On May 25, 2026, District Officer Ratchakrit Phayakkhro of Song Phi Nong District in Suphan Buri ordered an immediate urine drug screening of all 450 government officials and staff attending a monthly meeting, including district officials, deputy district chiefs, village headmen, tambon physicians, and government employees. The surprise test, conducted without prior notification to ensure credibility, revealed no drug use among any participants.

On the same day, similar unannounced drug screenings were conducted in three other provinces: Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong District tested 728 officials with negative results, Chumphon's Tha Sae District screened 116 villages' representatives with no positive cases, and Nonthaburi's Bang Yai District conducted tests on 258 meeting participants after sealing the conference room, also with zero positive results.

Observers noted the remarkable coincidence of four separate provinces independently conducting surprise urine drug tests on the same day without any prior coordination or announcements, with all screenings yielding clean results across more than 1,500 tested individuals.

Drug abuse continues to plague Thai society, as highlighted by a train-bus collision in central Bangkok where the train conductor tested positive for methamphetamine and admitted to periodic use of crystal meth and cannabis. The drugs may have compromised the conductor's job performance, potentially contributing to the serious accident. While it is encouraging that the State Railway has immediately launched comprehensive drug screening of its employees, the incident underscores the critical importance of testing public officials responsible for citizen safety, as drug-impaired individuals can easily lose awareness and pose a severe risk. Drug testing among civil servants and state employees must be strictly enforced, but this must be coupled with aggressive drug trafficking enforcement and prosecution of drug dealers with heavy penalties and asset seizure. Users should receive treatment without criminal prosecution, though current rehabilitation programs have significant shortcomings—public health treatment centers lack sufficient staff, treatment often lasts only days due to inadequate personnel and budgets, and many discharged patients return to their communities and commit crimes because treatment was incomplete. Responsible agencies must urgently review why rehabilitation achieves less than 100% success rates and find solutions to make drug treatment truly effective. Otherwise, Thai society will remain hostage to drug-addicted individuals who literally hold the life and death of our people in their hands.

On May 25, 2026, Pheu Thai party members from Bangkok jointly launched a campaign for Bangkok City Council candidates under the banner 'Pheu Thai Life Perfect Fit: A City That Understands People, Trusting People Who Understand the City,' demonstrating their collective stance through simultaneous profile and cover photo changes on Facebook.

This coalition represents a grassroots initiative by Pheu Thai members, as the party has not officially endorsed candidates for Bangkok City Council. However, party members have chosen to unite as a team to conduct a joint campaign and present themselves to constituents across various districts.

The 'Pheu Thai Life Perfect Fit' campaign aims to present a vision of a city where ordinary people can thrive, led by a team connected to the government with the capacity to translate national policies into concrete municipal-level development.

Candidate names include: - Ms. Chuwalpatcha Samretwanit, candidate for Lad Krabang district - Mr. Somchai Wesarattkragtrakul, candidate for Sai Yai district - Mr. Takkan Suntonvuthi, candidate for Lak Si district - Mr. Peeraphong Rasmi, candidate for Nong Chok district - Ms. Nurunmaan Huangtrap, candidate for Khlong Samwa district - Mr. Sutthichai Veerkulsuntor, candidate for Jomthong district - Mr. Pana Wutidetch, candidate for Don Mueang district - Mr. Kittipong Roifupun, candidate for Thung Khru district - Ms. Phimphen Veerkulsuntor, candidate for Rat Burana district - Mr. Wirut Meenchaiyanan, candidate for Minburi district

A distraught mother identified the body of her 16-year-old son, a student at a prominent Chiang Mai school, who went missing two days earlier after falling into the Ping River. Rescue workers and relatives found him floating near Chanthorsorn Bridge. At 3:09 PM on May 25, 2025, police from Muang Chiang Mai Station responded to reports of a teenage boy found dead floating in the Ping River near Chanthorsorn Bridge (Khuae Khaek) in Chang Moey subdistrict, Muang Chiang Mai district. Officers and rescue workers from Ruamjai Chiang Mai Foundation arrived at the scene. The boy was wearing a black t-shirt and black shorts and was found floating in the middle of the river near the bridge. Authorities recovered his body and identified him as a 16-year-old student from a well-known Chiang Mai school. His mother confirmed the identity. He had been missing since May 23 after witnesses saw him fall into the water near Ratnakosin Bridge. Search efforts by police and relatives initially yielded no results until today when family members and rescue workers took a flat-bottomed boat along the river and discovered the body near Chanthorsorn Bridge. Preliminary examination found no signs of physical trauma. The body has been sent for detailed autopsy, and authorities are accelerating their review of CCTV footage from the area where he fell into the Ping River for further investigation.

