CHIANG MAI — 25 May 2026, Pop Mart is expanding its presence in Chiang Mai with the opening of a new official store at MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Centre, one year after testing the northern market with a pop-up store at Central Chiangmai.

The new branch marks the company's latest step in building a stronger foothold in northern Thailand, where designer toys and collectible figures have drawn growing interest among local fans, tourists and younger consumers.

Pop Mart opened its Pop-Up Store @ Central Chiangmai in May 2025, describing it at the time as its first pop-up store in the North. The MAYA branch, which held its grand opening ceremony on 21 May 2026, has been promoted as an official store and a larger destination for art toy collectors.

The store features a range of Pop Mart figures and characters, as well as large display pieces including a five-metre-tall HIRONO sculpture and large figures of SKULLPANDA and CRYBABY.

Siriporn Phlaengchanthuek, Head of Southeast Asia for Pop Mart, said Chiang Mai had shown strong market potential since the company first launched its pop-up store in the province.

"Chiang Mai has always been a key city for us. The response we received after debuting our pop-up store here was remarkable and showed strong enthusiasm from local collectors," Siriporn said. "That encouraged our decision to officially open the first Pop Mart official store in Chiang Mai and northern Thailand."

She also thanked provincial authorities, Chiang Mai International Airport and MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Centre for their support, saying the company hoped the store would help make Chiang Mai a destination for art toy collectors and travellers.

The launch was also tied to a tourism campaign with Chiang Mai International Airport called "Pop Mart: Unbox Joy @ Chiang Mai International Airport." From 21 to 22 May, special-edition Pop Mart art toys were distributed to passengers arriving on selected domestic flights from Bangkok and some international routes. Pop Mart Thailand also promoted the campaign through its official social media channels.

On May 25, the National Innovation Agency (NIA), a public organization, announced the SITE 2026 event under the concept 'Global Innovation Impact: The Year of Investment,' scheduled for June 25-27, 2026 at Paragon Hall with expanded space at Nex Hall (5th floor) and SCBx Next Stage (4th floor) of Siam Paragon shopping center.

Dr. Krichapakh Boonfueng, Director of the National Innovation Agency, stated that SITE 2026 this year will evolve from a networking platform to one focused on delivering concrete results. Building on the previous year's emphasis on building networks and cooperation, this year aims to transform those networks into actual investments, new collaborations, and genuine business opportunities—both in attracting foreign investors and supporting Thai entrepreneurs to grow and access regional and international markets.

"This year, we want SITE 2026 to be a platform where opportunities meet capital and innovations meet global partners, because innovation impact isn't measured by novelty alone, but by the real value and results it generates," Dr. Krichapakh said.

The NIA has structured SITE 2026 around five core pillars: Frontier Tech & Future Industries, Investment-Ready Innovation, Global Connectivity, Multiplier Effect, and Strategic Alliances. These aim to connect Thailand with major innovation city networks worldwide and help Thai startups establish clearer global presence.

The NIA director added that SITE 2026 also targets systemic innovation impact across five areas: economy, society, environment, innovation ecosystem, and global cooperation—through focus industries including AI, Deep Tech, Sustainability, and Wellness Economy, alongside innovations ready for practical application in economic and social sectors.

"The key reason this year's SITE 2026 uses 'The Year of Investment' is because investment is the critical mechanism to transform Thai innovation potential into real growth. Recent data shows that in 2025, investment in Thai startups reached approximately 120 million US dollars or around 4 billion baht, while available capital in Thailand's innovation system totals over 1 billion US dollars or more than 32 billion baht. This shows 2026 is a crucial moment to concretely connect innovations with funding sources," Dr. Krichapakh stated.

For SITE 2026 highlights, the NIA has designed activities covering the future forum, investment opportunity platform, and Thai ecosystem stage. These include global-level forums and discussions, gathering 100 future technology startups and 100 ready-to-use innovations, pitch stages and business matching activities, international pavilions, the next-generation Startup Thailand League, unified state agency support, new collaboration through SYNC Design & Innovation, and the creative Maker Faire Bangkok to intensify hands-on creation and innovation culture.

A startling incident occurred at a water park in Jakarta, Indonesia, when a woman enjoying a water slide was frightened to discover a large snake sliding down the same chute. The 47-second video was quickly shared across social media platforms.

In the footage, the woman initially appears cheerful as she rides down on a rubber tube before spotting a snake ahead of her. As she accelerates down the slide due to water pressure and the slope, the distance between her and the snake rapidly closes to near-collision. The woman screams throughout, gripping both sides of the slide tightly while attempting to dodge the snake in her path.

Fortunately, the woman reached the bottom safely with no reported injuries. However, it remains unclear whether the snake sustained any damage from the mishap, though authorities have since captured it.

The video has been widely shared across social media platforms, with many calling it "the most unlikely situation in the world" and expressing concern for the woman. Other internet users have reacted humorously, joking that she received a 200% more thrilling experience than other visitors for the same entrance fee, with some suggesting the snake was equally frightened and merely wanted to enjoy the slide too.

