A sedan struck a fallen motorcyclist and dragged the body dozens of meters along the road in a tragic accident. On May 16, authorities reported that late the previous night, Deputy Lt. Somchai Muay Dee of the Tha Sala Police Station received a report of a motorcycle accident where a sedan had run over the rider at the curve in Thung area on the Nakhon-Tha Sala Road, Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. After being notified, officers coordinated with the Tha Sala Hospital emergency doctor and rescue personnel to investigate the scene. Upon arrival, they found the body of Kanpattana, known as "Bangnuk Pakphying," a well-respected figure in the Tha Sala cockfighting community and organizer of major cockfighting tournaments in the area. The body bore marks of being dragged dozens of meters along the road, with a blue Honda motorcycle overturned nearby and the sedan parked not far from the accident scene. Investigation determined that Kanpattana was riding the motorcycle at high speed when it lost control and fell into the middle of the road. The sedan traveling behind at high speed could not brake in time, struck the fallen rider, and dragged the body dozens of meters along the road, resulting in his death. Authorities have collected evidence and interviewed the sedan driver for further legal action.

Prime Minister Anupong Paojinda has expressed concern over the growing issue of foreigners using Thai nationals as nominee landholders to circumvent restrictions on foreign land ownership. This practice has created anxiety among the public regarding land prices and access to property resources for Thai citizens. The PM has ordered the Land Department to elevate inspection and oversight measures for land transactions nationwide, aiming to prevent Thais from being used as fronts for foreign land purchases and to block exploitation of legal loopholes.

Following this directive, the Land Department has sent urgent instructions to provincial governors nationwide, requesting that land officials work closely with relevant agencies to strictly implement anti-nominee guidelines. The department is also launching public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the dangers of nominee arrangements and encouraging reporting of suspected violations to authorities. All provincial land offices have been instructed to intensify monitoring and investigation of high-risk transactions, with particular attention to major economic zones, tourist destinations, and areas with significant foreign capital investment.

The Land Department confirmed it has been conducting ongoing investigations, including deep audits of fund sources, property ownership links, corporate shareholding structures, and suspicious behavioral patterns indicating nominee arrangements. When violations are suspected, immediate investigation and legal action follow. Specific scrutiny protocols include: (1) investigations when individuals or Thai-owned companies purchase land with cash payments exceeding 2 million baht or property valued above 5 million baht, with exceptions for legitimate inheritance; (2) careful examination of corporate entities with suspicious shareholding changes, capital increases, or unusual share transfers intended to circumvent foreign ownership restrictions; and (3) monthly audits of entities with foreign shareholders or directors, with quarterly reports to the Land Department. Clear evidence of violations will result in strict legal prosecution against both companies and individuals involved.

Investigation Deepens into Unauthorized School Where Teacher Allegedly Seized Student's Phone and Demanded Ransom; Officials Warn of Legal Action Against Illegal Educational Facilities.

On May 16, 2569, Montol Phaksuwannakul, Secretary-General of the Private Education Commission (PEC), addressed the case of a 17-year-old student whose mobile phone was confiscated and held for ransom—a case currently trending on social media.

The Ministry of Education, led by Education Minister Prasert Chantharavung, expressed concern about the incident and ordered the Private Education Commission (PEC) to conduct an urgent investigation.

The investigation revealed that the facility is not licensed to operate as a private school under the PEC and has no record of authorization as a learning center in the Basic Education Commission (BEC) database. However, if the investigation confirms the facility is operating as an unlicensed private educational institution without PEC approval, legal action will be taken.

Authorities emphasized that all forms of educational management must prioritize student safety, rights, and dignity. Parents are urged to verify a school's official status before enrolling their children. Anyone discovering potentially unlicensed educational facilities can report tips to the Education Ministry hotline at 1579 or via email at saraban@opec.go.th, the PEC Secretary-General concluded.

