At 2:20 PM on May 9, 2025, at Don Mueang Royal Thai Air Force Base Wing 6, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul commented on former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's impending sentence reduction and prison release on May 11. Anutin stated his respect for Thaksin, noting he served under him for over 20 years and feels a bond like that between parent and child, offering congratulations to the Shinawatra family.

When asked if there would be opportunities to consult with Thaksin on matters within his expertise, Anutin said there are no restrictions, but he believes Thaksin should first spend time with his family. He remarked that Bangkok is compact enough that they may naturally cross paths someday and discuss matters then.

Anutin added that Thaksin's current situation, being newly released, is still technically under sentence reduction with limitations and restrictions on outside visitors. When asked whether analysts worry Thaksin might not abandon politics and could create political turbulence, the Prime Minister said he hasn't considered that possibility, noting only that Thaksin remains someone he respects.

Pharoh Phetchaburi United, a semi-professional league team, faces potential significant fines after failing to send any players or staff to their home match against Phetchaburi FC. The no-show stems from unresolved financial issues within the club. Under professional football league regulations Section 3.10, any team that fails to appear at a scheduled match or arrives but doesn't field players without legitimate venue issues is declared the loser and subject to penalties. First offense fines are set at 50,000 baht, with subsequent violations incurring 100,000 baht each time. The club must also cover all match management expenses and compensate the visiting team with no less than 50,000 baht in damages.

The Department of Internal Trade and the Department of Land Transport have signed a cooperation agreement to integrate GPS tracking data for trucks. According to Wittayakorn Maneenat, the Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, this collaboration with Sarapong Paitureypong, the Director-General of the Department of Land Transport, represents a significant step in leveraging digital technology to combat illegal agricultural commodity trade.

The initiative links truck GPS data from the Department of Land Transport's DLT GPS system with the Department of Internal Trade's electronic cargo movement control system through real-time API Web Services. This enables government officials to monitor, verify, and manage the movement of controlled agricultural goods with greater speed, accuracy, and responsiveness.

The Department of Internal Trade is responsible for maintaining agricultural price stability by overseeing nine controlled agricultural commodities including palm oil, animal feed corn, cassava, garlic, and imported onions. Close tracking of shipments is essential to prevent smuggling, hoarding, and illegal movement that could destabilize domestic agricultural prices.

Previously, verification of agricultural shipments relied on documentation, business reports, and field inspections. Real-time GPS tracking of trucks will allow officials to monitor routes from origin to destination using license plate numbers specified in transport permits, enabling more accurate, transparent inspections and faster detection of irregularities.

"Real-time linked data will reduce gaps that allow illegal smuggling of agricultural goods, particularly imported products that may leak into the market during peak domestic harvest seasons, a critical factor affecting Thai farmers' crop prices," said Wittayakorn.

The Department of Internal Trade currently issues approximately 450,000 to 500,000 transport permits for controlled agricultural goods annually, with over 20,000 trucks involved in such transport. The data integration between the two agencies will enhance capacity for analyzing commodity volumes, transport routes, and seasonal movement trends, supporting comprehensive agricultural management and price stabilization planning.

The system will also improve official efficiency in planning inspections, surveillance, and prosecuting violators with greater precision, reducing resource demands for field operations, and ensuring fair law enforcement for all parties.

Both agencies aim to expand cooperation in other areas, including monitoring public transport service fees, taxi meter rates, and preventing consumer exploitation. They will also exchange transportation data to support public complaints investigation, identify repeat offenders, analyze transport route patterns, and strengthen overall public transportation standards.

Global fans are eagerly anticipating world-renowned artist BamBam Gunpimuk Phupakul, also known as BamBam from GOT7, as he prepares to walk the red carpet at Cannes 2026 as Thailand's film industry representative and special guest performer in "Confessions of a Shaman." M STUDIO, Thailand's number-one film studio, alongside the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Commerce, is creating major excitement in Thai entertainment by announcing that BamBam will travel to France to appear on the red carpet at the 79th Cannes Film Festival (Cannes Film Festival 2026), scheduled for May 12-23, 2026, serving as both a representative of Thai cinema and a special cameo actor in this year's must-watch horror film, "Confessions of a Shaman."

During this historic journey to Cannes, BamBam will officially represent Thailand to promote and elevate the Thai film industry to global audiences. The major highlight capturing worldwide attention is BamBam's participation in a mysterious cameo role, kept as a closely guarded secret. The studio hints only that it is a crucial role that will create a shocking twist and serve as a turning point in the narrative—a significant acting challenge that will demonstrate how Thai cinema is reaching new heights on the global stage.

Beyond his official duties as a national representative on the Palais des Festivals red carpet, film fans can follow exclusive behind-the-scenes content showcasing the dedication and excellence of the cast from "Confessions of a Shaman" at Cannes through the web series "The Journey to Cannes: Behind Confessions of a Shaman" on M STUDIO's social media channels.

Prepare to experience chills and suspense as audiences worldwide await BamBam's surprising role in the highly anticipated horror film "Confessions of a Shaman," featuring leading cast members including Alek-Theeradej Methavarayuth, Chakrit Yamnaam, and Denis-Jelilchsa Cappun. The film is scheduled for nationwide release on August 12.

Red shirt activists from the Northeast have coordinated plans to travel to Bangkok to greet former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at Klongprem Central Prison following his pardon. Panwadee Tantisirin, advisor to the 20-Province Northeast Women's Network and former pro-democracy movement leader, announced at a press conference in Khon Kaen on May 9 that supporters from all provinces have agreed to unite and travel to the prison on the evening of May 10. She stated that thousands of red shirt supporters, pro-democracy activists, and Thaksin's fans are excited and have been anticipating this day for a long time. The group plans to wear red shirts and line up in front of the prison to send smiles and encouragement, though they will not be able to directly meet with Thaksin due to security procedures and family gatherings. Reports indicate that Preeda Panthiva, a red shirt leader from Ubon Ratchathani province, has organized approximately 150 supporters to depart on three chartered buses on the morning of May 10 to join the reception at Klongprem Central Prison on the morning of May 11, with plans to return home the same day.

May 9, 2025 – A villager from Ban Krot district, Buriram province, went fishing behind his village dam when he encountered about 10 Cambodian soldiers armed with guns and knives. They shined flashlights and fired warning shots, forcing him to abandon his motorcycle and catch to escape.

Reporter spoke with Aphirak Butphet, 63, who recounted the incident. He was fishing with two younger companions who walked about 50 meters ahead. When he saw three flashlights, he assumed they were fellow villagers also fishing and approached them asking "Catch anything yet?" As he got closer, he realized they were three Cambodian soldiers fully armed with guns and knives. Both parties were startled, each thinking the other were their own people.

Aphirak tried to communicate that he was only there to fish, but they couldn't understand each other. When he mentioned hearing fish sounds, he turned off his light and ran. About 10 more Cambodian soldiers chased after him. He hid in thick brush, discarded his catch, and his companion took a different route. They hid for about two hours before abandoning the motorcycle to escape. Gunfire erupted as they fled in panic.

Aphirak insists the fishing area is Thai territory, located 1-2 kilometers from the border. He expressed confusion about how Cambodian troops penetrated so deep into Thai land, though he acknowledged the area is a natural corridor often used for smuggling goods and contraband.