Nakhon Ratchasima — Recent heavy rainfall has driven porcupines down from mountain forests to water sources for breeding, prompting many villagers to hunt and sell them for income. However, some residents have been illegally setting traps throughout the forest, threatening rapid population decline and potential extinction. Setting traps within protected forest areas constitutes a serious criminal offense.

Nong Teng and Khao Yai Protected Forests, located in Chaloem Phrakiat District, Nakhon Ratchasima, cover approximately 10,206 rai and are predominantly mixed deciduous forest rich in teak, rosewood, and other valuable timber. The area also hosts Nakhon Ratchasima Airport (Nong Teng). During this rainy season, the district mobilized multiple agencies to destroy the numerous traps.

A Facebook user named Wiwik Suwanna posted about the operation, noting that forestry officers, police, and volunteers destroyed many animal traps in the protected area, though work continues as traps remain in multiple locations. The post appealed to locals not to set traps, as offenders face prosecution under the Wildlife Protection and Preservation Act B.E. 2562 and the National Forest Reserve Act.

District Chief Putt Pongsapeepon coordinated the May 19, 2569 operation, deploying 40 personnel including forest officers, police, and volunteers. He emphasized serious legal consequences for illegal trapping and urged residents accessing the forest to obtain proper permits rather than trespass illegally.

At 9:25 a.m. on May 20, 2025, at Parliament, Suppanat Minchaiyanan, a Bangkok MP from the People's Party and chairman of the House Transport Committee, announced before the meeting that the committee would discuss the train-bus collision at the Asoke-Din Daeng intersection. He invited all relevant agencies including the directors-general of Rail Transport and Land Transport departments, the Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the Road Safety Fund Committee, the Insurance Commission, the Police Bureau, Makkasan police station commander, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, and Bangkok's Traffic and Transport Office.

Suppanat stated that the meeting must establish all facts completely. Recent reports indicate that the train operator was on board and positioned at the front of the train, so the committee needs to verify this. He also questioned whether the railway signal system meets adequate safety standards and whether there are systems beyond red flags to warn drivers in advance of obstacles ahead. He emphasized the need to first address these specific issues before expanding to broader traffic and accident problems in the area.

Suppanat noted that conflicting information persists, particularly regarding braking distance estimates ranging from 200 meters to 2 kilometers. He expressed regret that the State Railway Labor Union was not invited to this meeting but indicated they could be summoned later if additional facts emerge. He stated that the union's statement would be presented for review and that the Central Land Transport Department director, attending today's meeting, should provide complete clarification as they are already investigating the matter. If questions remain or new issues arise, another meeting can be scheduled.

Nawat Anucha Anuchitr, founder of Miss Grand International, has appointed Tray Skoqt (Siratthat Skoqt) as a judge for the MGI All Star pageant, sparking significant online discussion. Nawat revealed that while they had been in contact for some time, the announcement was delayed due to concerns that appointing her shortly after she became a media sensation might appear opportunistic. However, Nawat confirmed that Tray had been under consideration beforehand, citing her previous collaboration as a judge at the MUT Pathumthani pageant and their encounters at various events, which revealed her compelling perspective and thoughtful approach.

After hearing Tray's interview addressing family issues, Nawat became convinced that she exemplifies a "role model" who uses her influence to authentically reflect social concerns, praising her intellectual maturity beyond expectations. Tray confirmed her ability to fully commit to the judicial responsibilities despite her demanding schedule from the television show "Khong Krasor."

When asked about the public response, Nawat joked that "we exist because of the trend," explaining that the early announcement was necessary because Tray's image appeared in the pageant's presentation. Without prior notification, viewers might have been confused.

Nawat also addressed the family drama surrounding Tray, initially avoiding comment as he viewed it as private. However, after following her television interviews and learning more details, he reconsidered, viewing it no longer as a purely personal matter but as a reflection of societal issues—specifically domestic relationships, power dynamics, and abuse within families.

Nawat emphasized parents' responsibility to show fairness and care toward their children, questioning accusations of ingratitude when parents bear responsibility for the lives they create and protecting them from family harm. He acknowledged that Tray's case may represent just one of many in Thai society, with many victims of family violence and abuse remaining silent. Nawat noted that social media has become a safe space allowing survivors to demand justice more openly.

