In Khon Kaen province, farmers observe the traditional Crop Blessing Day to plant rice this year, hoping for abundant harvests. Farmers are advised to use walking tractors to reduce average field preparation costs to 50 baht per rai, while appealing to the government to monitor fertilizer and rice prices.

May 13, 2026 – Somchai Siriserm, a farmer from Ban Ton Noi village in Ban Kho subdistrict, Mueang Khon Kaen district, Khon Kaen province, is using a walking tractor to prepare the soil in his paddy field to plant rain-fed rice this year. He observes the Crop Blessing Day, known locally as the First Blessing Day, as an auspicious occasion for planting, following tradition as he has done every year. Somchai explains that this day holds significant importance for farmers because it marks the right moment for agricultural activities and is a belief passed down through generations. He has begun soil preparation on one rai of land, choosing this auspicious day to plant his rice.

This year, he selected direct seeding rather than transplanting to reduce costs. Once seeds are sown, he waits for rain to naturally germinate them. With continuous rainfall expected this season, he can begin rice planting.

His rice cultivation strategy involves plowing under rice stubble after harvest, then planting velvet beans until they die back, which he then plows in as organic fertilizer. By May, after tilling the soil again, the decomposed velvet beans serve as additional fertilizer.

Beyond using velvet beans as fertilizer, Somchai uses his walking tractor instead of hiring larger tractors, saving 50 baht per rai in fuel costs compared to 350 baht per rai when hiring machinery – a significant cost reduction.

However, Somchai appeals to the government to ensure rain-fed rice prices are fair and cover production costs. Current high fuel prices have increased farming expenses, with tractor preparation and harvesting costs reaching nearly 1,000 baht per rai combined. Despite these costs, farmers must continue farming to feed their families, selling any surplus.

He urges the government to balance rice prices with fertilizer and fuel costs, which form the basis of production expenses, so farmers can sustain themselves without losses from rice farming.

CHONBURI — On May 13, 2026, rescue teams and over 50 villagers launched an overnight search for a 54-year-old man with a neurological condition who had wandered away from his home. The man was eventually found exhausted but unharmed in a forested area after a thermal-imaging drone detected his heat signature.

Rescue workers from Sawanghet Thung Hiang Rescue Unit received the alert around 8 p.m. on Tuesday that the man had gone missing near Wat Krabok Khu in Moo 5, Tha Bun Mi subdistrict, Ko Chan district, Chonburi. According to relatives, he had disappeared from his home around 6 p.m. After initial family searches proved unsuccessful, local authorities and rescue teams were called in.

Village Head Janjira Thongthanom coordinated the response, mobilizing local officials, village leaders, a rapid response unit from the Department of National Parks, rescue workers, and villagers to search the dense forest surrounding the community. The thermal-imaging drone proved decisive, detecting a heat signature near a pond approximately 600 meters from the man's residence. Ground teams reached the location around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday and found him alive and largely unharmed, though in an exhausted state. Both family members and rescue teams expressed their relief once he was brought to safety.

Border residents in Ban Kruat district, Buriram province, are gripped with anxiety and sleepless nights after recent incidents involving Cambodian military incursions. After Cambodian soldiers crossed the border and fired warning shots at locals gathering mushrooms in Chanthaburi subdistrict, and villagers from Surin province were detained for over ten days while foraging, communities remain on high alert. Over the past four nights, four to five unidentified drones have been spotted flying over Thai airspace at night, leaving residents fearful and reluctant to venture out for daily livelihood activities. Many worry about potential clashes and fear being abducted by Cambodian forces crossing illegally into Thai territory.

Villagers are urgently calling on Prime Minister Anuthine Charnveerakul and the Interior Ministry to construct a border wall as previously promised during campaigning. They emphasize that sections of the Buriram border are flat terrain where people can easily cross, creating vulnerability to Cambodian incursions. A border fence would prevent Cambodia from violating Thai sovereignty and provide crucial protection for border communities.

Namsai shop owner Phon Aksorn, 60, expressed her distress over the recent incidents and drone sightings that have prevented sleep and normal activities. Resident Padeeprom Sri echoed similar concerns, noting that after previously evacuating due to conflict, villagers have only recently resumed normal economic activities. She stressed the urgent need for the government to expedite border wall construction using already-pledged donation funds to ensure the safety of border communities and prevent future armed clashes.

Gold prices for May 13, 2569 have declined according to the Gold Traders Association announcement released on their website at 9:07 AM. Ornamental gold (96.5%) is selling at 72,800 baht per baht weight, down 100 baht from May 12's closing price. Gold bars have a domestic buying price of 71,800 baht per baht weight and selling price of 72,000 baht. Ornamental gold buyers are paying 70,357.56 baht per baht weight with a selling price of 72,800 baht. Global gold spot prices stand at $4,703.00 per troy ounce. Summary for May 13, 2569: Gold bars – buying at 71,800 baht, selling at 72,000 baht per baht weight; Ornamental gold – buying at 70,357.56 baht, selling at 72,800 baht per baht weight. A gold trader leader predicts that tomorrow's market opening could see prices surge 1,000-2,000 baht per baht weight, potentially breaking through 80,000 baht.

This story has everyone talking! Details emerge on Mind Laphislal's lawsuit targets and demands apologies in cash only. She clarifies who's been asking why Tray Skott wasn't invited to the wedding. Mind Laphislal, wife of Pai Sunistha Skott, has announced her intention to pursue legal action against those who spread false information, distorted facts, and left crude, defamatory comments that incited hatred. She is awaiting court summons. Mind Laphislal Reveals Major Lawsuit Targets; Cash Apologies Only. Mind shared an extensive list of comments with a message stating: "Order to serve late night, big thanks. Here's a small sample of what Mom Mind is about to sue over. It's fun to write, and it'll be fun to sue too. Cash apologies only, no exceptions, no bowing." She directly addressed questions about why Tray Skott wasn't invited to the Mind-Pai wedding by posting her own wedding invitation card that included Tray Skott's name circled, with a caption stating: "For those asking why no one invited Tray to the wedding."

Famous American YouTuber Jake Paul has admitted he is uncertain whether he will be able to return to professional boxing again, following injuries sustained in his fight against Anthony Joshua, a former world heavyweight champion from the United Kingdom, in December 2025. During the bout, Paul was dominated throughout before being knocked out in the sixth round. He subsequently suffered a jaw fracture in two places, resulting in the loss of some teeth and the need for two titanium plates to stabilize the jawbone. Paul stated: "I have another jaw checkup scheduled to monitor my recovery progress, which should help me establish a clearer timeline for my return to the ring, or even determine if I can fight professionally again at all. My boxing future depends on how well my jaw heals, not to mention the issue of a missing tooth that I'll likely need to replace with a prosthetic or something similar. I'm unsure how long these procedures will take, but we need to choose the best path forward."