On May 25, 2025, Sonthiya Sawatdee submitted a complaint to the Central Investigation Police Command accusing Dr. Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a leading member of the Move Forward Party and independent academic, of reposting old comments online about abolishing the Privy Council. Sonthiya claimed the posts constitute a failure to recognize the authority of the monarchy.

Sonthiya stated he had previously opposed the establishment of the Move Forward Party since 2018, viewing Dr. Piyabutr as advocating for amendments to Criminal Code Article 112. He cited the case of 44 Move Forward MPs facing court scrutiny.

The complaint specifically addresses two issues: a proposal to abolish the Privy Council to save budget and a suggestion that the council's functions overlap with the cabinet. Sonthiya argued that proposing to eliminate the Privy Council—which is established by royal prerogative—violates Article 108 of the Criminal Code and potentially Article 112, as it constitutes rejection of the monarchy's authority.

Sonthiya emphasized that the Privy Council is a constitutional body functioning under royal mandate, not a political entity. He cited nine Privy Councilors' participation in disaster prevention meetings regarding the potential Super El Niño phenomenon as legitimate advisory work serving the public, not political interference. He also noted the council's role in monitoring royal projects including water management and sufficiency economy initiatives.

Sonthiya argued the proposal may violate a 2021 Constitutional Court ruling regarding actions that could damage the monarchy. He announced plans to file an additional complaint on May 28 against actress Rakchonok Sainok for Article 112 violations and will submit documents to the Appeals Court.

PHETCHABURI — A food delivery rider has been arrested after allegedly entering the bedroom of two teenage sisters in the middle of the night and sexually assaulting them in Cha-am district, according to the victims' family.

The incident allegedly took place at about 02:30 on May 19 at a home in Cha-am municipality, Phetchaburi province.

The father of the girls, identified as Siri Pongsap, 45, said his daughters were asleep when a man wearing the uniform of a delivery service worker allegedly entered their bedroom.

The older sister, 18, identified under the pseudonym "A", said she and her younger sister had gone to bed around midnight. More than two hours later, she awoke feeling someone touching her.

After realizing the person was not a family member, she screamed, causing the suspect to flee from the bedroom, she said.

The two sisters chased him outside the house, where the suspect allegedly attempted to escape on a white Honda Wave motorcycle.

The older sister said she kicked the motorcycle, causing it to fall, while their father, awakened by the screams, ran from another room and restrained the suspect until police arrived.

The father said the suspect claimed someone had sent him a message asking him to meet one of the girls at the house, an explanation the family did not believe.

Police later detained the man after the family filed a complaint at Cha-am Police Station.

The father said relatives of the suspect had attempted to negotiate with the family to avoid legal action, but he insisted on pursuing the case.

He added that his daughters had recently seen the suspect back at work delivering food on the same motorcycle allegedly used during the incident, leaving the family fearful for their safety.

"The girls are afraid and do not dare go out," he said, calling on authorities to pursue the case fully.

Police had not immediately released details of charges or the current legal status of the suspect.

JIUQUAN, China — On May 24, 2026, China launched three astronauts to its Tiangong space station on Sunday night, beginning a mission expected to result in the country's first year-long human stay in orbit as Beijing advances plans to land astronauts on the moon before 2030.

The Shenzhou-23 spacecraft lifted off at 23:08 Beijing time, or 15:08 GMT, aboard a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, according to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency and Reuters.

The crew includes mission commander Zhu Yangzhu, pilot Zhang Zhiyuan and payload specialist Li Jiaying, also known in Cantonese as Lai Ka-ying. Reuters reported that Li, a former Hong Kong police officer, is the first astronaut from Hong Kong to take part in a Chinese space mission.

One of the three astronauts is expected to remain aboard Tiangong for about a year, setting a national record for China and allowing scientists to study the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body, including radiation exposure, bone-density loss and psychological stress. The astronaut selected for the extended stay will be determined later, depending on the mission's progress.

Since 2021, China has regularly launched three-person Shenzhou crews to Tiangong for missions lasting about six months. The Shenzhou-23 crew is expected to carry out more than 100 science and application projects involving space life science, aerospace medicine, materials science and microgravity physics.

