On May 17, 2025, Sommai (surname withheld), 55, the brother of Ms. Thiam (surname withheld), 57, traveled to the Police Hospital's forensic medicine department from Sisaket Province to identify his sister, one of the victims of the freight train collision with air-conditioned bus Route 206 at the Makkasan railway crossing on Asoke-Din Daeng Road.

Sommai spoke in a weak, trembling voice, saying he could barely cope. "Everything happened so fast," he said. His sister had lived in Bangkok for over 40 years working as a homemaker. On May 16, after finishing work near Asoke, she boarded the bus to return to her rented home in On Nut. Sommai initially didn't know she was on the bus, but later realized when he saw someone matching her description in video footage. He tried calling her multiple times but couldn't reach her, eventually confirming his worst fears.

"Watching the video of the accident is heartbreaking. I never imagined she would die this way," Sommai said. "Regarding carelessness, I don't want to blame anyone specifically because everyone shares some responsibility. If people had been more careful, this tragedy might have been prevented."

Sommai called on the government to improve public safety measures. "My sister was a devout person who loved doing good deeds. She traveled to temples regularly, no matter how near or far. Why did she have to meet such an end? I'm deeply sorry," he said.

Sommai explained that his sister was the last person their youngest brother spoke to before the family scattered. Of six siblings, Sommai is the fifth and his deceased sister was the third. The family is currently working to claim her body for funeral rites at their hometown of Prang Ku District in Sisaket Province.

At 11:30 AM on May 17, 2569, the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Center in Pattaya received a report of a motorcycle fire that occurred at a bend near Ban Huay Kai Nao School, Village 4, Khao Mai Kaew Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri Province. Police from Huay Yai Station and rescue workers rushed to the scene and found a popular 150cc motorcycle engulfed in flames, completely destroyed except for a charred metal frame. Officials and residents used water to extinguish the fire and bring it under control. No injuries were reported.

When questioned, the motorcycle's 17-year-old owner, Songkorn, explained that the engine suddenly died as he was riding along the road. Flames then erupted rapidly from the motorcycle without warning, so he jumped from the bike to save his life before it was completely consumed by fire. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown.

Witthaya Lauhkul, technical development director at Chachoengsao FC, believes the new foreign player quota for the 2026-27 Thai League season will push Thai players to raise their standards.

Under the new regulations, clubs can register 10 foreign players and field up to 7 per match, with the ASEAN quota eliminated. There is debate about whether this will benefit or harm Thai players, the Thai football industry, and the national team.

When asked for his view, Coach Heng said the policy has both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, it will motivate Thai players to work harder, and academies will need to evolve their programs with greater emphasis on strength, tactical understanding, and one-on-one competitive play. "We need to strengthen Thai players to compete against foreigners in terms of game understanding, speed, and physical strength, which would bring Thai players to the level of Japan or South Korea. The benefit is it will make our kids fight harder. Importantly, clubs must produce higher-quality players," he said.

Regarding the drawbacks, Coach Heng noted that the national team may suffer, as seen in countries like China and Malaysia where heavy reliance on foreign players reduces opportunities for domestic talent. Player development requires regular matches—without game time, there's no progress.

"Our lack of success at the national level is partly because Thai players get fewer opportunities. Next year will likely be even fewer. But conversely, young Thai players, especially the new generation, must adapt to one-on-one play, game understanding, speed, and strength," he explained.

Lauhkul emphasized that players must develop themselves. While top-four clubs can attract quality foreigners, the rest have mixed-quality squads. He wants Thai players to step up, which will ultimately benefit the national team.

Regarding Chachoengsao's goals for the new season, Coach Heng stated the club aims to finish in the top four. Despite narrowly avoiding relegation last season, the team will have more preparation time with the same coaching staff and new players. He believes the quality of both players and coaching staff will help the club achieve its target.

The People's Party laid wreaths to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the May 1992 democracy uprising, calling on citizens to unite in drafting a people-centered constitution to end Thailand's cycle of military coups and advance national development. On May 17, 2025, at Santipharp Garden, the May Democracy Memorial on Ratchadamnoen Road, People's Party Deputy Leader Viroj Luksanadishore, accompanied by MPs Panida Mongkolswat and Anuson Tharmjai, participated in commemorating the May 1992 events.

Speaking as the opposition leader's representative in parliament, Viroj paid tribute to the democracy martyrs, recalling that he once believed the 1992 violence would prevent future coups. However, the coups of 2006 and 2014 shattered that belief. He explained that military-drafted constitutions deliberately lock in amendments, and when coup leaders become trapped by their own restrictions, they may engineer another coup to escape their limitations.

