On May 5, 2025, at Bangkok City Hall, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt addressed online speculation about Bangkok flooding in 2030 due to global warming and rising sea levels, as well as claims that Bangkok subsides 2-3 centimeters annually. He questioned where floodwaters would originate, noting that if flooding came from the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok already has protective embankments measuring 2.80-3.5 meters in height along both banks, spanning approximately 88 kilometers. Regarding tidal surge over 4-5 years, there may be minor flooding at vulnerable points, but no sudden water rise in the short term. Chadchart stated Bangkok ranks 9th globally for climate risk, a long-term concern requiring government-wide planning across provinces bordering the Chao Phraya River, including Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram. The immediate concern is rainbombs, which the city has analyzed for 300mm rainfall in 3 hours. He ordered all agencies to prepare for this more likely scenario. Current land subsidence in Bangkok is relatively low due to reduced groundwater extraction. Sea level rise from global warming is gradual, not sudden, and the 4-year assessment may be overly cautious. Bangkok's embankments are built 50cm-1 meter higher than normal, with additional water gates planned along canals as secondary defenses. Based on analysis, significant flooding is not expected within 4 years but is a long-term concern.

On May 5, 2025, at Government House, Justice Minister General Rutthapol Naovaratne addressed the electronic monitoring conditions imposed on former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra following his sentence commutation and prison release. The conditions were issued in accordance with a Justice Ministry committee resolution from April 29, requiring Thaksin to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet. Regarding arguments about his advanced age, the minister stated these do not meet legal eligibility criteria.

When asked about activist Dr. Tuhlob Sithisomwong's planned objection to the commutation—based on the argument that Thaksin is not a model prisoner due to two previous convictions—the minister said he had not yet reviewed those specific arguments.

Concerning whether sufficient grounds exist to prevent Thaksin's release on May 11, the minister stated that relevant parties would need to examine the legal issues involved and potentially request the committee to reconsider. However, he expressed confidence that the committee had thoroughly examined all details before reaching its decision.

When asked if Thaksin could engage in political discourse after commutation, the minister clarified that such restrictions are not part of the conditions. Regarding international travel, the minister indicated it would be unlikely without court approval, though he noted that Thaksin could petition the court if necessary.

Rising Chinese snooker star Wu Yize has defeated England's Shaun Murphy 18-17 frames to claim the 2026 World Snooker Championship title, becoming the second-youngest world champion in the sport's history. The World Snooker Championship final was held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England on May 4, 2026. The second day of the finals featured 22-year-old Wu Yize from China against Shaun Murphy, the former 2005 world champion from England. After day one, Wu Yize held a 10-7 frame lead. The match between Wu Yize and Murphy proved intensely competitive, ultimately coming down to a deciding final frame—the fourth decider of the championship—before Wu Yize clinched victory 18-17 frames with a break of 85 points. With this victory, Wu Yize becomes only the second Chinese snooker player to win the world championship, following Zhao Xintong's 2025 triumph. He also sets the record as the second-youngest world champion ever, behind Stephen Hendry who won in 1990 at age 21. After winning the title and claiming the prize money of £500,000 (approximately 22.1 million baht), Wu Yize, now ranked fourth in the world, said: "I've been trying to do this for a long time. Over the past few months, I've been living the same way. I'm very happy to play well today." "My parents are true champions. Since I decided to quit school, my father has always been by my side. My mother has also been through so much. They are my source of inspiration. I love them very much."

BEIJING (AP) — An explosion at a fireworks plant in a central Chinese province killed at least 21 people and injured 61 others, state media reported Tuesday.

China's official news agency Xinhua said the blast occurred at a fireworks plant in Changsha city of Hunan province on Monday afternoon. State media China Daily said the plant was operated by the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in the Changsha-administered, county-level city of Liuyang, a prominent fireworks powerhouse.

Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday showed white smoke still billowing in certain areas of the site, with facilities collapsed or damaged.

Nearly 500 rescuers were deployed to the scene and residents in danger zones were evacuated by authorities, citing high risks from two black powder warehouses near the explosion site, the Xinhua report said.

