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Community

Viral Wedding Defies the Downpour: Bride, Groom, and Guests Keep Celebrating Through the Floods

A Chinese couple and 200-plus wedding guests in Shaanxi Province refused to let flooding spoil their celebration, continuing their meal in ankle-deep water on May 17 after heavy rainfall inundated the venue. Guests remained for hours, dinin

10h ago Khaosod

The show goes on! A wedding battered by heavy rain saw the bride, groom, and guests press ahead undeterred, continuing their celebration and meal in the middle of floodwaters.

On May 17, Chinese social media erupted with images of a viral wedding in Weiyang, Shaanxi Province, after intense rainfall caused the venue to flood. Undeterred, both the couple and guests soldiered on, continuing the event and dining without hesitation.

Photos showed hundreds of guests remaining seated and eating amid water that rose to ankle height, while servers waded through the flood to deliver food to each table.

A guest named Wang revealed that heavy rain began immediately after the bride's procession ended, causing rapid flooding. Despite waiting over two hours for food, all guests stayed and continued dining until early afternoon—around 2 to 3 p.m.—before gradually wading home as rain persisted.

"This rain cooled the air down nicely and everyone ate happily," Wang said. "A wedding meeting water is considered a symbol of good fortune and a good omen."

Another guest disclosed that the event had over 30 dining tables with approximately 200 to 300 guests in attendance.

According to Weiyang Meteorological Station data, a blue alert for heavy rainfall was issued at 11:37 a.m. on May 17, with some areas expected to accumulate over 50 millimeters of rain within 12 hours.

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National

9 Years in the Making! Pongskor Shatters World Record in 200m Wheelchair Racing in Switzerland

Thai wheelchair racer Pongskor Paiya shattered a 9-year-old world record in the 200m T53 class at Switzerland's Nottwil Para Athletics Grand Prix, clocking 24.89 seconds and edging out Canada's previous mark by 0.15 seconds.

11h ago Khaosod

Wheelchair racing athlete Pongskor Paiya has broken a 9-year-old world record in the 200-meter race at an international paralympic athletics competition in Switzerland. At the Nottwil Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 in Switzerland, on the evening of May 21, the highlight was the men's 200m wheelchair racing T53 class, where 'Jao Gror' Pongskor Paiya claimed the gold medal, crossing the finish line with a time of 24.89 seconds. Beyond winning the championship, he also broke the world record previously held by Canada's Brent Lagatos, who set the mark of 25.04 seconds on May 28, 2017—a record that had stood for 9 years—by just 0.15 seconds. Second place went to Fernando da Silva Ariosval from Brazil with 26.74 seconds, and third to Balber Johannes from Belgium with 27.45 seconds.

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National

Thailand introduces Muslim prayer carriages on southern trains

Thailand's State Railway will launch dedicated prayer carriages on southern train routes from May 22 to help Muslim passengers observe Eid al-Adha, featuring separate prayer rooms and ablution areas for ritual cleansing.

11h ago Khaosod

Thailand's State Railway will introduce dedicated prayer carriages on southern train routes from 22 May to accommodate Muslim passengers travelling during the upcoming Eid al-Adha festival.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn ordered the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to modify train carriages into "prayer cars" to support Muslim passengers returning to their hometowns for the holiday, which falls on 28 May this year.

The move is aimed at allowing Muslim passengers to perform religious practices comfortably and in accordance with Islamic principles while travelling.

Acting SRT governor Anan Phonimdang said the railway has converted third-class passenger carriages into dedicated prayer areas with four partitioned rooms, separated for men and women. Ablution areas have also been installed to allow worshippers to perform ritual cleansing before prayers.

The prayer carriages will operate on Rapid Train No. 171/172 between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and Sungai Kolok, as well as Rapid Train No. 169/170 between Krung Thep Aphiwat and Yala.

Authorities also stressed security measures ahead of the holiday travel period, including stricter inspections of trains and equipment, CCTV monitoring at stations and onboard trains, and coordination with railway police.

The SRT said the initiative reflects efforts to accommodate passengers of all faiths equally, noting that reserved seating for Buddhist monks has also long been available on third-class trains.

Eid al-Adha, also known as the "Festival of Sacrifice", is one of the most important celebrations in the Islamic calendar and is widely observed by Muslims around the world.

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National

Mom Gror Launches Bangkok Governor Bid on May 24, Unbothered by Competing Against Chatchatchai, Enlists Ex-PM as Advisory Chair

Bangkok governor candidate Mom Gror Kasemsr launches her campaign May 24, enlisting a former prime minister to lead her advisory board as she promises crisis-focused leadership to address cost-of-living issues.

