Tourism

Thai Airways Celebrates 33 Years of Royal Orchid Plus with Exclusive Member Benefits

Thai Airways celebrates the 33rd anniversary of its Royal Orchid Plus loyalty program with enhanced benefits, including a new "Rise to GOLD" campaign that makes it easier for Silver members to achieve Gold status and access premium travel p

26 May Khaosod

Thai Airways is marking the 33rd anniversary of its Royal Orchid Plus loyalty program with an array of exclusive benefits and activities. CEO Chai Eamsiri announced that the airline is celebrating three major milestones: Thai Airways' 66th anniversary, Royal Orchid Plus' 33rd anniversary, and Royal Orchid Holidays' 55th anniversary. The company is introducing new benefits to thank members for their continued loyalty and support.

The airline is rolling out enhanced member experiences through its "Rise to GOLD" campaign, which makes it easier for Silver members to achieve Gold status. Gold members will enjoy premium travel privileges including access to airport lounges, extra baggage allowance, and benefits from the Star Alliance network. The campaign targets frequent travelers, former Gold members, and those nearing Gold status.

Throughout the year, Royal Orchid Plus members will access special activities including a Mastercard promotion offering bonus miles, partnerships with financial institutions, special events like "Love You as Much as the Sky," and fuel surcharge discounts up to 30% when redeeming economy class reward tickets on Thai Airways international routes.

Beyond a traditional miles-accumulation program, Royal Orchid Plus is evolving into a lifestyle ecosystem connecting travel, experiences, and meaningful benefits. Members can earn bonus miles and exclusive perks from special events like GDH Concert, and can redeem miles through Royal Orchid Holidays for comprehensive travel packages. Thai Airways remains committed to developing Royal Orchid Plus as an integrated platform combining miles accumulation, travel, lifestyle, and new experiences to create lasting value for members on every journey.

No. 01 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Police

Road Collapses into Sinkhole Near Soi Lang Wang 2, Traffic Closed with Urgent Warning

A road collapsed into a sinkhole near Soi Lang Wang 2 in Bangkok's Bang Kok Noi District on May 26, with authorities closing the center lane and warning of potential further collapse.

26 May Khaosod

At 6:00 AM on May 26, 2025, officers from Bang Kok Noi Police Station received a report of a road collapse forming a sinkhole near Soi Lang Wang 2 in the Siriraj area, Bang Kok Noi District, Bangkok. They immediately responded and coordinated with the Bang Kok Noi District Office and relevant agencies.

The incident occurred on a three-lane road in the center lane, where the pavement has collapsed into a sinkhole. Officials placed traffic cones to temporarily block the affected traffic lane and warn road users not to approach the hole under any circumstances. Motorists are advised to avoid the area entirely as further collapse is possible.

Relevant agencies are now conducting assessments and working urgently to repair the damage and prevent accidents.

No. 02 of ∞ Read at source → Next

National

Cambodia's King Pardons Kem Sokha, Former Opposition Leader, Shortly After Court Upholds 27-Year Prison Sentence

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni has pardoned opposition leader Kem Sokha from sedition charges weeks after his 27-year prison sentence was upheld, ending his house arrest since his controversial 2023 conviction.

26 May Khaosod

Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni has pardoned former opposition leader Kem Sokha from sedition charges just weeks after an appeals court in Phnom Penh upheld his 27-year prison sentence. Senate President Hun Sen signed the royal pardon on behalf of the king, who is currently undergoing prostate cancer treatment. Kem Sokha, co-founder of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), has been under house arrest since his conviction for sedition in March 2023 after being accused of conspiring with foreign entities to overthrow then-Prime Minister Hun Sen. The United States previously stated that Kem Sokha's conviction was based on a "fabricated conspiracy theory." Kem Sokha is among the few remaining opposition figures still in Cambodia, as many others fled the country following the Supreme Court's dissolution of the CNRP in 2017. The current Cambodian government, led by Hun Manet (Hun Sen's son), denies allegations that it targets the opposition and maintains that those convicted are law violators. Prime Minister Hun Manet called the pardon "another step toward strengthening national unity."

No. 03 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Regional

Ubon Ratchathani Commerce Department Pushes Promotion of Three GI Products to Boost Community Income

Ubon Ratchathani's commerce department is promoting three geographical indication products—lotus silk, jasmine rice, and monthong durian—to boost local income and preserve traditional craftsmanship heritage.

25 May Khaosod

The Ubon Ratchathani Commerce Department is ramping up promotional activities for three Geographical Indication (GI) products from the province: Ubon Ratchathani lotus silk fabric, Ubon Ratchathani jasmine rice, and Ubon Ratchathani monthong durian. According to Oranuch Wanaphinyot, the provincial commerce director, the initiative is advised by national artist Meechai Tetsuriya.

