At 9:30 a.m. on May 26, 2025 (French local time, five hours ahead of Thailand), Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister gave an interview regarding the Thai Help Thai Plus program registration, which currently has approximately 5.3 million benefits remaining from the total 30 million allocated. On the first day of registration (May 25), the public responded overwhelmingly with 25 million people confirming their eligibility. The PM credited all relevant agencies, including the Finance and Interior Ministries, for their role in verifying participants before benefit disbursement.

The PM stated that the public's strong response demonstrated their support for the government's stimulus initiative designed to boost spending and reduce living costs during a period when global conflicts in the Middle East are impacting energy prices. Unlike the previous fifty-fifty cash handout program that lasted only two months (November-December), Thai Help Thai Plus operates on a 60/40 ratio—where the government contributes 60 percent and citizens contribute 40 percent—over four months with 1,000 baht distributed monthly.

Anutin urged citizens to use their benefits each month, emphasizing that unused allocations cannot be carried forward and the government must budget accordingly. He stressed this is not a giveaway program but a collaborative effort where both citizens and the state contribute. When citizens spend, merchants and retailers benefit, creating positive economic momentum. Feedback from business owners showed sales increases of 5 to 10 times, indicating genuine economic stimulation beyond break-even points.

"This is Thai helping Thai—citizens contribute 40 percent while the state provides 60 percent," the PM explained. "The real beneficiaries are the merchants we buy from, who then purchase from others, creating a chain of mutual support that strengthens Thailand's financial foundation. I'm eagerly awaiting June 1st to see these funds circulate through our economy as quickly as possible."

Thailand is launching its biggest professional basketball competition in the Basketball Thailand League 2026, with 10 top clubs competing for a combined prize pool of 3 million baht, plus 200,000 baht per team in preparation support. The tournament will run from May 30 to August 8, 2026, across Bangkok and four provinces—Pathum Thani, Chonburi, Ratchaburi, and Bangkok—with teams bolstering their rosters significantly.

Prodpran Samanmit, deputy director of the Sports Authority of Thailand's professional sports division, Nipont Chawallitmontien, president of the Basketball Association of Thailand, and Manit Vorthnasarn, chairman of Thailand Basketball League management, announced the 2026 professional basketball championship at the Sports Authority of Thailand headquarters on May 26, 2026. Prodpran stated that the Sports Authority will continue supporting professional sports across all dimensions, including budget allocation, systematic competition structure, elevating clubs to professional standards, and promoting media coverage to expand the fan base, particularly among youth who show growing interest in basketball.

Nipont "Hia Tai" Chawallitmontien emphasized that the league aims to create a professional-standard competition platform allowing Thai basketball players to continuously develop skills and compete within a league system. The league serves as a foundation for raising Thai athletes' capabilities to international levels, while promoting professional management standards among clubs and expanding the basketball fan base nationwide. The championship winner will represent Thailand in the Asian club competition the following year.

Manit Vorthnasarn detailed the tournament format: 10 leading teams will compete in the first leg with round-robin matches, narrowing down to 6 teams for the second leg, then 4 top teams advancing to a best-of-three playoff semifinals. The tournament spans Bangkok and four provinces from May 30 to August 8, 2026, with total prize money and support reaching 5 million baht, with each team receiving 200,000 baht in initial preparation support. The 10 participating clubs include eight returning clubs, including High-Tech Basketball Club.

Property Perfect (PF) is advancing its liquidity management following the completion of all scheduled bond interest payments in May, while accelerating the sale of assets including Silom-area office buildings and Chao Phraya riverfront land valued at over 2 billion baht to strengthen cash flow. The company is also reorganizing its structure and reducing its workforce by over 100 employees after posting first-quarter sales representing a 40-year low.

Sanit Artanasksul, CEO of Property Perfect Public Company Limited, revealed that the company has successfully paid the PF263A bond interest due on May 25, 2025, following completion of nine other bond interest payments due in May 2025. These include five bonds maturing between May 7-11 (PF264A, PF265B, PF268A, PF25NA, and PF258B) and four bonds maturing on May 18-19 (PF258A, PF265A, PF268B, and PF26NA).

