At 10:00 a.m. on May 26 at Government House, Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angsakulkiartai discussed compensation for victims of the train-bus collision at the Makkasan intersection. Of eight fatalities, compensation has been completed for six families, with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMA) and State Railway of Thailand (SRT) providing 2.09 million baht per family initially, with an additional 300,000 baht pending from a protection fund. The ministry is also caring for injured victims still hospitalized.

Regarding legal proceedings, the Railway Department has filed complaints against the negligent train driver and all vehicle owners parked at the railway crossing, with charges of negligence and traffic violations. When asked whether multiple parties, particularly parliament, were closely monitoring the incident and whether lessons would be learned, Deputy Minister Siripong stated that no lesson-learning process was necessary, as the Transport Ministry had never planned to do so. He noted that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had remarked that accidents were inevitable—vehicles pass through these crossings daily, and everyone knows an accident will eventually happen.

Siripong acknowledged that many locations nationwide have unauthorized shortcuts across railway lines where safety equipment is inadequate. He stated the Transport Ministry has discussed solutions, with the Railway Institute developing plans and allocating budgets to improve safety at various crossings, starting with Bangkok and surrounding areas before expanding nationwide. Improvements would include traffic lights and warning sirens at locations currently lacking them.

Within 1-2 years, automatic barriers and technology will likely be necessary, as the current signal system is automated while barrier management relies on human operators. The ministry aims to implement full automation to reduce human error. When asked about installing full-length steel barriers like in foreign countries to prevent motorcycles from crossing, Siripong acknowledged this could be effective but required careful consideration of implementation details, potentially using a combination of approaches.

Regarding SRT's observation that management staff may be insufficient and requesting additional personnel, Siripong responded that technology could replace staff. He noted the ministry had previously reduced personnel without implementing technological alternatives. If hiring additional staff, it should involve a new model rather than long-term obligations, possibly through project-based employment.

Transforming the ancient city into a fashion runway! Ayutthaya Pride 2026 returns bigger than ever as a festival celebrating equality and gender diversity, organized by the Ayutthaya Provincial Administration. Under the theme "Pride Across Time," the event carries the powerful message: "The old city will never be the same again," inviting everyone to break down temporal barriers and blend the beauty of the past with the freedom of the present.

This year's highlights exceed expectations, transforming the streets around the ancient capital into a fashion runway where people of all genders and ages can express their authentic selves. The festival also marks the debut of "Nong Sai Mai," a new Ayutthaya cultural ambassador connecting hearts across all genders.

The parade will feature top celebrities leading the charge for equality, headlined by universe-level queen Anna Sueang-gam-iam, Miss Universe Thailand 2022, alongside prominent influencer Nara Krep representing the voice of the younger generation. BL series actors, influencers, and famous celebrities will participate en masse, with the night concluding in spectacular fashion with a concert by beloved Luk Thung legend Mae Haii Akharaphon Nakhonsawan.

The event takes place on Saturday, June 13, 2026, starting at 4:00 p.m. at Ayutthaya Technical College, with the rainbow pride parade then proceeding to the stage in front of Ayutthaya Municipality Hall. Attendees are welcome in traditional Thai wear, futuristic fashion, or whatever confident look they choose.

Prime Minister Anuthin is reviewing an online draft explanation for a 400 billion baht emergency decree, spanning over 20 pages, which the Office of the Prime Minister's Secretary-General is preparing to submit to the Constitutional Court today.

On May 26, 2025, at Government House, Nattcharee Anantsil, Secretary-General of the Cabinet, gave a pre-cabinet meeting interview about submitting clarifications to the Constitutional Court regarding the emergency decree authorizing the Ministry of Finance to borrow funds to address energy crisis impacts and support Thailand's energy transition.

The Cabinet assigned five agencies—the Ministry of Finance, the National Economic and Social Development Council, the Budget Bureau, the Ministry of Energy, and the Office of the Legislative Drafting Commission—to jointly prepare the clarification with the Office of the Prime Minister's Secretary-General. The office then prepared documentation for the Prime Minister's approval before submitting to the Constitutional Court, with today being the seventh and final day of the deadline. The office will formally file the documents with the court, after which it depends on whether the court requests additional clarifications from officials.

