In a remarkable turn of events, monkeys in Gibraltar have developed unusual eating habits after becoming addicted to junk food from tourists, leading them to eat dirt to ease digestive problems. Researchers suggest this may be a form of natural self-medication behavior.

The monkey population in British Gibraltar is now attracting scientific attention after researchers discovered these animals engage in soil-eating behavior to counteract the effects of regularly consuming junk food from tourists.

Approximately 230 monkeys, believed to originate from North Africa, are one of Gibraltar's iconic symbols. This small territory has a population of about 30,000 and is located near Spain's southern border. These monkeys attract large numbers of tourists daily.

Many visitors get close to the monkeys and feed them snacks, candy, and processed foods. While this creates entertainment, experts warn the behavior is dangerous to wildlife health and disrupts the animals' natural eating patterns.

These monkeys are literally eating dirt to help digest the junk food received from tourists.

The monkeys in this area have begun aggressively taking food from tourists, including ice cream, cake, and french fries, as well as rummaging through trash or accepting food directly. This has clearly altered their eating system, which previously focused on fruits, vegetables, and seeds.

A study conducted between 2022-2024 by researchers from leading universities including Oxford, Cambridge, and Paris-Sorbonne found that these monkeys exhibited abnormally high rates of soil-eating behavior, particularly during summer when tourist numbers peak. This was the first time such behavior was recorded in this monkey population.

Researchers explain that this behavior may represent a form of "natural self-medication," as junk foods like sweets, french fries, and dairy products can cause digestive problems in monkeys, prompting them to eat dirt to help balance their gut flora.

Experts also theorize that soil may contain microorganisms or substances that help restore the microbiome in the monkeys' bodies. Scientists emphasize this may be one of the clearest examples demonstrating the impact of human food on wild animal behavior in nature.

A traditional rocket exploded at a festival launch ground in Yasothon province on May 24, 2026, leaving several people seriously injured, emergency responders confirmed. The incident occurred at the Ban Don Klang rocket field in Kho Nuea subdistrict, Muang district, Yasothon. Rescue workers from Huk 31 emergency services responded to the incident around 1:33 p.m. and transported the injured to Yasothon Hospital. Three pickup trucks were destroyed by fire at the scene. One confirmed casualty was a 45-year-old man who suffered severe burn injuries to his lower body and legs. He was conscious but showing signs of shock with cold sweats when rescue workers provided first aid and transferred him by advanced life support ambulance to the hospital. Authorities have not yet confirmed the total number of injured or determined the cause of the explosion. An investigation is ongoing.

Viral Facebook sex livestream scandal spreads across Thai social mediaLegacy Thai cyber police are investigating Facebook sex livestreams showing uncensored sexual intercourse after the broadcasts circulated widely last night, May 23, prompting responses from users and public pages, including the Department of Disease Control (DDC). Several anonymous Facebook pages reportedly shared sexually explicit livestreams at around the same time, leading many users to click into the broadcasts out of curiosity. Screenshots showing the Ministry of Public Health’s DDC and popular pages viewing the livestreams also circulated. The DDC later clarified the situation on its page. Photo via Thairath “Hello, a follower sent us the link, so we checked it and found the content. We apologise. It has now been reported as spam.” The department also warned that unprotected sex carries serious health risks and directed users to information on preventing sexually transmitted diseases, free condoms, and HIV test kits. Today, May 24, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) confirmed it had launched an investigation into the case. Police warned the public not to like or share the material, saying doing so could violate the Computer Crime Act. According to a CH3 report, the Facebook pages accused of sharing the explicit livestreams have already been removed, although discussion of the incident remains active online. Photo via Khaosod Deputy commissioner of the CCIB, Police Major General Chatphantakan Klaiklueng, said cyber police became aware of the clips last night after they detected the broadcasts. The Technology Crime Suppression Division has since been ordered to examine the source URLs and identify both the page owners and the individuals appearing in the clips. Siam News reported that police are currently gathering evidence. If the page owners or people appearing in the videos are confirmed to be Thai nationals or located in Thailand, they could face charges under the Computer Crime Act for importing obscene material into a computer system. Cyber police are also preparing to coordinate with Facebook Thailand to examine why the content remained accessible and was able to reach large audiences despite the platform’s community standards prohibiting sexually explicit material. Photo via Magnific Police said this type of content could encourage imitation behaviour, particularly among children and teenagers. Members of the public who encounter explicit clips online were advised to report them or contact the cyber police hotline on 1441. Under Section 14(1) and Section 14(4) of Thailand’s Computer Crime Act, creating or distributing obscene online content carries penalties of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to 100,000 baht, or both. Police also warned that users who knowingly like, share, or forward obscene material could face prosecution under Section 14(5) with the same penalties. In similar news, cyber police officers arrested a Thai mother in Sa Kaeo province for livestreaming herself sexually abusing her teenage son to earn money from online viewers. The explicit videos were shared within a private online group that required members to pay for access.

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On May 24, 2025, Deputy National Police Chief and Police Spokesman Trairuang Phimsarn visited Wang Somboon Police Station in Saraburee Province to monitor the investigation into a case involving police officers and a civilian who abducted and extorted five Chinese nationals. The incident occurred at a residential property in Wang Mai Subdistrict, Wang Somboon District, Saraburee Province on May 17, 2025.

Deputy Chief Supanatt Charoengsuangsukul and other senior officials from Region 2, provincial and district police commanders attended the meeting.

Deputy Chief Trairuang revealed that investigators have expanded their inquiry and identified an additional police officer involved who surrendered on May 23, 2025, bringing the total number of suspects to seven: six police officers and one civilian. The six police officers face charges including soliciting or receiving assets or benefits improperly, abuse of authority, wrongful detention, and being involved in forced disappearances. Strict disciplinary and criminal proceedings will be initiated against them with further investigation into all involved parties.

The investigation also identified three additional suspects involved in transnational organized crime related to human trafficking: Seedaen (Thai national), Reatyh Seah (Cambodian national), and Ahlong (Chinese national). Police will file charges and pursue prosecution. Investigators, working with cybercrime units, will conduct detailed financial analysis to identify any connections to transnational criminal organizations and expand charges accordingly.

Deputy Chief Trairuang also awarded commendations to two police officers—Detective Lieutenant Colonel Wisitta Jaikla of Wang Somboon Police Station and Detective Lieutenant Colonel Bunlerp Phalkaew of Saraburee Provincial Immigration Office—for their leadership and assistance in the case.

A heart-pounding video went viral on Facebook showing a dramatic rescue attempt between two geckos in a house in Praang Buri Village, Krob Buri District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Posted by Facebook user "Ranurut Nawnakornburi" on the evening of May 23, the footage captured a larger gecko gripping the smaller one's mouth as it dangled helplessly from the ceiling with all four legs hanging over the edge. The larger gecko used all its strength to pull its companion back up, but the effort proved fruitless. The videographer wanted to help but had no ladder tall enough to reach the ceiling, so he frantically searched for tools to aid in the rescue. After nearly five minutes of struggle, the larger gecko finally gave up, and the smaller one plummeted nearly three meters to the ground below. Fortunately, the smaller gecko emerged unscathed and quickly scampered up the wall to safety, leaving viewers relieved that the dramatic scene didn't end in tragedy.