Following the bond interest payments, Sanit stated that the company plans to enhance liquidity to ensure full payment of employee salaries, with asset sales progressing as scheduled. The company has agreed to sell a six-story office building on Silom Road worth 150 million baht and 8 rai of riverside land near IconSiam valued at 2 billion baht, from which the company holds a 9% stake in the joint venture and expects to receive funds within three months.

Some asset sales have been delayed due to global economic uncertainty and Middle East conflicts affecting the investment climate. However, the company believes the situation is becoming clearer and anticipates improved momentum for other business transactions.

The company will continue implementing cost-control measures and operational efficiency improvements through organizational downsizing and reduction of over 100 employees in the second half of the year, with human resource management aligned to current business directions.

"In Q1 2025, our sales hit a 40-year low, requiring us to accelerate new strategies to boost sales for both housing and condominium projects," Sanit said, adding that the company plans to implement a new standard housing construction strategy emphasizing environmental conservation and reduced household expenses, while improving quality of life through upgraded club facilities converted into health centers. The company will also integrate AI systems into real estate business management.

Bunjai, acting president of the International Sepaktakraw Federation, stated that Thailand should not abandon the match midway, arguing that the referee's decision was correct. He urged Thailand to cooperate with the federation to process disciplinary measures and reduce the impact of potential penalties.

The controversy erupted during the ISTAF Sepaktakraw World Cup 2026 final in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last weekend. The Thai national team faced host Malaysia but refused to continue play after disagreeing with referee Muhammad Radi's calls, creating a drama that could result in Thailand being banned from international competitions, including the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.

On May 26, Bunjai Lor Phiphat, acting president of the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF), disclosed that the matter must follow proper procedures. He pointed out that the Thai team's method of refusing to play was inappropriate. The correct procedure, used in all competitions including SEA Games, Asian Games, and World Championships, is to lodge a formal protest within 30 minutes after the match ends. However, walking out damages tournament organizers, particularly in match management and live broadcasting.

Bunjai noted that similar incidents have occurred before, including during the 31st King's Cup in Thailand in 2016, when the Malaysian team was unhappy with a Vietnamese referee's decision and refused to continue playing in front of the royal representative. The federation's disciplinary committee investigated and found a violation, imposing penalties on those involved.

"In this case, we have established procedures to follow," Bunjai said. "The federation will invite relevant parties to clarify details and ensure fairness to all sides before the committee decides on penalties. Initial punishments could range from match bans to suspensions of involved officials, depending on the severity of the violation."

Bunjai further explained that athletes must understand the rules correctly. Regarding the specific moment, two issues occurred simultaneously: a line violation and what the Thai team interpreted as a net block foul. Thailand challenged the call, and the challenge showed no net block foul had occurred. However, the line violation and foot intrusion into the opponent's court constituted another foul with clear photographic evidence. Therefore, the referee's decision was correct, and athletes should have continued playing and then filed protests if desired on other points, such as alleged bias. This is separate from the walk-out issue.

"Over the past several decades of sepaktakraw refereeing, there have been cases of far more obvious bias than this, but players should continue playing and lodge proper protests."

The Thai Meteorological Department forecasted on May 26, 2569 that Thailand will experience thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in some areas, especially along the western coast of the southern region, due to the moderate southwest monsoon affecting the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. The public is warned to be cautious of heavy rainfall and accumulated water during this period.

Waves in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand will be moderate, with the upper Andaman Sea reaching approximately 2 meters, while the lower Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand reach 1-2 meters. Thunderstorm areas may see waves exceeding 2 meters, prompting fishermen to navigate with caution and avoid thunderstorm zones.