Authorities were investigating the cause of the blast and police have detained the person in charge of the company, Xinhua said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged "all-out efforts" to search for people who are still unaccounted for and save the injured. He called on authorities to investigate the cause swiftly and pursue serious accountability, the report said. Xi also ordered effective risk screening and hazard control in key industries and the strengthening of public safety management.

To prevent other accidents during the operation, rescuers adopted measures such as spraying and humidification to eliminate potential hazards. They also deployed three robots to help with the search and rescue operation.

Liuyang has a long history of fireworks production. The Guinness World Records organization said the first accurately documented firework, the Chinese firecracker, was attributed to Li Tian, a monk who lived near Liuyang during China's Tang dynasty dating to around 618 to 907 C.E. Li discovered that putting gunpowder in enclosed hollow bamboo stems created loud explosions and bound crackers together to create the traditional New Year firecrackers to drive out evil spirits, Guinness said.

In February, China reported two deadly explosions at fireworks shops around the Lunar New Year period.

FENGLIN, Taiwan (AP) — The Taiwanese town of Fenglin has grown a reputation as a place where life moves slowly and people can catch their breath.

Rather than push against this rhythm, the town of around 10,000 has chosen to embrace it and make it part of its identity. Enter the snails.

Fenglin has been putting on snail races as a way to celebrate its focus on a slower, sustainable lifestyle that values healthcare, longevity and community connections while bringing in more tourists in the wake of a strong earthquake in 2024 that dampened travel in surrounding areas.

"The earthquake two years ago had a relatively big impact on tourism because people are worried an earthquake may happen again," said Hsu Lu, a 32-year-old resident. "Many people have left Hualien because of earthquakes," Hsu said, referring to the surrounding county and the site of frequent quakes.

Snails are one way to bring tourists back, even if slowly.

Fenglin has associated itself with snails since 2014, when it joined the Cittaslow international network of small cities focused on quality of life and locally sourced foods. Cittaslow's symbol is a snail carrying an assortment of buildings on its back.

The designation of a slow city seemed to fit Fenglin, whose population has shrunk threefold over the past few decades. Today, it is also an example of Taiwan's "super-aged" society, with more than 20% of its residents older than 65.

To help reinvigorate local tourism after the April 2024 earthquake, which killed 19 people and injured more than 1,100, Fenglin residents decided to host a snail race the following month, said organizer Cheng Jen-shou.

"We thought that our event could attract people, and that would be a small help," he said.

This year, the town held the third edition of the race over the May Day holiday.

Several dozen enthusiastic residents and tourists attended the event, which featured six snail races spaced out over two days. The winners from each race competed in the final, but not before posing in front of their audiences while slowly being pulled on a piece of plywood across a green carpet as their fans cheered them on.

Li Cheng-wen, a 70-year-old retiree from Fenglin, brought several snails to the race. He caught them in his vegetable garden snacking on his leafy greens, and instead of killing them as some farmers do, he decided to raise them as pets, he said.

A seven-year-old novice monk named Trin Apiwanthsanong from Wat Nikhom Pang 16 in Nakhon Ratchasima has registered for the sixth annual Patimokkha Excellence Program (2569 Buddhist Era). If he passes the examination, he would set a new national record as the youngest novice to master the Patimokkha—the 227 monastic precepts—surpassing the previous record holder who was nine years old when he passed in 2568.

The examination consists of two rounds: an online test conducted on Buddhist holy days, followed by a practical examination with senior monks. Successful candidates receive certificates and educational scholarships of 30,000 baht each. Registration is open until May 31, 2569, with eleven novices currently enrolled aged 7-17 years old.

Young Trin, originally from Ang Thong Province, entered monastic life in early 2568 after requesting ordination. His guardian, Abbot Mahachid Wachirnyano, revealed that despite initial doubts about the child's age, Trin demonstrated exceptional mental sharpness and memory retention. Over the past five to six months, he has been able to memorize and recite the lengthy Patimokkha text—spanning over 30 pages—with remarkable accuracy. His teachers were impressed enough to encourage him to register for the competition.