Tha Sae District Seals Meeting Room for Surprise Drug Testing of 116 Village Leaders without Prior Notice, Shocking Local Officials. At 9:00 AM on May 25, 2569, within the Tha Sae District Administration office in Chumphon Province, District Officer Pisit Rit Thipichaisonkram called a meeting with kamnan (sub-district headmen), village headmen, assistant village headmen, kamnan officials, and sub-district physicians from all 116 villages to brief them on routine government business. However, after the meeting concluded, tension immediately filled the room when the district officer ordered Deputy District Officer Amnat Techa Wanto of the security section, along with Civil Defense volunteers, to seal all entrances and exits of the meeting room to prevent participants from leaving the area. Officials then used a lottery method to call each sub-district group in turn to undergo mandatory urine testing for both men and women with no exceptions. Sithichai Chujin, Head of Public Health for Tha Sae District, led a team of medical personnel from 17 health centers in conducting strict inspections. District Officer Pisit revealed that this operation was a policy from the Ministry of Interior and Department of Local Administration aimed at intensifying efforts to combat drug problems among local leaders, who are important community figures. He emphasized that if positive results were found, confirmatory testing would be conducted at a hospital to determine whether the substances came from actual drugs or prescribed medications. However, if confirmed to involve narcotics, disciplinary, administrative, and criminal proceedings would be initiated immediately. Preliminary results from the urine tests found no individuals with narcotics or positive results. The operation concluded to praise from various sectors who viewed it as a proactive measure to assure the public that local leaders in the area must set good examples and be truly free from drug use. Although no offenders were found, this operation served as a clear signal that drug suppression efforts in the Chumphon area continue seriously and no one is above scrutiny.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit visited the site to monitor progress on the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026, scheduled from November 1, 2569 to March 14, 2570 at the Nong Daet wetland in Muang Udon Thani District. Deputy Minister Wachraphon Khaokham and representatives from government agencies, local bodies, private sector, and the public attended the inspection.

Suriya revealed that the expo represents an important international event for Thailand and marks the world's first full-scale horticultural exposition held entirely on a wetland area. Operating under the theme "Diversity of Life: Connecting People, Water and Plants for Sustainable Living," the event aims to integrate agricultural development with people, water, plants, ecosystems, technology, and a balanced green economy.

As of May 15, 2569, overall construction progress reached approximately 77.47 percent, with major structural works including reception buildings, pavilions, greenhouses, bridges, walkways, and utility systems nearing completion. Landscape architecture, systems work, and remaining display area preparations are underway to ensure the event opens on schedule with international standards.

Suriya instructed all related agencies that despite over 70 percent progress, the remaining time is critical to ensure quality and standards in all areas, creating beautiful, safe spaces that reflect Thailand's positive image. Budget management must be transparent and benefit the public and nation.

The minister emphasized preparing accommodations for visitors, including transportation, public transit, parking, safety systems, emergency medical services, dining, lodging, and connections to major Udon Thani attractions through public-private integration.

"Udon Thani is not merely a venue but reflects the potential of the Northeast to serve as a hub for horticulture, high-value agriculture, ecotourism, and green economy—ready to welcome visitors worldwide."

Suriya added that the 2569 expo is not merely an exhibition but a "new green economy engine" for the Northeast. It is projected to attract 3.6 million visitors, generate circulation revenue exceeding 32 billion baht, add economic value over 20 billion baht, and create approximately 81,000 jobs. Benefits will extend to the public and tourism sectors including hotels, restaurants, transportation, community enterprises, farmers, and local entrepreneurs.

The Agriculture Ministry also emphasizes post-expo development or Expo Legacy, preparing the Nong Daet area to become a world-class public garden, youth activity center, and additional community benefit facilities.

ANGELES, Philippines (AP) — Rescuers pulled out three people Monday from an immense pile of rubble that was all that remained of a nine-story hotel which collapsed while under construction in a northern Philippine city, bringing the death toll to four with 17 others still missing, officials said.

Two of the men were dead, while emergency personnel struggled in the early morning hours to revive one in an ambulance near the pile of concrete slabs, twisted iron bars and aluminum scaffoldings that was all that remained of the building in Angeles City of Pampanga Province. They eventually gave up and drove away.

The poignant scene was witnessed by a small group of journalists, including from The Associated Press, who watched hundreds of rescuers led by firefighters and police scrambling for hours to extricate the men, who were at the time alive but trapped under concrete slabs and iron bars.

Rescuers carry a dog as they scale down toppled scaffoldings of a collapsed building where multiple people are believed to be trapped in Angeles city in Pampanga province, north of Manila Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Rescuers tried to provide water and medicine intravenously to one of the trapped men in a desperate effort to keep him alive in the scorching summer heat, regional police chief Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez told the AP.

"He never made it despite all the efforts," he said.

One of the three people pulled out from the rubble on Monday was unidentified and was not on the list of the 17 missing, who were mostly construction workers, according to Angeles city information chief Jay Pelayo.

The fourth dead victim was a Malaysian tourist trapped in a budget inn that was partly hit by the avalanche of debris from the collapsed building. Another guest at the inn was injured but managed to dash out, officials said.

A day after the unfinished building collapsed with a loud crashing sound after a fierce thunderstorm, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin said rescue efforts would still not be shifted to a body retrieval operation.

"My best hope is that we can rescue more people alive," Lazatin told the AP. "We don't want to give the families of the trapped workers any bad news."

