Gold prices for May 18, 2025 have been announced by the Gold Traders Association, showing a sharp decline compared to yesterday's closing price of 71,000 baht per baht weight for ornamental gold. According to the latest data released by the Gold Traders Association at 9:04 AM this morning, today's gold prices have dropped 200 baht from yesterday's final price, with ornamental gold trading at 71,000 baht per baht weight.

Gold bars are priced at 70,000 baht per baht for buying and 70,200 baht per baht for selling according to the first announcement. For 96.5% ornamental gold, the buying price is 68,599 baht per baht and the selling price is 71,000 baht per baht. Global gold spot prices are currently at 4,532 US dollars per ounce.

Today's Gold Price Summary, May 18, 2025 (First Announcement):

Gold Bars: - Buying: 70,000 baht per baht weight - Selling: 70,200 baht per baht weight

Ornamental Gold: - Buying: 68,599 baht per baht weight - Selling: 71,000 baht per baht weight

After facing backlash from a previous interview clip, actress Fern Pimchanok has spoken again about actress Mind Ladisalal's decision to seek a divorce, which was announced at the 17th Natarach Awards ceremony at M Sphere. Fern confirmed she has spoken with and supported her junior colleague, while emphasizing her desire for everything to proceed through the proper legal channels to ensure that Tray Scot and all victims receive maximum justice.

When asked about Mind's divorce decision, Fern explained: "I did talk with my junior. Everything has unfolded as she posted. This situation has had severe impacts on everyone involved. What I want is for those who are wrong to take responsibility and proceed through the legal process so that Tray receives the utmost justice."

Fern clarified she spoke with Mind after her public announcement rather than before, and said she only offered encouragement by telling her "ultimately, time will help make things better." Regarding Mind's emotional state, Fern acknowledged it's "difficult for her" and noted that "everyone can imagine how much tears have been shed."

Fern expressed concern for Mind's unborn child and emphasized her compassion extends to all victims affected by the situation, not just those in the headlines. She stated: "Everyone is hurting from this situation. I want to offer support not just to Mind and the baby, but to all the victims—many more than what's been reported. For those dealing with or recovering from this situation, I want to be a source of strength for them."

When asked about those continuing the drama, Fern said she understands it's a serious matter. She reiterated her hope that the legal process will proceed so that victims ultimately receive full justice, concluding that the mood among supporters has improved.

A young man sitting with friends was shocked to discover the body of a man in an unusual state of death hanging from a balcony across the building. Police were called to investigate, with preliminary estimates suggesting he had been deceased for at least three hours.

At 1:00 AM on May 18, 2025, Lieutenant Saiyai Kamjulla from Pattaya City Police Station received a report of a person found hanging from a building balcony at a hotel in Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri Province. Officers responded alongside rescue personnel from Sawaang Briboon Bannasat Foundation.

Large crowds of both Thai locals and foreign tourists gathered at the scene. The seven-story apartment building's incident occurred on the sixth floor, where the body of a 50-year-old American man was discovered hanging from the balcony, wearing only gray jeans and flip-flops.

Initial investigation suggests the man had been dead for no less than three hours. No signs of robbery or struggle were found in the room, and the body showed no wounds or marks of violence.

A young witness reported that while sitting with friends across from the building, he noticed what appeared to be someone hanging from the balcony. Upon closer inspection, he was shocked and immediately notified a motorcycle taxi driver to call authorities.