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Mom Gror Kasemsr, a Bangkok governor candidate, announced on May 22 that she will officially launch her campaign on May 24 at 3 p.m. at Thammasat Society under the 'SAVE BKK – BKK SAFE' platform, introducing her expert team. She invited a former prime minister knowledgeable in finance and economics to chair her advisory board, emphasizing that as an independent candidate she needs specialized expertise to tackle cost-of-living issues and help Bangkok survive overlapping crises. She described her role as a military commander driving the capital's development and solving residents' problems. When asked if she was concerned about competing with former Governor Chatchatchai Sitthipuntharik, Mom Gror said she wasn't bothered by such comparisons, as she believes she's volunteering to fill existing gaps. She noted that while traditionally governors were seen as household managers, the current economic turmoil requires governors to act as battlefield commanders leading Bangkok through crisis, while still collaborating with permanent administrative staff handling routine operations.

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National

Chaiyachon Integrates Disaster Response Cooperation, Moves Forward with ONE ID Initiative for Cabinet Approval

Thailand's Digital Economy Minister announced disaster response protocols and a comprehensive ONE ID system for cabinet approval, while telecoms unveiled a public safety mobile network covering 75 provinces to strengthen emergency communica

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Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiyachon Chidchob announced after the ministry's fourth top executives meeting of 2025 that discussions focused on tracking progress of government policies, including energy efficiency measures and various technology initiatives. Projects under review include an AI Passport to expand Thai citizens' access to artificial intelligence technology, a public welfare data platform, and development of a comprehensive ONE ID system using digital identification data.

Responding to recent earthquakes and heavy rainfall affecting multiple regions, Chaiyachon directed relevant agencies to prepare disaster mitigation protocols. The Meteorological Department will enhance weather monitoring and forecasting capabilities in coordination with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to deliver timely public warnings. The National Statistics Office will establish standardized disaster data collection procedures to facilitate information sharing and develop a national public disaster database covering alerts, evacuation records, affected persons, damages, shelter information, and post-disaster recovery data, with proposals to be submitted to the cabinet.

Telecommunications Authority of Thailand (NT) presented a Public Safety Mobile Network (PSMN) project utilizing 850 MHz and 700 MHz frequencies to establish emergency communication channels for disaster alerts and relief operations. The project will deploy 350 base stations across 253 districts in 75 provinces, prioritizing high-risk disaster zones and economic areas including Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Songkhla, Phuket, and the Eastern Economic Corridor (Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, and Rayong), based on eight years of historical disaster data.

The network will operate with roaming capabilities for maximum coverage and stability, with all base stations equipped with backup power generators and satellite backup systems covering 10 percent capacity for continuous communication even if primary networks fail. Accompanying applications will support mission-critical push-to-talk communications, video surveillance for emergency personnel, and public assistance request reporting with location coordinates.

The government is implementing comprehensive disaster management policies through integrated data sharing and inter-agency cooperation, emphasizing timely public alerts, immediate response, and rapid recovery operations to establish standardized disaster prevention and mitigation procedures.

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National

Thawee, Rohm, and Neneh Lead Justice Committee Inspection of Bangkok Prison to Improve Inmates' Quality of Life Before Release

A parliamentary justice committee led by former Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong inspected Bangkok Special Prison to assess conditions and discuss improving rehabilitation programs and legal aid access for inmates serving long sentences.

11h ago Khaosod

Led by former Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong, the parliamentary Justice, Law, and Human Rights Committee, including committee chairman Rangsiman Rohm, conducted an inspection of Bangkok Special Prison in the Lad Yao district on May 22, 2569 (2026). The committee visited various sections including the reception ward for elderly and vulnerable inmates, vocational training facilities, the prison kitchen, and the medical clinic to assess the quality of life and conditions for imprisoned individuals serving long sentences.

During the inspection, the committee discussed with prison director Kiattikorn Patmothat and relevant officials about policy frameworks for improving healthcare access, rehabilitation programs, and preparation for inmates' reintegration into society. Committee chairman Rangsiman noted concerns about inmates' access to current information about the outside world, particularly those serving lengthy sentences, and emphasized the need to improve legal aid fund accessibility to help inmates secure temporary release to defend their cases in court.

Rangsiman highlighted that many inmates face obstacles in gathering documents for their legal defense while imprisoned and called for improved systems to support their cases, as proper legal representation during trial is crucial for proving innocence. The committee plans to further study these issues raised by inmates to develop more effective solutions for the justice system.