Anxiety and fear among relatives of the trapped workers, who are waiting in sheds near the rubble, have deepened.

"I'm losing hope because of what I see — slow rescue work," said Lea Mendoza Casilao, a 47-year-old sardine factory worker whose boyfriend, a mason, was among those still trapped in the rubble.

She brought a week's supply of rice and sardines for him at the construction site, but she said they would never meet as scheduled over the weekend after the building where he was sleeping crumbled before dawn on Sunday.

Rescuers continue search operations at a collapsed building where multiple people are believed to be trapped in Angeles city in Pampanga province, north of Manila Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Lazatin said rescuers were moving carefully because huge

A heartbreaking incident has shocked animal lovers in Songkhla after six-month-old female puppy Pingping was severely beaten by a neighbor with a stick, suffering a fractured jaw and broken hind leg that left her unable to walk. The attack occurred simply because the puppy had escaped into the neighbor's yard and damaged a plant worth several thousand baht.

On May 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM, Somkit Buhngachart, president of The Hope Songkhla animal welfare organization, coordinated with prevention police at Hat Yai Police Station to visit the scene at Soi 18 Rattanautit in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province. The team assisted the dog's owner and explained animal protection laws to the perpetrator, while allowing legal proceedings to proceed through official channels.

Pingping's owner tearfully revealed that the incident occurred on the evening of May 24 when her father let the puppy out as usual. The dog escaped into the neighbor's property and damaged a tree. The neighbor became angry, grabbed a stick, and beat the puppy repeatedly on the face and legs. The neighbor admitted to the beating, claiming the dog had damaged his plant worth thousands of baht.

According to Somkit, Pingping is a small breed puppy with no aggressive behavior. Her jaw is so injured she cannot close her mouth, and her leg bone is fractured. She is currently receiving treatment at a clinic. Somkit warned the public about the Animal Cruelty Prevention and Welfare Act: Article 20 makes injuring, disabling, or killing an animal punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment or a fine not exceeding 40,000 baht, or both. Article 358 applies additional property damage charges if the animal has an owner, carrying sentences up to 3 years or fines up to 60,000 baht, or both. This criminal case has a statute of limitations of 10 years and is not worth the risk.

Somkit advised that if someone's pet damages property or plants, owners should notify the pet owner to claim damages through legal channels rather than commit animal cruelty, which becomes a criminal matter affecting one's entire future.

According to reports, Pingping's owner posted on Facebook seeking help, stating that she is extremely stressed because the neighbor refuses to help pay for treatment now, claiming he will settle everything in court. Frustrated that she filed a complaint with the animal welfare organization, the owner is urgently fundraising to cover veterinary expenses to discharge the puppy from the hospital. She promised to provide all receipts for transparency.

Exclusive spoilers have emerged for THE TITANS CONCERT, touted as the year's biggest concert event packed with stunning content. Four hot artists—BAMBAM, JEFF SATUR, PP KRIT, and TIMETHAI—will share the stage for the first time, delivering a specially created collaborative show. Both the artists and production team are building anticipation with major reveals, including hints of collab stages featuring all four artists as well as paired performances, though the pairings remain a mystery until the concert.

The latest teaser involves a crossword puzzle game hiding special moments from the concert, raising questions like which artists will collab and what exclusive songs will be performed. Show Director Baangk Shinnatee Bhuvakul, BAMBAM's brother, has promised spectacular, one-of-a-kind performances you won't find anywhere else. All four artists guarantee this is no ordinary concert, with TIMETHAI recently sharing rehearsal footage featuring aerial stunts with twin swords.

The production team has spared no expense, preparing to transport audiences into the FUTURE OLYMPUS realm for an unforgettable experience. THE TITANS CONCERT is positioned as more than a festival—it's the ultimate concert event of the year with exclusive moments unavailable anywhere else. With only two shows scheduled for Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, 2025, at the Sirikit National Convention Centre (Halls 1-3), tickets are available through Eventpop. Follow updates on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and Weibo @titansconcert.

Deputy Prime Minister's Office Minister Suphamas Isiraphakdi announced on May 25, 2569 that the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) has received complaints from citizens harmed by purchasing knock-down houses from a Kalasin Province operator advertising 'Beautiful Applied Thai-Style Homes' on social media.

Victims reported ordering two houses at 170,000 baht each and transferring over 240,000 baht to the operator, but received only incomplete house frames upon contract completion that didn't match advertisements. The contractor became unreachable. The OCPB identified over 50 total victims with combined damages exceeding 30 million baht.

Minister Suphamas ordered the OCPB to closely monitor cases and assist victims. For consumers hiring contractors to build new homes on their own land, residential construction contracts fall under the 2559 Controlled Contract Announcement requiring legally compliant agreements. Knock-down houses—pre-built structures relocated to new sites—are treated as standard purchase agreements.

The OCPB confirmed full victim assistance through legal representation under Section 39 of the Consumer Protection Act, B.E. 2522. For knock-down house cases, procedures include complaint receipt, mediation, and free civil litigation representation if mediation fails—consumers bear no costs and don't fight alone. Since 2565, the OCPB received 99 knock-down and pre-fabricated house complaints, resolving 68 and processing 31 currently.

Consumers should verify company credibility, construction timelines per contract, and material quality matching advertisements. Non-compliance can be reported to OCPB hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect app, website ocpb.go.th, or nationwide justice centers.