On May 29, Pol. Lt. Gen. Anuek Tausupap, director of the Industrial and Hazardous Waste Bureau (IHWB), ordered a team of officers including Pol. Col. Nathapol Akareuan, Pol. Maj. Nattawat Sunarot, and Pol. Lt. Col. Bancha Sritanyu to raid an unauthorized factory in Moo 6, Tha Trai subdistrict, Muang district, Samut Sakhon. Officers arrested Ms. Chayaphak (surname withheld), 42, a company director, and seized approximately 9.8 cubic meters of electronic waste, 60 cubic meters of sludge, 21 cubic meters of e-waste in bulk bags, and 9.68 cubic meters of solar panels.

The operation followed a May 3 lithium battery truck fire on Tepharat Road (Bangkok-Trat Highway) at kilometer 40 in Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao province, which raised concerns about illegal hazardous waste management. Authorities expanded their investigation and identified this factory as a facility sorting, collecting, and storing hazardous waste commercially without authorization.

Officers obtained a search warrant from Samut Sakhon Provincial Court and coordinated with the Department of Industrial Works, Samut Sakhon Provincial Industry Office, and related agencies. The inspection found the factory was operating as a Category 3 industrial facility without proper authorization from the Department of Industrial Works. The seized materials are classified as Category 3 hazardous substances held without legal permission.

While no direct evidence linking the factory to the lithium battery truck fire was discovered, authorities will continue expanding their investigation into related networks. Ms. Chayaphak confessed to operating the illegal facility but denied any knowledge of the lithium battery fire. She faces charges for operating an industrial factory without authorization and unlawfully possessing Category 3 hazardous materials. She was handed over to Muang Samut Sakhon Police Station for further legal proceedings.

The Thai Royal Gazette announced on May 19, 2026, that His Majesty has graciously bestowed the Most Noble Order of the Thai Crown, Fourth Class, upon Ms. Sasisawat Sinsasmorn, former principal of Phatang Prathan Kireevatana School under the Songkhla-Satun Secondary Education Area Office. Principal Sinsasmorn received this honor posthumously in recognition of her selfless service and ultimate sacrifice. During the hostage-taking incident at Phatang Prathan Kireevatana School in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province on February 11, 2025, she voluntarily placed herself at risk to protect and support her teachers and students without abandonment. She agreed to serve as a hostage substitute for the school community, resulting in her being shot, severely wounded, and ultimately killed during the criminal's hostage siege.

Family members of two suspects stormed a police station on May 19 demanding their release after police arrested Akhorn, a 57-year-old mechanic, who confessed to murdering 73-year-old Pranee on November 1, 2024. Police had initially detained Charoen Yut, 52, and Phon Phon, 54, as suspects, but Akhorn later confessed to being the actual perpetrator without implicating anyone else, though he had previously pointed police toward the two men as being at the crime scene. The family members demanded that police explain why the two innocent men remained detained despite the arrest of the true killer, and requested that police issue a statement accepting responsibility for the error and allow both men to be released.

Police clarified that investigators opposed temporary bail because the case involves a serious crime that has shocked the public, carries severe penalties, and remains under active investigation. However, police emphasized that the absolute authority to grant or deny temporary bail rests solely with the court's discretion, and that investigators' opposition to bail is merely an opinion to inform the court's decision.

Regarding Akhorn's confession, police stated he provided details about the crime location, where he assaulted the victim, the point where he disposed of the body, where evidence was burned, and where items were discarded—information valuable for gathering evidence. Police pledged to handle the case fairly. According to police, Akhorn attacked Pranee after she came to his wife's house to collect a debt, resulting in a physical altercation. Akhorn intervened to help his wife and fatally injured Pranee, then disposed of her body and destroyed evidence before his arrest.

BANGKOK — Thailand will revoke the 60-day visa-free stay scheme for all 93 eligible countries and territories as part of a sweeping overhaul of the country's visa policy, the Department of Consular Affairs announced on 19 May.