The mission will also test China's first autonomous rapid rendezvous and docking procedure with Tiangong's core module, a capability considered important for future lunar operations and more complex orbital missions.

The launch comes as China and the United States continue expanding rival lunar exploration programs. China has said it aims to land astronauts on the moon before 2030 and plans to establish a permanent lunar research base with Russia by 2035. Beijing has been testing hardware linked to those ambitions, including the heavy-lift Long March-10 rocket, the Mengzhou spacecraft and the Lanyue lunar lander.

Meanwhile, NASA says its Artemis program is designed to return astronauts to the moon and establish a long-term lunar presence as preparation for future human missions to Mars. China has not yet carried out a crewed lunar landing, but it has achieved several major robotic milestones in recent years. In 2024, China became the first country to return samples from the far side of the moon, a mission widely viewed by space analysts as a demonstration of the country's growing deep-space capabilities.

SATUN — On May 24, 2026, children from Thailand's Mani ethnic minority, an Indigenous forest-dwelling community in southern Thailand, are blending traditional survival skills with modern education through cultural demonstrations aimed at preserving their heritage while adapting to life beyond the forest.

At Ban Wang Sai Thong tourist attraction in Satun province, Mani schoolchildren dressed in school uniforms and sportswear demonstrated how to build a traditional temporary shelter known as a "thap", attracting attention from visitors.

The activity was organized by Ban Wang Sai Thong School, where Mani children showcased traditional knowledge passed down through generations. The students demonstrated how to construct shelters using overlapping leaves for protection from sun and rain, light fires for warmth, and roast wild yams, a staple food traditionally gathered from underground. They also displayed traditional hunting tools used by their ancestors.

Prapha, a teacher closely involved with the students and known locally as "Teacher Toi", said the demonstrations reflected skills deeply rooted in the children's daily lives.

"This is 100% natural for them because it is how they actually live in the forest," she said. "The school simply helps fill in what is missing, including education, social skills and communication abilities, so they can confidently welcome tourists and explain their culture."

Beyond the traditional skills, teachers said the children were also developing ambitions for the future. One student, identified as Jub, said she hoped to become a nurse to care for her frequently ill parents, while several classmates expressed dreams of becoming athletes. The students admitted studying at school was more difficult than building shelters, but said they enjoyed learning and wanted broader opportunities in the future.

Teachers said many Mani children had gradually adapted to wider society and earned small incomes by helping clean community areas or rowing boats for tourists. However, access to education remained limited because most families lived in temporary shelters without electricity or internet access.

"Homework can mostly be done only at school because their shelters have no electricity or internet access," Prapha said, adding that basic supplies such as pencils, erasers and notebooks were still lacking. Prapha currently oversees 43 Mani children ranging from kindergarten to primary school level.

Teachers said encouraging the children to confidently present their traditional way of life not only helped support community tourism but also strengthened their ability to adapt to modern society without losing their cultural identity.

On May 25, authorities reported developments in the accident case involving a British man on a motorcycle who hit renowned physician Associate Professor Theerasak Gaeo-Amattayong and fled the scene on Koh Phangan. An emergency air evacuation operation was launched at 2:30 p.m. at Samui Airport, with Samui Bangkok Hospital medical staff and family requesting aircraft support from the Police Aviation Division of the Royal Thai Police to rapidly transport the critically injured doctor. His brain condition was critical and required advanced neurosurgery.

Associate Professor Theerasak was transported by ambulance from Samui Bangkok Hospital before being transferred to a police aircraft stationed at Samui Airport for immediate flight to Bangkok, with medical and nursing staff providing close care throughout. Ramadhbei Hospital, his home institution, prepared operating rooms, neurosurgery teams, and advanced medical equipment to receive him immediately upon landing.

Regarding the case, Region 8 Police Commander Sitthichai Lohanbai has ordered Koh Phangan Police Station to prosecute the British suspect Mr. Wilcock Duncan with full force following urine test results confirming cocaine in his system. Charges include reckless driving causing severe injury, hit-and-run, driving without a license, and Class 1 drug possession. Investigators have also been ordered to expand the investigation into the suspect's tour boat business to determine if it operates illegally as a front company or has influential foreign backing, with the aim of eliminating foreign mafia networks on Koh Phangan and delivering justice for the physician who has long served Thai society.