Budget Bureau Director Anant Kaewkamnerd stated that the draft clarification has already been sent to the office and will be a comprehensive statement. Legislative Drafting Commission Secretary-General Nophadol Phareeyaksa said the draft has been reviewed by his commission before being sent to the office.

Government House confirmed that the office has compiled clarifications from all five agencies into a document exceeding 20 pages to address three questions posed by the Constitutional Court. After review by Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilpraband and online approval by Prime Minister Anuthin—who is currently on an official visit to France—the office will rush the submission to the Constitutional Court within business hours today. Should the court request further clarifications, representatives from the five agencies will testify on behalf of the government.

On May 26, 2025, at TK Palace Hotel, Sawaeng Boonmee, secretary of the Election Commission (EC), addressed a petition filed seeking to dissolve the Pheu Thai Party (Pheu Thai). The petition was prompted by comments and interviews from Nattapong Ruangpanyawit, the party's leader, regarding drought mitigation efforts in ways that reportedly alluded to the monarchy and government. The petitioner argued this may violate political party laws and constitute actions hostile to democratic governance.

Sawaeng stated that the matter is currently in administrative processing and must determine whether the statements constitute legal violations. The party dissolution petition process begins with the Political Party Registrar gathering factual evidence. He could not specify how long the review would take, as the petition was just submitted and requires careful consideration.

When asked if a special subcommittee would be established, Sawaeng noted that the EC currently has over 10 party dissolution cases under review. Each new case undergoes preliminary fact-checking to determine if it warrants consideration before being forwarded to the existing fact-checking committee.

Regarding whether Nattapong's actions constitute sedition and whether the EC would apply Constitutional Court standards in preliminary review, Sawaeng said he had not yet reviewed the factual details and would not comment on those issues, as they involve legal questions. He emphasized the EC follows standard procedures for all parties equally.

Sawaeng also reported progress on the Senate election fraud case, stating the EC is reviewing information submitted by its office and expects to bring the matter to a full commission meeting by early next month. Once the case enters the meeting agenda, the 90-day legal deadline for the EC's action begins.

The police chief has ordered all 88 police stations to investigate the assault on Mika Salo, the legendary Finnish Formula 1 driver, 59, who was attacked by a Thai assailant on a motorcycle who slashed his leg with a knife, causing severe lacerations. The victim was visiting Bangkok at the time. International media reported the incident on May 25th. According to a report from the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Command on May 26th, 2569, Police General Siam Bunyasorn, the police commander, has instructed all 88 police stations to investigate the case of Mika Salo being assaulted in Bangkok. The victim was injured in the Thonglor police station area and is receiving treatment at Bangkok Hospital. Deputy Police General Witthawat Shinkhom, commander of Region 5, ordered Pol. Colonel Ratthananth Eakthitikul, superintendent of Thonglor Police Station, along with Pol. Major Nathakitti Jokkhoksong, deputy superintendent of Thonglor, to investigate. However, no report of such an incident has yet been found. The authorities will coordinate with the Finnish embassy to gather additional information about the victim, file a formal complaint, and pursue criminal charges against the assailant.

On May 26, 2025, reporters surveyed the verification process for the second day of the Thailand Help Thailand Plus program at Krung Thai Bank's Bang Nam Priao Branch in Bang Nam Priao District, Samut Prakan Province. Large crowds of elderly citizens and those unable to verify through a mobile app were lined up throughout the morning. Nang Lek Chanthapoht, 74, had left home at 6:00 a.m. and hired a motorcycle taxi from Soi Bang Sai in Muang Samut Prakan District to travel to the bank, hoping to verify her eligibility and receive the program benefits. However, she found a massive queue and had to wait nearly three hours for her turn. When staff checked her phone, they discovered it had no internet connection—it was only a basic calling device with no data plan, as she had never purchased an internet package and didn't know how to use the internet. This prevented her from completing the verification process. Lek expressed frustration, saying she had intended to use the money to support her family and daily expenses, but the complicated procedures and long wait defeated her purpose. She has decided not to participate in this program again, having only once received benefits from the "Khon la Khrun" (People's Half) program before and never qualifying for assistance since.