On May 19, 2025, the Chanthaburi-Trat Border Protection Command, operating through special naval units based in Chanthaburi and the 543rd Naval Infantry Company stationed at Khlong Pong Nam Ron, conducted continuous foot patrols to intercept illegal activities following the "soldiers never stop" policy and strict border enforcement. While patrolling near Klong Tian canal along the Thai-Cambodian border in Baan Khlong Yai, Moo 4, Tambon Khlong Yai, Amphoe Khlong Pong Nam Ron, Chanthaburi Province, officers spotted a suspicious group of individuals showing signs of illegal border crossing. Their bodies were worn from trekking through dense thorny jungle. Upon inspection, all six individuals—five men and one woman—were Thai nationals.

Under preliminary questioning, all six admitted to having illegally crossed into Cambodia to work as administrators for a well-known online gambling website located in a building in Phsar Chas market area, Sangkat Stueng Kaach, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, earning 20,000-25,000 baht monthly. However, recent intensive raids by Cambodian authorities searching buildings and screening foreigners prompted the gambling page to shut down, forcing them to live in fear and hiding. Unable to endure the situation, they paid 7,500 baht per person to a smuggler who guided them through the jungle back to Thailand.

Initially, they were charged with illegal border crossing as Thai nationals not using official entry-exit channels under the Immigration Act of 1979, Sections 11 and 62. They were detained and transferred to investigators at Khlong Pong Nam Ron Police Station and coordinated with Chanthaburi Immigration for legal proceedings.

Kasetsart University and Vibhavadi Hospital officially launched the inaugural KUVPL Biohacking & Longevity Masterclass at Centara Grand Hotel Lat Phrao. The program, developed through academic collaboration between the university and Vibhavadi Hospital Group, targets executives, entrepreneurs, academics, researchers, healthcare professionals, and interested individuals seeking to understand the emerging longevity economy.

The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based lifestyle medicine with six key strategies: nutrition for disease prevention and body restoration, physical activity for cellular optimization, restorative sleep for hormone production and brain repair, stress management to slow genetic degradation, avoidance of toxic substances, and social connection for sustained mental and physical health.

The masterclass features expert speakers including Dr. Jirayut Jaipaew on biological age measurement and Dr. Pimplapse Lee on gut-immune-energy balance from Denmark's DTU. Deputy Rector Nuchnathat Mangkang noted the curriculum serves as a model integrating agriculture, food, and health sciences with modern medical innovation, enabling participants to apply learning both personally and in the wellness business sector.

On May 29, Pol. Lt. Gen. Anuek Tausupap, director of the Industrial and Hazardous Waste Bureau (IHWB), ordered a team of officers including Pol. Col. Nathapol Akareuan, Pol. Maj. Nattawat Sunarot, and Pol. Lt. Col. Bancha Sritanyu to raid an unauthorized factory in Moo 6, Tha Trai subdistrict, Muang district, Samut Sakhon. Officers arrested Ms. Chayaphak (surname withheld), 42, a company director, and seized approximately 9.8 cubic meters of electronic waste, 60 cubic meters of sludge, 21 cubic meters of e-waste in bulk bags, and 9.68 cubic meters of solar panels.

The operation followed a May 3 lithium battery truck fire on Tepharat Road (Bangkok-Trat Highway) at kilometer 40 in Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao province, which raised concerns about illegal hazardous waste management. Authorities expanded their investigation and identified this factory as a facility sorting, collecting, and storing hazardous waste commercially without authorization.

Officers obtained a search warrant from Samut Sakhon Provincial Court and coordinated with the Department of Industrial Works, Samut Sakhon Provincial Industry Office, and related agencies. The inspection found the factory was operating as a Category 3 industrial facility without proper authorization from the Department of Industrial Works. The seized materials are classified as Category 3 hazardous substances held without legal permission.

While no direct evidence linking the factory to the lithium battery truck fire was discovered, authorities will continue expanding their investigation into related networks. Ms. Chayaphak confessed to operating the illegal facility but denied any knowledge of the lithium battery fire. She faces charges for operating an industrial factory without authorization and unlawfully possessing Category 3 hazardous materials. She was handed over to Muang Samut Sakhon Police Station for further legal proceedings.

The Thai Royal Gazette announced on May 19, 2026, that His Majesty has graciously bestowed the Most Noble Order of the Thai Crown, Fourth Class, upon Ms. Sasisawat Sinsasmorn, former principal of Phatang Prathan Kireevatana School under the Songkhla-Satun Secondary Education Area Office. Principal Sinsasmorn received this honor posthumously in recognition of her selfless service and ultimate sacrifice. During the hostage-taking incident at Phatang Prathan Kireevatana School in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province on February 11, 2025, she voluntarily placed herself at risk to protect and support her teachers and students without abandonment. She agreed to serve as a hostage substitute for the school community, resulting in her being shot, severely wounded, and ultimately killed during the criminal's hostage siege.

Family members of two suspects stormed a police station on May 19 demanding their release after police arrested Akhorn, a 57-year-old mechanic, who confessed to murdering 73-year-old Pranee on November 1, 2024. Police had initially detained Charoen Yut, 52, and Phon Phon, 54, as suspects, but Akhorn later confessed to being the actual perpetrator without implicating anyone else, though he had previously pointed police toward the two men as being at the crime scene. The family members demanded that police explain why the two innocent men remained detained despite the arrest of the true killer, and requested that police issue a statement accepting responsibility for the error and allow both men to be released.

Police clarified that investigators opposed temporary bail because the case involves a serious crime that has shocked the public, carries severe penalties, and remains under active investigation. However, police emphasized that the absolute authority to grant or deny temporary bail rests solely with the court's discretion, and that investigators' opposition to bail is merely an opinion to inform the court's decision.

Regarding Akhorn's confession, police stated he provided details about the crime location, where he assaulted the victim, the point where he disposed of the body, where evidence was burned, and where items were discarded—information valuable for gathering evidence. Police pledged to handle the case fairly. According to police, Akhorn attacked Pranee after she came to his wife's house to collect a debt, resulting in a physical altercation. Akhorn intervened to help his wife and fatally injured Pranee, then disposed of her body and destroyed evidence before his arrest.

BANGKOK — Thailand will revoke the 60-day visa-free stay scheme for all 93 eligible countries and territories as part of a sweeping overhaul of the country's visa policy, the Department of Consular Affairs announced on 19 May.

Mangkorn Pratoomkaew, director-general of the Department of Consular Affairs, said the Cabinet had approved a review of Thailand's visa exemption and visa privilege measures following a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Under the new policy, each country or territory will receive only one visa exemption privilege.

The government will also review the 30-day visa-free tourism scheme, reducing the number of eligible countries and territories from 57 to 54. In addition, Thailand plans to introduce a new 15-day visa-free tourism scheme for three countries or territories and drastically reduce the number of countries eligible for Visa on Arrival from 31 to just four.

The changes will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette under three announcements issued by the Ministry of Interior.

Mangkorn said the review followed discussions among agencies under the Visa Policy Committee and took into account security, tourism, economic factors and reciprocal treatment between countries. He added that overlapping visa privileges had caused confusion among foreign travellers and complicated the Foreign Ministry's e-Visa system.

Foreign nationals already in Thailand, or those entering before the new measures take effect, will still be allowed to remain in the country under their current permitted stay until it expires. After the new rules come into force, incoming travellers must comply with the updated visa conditions.

Mangkorn also said the prime minister had signed an order appointing a new committee to regularly review Thailand's visa policies, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, to ensure visa measures remain aligned with current conditions in all dimensions.