Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez will miss Spain's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad after suffering a broken foot injury requiring surgery. The young midfielder injured his right foot, specifically the fifth metatarsal, during Barcelona's 3-1 La Liga victory over Real Betis over the weekend. While the club has not disclosed a precise recovery timeline, injuries of this nature typically require a minimum of 2-3 months rehabilitation. Lopez has earned seven caps for Spain's senior team and played three matches in European World Cup qualifying. The 23-year-old was also a key player in Spain's Euro 2024 championship-winning squad. Since joining Barcelona's senior squad in 2023, Lopez has made 136 appearances across all competitions, scoring 32 goals.

Former world champion boxer Amnuay Ruenrueng has been arrested following a video posted by his family exposing his drug use at home. On May 18, 2026, Phiphatthapon Amphornpetch, Deputy District Officer of Si Racha in Chonburi Province, along with police officers Kittithara Chaemchaeng and Kittiphat Dorunphan, arrested Amnuay in the Khaotang On community area of Si Racha District. During a drug test, methamphetamine was detected in his system. According to Lt. Kittiphat, Amnuay had a pending court sentence and failed to report to the court as required. Police are now preparing to submit a report to the Chonburi Provincial Probation Office to request revocation of his suspended sentence, which could result in additional prison time.

On May 18, 2026, Suphamas Israpakdi, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office and overseer of the Consumer Protection Board (CPB), addressed the incident involving bus line 4-3E on the Victory Monument-Mo Chit 2 route. An elderly female passenger suffered a head injury when the driver made a sharp turn at high speed on May 16th, causing her to strike and shatter a window. She was detained and forced to pay 4,300 baht in damages before being taken to the hospital.

Suphamas confirmed the victim should not pay this amount and ordered the CPB to coordinate with the Land Transport Department to improve public transportation safety standards across the system to prevent similar incidents. She emphasized the matter extends beyond disciplining the two employees involved, as it constitutes a violation of consumer rights under Section 4 of the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522 in two key areas: the right to safe service use and the right to compensation for damages.

Charging an injured passenger for damages caused by employee negligence is an improper burden-shifting, and consumers bear no responsibility for damages they did not cause. Suphamas urged all state and private transport operators to remember that once they collect fares, their primary duty is to safely deliver passengers to their destination. If an incident occurs, passengers must be taken to a hospital immediately. Under no circumstances should operators detain passengers or threaten them to extract payment. She advised the public never to pay under pressure, to document evidence, call 191, and file complaints with the CPB immediately.

On May 18, 2025, the Kasetsart University rector selection committee voted to appoint Assistant Professor Dr. Kongsak Thiengtham as the institution's 16th president, succeeding Jongrak Watcharintharatana. The committee had interviewed all six candidates on May 13, 2025, and following the established selection procedures outlined in the 2016 rector recruitment regulations, narrowed the field to three finalists listed alphabetically: Assistant Professor Dr. Kongsak Thiengtham (veterinarian), Damrong Sripraram, and Associate Professor Sutkhet Nakasathian. The university council considered all three candidates' visions and management proposals during a special meeting, where it voted to appoint Assistant Professor Dr. Kongsak Thiengtham as the 16th rector of Kasetsart University. This appointment follows the passing of former rector Dr. Jongrak Watcharintharatana on January 29, 2025.

PTT Station announced on May 18, 2025 that petrol and gasohol prices will increase by 0.85 baht per liter, while all diesel types will rise by 0.75 baht per liter, with the exception of premium diesel which will remain unchanged. The new prices take effect on May 19 at 5:00 AM.

The new retail prices are: petrol at 54.49 baht/liter, Gasohol 95 at 44.90 baht/liter, Gasohol 91 at 44.53 baht/liter, E20 at 37.90 baht/liter, E85 at 33.84 baht/liter, and Premium Gasohol 95 at 52.39 baht/liter.

For diesel products, Diesel B7 is now 42.20 baht/liter and Diesel B20 is 35.20 baht/liter, while premium diesel remains unchanged. These prices do not yet include Bangkok city taxes.

Thai textiles, royal fashion and contemporary design have taken centre stage in Paris with the opening of "La Mode en Majesté: Royal Thai Dress from Tradition to Modernity," a major exhibition celebrating the artistry and evolution of Thai dress.

The exhibition is now open to the public at Musée des Arts Décoratifs until 1 November 2026 under the patronage of Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya. The showcase marks the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and France.

Organised through a collaboration between the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand, the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles and the Thai Embassy in Paris, the exhibition explores how fashion and textiles have long served as cultural and diplomatic bridges between the two countries.

Spread across seven galleries, the exhibition features more than 200 items, including royal attire, antique brocade textiles, intricate handicrafts and contemporary fashion pieces by leading Thai designers.

Visitors begin with a gallery tracing 170 years of Thai-French relations through clothing and diplomacy, followed by a section dedicated to the eight styles of traditional royal Thai dress. The display includes outfits worn by Queen Sirikit, Queen Suthida and Princess Sirivannavari, reflecting the evolution of Thai royal fashion across generations.

One of the exhibition's highlights focuses on royal craftsmanship, showcasing Thai artisanal works such as embroidered fans, handbags and Benjarong porcelain. Another gallery explores Queen Sirikit's collaborations with French fashion house Balmain and embroidery atelier Maison Lesage, featuring sketches, fabrics and couture embroidery that blend Thai artistry with French haute couture.

The exhibition also spotlights regional Thai weaving traditions and the transformation of mudmee silk into international high fashion.

The final gallery presents embroidery work from the SIRIVANNAVARI label alongside creations by Thai contemporary designers including ASAVA, WISHARAWISH and MESHMUSEUM, offering modern interpretations of Thai identity through fashion.