Viroj stated that breaking this destructive cycle requires sustained effort and collective determination to create a people-drafted constitution. He emphasized this is the only path for Thailand's future progress, and called for citizens to honor the sacrifices of 1992's martyrs by achieving a people-centered constitution once again.

Wat Phai Luang on Soi Kantana is cultivating pasture for cattle and buffalo while advancing its mission to rescue cows and buffalo from slaughterhouses, growing Israeli sweet grass to create sustainable feed and integrating Buddhist teachings on compassion into its animal care work.

Wat Phai Luang (Luang Por Singh), located in Soi Kantana, Bang Muang Subdistrict, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi Province, continues its ongoing project to rescue cattle and buffalo from slaughterhouses under the "Luang Por Singh's Merit Fund for All Creatures" program. The temple currently cares for over 70 rescued cattle and buffalo, providing them with a safe place to live.

The temple has allocated more than 10 rai of pastureland, securely fenced, allowing the animals to graze naturally during the day before being brought back to their pens in the evening. The temple also welcomes the public and devotees to participate in merit-making by feeding grass and water spinach to the animals under the "Donate with Peace of Mind—Rescue Cattle and Buffalo to the Temple" program.

The temple prioritizes continuous animal health care through consultation and health checks from Bang Yai District livestock officials, ensuring all cattle and buffalo maintain good health and proper care.

Meanwhile, Wat Phai Luang has initiated a project to cultivate "Israeli sweet grass" as a food source for the cattle and buffalo, with monks and temple students planting and maintaining it after morning and evening chanting sessions. Beyond creating a sustainable food source and reducing expenses, this activity promotes physical health through exercise and cultivates compassion toward all creatures.

Temple teachers have incorporated Buddhist teachings on "compassion and loving-kindness" for the young monks and activity participants, noting that caring for animals trains the mind to become compassionate, generous, and to recognize the value of all life—a spiritual practice that can be performed in daily life.

This project serves not only to help animals rescued from slaughter but also to create a model of harmonious coexistence between people, animals, and nature, following Buddhist principles.

Illegal cat medicine operation busted in Samut PrakanLegacyOfficials announced the results of a raid yesterday, May 16, on an illegal cat medication production and sales operation in Samut Prakan, where unregistered veterinary drugs were allegedly mixed to increase volume and sold online. The operation was carried out by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the Department of Livestock Development (DLD), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The case began after the DLD received complaints about a company in Samut Prakan registered as an animal feed wholesaler. The company was allegedly importing antiviral veterinary medicine for cats without permission for the treatment of feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP. Photo via Naewna Investigators later identified a storage site and factory in Bang Mueang subdistrict, Mueang district, allegedly used to produce and sell Emune, which was claimed to contain GS-441524, a nucleoside analogue antiviral drug, and was widely sold online. On April 29, officials searched the factory under a warrant issued by the Samut Prakan Kwaeng Court. At the site, 35 year old Songphan identified himself as the owner and led officials during the search. Officials seized 83 boxed Emune products, along with 117 unboxed products. They also seized production machinery and equipment used in production. Police also found 550 empty bottles, 740 caps, labels, and 4,690 packaging items. The seized illegal cat medicine, machinery, ingredients, labels, and packaging were valued at more than 1 million baht. Photo via Naewna Investigators said the group allegedly sold illegally imported medicine through Emune Thailand and emunefip.com, and also increased product volume by diluting liquid medicine with water and mixing tablet medicine with flour before pressing it into new tablets. Officials warned that unregistered veterinary drugs may be unsafe or ineffective because they are not quality tested and may be produced without proper controls. Photo via Naewna The case involved offences under the Drug Act of 1967. These include producing, selling, or importing modern medicine without permission, which carries up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 10,000 baht. Other offences include producing or selling drugs that require registration but have not been registered, carrying up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 5,000 baht, or both. Advertising medicine for sale without permission carries a fine of up to 100,000 baht. DLD chief Somchuan Ratanamungklanon said illegal online livestock products are increasing, including unauthorised veterinary drugs, exaggerated claims, banned contamination, and unlicensed services. He said the department is increasing monitoring of online veterinary medicine sales to protect farmers, animal health, and public health. Photo via Naewna Naewna reported that FDA secretary-general Supattra Boonserm warned pet owners and veterinarians to check whether veterinary products are legally registered before use and to purchase only from licensed locations. Police said the operation targeted people exploiting pet owners’ concern for sick animals by selling substandard illegal medicine. The CIB said it would continue working with related agencies to protect consumers and ensure products and services meet legal standards. The story Illegal cat medicine operation busted in Samut Prakan as seen on Thaiger News.