On May 16, 2025, Kittikaan Jomduang Charuwornpalkul, director of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), revealed the cause of the train-bus collision: a bus became stalled across railway tracks at a red light due to extended traffic congestion stretching for considerable distance. This unavoidable situation prevented the bus from moving as the train approached and struck it, causing a severe accident. Eight bus passengers have been killed and approximately 15 injured, while civilian vehicles parked in the area also sustained damage. The BMTA will expedite compensation for the deceased, with insurance and accident coverage already in place. Each victim's family will receive maximum compensation of 1.5 million baht, with the BMTA providing an additional 30,000-50,000 baht per family. Injured passengers will receive coverage based on actual medical expenses incurred.

Prime Minister Anuthine Charnvirakul emphasized the government's firm and uncompromising stance on anti-corruption, declaring it is not merely lip service. Since taking office in October, the administration has consistently prosecuted corruption cases and applied anti-corruption laws rigorously, addressing scams, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and human trafficking. The PM stressed that the government works seamlessly with enforcement agencies—police, military, and officials—united in purpose to combat illegal activities. Regarding a private sector committee's list of ten government agencies most susceptible to bribery, Anuthine clarified that such indices come from surveys rather than legal proceedings. The government's approach focuses on concrete law enforcement; for example, the land rights case in Chiang Mai expanded beyond dismissing a single district officer to prosecuting an entire corrupt network involving influential figures. Similarly, in Nakhon Pathom, a village headman was removed from office. The PM emphasized the government uses behavior-based prosecution rather than position-based enforcement, targeting anyone with illegal conduct regardless of rank. Corruption sources in Phuket, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Surat Thani have been prosecuted after officials were found accepting bribes, land transfers, and salary kickbacks. When asked about potential countersuits from agencies ranked in the survey, Anuthine responded that if accusations are made, defendants have the right to sue back, which he considers fair. He acknowledged that corruption perception indices partly stem from feeling-based surveys, not prosecutable evidence. The PM framed anti-corruption as the government's karmic responsibility to cleanse past sins without compounding them. He stressed the government is serious and not making empty promises, citing strict inspections and support for officials combating corruption and illegal acts, with the goal of complete elimination.

The Department of Business Development has pledged to investigate allegations of improper benefit solicitation, stating 'if wrong, we acknowledge it; if right, we acknowledge it too,' while reaffirming its commitment to fully digitalized services. On May 16, 2025, Director-General Poonpong Naiyanaphakorn of the Department of Business Development under the Ministry of Commerce addressed the issue of corruption in government, emphasizing it as a key indicator of national competitiveness and investor confidence.

The department adheres to good governance principles and welcomes scrutiny of all operational procedures to demonstrate transparency. The department has maintained strict oversight of staff conduct with clear disciplinary measures for complaints from businesses and the public. Digital systems have been implemented across all business registration, financial filing, and licensing processes, which inherently reduce face-to-face interactions that could facilitate bribery.

Despite comprehensive digital service delivery—including DBD Biz Regist for business registration, DBD e-PCL for public company registration, DBD e-Filing for financial statements, e-Foreign Business for foreign business permits, e-Secured for secured transactions registration, and DBD DataWarehouse+ for corporate information—a recent private sector survey under the 'Thai People Will Not Tolerate Corruption' program ranked the department 21st out of 26 agencies for alleged bribery requests.

The director-general expressed surprise at these findings, noting that virtually 100% of services are fully digitalized. The department has continuously updated and secured its digital systems, established standardized service procedures, implemented transparent status-tracking systems, and instructed staff to conduct business with integrity while prohibiting any improper benefit solicitation. Clear penalties and strict internal controls are in place to prevent corruption.

BANGKOK — 16 May 2026, Thailand has introduced stricter regulations governing cannabis businesses, limiting licences for medical cannabis activities to registered medical facilities, pharmacies and herbal medicine shops, health officials said.

The Public Health Ministry said the new ministerial regulation, which took effect this year, strengthens oversight of cannabis classified as a controlled herbal substance.

Under the rules, only legally registered healthcare facilities, pharmacies and herbal product stores may apply for licences to study, export, distribute or process cannabis for commercial purposes.

Dr. Tewan Thaneerat, deputy director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, said the measures were designed to improve public safety and ensure cannabis use remains under professional supervision.

Official said traditional Thai medicine practitioners and licensed folk healers may continue using cannabis flower buds to treat patients, but only under tighter controls.

Dispensing cannabis products now requires an official prescription form, with supplies limited to a maximum of 30 days per patient. Businesses must also retain records for at least one year for inspection purposes.

Licensed premises are required to employ staff trained in basic medical cannabis knowledge during operating hours and must store cannabis flowers separately from the floor with effective odour and smoke control systems.

Authorities said businesses previously suspended or stripped of licences could be denied future licence renewals.

The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine said it regulates only cannabis flower buds as controlled herbal products. Exporters and distributors must also obtain cultivation and harvesting certification approved by the department.

Official said the new rules aim to create clearer medical cannabis standards while supporting the long-term development of Thailand's herbal medicine industry under legal oversight.