Maitree Kongueang, president of the Thai Disabled Sports Association and vice chair of Thailand's Paralympic Committee, has declared his candidacy for the ASEAN Disabled Sports Federation (APSF) presidency. The election will take place during the federation's 2026 annual general meeting on June 6 in Solo, Indonesia, to select new leadership for the 2026-2030 term. Kongueang faces one other candidate: Senni Marbun, chair of Indonesia's National Paralympic Committee.

Kongueang expressed his readiness for the role and thanked all parties for their trust in representing Thailand. He has already visited various ASEAN member nations to present his policy platform and vision for the federation. Despite admitting some concern about managing multiple responsibilities at both the ASEAN and Thai national levels, he committed to working at full capacity if elected, or to building goodwill for Thai disabled sports if unsuccessful.

Kongueang's four core policies include: (1) organizational reform to increase participation from all 11 member nations in federation committees to enhance transparency; (2) implementing technology for clearer coordination; (3) establishing an ASEAN disabled sports training center in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, modeled on Thailand's existing facility, while allowing specialized sports associations to establish headquarters in their respective countries of excellence; and (4) promoting ASEAN Youth Games to create more international competition platforms and talent pathways for emerging athletes.

Lumpini Police, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and Immigration Police Division 1, arrested 10 Vietnamese women aged 17-44 in the Sukhumvit Soi 4 area on May 22 at approximately 8 p.m. following complaints of street solicitation. The operation was led by Pol. Col. Witwat Chinkham and other senior officials who coordinated surveillance after receiving complaints and viewing social media videos showing foreign women engaging in suspected solicitation activities toward tourists in the public pedestrian areas. After identifying suspicious behavior, police officers approached the subjects for inspection and made arrests in Sukhumvit Soi 4, Khlong Toei Subdistrict, Bangkok. All 10 suspects were charged with soliciting for prostitution in public areas in a manner deemed indecent and causing public disturbance. They were handed over to Lumpini Police for further legal proceedings.

Krung Thai Bank is facilitating registration for the Thai Help Thai Plus 60/40 program by opening special service points on Saturday May 23 and Sunday May 24, 2569. Services will include registration assistance and guidance for the Pao Tang and Thung Ngern applications, operating between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM. Those wishing to register as Thung Ngern merchants without an existing Krung Thai Bank account can open one at department store branches.

Special service points and operating hours are available across 13 locations including branches in Sakaew, Phangnga, Chainat, Uthai Thani, Phichit, Phayao, Narathiwat, Yala, Satun, Bueng Kan, and Sisaket, with most locations operating 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturday and selected branches continuing Sunday service.

Check Your HDL Levels Now: Low HDL Signals Vessel Damage—Here's How to Improve

On May 23, 2569, Dr. Jetsada Bunyavongvirojn, Deputy Director of Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima, posted on his 'Dr. Jed' Facebook page explaining that during health checkups, most people focus on whether their LDL, blood sugar, or triglycerides are high, but many overlook another important value: HDL, or 'good cholesterol.' Some people consistently have low HDL, while others try hard to raise it as much as possible, thinking higher is always better. Let's get to know this value properly. I'll explain it simply and show you how to increase your good cholesterol.

1. HDL is the 'garbage truck' of your blood vessels HDL's job is to transport excess fat and some fatty deposits back to the liver, reducing buildup in your blood vessels. So if HDL is low, it's like your vessel's garbage collection system isn't working well. Fat is more likely to accumulate and stick to vessel walls, causing inflammation, stiffening, and increasing the risk of narrowing in the future.

2. Low HDL doesn't just mean 'you have little good cholesterol' Actually, low HDL often signals that 'your metabolism is having problems.' People with consistently low HDL usually also have a belly, high triglycerides, insulin resistance, blood sugar fluctuations, or fatty liver, because the body is inflamed and managing fat poorly. Many don't realize it because other blood values might not be obviously elevated yet.

3. What HDL level should concern you? Generally, HDL below 40 mg/dL in men and below 50 mg/dL in women is considered risky, as it's associated with increased heart and vessel disease risk—especially if combined with high triglycerides, a large belly, or high LDL. When low HDL comes with excess belly fat, insulin resistance risk rises even more.

