May 19, 2569 — Following a social media drama that led to a revenge boxing match, Boonmee recently gave an interview about his readiness and emotional state before stepping into the ring. After just completing the weigh-in ceremony and facing off with his opponent, he acknowledged this is a revenge match, reiterating that he couldn't fight on the day of the incident because the other side had greater numbers and he feared weapons.

When asked whether today's fight constitutes revenge for the previous altercation, the man in black admitted frankly with a laugh, "Something like that." He also clarified a point that many people wondered about — he holds a taekwondo degree and possesses skills in that sport, but why didn't he retaliate or fight back on the day of the incident? He explained that the previous incident was entirely outside the realm of sport. "That day was completely outside sport," he stated. "If I had fought, it would have been like this: they had weapons and I didn't, they had more people than us. We came with just three people and drove into their territory, their zone. I didn't know what would have happened if we fought."

During the weigh-in confrontation, he remained cool and chose to save his emotions for the ring. When asked about the atmosphere during the weigh-in, Boonmee revealed he felt very calm and indifferent, experiencing no tension or pressure, and intended to settle everything on the ring alone.

Regarding social media criticism that he acts arrogantly or puts on airs, he denied it and explained: "People don't see me in a good light, think I'm arrogant or something, but I don't even understand where my arrogance is. I got punched, right? Should I come sit and wai him? That wouldn't be right. I'm just being myself. I'm not putting on any act or being arrogant at all."

He expressed confidence in his speed and vowed to take victory home. Regarding his readiness to fight, he stated he has trained sufficiently. Although his opponent has trained intensively for the past three weeks, he has no worries and will not be complacent whatsoever.

When asked to assess his opponent's form, Boonmee said, "Looking at it, he might be slower than me. I think I'm faster." He concluded confidently: "I should definitely get the win and go home today." As for whether he'll win by points or knockout, he indicated he has already thought about that possibility.

A tragic accident claimed the life of an 83-year-old man riding his motorcycle to his grandson's Buddhist ordination ceremony when struck by a car. The car driver stated the elderly man suddenly cut in front of him onto the right lane, preventing him from braking in time.

At 5:48 PM on May 19, 2026, Deputy Investigation Officer Soros Chanapon of Muang Phatthalung Police Station received a report of a car-motorcycle collision on Asia Highway northbound in Tambon Tha Khae, Muang District, Phatthalung Province. He rushed to the scene with emergency medical staff from Phatthalung Hospital and rescue units from Tha Khae Subdistrict.

At the scene, responders found an 83-year-old man with severe injuries including a crushed skull and a nearly severed right leg, who was unresponsive and had no pulse. His motorcycle was severely damaged and overturned on the roadside. Emergency responders performed CPR before rushing him to Phatthalung Hospital, but due to the severity of his injuries, he died in the emergency room shortly after arrival.

Initial investigation determined that the victim was leaving home to travel to his grandson's ordination ceremony when the accident occurred.

Car driver Pirsak stated he was driving in the right lane with an 18-wheel truck in the left lane ahead when the motorcycle suddenly cut in front of him into the right lane without warning. He was unable to brake or swerve in time, resulting in a violent collision that threw the victim onto the roadway, while the motorcycle flew off to the side. Officials will conduct further investigation to determine the exact cause and proceed with legal action.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has appointed Thanat Suvarnanont, Director of the National Intelligence Agency, as head of peace talks for the southern border provinces. His primary duties include conducting negotiations with anti-state groups and violent perpetrators based on policies and measures established by the National Security Council, Prime Minister, or Cabinet; assessing and analyzing the stances and attitudes of dissenting groups and insurgents; and providing recommendations to senior leadership for policy decisions on resolving southern border issues. He will coordinate with facilitators in the peace process, including Malaysia and relevant government, private, and international entities.

The Prime Minister previously appointed a special government representative committee to address southern border problems, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sissadej Pungketkhao. The Defense Minister and National Security Council Secretary serve as vice chairs, with relevant permanent secretaries, the Supreme Commander, Army Commander, Police Commissioner, and the National Security Council Secretary as members. Wanmuhammad Normat, President of the Prime Minister's Advisory Board, serves as advisor.

The committee is tasked with driving strategies and operational plans toward concrete problem-solving, coordinating between the Cabinet and central government with local agencies, liaising with ministers assigned to work in the region, providing recommendations for integrated and coordinated efforts, and tracking progress in alignment with national strategy and the national security plan for southern border development.

The southern border unrest has accumulated over many years, beginning with forced disappearances of local religious leaders and a 2004 military base gun theft in retaliation against the state. The root causes stem from governance and administration that fails to align with the region's diverse population, escalating into harsh state crackdowns and human rights and justice violations.

Since taking office, Prime Minister Anutin has demonstrated commitment to resolving the conflict and achieving southern peace, as evidenced by establishing the special representative committee and appointing the peace talks chief. It is hoped the resolution process will prioritize dialogue, center people's interests, enable participation, and couple these with justice while reducing harsh state measures.

The Constitutional Court's acceptance of the petition challenging the 400-billion-baht emergency loan decree is not merely a legal issue but a measure of the legitimacy of executive power use under the emergency conditions outlined in Article 172 of the Constitution. The opposition contends that the borrowing, particularly the 200-billion-baht allocation for energy restructuring, represents long-term policy rather than an emergency crisis warranting a decree that circumvents parliament. The government, meanwhile, insists the country faces critical crises in energy, living costs, and economic stagnation, requiring urgent emergency measures. Analysts have outlined three possible outcomes: First, if the court rejects the decree entirely, it would be the worst-case scenario for the government, signaling executive overreach and unconstitutional action, which would derail projects and damage the government's credibility and stability—ammunition the opposition could use for sustained political pressure. Second, if the court rejects only the energy restructuring portion, many view this as the most balanced solution, allowing the government to continue economic relief measures while redirecting long-term projects through the normal parliamentary process. Third, if the court rules the decree constitutional, the government wins outright and can proceed immediately, while also defending its crisis decision-making—though this raises troubling questions about whether the executive could routinely bypass parliamentary oversight in the future. Based on current political atmosphere and legal debate, the second scenario—partial rejection—appears most likely, as it represents the "middle ground" between upholding constitutional protections and avoiding economic harm during a period when citizens are deeply anxious about public debt and rising living costs.

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — At least 131 deaths and over 500 suspected cases have been reported in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, the Congolese health ministry said Tuesday as details emerged about the government's delayed response.

Samuel Roger Kamba, the minister of public health, said: "513 suspected cases and 131 deaths have been recorded in the affected areas."

"These are suspected deaths, and investigations are underway to determine which ones are actually linked to the disease."

The WHO on Sunday declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

Health authorities say the current outbreak, first confirmed on Friday, is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare variant of the Ebola disease that has no approved therapeutics or vaccines. Although more than 20 Ebola outbreaks have taken place in Congo and Uganda, this is only the third time that the Bundibugyo virus has been detected.

A health official uses a thermometer to screen people in front of Kibuli Muslim Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/ Hajarah Nalwadda)

Cases have now been confirmed in Bunia, North Kivu's rebel-held capital of Goma, Mongbwalu, Butembo, and Nyakunde.

The World Health Organization's director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in Geneva on Tuesday that he is "deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic" and the U.N. health agency will convene its emergency committee Tuesday to advise on recommendations.