In Surin province, monks from Wat Dang Si Khraphum traveled across districts to register for the Thai Help Thai Plus program, emphasizing that clergy members are Thai citizens who don't want to miss out on these benefits. They praised the initiative as genuinely helpful to the public and commended Prime Minister Anuthint Charnvirakul.

On May 26, 2025, the Krung Thai Bank branch at Robinson department store in Muang district, Surin was bustling with crowds registering for the Thai Help Thai Plus program, which replaces the previous one-per-household initiative. Notably, many Buddhist monks traveled across district lines to ensure they didn't miss the opportunity. The bank entrance was packed with people and elderly citizens waiting in queue. Some traveled long distances with family members seeking assistance with facial recognition scanning and identity verification, as they weren't accustomed to digital processes.

Two monks from Wat Ratsadon Bamrung in Na Rung subdistrict, Si Khraphum district, Surin, who personally traveled across districts to register, stated: "Monks are Thai citizens too and don't want to lose these benefits." One monk warmly said, "This is an excellent program that truly helps our fellow citizens. I deeply appreciate Prime Minister Anuthint Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister for this initiative. Please continue it for the benefit of all Thai people."

Siwaporn Rieabrod, 47, from Ban Sone in Sulaeng Phan subdistrict, Muang district, revealed she brought her husband to register. Though she already has a state welfare card, she was delighted the government, particularly PM Anuthint, launched such continuous beneficial programs to stimulate the economy and help citizens. She hopes such initiatives will continue.

Chaiawat Phanthakamet Siyakul, 60, from Si Khraphum district, noted the queues were very long but people were willing to wait for the benefits. He thanked PM Anuthint for the good programs while requesting the government fulfill its promise of 3,000 baht monthly for elderly citizens, which people are currently awaiting.

Registration continues with additional service points set up to accommodate the public, especially the elderly and monks. More details about the Thai Help Thai Plus program are available at all Krung Thai Bank branches or the official program website.

Ayutthaya — A 21-year-old Myanmar national was stabbed to death by a fellow countryman at a worker camp on May 26, 2025. Deputy Superintendent Jakrapan Thupatemee of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Police Station responded to reports of a knife attack that left one dead and one injured at the camp in Moo 8, Ban Mai subdistrict.

Police, forensic officers, and hospital staff arrived at the scene to assist the injured victim. The deceased was identified as Hed Myat Aung, 21, found in front of the worker dormitory with nine stab wounds: one to the abdomen, two to the upper left chest, three to the center chest, one piercing the lung through the back, and two to the right leg. The victim wore a black and white shirt and black shorts, with blood covering the floor. A sharp 5-inch knife was recovered near the body, along with a water pitcher and two glasses of alcohol.

A second victim, 23-year-old Hed Tet Soe, also from Myanmar, sustained a wound to his right arm and received first aid before hospitalization. Police detained 25-year-old suspect Jo Mo Lwin, also from Myanmar.

Witness Wattanpol Makbriburn, 30, a Thai construction worker, reported that both the suspect and victim worked on the Chao Phraya Canal dredging project. He heard the two arguing loudly before the incident but could not understand the dispute as they spoke Burmese. Upon hearing another commotion, he and the injured victim came out to intervene but were also targeted with the knife. They discovered the victim lying in a large pool of blood with no signs of life.

Police are conducting a detailed investigation into the suspect and witnesses to determine the exact cause and pursue legal action.

Tensions are mounting along the Thai-Cambodian border in Surin province as Cambodian forces continue provocative actions and position troops near Ta Meuang Thom temple in Phanom Dong Rak district. Border residents, particularly those in nearby villages like Ban Nong Kanna, are frantically completing their planting and fertilizing work for the rice season, fearing a potential third armed clash could force evacuations.

Villager Lek Dureang Ram, 45, explained that residents are rushing to finish their agricultural tasks because they fear another evacuation. While confidence in Thai military capabilities remains high, locals worry about the proximity of Cambodian troop movements and have requested stronger Thai military presence in the area for reassurance.

Residents remain vigilant but continue their daily lives, understanding that border living requires constant preparedness. They emphasize the need to complete farming work quickly in case evacuation becomes necessary, while hoping that any potential conflict can be resolved decisively to prevent further rounds of fighting.

Udon Thani — May 26, 2025 — The Mueang Udon Thani Police Station received a report from Sanya Yaembupphapha, a Sub-District Administrative Official, regarding a complaint from residents about a relative who entered their home and struck their dog with a machete, injuring it. The man responsible then hid in a pond on his own property. Residents requested police assistance to take him into custody at a police facility due to his violent behavior and fears of unexpected dangerous incidents.