The campaign aims to raise public awareness of these distinctive local products that embody the province's cultural wisdom, heritage, and identity while enhancing their market value and competitive advantage. Knowledge transfer sessions cover the history, production processes, and unique features of each GI product, with particular emphasis on the renowned Ubon Ratchathani lotus silk fabric, which represents centuries of transmitted local wisdom in textile craftsmanship. The initiative seeks to expand market opportunities, boost community income, strengthen the grassroots economy, and preserve local heritage.

The campaign also promotes Thai silk fashion through concepts like "Thai silk for fun," "Thai silk for comfort," and "Thai silk for everyday wear," encouraging people to incorporate Thai textiles into their daily fashion while maintaining authenticity. The effort showcases how traditional Thai silk can be adapted to contemporary fashion trends while remaining elegant, modern, and distinctly Thai.

No. 04 of ∞ Read at source → Next

National

Fuel Prices Today, May 26, 2025: Gas Station Prices Drop, Effective from 5 AM

Fuel prices fell across major Thai gas stations on May 26, with regular gasohol 95 settling at 44.30 baht per liter at PTT, Bangchak, PT, and Caltex, while diesel held steady at 41.20 baht per liter.

25 May Khaosod

Today, May 26, 2025, the Office of Energy Policy and Planning (OEPP) under the Ministry of Energy reported fuel prices at five major service stations: PTT, Bangchak, PT, Caltex, and Shell.

PTT Station (May 26, 2025): Gasohol 95: 44.30 baht/liter Gasohol E20: 37.90 baht/liter Gasohol E85: 33.84 baht/liter Gasohol 91: 43.93 baht/liter Gasohol 95 Premium: 52.39 baht/liter Benzene 95: 53.89 baht/liter Diesel: 41.20 baht/liter Diesel B20: 35.20 baht/liter Diesel Premium: 60.25 baht/liter

Bangchak Station (May 26, 2025): Gasohol 95: 44.30 baht/liter Gasohol E20: 37.90 baht/liter Gasohol E85: 33.84 baht/liter Gasohol 91: 43.93 baht/liter Gasohol 95 Premium: 54.84 baht/liter Diesel: 41.20 baht/liter Diesel B20: 35.20 baht/liter Diesel Premium: 60.25 baht/liter

PT Station (May 26, 2025): Gasohol 95: 44.30 baht/liter Gasohol E20: 37.90 baht/liter Gasohol 91: 43.93 baht/liter Benzene 95: 54.39 baht/liter Diesel: 41.20 baht/liter Diesel B20: 35.20 baht/liter

Shell Station (May 26, 2025): Gasohol 95: 44.80 baht/liter Gasohol E20: 38.40 baht/liter Gasohol 91: 44.43 baht/liter Gasohol 95 Premium: 49.84 baht/liter Diesel: 41.20 baht/liter Diesel B20: 35.20 baht/liter Diesel Premium: 49.84 baht/liter

Caltex Station (May 26, 2025): Gasohol 95: 44.30 baht/liter Gasohol E20: 37.90 baht/liter Gasohol 91: 44.43 baht/liter Benzene 95: 54.81 baht/liter Diesel: 42.20 baht/liter Diesel B20: 35.20 baht/liter Diesel Premium: 60.25 baht/liter

No. 05 of ∞ Read at source → Next

National

FDA Empowers Next Generation Youth as Health Product Communication Leaders

Thailand's FDA launched its first Youth Ambassador Camp in May, training 88 young leaders from across the country to become health product communicators and combat non-communicable diseases through peer education and community outreach.

25 May Khaosod

The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is empowering a new generation of youth to become health product communication leaders and sustainably combat non-communicable diseases through the inaugural 'Oryornoi Youth Camp,' held May 20-22, 2026, under the theme 'Plant, Shape, Practice, Change.'

The FDA partnered with provincial health offices nationwide to select 88 youth representatives—one per province from all 76 provinces, plus 12 from leading Bangkok schools—to participate in the camp at Rayong Resort. The program aims to develop these young ambassadors into effective health product communicators through active learning methods, including brainstorming sessions to identify youth roles in consumer protection, and media design workshops on the theme 'Shop Smart, Use Smart, Reduce NCDs Risk' to develop modern communication skills that are easy to understand and accessible to the public.

The camp featured six learning stations including 'Truth or Cake,' 'Respectful Court,' and 'Oryornoi Quiz' to enhance critical thinking and information evaluation skills. These youth leaders will serve as key communicators of accurate health product information within schools, communities, and society.

Dr. Rungruthai Mueangprasitphon, Deputy Secretary of the FDA, revealed that the Oryornoi Youth program has long been a crucial mechanism for building awareness among youth about safe health product consumption. The agency currently operates over 20,000 Oryornoi Youth schools with approximately 400,000 rotating members annually. This inaugural Youth Ambassador Camp represents a significant step in elevating participants from 'school-level health product communicators' to 'national-level Oryornoi Youth leaders and health product communicators.'

