Chinese inmate Ming Chen Sun, 31, has passed the critical phase of his medical emergency but continues hospitalization under close guard. On May 11, Sun was transferred to emergency care after experiencing seizures and loss of consciousness while imprisoned at Pattaya Special Prison on firearms and explosives charges. He was initially treated at Pattaya Pathumkhun Hospital before being moved to the ICU on the evening of the same day.

Initial drug screening did not detect methamphetamine or cannabis in his system. Preliminary medical assessment suggests Sun may have overdosed on prescribed medication. Doctors administered gastric lavage through a nasogastric tube and antitoxin injections, after which he showed improvement and began responding to medical commands, though he remains on mechanical ventilation. He continues to receive liquid nutrition through the nasogastric tube as he cannot eat solid food yet.

Laboratory tests show negative results for all drug types in his urine. Blood samples have been sent for detailed analysis to screen for alcohol, benzodiazepines, and pesticides, with results expected within 5-15 days. As of May 18, Sun has been cleared from ICU and moved to a secure ward, showing signs of improvement and increased consciousness. Corrections officers, police from Bang Lamung station, and special operations units maintain continuous 24-hour security around the hospital. Family visits remain restricted pending his recovery. Authorities believe his seizure was caused by medication overdose rather than drug use, and note he has a history of depression treatment.

Thawatchai Damrongtaksolkul, head coach of Thailand's U-23 national football team, is still undecided about using overage quota players for the 2026 Asian Games football tournament. The Thai U-23 squad has announced 26 players to prepare for two warm-up matches in June: facing South Korea on June 6 at 6 p.m. at True BG Stadium, followed by a closed-door match against the United Arab Emirates on June 9. Both matches serve as final preparations before competing in the 2026 Asian Games football championship in Japan from September 19 to October 4. Coach Wang revealed that while candidate lists for overage players already exist, a final decision on their inclusion remains pending. The timing is complicated by the Thai League 2026-27 season kicking off during the Asian Games period, along with FIFA international windows in September and October when the senior national team will compete in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2026 and FIFA Asian Cup qualifiers, requiring further deliberation. The upcoming training camp is expected to be the final preparation before the Asian Games, aimed at selecting the most ready players from the various sessions conducted over the past year of team-building. Players called up for the senior national team will have replacements brought in to provide additional selection options. The warm-up matches against South Korea and the UAE will provide valuable insights into the capabilities of all 26 players invited to camp.

Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BEM) is advancing its commitment to improving quality of life and bringing happiness to city residents by handing over a multipurpose public utility building to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration at Lumphini Park in Pathumwan District. The facility will serve as a hub for health-promoting creative activities, particularly for aerobic dance enthusiasts in the Lumphini Park area—one of Bangkok's central public parks—and for other essential purposes such as storing aerobic equipment, providing rest areas, and preparing spaces for instructors and staff. This building donation stems from BEM's corporate social responsibility policy aimed at balancing economic development, public quality of life, and social progress together.

Aerobic dance activities at Lumphini Park are held regularly throughout the week: Monday to Friday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Saturday to Sunday as well as public holidays from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Interested participants can easily access the location via MRT at Silom Station (Exit 1) or Lumphini Station (Exit 3).

BEM remains committed to conducting business alongside caring for society, communities, and the environment through continuous support of public-benefit projects, as part of its effort to sustainably improve the quality of life for Thai people.

On May 18, 2026 at Government House, Prime Minister's Advisor Wanmuhammadnor Mata received Mahdi Sareh, Deputy Cultural Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Thailand. Following the meeting, Wanmuhammadnor explained that the Iranian cultural office visited to thank Thailand and its leadership for attending ceremonies mourning the death of Iran's supreme leader, and to express appreciation for Thailand's continued friendship and support during Iran's current war challenges.

Wanmuhammadnor stated that he reassured the cultural attaché that Thailand maintains a clear policy supporting neutrality without aggression toward either side, and commits to honoring international treaties, agreements, and UN resolutions—positions consistent with statements made by Thailand's Foreign Minister in meetings with counterparts from other nations. Regarding the ongoing conflict between Iran and 2-3 other countries, he expressed hope for swift resolution, noting that the crisis extends beyond the warring parties to affect nations globally through energy price increases and economic problems.

Significantly, the Prime Minister requested through the cultural attaché that Iran facilitate passage of two Thai cargo ships currently unable to transit the Hormuz Strait. The attaché responded that typically countries not involved in the conflict are permitted passage, though numerous vessels are currently queuing. He committed to discussing expedited clearance with relevant parties. The Foreign Ministry has provided the shipping details to Iran's Foreign Ministry, and swift return of the vessels is anticipated.

