuing legal proceedings. The suspects promised to release the victims if they paid the requested sums. Photo via ThaiRath The suspects were identified as Police Senior Sergeant Majors Paphawin, Wuttikorn, Somchai and Phichate. The civilian suspect was identified as Nattanan. Police also seized firearms, ammunition and two pickup trucks from the property. The Chinese nationals told officers another suspect, believed to be a police officer, was not at the scene during the raid because he had reportedly left to buy food and drinks. Investigators are continuing efforts to identify and locate the additional suspect. ThaiRath reported that all of the suspects denied the extortion allegations. They remain in custody pending further legal proceedings. The story 5 police and 1 civilian try to extort Chinese national at 300,000 baht each as seen on Thaiger News.

Thailand's economy expanded by 2.8% in the first quarter of 2026, accelerating from 2.5% in the previous quarter, according to the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).

Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul welcomed the latest GDP figures, saying they reflected a continued economic recovery and showed the government was on the right track in addressing economic challenges.

According to the NESDC report, the agricultural sector expanded by 1.2% in the first quarter, up from 0.6% in the previous quarter. The non-agricultural sector grew by 3.0%, compared with 2.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025.

On the expenditure side, private consumption continued to expand steadily, while government spending, fixed investment and exports of goods and services also accelerated.

Private investment rose by 10.1%, up from 6.5% in the previous quarter, driven by increased investment in machinery, equipment and construction.

Exports to key markets including the United States, Europe and ASEAN countries expanded, while exports to Japan and the Middle East declined.

Rachada said the government was preparing to explore new export markets in Africa and the Middle East to diversify risks and create new opportunities for Thai businesses.

She added that the government would introduce measures to reduce production costs for farmers and low-income groups, while stimulating local economies nationwide.

Measures under the Emergency Loan Decree would help ease living costs and support economic growth through projects such as the "Thais Help Thais" scheme and energy sector restructuring aimed at strengthening Thailand's long-term energy security, she said.

The government remains confident that Thailand's economic growth in 2026 will meet its target of around 2%, Rachada added.

Chaba Nattamani Pitchyasuttisil, a talented singer and Miss Grand Udon Thani 2025, has recently become part of the stage musical "Nakhon Ratchasima: The Musical," scheduled to debut on June 18 and 20-21 at M Theatre. She invited the media to observe rehearsals at Point Studio on Ladprao Soi 99 and discussed her current projects and the challenges of entering stage theater for the first time.

Regarding her current work, Chaba explained: "I'm performing in the musical Nakhon Ratchasima and we'll be performing on June 18, 20, and 21. Tickets are available for purchase. I've also been releasing singles regularly on my YouTube channel, Chaba_bie. My latest release features RachYO and has gotten pretty good views. It's a Northeastern hip-hop song that I composed myself, so it's purely a passion project."

When asked about the single format, she stated: "I'm releasing singles for now, following my passion. I write them, make music videos, and release them—purely passion-driven work. Everything I do now comes from passion. With theater, when an opportunity came up, I felt like I wanted to try it, so I went for it. Music is the same way—when I finish writing something and like it, I just release it."

Discussing the difference between stage theater and music, Chaba explained: "They're quite different because stage theater focuses heavily on acting and performing with genuine emotion. But within that, I need to convey the emotion to everyone in the entire hall, which is quite challenging."

Regarding her music production team, she shared: "My songs are being supported by BANANA Record and BANANA Music Studio. I'm not signed with them though—I'm independent and write everything myself, then send it to the BANANA team for refinement."

When asked about her annual music output plans, Chaba responded: "I initially planned to release many songs, but now I'm following my feelings. I only write when the mood strikes because I want the work to come from my own passion and authenticity. I want the stories I tell to be my own. As a kid, I was in a training camp where other people wrote for me, and everything came from someone else's work. We achieved success that way, but now I feel I want to express myself more authentically. I also want to learn new things in creating my own work."

Regarding her goals, she stated: "I'm not expecting it to be wildly famous, but if it becomes popular, that's fine. If people get to hear it, I'd be happy because it's purely my work."

When asked if she's abandoning pageantry, Chaba clarified: "Regarding pageantry, honestly there's some hesitation, but I want to fully pursue my passion for music first. I feel I still have time for pageantry. The age limit has been extended quite a bit anyway, so I'm still keeping up with it."

Asked if she just competed in her first year, she explained: "Yes, I just competed in my first year. I don't want to claim to be standing on high heels yet. I might want to try again, to become more elegant and refined as a woman. Right now I still feel playful and energetic—running, jumping around. Recently at theater rehearsals, the team told me to bring a sarong, saying I walked too awkwardly in pants."

When asked about other aspirations, Chaba expressed: "I want to try acting in films and TV dramas, but gradually and at my own pace. I'm still training and growing. Do you have any opportunities yet? Not yet. I'd like to try acting in dramas, series, and films. If something appropriate comes along, I'd consider it."