On May 25, 2569, a video shared online from Kanchanaburi Province showed a man dressed as a Buddhist monk relaxing in a hammock in the forest with beer bottles on the ground. When the rider filming asked to join him for a drink, the man responded that he was about to use drugs before chasing the rider away. The incident sparked criticism online, with questions about why a real monk would order beer. District Officer Somboorn Phaensomboorn of Mueang Kanchanaburi ordered an investigation into the forest area in Subdistrict Pak Phraek, Municipality of Mueang, Kanchanaburi Province. Officials found evidence of a campfire and drug equipment scattered on the ground, and located Phra Nanthapol, 50 years old.

Phra Nanthapol admitted to being the person in the video. He explained that he is from Kanchanaburi but had been ordained as a monk and was stationed at a temple in Phuket for 8 years. Feeling homesick, he returned to Kanchanaburi and had been camping on family land in the forest for about a week. Regarding the video, he stated that he ordered 6 beers and ice for delivery, not expecting the rider to post the video online despite receiving a good tip. He ordered the beer to alleviate loneliness while alone in the forest and had consumed 3 bottles when officials arrived. He expressed willingness to be defrocked.

When officials questioned him about the drug equipment, Phra Nanthapol initially denied using drugs. He was taken to Thewasangkharam Royal Temple to be defrocked before undergoing a urine test. The test returned positive for methamphetamine, causing Nanthapol to admit to drug use. He stated he had purchased 10 methamphetamine pills from a former friend at 100 baht each and had already consumed all of them. Authorities arrested Nanthapol and referred the case to Mueang Kanchanaburi Police Station for further legal proceedings.

The Bank of Scotland has unveiled a limited edition £20 banknote featuring an image of midfielder Scott McTominay scoring a crucial bicycle kick goal that secured Scotland's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The goal occurred during a European Zone World Cup qualifying match in Group C on November 18, 2025, when Scotland defeated Denmark 4-2 at home in their final qualifying fixture. This victory allowed Scotland to overtake Denmark and secure their spot in the tournament finals. The banknote was created to celebrate Scotland's first return to the World Cup in 28 years, with their last appearance in 1998. Only 100 of these banknotes have been printed. McTominay commented: "Competing at the world's greatest football stage is something every player dreams of, and I know it means everything to the fans. Seeing my goal appear on a Scottish banknote is an incredible feeling." Emma Nobile, Chair of the Bank of Scotland, stated: "We wanted to celebrate this historic moment in a way that reflects Scotland's identity, and banknotes have been part of our national story for centuries, just like football."

Mark your calendars! Diesel prices will fall by 1 baht tomorrow, while petrol and gasohol will drop 60 satang, effective from 5:00 AM on May 26 onwards. PTT Station and Bangchak Petroleum (BCP) have announced fuel price reductions for all petrol and gasohol grades at 60 satang per liter, while diesel prices will decrease by 1 baht. E85, E20, and B20 remain unchanged, with the new prices taking effect from 5:00 AM on May 26 onwards. These prices do not include Bangkok local area taxes.

A shocking crime unfolded on May 25, 2025, in Nong Kung Kaew subdistrict, Sri Bun Rueang district, Nong Bua Lamphu province. The Sri Bun Rueang rescue team posted an alert searching for a missing 12-year-old seventh-grade student after her mother was brutally attacked by her new husband, who stabbed her in the head and held her captive inside their home for two days.

When the mother regained consciousness and managed to escape, she sought help from neighbors only to discover her daughter was missing. She immediately reported the case to Sri Bun Rueang Police Station. During the search, police discovered the girl's body—she had been killed and hidden in a back room of the residence.

Police have since arrested the stepfather and are currently conducting questioning.

On May 25, 2025, political tensions escalated once again as 89 senators issued a statement responding to Natthapon Ruangpanya, leader of the Democrat Party and opposition coalition, who had criticized the Senate's role in protecting democracy and accused it of supporting the military establishment. The 89 senators denounced his remarks as defamatory and the "worst behavior," demanding he issue a public apology to the Senate within three days or face further action.

However, this aggressive stance triggered widespread criticism, particularly from opposition politicians who viewed the ultimatum as an attempt to suppress legislative freedom of expression. Pol. Lt. Gen. Thawi Sodsung, head of the Bhum Jai Thai Party, recently weighed in on the controversy, emphasizing that he harbors no bias but wants to emphasize democratic principles and the role of elected representatives.

Thawi stressed that members of parliament, as people's representatives, must have constitutional freedom to express political opinions. He argued that Natthapon's right to speak is protected under democracy, especially for public figures, and that criticized parties should respond with reasoned arguments rather than threats.

Thawi also challenged the 89 senators' statement, noting inconsistencies with constitutional principles, particularly their claim to legitimacy through a professional group selection system. While awaiting court rulings, Thawi emphasized that political legitimacy—public trust and acceptance—is equally important as legal compliance.

He referenced the recent February 8 referendum results showing over 61.10% of voters support drafting a new constitution, calling this a clear signal that citizens reject the current constitutional framework. Thawi urged the Senate to focus on accepting public criticism and serving the people, rather than threatening opposition groups, and called for making constitutional reform a top national priority.

On May 25, 2569, Deputy National Police Chief General Tachathai Pitaneelabutr, overseeing prevention and suppression operations for the Royal Thai Police, visited Chanthaburi province alongside Governor Montsit Paisalthanavatana and other provincial leaders to coordinate action on nine critical issues mandated by the Prime Minister.

These priorities include illegal encroachment on public land, cybercrime, nominee business structures, drug trafficking, money laundering, influential figures, unlicensed debt, tourist safety, and security database integration.

Provincial officials identified addressing methamphetamine addiction and drug trafficking as the most urgent matter for Chanthaburi. The Noen FM community in Muang District ranks as the province's largest drug distribution center, the second largest in the Eastern Region, and the seventh largest nationwide.

Noen FM serves as a continuous market where users purchase drugs, dealers reside within the community, and despite numerous arrests of both dealers and users over decades, the problem cyclically returns. More than half of patients at Chanthaburi's drug rehabilitation center report purchasing drugs from this community.

Deputy Chief Tachathai proposed adopting the Fort Worth Police Department model from Tennessee, which eliminated drug demand in neighborhoods, forcing dealers to relocate. He suggested restricting access to Noen FM to discourage users and increase fear of arrest.

Combined with dealer sweeps, this creates sustainable solutions through environmental improvement and law enforcement integration requiring close inter-agency coordination. The meeting approved pilot implementation in the FM community, while officials also recognized the need for psychiatric treatment facilities for drug-induced psychotic patients in the red group, who pose violence risks. Further solutions will be explored in subsequent meetings.