At 6:00 PM on May 13, 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister traveled from Phuket International Airport before boarding a helicopter to Freedom Beach in Patong subdistrict, Kathu district, Phuket, to monitor the arrest of those illegally encroaching on public beach areas.

The Mueang Phuket district officer reported that Freedom Beach has been unlawfully occupied since around 2009—nearly two decades—with commercial establishments such as shops and restaurants operating for tourism profit. The operations were leased and sold to foreign nationals, and visitors were charged entrance fees of 100-300 baht to access the beach. Following strict measures implemented by the Phuket governor, 23 cases have been filed against the perpetrators.

The Prime Minister questioned how authorities allowed this problem to persist for over a decade without intervention. The district officer acknowledged previous confiscations and multiple prosecutions over the years, but noted that violators repeatedly resumed their illegal activities.

After hearing the report, Anutin walked among residents and listened to complaints from those affected by land encroachment. Residents held signs requesting the Prime Minister's help. Anutin stated that a full team had come to listen and assigned responsibility to the Phuket governor, the Natural Resources and Environment Minister overseeing the Forestry Department, the Interior Ministry overseeing the Land Department and provincial electrical authority, and the Transport Minister. He assured residents that intimidation would cease as perpetrators had been arrested.

When Anutin asked if residents had filed police reports to ensure adequate official oversight, residents expressed concerns about influential figures in the area and requested reassurance and compassion from the Prime Minister, showing him pictures of these influential individuals on their phones.

Anutin bowed apologetically and said: "I ask for your compassion and apologize for arriving too late. There is nothing you should ask compassion for from me. We failed by helping too late. Let us make amends completely."

Residents thanked the Prime Minister, saying the influence of these figures would end from that moment forward. Anutin responded: "It ended yesterday. I believe everyone here understands what happened. I stand with you. I am the Prime Minister, the highest civil servant in the bureaucracy. If I stand with you, then good civil servants will not dare side with influential figures."

Anutin then called the Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry and Phuket Governor into the discussion, saying: "They are my subordinates. If residents feel concerned, you can contact us anytime."

The Prime Minister emphasized that government land belongs to the state, while residents' homes that already exist and have been damaged by encroachment will be repaired by the government. He pledged to coordinate with security agencies including the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), military authorities, district officials, and volunteer territorial defense units to ensure safety and protection. "Believe me. Let people earn their living and live normally. We will handle everything. Those responsible must pay compensation for encroaching on government land, displacing honest residents, using threats and violence, and committing abuses. This has been happening for over a decade."

BANGKOK — Thailand has introduced new alcohol control regulations banning the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in several public areas nationwide, with the measures taking effect from May 12.

The eight announcements, published in the Royal Gazette, update regulations originally introduced in 2008 to better reflect current conditions. The measures were signed by the public health minister as chair of the Alcohol Beverage Control Committee.

Under the new rules:

- Alcohol sales are prohibited on roads, in vehicles, or on vehicles located on public roads. - Alcohol sales are prohibited at railway stations and on trains, except during special events in the air-conditioned hall at Bangkok Central Station. - Alcohol sales and consumption are prohibited at public piers and on public passenger boats. - Alcohol sales and consumption are prohibited at all passenger bus terminals throughout the country. - Alcohol sales and consumption are prohibited inside factory premises, except at liquor factories where sales or tasting are part of the production process. - Alcohol sales and consumption are prohibited in areas under the supervision or use of government agencies, state enterprises, or other state organizations, except in private residential areas, clubs, or traditional banquet events. - Alcohol sales and consumption are prohibited in public parks managed by state enterprises or government agencies. - Alcohol sales and consumption are prohibited inside state enterprises and government agencies.

The updated regulations officially came into force on May 12.