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Regional

Sirawit Falls to South Korea, Misses Medal at Asian Taekwondo Championships

Thailand's taekwondo team failed to medal at the Asian Championships in Mongolia, with SEA Games champion Sirawit losing to South Korea's Yang Hee Chan in the semi-finals despite previous victories over the same opponent.

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The 2026 Asian Taekwondo Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from May 21-24, served as a qualifying event for the Asian Games. On day two, Thailand's taekwondo team competed with four athletes. In the 58kg division, Fa Ees Sirawit Muhammadiad, the previous SEA Games champion, defeated Brunei's Muhammad Iman Safwan in the first round with a dominant 12-0 performance in both rounds. He then advanced to face a Chinese competitor in the Round of 16, winning 11-1 and 13-9. In the semi-finals, Fa Ees faced Yang Hee Chan, a former world youth champion from South Korea, whom he had previously defeated at a Grand Prix event in Thailand last year. However, this time Fa Ees lost decisively 0-2, 0-9 and 6-14, narrowly missing out on a medal.

In the 49kg division, Shutikarn Jongkolratanvattana, a previous SEA Games champion who moved down from 53kg, defeated Singapore's Nichelle Tan in the first round and advanced to face Yun Yu Liu, the world champion from Taiwan. After a close first round that ended 5-5 on kicks before Shutikarn's head strike gave her the edge, the semi-final proved more challenging. Liu pressured aggressively in the second round with a head strike to take it 3-1. The third round remained tied 3-3, but Liu's stronger chest protector scoring secured the victory. Shutikarn was eliminated in the Round of 16.

Two other Thai athletes also fell short: Krit Yachon Prom Patchai lost to South Korea's competitor 11-12 and 9-15 in the 74kg Round of 16, and Lukkaow Kanjanaksa Chunchoolim lost to China's Chao Su Nan 1-2 in the 73kg Round of 16.

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National

Senate Commerce Committee Partners with Consumer Council to Address Gaps in Laws Against Online Fraud as Scam Cases Surge

Thailand's Senate Commerce Committee and Consumer Council are partnering to address surging online fraud, with data showing over 121,921 scam cases in four months causing 7.48 billion baht in damages. A public forum scheduled for June 19 wi

11h ago Khaosod

On May 22, 2569, the Subcommittee on Commerce and Digital Economy under the Senate Commerce and Industry Committee, led by Senator Ekchai Rueangrat, held discussions with the Consumer Council headed by Saree Ongsom Huang, Secretary-General of the Consumer Council Office, to plan a seminar on protecting consumers from online fraud.

Senator Ekchai revealed after the meeting that participants agreed Thailand is fully transitioning into a digital society (E-Society), with transactions, commerce, investments, and services increasingly moving online. Simultaneously, cyber threats are evolving just as rapidly, including money transfer scams, account draining, fake account creation, and identity fraud, causing widespread consumer damage.

Data from the Anti-Online Fraud Center (ACSC) shows that in the first four months of 2569, over 121,921 cases were reported with total damages exceeding 7,480 million baht. E-commerce fraud cases remain the highest category, while investment scams cause the greatest financial harm. Facebook is identified as the platform where consumers face the most deception, with the Consumer Council receiving numerous complaints about social media scams totaling over 165 million baht in damages.

"This shows that many victims still lack access to remedies, despite the government enacting the Prevention of Cybercrime Act Version 2 over a year ago to strengthen accountability. In practice, however, the mechanism to help defrauded citizens remains ineffective, while online platforms—the primary channels criminals use—lack clear responsibility to adequately protect users," Ekchai stated.

From the discussions, participants agreed to organize a public forum to allow victims to voice problems, exchange policy recommendations, and collectively develop stronger consumer protection measures suited to the digital economy context. They will also study the feasibility of new legal frameworks to effectively hold platforms accountable while establishing a long-term implementation plan. The forum is scheduled for June 19, 2569 in the B1 conference room of the Parliament Building.

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Police

Senior Police Officer Denies Misconduct Against Female Server, Claims He Was Calling for Drinks; Station Chief Confident in Strong CCTV Evidence

A senior police officer in Kanchanaburi has been accused of indecent assault against a 20-year-old server at a restaurant in Mueang district; he denies wrongdoing but investigators say restaurant CCTV footage clearly documents the incident.

11h ago Khaosod

A senior police officer (Senior Sergeant) serving as deputy traffic control officer at Mueang Kanchanaburi Police Station has been accused of indecent assault against a 20-year-old part-time female server working at a pork hotpot restaurant in Lad Yai subdistrict, Mueang district, Kanchanaburi province. The incident caused the victim significant fear and distress, leading to a formal complaint filed at Lad Yai Police Station.