Indonesian media outlets report that such incidents can occur in tropical, humid areas, particularly at water parks near natural environments where reptiles may accidentally wander in. This has prompted facility managers to increase safety inspections and wildlife monitoring in the area.

On May 25, 2025, at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister's Office Minister Paradorn Prissananantkul spoke about the constitutional amendment timeline and second referendum raised by Nikorn Chamnong, a Bhumjaithai Party list MP. Paradorn stated that it remains unclear and impossible to predict how the first reading consideration will proceed. Currently only Bhumjaithai's draft has been submitted, but it's unknown how many other constitutional amendment drafts will be submitted and whether the Pheu Thai Party will submit combined signatures as well. Therefore, setting a timeline would be difficult—it's entirely parliament's matter.

When asked about Natthapon Ruengpanyawat, Pheu Thai Party leader and list MP, who stated that Bhumjaithai's constitutional amendment draft doesn't meet Pheu Thai's three conditions, Paradorn said he hasn't yet seen what Pheu Thai's draft looks like. However, Bhumjaithai's draft was presented first for public scrutiny, though it's not a final draft. A committee must be established to discuss and produce a committee draft before moving to second reading consideration. There are still many procedural steps, but today the party has clearly demonstrated its sincere intention to amend the constitution.

When a reporter asked whether negotiations with the opposition could secure 20 percent opposition support in the third reading, Paradorn said that's too far ahead and suggested waiting to see how the first reading debate proceeds and how much discussion occurs in committee, and whether people concede or hold firm on positions. If everyone agrees in committee, there would be no problem.

When asked if all sides must compromise, Paradorn stated that making a constitution is a public law matter requiring unanimous consent. The constitution clearly stipulates the conditions needed for a draft to pass, so any amendment must proceed with all parties' approval.

Regarding whether he has spoken with Pheu Thai about supporting their draft, Paradorn said he had an informal discussion with Chusak Sirinil, Pheu Thai deputy party leader, because Pheu Thai's 71 MPs are insufficient to propose a constitutional amendment draft alone. The government coalition parties, particularly Bhumjaithai, are ready to support. It depends on what kind of draft Pheu Thai proposes.

When asked if the budget for the second referendum is sufficient, Paradorn said that whenever the law requires the government to act—and the Prime Minister always emphasizes the government is prepared to take all necessary measures to fulfill the intent of 26.7 million voters from the referendum results—the government will use all resources to support it. It's the government's responsibility to comply with the law.

Have you ever noticed why public restroom toilet seats have a gap at the front? While some might think it's an odd design choice or manufacturing flaw, the truth is this shape has a clearly defined purpose connected to public health standards. Since 1955, the open-front toilet seat design has been mandated as the standard for public restrooms across much of the United States under the American Standard National Plumbing Code, which specifies that fixtures must be made from smooth, non-absorbent material and have an open front. The main idea behind this design is to reduce direct contact with surfaces that many people use, based on the belief that minimizing contact points helps reduce the accumulation and transmission of germs between users. Social media user @aakashgupta, whose explanation went viral, noted that the gap design also reduces unnecessary body contact points, making the overall experience feel cleaner. Another benefit is that it helps certain users maintain personal hygiene more conveniently by reducing direct contact with the seat and increasing space for personal sanitation management. The open gap also helps prevent liquid buildup at the front, ensuring the next user encounters a drier, cleaner surface. However, this design has become a topic of online debate, with many questioning whether it's truly necessary and offering various opinions ranging from genuine curiosity to humorous takes on public restroom experiences. One user commented, 'We're not sitting on that gap anyway, we sit on the rest of the seat, so what's the point?' while another joked, 'I always thought it was for men who don't lift the seat.'

The Smart Water Operations Center (SWOC) of the Royal Irrigation Department reported on May 25, 2025, that water from upper regions continues flowing into the Chao Phraya River basin following accumulated rainfall in the Northern and Upper Central regions, causing the Chao Phraya water level to trend upward. At 6:00 AM on May 25, the C.2 station in Nakhon Sawan recorded a discharge of 1,095 cubic meters per second, while the C.13 station at Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat measured 690 cubic meters per second, currently causing no impact to areas along the lower Chao Phraya riverbank.

The Royal Irrigation Department is collaborating with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) to adjust water management plans by gradually reducing discharge from Bhumibol Dam in Tak Province and Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit Province in a stepped manner from May 25-31, 2025, to moderate water flow into the lower Chao Phraya basin according to local rainfall conditions.

Bhumibol Dam will reduce its daily discharge from 25 million cubic meters to 15 million cubic meters, while Sirikit Dam will reduce from 20 million cubic meters to 12 million cubic meters daily, respectively, to minimize impacts on downstream areas.

The Royal Irrigation Department has emphasized that all irrigation projects in the Northern and Central regions (Chao Phraya River basin) must continuously monitor water conditions, weather patterns, and rainfall amounts, and coordinate with relevant agencies to alert residents in low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya River to closely follow official government updates and prepare for potential changes in water conditions during this period.