Royal Palace Statement on Princess Bajrakitiyabha's Health Condition - Bulletin No. 7, dated May 21, 2026. According to the Royal Palace statement regarding Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, Princess Siriwanvaree Siripatchr, she has lost consciousness due to cardiac complications and has been under treatment at Chulalongkorn Hospital of the Thai Red Cross Society since December 15, 2022, with recurring infection-related complications.

The medical team treating her has reported that since April 2026, doctors detected an abdominal infection resulting from colon inflammation, causing her condition to become unstable with low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and abnormal blood coagulation. Despite continuous support with ventilators for lung and kidney function, as well as multiple life-saving medications, blood pressure stimulants, and heart rhythm control medications, her condition has continued to worsen, indicating a severe and uncontrollable infection affecting multiple critical organ systems.

The medical team continues to provide comprehensive treatment and closely monitor her condition.

The government, through the Ministry of Education, is systematically introducing e-sports into schools across Thailand to elevate Thai children's learning toward the future. This initiative prepares digital human capital to support the new economy and offers a fresh perspective on Thai education by connecting digital skills, creative thinking, and future economics in concrete ways. In the initial phase, e-sports will be integrated into the "TO BE NUMBER ONE" club network in schools nationwide, creating a space for youth to develop skills in four key areas: technology, analytical thinking, teamwork, and self-management. Selected representatives will compete at school, national, and international levels, with plans to expand into a comprehensive curriculum in the future. The government views e-sports not merely as entertainment but as a creative industry with enormous economic value that can generate income and create careers for Thai youth. Deputy Government Spokesperson Phattharasmit Thongsalueakorn stated that the government aims to transform Thai children's learning from rote memorization to critical thinking and analysis, using technology as a tool to enhance their potential. She expressed confidence that all Thai children have the potential to compete globally if given the right platforms, opportunities, and tools.

On May 21, 2569, Muang Pattaya Police Station reported that at 10 p.m. on May 20, they received a report of a man mysteriously intruding into a residential home in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri Province, causing alarm to the homeowner. Officers and emergency responders rushed to the scene.

At the two-story residence, they found a man appearing heavily intoxicated, lying near the front door and speaking incoherently. He identified himself as Tawitchai (surname withheld), aged 30-40. Officers attempted to question him but had difficulty understanding him.

Investigation revealed the man was severely intoxicated with a physical disability affecting his mobility. He had entered the wrong house by mistake, startling the actual homeowner. A search found no weapons, illegal items, or stolen property.

The homeowner recounted her fright, explaining she was alone when she heard someone trying to open the gate. The man then entered the property, locked the door behind him, and collapsed at the entrance. Fearing for her safety, she immediately called police for help and thanked the officers and rescue volunteers for their prompt response.

Emergency responders assisted in calming the man and coordinating with his family members to safely return him home, bringing relief to the homeowner and the neighborhood.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Pancharoenworakul announced that following the Cabinet's approval in principle to cancel the 60-day visa exemption, the policy is not yet in effect pending official announcement in the Royal Gazette by the Foreign Ministry. When implemented, visitors from 93 countries will revert to standard visa terms, predominantly the 30-day tourist visa, which Surasak believes will have minimal impact on legitimate tourists since the average stay is under 9 days.

Surasak stated the elimination will not harm primary tourism markets, particularly Chinese tourists, because China grants Thai citizens 30 days visa-free travel in reciprocal exchange. The cancellation is intended to screen for quality tourists while preventing scammers and criminals from misusing visa categories. The government's Immigration Policy Committee will periodically review visa measures based on actual tourist behavior, with most countries receiving 30-day or 15-day visas accordingly. The ministry proposed extending India's visa to 15 days, matching their average 9-day stay, and considering emerging markets in the Middle East, Belarus, and other high-potential regions.

Regarding broader tourism challenges, Surasak noted the main impacts stem from the Middle East conflict and global economic factors rather than visa policies. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) set a 2025 target of 33 million visitors but has been instructed to reassess projections given ongoing regional tensions.

A court in Islamabad, Pakistan has sentenced Umar Hayat, 23, to death for the murder of 17-year-old TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf in June 2024. Hayat had repeatedly pursued Yousaf but was rejected, leading him to break into her home and shoot her dead. During investigation, Hayat confessed to the killing, claiming he had become infatuated with Yousaf through online conversations. He said he had traveled to Islamabad days before the murder to wish her a happy birthday, but despite her refusal to meet him, he went to her home anyway, resulting in a violent confrontation that led to her death.

Sana Yousaf was a prominent online personality with over one million TikTok followers and 500,000 Instagram followers. She was popular for her entertaining videos featuring fashion trends, lip-sync performances, and hangouts with friends. Her father, Syed Yousaf Hassan, stated that the court's verdict serves as a lesson for such criminals in society. The court also ordered Hayat to pay 2.5 million Pakistani rupees (nearly 291,800 baht) in compensation to the victim's family.

Activists have noted that Yousaf's murder is part of a broader pattern of gender-based violence against women in Pakistan that affects many women across the country.

The Finance Ministry has defended its decision to reallocate 18.8 billion baht from a 400 billion baht emergency borrowing decree to fund the state welfare card program, arguing the move is both legal and necessary to ease the public's financial burden.

The clarification comes after Sirikanya Tansakul, a Thai People's Party MP and party vice chair, posted on Facebook accusing the government of "sneaking" funds from the Pracharath Fund into regular budget spending.

Deputy Finance Minister Lawaron Saengsonit responded that the reallocation is proper fiscal management and serves the legitimate purpose of addressing rising cost of living without violating the emergency borrowing decree. "There's nothing fishy here," Saengsonit said. "Everything is transparent. Funds at this scale cannot be hidden, concealed, or covered up."

Saengsonit explained that the government exhausted alternative funding sources before turning to the emergency borrowing mechanism. The current fiscal year's central budget has only 20 billion baht remaining, while the legal reserve fund holds 50 billion baht. An additional 20 billion baht is expected from pending budget reallocation legislation.

The ministry faces severe budget constraints despite demand from various government agencies totaling 140 billion baht, including border security and disaster relief. This necessity prompted the emergency borrowing decree.

The 18.8 billion baht welfare card allocation for four months was funded through the emergency decree because it clearly meets the program's objective of protecting vulnerable groups and reduces pressure on the regular budget, allowing central funds to be directed more efficiently to other needs such as flood or drought relief.

The 400 billion baht emergency borrowing fund is divided into two categories: cost of living relief and energy transition. These categories do not need to be funded sequentially, but can be flexibly distributed as needed.