On May 18, 2025, at the Center for the Promotion and Development of Science Learning, Deputy Prime Minister Yossakon Wongsuadsdi and ministers Prasert Jantharavongtong and Akkhananth Kanakittinanth jointly launched the "From Museum to Lifelong Learning Ecosystem Center" initiative and a working committee meeting to elevate Bangkok's planetarium into a model lifelong learning center.

Yossakon stated that transitioning from the traditional museum concept to a lifelong learning ecosystem represents a crucial milestone, emphasizing outcome-based education that empowers learners with potential and direction. This initiative requires collaboration across multiple sectors. The planetarium, which has long inspired millions of Thais, must foster youth to think boldly, take action, dream courageously, and crucially, believe their dreams are achievable—giving them the resilience to overcome obstacles.

In the context of rapidly changing technology, Yossakon explained that the planetarium's definition must evolve beyond a children's space to become an open area for workers, disadvantaged individuals, and those seeking career changes—a source of inspiration for starting new lives at any age. Given the large population, a single location is insufficient. Success depends on connecting with partner networks nationwide, including the National Astronomical Research Institute, school libraries, and private learning centers, to expand learning to provinces across the country. This collaboration will disseminate diverse knowledge across professions and link curricula to all educational levels—vocational education, basic education, and higher education—ensuring equal opportunities for youth in remote areas and providing hope for all.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — 17 May 2026, A joint delegation of Cambodian officials and ASEAN observers carried out a monitoring mission along a contested section of the Thailand-Cambodia border on Sunday, according to a statement released by Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense.

Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of National Defense of the Kingdom of Cambodia, said the Cambodian Liaison Group coordinated the site visit with the ASEAN Observer Team, led by the Philippines as Head of Mission, at 09:00 on Sunday. The delegation inspected the border area at Seila Khmer Village in O Bei Chon Commune, O Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province.

Phnom Penh maintains that the area has been continuously cultivated and administered by Cambodian citizens since an emergency ceasefire with Thailand took effect on 27 December 2025. The observers aimed to verify the border situation and evaluate compliance with stabilization measures outlined in the joint ceasefire agreement, which followed heightened tensions between the neighboring nations last year.

Cambodia strongly reiterated that formal survey and demarcation work remains the exclusive mandate of the bilateral Joint Boundary Commission and its Joint Survey Teams. The defense ministry explicitly rejected any unilateral alterations to the international boundary line, insisting that all border determinations must strictly adhere to historical framework agreements including the Franco-Siamese conventions and the MOU 2000.

Cambodian authorities firmly rejected any border changes resulting from historical or present use of force. Phnom Penh urged Bangkok to dispatch its survey teams back to the field to resume demarcation work and called for an immediate meeting of the Joint Boundary Commission.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to the Joint Declaration on the Peace Agreement between Cambodia and Thailand on 26 October 2025, as well as resolutions passed during the Third Special Meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee on 27 December 2025, aimed at restoring long-lasting peace and stability along the frontier.

The Department of Business Development, working with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, is launching a comprehensive crackdown to dismantle nominee networks operating in tourist destinations and eliminate illegal business operations. A substantial number of Thai nationals have been implicated. Poonpong Nainapakarana, Director-General of the Department of Business Development at the Ministry of Commerce, announced that following a field operation in Koh Pangan District, Surat Thani Province on May 13, 2025, coordinated with the Prime Minister's office to combat the practice of Thais holding shares as nominees for foreigners, and led by General Samran Nualma, Deputy National Police Commissioner for Security and Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking and Illegal Immigration Center, multiple agencies have deployed enforcement operations to dismantle networks of foreigners illegally operating businesses in violation of Thai law. The Prime Minister assigned the Department of Business Development—the lead agency for company registration—to guide and coordinate other government agencies in carrying out their respective enforcement duties. Current data shows 3,754 registered companies on Koh Pangan with 2,381 involving foreign shareholders, 12,050 on Koh Samui with 8,213 foreign shareholders, 29,646 in Phuket with 11,626 foreign shareholders, 1,685 in Phang Nga with 346 foreign shareholders, 3,587 in Krabi with 749 foreign shareholders, 33,314 in Bang Lamung (Pattaya) with 19,910 foreign shareholders, 4,061 in Hua Hin with 2,081 foreign shareholders, and 139 in Pai with 50 foreign shareholders. The department will intensify checks on entities showing nominee characteristics, including companies where foreigners hold the highest share proportion as legally permitted but exercise signing authority binding the company. Cases involving Thai nationals appearing redundantly as shareholders or directors across multiple companies in an unusual pattern, potentially masking nominee arrangements or assisting foreigners in business as per the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542, carry penalties of up to three years imprisonment and fines of 300,000 to 1,000,000 baht. The department will strengthen inter-agency cooperation to seriously combat nominee businesses, ensure fairness for Thai entrepreneurs, prevent disguised asset ownership, and maintain confidence in the country's economic and investment systems. As the originating agency for company registration, the department has implemented stricter registration procedures through orders effective January 1 and April 1, 2025, requiring applications involving foreign shareholders below 50 percent or foreign board members—high-risk nominee groups—to submit bank statements of Thai shareholders to verify genuine investment. Additionally, managers or directors signing registration applications must provide written confirmation that all partners and shareholders have made genuine investments, received no assistance or support from, nor engaged in nominee-style business with foreigners. Registration statistics following these orders show a reduction in high-risk business entity registrations.

