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.

On May 26, 2026, Facebook user Surasak Ketsen posted a warning after his mother swallowed two betel nut seeds that caused serious medical complications requiring emergency surgery. His mother arrived at the hospital with severe abdominal pain, blood pressure over 180, breathing difficulties requiring a breathing tube, and X-rays revealed a perforated stomach. Surgeons operated from 7:00 PM to 9:20 PM, discovering two betel nut seeds that had damaged not only her stomach but also torn her small intestines, forcing doctors to remove approximately a wrist-length section of bowel and create an artificial anus. She also developed a bloodstream infection and is currently recovering in ICU with an uncertain treatment timeline.

Surasak emphasized that betel nut seeds can be life-threatening, urging everyone to never swallow them as the human body cannot digest them—a danger that increases with age. He expressed gratitude to the medical team for successful surgery and asked for prayers for his mother's recovery without further complications. In a follow-up post, he reported his mother is responsive but experiencing dangerously low blood pressure requiring medication, kidney dysfunction, and new antibiotics to combat infection, requesting continued prayers to prevent additional complications.

Prime Minister Anupthon Chanyaweerakul confirmed on May 26 from France that he has reviewed the legal clarification for the 400-billion-baht emergency decree and is confident it does not violate the Constitution. He stressed that the borrowing is domestic with low interest rates and will deliver funds directly to citizens to stimulate the economy and increase liquidity—not to boost government popularity, since the government's popularity was already established on February 8.

The PM emphasized that every baht from this emergency decree goes directly to the people, not to any government agency or ministry for infrastructure projects that would take years to show results. Instead, the funds aim to stimulate the economy and provide financial security. He noted that the government's decision to borrow is beneficial to all parties: banks can lend from their massive deposit reserves, and lenders are confident the loan is not at risk since they agreed to it. The government received favorable long-term borrowing terms over 9-10 years at very low interest rates.

The PM explained that interest payments will be offset through tax revenue and economic circulation generated by citizens' spending, so the government can repay comfortably without worrying about foreign exchange rates. He assured that every baht will reach the people directly—a direct transfer from government to its citizens—with no leakage or intermediaries.

When asked if he is confident there will be no problems after review, the PM said the government will not presume how the Constitutional Court will rule, but is confident the decree underwent thorough legal scrutiny before issuance. He stated the government has no concerns about violating any laws or the Constitution, as the decree is appropriate with favorable terms that are all positive factors. The primary beneficiary of this action will be the people.

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."