Industry Minister Weerawut Silpaascha announced a major victory for Thailand's sugarcane and sugar industry in the 2568/2569 production season, successfully reducing burned sugarcane to just 3.8%—a historic low compared to the previous 60-70% burning rates. This represents a crucial turning point for Thai agriculture and industry in combating PM 2.5 dust pollution and climate change.

"This is not just a number, but evidence that Thailand can develop its economy while protecting the environment," Weerawut stated. "We achieved this through the coordinated efforts of three sectors: the government, 58 sugar mills, and approximately 1.5 million sugarcane farmers nationwide who have collectively transitioned from burning sugarcane to quality fresh cane systems."

This collaboration has dramatically reduced burned sugarcane while improving cane quality and production efficiency. Average sugar yield per ton of cane increased from 109.51 kilograms to 113.55 kilograms, demonstrating that fresh cane provides superior economic returns compared to burned cane.

Weerawut announced new targets for the next production season: reducing burned sugarcane to below 3% and eventually reaching zero percent through a full Zero Burn initiative. The ministry will simultaneously develop a "Green Value Chain" connecting green sugarcane to green sugar, bioindustry, biomass energy, and carbon credit markets, aiming to transform Thailand's sugarcane industry into a fully green economy.

Supporting measures for farmers and sugar mills include low-interest loans, agricultural machinery, investment promotion incentives (BOI), and carbon credit trading mechanisms to generate new income streams and enhance Thailand's sugar competitiveness in global markets.

"Thai sugar no longer sells just sweetness, but responsibility to the world," Weerawut emphasized. "We must position Thai sugar as 'green sugar' produced from fresh cane that is environmentally friendly and meets international trade standards."

Thailand ranks as the world's second-largest sugar exporter after Brazil, and this success in reducing burned sugarcane is viewed as a potential model for other Thai agricultural and industrial sectors to adopt green economy practices.

Deputy Industry Minister Nattapol Rangsitpol attributed the achievement to multiple proactive measures, including requiring sugar mills to accept fresh cane from day one, daily limits on burned cane intake, cessation of burned cane acceptance during New Year periods, and machinery credit support programs with low interest rates.

Secretary-General of the Sugar and Sugarcane Committee Bai Noi Suwannchart noted plans to implement modern technology throughout the system and introduce new business models, while accelerating value creation from agricultural residues through innovations such as wood pellet production.

Renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Portuguese manager José Mourinho has agreed to all terms for his return to Real Madrid. All conditions have been verbally agreed between Mourinho and Real Madrid, with contract documentation expected to be signed within the month. Mourinho's preliminary contract is for a two-year stint managing the club, with no complications over details as he is keen to return to Madrid. He will travel to the capital after Real Madrid's match against Athletic Bilbao concludes. Following his final game managing Benfica with a 3-1 victory over Estoril to finish the season undefeated in third place, Mourinho stated: "We can't hide this interest. Something is developing, but right now I'm not directly involved. I need time to make a decision. I believe this week will be the week when everything is decided."

BANGKOK — Police said the driver of a freight train involved in the deadly train-bus collision in Bangkok admitted to regularly using methamphetamine and cannabis, with his last reported drug use occurring 10 days before the crash.

The revelation came as investigators continued probing the collision between freight train No. 2126, travelling from Laem Chabang to Bang Sue, and air-conditioned bus No. 206 at the Makkasan railway crossing beneath the Airport Rail Link on Asok-Din Daeng Road on 16 May. The crash triggered a major fire, killing eight people and injuring more than 30 others.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Worasak Pisitbanakorn, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, said on 18 May that police had set up a joint investigation team following a two-hour case meeting at Makkasan Police Station.

The bus driver has been charged with reckless driving causing death, injury, serious injury and property damage.

Meanwhile, the train driver and a railway flagman were charged with negligence causing death and injury. Investigators said the two men gave conflicting statements, with the flagman insisting he had signalled properly while the train driver claimed no warning signal had been given.

Police said investigators would inspect every railway crossing along the train's route to examine train speeds and determine whether warning signals were clearly given at each crossing.

Authorities have also requested permission from the State Railway of Thailand to reconstruct the incident and review the driver's field of vision. Investigators are seeking data from the train's black box and questioning railway officials over operational regulations, including why train drivers are currently allowed to operate without formal driving licences.

Police said the train driver claimed he regularly used methamphetamine and cannabis, sometimes taking several pills at a time, though investigators have not yet confirmed the statement. A background check also found he had previously faced a drug-use case in 2019 in Thung Song district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

Authorities said police would work with related agencies to strictly enforce laws at railway crossings to prevent similar accidents in the future.

