As expected, the case involving an armed gunman with a government vehicle allegedly linked to security officials who shot at Kamlasak Leewamoh, a Narathiwat MP from the Pracharaj Party, has suddenly gone quiet.

Until Pol. Col. Thawi Sodsong, Pracharaj Party leader, and victim MP Kamlasak were forced to periodically demand updates on the investigation's progress.

Because the case appeared to be moving forward smoothly, with five members of the hit squad arrested, followed by two additional suspects arrested for allegedly supplying weapons and the government vehicle used in the crime. But once all seven suspects were identified, the case stalled—never reaching the alleged masterminds or those who hired the killers.

It's notable that suspects six and seven are current government officials—naval officers with the ranks of Rear Admiral and Captain. These two officers surrendered and acknowledged charges in early May, after which the case came to a complete standstill.

By late May, Pol. Col. Thawi and MP Kamlasak filed a complaint with Parliament's National Security Committee, requesting assistance in expediting the investigation. They emphasized that this case isn't merely a personal matter for one MP, but rather a reflection of the entire southern border security problem.

Having to rely on a parliamentary committee to push the case forward suggests the investigation has stalled. The prosecution has proceeded only against the five-member hit squad and two military officers as accomplices—out of seven total suspects. It raises the critical question: who gave the orders, and who paid for the assassination?

It's not hard to guess why. The investigation and arrests began with the five gunmen, many of them former commandos and former Rangers, all with military backgrounds. When pressure came from the MP victim, who provided evidence, investigators were forced to charge the Rear Admiral and Captain. But when it came to higher-ranking officials, it's predictable that investigating officers would face resistance, causing the case to stall.

Like many other cases, once investigations reach powerful government figures—whether in the security apparatus or military—the case becomes stuck and fails to progress. But the question remains: will we ever see true justice?

If investigations must slow because they've reached powerful government officials, military security agencies, or the armed forces, then the process cannot possibly be fair or just.

Don't forget that the victim's side includes Pol. Col. Thawi, a former high-ranking investigator from an anti-crime unit. With someone like him pushing hard, there's no way this pressure will ease up.

A reporter visited a house located in Muang District, Sukhothai Province, after learning that a charitable woman had purchased the property for 1 million baht solely as a residence for four stray cats.

Upon arrival, the house was found to be an old wooden structure on stilts. The woman who bought the house is Kanokwan Panwichian, 81 years old, a former director of the Phitsanulok Provincial Court office.

Kanokwan explained that she lived with her son, but several years ago, stray cats wandered into the house and eventually had litters, totaling 12 cats. She cared for them with compassion, having them vaccinated and neutered. However, one cat named "Nam Taan" (Sugar) had three kittens: Nong Klang, Nong Lek, and Nong Nam Taan Saai. These four cats preferred to hide in an old vacant house at the entrance to the soi. Kanokwan would regularly visit to feed them, and after a long time, she felt guilty troubling the house's owner.

She decided to purchase the house for 1 million baht for peace of mind. She paid a down payment of 500,000 baht and took out a 20-month mortgage at 25,000 baht per month, which she has now completed.

Kanokwan said that during the 20-month mortgage period, life was quite difficult as she used nearly her entire pension for the house payments, leaving only 4,000 baht monthly to live on. She had to tighten her belt and budget carefully for food and expenses. Now that the payments are finished, she feels relieved and can peacefully live and rest with the cats. She gave the other house to her children to live in as before.

At 9:20 AM on May 26, 2025, Po Haad Police Station received a report of a shooting incident in the parking area of Po Haad Municipal Subdistrict Office in Bang Pae District, Ratchaburi Province. The victim was identified as Pornchay Acharinda, a 42-year-old former renowned footballer and municipal employee, who was shot once in the right palm and once in the right shoulder. Blood stains covered the parking area, and two .38 caliber shell casings were found along with a blood-stained cream-colored shoulder bag and camouflage jacket, all collected as evidence.

