Investigation Deepens into Unauthorized School Where Teacher Allegedly Seized Student's Phone and Demanded Ransom; Officials Warn of Legal Action Against Illegal Educational Facilities.

On May 16, 2569, Montol Phaksuwannakul, Secretary-General of the Private Education Commission (PEC), addressed the case of a 17-year-old student whose mobile phone was confiscated and held for ransom—a case currently trending on social media.

The Ministry of Education, led by Education Minister Prasert Chantharavung, expressed concern about the incident and ordered the Private Education Commission (PEC) to conduct an urgent investigation.

The investigation revealed that the facility is not licensed to operate as a private school under the PEC and has no record of authorization as a learning center in the Basic Education Commission (BEC) database. However, if the investigation confirms the facility is operating as an unlicensed private educational institution without PEC approval, legal action will be taken.

Authorities emphasized that all forms of educational management must prioritize student safety, rights, and dignity. Parents are urged to verify a school's official status before enrolling their children. Anyone discovering potentially unlicensed educational facilities can report tips to the Education Ministry hotline at 1579 or via email at saraban@opec.go.th, the PEC Secretary-General concluded.

Related News: Teacher Seizes Phone, Demands 10,000 Baht Ransom Under School Policy; Negotiations Stall as Teacher Refuses to Budge, Eventually Resigns School Principal Returns Confiscated Student Phone to Child's Mother; Admits Using Phone Sale Proceeds to Buy Snacks for Distribution

Roberto Baggio, former Italian national team footballer, has arrived in Thailand to attend Thailand Sports Collectibles Convention 2026, the country's first major sports memorabilia showcase held at Central Westgate Hall on May 16.

Organized by P Bidding Co., Ltd., a company with over 20 years of experience in the collectibles industry, the event features sports cards, vintage football jerseys, and popular trading card games such as Pokémon and One Piece. Attendees can participate in private signing sessions to get autographs from Baggio on artwork by renowned Thai artist pookiee_art, who previously illustrated Dennis Bergkamp on Dutch banknotes.

Baggio, a former player for Fiorentina, Juventus, and AC Milan, revealed that he hasn't visited Thailand in nearly 30 years and expressed gratitude for Thai fans' recognition and continued admiration. Since retiring from professional football, he has lived a simple life focused on family and personal happiness. He noted he has practiced Buddhism for 38 years, which has significantly influenced his life philosophy—that everything in the world depends on our perspective and attitude.

Papinvich Chengchawano, executive chairman of P Bidding Co., Ltd. and organizer of Thailand Sports Collectibles Convention 2026, stated: "We want TSCC'26 to be an event for collectors of all generations, from beginners starting out to professional collectors looking to expand. Proper collecting is worthwhile investment, but the most valuable aspect is the happiness gained from what you love. We aim to make TSCC an anticipated annual event and eventually establish it as a major destination for collectors across Asia, reflecting the potential and growth of Thailand's sports collectibles market at the regional level."

The Royal Gazette has released eight announcements from the Alcohol Beverage Control Committee, effective May 12, 2026, establishing locations and areas where all types of alcoholic beverages are prohibited nationwide. The regulations enhance and expand the original 2008 law to align with current circumstances, defining eight comprehensive zones where alcohol sales and consumption are banned.

Violators face penalties under the 2551 Buddhist Era Alcohol Control Act, with sanctions ranging from minor to severe, including fines and imprisonment or both. Key prohibitions include selling alcohol on roads or in vehicles on roads, and consuming alcohol while driving or riding in vehicles. Sales and consumption are banned at public ports and on all public vessels to ensure water transportation safety, in public parks operated by state enterprises or government agencies, and at railway stations or trains—except designated special event areas in Bangkok's central station with proper authorization.

Alcohol prohibitions in temples and religious sites remain in full effect, with bans on both sales and consumption except as part of religious ceremonies. Violations carry penalties of up to six months imprisonment, fines up to 10,000 baht, or both. These regulations align with the fifth precept of Buddhist ethics, which advocates abstaining from intoxicants that cloud the mind and cause carelessness. Strict enforcement is necessary to maintain these areas as alcohol-free zones.