Deputy Prime Minister Phrawat Prisdananandkul clarified that the government has not backed down from plans to broadcast the 2026 World Cup, contrary to recent reports. The Prime Minister instructed the Department of Public Relations to coordinate with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to explore all viable options for live streaming the tournament to Thai audiences. However, preliminary discussions revealed significant obstacles: purchasing the broadcasting rights costs 1.3 billion baht, with approximately 300 million baht in taxes and another 100 million baht in operational costs, totaling over 1.7 billion baht in taxpayer funds. Public sentiment questions whether this expenditure will meaningfully sustain Thai football development, inspire youth, or advance the national team toward World Cup participation. Concerns include the short one-month broadcasting window and unfavorable time zones for Thailand. Phrawat emphasized that the government welcomes private sector support and would not oppose private entities purchasing the rights. However, a decision must come quickly as the tournament begins in 15 days. He suggested that 1.7 billion baht could instead fund youth development programs like the Prime Minister Cup or enhance Thailand's T3 professional football league across provinces, which would require only 200-300 million baht annually and create more sustainable growth. Therefore, the government must carefully reconsider how best to allocate these taxpayer funds for Thai football's long-term benefit.

Thai Airways Public Company Limited is celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Royal Orchid Plus (ROP), its frequent flyer program, by offering members special privileges through a "50% Mile Rebate" campaign for reward ticket exchanges on Bangkok-Amsterdam routes. The airline is also celebrating the 55th anniversary of Royal Orchid Holidays (ROH) with exclusive travel packages titled "The Timeless Charm of Amsterdam" and "Hollanda Village in Ayutthaya," showcasing the cultural and historical connections between Thailand and the Netherlands.

ROP members can exchange reward tickets on Thai Airways flights between Bangkok-Amsterdam and Amsterdam-Bangkok and receive a 50% rebate on accumulated miles used. Tickets must be issued between June 1-30, 2025, with travel between July 1-31, 2025. Members can book through www.thaiairways.com, the THAI Contact Center, and Thai Airways ticket offices worldwide.

Royal Orchid Holidays is also launching "The Timeless Charm of Amsterdam – 8 Days 6 Nights," an 8-day, 6-night cultural and art tour covering major European cities including Amsterdam, featuring attractions such as the Rijksmuseum, Dam Square, Magna Plaza, and the fishing village of Volendam in the Netherlands, as well as Dinant in Belgium.

Additionally, ROH invites travelers to experience "Hollanda Village in Ayutthaya," a domestic cultural tourism package exploring Dutch heritage and Western architecture in Ayutthaya province under the theme "Dutch Heritage & Western Architecture in Ayutthaya." The tour traces Thai-Dutch historical relationships and includes expert lectures on Thai-Western history and culture. The tour is scheduled for May 30, 2025, starting at 4,900 baht per person. Inquiries and bookings are available at www.royalorchidholidays.com.

Both campaigns reflect Thai Airways' commitment to delivering meaningful travel and tourism experiences that strengthen cultural connections and relationships between Thailand and international destinations.

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney believes that if he were Liverpool manager Arne Slot, he would drop Mohamed Salah from this weekend's farewell match following the Egyptian forward's recent post calling for a return to aggressive "heavy metal" football.

Salah's social media post has created internal turmoil at Liverpool after he called for the team to adopt a more attacking approach and maintain that distinctive identity. In his post, Salah stated: "That's the football I know how to play, and that's the identity we need to bring back and preserve. It's not negotiable, and everyone who joins this club should adapt to it."

Many view the post as a full-frontal attack on manager Arne Slot's tactics, particularly following the team's disappointing season performance.

Rooney recently expressed his view that if he were Slot, he would not let Salah anywhere near the pitch in the final game, especially since the winger is set to leave after this season. Rooney believes Salah's post shows a lack of trust in the head coach.

"I feel sorry for what he's achieved and done at Liverpool, but it's not the time for him to attack Arne again," Rooney said.

"He wants heavy metal football, so he's essentially saying he wants Jürgen Klopp's style of football. I think Mo Salah can't handle that intensity anymore. I don't think his legs can cope with the pace and intensity required."

"If I were Arne Slot, I wouldn't have him anywhere near the pitch in that final game. I had problems with Sir Alex Ferguson - we disagreed and fought. In Sir Alex's final game at Old Trafford, he dropped me for that reason."

"He's basically thrown a bomb and said he doesn't trust and doesn't believe in Arne, and he's left his teammates who will be here next season to deal with this mess too."