The FDA expects Oryornoi Youth to become 'change agents' capable of communicating and driving society toward correct, appropriate, and safe health product purchasing and usage behaviors, ultimately reducing the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases. The deputy secretary emphasized that strong health product literacy among youth serves as crucial protection, helping Thai society avoid non-communicable diseases.

A major highlight was the selection of Thailand's first Youth Ambassador Oryornoi: Chanya Ming-Manee (nickname Guitar), a Grade 11 student from Triam Udom Suksa Patthanakarn School in Bangkok. Upon receiving the honor, Guitar expressed joy and pride, committing to effectively communicate accurate health product knowledge to society, particularly regarding dietary supplements and cosmetics.

No. 06 of ∞ Read at source → Next

National

KMITL Marks 66th Year with International Innovation Expo 'Ladkrabang Nithrasarn 69'

KMITL celebrates its 66th anniversary with an international innovation expo running September 1-6, 2025, featuring nine pavilions showcasing technologies from AI and semiconductors to space and clean energy.

25 May Khaosod

The King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) is preparing a significant milestone event to commemorate its 66th anniversary with 'Ladkrabang Nithrasarn 69' (KMITL EXPO 2026), an international innovation, technology, and education festival. Operating under the concept 'From Lab to Life'—translating laboratory research into real-world applications—the expo will welcome the general public, students, researchers, businesses, investors, and international networks to experience the technologies shaping our future, running September 1-6, 2025 at KMITL.

Associate Professor Dr. Komsun Malisi, KMITL's rector, stated that this expo marks a significant milestone for the institution's 66th year while continuing the legacy of 'Ladkrabang Nithrasarn' as a platform showcasing the nation's scientific, technological, and innovative capabilities. The event transcends a mere academic exhibition, functioning instead as an international collaboration forum bringing together university networks, research organizations, innovation agencies, and industries from multiple countries to advance AI, semiconductors, space technology, clean energy, smart cities, future agriculture, and sustainable technology, positioning Thailand as a regional hub for innovation and future technology economies.

With the world facing unprecedented challenges in energy, aging populations, food security, digital economics, and space technology, universities must evolve beyond graduate production to become centers for innovation and technological ecosystems linking education, research, and industry. The event features nine major Innovation Pavilions: SpaceTech, AgriTech, EnergyTech, Health & Wellness, NextGen Food, Quantum & Nanotech, Smart Living, AI-IoT, and Knowledge pavilions, offering immersive and interactive experiences of real technologies alongside global technological insights from international partners throughout the six-day event.

No. 07 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Weather

Meteorological Department Warns of Monsoon Battering Thailand, South Most Severe at 70% with Thunderstorms, High Seas in Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand

Thailand's Meteorological Department warns of intensifying southwest monsoons bringing heavy thunderstorms and rainfall to the south through May 29, with the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand experiencing waves up to 3 meters in storm areas.

25 May Khaosod

The Thai Meteorological Department issued a weather forecast for the next 24 hours warning of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in some areas of Thailand's southern west coast, driven by moderate strength southwest monsoons covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. Citizens are urged to exercise caution regarding dangers from heavy rainfall and accumulated precipitation. Wave conditions in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand are moderate, with the upper Andaman Sea experiencing waves of approximately 2 meters, while the lower Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand have waves of 1-2 meters. Thunderstorm areas may see waves exceeding 2 meters, and boat operators are advised to navigate carefully and avoid thunderstorm zones. From May 28-29, the southern region expects increased rainfall with heavy to very heavy precipitation in many areas, primarily along the west coast, as the southwest monsoon intensifies. The upper Andaman Sea will experience waves of 2-3 meters, with thunderstorm areas seeing waves exceeding 3 meters. Detailed 24-hour forecasts include thunderstorms in 30-40% of northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions with temperatures ranging from 22-27°C low to 36-39°C high and southwest winds at 10-35 km/h. The southern east coast expects 40% thunderstorms in Chumphon, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat with waves of 1-2 meters offshore. The southern west coast faces the most severe conditions with 70% thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in Ranong, Phang Nga, and Phuket, with wave heights of 2 meters and exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

No. 08 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Police

66-Year-Old Truck Driver Suffers Medical Episode, Causing Rollover That Kills Myanmar Worker Buried Under 16 Tons of Salt

A 66-year-old truck driver suffered an asthma attack on Amphawa Road in Samut Songkhram, lost control and flipped his vehicle, killing a Myanmar worker buried under 16 tons of salt cargo.

25 May Khaosod

Samut Songkhram — A 66-year-old truck driver suffered a severe asthma attack while driving, prompting him to reach for his inhaler before losing control of the vehicle. The truck flipped on its side along Amphawa Road, with 16 tons of salt crushing a Myanmar worker to death.