Motorists are urged to refuel immediately as fuel prices will increase tomorrow across all diesel and petrol varieties by 70 satang per liter, with premium fuel remaining stable. PTT stations announced on May 13 that effective May 14, 2026 at 5:00 AM, all petrol and gasohol grades will see the price hike. New prices include regular petrol at 53.64 baht/liter, Gasohol 95 at 44.05 baht/liter, Gasohol 91 at 43.68 baht/liter, E20 at 37.05 baht/liter, and E85 at 32.99 baht/liter. Premium Gasohol 95 is set at 51.54 baht/liter. For diesel products, B7 diesel will be 41.45 baht/liter, B20 diesel at 34.45 baht/liter, and premium diesel at 61.25 baht. These prices do not include Bangkok city maintenance tax.

On May 13, 2025, Theerapat Kachmart, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), announced that the Central Operations Command for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has been monitoring weather conditions. The Meteorological Department issued a forecast on May 13 at 5:00 AM warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across Thailand and strong waves in the Andaman Sea from May 14-18, 2025. A strong low-pressure system over the lower Gulf of Bengal will move northward to cover the upper Gulf, while the southwest monsoon strengthens over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, creating significant wave heights of 2-3 meters in the Andaman Sea and 1-2 meters in the upper Gulf of Thailand, with waves exceeding 3 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Seventeen provinces in the North are under watch, including Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, and Uthai Thani. In the Northeast, 12 provinces are monitored including Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani. The Central Region includes 11 provinces: Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and others. In the South, 14 provinces are at risk including Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun.

For strong wind warnings in the South, six provinces are affected: Ranong (Muang, Suksamran, and Kapoe districts), Phang Nga (Koh Yao, Takua Thung, Thai Mueang, Takua Pa, and Kuraburi districts), Phuket (all districts), Krabi (Muang, Khlong Thom, Koh Lanta, North Khlong, and Ao Luk districts), Trang (Kantang, Sikao, Palian, and Hat Samran districts), and Satun (Muang, La-ngu, Tha Pae, and Thung Wa districts). The DDPM has coordinated with all 54 provinces to prepare emergency response teams and equipment in high-risk areas, with orders to closely monitor weather conditions, rainfall volumes, and water levels. Staff have been instructed to set up rapid response teams and machinery in vulnerable zones. Tourist attractions, especially waterfalls and caves, should close immediately if conditions become dangerous.

The Toyota Thailand Open 2026, a BWF World Tour Super 500 badminton tournament, took place at the Nimibutr Sports Hall on May 13, 2026 in the opening round. The women's singles draw featured an all-Thai matchup between world No. 7 Mai Rachanok Inthanon and world No. 71 Thidaporn Gleebunyun. Mai Rachanok maintained her commanding form, defeating Thidaporn with a clean 2-0 victory, winning the games 21-9 and 21-18, and advancing to the second round.

SURIN — Thailand's 2nd Army Region on Wednesday confirmed that a 58-year-old Thai man who went missing near the Thai-Cambodian border last month is currently being detained in Cambodia.

The man, identified as Yot Sainoi from Surin province, was reported missing after entering a forest area near the border in Kap Choeng district on 25 April to collect forest products. His family later filed a missing person report with Kap Choeng police after they were unable to contact him.

Authorities later found his motorcycle parked near the forest edge and launched a joint search operation with local administrative and security agencies.

Following coordination with Cambodian authorities, Col. Pov Peng, head of the O'Smach border coordination unit, informed Thai officials that Cambodian authorities had detained Yot and transferred him to Oddar Meanchey province for legal proceedings.

According to the Cambodian side, Yot is facing charges related to illegal entry and trespassing into a military area. He is currently being held at Oddar Meanchey provincial prison.

The 2nd Army Region said it is working closely with Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thai Consulate-General in Siem Reap to provide consular assistance and ensure the man receives humanitarian care and legal support. Officials said he remains safe while in custody.

The army also urged residents living near border areas to exercise caution when entering forests or conducting activities near the frontier, advising them to inform local officials in advance to reduce the risk of getting lost or facing legal issues in neighbouring countries.