From May 28-31, 2569, rainfall will increase with heavy precipitation in some areas, particularly in the eastern and southern western coastal regions due to a monsoon trough passing through central Thailand, lower northeast, and eastern regions, combined with an intensifying southwest monsoon. Waves in the upper Andaman Sea will reach 2-3 meters, with thunderstorm areas experiencing waves exceeding 3 meters.

Regional forecasts for May 26, 6 PM to May 27, 6 PM:

Northern Region: 40% thunderstorm coverage, mainly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lampoon, Phayao, and Nan provinces. Low 22-26°C, High 34-36°C, southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Northeastern Region: 30% thunderstorm coverage, mainly in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, and Nakhon Ratchasima. Low 23-26°C, High 36-38°C, southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Central Region: 40% thunderstorm coverage, mainly in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Lopburi, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Songkhram. Low 24-27°C, High 37-38°C, southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Eastern Region: 40% thunderstorm coverage, mainly in Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Low 24-27°C, High 33-37°C, southwest winds 15-35 km/h. Waves 1-2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (Eastern Coast): 40% thunderstorm coverage, mainly in Chumphon, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Low 23-27°C, High 34-37°C, southwest winds 15-35 km/h. Waves 1 meter near shore, 1-2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (Western Coast): 70% thunderstorm coverage with heavy rainfall in some areas, particularly in Ranong, Phang Nga, and Phuket. Low 23-25°C, High 31-35°C. From Phang Nga northward: southwest winds 20-35 km/h, waves approximately 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. From Phuket southward: southwest winds 15-35 km/h, waves 1 meter.

NONG BUA LAMPHU — A 38-year-old man with a prior conviction for sexual assault was arrested on Monday afternoon while attempting to flee on a motorcycle, following the discovery of his 13-year-old stepdaughter's body and a brutal attack on his partner.

The suspect, identified by police only as Pornchai, 38, was apprehended at 14:10 on Monday on a rural road connecting Ban Don Klet and Ban Non Muang Noi in Sri Boon Ruang District.

The arrest followed a tragic discovery earlier that day. Pol. Lt. Col. Pichetphong Ratchabuakhot, an interrogation officer at Sri Boon Ruang Police Station, received a report at 12:30 regarding a fatality at a residence in Ban Mai Tanthawan, Nong Kung Kaeo Subdistrict.

At the scene, authorities located the body of a 13-year-old girl, a Matthayom 1 student from the area, in a bathroom at the rear of the property. The victim had been bound, and forensic evidence indicated she had been physically and sexually assaulted before her death. Her body was transferred to Loei Provincial Hospital for a formal forensic autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Outside the residence, authorities found the victim's 32-year-old mother with severe, deep lacerations to her head and face. According to neighbors and family members, she had been attacked and rendered unconscious, remaining trapped inside the home for two days before regaining consciousness Monday morning. She was immediately transported to a local hospital for emergency treatment.

Investigation and Timeline

Police investigators determined the 13-year-old victim typically lived with her maternal grandparents in a neighboring village. However, on Friday, May 22, she traveled to her mother and stepfather's residence in Ban Mai Tanthawan to visit them and attend the local Rocket Festival (Bun Bang Fai) scheduled for Saturday.

When the child failed to return home as expected, her grandfather searched for her at the village and school without success.

Separately, a local resident visited the property Monday morning to retrieve a motorcycle the family had borrowed on Friday to access an ATM in town. Upon arrival, the resident discovered the severely injured mother outside the home and immediately alerted relatives and emergency services.

Suspect Intercepted and Tests Positive for Drugs

Following the discovery of the homicide, Sri Boon Ruang District Chief Thanayut Yaikaew, acting in his capacity as an Office of the Narcotics Control Board official, coordinated with local administrative staff, village leaders, and Sri Boon Ruang Police to establish checkpoints along potential escape routes.

Administrative officers spotted Pornchai operating a red-and-white Yamaha motorcycle leaving the subdistrict. Officials successfully intercepted and detained him on a village road.

While a physical search yielded no illicit items, a mandatory drug screening returned positive for methamphetamine.