As of 11:00 AM on May 22, 2569 (2026), the accused officer appeared for questioning at Lad Yai Police Station regarding charges of indecent assault. He initially denied the allegations, claiming he was merely extending his arm to summon the server for drinks and had no intention of touching her inappropriately.

Meanwhile, the victim and the restaurant owner also came to the police station. However, due to the victim's severe state of distress and fear, police separated them to prevent face-to-face contact.

Subsequently, Akkanant Kannitinant, Deputy Education Minister, arrived with his legal team to assist the victim with her case. After consulting with the Lad Yai Police Station Commander, it was confirmed that the restaurant has multi-angle CCTV footage that clearly documents the suspect's behavior.

While the suspect claims lack of intent, investigators are confident the strong evidence will lead to prosecution. Station leadership stressed that regardless of the suspect's police status, the investigation will proceed fairly and impartially. They emphasized that because the suspect shows no remorse for his actions, they will pursue the case to its fullest extent.

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National

ONEP Marks International Biodiversity Day with Push for Sustainable Conservation

Thailand's ONEP celebrated International Biodiversity Day on May 22 with over 400 government, business, and civil society participants, emphasizing sustainable conservation efforts and local action for global environmental impact.

11h ago Khaosod

The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), through its Biodiversity Management Division, organized the 2025 International Biodiversity Day celebration on May 22 at Rama Gardens Hotel in Bangkok under the theme 'Acting Locally for Global Impact.' Prinyaporn Suvanakate, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Natural Resources and Environmental Ministry, served as guest of honor, while Deputy Secretary-General Nareerat Punmani delivered remarks alongside Deputy Secretary-General Kanda Chugaew. More than 400 participants attended, representing government agencies, private enterprises, civil society networks, and educational institutions.

The annual International Biodiversity Day aims to raise awareness and understanding of biodiversity's importance while promoting its sustainable conservation and utilization. It serves as a platform for Thailand to showcase its achievements in advancing sustainable biodiversity protection and resource management.

Program highlights included exhibitions honoring the late Queen Sirikit as 'Mother of Biodiversity Conservation,' displays from government agencies, private companies, academic institutions, and environmental networks, and certificate presentations to areas recognized as Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). Three panel discussions were held: a special presentation on Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's book 'Some of My Observations on Biodiversity in Thailand,' a network discussion on strengthening Thailand's biodiversity transformation, and a business forum addressing nature-positive initiatives for global impact.

Insights gathered from participants will help demonstrate Thailand's progress in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, reinforcing the country's commitment to implementing global cooperation frameworks.

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Regional

Yodiq Ananat Leads 28 Fighters Through Weigh-Ins Ahead of Tonight's Fights

All 28 fighters cleared weigh-ins for ONE Championship's double-header at Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium on May 22, headlined by Yodiq Ananat facing Russia's Kiamran Nabati in a bantamweight Muay Thai clash.

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ONE Championship is serving up maximum entertainment with The Inner Circle streaming exclusively to members on Live.ONEFC.com from 6:30-8:30 PM, followed by ONE Lumpinee 155 broadcasting to 195 countries worldwide from 8:30-11:30 PM. The card features 14 matches at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium (Rama Intra) on Friday, May 22, 2026, with all 28 fighters having successfully completed weigh-ins and hydration testing.

The Inner Circle main event pairs Yodiq Ananat, a 24-year-old ONE Championship red-card fighter from Buriram, against Russia's 31-year-old undefeated Kiamran Nabati in a Muay Thai bantamweight bout (135-145 lbs). Another standout matchup features 21-year-old British fighter Freddie Haggerty against 18-year-old Franco-Thai boxer Yoonis Ananat in a Muay Thai strawweight division (115-125 lbs).

The ONE Lumpinee 155 main event opens with a title opportunity bout between 23-year-old knee specialist Detcho Mawinmuaythai from Songkhla and Russia's undefeated 19-year-old Rustam Yunusov in a Muay Thai flyweight division (125-135 lbs).

All fighters underwent mandatory hydration testing, weight checks, and health examinations meeting strict safety standards, with fighter health and safety as the top priority. Weight compensation negotiations may occur if athletes fail to meet their contracted weight limits to allow fights to proceed.

The Inner Circle members can purchase tickets through THAI TICKET MAJOR, while home viewers can stream live action exclusively on Live.ONEFC.com from 6:30-8:30 PM (membership required). Complete weigh-in results for all matchups are detailed in the official fight card.

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