Police documented the scene as evidence and arranged for rescue personnel to transport the body for detailed autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rain in the upper northern and northeastern regions, particularly in the western and eastern sections of southern Thailand over the next 24 hours, driven by strong southwest monsoon winds covering the upper Andaman Sea and Thailand. Residents are warned of dangers from heavy rainfall and accumulated water that may cause flash floods and flash flooding, especially in foothill areas near water channels and low-lying regions. Health precautions during weather changes are also recommended. Wave conditions in the upper Andaman Sea are moderate to strong, with waves 2-3 meters high and exceeding 3 meters during thunderstorms. The lower Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand have waves 1-2 meters high, exceeding 2 meters during thunderstorms. Fishing boats should proceed with caution and avoid thunderstorm areas, while small boats in the upper Andaman Sea should remain ashore. Detailed forecasts for each region include: Northern region with 40 percent thunderstorm coverage and heavy rain in Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces; Northeastern region with 70 percent coverage and heavy rain in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani; Central region with 70 percent coverage and heavy rain in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Lopburi, Saraburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi; Eastern region with 60 percent coverage and heavy to very heavy rain in Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat; Southern east coast with 60 percent coverage and heavy rain in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, and Songkhla; Southern west coast with 70 percent coverage and heavy to very heavy rain in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun.

The Jenz Co., Ltd. and Ditto (Thailand) PCL hosted the Ditto Championship 2024 youth golf tournament, a two-day, 36-hole competition held May 16-17 at Treasure Hill Golf Country Club in Chonburi Province. The event is the third stop of the Chang-Jenz Golf Tour 2026, which qualifies golfers for the world amateur ranking scoreboard (JGS). The tournament featured three age divisions: Special GENZ (ages 19-23), Super GENZ (ages 15-18), and Junior GENZ (ages 11-14), with separate boys and girls categories. Top cumulative scorers will be selected for The Jenz golf development program, and the six best performers across all three venues in Super and Junior GENZ divisions will earn spots at the Yonex Junior Golf Championship 2026 in Japan.

In the Super GENZ Boys division, Satsart Chantaurai claimed the championship with a combined two-day score of even par 144 (77-67), edging second-place finisher Thitiwat Piturnngakphitag by one stroke with a score of 1-over par 145. In the Super GENZ Girls category, Sirikorn Somprakan secured the title with a two-day score of 2-over par 146 (71-75). For the Junior GENZ Boys, Woravivat Tayavivat won with an impressive final-day charge, finishing at 6-over par 150. In the Junior GENZ Girls division, Haedeum Oh defeated Kirttika Kamalpraniee in a playoff with a combined score of 1-under par 143.

In the Special GENZ Boys category, Pheemawatch Gaewglinjantan took the title with a two-day score of 13-over par 157, while Seohyeon Baek won the Special GENZ Girls division with a two-day score of 9-over par 153.

Six golfers earned berths for the Yonex Junior Golf Championship 2026 in Japan based on cumulative scores across the first three tour venues: Boys—Woravivat Tayavivat (1,740 points), Satsart Chantaurai (1,630 points), and Riuki Osaka (1,550 points); Girls—Pattanamont Sutthiraksapong (2,200 points), Kirttika Kamalpraniee (1,800 points), and Sirikorn Somprakan (1,718 points).

The Rail Department revealed that the train driver involved in the collision with a bus had not received an operator's license. A disciplinary committee has been established and legal proceedings initiated against all involved staff. On May 17, Rail Department Director-General Pichit Kunathammarak disclosed that police testing confirmed drug use in the urine of Sanyampon, 46, a driver of train 2126 running the Laem Chabang-Bang Sue route, which collided with line 206 bus at the Asok-Din Daeng railway crossing on May 16, killing 8 and injuring over 30.

In response to the incident, the Rail Department issued urgent orders to the State Railway of Thailand requiring drug and alcohol screening for all personnel with driving and operational responsibilities, as well as ground safety staff such as crossing gate operators and signal workers before each shift, implementing a zero-tolerance policy.

Pichit stated that Sanyampon had not received an operator's license from the Rail Department. The driver has been suspended, and the State Railway has been ordered to establish a serious disciplinary committee while suspending the train driver and associated crossing gate personnel immediately, with full legal prosecution. An in-depth investigation will determine how supervisors allowed a drug-impaired individual to operate a train carrying numerous passengers.

Pichit noted that the Railway Transport Act B.E. 2568, Section 90, empowers transport inspectors to conduct drug and alcohol testing on personnel suspected of impairment. The Rail Department is issuing implementing regulations to enforce the law. This order aims to restore public confidence that the Rail Department prioritizes safety above all else.