The incident occurred in Samphrao Subdistrict, Mueang District, Udon Thani. Deputy Superintendent Wiknaes Sueotrang led police Unit 191 to investigate. Upon arrival, officers found three connected family houses. The dog had been struck on property covering approximately one rai, with a neighboring family house also about one rai away. The suspect's residence was across the area on about five rai with a pond of approximately two rai. In the middle of the pond, officers found Hasdi Seerak, nickname Yo, 34 years old, floating in the water attempting to avoid authorities.

After approximately 20 minutes of negotiations, Yo refused to exit the water. Police employed a tactic, claiming he had sexually assaulted his mother-in-law, which angered him into emerging from the pond immediately. Upon exiting, Yo argued with police for about 30 minutes, denying the sexual assault accusation. When questioned about striking the dog, Yo admitted to it but claimed self-defense because the dog was attempting to bite him. Police invited him to Mueang Udon Thani Police Station for questioning. Yo agreed to board the police vehicle.

Officers advised Chanjira Seerak, nicknamed Nong, 39 years old, who is Yo's aunt and the dog's owner, to file a formal complaint at the police station.

Nong then took reporters to inspect the injured dog, found lying weakly under the house porch, still shocked and frightened.

During interrogation at Unit 191 (Prevention and Suppression), Yo explained that he had helped his father push a car out of mud. His father promised to buy him food at his grandfather's house. After retrieving the car, they drove to grandfather's house. Yo became fearful because he had been bitten by the dogs there previously, so he brought a machete. Before reaching the house, approximately three to four dogs rushed at him to attack. He struck one dog with the machete, which fell motionless, seemingly dead, as the blade hit its neck. The other dogs scattered and fled.

Yo stated: "I ask you, if I hadn't struck the dog, it would have bitten me and I could have been seriously injured. I had to defend myself. When I came out of the pond, it wasn't because I wanted to surrender, but to deny ever sexually assaulting my mother-in-law—I never did that. Regarding striking the dog, I don't think I was wrong, but I admit to using methamphetamine the day before. I'm not addicted to drugs; the drugs came to me. Using methamphetamine three to four pills daily, I may have been stressed because my wife recently left home. I miss her. And I want to emphasize again: I have never struck my own mother, not even once. Only people have slandered me."

After questioning, police conducted a urine test for narcotics, which returned positive (purple urine). Yo was charged with drug use, conduct dangerous to society, and methamphetamine possession (Category 1 controlled substance). He was asked to sign an acknowledgment of the charges.

When Yo exited Unit 191, he refused to enter the detention cell, claiming he wanted to go home to sleep. Police had deceived him into his arrest.

Police are intensifying efforts to apprehend a group of reckless teenagers who opened fire on a local news reporter and residents at a dog meat restaurant in downtown Phatthalung. Residents are terrified and have urged authorities to crack down seriously on armed youth gangs.

The incident occurred at 12:40 AM on May 25, 2569, when motorcycle-riding youths fired weapons at a table of a local reporter and civilians inside a dog meat restaurant on Phadung Don Yao Road in Phatthalung Municipality, causing panic among patrons. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the incident caused considerable fear and left residents feeling unsafe in the town center. People are calling on police to take aggressive action against armed youth groups.

Most recently, Col. Somprach Karnkanant, commander of Phatthalung City Police Station, along with forensic and investigative officers, inspected the crime scene and collected evidence including bullet casings and weapon fragments from both revolvers and shotguns.

Based on CCTV footage analysis, police have identified the perpetrators as a gang led by "Namo," son of a retired police officer, with local reporter Nitikorn as the target. Police suspect the motive stems from dissatisfaction with news coverage, as the news team has continuously reported on youth gang activities in the area. However, authorities have not ruled out the involvement of other individuals behind the scenes.

One of the perpetrators is a 16-year-old with a criminal history including attempted murder and three gun-related cases. The youth had previously been released on bail under juvenile law before committing this offense again. Police stated they will use the pattern of repeated offenses to oppose bail in the future to prevent further incidents.

Nitikorn, the local reporter, expressed concern about the attack, noting that it represents a serious occupational hazard that requires him to work in the field day and night. He believes the perpetrators show no respect for the law and has called on police to seriously and genuinely take action to suppress armed youth gangs and ensure safety for residents and media workers in the area.