At 2:30 PM on May 18, 2025, renowned conservationist Tray Skot opened up after publicly demanding justice for himself, announcing his intention to leave his family and change his surname to Tray Samut.

Tray Skot stated that he felt gradually released from what happened, as each time he speaks, he reclaims himself—something he desperately needs right now. He emphasized that he came forward because he seeks justice and doesn't want this case to become an example of something society can overlook, as it is unacceptable.

He believes many others in the country have experienced similar situations and called for society to change how it views and addresses such issues. He described his current efforts as requiring immense courage, saying it feels like swimming across an island every day, using all his physical and mental strength.

Regarding the land dispute, Tray Skot minimized it compared to the 20 years of his life he lost—all the happiness and family love he was deprived of. He stated that nothing can replace that familial love, and since it never happened, he deserves justice, whether through dismissal of charges or compensation. He expressed his desire to move forward and return to his work as the conservationist everyone knows.

Addressing claims that this is a private family matter, Tray Skot countered that if one has a human heart, it becomes everyone's concern. When a child speaks out, it means their family cannot help them. He argued that every person has the right to correct injustice as a human being, not necessarily as a family member.

Regarding his brother's apology, Tray Skot noted that his brother didn't create this situation, so he doesn't have strong opinions about his statement, believing the main responsibility lies with their mother.

Tray Skot emphasized that this matter should be discussed publicly to show society that there is a willingness to correct such issues. When asked why he spoke up now, he explained it was the time he was ready, noting there is no perfect moment to address something so serious. He stated he is not afraid of death, as what was done to him felt like dying multiple times already—this is about fighting to continue living.

He clarified this is not his fault; the perpetrator believed their actions would never be exposed, that what happens in darkness stays hidden. But now he has brought it into the light. He is not a victim of anyone and will not keep secrets for those who hurt him.

Regarding the legal proceedings, Tray Skot mentioned he had already appeared in court once, but his mother's side didn't show, which was a disheartening day. He has another court date scheduled for June 10, 2025. If the matter remains unresolved, they will continue meeting in court, and there is much more evidence and information yet to be revealed.

The National Land Policy Committee Office (NLPOL) is preparing a significant academic seminar marking its fifth anniversary of implementing national land and soil resource management policies, under the theme '5 Years of NLPOL: Building Land Security Toward Economic, Social and Environmental Opportunities' on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The opening ceremony will be presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Thongsak Thongsri, with Dr. Chayanan Pakdijit, director of NLPOL, at the Mayfair Grand Ballroom on the 11th floor of The Berkeley Hotel Bangkok.

Over the past five years, NLPOL has served as the primary agency integrating national land management policies and plans into a unified approach. Key accomplishments include implementing the integrated state land boundary map at 1:4000 scale (One Map) to resolve boundary disputes, establishing community land allocation programs (CLAP) to provide housing and farming security without transferring ownership but allowing inheritance rights, upgrading quality of life by integrating utilities and infrastructure into CLAP areas, and serving as a focal point under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) while preparing for EUDR standards for agricultural exports.

The event will honor partner agencies and network units that have been instrumental in driving the mission. Key highlights include awarding trophies to outstanding organizations and certificates of honor to performing personnel from provincial land policy subcommittees nationwide. The event will bring together over 400 participants from government, private sector, educational institutions, and civil society organizations.

A major forum discussion titled '5 Years of NLPOL: Land Management for Economic, Social and Environmental Opportunities' will feature expert speakers discussing balanced coexistence and land problem solutions, opportunities and resource access in state areas, and green economy pathways to sustainable income. The event will also include exhibitions showcasing progress on various projects and land management innovations, including the integrated state land boundary map improvement initiative.

"War of Messenger" is the real winner of the night, sweeping away 9 awards at the 17th Natrajarch Awards in the Short Form category, including Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Director, Outstanding Television Screenplay, and awards for lead actress, lead actor, and outstanding supporting actor. The production also secured awards for cinematography, directing of photography, and outstanding art direction—dominating both on-screen and behind-the-scenes categories. However, the most talked-about moment came from Aek Thanet Warakulnukhraw, who plays Chao Sua Khanin, who took the stage and frankly stated: "Series are this good because they have money—anyone got some funding to spare?" The internet quickly shared the moment, viewing it as a statement that perfectly captured the sentiment of industry professionals: quality series depend not just on craft and strong scripts, but equally on budget and financial support.