On May 27, 2025, Lieutenant General Anukit Taosupap, commander of the Wildlife Enforcement Division, ordered officers to arrest Ms. Kulkalya (surname withheld), 37, based on an arrest warrant from the Minburi Criminal Court issued on May 22, 2025, for trading and possessing protected wildlife remains without authorization. Officers conducted a search of a shop in Moo 11, That Phanom District, Nakhon Phanom Province, where they confiscated numerous protected animal items.

Seized items included: - Bengal tiger skins - Clouded leopard skins - Tiger skins - Python skins - Pangolin scales - Deer antlers - Gibbon remains - Bear remains - Various other protected wildlife remains totaling over 100 pieces

Investigators discovered an illegal online trafficking network dealing in protected wildlife parts, particularly tiger skins, pangolin scales, and other animal remains. Further investigation revealed that Ms. Kulkalya, who operated a souvenir and traditional medicine shop as a front, had been smuggling wildlife remains from Laos and selling them within Thailand.

Investigators found that the suspect posted items for sale online and also sold to tourists visiting the That Phanom Stupa. Officers obtained arrest and search warrants from the appropriate courts before conducting the raid. The suspect confessed to purchasing all the wildlife remains from Laos for resale in Thailand. She has been transferred to wildlife investigation officers for further legal proceedings.

As global boiling becomes an increasingly urgent crisis, BLCP power plant demonstrates how it manages seawater cooling in ways that protect the environment, balancing energy security with ecological sustainability.

Global boiling represents a climate crisis far more severe than global warming, and warning signs from the oceans grow louder each day. Rising ocean temperatures stem primarily from human activities that generate greenhouse gases, intensified by increasingly severe El Niño phenomena. Heat accumulating in the oceans triggers marine heatwaves and creates serious disruptions to coastal ecosystems and community economies—from coral bleaching risks to depleted oxygen levels that reduce fish stocks and harm aquaculture farmers.

Strict Safeguards: BLCP Power Plant Controls Cooling Water Quality and Temperature Before Release

Amidst the environmental crisis, BLCP operates as a baseload power producer with dual responsibility: ensuring Thailand's energy security while systematically protecting ecosystems through concrete ESG principles, particularly in sustainable resource management. Using seawater for cooling heat exchange is an internationally accepted standard practice employed by power plants worldwide. The process creates no industrial wastewater because seawater flows through closed pipes in a single pass, exchanging only steam heat without contact with combustion gases. Additionally, the plant is designed to adjust water temperature before release in compliance with Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment regulations on power plant wastewater standards (2565 B.E.) and coal power impact monitoring.

BLCP employs three intensive oversight measures:

1. Temperature reduction via outfall canal: Cooled seawater is not immediately discharged but flows through a 600-meter cooling water canal to reduce temperature before release.

2. Continuous real-time monitoring: Water temperature is constantly measured at the discharge point 24/7 to ensure it does not exceed 40 degrees Celsius, with all data reported to regulatory authorities for transparency and maximum efficiency.

3. Sampling checks in the discharge area: Beyond discharge point monitoring, temperature is randomly sampled at 13 stations within 500 meters of the outlet and compared to natural reference points by independent environmental consultants. Temperature changes across all 13 stations must not exceed 2 degrees Celsius relative to the reference point.

A Cambodian soldier in civilian clothes stirs trouble at Chong Jom border, waves hands provocatively at barbed wire fence; Thai forces fire warning shot before Cambodian forces take custody and remove him. No clashes reported. On May 21, 2025 at 9:39 PM, Thai military units at Chong Jom checkpoint in Kaeng Krachan District, Surin Province detected a Cambodian soldier dressed in civilian clothes riding a motorcycle to the Thai-Cambodian barbed wire fence. The soldier waved his hands back and forth in a provocative and challenging manner toward Thai officials, prompting the operating unit to fire one warning shot into the air. After the warning shot, the soldier remained at the fence until two additional Cambodian soldiers came out to de-escalate the situation and remove him from the border area. The situation remained under control with no reported clashes or injuries. Thai forces lodged a formal protest with Cambodia regarding the provocative behavior.

