On May 18, 2025, residents affected by a fire in Mueang Pak subdistrict, Pak Thong Chai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, submitted their second petition to the Prime Minister through the government's complaint resolution center (1111). Led by Wannarath Veerchaiyasunthorn and Pornchanok Veerchaiyasunthorn, the group sought urgent help and demanded accountability after losing their homes and businesses in the major fire over 16 years ago, forcing them to rent accommodations for more than 15 years. Somphap Nilphan, an advisor on grievance management at the Prime Minister's Office, received the petition.

During the submission, residents gathered to bang pots and pans, demanding justice. The devastating fire had destroyed their homes and livelihoods over 16 years ago, yet compensation and legal proceedings remain stalled. In June 2023, a provincial problem-solving meeting resolved that state agencies should provide relief and compensation for the state-owned land affected by the fire. However, as of March 19, 2025, municipal officials who visited to inspect the situation confirmed that no compensation has been provided to date.

"We are suffering immensely. We have no home and no place to do business. We have had to rent from others for 15 full years. It has devastated our spirits and our families' lives," the residents stated in their petition.

The affected residents requested the Prime Minister to use his authority to expedite and follow up on officials' field investigations to restore justice and alleviate the prolonged hardship. Somphap Nilphan stated that the complaints center has accepted the case and will coordinate with relevant agencies including the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Governor, Pak Thong Chai District Office, Mueang Pak Municipality, State Property Office, Rights and Liberties Protection Department, and Public Rights Prosecutor to fairly monitor progress in assisting the affected residents.

Thai woman suffers broken leg after bang fai rocket crashes into her homeLegacyA woman in Nakhon Ratchasima is seeking compensation after a bang fai rocket crashed through her home and injured her daughter-in-law, resulting in a broken leg. The incident occurred on May 6 in Bua Lai district when a rocket reportedly fell through the roof of a shared family home. The 34 year old victim, Chanapa, suffered a broken left leg after being struck while sitting in her bedroom. Chanapa’s mother-in-law, 52 year old Somsuan, told the media that a child was also inside the room at the time but escaped injury. She said the incident could have been fatal if the rocket had hit the child. Officials from the Bua Lai Subdistrict Administrative Office later visited the property and offered repairs to the damaged roof. However, Somsuan said the event organiser had not contacted the family regarding compensation for Chanapa’s injury. She added that the family had paid all medical expenses themselves. Photo via Facebook/ Korat Watch According to Somsuan, the family requested 350,000 baht in compensation from the organiser, but the demand was rejected. She said the family decided to take the matter public after receiving a response from the organiser stating, “If you want the money, go sue for it.” The bang fai rocket accident drew criticism online and renewed concerns over safety standards at annual rocket festivals across the Isaan region. Several social media users noted that similar incidents occur almost every year without long-term preventive measures being introduced. Following public attention on the case, Bua Lai Subdistrict Administrative Office mayor Mongkhon Nontanam told Workpoint News that officials had continued assisting the family. Photo via Facebook/ Korat Watch Mongkhon said local officials repaired the damaged roof and provided a new bed and bedding after household items were damaged in the incident. He also stated that officials had already offered 20,000 baht in compensation and planned to cover Chanapa’s medical expenses based on hospital receipts. The incident was not the only reported rocket-related case during the festival period. In Kalasin, another woman used social media to seek accountability after a rocket reportedly landed at her home. No injuries or property damage were reported in that incident.

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The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is supporting government efforts to review and modify power purchase agreements with Adder and FiT electricity producers to achieve genuine reductions in electricity costs and ensure fairness for all parties. ERC Secretary General Poolpat Leesombati revealed that the commission is ready to provide full data and legal support following Prime Minister's Order 137/2569, which established a committee to address problems arising from private power producer contracts. This will serve as a mechanism to genuinely reduce electricity costs and create fairness for all stakeholders.

Previously, the ERC proposed to the National Energy Policy Committee that purchase prices for Adder and FiT power plants should be revised. These are perpetual contracts where historical production costs and purchase prices no longer align with current conditions, where production costs have dropped significantly but purchase prices remain unchanged. This forces consumers to bear excess electricity costs of approximately 13-17 satang per unit, or conversely, allows operators to receive returns at high levels, totaling tens of millions of baht annually depending on yearly electricity production volumes.