On May 26, 2026, investigative police sergeant Subanit Meepun from Yi Sarn Police Station responded to a report of a fatal truck rollover along the Yi Sarn-Bang Taboon Road heading toward Rama 2 Road in Tambon Yi Sarn, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province. Emergency responders from Sawaengbenja Thammasamutsonghram Foundation discovered a 10-wheel Isuzu truck bearing Phetchburi license plate 81-6966 overturned on its side. Approximately 16 tons of salt had crushed Cha Min Thu, a 31-year-old Myanmar national, who died beneath the cargo. Rescue workers had to use equipment to carefully remove the salt and recover the victim's body.

Initial investigation revealed that Somsak Jaisamad, 66, a resident of Ban Kum Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phetchburi Province, was operating the salt truck carrying 16 tons of cargo from Ban Laem District, Phetchburi Province, destined for Laem Fa Pha District, Samut Prakan Province. Cha Min Thu was resting on top of the salt cargo in the truck bed. When the driver reached the accident location, he experienced a severe asthma attack and bent down to use his inhaler, causing him to lose control of the steering. The truck veered off the road and flipped over, with both the vehicle and salt cargo crushing the worker to death.

Police collected evidence at the scene and are conducting a detailed investigation with the driver. Authorities are also coordinating with a medical examiner to proceed with legal proceedings.

No. 09 of ∞ Read at source → Next

National

Prince of Songkla University Researcher Ranked #1 in Thailand for Chemistry and Biology and Biochemistry by Research.com

A Prince of Songkla University researcher has been ranked Thailand's top scientist in Chemistry and Biology and Biochemistry by Research.com, with global rankings of 319 and 457 respectively in these fields.

25 May Khaosod

Creating a global reputation! Prof. Dr. Sutthawat Benjakul, a researcher at Prince of Songkla University (PSU), has secured the top ranking in Thailand and made it onto the international scientist rankings in both Chemistry and Biology and Biochemistry according to Research.com. Prof. Dr. Sutthawat Benjakul, director of the International Center of Excellence for Science and Innovation in Seafood Technology at the Faculty of Agro-Industry, is a researcher whose outstanding contributions to food science and biotechnology have earned him recognition from Research.com as Thailand's #1 scientist in two major fields: Chemistry for 2026 (ranked 319 globally) and Biology and Biochemistry for 2025-2026 (ranked 457 globally). The rankings are based on data from global bibliographic databases including OpenAlex and CrossRef, along with metrics measuring research output, academic citations, and D-Index values, which reflect the quality and impact of research at the international level. This achievement demonstrates the research potential of Prince of Songkla University scientists in generating knowledge and innovation recognized on the global stage, further reinforcing the university's role in driving research for sustainable national and societal development.

No. 10 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Police

Cancer-stricken wife appeals to Kan Jompluang for help after husband abandons her, deceives creditors, and flees with foreign girlfriend

A Nonthaburi woman with stage 3 breast cancer is seeking help from a prominent figure after her husband abandoned her for a foreign girlfriend, physically assaulted her, and left her responsible for over 200,000 baht in debts he had fraudul

25 May Khaosod

On May 26, Nang Klaew, 34, a legally registered wife from Nonthaburi, filed a complaint with Kan Jompluang (Kanthasak Phongphaibulwet), alleging she was physically assaulted by her husband after discovering he was secretly living with a foreign woman in Chachoengsao Province. The couple had been together for 6 years and have a 2-year-old daughter. Before her husband left, he convinced her family to take out loans exceeding 200,000 baht for his overseas work expenses, but he refused to take responsibility for the debt. Adding to her hardship, Nang Klaew was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer with lymph node involvement.

Nang Klaew explained that she discovered evidence of her husband's infidelity through his phone, where she found years of flirtatious conversations with the foreign woman, including sexual banter and them calling each other husband and wife. In early March, he claimed he was traveling to Chachoengsao for work but immediately cut off all contact. By April, she learned he was living with the foreign woman and tracked them down to a rental house.

When she attempted to retrieve her clothes and belongings that her husband had given to the other woman, including a fan and air conditioner he had taken from their home, he physically attacked her in front of the foreign girlfriend and told her he no longer wanted her and that she should leave his house because he would not accept a sick cancer-stricken wife.

Nang Klaew tearfully stated that her anger intensified because the foreign woman mocked her, saying that Thai law cannot do anything to them because they are a foreigner with no assets to seize in an adultery case. Her husband further challenged her to go ahead and file a complaint, boasting that no one could touch him. She brought video evidence and documentation to request Kan Jompluang's assistance, noting that she is still legally married to her husband and has been falsely accused of trespassing by both of them.

No. 11 of ∞ Read at source → Next