The shooter was identified as Punyanucha, 41, the victim's ex-wife from whom he had been separated for approximately two years. After the shooting, she fled in a bronze Toyota Vios (License plate: Kho-2190, Ratchaburi). The firearm used in the incident was seized by a coworker of the victim who witnessed the event and intervened.

Investigation revealed the two are divorced former spouses with two children in the mother's care. A previous court case established child support obligations. Witnesses reported the woman arrived at the municipal parking lot coinciding with the victim's arrival, and the two had an argument before the shots were fired. The shooter then fled the scene. The victim was rushed to Ban Phaew Hospital in Samut Sakhon and is reported to be in stable condition.

Initial investigation found the firearm at the scene, a .38 caliber pistol. Police have not yet located the suspect and have requested relatives to bring her in for questioning. Preliminary charges include illegal possession of a firearm and attempted murder. Police are gathering witness statements and will question the victim.

At 5:10 p.m. on May 26, 2025, Arthakorn Sirilattayakorn, a Chachoengsao MP and Khana Thai Party spokesperson, addressed the National Assembly's preparation to consider an urgent matter on May 28 regarding the Special Investigation Department's request to bring MP Chonnapat Naksan from Songkhla for questioning and testimony during the parliamentary session. Party executives are currently in consultations with party MPs but confirmed the party will base its decision on the spirit of the law and past parliamentary practices. Despite being a new party, Khana Thai has MPs with extensive political experience and prioritizes legislative principles.

"What happens this Friday, we must examine the spirit of the law—how similar matters have been handled in the past—and look at the bigger picture, not make a decision for any individual," Arthakorn stated.

Arthakorn noted that during the election campaign, he witnessed Chonnapat affirm his readiness to enter the legal examination process. He believes that after the parliamentary session closes in July, Chonnapat will proceed through the legal system, with case outcomes depending not only on parliament but also on Chonnapat's own defense and investigation proceedings.

"Khana Thai will not shield anyone or protect someone who has done wrong, but at this time we uphold the principles of the legislative branch," Arthakorn concluded.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the National Innovation Agency (NIA) in partnership with the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and Kasetsart University (KU), is launching a product promotion and technology innovation showcase for Thai food entrepreneurs under the Thai Kitchen 2026: Crafted FoodTech Accelerator Program at THAIFEX – ANUGA ASIA 2026. The initiative aims to create business and marketing opportunities for Thai food and beverage innovators by facilitating meetings, product presentations, and business negotiations with international importers, distributors, investors, and business partners.

Dr. Kricchapon Boonfeuang, Director of NIA, stated that the food industry is a high-potential sector for driving Thailand's economy. NIA is committed to promoting and supporting innovative entrepreneurs through four key mechanisms: Groom (nurturing and developing innovation potential), Grant (providing funding), Growth (creating market expansion opportunities and capital sources), and Global (entering global markets). The Thai Kitchen 2026 program serves as an additional platform to strengthen Thai entrepreneurs through product development, business model creation, market linkage, and the Growth Lab Journey, which provides customized consulting and activity planning tailored to each participating company.

The Thai Kitchen 2026 Program, operated by NIA and Kasetsart University, aims to accelerate growth and expand Thai innovation-based businesses—including MSMEs, FoodTech startups, and social enterprises—into international markets. The program emphasizes commercializing Thai food research, technology, and innovations while enhancing business strategy capabilities, product development, international standard compliance, and access to business partner networks.

The NRCT, which operates the HIVE Food Hub (a center of expertise for healthy and sustainable food industry along the value chain) and Innovative House, is supporting these entrepreneurs through training in booth preparation, business negotiation guidelines, pricing strategies, and business matching activities. The program includes 12 entrepreneurs from the Thai Kitchen 2026 Program and 12 from the Innovative House network, presenting their products at booth 9BB-01 in Hall 9 of Impact Muang Thong Thani during May 26-30, 2569 (2026).

The showcased products include health-conscious foods, raw materials and seasonings, functional foods and beverages, and high-value processed food products, demonstrating the potential of Thai researchers and entrepreneurs in developing value-added food innovations with distinctive characteristics capable of competing on the global stage.