Thailand's national women's volleyball team is currently in training camp preparing for the 2026 Nations League (VNL2026) Week One, taking place June 3-7, 2026 in Nanjing, China, with their opening match against Serbia on June 3. Coach Anucha Kiatpongsak, head coach of Thailand's national women's volleyball team, recently disclosed his selection criteria for the 14 players in Week One, explaining that although he has names in mind, he will prioritize selecting the most prepared athletes for competition. "All 30 athletes are now training together at the national team camp. From here on, we'll delve deeper into the details and try to strengthen each aspect. The group just returning from foreign leagues will focus on physical recovery to be as ready as possible, while others will work on serve, receive, and blocking," the coach stated. "We have 30 players who will train together through the 20th Asian Games in Japan – not 21 as rumored. For the 14 players competing in VNL2026 Week One in China, although I have names in mind, we'll have to wait until the roster announcement since we need to take the most prepared athletes with the best physical condition to compete," Coach Anucha said.

Loei — Mobile food cart vendors in Loei province are voicing concerns about participating in government programs, emphasizing the need for clarity on primary cost factors, particularly fuel prices, income sustainability, and the tax system. They describe their situation as heartbreaking, struggling with mounting debts, minimal profits, rising commodity prices, and skyrocketing living costs that are crushing the grassroots economy.

On May 16, Pancake (surname withheld), an actual mobile food cart owner, explains that profitability is not the answer when living costs are soaring. She describes her daily routine: waking early to stock her single vehicle with a complete inventory of fresh produce, preserved items, and dried goods—leafy vegetables, Chinese water spinach, basil, kale, garlic, bird's eye chili, tomatoes, eggplant varieties, curry ingredients, lemongrass, turmeric, and more—which she sells in the Namman, Kok Thong, and surrounding subdistricts of Muang Loei district.

She admits her work has become extremely difficult. Operating a mobile food cart is frightening. Comparing the current grassroots economy to one or two years ago is shocking—the situation has completely reversed. She's making sales on credit, with customers owing her 20,000 to 30,000 baht that remain unpaid.

The primary factor is skyrocketing fuel prices that show no sign of stopping. Previously, mobile cart vending was quite profitable because living costs were manageable, but now the situation is "rather grim." Fuel costs and daily fluctuating product prices are the main culprits. Some days prices spike so dramatically that it's impossible to keep up, but when she tries to adjust her selling prices accordingly, it becomes difficult. She once sold items for 20 baht but cannot raise them to 30 baht because her community consists mainly of children and elderly residents, some without family support. She must keep prices low, sometimes even offering freebies and accepting losses.

Mobile cart vendors must now cut corners to survive. Their income has shrunk by over 50%. They buy in larger quantities to secure lower wholesale prices, then accept minimal profit margins to maintain their community's purchasing power. Meanwhile, customers are cutting back drastically—from buying hundreds of baht worth to just tens—purchasing only absolute necessities.

Regarding the future, Pancake says she remains concerned and undecided about entering government programs, despite seeing benefits. She has critical questions requiring clarification: the program's scope and whether certain items qualify; whether primary costs like fuel are included; income sustainability, as this profession lacks guaranteed daily income and earns zero on non-working days; and tax implications or conditions that may arise later.

Thailand's national sports team is gearing up for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, scheduled for September 19 through October 4, 2026. Dr. Kongsakdee Yodmani, Director-General of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), announced that the organization is piloting the National Training Center (NTC) model for these games. The system brings national team athletes together for centralized, systematic training supported by professional sports science expertise, featuring more rigorous physical conditioning tests and a performance-based athlete grading system designed to increase international standards. This model has already proven effective in the United Kingdom and many European countries.

"Athlete grading involves categorizing athletes into groups based on their performance—medal winners, developing athletes, and youth prospects—with salary structures reflecting these classifications," explained Dr. Kongsakdee. "We believe this approach will motivate athletes to improve themselves and advance to higher grades and better compensation through rigorous performance evaluations. However, athletes with poor results may be dropped from the national team or demoted to lower classification levels based on established criteria."

Dr. Kongsakdee added that the model may be implemented for only certain sports during the Asian Games due to time constraints, but for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the SAT plans to work systematically with the National Sports Fund. Target sports with strong track records—weightlifting, badminton, taekwondo, and boxing—will implement the NTC model starting from the youth level. Other less prominent sports may focus on age divisions and specific events first. Officials believe the allocated budget will be worthwhile and significantly increase Thailand's chances of international success.