M.L. Korkrit Kesamri, the independent candidate for Bangkok governor, announced on May 24 that he met with General Prawit Wongsuwan, advisor to the Palang Pracharath Party, to decide on his independent candidacy. Kesamri stated he has consulted with various parties because running independently requires understanding that the BMA operates across the political spectrum, and he wants to communicate and work seamlessly with all sides.

"General Prawit encouraged me to move forward with the work and gave his blessing. He is no longer involved in politics," Kesamri said.

Kesamri noted that running independently allows him to fully address policy questions without constraints from any political party. Everything voters see on stage comes from his heart, and he genuinely wants to solve Bangkok's problems. His entire team consists of highly capable individuals.

When asked if he is confident he can compete against Chumphot Sidhiphan, the former Bangkok governor who enjoys high popularity, Kesamri said that while Chumphot had four years to work, he believes he can expand and build on previous achievements. Many projects credited to Chumphot, such as Traffy Fondue, were actually initiated by former governor Aswin Kwanmuang in 2018 but became famous during Chumphot's term.

"Chumphot's popularity is good because he has worked before, but I want people to understand we are facing crises in energy, conflict, and economy. Today we need someone who works beyond just managing district affairs—we need a military strategist who can navigate us through these crises. I believe the worst is yet to come, and we will face increasing problems. Therefore, we should give the opportunity to someone who sees these issues clearly, has solutions, and is ready to work for Bangkok," Kesamri concluded.

A 10-year plan comes to fruition as a Singapore family sells their home and vehicle to travel the globe for six months while homeschooling their young children, hoping to maximize shared life experiences.

On May 24, a Singaporean couple decided to sell both their apartment and car to begin an important journey with their young children, ages 5 and 6. They will embark on a six-month road trip through more than 10 countries, aiming to create lasting memories for the family.

Natasha and Shahrom revealed they have been planning this trip for over 10 years, since starting their family. Both are avid travelers and previously honeymooned by traveling to Mongolia. Selling the Singapore flat is just one part of their preparation—financial, mental, and helping the children adjust before the real journey begins.

Although the children will not attend regular school for several months, Natasha teaches them through daily journaling, online reading materials, and having them manage their own luggage and belongings to develop life skills and responsibility during travel.

Shahrom, a professional photographer, acknowledges that traveling with young children is not easy, requiring adjustments to food, accommodation, and activities. However, they hope exposure to new cultures and cuisines will help the children develop a broader worldview, especially as they travel through China and Central Asia.

Both emphasize that "safety and health" are their top priorities. They chose to use a Malaysian-registered campervan, which is more convenient for childcare than air travel, and they avoid driving at night. They intend to use this time before their children start primary school next year to gather as many shared life experiences as possible before returning to normal life in Singapore.

On May 24, Ms. Oi (pseudonym), a 29-year-old government schoolteacher in Wang Chan District, Rayong Province, filed a complaint with the Muang Rayong Police Station, presenting printed evidence of obscene video clips. The investigators redirected her to file the report at Wang Chan Police Station, where jurisdiction applies. After learning of the case through media reports, Colonel Supakorn Magsombat, commander of Wang Chan Police Station, ordered an urgent meeting with the victim on May 25 to proceed with legal procedures.

The teacher revealed she knew the police officer because he was assigned as a D.A.R.E. instructor replacing a previous officer. However, the officer began harassing her, inviting her to meals, and frequently messaging her on Line. She attempted to respond politely and keep conversations work-related due to her discomfort. On the afternoon of May 22, the officer messaged her again before sending an obscene video clip, which alarmed her significantly. Fearing his intentions and potential danger to herself, she decided to gather evidence and file a formal complaint.

At the Thammasat Society on May 24, M.L. Korksakul Kasemsri officially launched his Bangkok Governor campaign with the slogan "How ready is Bangkok to elevate itself to become a world-safe city?" He presented his team including Theerachai Phuvanasanananubol, Pantheep Pawpongphan, Dr. Atit Laosakul, Pol. Lt. Gen. Piya Tajwichai, Pol. Maj. Noprat Paenkaew, Dr. Apisate Prosetnanthid, and Dr. Panchaya Dangaram.