4. Low HDL means your vessels may be silently deteriorating Many people don't have particularly high LDL but have very low HDL, which is still risky because it reflects that vessels may be inflaming and the body isn't handling fat well. Some people have had low HDL for years despite being relatively young, and when left unchecked, fatty deposits accumulate in vessels more rapidly.

5. Is higher HDL always better? This is a common misconception. Abnormally high HDL doesn't necessarily mean increased heart disease protection. What truly matters is 'whether HDL is functioning well' and how little inflammation your body has overall, rather than just the number alone.

6. Exercise genuinely helps HDL Consistent movement—brisk walking, weight training, or cardio—improves HDL levels. When muscles work, the body handles fat better. Some people see HDL improvement within just a few months of consistent exercise. The more muscle mass you have, the better your metabolism and fat response become.

7. Smokers, night owls, and sugar lovers typically have low HDL These habits cause chronic inflammation, making HDL function poorly. Many people take cholesterol medication but if they still smoke, sleep at 2 AM, and drink sweet tea daily, their HDL won't rise easily because the root causes aren't addressed. The longer you wait, the faster your vessels deteriorate.

So what should you do if your HDL is too low?

- Exercise regularly, especially weight training and cardio - Reduce sugary drinks, fried foods, and processed foods - Increase good fats like fish and omega-3s

The United States has mandated that the Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team undergo a strict 21-day quarantine, or face potential denial of entry to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following an Ebola outbreak in the country. Andrew Giuliani, director of the White House's task force for the World Cup, confirmed that the DR Congo team must isolate for 21 days or risk being barred from traveling to the United States for the tournament. The DR Congo is one of several countries currently battling the Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain. Before the World Cup begins, the DR Congo team is scheduled to train and play two friendlies in Belgium, with the U.S. requiring the quarantine to take place there. Giuliani stated, "We have informed DR Congo that they should implement strict 21-day quarantine measures before traveling to the United States on June 11, otherwise they risk not being permitted entry into our country." All of the DR Congo team's players and coaches reside outside the country, with most players based in France, though some team staff members who live domestically have already left the country.

The Meteorological Department forecasts continued heavy rain in scattered areas across the North, Upper Northeast, East, and South regions over the next 24 hours due to the moderate southwest monsoon system covering the upper Andaman Sea and Thailand, combined with southerly and southeast winds bringing moisture from the South China Sea to northern Thailand, alongside a low-pressure zone over northern Vietnam.

The public is urged to exercise caution against dangers from heavy and accumulated rainfall, which may cause flash floods and flash flooding, particularly in areas with steep slopes near waterways and low-lying areas. Residents should also monitor their health during this period of changing weather conditions.

Sea conditions in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand are moderately rough. The upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand have waves approximately 2 meters high, while the lower Andaman Sea and lower Gulf of Thailand have waves of 1-2 meters. Areas with thunderstorms may experience waves exceeding 2 meters. Fishermen in these areas are advised to navigate cautiously and avoid areas with thunderstorms.

Regional forecasts from 6 AM today to 6 AM tomorrow:

North: Thunderstorms in 60 percent of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lampoon, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces. Low 23-25°C, High 33-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Upper Northeast: Thunderstorms in 40 percent of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, and Sakon Nakhon provinces. Low 24-25°C, High 34-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Central: Thunderstorms in 60 percent of the area, mainly in Nakhon Sawan, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, and Ayutthaya provinces. Low 24-26°C, High 34-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

East: Thunderstorms in 60 percent of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces. Low 25-27°C, High 30-35°C. Southwest winds 20-35 km/h. Sea waves approximately 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

South (East Coast): Thunderstorms in 60 percent of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, and Surat Thani provinces. Low 24-26°C, High 34-36°C. Southwest winds 15-35 km/h. Waves 1-2 meters nearshore, approximately 2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

South (West Coast): Thunderstorms in 70 percent of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, and Krabi provinces. Low 23-26°C, High 32-35°C. From Phuket northward: Southwest winds 20-35 km/h with waves approximately 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. From Krabi southward: Southwest winds 15-35 km/h with waves 1-2 meters.