The previous government under General Prayut Chan-o-cha received the ERC's proposal for consideration, though legal and contractual issues remain relevant. The ERC therefore recommends reviewing the matter under the Energy Industry Act B.E. 2550, specifically Section 65(1), which requires electricity rates to reflect actual costs, and Section 65(4), which requires rates to be fair to both energy users and operators. "The key consideration is whether contract conditions violate legal provisions. If it is determined that contract conditions are inconsistent with legal provisions, consideration must be given to whether legal principles take precedence over contract terms."

The committee comprises Deputy Prime Minister Pakaorn Nilpraband as chair and the Energy Minister as vice-chair, along with representatives from key agencies in energy, law, economics, and consumer protection, including the ERC Secretary General. The committee's primary responsibility is to establish guidelines for resolving issues with private power producer contracts that may not align with current circumstances and fairness principles, particularly regarding availability payments (AP) and energy payments (EP), to ensure compliance with legal standards, fairness to all contracting parties, and help manage the long-term electricity cost burden on the public. This committee represents an important mechanism for reviewing the country's energy cost management approach to make it appropriate to current conditions while protecting the public from excessive electricity costs.

The Loei governor has ordered the dissolution of the Sam Ha festival organizing committee and appointed a completely new committee following public questioning of the 5.4 million baht budget. Loei Province had planned to hold the Sam Ha festival tradition from June 12-14, 2025, with the goal of preserving and promoting local customs and traditions. The event was expected to attract at least 15,000 participants from 14 districts and feature local product sales and performances. The substantial budget drew scrutiny from residents, social media, the Ombudsman's Office, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission, with many questioning whether the spending was justified. Governor Chaiyaphat Jaruenpong chaired an emergency meeting at the Loei Provincial Hall with relevant officials to review the festival plans after news of the high budget allocation. Following the criticism, the Department of Culture cancelled the original terms of reference and event specifications. The governor stated that a completely new committee would be formed to determine the appropriate format and budget for the festival, with participation from all sectors including the public. Two key issues were discussed: establishing a new committee to define the event format with representation from all stakeholders, and setting a timeline for the festival, which must not exceed July 14. An additional oversight committee will be appointed to monitor budget expenditures. The budget comes from provincial development funds through the Department of Culture, which will implement the event. The newly appointed committee will begin meetings immediately to develop a new framework and ensure the festival proceeds appropriately within the July 14 deadline.

At 3 p.m. on May 18, 2025, a train mechanic or assistant driver from the train involved in a collision with a bus near Asok-Din Daeng Road, close to the Makkasan Airport Rail Link station, reported to investigators at Makkasan Police Station. Wearing a hat and mask, the mechanic entered the investigation room without answering questions, accompanied by what appeared to be a State Railway of Thailand official. Previous reports indicated the mechanic had already provided information to the State Railway of Thailand during their investigation.

Police are focusing their questioning on establishing facts from the day of the incident: the mechanic's location at the time, his specific job duties and activities prior to the crash, whether the train driver was genuinely absent from the control room and where he was, based on CCTV footage, and other relevant details.

The State Railway of Thailand confirmed the train driver tested positive for both amphetamine and cannabis, with further investigation of the mechanic planned. The black box results have been reviewed, with the driver admitting to regular drug use of multiple tablets at a time, his last use being ten days before the incident.

An additional troubling detail emerged when police reviewed CCTV footage and found no evidence of the driver sitting in the control room before the collision.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has broken with established protocol by having his portrait installed at the Prime Minister's Office within the Thaikhu Fah building on May 18, 2025. According to reports, the portrait of Anutin, who also serves as Interior Minister, has been hung on the walls of the Prime Minister's Office. This marks a departure from convention, as the Prime Minister's Office traditionally only displays portraits of former prime ministers after they have left office. However, Anutin's portrait was placed while he is still actively serving as Prime Minister, rather than waiting until after his tenure ends.