May 20, 2025 — Ployprawai Laksameesang Chanthran, Deputy Government Spokesperson, announced that the government has ordered the Ministry of Public Health to monitor and surveil the Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern.

According to Ployprawai, Ebola is a severe viral infection spread through blood and bodily fluids of patients, including blood, saliva, vomit, feces, and other secretions, particularly in severely ill patients. Transmission typically occurs within families, among healthcare workers, or among those in close contact with sick patients and deceased bodies. Unlike measles or COVID-19, the virus does not spread easily through the air. No cases have been reported in Thailand to date.

Initial symptoms may resemble common fever, including high fever, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. Some cases may involve abnormal bleeding. Without proper care, the disease can become severe with high mortality rates. However, because infected individuals typically show clear symptoms, close contacts can be tracked, quarantined, and the disease controlled more easily than certain airborne infections.

"The government has ordered the Ministry of Public Health to closely monitor the situation and coordinate with relevant agencies to prepare healthcare facilities, isolation rooms, personal protective equipment, and laboratory capabilities in case suspected cases are identified in the future," Ployprawai stated.

The public is urged to obtain information from health authorities, avoid spreading panic-inducing misinformation, and maintain basic hygiene practices consistently.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) held a contract signing ceremony on May 20, 2025, at Boromahat Hall, Bangkok Central Station in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, for two Red Line extension projects. The first contract, valued at 6.057 billion baht, covers the dark red line from Rangsit to Thammasat University Rangsit Center (8.84 kilometers) with four stations: Khlong Neung, Bangkok University, Chiang Rak, and Thammasat Rangsit Center. This ground-level line will require approximately 14 acres of land acquisition.

The second contract, valued at 14.72 billion baht, covers the light red line from Siriraj to Talad Noi to Salaya (20.50 kilometers total), consisting of 13.83 kilometers of ground-level track and 6.67 kilometers of elevated track with nine stations, including three new stations: Rama VI Bridge, Bang Kruai-MEA, and Ban Chimpli. No additional land acquisition is needed for this route.

Acting SRT Governor Anant Photinimadang stated the projects follow the national 20-year strategy and M-MAP2 master transportation plan, approved by the Cabinet in 2025. The State Railway plans to sign construction supervision contracts in June and July 2025, with pile driving expected to commence in July 2025. The three-year construction period will conclude with service opening in 2029. The light red line will add approximately 20 minutes to travel time from Bang Sue to Talad Noi, while the dark red line will add 9-10 minutes from Bang Sue to Rangsit. The existing 25 Red Line trains will be sufficient to operate both extensions. An Integrity Pact has also been signed with the Anti-Corruption Organization (Thailand) to ensure transparency throughout the project.

A sedan struck a wild elephant on Highway 323 near Kanchanaburi's Muang District on the evening of May 19, with the vehicle catching fire and burning almost entirely. Deputy Superintendent Natthapon Thongsikhaew of Lad Yao Police Station reported that at 9 p.m., officers responded to the scene along with medical staff from Phahol Phol Yuhasena Hospital, wildlife officials, and representatives from the Kan Wildlife Foundation.

The heavily damaged Toyota Corolla was found abandoned along the roadside with its engine compartment engulfed in flames that spread throughout the vehicle. Firefighters extinguished the blaze before discovering the body of 70-year-old Chukiat (surname withheld) in the front left seat. Two other occupants were injured: the driver, 64-year-old Charn (surname withheld), and 74-year-old Suphanutt (surname withheld), who was sitting in the back.

Authorities determined that the driver was traveling on Highway 323 from Thai Yoak toward Muang Kanchanaburi when, in the darkness, a wild elephant from the Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary crossed the Khwae Yai River and onto the highway, causing the collision. The extent of injuries sustained by the elephant remain unknown. This incident represents the first recorded vehicle-elephant collision on Highway 323 in history; similar accidents typically occur on Highway 3199 between Kanchanaburi and Si Sawat.