Gold prices fell significantly on May 27, 2026, dropping 350 baht per baht compared to the previous day's closing price, according to the Gold Traders Association's announcement released at 9:01 a.m. Ornamental gold (96.5% purity) is trading at 68,068.40 baht per baht for buyback and 70,450 baht per baht for retail sales. Gold bars are priced at 69,450 baht per baht for buyback and 69,650 baht per baht for selling. Global spot gold prices stand at $4,508 per ounce. Market watchers predict gold prices could surge 1,000-2,000 baht per baht and possibly exceed 80,000 baht when markets open tomorrow, with gold trading experts offering recommendations on optimal buying times.

A Facebook user has ignited heated discussion in the "Vacant Rentals - Hat Yai, Songkhla" group after sharing their experience of being charged 32,000 baht in three-phase meter maintenance fees despite having requested meter cancellation long ago and using no electricity whatsoever. The business owner explained that their shop was devastated by flooding and had remained closed for months with zero income, no residents, and no power consumption, yet received monthly bills of around 8,000 baht. After initially suspecting a system error and calling the utility company, they discovered the charges were legitimate "non-usage maintenance fees." When questioned why the meter wasn't disconnected immediately upon request instead of allowing charges to accumulate, officials only advised filing for cancellation and requesting a goodwill reduction. The owner has already paid one month's charges of 8,000 baht and now faces a debt of 32,184 baht for what they view as exploitative post-disaster practices. They question where to file complaints, whether back charges can be reduced or waived, and warn others to immediately request complete meter disconnection rather than assuming cancellation alone will stop the charges. The owner emphasizes that without proper meter removal, customers could accumulate tens of thousands in debt despite never turning on a single light.

The 21st World Vesak Day celebration kicked off in grand fashion on May 26, 2025, in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, under the concept of 'Buddhist Wisdom for Sustainable Global Development and Building a Shared Future for Humanity.' Buddhist leaders, academics, and representatives from nations worldwide participated in large numbers. The opening ceremony, brimming with grandeur and spiritual fervor, began at 8:30 a.m. with chanting of Buddhist scriptures for world peace, followed by the formal opening at 9:00 a.m. Most Ven. Yan Jue, chairman of the Buddhist Association of China, welcomed participants warmly, while Phra Prom Bandith, Ph.D., chairman of the World Vesak Day Council and president of the International Buddhist University Association, delivered the official opening address.

Special lectures and international plenary sessions were held to exchange perspectives on 'Buddhist Wisdom in Promoting Sustainable Global Development and Building a Shared Future for Humanity,' generating significant interest among participants. Phra Prom Vajradthiraj, Ph.D., rector of Mahachulalongkornraj University, noted the auspicious occasion of Vesak Day, marking the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana of the Buddha. This year, the Buddhist Association of China, with government support, hosted the 21st World Vesak Day Conference under the theme of 'Buddhist Wisdom for Sustainable Development and Humanity's Shared Future.' Representatives from over 66 countries participated to exchange knowledge, strengthen cooperation, and promote Buddhist values in Wuxi.

Thailand's delegation, led by Phra Prom Bandith, chairman of the World Vesak Day Council, and representatives from Mahachulalongkornraj University, participated in this important mission to strengthen international Buddhist relations. Thailand has been honored to host the 22nd World Vesak Day Conference in 2026, offering an opportunity to promote 'Buddhist Wisdom' for peace, understanding, and humanity's sustainable development. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surapol Suyaprom, Vice-Rector of General Affairs at Mahachulalongkornraj University, noted that the university has played a vital role in supporting the conference for over 21-22 years, sending over 100 administrators, faculty, and staff. The university will host again next year, marking the Buddha's 100th anniversary commemoration.