When asked whether this meeting with the Iranian cultural attaché might create issues with the United States' perspective on Thailand, Wanmuhammadnor stressed that Thailand maintains a policy of preserving world peace, does not support warfare as beneficial to any party, and reaffirms its neutrality and UN obligations. He noted that Thai-Iranian relations span over 100 years from the Ayutthaya period, with the Bunnag family tracing ancestry to Iran.

Regarding Iran's latest situation, the advisor disclosed that negotiations are progressing significantly with hopes for a signing soon, though timing remains uncertain. He cited positive developments including the U.S. President's visit to China where both leaders discussed the Iran conflict, and the forthcoming visit by Iran's parliament speaker to China to engage with various parliaments. These developments suggest progress toward resolution. Thailand hopes to recover swiftly from the energy and economic crisis. When asked about expanded energy cooperation discussions, Wanmuhammadnor stated that Iran confirmed readiness to provide Thailand comprehensive cooperation.

KBU SPORT POLL released survey results on "Thai Society and the 2026 World Cup Trend," showing that a majority of 51.72 percent believe the government's expenditure of 1,500 million baht to purchase broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is worthwhile and beneficial.

The United States, Canada, and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Thais are expected to follow the tournament closely, prompting this survey to capture public perspectives across various dimensions. Conducted by Kasem Bundit University's Human Capital Development Innovation Center in partnership with the Sports Management Institute for Sports Organizations (WISDOM) and B Bang Pakong page, the survey was administered online and via telephone between May 15-17, 2026. The sample comprised 1,103 general respondents aged 18 and over: 647 men (58.66%), 312 women (28.29%), and 144 LGBTQIA+ individuals (13.05%).

Key findings include:

Interest in Following the Tournament: 64.10% are interested, 20.00% are undecided, and 15.90% are not interested.

Preferred Viewing Channels: 39.70% prefer social media, 32.90% television, 13.80% radio, 11.05% newspapers, and 2.55% other sources.

Responsible Organizations: 35.81% believe public and private sector partnerships should purchase the rights, 33.09% favor private sector involvement, and 31.10% support government action alone.

Value for Money: 51.72% view the 1,500 million baht investment as worthwhile and beneficial, 36.55% believe it's not worthwhile, and 11.73% had no opinion.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rattapong Bunnyanuvathr, Director of Kasem Bundit University's Human Capital Development Innovation Center, noted that the survey reflects Thais' sustained interest in World Cup football through various media channels. He emphasized that since World Cup matches have traditionally been broadcast free on Thai television, partnering between public and private sectors to purchase broadcasting rights—despite the 1,500 million baht cost—represents good value for money. With Thais having only a four-year wait until the next World Cup, the 23rd FIFA World Cup will soon arrive, and whether Thais will receive live broadcasts as they have in the past remains a question the government is expected to answer soon.

On May 18, 2026, Pichet Pimpana, director of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) office in Nakhon Sawan province, announced that the NACC committee had found sufficient grounds for criminal charges against the former chief of Ban Kaeng Subdistrict Administration Organization in Muang District for soliciting benefits related to three construction project bids. The investigation revealed that on November 9, 2015, the subdistrict organization announced contractor recruitment for three large-scale village water supply construction projects: one in Village 12 of Ban Samyaek Ban Kaeng, one in Village 8 of the same area, and one in Village 1 of Ban Mon, all within Ban Kaeng Subdistrict.

Pichet stated that only one partnership company submitted a bid, with no apparent justification for proceeding, yet the former chief failed to cancel the hiring—a violation of the Interior Ministry's 2535 Regulations on Local Administration Supplies and the Department of Local Administration's electronic auction purchasing guidelines. On December 11, 2015, the former chief invited the bidder to sign a contract and demanded 1 million baht in exchange for contract signature. After negotiation, the amount was reduced to 600,000 baht. The complainant provided 300,000 baht in cash to the former chief and transferred another 300,000 baht to the account of the former chief's spouse. The former chief then declared the partnership company as the winning bidder.

Based on these actions, the NACC committee found the former chief guilty under criminal charges of soliciting or accepting property or benefits improperly while in office, and of improperly or dishonestly performing or neglecting official duties causing harm, under Penal Code Articles 149 and 157. The spouse was similarly charged with aiding and abetting these offenses.