Mangkorn Pratoomkaew, director-general of the Department of Consular Affairs, said the Cabinet had approved a review of Thailand's visa exemption and visa privilege measures following a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Under the new policy, each country or territory will receive only one visa exemption privilege.

The government will also review the 30-day visa-free tourism scheme, reducing the number of eligible countries and territories from 57 to 54. In addition, Thailand plans to introduce a new 15-day visa-free tourism scheme for three countries or territories and drastically reduce the number of countries eligible for Visa on Arrival from 31 to just four.

The changes will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette under three announcements issued by the Ministry of Interior.

Mangkorn said the review followed discussions among agencies under the Visa Policy Committee and took into account security, tourism, economic factors and reciprocal treatment between countries. He added that overlapping visa privileges had caused confusion among foreign travellers and complicated the Foreign Ministry's e-Visa system.

Foreign nationals already in Thailand, or those entering before the new measures take effect, will still be allowed to remain in the country under their current permitted stay until it expires. After the new rules come into force, incoming travellers must comply with the updated visa conditions.

Mangkorn also said the prime minister had signed an order appointing a new committee to regularly review Thailand's visa policies, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, to ensure visa measures remain aligned with current conditions in all dimensions.

Portugal has announced its 27-player roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final tournament, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Vitinha. The Portuguese national team will compete in the World Cup hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026, grouped with DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia.

On May 19, Portugal's head coach Roberto Martínez officially unveiled the 27-player squad for the World Cup 2026.

As expected, 41-year-old star Cristiano Ronaldo has made the cut, marking his sixth consecutive World Cup appearance since 2006. Other notable players selected include Bruno Fernandes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Pedro Neto, and Rafael Leão.

The squad list also includes striker Diogo Costa, who was previously on the roster.

Portugal's 27-player squad for the 2026 World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton), Rui Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Ricardo Velozo (Genkelerbilizji)

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahçe), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting Lisbon), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Tomás Araújo (Benfica)

Midfielders: Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Samuel Costa (Mallorca), João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Forwards: João Félix (Al Nassar), Francisco Trincão (Sporting Lisbon), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Gonçalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassar)

May 19, 2569 — Following a social media drama that led to a revenge boxing match, Boonmee recently gave an interview about his readiness and emotional state before stepping into the ring. After just completing the weigh-in ceremony and facing off with his opponent, he acknowledged this is a revenge match, reiterating that he couldn't fight on the day of the incident because the other side had greater numbers and he feared weapons.

When asked whether today's fight constitutes revenge for the previous altercation, the man in black admitted frankly with a laugh, "Something like that." He also clarified a point that many people wondered about — he holds a taekwondo degree and possesses skills in that sport, but why didn't he retaliate or fight back on the day of the incident? He explained that the previous incident was entirely outside the realm of sport. "That day was completely outside sport," he stated. "If I had fought, it would have been like this: they had weapons and I didn't, they had more people than us. We came with just three people and drove into their territory, their zone. I didn't know what would have happened if we fought."

During the weigh-in confrontation, he remained cool and chose to save his emotions for the ring. When asked about the atmosphere during the weigh-in, Boonmee revealed he felt very calm and indifferent, experiencing no tension or pressure, and intended to settle everything on the ring alone.

Regarding social media criticism that he acts arrogantly or puts on airs, he denied it and explained: "People don't see me in a good light, think I'm arrogant or something, but I don't even understand where my arrogance is. I got punched, right? Should I come sit and wai him? That wouldn't be right. I'm just being myself. I'm not putting on any act or being arrogant at all."

He expressed confidence in his speed and vowed to take victory home. Regarding his readiness to fight, he stated he has trained sufficiently. Although his opponent has trained intensively for the past three weeks, he has no worries and will not be complacent whatsoever.

When asked to assess his opponent's form, Boonmee said, "Looking at it, he might be slower than me. I think I'm faster." He concluded confidently: "I should definitely get the win and go home today." As for whether he'll win by points or knockout, he indicated he has already thought about that possibility.