Acting State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor Anant Phothninmadaeng revealed progress on measures to reduce railway-vehicle collisions, announcing plans to accelerate the 'Missing Link' project—a railway connection initiative linking Bangkok Railway Station (Hualamphong) with Bangkok Central Station (Abhaibhubejhr) to provide a long-term solution to inner-city railway crossing problems.

Currently, the SRT is updating previous feasibility studies and plans to submit budget proposals for 2027-2028 before seeking Cabinet approval in 2028. Construction bidding is targeted for 2029, with completion and service opening expected by 2034. The project will reduce traffic congestion and accidents at railway crossings through elevated and underground construction, particularly on the Talad Nung-Siriraj route, which currently has eight level crossings. Plans include building overpasses for vehicles and elevated pedestrian walkways.

The Transport Ministry is collaborating with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to survey 27 additional high-risk crossing points to develop targeted solutions, including temporary traffic control measures during peak hours and adjustments to freight and passenger train schedules for safety.

Regarding concerns about reducing or ending southern and eastern line services into Hualamphong Station, Anant acknowledged public anxiety, noting current infrastructure remains incomplete and some commuter lines cannot yet transition to the Red Line electric system. Officials have been instructed to develop a three-month transition plan minimizing public impact.

For the accident investigation, bus drivers underwent additional questioning, and the SRT implemented strict drug and alcohol screening for all railway personnel nationwide, including drivers, mechanics, and operations staff. Initial test results showed no positive cases. Anyone testing positive faces immediate suspension and strict disciplinary action.

The SRT also requested approval to hire 2,850 additional personnel to address ongoing maintenance engineer shortages from retirements, as current staff face excessive overtime. For accident victims, the SRT confirmed full support: deceased receive 340,000 baht (80,000 for funeral expenses and 260,000 for beneficiaries), while injured passengers are covered by insurance with additional assistance based on injury severity.

BANGKOK — Thailand's Cabinet has approved the cancellation of the 60-day visa-free stay scheme for visitors from more than 90 countries, reverting to the previous criteria that generally allowed stays of around 30 days, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on 19 May.

Speaking at Government House, Surasak said the Cabinet also agreed to revoke arrangements allowing multiple visa privileges under the current scheme and return to the former regulations.

He said relevant agencies would be notified of the Cabinet resolution before implementation proceeds.

Surasak added that the Visa Policy Committee would review visa rules on a country-by-country basis and determine which type of visa would be appropriate for each nation, taking into account security and economic considerations.

Under the change, countries previously granted 60-day visa-free entry will return to their former visa conditions, with most visitors expected to receive stays of approximately 30 days.

The Department of Communication and Information Sciences at Kasetsart University has mourned the death of Rose, a former student, who died in a train-bus collision on May 16. A freight train struck air-conditioned bus route 206 near the Airport Rail Link Makkasan station, causing a massive fire that killed 8 people and injured 32 others. On May 17, Rose's mother Vibhada Chantam, 59, began searching for her 25-year-old daughter after losing contact with her. Authorities later confirmed that one of the victims was Vibharaksri Pheupuri, known as Rose, 25, a former mass communication student in the Faculty of Humanities at Kasetsart University who worked as a graphic designer and operated a music pub in the Bangna area. The Department of Communication and Information Sciences issued a condolence statement expressing deep sorrow over the passing of Vibharaksri Pheupuri, a former mass communication student (CA37) from the Faculty of Humanities at Kasetsart University, who died in the train-bus collision on May 16, 2025. The post has received numerous messages of condolence from the university community.

Workers have reason to celebrate as the Cabinet approved wage standards for four skilled trade sectors, with daily rates ranging from 550-650 baht. On May 19, 2025, government spokesperson Phattarada Tongsuaykorn announced the Cabinet's approval of the Labor Ministry's proposal to establish standardized wages for skilled workers across four professions. The move aims to ensure fair compensation, motivate workers to develop and maintain recognized skills, increase income security, and strengthen the nation's competitive capabilities in emerging industries.

The new wage standards apply to employees who have passed the national skilled worker certification test in each respective trade and level as follows:

1. Flux-Core Welding: Level One at 550 baht per day, Level Two at 650 baht per day 2. MIG Welding: Level One at 550 baht per day, Level Two at 650 baht per day 3. Off-Grid Solar Cell Installation Systems: Level One at 560 baht per day 4. Industrial Robot Maintenance: Level One at 630 baht per day

These standards take effect 90 days from the date of publication in the Royal Gazette.

A Vietnamese bride's extraordinary wedding look has taken the internet by storm. To Nhu, a gold shop owner from Binh Day District in Ben Tre Province, wore an impressive amount of gold jewelry and carried a large golden flower bouquet at her wedding. To Nhu revealed that she is the owner of a gold shop in Binh Day District, Ben Tre Province, and intentionally made gold the centerpiece of her wedding day. The visible gold in the viral images totals approximately 15 taels (with each tael weighing 37.5 grams), divided between about 5 taels in necklace accessories and approximately 10 taels in the flower bouquet. She chose the golden flower bouquet because she felt it was luxurious and beautifully complemented her overall bridal appearance. During the event, she also wore additional gold necklaces, rings, and bracelets, with the total gold value used in the wedding estimated at around 40 taels. To Nhu's wedding with her groom took place on May 17-18, with both families spending several months preparing. The bride stated that everything went smoothly and turned out exactly as planned. After the wedding videos and photos were released online, many netizens expressed their amazement and admiration for the bride's stunning appearance. The golden flower bouquet became the most talked-about highlight of the event.

An English woman has declared her front garden the luckiest in the world after discovering dozens of rare clover plants with some bearing up to seven leaves, which she believes symbolize hope.

The story went viral online on May 19 after an English woman claimed her front garden might be "the luckiest garden in the world" following the discovery of numerous rare clovers in various forms—four-leaf, five-leaf, six-leaf, and even the exceptionally rare seven-leaf variety.

L. Ashton, 34, from Tamworth in Staffordshire, England, recently discovered a collection of rare clovers in her garden, including over 20 four- and five-leaf specimens, one six-leaf clover, and one seven-leaf clover.

Four-leaf clovers have long been considered symbols of good fortune because they're naturally very rare to find. The more leaves a clover has, the more unusual and rare it's considered to be.

She said, "I was shocked when I saw them all. It felt like something was sending a signal to me."

The story traces back to 2012, when she was facing serious life challenges. The night before finding her first four-leaf clover, she prayed and told herself she would definitely find a lucky clover the next day.

And she did. She kept that clover for years before eventually giving it to a doctor who had helped care for her during a period of mental health treatment.

After completing her treatment, she wrote a thank-you card and sent it with the clover to the doctor. But the very next day, when she stepped outside her house, she discovered many more clovers had grown in her garden.

While many might view these multi-leafed clovers as simple genetic mutations occurring naturally, for L. they hold deeper meaning.

She explains that these clovers represent more than just "luck"—they symbolize hope, healing, and a fresh start in life after enduring difficult times.

They also serve as a reminder that no matter how hard life becomes, hope can still emerge, even in small and unexpected forms.

Source: New York Post