Prime Minister Anuthit Charnveerakul made a firm commitment on May 6 at Government House that the 400 billion baht emergency loan will be handled transparently and remain fully traceable, with not a single satang going unaccounted for and no corruption involved. He stated that all projects funded through the loan will improve the quality of life for the public.

The Prime Minister announced he has already signed the Emergency Decree granting the Ministry of Finance authority to borrow funds to address the energy crisis and transition the country's energy sector. The decree will be published in the Royal Gazette, and a screening committee will be established to oversee projects, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance. All incoming projects must be screened and comply with the decree's objectives.

Anuthit emphasized his personal responsibility as Prime Minister for every baht of the loan, stating he will closely supervise to prevent misuse or leakage of funds. "I promise that myself and the entire cabinet will vigilantly ensure not a single red satang escapes, not even a small leak, to ensure all funds serve their intended purpose. Everything must be transparent and verifiable, with absolutely no corruption," he said.

When asked about credit rating agency Moody's concerns regarding the loan decree, the Prime Minister explained that the government's real burden is the loan interest, which is very low since Thailand is borrowing in baht only, eliminating any currency exchange risk. He added that the loan will provide liquidity to financial institutions and directly benefit citizens by reducing their cost of living and improving their quality of life, rather than funding long-term infrastructure projects that would take 5-7 years to see results.

The Royal Thai Police have launched a coordinated operation to intercept, investigate, and arrest foreign nationals conducting illegal business activities in Thailand, following directives from the National Police Office leadership. The operation also targets Thai and foreign nationals engaging in misconduct while residing in Thailand, committing crimes that threaten public safety and property security, damage Thailand's international reputation, or involve cross-border criminal networks using Thailand as a base for illegal operations.

In one significant case, police arrested three Chinese nationals—Mr. Shilin (surname withheld), 27; Mr. Yang (surname withheld), 26; and Mr. Caiyang (surname withheld), 26—who are wanted by China's Chongqing Public Security Bureau for unlicensed distribution of nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Their visas were revoked and they are being held pending extradition to China.

During the arrests, authorities seized two BB guns, 20 boxes of nitrous oxide canisters (each box containing 2 tanks of 2 kg each), and 4 large bags of balloons. Interrogation revealed that Mr. Shan (surname withheld), 33, a Chinese national wanted by Shenzhen and Chongqing authorities, served as the main supplier of nitrous oxide to two illegal business networks in China for unlicensed sale to consumers. Chinese security agencies have taken action against 23 members of this criminal network, including organizers, cashiers, distribution managers, and other operatives.

On May 6, 2025, the NHSO Region 13 (Bangkok) held a coordination meeting with Phramonkolthepmuni Hospital, Rajphiphat Hospital (Medical Division), and Kluay Nam Thai 3 Hospital to prepare for the transition. The meeting addressed the network changes in the Bang Na and Pratunam areas following the withdrawal of Bangna 1 and Mitraprascha hospitals from the primary care and designated service provider status under Thailand's 30-baht gold card system, though both hospitals will continue to provide referral services.

The rights transfer takes effect on June 1, 2025. The NHSO coordinated with all relevant service units to ensure continuous, seamless healthcare access for all eligible citizens without disrupting patient care.

According to Chaturaiporn Norinsorsakdi, Director of the Service System Implementation Group at NHSO Region 13, the transition aims to ensure all gold card holders have access to healthcare services. Special attention is given to patients undergoing treatment, those with follow-up appointments, and chronic disease patients requiring continuous care. A patient data transfer system has been established between service units to enhance efficiency and convenience.

Of the 18,831 cardholders registered at Mitraprascha Hospital in Bang Wa, Pratunam District, their rights will be transferred to Phramonkolthepmuni Hospital, with Rajphiphat Hospital serving as the referral provider. The 22,365 cardholders from Bangna 1 Hospital in Bang Na District will be transferred to Kluay Nam Thai 3 Hospital, which is located in a nearby area and equipped to serve as a designated provider, primary care unit, and referral service.

To minimize disruption, the NHSO has requested that both hospitals continue referring patients with scheduled follow-ups between June 1-15, 2025 to their designated new facilities. Patients should request their medical records from their current hospital and contact their new service provider to plan appropriate ongoing care.

Chaturaiporn emphasized that citizens need not rush to transfer their rights individually, as the NHSO will manage the network restructuring. The NHSO will send SMS notifications with contact information to cardholders with registered phone numbers. Both hospitals will continue serving eligible patients through May 31, 2025. Citizens can obtain updates from their hospitals or the NHSO, particularly those with scheduled appointments or ongoing medication requirements.

