On May 17, 2025, Deputy Government Spokesman Ploytaale Laksameesangjun addressed criticism from Pichaya Rattandilek, a former dean and curriculum specialist in politics and development strategy at Phuket, who questioned the government's spending on a May 15 executive dinner given the country's need to borrow 400 billion baht, asking "How much budget was used for the evening event?" The spokesman clarified that the dinner budget came from the Prime Minister's Office operational funds, a support unit for the Prime Minister's governance operations, and emphasized that all spending is carefully considered for maximum benefit to the nation and people.

Ploytaale explained that the dinner for executives from 10 key industrial sectors provided an opportunity for hotel management students from Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University to demonstrate their skills and practical capabilities. Rather than luxurious catering, the government served Thai fusion cuisine using domestic ingredients to encourage Thai consumers to support local agricultural products and help Thai farmers. The government did not employ famous hotel catering services and avoided lavish spending as some feared, but instead created a direct learning experience to build student confidence and prepare them for quality job market entry, which serves as a foundation for strengthening the country's long-term competitive capability.

"The government manages budgets economically with careful consideration of benefits received. I ask Associate Professor Pichaya not to be concerned. If this dinner budget matter troubles you, please use your time to create meaningful contributions to society so you can dedicate efforts to benefit the nation and its people," Ploytaale concluded.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo has introduced a baby Greater Adjutant chick as the facility's newest star, sparking widespread viral interest on social media. The Greater Adjutant, one of the largest storks in the region and world, had been extinct from Thailand's natural environment for over 40 years. The chick was hatched in an incubator after staff conducted a "life-saving operation," removing the egg from the parents—the only breeding pair of Greater Adjutants remaining at the zoo—to ensure successful incubation.

Zoo officials emphasized the remarkable nature of this achievement, noting that the parent birds typically lay only one or two eggs annually with inconsistent hatching success, prompting staff to intervene with artificial incubation. This marks the first successful Greater Adjutant breeding via incubator in the history of Thailand's zoo organization. The egg weighed 124-125 grams—nearly three times heavier than a chicken egg—and took 34-35 days to hatch.

When fully grown, the Greater Adjutant will stand approximately 145-150 centimeters tall with a wingspan nearly 3 meters wide. The species typically has a lifespan of 35-40 years and features predominantly black, gray, and white plumage. The announcement has generated massive online engagement, with netizens flooding the comments section with jokes, name suggestions like "Khun Chang" (Big Brother), and playful observations about the chick's appearance.

On May 17, 2025, Panida Mongkollswasdi, Samut Prakan MP and Pheu Thai Party spokesperson, discussed the Bhumjaithai and Move Forward parties' plans to push forward a constitutional amendment draft, calling it a positive development that respects the voice of the people. Although the government has not revived the previous draft, what remains unclear is the cabinet's own proposal, since the current draft was submitted as a Bhumjaithai Party initiative rather than reflecting government intentions.

"What we want to see is the government taking constitutional amendment seriously to pave the way for a new charter. Therefore, there should be a concrete cabinet draft. This is what we want to see, and we are somewhat disappointed with the Bhumjaithai Party's approach, which doesn't seem proportionate to the 21.6 million votes they received. However, given that the Bhumjaithai and Move Forward parties are preparing to submit their amendment draft to parliament, Pheu Thai will continue communicating through the shadow cabinet and will submit our own constitutional amendment draft again," Panida stated.

When asked about her views on Move Forward's model, which would have each province select members of the constitutional drafting assembly before parliament selects them again, Panida said the approaches are quite similar. The Pheu Thai Party believes the drafting body should come from public elections, though the Constitutional Court's ruling prohibits direct selection, so processes must be designed to maximize public participation in forming the drafting committee.

"If Move Forward's draft opens space or shares the principle that drafters come from public selection in some form, while respecting the Constitutional Court's ruling, we would agree," Panida said.

When asked about concerns regarding the constitutional amendment, Panida identified the Senate's one-third voting power in approving a new constitution as the most critical issue. Parties must build consensus on whether to retain the Senate's one-third blocking power, especially when 21.6 million voters have clearly indicated they want a new charter.

"This means the power to pass a constitution should rest with the people, not become a bottleneck where the Senate's one-third blocks the new charter's passage. This is what worries me, and I believe we should seek consensus so that Article 256 constitutional amendment efforts are not in vain," Panida concluded.

Luang Por Pai Loh Chanthasoro was a renowned meditation master at Wat Kamphaeng in Phrasicharoen District, Bangkok, celebrated in the Bangkhunthian area. He was born on a Tuesday in the sixth month of the Year of the Goat in B.E. 2403 into the Thonglueah family in Samut Prakan Province, growing up in an agricultural household. At age eight, he studied Thai and Khmer script under Luang Por That at Wat Singh. During his youth, he was brave and had many friends, but the neighborhood was rife with gang violence. Due to his reputation among local toughs, his worried parents asked him to ordain for one rainy season.

He was ordained at Wat Kamphaeng with Luang Por That as his preceptor. Receiving the monastic name Chanthasoro, he devoted himself to studying Buddhist scripture, memorizing chants with precision, and deepening his faith. After the first rainy season, he declined to disrobe and instead pursued advanced meditation and doctrinal studies. He learned esoteric practices including the 108-ingredient medicinal powder from Luang Por Phuang at Wat Kok and sacred cloth-making with Luang Por Dit at Wat Kamphaeng.

