Thailand's Cabinet on Tuesday approved a special healthcare support scheme dubbed the "UC Heroes" or "Golden Card for Heroes" programme to provide continued medical coverage for the families of 27 soldiers killed during clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Pherdsriwattana said after the Cabinet meeting at Government House that the measure is intended to ensure family members of deceased military personnel continue receiving healthcare benefits even after the rights holder has died.

According to the government, the deaths of the 27 soldiers resulted in 40 family members losing access to the civil servant medical welfare scheme and reverting to Thailand's universal healthcare system.

Under the new measure, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) will grant affected family members "UC Heroes" status, allowing them to receive healthcare benefits equivalent to those provided under the civil servant medical scheme.

The benefits will remain in place until recipients become eligible for other healthcare rights under the law. Children of deceased soldiers will continue receiving coverage until reaching legal adulthood.

Lalida said the government recognised the sacrifices made by military personnel and state officials protecting national sovereignty and public safety.

"Those who sacrificed for the nation should not only be remembered on the day they passed away. Their families must also be cared for with dignity," she said.

Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana on Thursday bestowed 690,000 tablets of a targeted cancer drug to Thailand's National Health Security Office (NHSO) for distribution to cancer patients nationwide under the universal healthcare scheme.

The royal initiative, titled the '69th Birthday Anniversary Cancer Drug Project', was launched in honour of the Princess's upcoming birthday on 4 July 2026. The handover ceremony took place at the Chulabhorn Royal Academy in Bangkok's Lak Si district.

NHSO Secretary-General Dr. Jadej Thammatacharee received the targeted cancer medication, Imcranib 100, which will be distributed to eligible patients under the gold card healthcare scheme across the country.

Imcranib 100 is the first targeted cancer drug developed and manufactured in Thailand by the Chulabhorn Royal Academy's pharmaceutical plant. The drug received approval from Thailand's Food and Drug Administration on 20 May 2025 and was added to the Thai Innovation List on 30 March 2026.

The medication works by inhibiting tyrosine kinase enzymes involved in certain cancers and is considered part of modern targeted cancer therapy, to be prescribed under specialist supervision.

The NHSO said the donated medication would be allocated according to medical guidelines to ensure fair and appropriate access for patients in need.

Officals said the initiative not only expands access to cancer treatment, but also marks a significant step in strengthening Thailand's domestic pharmaceutical capability and long-term medical innovation development.

The Cabinet meeting last Tuesday approved live broadcasting of the FIFA World Cup, with the Public Relations Department coordinating the coverage from June 11 to July 19. The licensing cost details will be announced once the PR Department completes its work. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that Thai people will definitely watch the World Cup for free, but the broadcasting method awaits coordination between the PR Department and NBTC. The government spokesperson emphasized that government budget will not exceed over a billion baht. The government has tasked Deputy Prime Minister Suphamas Ittipakdi to coordinate with the NBTC and secure private sector sponsors. However, details remain unclear due to complications regarding funding sources, legal issues around removing the World Cup from the "Must Have" broadcasting requirement, and ongoing conflicts at the NBTC from previous broadcast disputes. World Cup broadcasting has become chaotic repeatedly, raising the question: why does Thailand struggle with this issue? Why must Thai people watch every single match for free when the Thai national team doesn't even participate? The answer is that Thais have become accustomed to wanting complete coverage at no cost, creating constant pressure on the government. If the government provides live broadcasts, it gains tremendous popularity and can claim to be promoting sports among Thai youth and keeping them away from drugs. Looking back 50-60 years, Thailand only broadcast World Cup finals initially, gradually expanding to quarterfinals and knockout rounds. During General Challit Yongchaiyudh's military leadership, he famously ordered TV Channel 5 to urgently broadcast deeper rounds due to high public demand, demonstrating the World Cup's crucial role in generating political popularity. Thasphakas Company under Thai Beverage famously dominated World Cup broadcasting in 2002, purchasing complete rights with free viewing and no commercial interruptions. Since the 2014 World Cup introduced the "Must Have" rule, it became restrictive until recently being abolished. Now Prime Minister Anutin must find ways for Thai people to watch live. Despite economic crisis and private sector hardship, if Thais don't get free viewing, there will be more complaints.

Homeowners, take note! Experts warn against planting 5 types of fruit trees in front of your house—silent problems that many overlook. If your home has these trees, beware of the cascading issues.

Compiled by Sadsad Online News Team May 12, 2025

According to foreign media reports, many Vietnamese families enjoy planting fruit trees near their homes or in yards for shade, beauty, and access to fresh fruit. However, there are 5 types of fruit trees that experts recommend against planting near homes, as they may cause inconvenience and various problems.