On May 6, 2026, at Shiva Royal Hotel in Muang District, Phatthalung Province, Director-General of the Department of Physical Education Mongkol Wimlrattana and Phatthalung Governor Suchin Wajagij announced the 18th Thailand Senior Sports and Recreation Championship 'Nora Games' scheduled for May 27-30, 2026, in Phatthalung Province. The event will feature 11 sports including athletics, golf, gateball, badminton, pétanque, woodball, Thai chess, sepak takraw, dance, aerobic boxing, and karaoke singing competitions, plus a demonstration sport—shooting. The event symbol uses the "nora" dancer to reflect Phatthalung's cultural identity, with mascot "Khong Im Jai," a water buffalo representing local wisdom and lifestyle. Athletes and officials from all 76 provinces plus Bangkok—totaling 4,210 participants—will compete.

Preparation meetings were held after surveying all 11 competition venues. Most venues are ready for competition, with only the gateball venue requiring relocation due to ground condition issues. Director-General Mongkol stated that the championship creates an "opportunity area" for seniors nationwide to showcase abilities, build social interaction, and raise health awareness. He expressed confidence that Phatthalung, with unified provincial support, is fully prepared to efficiently host this national-level competition.

Phatthalung Governor Suchin remarked that although Phatthalung is a small province, it possesses comprehensive readiness and systematic preparation, including experience hosting national sports events. Competition venues are distributed across multiple areas including Phatthalung, Songkhla, and Trang provinces, with accommodations and comprehensive medical services in place to support efficient competition operations.

SEOUL, South Korea — A South Korean Buddhist temple has ordained a humanoid robot as a lay Buddhist follower in a ceremony blending centuries-old religious traditions with artificial intelligence technology, according to Korean local media reports.

The ceremony took place on Wednesday at Jogye Temple in central Seoul under the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The 130-centimetre-tall humanoid robot, known as G1, received the Dharma name "Gabi" during the ordination ritual, or sugye, ahead of Buddha's Birthday celebrations on 24 May.

Although both monks and ordinary Buddhists can receive Buddhist precepts, Gabi was ordained as a lay follower rather than a fully ordained monk. However, the robot is expected to take on the symbolic role of an "honorary" monk during the upcoming festive season.

A humanoid robot, left, and Buddhist monks pass around a pagoda during an ordination ceremony ahead of upcoming Buddha's birthday on May 24 at Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Dressed in Buddhist robes and wearing a helmet designed to resemble a shaved monk's head, Gabi stood before senior monks with its palms pressed together while participating in ceremonial rites.

Instead of the traditional incense-burning purification ritual performed on humans, monks attached a lotus lantern festival sticker to the robot's arm and placed a 108-bead Buddhist prayer necklace around its neck.

According to Korean media, the Jogye Order also created a special version of Buddhism's Five Precepts tailored for robots. The revised rules included instructions not to harm life, damage other robots or objects, deceive humans or overcharge batteries.

A humanoid robot attends an ordination ceremony ahead of upcoming Buddha's birthday on May 24 at Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

When asked during the ceremony whether it would devote itself to the Buddha, Gabi replied: "Yes, I will devote myself."

The Jogye Order described the event as a symbol of how technology should be guided by compassion, wisdom and responsibility while promoting harmony between humans and machines.

Gabi is also expected to participate in Seoul's annual Lotus Lantern Festival on 16 May alongside several other robots as part of Buddha's Birthday celebrations.

A grieving widow tearfully received the body of her taxi driver husband, beaten to death by a neighboring young man to settle a 450-baht taxi fare debt. She expressed shock that such a tragic loss occurred over a mere few hundred baht. On May 6, 2569, 65-year-old taxi driver Prachuay was found with a fatal head injury in a rice field approximately 1 kilometer from Highway 9 in Ayutthaya province, with his green-yellow taxi parked 5 meters away on May 5. Police from Chang Yai Station arrested 29-year-old Narathorn at a rental room in Pathum Thani, located near the victim's home.

At the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Pathum Thani, 62-year-old Rungkran, Prachuay's widow, collected her husband's body for merit-making at Wat Pa Klang Thung. A four-night chanting ceremony is planned before the cremation on Sunday, May 10, 2569.

Rungkran revealed through tears that she recognized the suspect clearly as they lived in nearby rental homes. She had seen him months earlier at a flower shop requesting a ride to Lat Lum Kaeo District, and later learned he owed Prachuay 450 baht in taxi fare. Her husband left for work as usual on May 3 morning, their last encounter.

"I had a premonition that someone would die in our home, but never imagined it would be my husband," she said tearfully. "I'm heartbroken that over just a few hundred baht, someone would resort to murder."

The landlord reported that Narathorn lived with his parents at the rental. Before the incident, the victim came to collect the debt and even helped repair the suspect's cracked phone screen. On the evening of May 4, the landlord saw the victim following Narathorn to his room before both got into the taxi together.