A 19-year-old Chinese youth has become a viral sensation online after donning a suit while preparing fried rice at a night market in Yantai, Shandong Province, generating an impressive average monthly income of around 50,000 yuan, or approximately 240,000 baht.

The entrepreneur, named Lu, started his food delivery business at just 17 years old and has since become the primary breadwinner for his family. His rise to fame began when he decided to try "wearing a suit while cooking" to add a more refined look, which unexpectedly became his trademark identity, attracting overwhelming attention from both customers and online users.

Lu enhances his cooking performance with various eye-catching moves during work—from styling his hair, winking at the camera, to precisely catching eggs thrown by family members, and executing cool poses while plating dishes. He also demonstrates skilled traditional Chinese chef techniques with smooth wok-tossing maneuvers, making his food preparation look more like a performance than a typical restaurant operation.

On social media, Lu has amassed over 46,000 followers and garnered more than 190,000 likes. He regularly posts cooking videos with the hashtag #sanjifriedrice, referencing the character "Sanji" from the anime One Piece. To add authenticity to his performance, Lu sometimes holds an unlit cigarette in his mouth while cooking.

His stall operates daily from 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM, serving over 200 plates of fried rice per day at approximately 10 yuan per plate. He reports monthly circulation revenue of around 50,000 yuan with a net profit of about 20,000 yuan, with his father assisting in ingredient preparation and occasional cooking.

Some internet users have questioned the accuracy of his income figures, but Lu maintains that he can prepare multiple plates simultaneously and conducts live streams to demonstrate his actual work process. He originally wore the suit simply to add "romance to the chaos of daily life," never expecting it would become such a major selling point. While some customers may initially visit out of curiosity, he emphasizes that returning customers stay for the food quality.

Although Lu hasn't disclosed future business plans, he has already begun accepting interns. Online comments overwhelmingly praise both his style and culinary skills, with remarks like "He's just like Sanji," "I want to visit the real thing in Shandong," and "I came for the food but stayed for the looks."

The Toyota Thailand Open 2026 World Tour Super 500 badminton tournament took place at Nimibutr Sports Building on May 15 in the quarterfinal round of the women's singles competition. World No. 7 Mai Ratchanok Intanon faced off against Japan's Hina Akeshi, ranked No. 28 globally. Mai Ratchanok was defeated in straight sets with scores of 13-21 and 21-16, ending her Thailand Open campaign at the quarterfinal stage.

In another match, former runner-up Mew Pornpawee Chochuwong (world No. 8) competed against fellow Thai player Pink Pichayamol Opasnipat (world No. 27). In a closely contested match, Opasnipat won the first game 21-19, but Chochuwong fought back to claim the second game 21-13, forcing a decisive third game. Opasnipat dominated the final game, winning 21-15 to advance to the semifinal round. She will face world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi, the tournament's No. 1 seed.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has documented approximately 140 blacktip reef sharks in Maya Bay, Krabi province. According to Jinda Srisuppatpong, director of the Marine National Park Management Division, early May surveys confirm that Maya Bay remains a critical habitat with high shark density.

A seven-day drone survey found that dawn hours were peak activity periods, with average counts reaching 120 sharks and a maximum count of 140 on May 3rd—a record for the survey. Notably, groups of 20-50 adult sharks were observed swimming close to shore to hunt prey during periods without tourism disturbance.

Underwater camera monitoring revealed an increase in juvenile sharks compared to the previous 3-4 months, with 11 juveniles documented. Beach observations also recorded 4-5 newborn sharks measuring less than 30 centimeters foraging in water shallow enough to reach the ankles, confirming that Maya Bay continues to function as an efficient natural nursery ground for shark reproduction.

On May 15, 2569, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan stated that the government must take corruption seriously by declaring an 'anti-corruption national agenda.' After a survey of Thai business leaders nationwide, 51.2% believe corruption has worsened compared to three years ago, and 89.1% view corruption as a severe obstacle to business operations.

Corruption levels have increased annually. According to anti-corruption organizations, Thailand loses approximately 500 billion baht annually to corruption by officials abusing their power and exploiting the public. Sudarat emphasized that politics must be conducted with integrity because without addressing corruption, Thailand's economy cannot grow beyond 2% even without war. The greater the corruption by those in power, the poorer the people become.

She proposes three solutions to make anti-corruption a national agenda:

1. Disclose Open Data regarding all budget information and procurement processes 2. Establish a citizen-led National Anti-Corruption Commission by enacting laws granting investigative power over state corruption, with a board comprising private sector representatives, civil society representatives, professional organizations, and academics 3. Amend the constitution to empower citizens to recall corrupt politicians and remove independent agencies failing to perform duties with integrity, breaking the cycle of corruption

Sudarat stressed that Thailand cannot revive its economy, develop the country, or improve people's living standards without seriously addressing corruption.

On May 15, 2025, at Bangkok City Hall, Governor Chadchart Sittipunt addressed reports of his imminent resignation, stating: "I have not yet submitted a resignation letter from my position as Bangkok Governor, but I have prepared one to submit to Prime Minister Anuptin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister Anuptin on May 18-19." He continued: "After that, I will fly to the United States to attend my son's graduation. On May 28, I will file to run for Bangkok Governor again, and on the same day I will introduce my team, present my accomplishments over the past four years, and outline the policies I will continue to pursue."

The Land Bridge study committee has established three subcommittees to accelerate research completion within 90 days, confirming comprehensive impact assessment covering project feasibility, environmental concerns, and public participation from all groups. On May 15, 2569 at 14:50 at Government House, Donucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the National Council for Economic and Social Development (NESDB) and secretary to the committee studying implementation of the transport infrastructure development project linking the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea (Land Bridge Project), gave an interview following the first meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprayab and Finance Minister.

Donucha stated that the meeting discussed basic data for the work within a 90-day timeframe, making it impractical to conduct studies from scratch. The committee will therefore use existing research results from the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), the most recent and detailed available study, along with previously prepared Senate reports.

Donucha further explained that the assessment criteria will examine current and future problem trend assumptions, the Land Bridge Project's cargo transportation connecting both regions, and business feasibility, while confirming that the work will assess all-dimensional impacts including environmental aspects and will include public consultation.

The meeting approved establishment of three subcommittees: (1) the Land Bridge Project Implementation Guideline Consideration Subcommittee, including experts from the private sector and academics; (2) the Environmental Impact Assessment Subcommittee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of Natural Resources and Environment, including environmental experts and agency representatives; and (3) the Public Participation and Communication Process Promotion Subcommittee, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of Transport, which will disclose information to the public and conduct public consultations, considering concerns and local community input.

Donucha stated that all three subcommittees will report their progress to the main committee for consideration at the next meeting in June. When asked whether academics and NGO voices would be included, he confirmed all perspectives would be considered. Regarding whether this would take the form of legislation like the Eastern Economic Corridor Special Development Zone Act, Donucha noted this is a separate issue that depends on whether the project has commercial characteristics, saying the focus initially is on project development feasibility rather than legal mechanisms. He confirmed economic and geopolitical considerations will be included, examining how circumstances have changed since the 2566 OTP study and updating accordingly. When asked if 90 days is sufficient, Donucha said the committee will make its best effort, but will request the Prime Minister for an extension if needed.