BANGKOK — 14 May 2026, Chinese actress Zhao Lusi, affectionately known to fans as "Rosy", has sparked a social media frenzy after appearing with a handbag from Thai fashion brand FUNDAO, drawing attention from both Thai and international media.

Thai fashion value soars after the Asian superstar, who has long enjoyed a warm reception from fans during visits to Thailand, was recently photographed carrying a handbag from Thai brand FUNDAO while posing with her favorite dachshund doll. This latest display of soft power continues to elevate Thai fashion's presence in the international arena.

Zhao paired a lace camisole-style outfit and the minimalist "AVA mini" handbag in Ivory, designed by Thai designer Yin-Fundao Baesakul. The bag creates an elegant aesthetic associated with the "Quiet Luxury" look, featuring its minimalist yet distinctive butterfly-wing silhouette and detailed handcrafted elements. Zhao's "ROSYDOEDIAN TOYS" plushie also made a cameo, adding a cute, playful touch that sent social media into a frenzy.

Fans were quick to take notice, instantly rushing to identify the bag and hailing it as the latest "it bag" after Zhao was seen using it. While FUNDAO had already gained recognition among international fashion circles and had been adopted by fashion enthusiasts worldwide, Zhao's endorsement is being viewed as another significant moment for Thailand's soft power movement. The attention generated by the actress has not only created excitement among fans but also intensified interest in Thai fashion in both domestic and international markets, marking another milestone for global recognition of Thai designers.

A Chinese tourist had an unforgettable Bali experience when a monkey snatched his smartphone right out of his hands and nearly sent it tumbling off a cliff. Fortunately, the phone was recovered, but when he checked his photo album, he found a major surprise that went viral online.

According to the tourist known as "Hu," the incident occurred on May 11 while he was visiting a popular tourist spot on the island of Bali. Suddenly, a monkey rushed in and grabbed his phone, then quickly ran off.

After the incident, he immediately sought help from local staff, who warned him to prepare himself as the monkey might throw the phone off a cliff, making recovery impossible. However, about two hours later, the staff successfully retrieved the phone.

But the story didn't end there. When Hu opened his photo album, he discovered numerous photos that appeared to have been taken randomly, along with a 23-second video clip that looked like the monkey was vlogging its own life.

He believes that after the monkey grabbed the phone, it accidentally tapped the camera shortcut on the screen, causing the phone to inadvertently record images and videos of the monkey's jungle life while it was running away.

After posting the clip on social media, it went viral instantly. Many netizens shared similar experiences of having glasses, hats, or headphones stolen by monkeys, joking that these monkeys were "gang thieves of the tourist destination."

Kia Sales Thailand is launching its May campaign with valuable offers covering the entire Kia lineup to meet the needs of Thai customers across all lifestyles. This campaign demonstrates Kia's confidence in its product range and reinforces its position as an intelligent choice for customers seeking world-class vehicles with excellent value and long-term ownership benefits. Special offers are presented for each model as follows: The Kia EV5, a 100% electric SUV equipped with advanced cabin technology, features a special price starting at 1.08 million baht (Air trim after 319,000 baht discount). The Kia Sorento PHEV is a three-row, six-seat SUV combining plug-in hybrid performance with premium comfort and AWD capability at a special price of 1.499 million baht (after 600,000 baht discount). The New Kia Carnival HEV offers luxurious hybrid driving, ideal for families and executives, with a 200,000 baht discount. The Kia Carnival Diesel SXL continues to set the standard as a premium MPV, available with a 595,000 baht discount (for Astra Blue color). Beyond attractive pricing, Kia strengthens ownership confidence with comprehensive care packages including up to 7 years of vehicle warranty, up to 8 years of high-voltage battery warranty, and 24-hour emergency assistance service. Customers can now experience and test drive all Kia models at official dealers nationwide or visit www.kia.com/th for additional details.

A Thai employee working a mobile meatball food cart became furious when his Vietnamese employer refused to purchase a grindstone for his motorcycle sidecar. In a drunken rage, he grabbed a knife and slashed his boss's throat, nearly killing him.

