On May 24, 2025, police under the command of Pol. Maj. Gen. Tatsaphumi Charupratya, head of the Police Central Investigation Bureau's Anti-Loan Sharking Division, directed officers to arrest Thanaphat (19), Wanchai (28), Kittipong (44), and Rathaphoomi (19) on charges of operating an unlicensed personal lending business and charging interest rates exceeding legal limits.

The investigation began in early May when the Anti-Loan Sharking Center received complaints about an operation running through a Line application account called "Big Jack 777" that charged excessive interest and intimidated borrowers. Evidence collected at a townhouse in Bangkok's Min Buri district included 12 mobile phones, computers, tablets, 71 business cards, 17 loan agreement documents, and two motorcycle helmets.

Victims primarily discovered the loans through a Facebook page before contacting the Line account. Most borrowers were small business owners facing cash flow problems with limited access to formal lending. The approval process was simple—requiring no identity verification or guarantor—with cash delivered directly to borrowers' homes.

Interest rates started at 20% per 24 days, equating to 626% annually, but later increased to 3,000% per year. When borrowers couldn't pay, the gang sent intimidators wearing motorcycle helmets to write threatening messages on homes and workplaces, scattering flyers and shouting the borrower's name to create fear.

Investigators found the gang had approximately 50-60 borrowers with over 10 million baht in circulation. Officers recovered videos showing gang members training new recruits in debt collection tactics and distributing flyers throughout Min Buri and nearby areas at night. All four suspects confessed to the charges. Thanaphat handled client communications while the others distributed flyers and conducted debt collection. Police are pursuing the larger financial backers behind the operation.

Driving the 'Digital-Green-Silver' Economy and Strengthening SME Online Market Channels

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthammapanthu held bilateral discussions with Chinese Deputy Prime Minister He Lifeng on May 23, 2025, during the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting in Suzhou, China.

Supachai stated that relations between the two countries continue to strengthen steadily. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of Thai-Chinese diplomatic relations, and was highlighted by an official state visit by the Thai King and Queen in November 2024. She expressed appreciation for President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people for their warm reception.

Thailand also praised China's latest national economic and social development plan, which emphasizes digital and green economy initiatives leading to high-quality development through technology and innovation in manufacturing advancement. This aligns with Thailand's development strategy aimed at increasing product value and strengthening national competitiveness.

Supachai presented a pilot project proposal for bilateral cooperation to elevate Thai products to 'high-quality' or 'premium' status for export to the Chinese market, benefiting both nations. Thailand's existing high-quality agricultural raw materials would be processed using Chinese technology and innovation to reach modern consumers in China and worldwide. Initial pilot product categories include functional foods and age-friendly products, aligning with China's Silver Economy focus. This co-creation approach would strengthen Thailand's food security foundation, particularly for agricultural products like fruits, while expanding to global markets.

Supachai also requested that Chinese investors in Thailand increase their use of local resources in production processes, promoting manufacturing and investment cooperation between the two countries while enabling export to global markets—a win-win solution. If successful, this pilot model could become a 'success model' for expanding to other products in the future.

Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of promoting SME roles and proposed enhanced standards and product inspection procedures. This would prevent negative impact from Chinese imports on Thai SMEs while enabling Thai SME products to access the Chinese market. Supachai requested Chinese Deputy PM's support in promoting trade channels for Thai SMEs through establishing a 'Thai National Pavilion' on major Chinese online platforms, enhancing Thai entrepreneurs' access to the Chinese market.

"Today's proposal to China addresses both countries' interests and represents true Win-Win cooperation," Supachai stated, noting that the Chinese Deputy PM agreed and both sides assigned working teams to advance the initiative.

Turkish man found dead after swallowing drug capsules to avoid detectionLegacyA Turkish man was found dead in a hotel room in Samut Prakan yesterday, May 23, after allegedly swallowing more than 50 capsules suspected to contain illegal drugs to avoid detection. Police and Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers were called to the hotel in Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, after receiving reports of a foreign man found dead inside a room. The man, identified only as 24 year old Bapan, was found sitting against the edge of a bed. Investigators found more than 50 suspicious capsule-shaped packages scattered near the bathroom and inside a black plastic bag stained with faeces. Officers said no wounds or signs of assault were found on the body. Photo via Khaosod Initial investigations suggested the man may have swallowed the packages to avoid detection before travelling to Thailand and later attempted to expel them after checking into the hotel. Officers believe complications inside the body may have caused his death. According to investigators, the man arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport before checking into the hotel during the early hours of May 22. Police collected the suspicious packages and other evidence for forensic examination to determine whether the items contained illegal drugs or other prohibited substances. DailyNews reported that investigators are also expanding the inquiry into a possible drug smuggling operation. Photo via Workpoint The body was sent for a detailed post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death and check for substances remaining in the body. Police are also coordinating with the Turkish embassy in Thailand for further legal procedures. In similar news, two Nigerian men were arrested in Pattaya after Chon Buri Immigration Police set up sting operations targeting alleged drug sales, with one suspect caught trying to swallow cocaine during his arrest to destroy evidence. The story Turkish man found dead after swallowing drug capsules to avoid detection as seen on Thaiger News.