M.L. Korksakul outlined his vision, stating that Bangkok, as his hometown, has repeatedly borne the brunt of external and internal crises. "Bangkok residents have suffered enough," he declared, calling for a new governor to serve as a strong "commander" rather than merely managing day-to-day affairs. He envisions making Bangkok a protective fortress and a reliable haven for residents.

The candidate proposes elevating Bangkok to an international safety standard through comprehensive security and surveillance systems. He plans to implement AI-powered facial recognition technology integrated with CCTV cameras to identify wanted criminals and address security threats. He also suggests establishing impenetrable digital infrastructure and partnering with 500,000 private sector cameras without municipal expenditure.

M.L. Korksakul pledges to combat drug abuse by declaring war on narcotics and establishing "white schools" with continuous drug testing. He aims to transform vulnerable communities into strongholds and prepare for unpredictable disasters—both earthquakes and flooding—through preventive measures rather than reactive responses.

For earthquake preparedness, he proposes upgrading aging Bangkok structures to withstand 7-magnitude quakes and conducting regular disaster drills. To address flooding, he advocates the "sponge city" policy, redirecting excess water through permeable pavements and converting public parks into "smart monkey cheeks" that store and gradually drain water. He plans to dredge canals like Saen Sab and Ladprao, using AI to optimize pump station operations based on rainfall volume.

Additionally, M.L. Korksakul proposes converting wastewater into clean water to develop new waterway tourism attractions, creating both environmental and economic benefits for the city.

In a remarkable turn of events, monkeys in Gibraltar have developed unusual eating habits after becoming addicted to junk food from tourists, leading them to eat dirt to ease digestive problems. Researchers suggest this may be a form of natural self-medication behavior.

The monkey population in British Gibraltar is now attracting scientific attention after researchers discovered these animals engage in soil-eating behavior to counteract the effects of regularly consuming junk food from tourists.

Approximately 230 monkeys, believed to originate from North Africa, are one of Gibraltar's iconic symbols. This small territory has a population of about 30,000 and is located near Spain's southern border. These monkeys attract large numbers of tourists daily.

Many visitors get close to the monkeys and feed them snacks, candy, and processed foods. While this creates entertainment, experts warn the behavior is dangerous to wildlife health and disrupts the animals' natural eating patterns.

These monkeys are literally eating dirt to help digest the junk food received from tourists.

The monkeys in this area have begun aggressively taking food from tourists, including ice cream, cake, and french fries, as well as rummaging through trash or accepting food directly. This has clearly altered their eating system, which previously focused on fruits, vegetables, and seeds.

A study conducted between 2022-2024 by researchers from leading universities including Oxford, Cambridge, and Paris-Sorbonne found that these monkeys exhibited abnormally high rates of soil-eating behavior, particularly during summer when tourist numbers peak. This was the first time such behavior was recorded in this monkey population.

Researchers explain that this behavior may represent a form of "natural self-medication," as junk foods like sweets, french fries, and dairy products can cause digestive problems in monkeys, prompting them to eat dirt to help balance their gut flora.

Experts also theorize that soil may contain microorganisms or substances that help restore the microbiome in the monkeys' bodies. Scientists emphasize this may be one of the clearest examples demonstrating the impact of human food on wild animal behavior in nature.

A traditional rocket exploded at a festival launch ground in Yasothon province on May 24, 2026, leaving several people seriously injured, emergency responders confirmed. The incident occurred at the Ban Don Klang rocket field in Kho Nuea subdistrict, Muang district, Yasothon. Rescue workers from Huk 31 emergency services responded to the incident around 1:33 p.m. and transported the injured to Yasothon Hospital. Three pickup trucks were destroyed by fire at the scene. One confirmed casualty was a 45-year-old man who suffered severe burn injuries to his lower body and legs. He was conscious but showing signs of shock with cold sweats when rescue workers provided first aid and transferred him by advanced life support ambulance to the hospital. Authorities have not yet confirmed the total number of injured or determined the cause of the explosion. An investigation is ongoing.