Related News: Teacher Seizes Phone, Demands 10,000 Baht Ransom Under School Policy; Negotiations Stall as Teacher Refuses to Budge, Eventually Resigns School Principal Returns Confiscated Student Phone to Child's Mother; Admits Using Phone Sale Proceeds to Buy Snacks for Distribution

Roberto Baggio, former Italian national team footballer, has arrived in Thailand to attend Thailand Sports Collectibles Convention 2026, the country's first major sports memorabilia showcase held at Central Westgate Hall on May 16.

Organized by P Bidding Co., Ltd., a company with over 20 years of experience in the collectibles industry, the event features sports cards, vintage football jerseys, and popular trading card games such as Pokémon and One Piece. Attendees can participate in private signing sessions to get autographs from Baggio on artwork by renowned Thai artist pookiee_art, who previously illustrated Dennis Bergkamp on Dutch banknotes.

Baggio, a former player for Fiorentina, Juventus, and AC Milan, revealed that he hasn't visited Thailand in nearly 30 years and expressed gratitude for Thai fans' recognition and continued admiration. Since retiring from professional football, he has lived a simple life focused on family and personal happiness. He noted he has practiced Buddhism for 38 years, which has significantly influenced his life philosophy—that everything in the world depends on our perspective and attitude.

Papinvich Chengchawano, executive chairman of P Bidding Co., Ltd. and organizer of Thailand Sports Collectibles Convention 2026, stated: "We want TSCC'26 to be an event for collectors of all generations, from beginners starting out to professional collectors looking to expand. Proper collecting is worthwhile investment, but the most valuable aspect is the happiness gained from what you love. We aim to make TSCC an anticipated annual event and eventually establish it as a major destination for collectors across Asia, reflecting the potential and growth of Thailand's sports collectibles market at the regional level."

The Royal Gazette has released eight announcements from the Alcohol Beverage Control Committee, effective May 12, 2026, establishing locations and areas where all types of alcoholic beverages are prohibited nationwide. The regulations enhance and expand the original 2008 law to align with current circumstances, defining eight comprehensive zones where alcohol sales and consumption are banned.

Violators face penalties under the 2551 Buddhist Era Alcohol Control Act, with sanctions ranging from minor to severe, including fines and imprisonment or both. Key prohibitions include selling alcohol on roads or in vehicles on roads, and consuming alcohol while driving or riding in vehicles. Sales and consumption are banned at public ports and on all public vessels to ensure water transportation safety, in public parks operated by state enterprises or government agencies, and at railway stations or trains—except designated special event areas in Bangkok's central station with proper authorization.

Alcohol prohibitions in temples and religious sites remain in full effect, with bans on both sales and consumption except as part of religious ceremonies. Violations carry penalties of up to six months imprisonment, fines up to 10,000 baht, or both. These regulations align with the fifth precept of Buddhist ethics, which advocates abstaining from intoxicants that cloud the mind and cause carelessness. Strict enforcement is necessary to maintain these areas as alcohol-free zones.

Thailand's national women's volleyball team is currently in training camp preparing for the 2026 Nations League (VNL2026) Week One, taking place June 3-7, 2026 in Nanjing, China, with their opening match against Serbia on June 3. Coach Anucha Kiatpongsak, head coach of Thailand's national women's volleyball team, recently disclosed his selection criteria for the 14 players in Week One, explaining that although he has names in mind, he will prioritize selecting the most prepared athletes for competition. "All 30 athletes are now training together at the national team camp. From here on, we'll delve deeper into the details and try to strengthen each aspect. The group just returning from foreign leagues will focus on physical recovery to be as ready as possible, while others will work on serve, receive, and blocking," the coach stated. "We have 30 players who will train together through the 20th Asian Games in Japan – not 21 as rumored. For the 14 players competing in VNL2026 Week One in China, although I have names in mind, we'll have to wait until the roster announcement since we need to take the most prepared athletes with the best physical condition to compete," Coach Anucha said.