Despite his extensive knowledge, he remained humble and unpretentious, maintaining simple living and strict discipline with the monastic code. Though offered the title of Phra Kru, he refused, saying he preferred to teach himself rather than oversee other monks. Similarly, he reluctantly accepted administrative duties only because villagers insisted, as many brought their sons to ordain under him due to faith in his virtue and desire for his blessed amulets.

In B.E. 2478, his disciples commissioned a celebratory merit-making ceremony for his birthday and produced a medal-cast amulet in the shape of a spade. The spade symbolized an essential agricultural tool that farmers and gardeners depended upon. Beyond the popular spade medal, egg-shaped amulets were also cast in bronze and brass with intricate consecration rituals far more elaborate than stamped medals.

He possessed powerful spiritual concentration. Once, Phra Phutthaput Phayakorn, a senior disciple of Luang Pu Eiam at Wat Nang, was invited to oversee an amulet-casting ceremony. He sat in meditation at his dwelling without traveling to the temple, yet when the consecration began, those officiating saw his meditating form present at the ritual—an extraordinary occurrence that became widely discussed.

Luang Por Pai Loh regularly chanted the 'Seven Crystal Fortress Incantation,' reciting passages invoking the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha as refuges. He passed away peacefully in B.E. 2482 at age 79, having spent 59 rainy seasons in the robes. At his funeral, countless people gathered. A remarkable incident occurred when disciples lit firecrackers and sparklers, but they all extinguished suddenly because he disliked loud noise. After the ceremony ended, they relit them, and they burned with tremendous noise—a tale still recounted today.

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. at Wat Rajabophit Sathit Maha Simaram in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district, General Cholit Pukphasuk presided over a merit-making ceremony dedicated to Her Royal Highness Princess Kalyaniwattana, Princess of Nakhon Sawan, founder and honorary chair of the Ruamjai Ramnoemkaela Foundation for Youth under Royal Patronage, in recognition of her 103rd birthday on May 6, 2026.

The ceremony was attended by Somdet Phra Maha Veerawong (Suchin Akkachinohor), a member of the Supreme Patriarchate and assistant abbot of Wat Rajabophit, along with monks from the temple.

On this occasion, Arunsit Sampatrat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, was joined by senior ministry officials including Colonel Takul Thotham, the ministry's inspector general, and other department heads and civil servants from the Permanent Secretary's Office.

The Ministry of Interior and the Ruamjai Ramnoemkaela Foundation for Youth held this merit-making ceremony to honor and remember Princess Kalyaniwattana's contributions to the foundation and disadvantaged youth nationwide. The ceremony served as a demonstration of gratitude toward the nation, religion, and monarchy, and acknowledged the sacrifices of past generations who preserved Thailand's independence and stability.

The Ruamjai Ramnoemkaela Foundation for Youth, under Royal Patronage, represents people of all walks of life recognizing the importance of education and moral development for youth. Through this collective spirit, they express gratitude to the Thai monarchy and honor their ancestors who sacrificed for building national unity and sustainable development.

Actor Ice Panuthat Premmaneenan revealed that the drama 'Hidden Beast' on Channel 3 features intense action sequences. Ice, who plays the lead character Taiga alongside actress Yam Matira Tantipresuit, shared details about his role and the challenges of filming.

On his character, Ice explained: "I play a young designer who is the son of a yakuza gang leader. The gang is called 'Fierce Beast.' There's conflict between members, and when the gang leader dies, my character seeks revenge to protect his father and maintain the gang's reputation."

Regarding the action, Ice stated: "The action is extremely intense—heavier than anything I've done before. I previously worked on 'Seize the Land,' which used guns, but this drama relies heavily on hand-to-hand combat and Japanese sword fighting. Using a katana is very difficult since I've never done it before, and the sword is very long. Fortunately, we have a fight choreographer with us at all times, and unlike other productions where a team member supervises, here we have a dedicated combat specialist."

Beyond action sequences, Ice noted the emotional complexity: "The challenge also involves hiding the character's love and emotions while using psychological tactics in confrontations."

When asked about romantic scenes, Ice revealed: "There are many love scenes, and they're the most intense I've ever filmed. Both characters are fighters by nature, but when love and understanding develop between them, it becomes very passionate and intense. I was nervous before the first intimate scene, but after that, Yam became quite open with me, which made working together easier."

On returning to long hair styling, Ice shared: "I really like this look. I feel it's a style people recognize me by. When I started out, I had long hair in 'Destiny of Love,' and I kept this style in 'Seize the Land.' But during the COVID period, I cut it short, and other companies wanted me to keep it short. Over the past year, I've grown it out again, and I feel much more like myself with more confidence."

Ice added that the long hair complements his current roles better and makes him feel more charming and confident at age 30. He mentioned he's willing to change his appearance if a role is interesting enough.

Regarding his cat hotel business in Pattaya, Ice confirmed: "It has been affected by the economy, but animal lovers are willing to pay for the best care for their pets. Despite the impact, we're still operating. I hope the economy and tourism improve to help the cat business as well."

On his involvement with the business, Ice stated: "I help manage it myself. I visit about once a week to assist my parents, who are the main operators. Sometimes I respond to customer messages myself. It's a small family business run with joy. The hotel is located in Pattaya—it's very accessible from Bangkok or just a short drive from Pattaya."