At 11:00 AM on May 14, 2025, Deputy Sergeant Atsit Rungchet of Rattanakosin Police Station received a report of an assault with an injury victim. The incident occurred on Nonthaburi Soi 48, Branch 9 in Tha Trai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nonthaburi Province. Officers rushed to the scene.

The incident took place at a two-story townhouse used as a meatball preparation and sales location, with a motorcycle sidecar food cart parked in front. Signs of a violent struggle were visible, including a fallen tree. The injured victim, Tuan Ho, 55, a Vietnamese national, received first aid from Nonthaburi municipal rescue workers. He sustained a knife wound to the throat, a fish-shaped laceration, and multiple abrasions from the struggle. He was transferred to Phra Nang Klao Hospital.

Police arrested the suspect at the scene: Jamrus, 45, from Kalasin Province, who was found in a state of intoxication. A fruit peeler knife was seized as evidence. The suspect confessed to the assault while intoxicated, claiming he wanted the grindstone to sell better goods from his cart, but the victim refused to buy it for him. He admitted to slashing the victim's throat, intending to kill him, but the victim survived.

Nguyen Thi Thao, 42, the victim's wife, stated she was on the second floor when she heard her husband arguing with Jamrus, the Thai employee. The suspect had been living with them despite lacking a permanent residence. She noted that he had been drinking and bringing women into the house. That morning, he had asked her husband for the grindstone, but when refused, he became drunk and aggressive. She recalled he had previously hit and kicked her husband and slapped a friend, but this time he acted with extreme violence.

Police initially charged Jamrus with attempted murder. He was detained along with the knife evidence and transferred to Rattanakosin Police Station in Nonthaburi for further legal proceedings.

The Department of Natural Resources Water Administration issued a warning on May 14 about high tidal conditions expected between May 17-21. Southern winds and southwest monsoon winds over the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand will intensify waves, raising water levels at river mouths and potentially causing flooding in low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, and Tha Chin rivers. Communities outside flood barriers and major roads including Sukhumvit, Suksawat, and Rama II roads are at particular risk. Saltwater intrusion poses additional concerns for drinking water quality and agricultural areas. Relevant agencies are urged to monitor conditions in Samut Prakan, Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Songkhram provinces.

Students across the country are learning English through computer screens with dedication, many receiving educational scholarships that cover daily living expenses to ensure regular school attendance, while classrooms are implementing virtue-based school activities in collaboration with their communities. Though these scenes may seem small to ordinary observers, for students, teachers, and people in remote areas, they represent 'critical educational opportunities' that can genuinely transform lives.

Three years ago, Thai Vivat Insurance Company (Public) Limited joined the Partnership School Project in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, undertaking a mission far greater than charity: reducing the risk of children dropping out of the education system and developing the potential of students in remote areas. The company oversees five schools nationwide that operate under a new development model that can be measured and scaled effectively.

The project uses a Co-Creation approach to design activities together with teachers and communities at each school, working closely with the Yuva Development Foundation through three main tools to transform 'opportunity' into 'genuine educational development': (1) Thoughtfully-designed scholarships covering hidden expenses including transportation, meals, and equipment that might otherwise push children out of school, allowing students to develop skills fully without family financial worries; (2) The Winner English program, which provides computers and self-learning English software with mentoring support to give students easier access to English and improve their chances for further education and future employment; (3) Virtue School projects with customized plans for each school reflecting local children's lifestyles and community contexts, rather than one-size-fits-all templates.

Thepiphant Asvadhanasgul, Vice Chairman and Director of Thai Vivat Insurance, stated: 'Thai Vivat wants to be more than just a donor—we want to be a sustainable development partner walking alongside teachers, schools, and communities throughout this journey. Through our collaboration with Yuva Development Foundation, which has expertise in education, process design, and impact monitoring, we believe sustainable development has no single formula, but begins with understanding each area's context to design programs that truly match children's needs and aspirations.'

Kanokwan Chaosr, Director of the Hundred Strength Education Initiative from Yuva Development Foundation, said: 'Many remote schools face significant constraints in budgets, personnel, and teaching materials, while teachers are already overburdened. The Partnership School Project prioritizes not adding more work to schools, but rather filling gaps in ways that fit each community's context. We believe sustainable development cannot happen with one organization alone, but requires continuous collaboration to create changes that teachers and schools can sustain.'