RATCHABURI — Damnoen Saduak Floating Market came alive as 56 beauty queens from the Miss Grand International (MGI) All Stars pageant arrived to participate in a local culture and tourism promotion campaign. The global contestants received enthusiastic welcomes from public and private sectors and residents who united to showcase Thailand's community lifestyle and charm.

The visit underscores Damnoen Saduak's potential as a cultural tourism destination that preserves its authentic identity, including its iconic canal-side lifestyle, floating markets, local cuisine, and natural landscapes.

Staying at Khum Damnoen Resort, the delegates and production crew toured numerous attractions including Damnoen Sky Cafe, Kwan Damnoen 1 restaurant, Yuwanda Pier, and the world-famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. A highlight was a traditional canal boat ride that immersed the beauty queens in the community's heritage. They also relaxed at Your Garden Damnoen Saduak cafe and shopped for local crafts and souvenirs.

The visit generated significant economic benefits for local hotels, restaurants, shops, and entrepreneurs while drawing large crowds of visitors and residents eager to meet the contestants and capture photographs.

The event elevated Thailand's global tourism profile while demonstrating Ratchaburi's appeal as a comprehensive travel destination, offering scenic natural attractions, vibrant food culture, local heritage, and renowned hospitality.

An idol who became paralyzed from the waist down after an accident continues to pursue her dreams on stage, but faces harsh criticism from internet users who claim she makes money without working.

Tomoka Igarashi, a member of the idol group Kamen Joshi, has once again become the subject of discussion after responding to online critics who have judged her life.

Tomoka was once a cheerful and passionate dancer, but her life took a dramatic turn in 2018 when a catastrophic accident occurred. A large 2.8-meter tall advertisement billboard was blown loose from a building by wind and fell directly onto her, trapping her underneath. Witnesses immediately called authorities, and she was rushed to the hospital where she underwent emergency surgery lasting six hours, narrowly surviving. However, the accident left her paralyzed from the waist down.

Tomoka revealed that in the beginning, she could barely accept what had happened. No matter how hard she tried, her legs no longer responded. Her life at that time was filled with despair, but she ultimately chose to fight back, believing that simply being alive was the most precious thing.

"It took me a long time to accept everything," she said. "I'm still alive, and nothing can replace that. It's a gift from God. No matter what trials come next, I will get through them."

Just four months after the accident, she decided to return to the stage as an idol, performing from a wheelchair. Before each show, her team had to carry her onto the stage and set up special ramps. Even sitting on stage during performances caused her significant physical pain.

However, what pained her more than her physical injuries were the words and prejudices from some people in society. Many times, internet users criticized her, saying she was "just sitting around making money," as if her life was full of ease.

Recently, Tomoka posted a screenshot of a comment from an X user who suggested that living in a wheelchair made it easy for her to "make money" without any hardship. This comment became the final straw that prompted her to respond directly.

"Sometimes I meet people who think sitting in a wheelchair is easy. So why don't you try sitting still all day and see how it feels? Sitting in a wheelchair for long periods causes my legs to swell and my back to hurt so badly I can barely stand it. And because I can't use my legs, I have to use my arms for everything, which causes them to swell red and makes the muscles feel like they're tearing apart."

She further explained that her spinal cord injury severely affects her core muscles. Even leaning forward slightly is difficult, and she must constantly hold onto tables or grab onto things to avoid falling. Additionally, she has lost the ability to feel pain signals from urination and defecation, requiring her to use a urinary catheter every day.

Previously, Tomoka posted about her feelings, saying that for most people, "being able to walk to the bathroom on your own" might seem ordinary, but for her, it's the thing she misses most in life. Ultimately, she vented all her frustration frankly—the pain, anger, and sadness from being judged by people who have never truly understood the lives of people with disabilities.

"If you think my life is so easy, then go ahead and try switching bodies with me," she concluded.