1. Durian Durian trees are among those not recommended for planting in front of homes, as they create maintenance challenges and potential hazards. Durians are large perennial trees with wide canopies that can grow dozens of meters tall. When fully mature, the foliage covers a large area, leaving the front of the house dark and cramped. According to feng shui principles, front areas should be open to receive light and positive energy, so large trees are seen as blocking beneficial energy from entering the home.

Additionally, durian fruits are heavy and spiky. If planted near walkways, garages, or children's play areas, falling fruit can cause injuries to people and damage to property. There have been numerous reports of people injured by falling durians. The smell of ripe durians is quite strong, attracting fruit flies, ants, and various insects. Moreover, leaves drop heavily during the dry season, requiring more cleaning time.

2. Star Fruit Star fruit trees produce fruit year-round. When ripe fruit falls to the ground, it ferments quickly, emitting a sweet-sour smell that attracts golden fruit flies, ants, and bees. If homeowners don't clean consistently, the front area may become dirty, damp, and slippery, especially during rainy seasons. Additionally, star fruit trees grow into thick, dense bushes. Without regular pruning, spreading branches can block sunlight from the front area, making it appear narrow and dark. According to local beliefs, front areas should be bright, open, and well-ventilated to create a pleasant atmosphere, so dense-canopied trees are often unsuitable for these locations.

3. Breadfruit Breadfruit trees are loved by many for their shade and large fruits, but they're unsuitable for planting in front of homes in urban areas or homes with limited space. Breadfruit trees have strong root systems, large trunks, and fast-growing canopies. If planted too close to the house, roots may affect the foundation or walls long-term. When fruits ripen, they emit a strong smell, attracting fruit flies, ants, and bees to the front area. Furthermore, the tree's latex is sticky and leaves drop considerably, requiring more cleaning time. For homes with limited space, large breadfruit trees may make the area feel cramped and take up too much space.

4. Fig Fig trees carry auspicious meanings related to abundance and prosperity, so many people enjoy planting them in gardens. However, this type of tree is often better suited for planting in garden corners or along the sides of the house rather than directly in front of the main entrance. Figs belong to the Moraceae family, so they have strong, spreading root systems. If planted too close to the house, they may damage the building's structure. The dense foliage also reduces natural light to the front area. Fig fruits grow thickly along trunks and branches, and when ripe, they attract various insects, especially fruit flies and ants. Without regular cleaning, the front area may appear damp and dirty.

5. Mulberry According to local beliefs, the word 'mulberry' carries...

Yonex, the global sports equipment brand, is delighting Thai badminton fans with a special event featuring meet-and-greets with numerous renowned athletes throughout May 15 at Siam Paragon shopping center. Every step forward transforms challenges into opportunities, playing with full aggression and advancing ahead with the spirit of a fighter. Over 14 years until today, Yonex has partnered with Ban Thong Yord Badminton School and SCG Badminton Academy in an ongoing commitment to developing outstanding badminton athletes who will become legends for Thai people to take pride in together. Meet YONEX Ban Thong Yord and SCG athletes on May 15 at Siam Paragon. For schedule details, follow Instagram @yonexthailand and LINE OA @yonexthailand.

During a Senate meeting on May 11, 2025, Justice Minister General Rudthpol Naowarat responded to questions about the progress of cases related to the 2553 political protest dispersal, specifically 13 cases involving harm to civilians and state officials.

Among these 13 cases, the Justice Minister highlighted that the DSI had recommended prosecuting the former Prime Minister and former Deputy Prime Minister. However, the Supreme Court determined this constituted abuse of authority, a matter under the NACC's jurisdiction, and therefore dismissed the charges. The DSI subsequently transferred the case to the NACC, which ultimately dismissed the allegations against the former and deputy prime ministers.

The Justice Minister stated that all 13 cases involving the perpetrators have been concluded, with special case officers strictly following the law and rule of law principles.

Regarding the 2553 protest dispersal, the government at that time authorized officials to use live ammunition, resulting in casualties among both civilians and officials. From April 10 to May 19, 2553, nearly 100 people died and over 2,000 were injured.

Following the incident and a change in government, the DSI and police investigated the cases and conducted autopsies to determine causes of death.

Court proceedings determined that 17 deaths resulted from officers' actions, not from "black-clad men" as the government claimed at the time, leading to charges against the former Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for intentional killing with knowledge of the consequences.

However, after the 2557 coup, conservative political networks and state power holders attempted to terminate the protest dispersal case using legal mechanisms and improper lawsuits, resulting in the outcomes the Justice Minister explained to the Senate. Many victims' autopsies were also terminated.

Consequently, to this day, neither the former Prime Minister, former Deputy Prime Minister as commanders, nor officials involved in the incident have faced court proceedings to determine their guilt or innocence.

Sixteen years have passed with only four years remaining before the statute of limitations expires. Questions linger for both political figures and justice officials at all levels: will they allow this to continue, and are they honoring the principle of rule of law?