May 24, 2025 – Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploy Talay Laksmee Sangchan revealed that following the viral spread of obscene content on social media with widespread public engagement through likes and shares, the government is taking the matter seriously. She announced that relevant agencies have been ordered to expedite investigations and bring those responsible for uploading and distributing such material to face strict legal action.

Ploy Talay emphasized that such actions violate the Computer Crime Act, specifically Section 14(1) regarding false data entry into computer systems and Section 14(4) concerning obscene content, which carry penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment, fines not exceeding 100,000 baht, or both.

Crucially, the spokesperson warned that individuals who like, share, or repost obscene clips face the same criminal liability as the original offenders under Section 14(5) of the Computer Crime Act. Those who knowingly distribute such material face identical penalties: up to 5 years imprisonment and/or fines up to 100,000 baht.

Ploy Tayal urged citizens who encounter obscene content to immediately report it to the Cyber Police at 1441 rather than engaging with it. She called for public cooperation in creating a safe society free from harmful content, cautioning that such material risks inspiring copycat behavior, particularly among children and youth.

Thousands of passionate fans and residents flooded the streets of Pattani on May 24, 2569 (2026) to celebrate Pattani FC's groundbreaking promotion to Thai League 1 (T1), ending a 17-year wait for the club. From morning onwards, the club organized a grand victory procession starting from Rainbow Stadium, touring through 16 key community locations throughout the city. Along the route, fans waved club flags, sang team chants, and celebrated loudly, demonstrating that the club represents far more than just sports—it serves as the emotional center binding residents together.

Pol. Col. Twi Sod-song, advisor to Pattani FC and former Justice Minister, joined the parade to express gratitude to supporters alongside club president Prof. Dr. Voravit Baru. Twi explained his involvement began in the club's third year of operation, helping secure major private sponsors like Kerry. He emphasized that today's victory transcends sports—it represents the successful unification of the community's spirit.

Twi highlighted that Pattani FC's success will serve as an economic catalyst for the province. He stressed that every match day will stimulate grassroots businesses, particularly the halal food sector, positioning it as a crucial driver for economic development. Looking forward, Twi outlined the club's ambitious vision to establish itself as a tool for structural development and peace-building in the southern border region, transforming football into an instrument for conflict reduction and community harmony.

Excitement spread through the community as an ancient, cracked stupa at Wat Lam Tai in Samut Prakan Province's Muang District yielded a treasure trove of Buddhist statues—brass, silver, and wooden Buddha images—hidden in four underground chambers estimated to be over 100 years old. The discovery occurred on May 24, 2025, during excavation work beneath the stupa, which had developed severe cracks and was tilting dangerously.

Workers are now in their second day of excavation. On the first day, they uncovered dozens of ancient Buddha statues from the Rattanakosin period in both brass and silver. On the second day, smaller Buddha images made of wood, brass, and silver-plated materials were discovered. Temple officials have secured the artifacts in the former abbot's quarters for safekeeping.

Abbot Phra Kru Tham Thorn Jamlohng Rojnathammohna stated the stupa likely dates from the reign of King Rama III to King Rama IV, making it over 100 years old. However, it remains unclear whether the stupa predates the temple's construction in 1933. When questioned, elderly residents recalled seeing the stupa since childhood, and a visiting historian, 88-year-old Phra Tham Pariyatti Munee, confirmed it represents early Rattanakosin period craftsmanship based on the statues' materials and distinctive forms.

The excavation was necessitated by severe structural damage. Initial plans to move the stupa intact proved impossible due to its ancient foundation buried deep underground. Beneath the base, workers discovered four small chamber-like cavities containing numerous hidden Buddha images.

Once all artifacts have been retrieved, they will be cleaned and preserved in the temple museum for public veneration and historical study. The abbot emphasized the statues will not be made available for rent, as they constitute the temple's property and serve as spiritual anchors for the community. When news spread yesterday, locals flocked to view the discoveries, with some even attempting to request access to the artifacts.

Evidence from elderly residents aged 80-90 and historian Phra Tham Pariyatti Munee confirms the stupa's age exceeds 100 years. The artistic style closely resembles that of nearby Wat Pitulathirath Rungsit, with similar decorative patterns and base designs, suggesting they may have been constructed by the same master craftsmen.

One 49-year-old visitor, Sompon Kanchanaruangkit, expressed reverence at witnessing the ancient Buddha images firsthand, and admitted attempting to extract lucky numbers from the artifacts for an upcoming lottery draw.