On May 21, 2025, Nathapol Towijakshaichakul, a Democrat Party MP from Chiang Mai, posted on Facebook about the parliamentary budget oversight committee meeting, saying tensions already ran high at the first session. The committee examined the Digital Economy and Social Development Fund (DE Fund), which has 7,906.82 billion baht allocated for various projects in the current fiscal year.

Nathapol pointed out that this money is off-budget, meaning it bypasses normal budget approval processes and doesn't require Cabinet, House, or Senate approval. Instead, it operates under specific legislation allowing the agency to maintain its own fund for flexibility, with spending authority resting solely with an appointed committee as specified in the law.

Nathapol noted that similar off-budget funds exist throughout Thailand with minimal or virtually no political oversight, as laws don't mandate sufficient accountability. He emphasized that examining these off-budget funds—which collectively exceed the entire national budget—is a priority for his committee, aiming to bring transparency to spending that citizens have no visibility into.

He cited a recent example: a Generative AI project providing free access to 5 million Thais for one year, valued at 1.6 billion baht, which has already been launched and contracted without any Cabinet review—something that would normally be required for projects exceeding 1 billion baht using regular budget funds.

Meanwhile, Pol. Lt. Thirawat Panyathamkul, a former Democrat Party list candidate and husband of Sasininun Thammanitin, a Bangkok MP for the Democrat Party, commented: "It's unbelievable that those who've wronged others still dare to stand in society," before deleting the remark.

Actor Nattachon Kookimiya and his beloved wife Yaya Urasaya hosted an intimate boat party filled with love and celebration before their second wedding ceremony in Norway. The warm atmosphere was brimming with affection and joy as guests cheered throughout the evening.

Following their sweet traditional wedding ceremony at the groom's family home in Khon Kaen province, the couple is now preparing for their second wedding in Norway.

The pre-wedding boat party brought together family members and close friends, including fellow actors, actresses, and friends outside the entertainment industry, all enjoying a romantic atmosphere on the water.

Nattachon's manager shared photos with a caption stating: "Pre-wedding boat party with a wonderful atmosphere filled with love and happiness throughout. Honored to witness this special occasion."

Similarly, Yaya's mother posted photos with her son-in-law and daughter aboard the beautifully decorated boat. Friends also shared sweet video moments of the newlyweds kissing, creating scenes as romantic as those from a television drama, all amid cheering and celebration on the boat.

A foreign blonde tourist sparked outrage after stripping naked and posing for photographs on a tree branch near a rocky area close to Khlim Beach in Phuket on May 22, 2025. The woman struck modeling-style poses while her companion photographed her in full view of beach-goers and local fishermen in the area, showing no concern for the watching crowds. The Phuket Times Facebook page later shared additional images in the comments showing the woman posing nude on an overhanging branch among the rocks, with her friend taking photos while people looked on, triggering a wave of public criticism.

Following the post's spread on social media, numerous users took to the comments with sarcastic remarks. Comments included jibes such as "my friend was sitting with his fishing line for hours and still hadn't finished," "the photos aren't even clear, go take a photography course again," "don't censor it admin, send it in the chat," "she went to shoo monkeys because monkeys fear fish paste smell," "watch out the line won't get caught," and jokes about why the fish weren't biting the line, with commenters claiming they now understood the reason.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Permsuwativat announced on May 22 that the Ministry of Public Health has published an official proclamation designating the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as dangerous communicable disease zones for Ebola Virus Disease, effective May 21, 2025 onwards. This action aligns with the World Health Organization's classification of the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern following reports of numerous infections and deaths with potential for international spread.

Lalida stated that the government has instructed relevant agencies to escalate surveillance and monitoring measures to assure the public of health security. The Department of Disease Control has strengthened screening procedures for travelers from high-risk countries at all international entry and exit points.

Travelers from outbreak areas must pre-register through the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system for foreigners and the Thai Health Pass system at https://thaihealthpass.com for Thai nationals, and undergo health screening including temperature checks, symptom assessment, and medical history review. They will be monitored for 21 days following arrival.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has coordinated with the Ministry of Public Health, airlines, and relevant agencies to enhance aviation health measures through three key initiatives: public health communication to passengers before travel, passenger screening at departure, and verification of registration data and symptom assessment to support disease control officials in tracking and monitoring.

Relevant agencies have also conducted emergency response drills for suspected cases, both those detected on aircraft and those showing symptoms after entering the country, to ensure rapid and efficient crisis management. "The government confirms the readiness of Thailand's health system to monitor, prevent, and control dangerous infectious diseases through close inter-agency coordination to ensure public safety and confidence," Lalida stated, urging the public to follow official government health guidance without panic.

"Opening the door to change is better than confrontation," said Lieutenant Colonel Ekwattid Chobchoob Phon, deputy spokesperson for the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Front, revealing the law enforcement timeline in the case of Ismaae, wanted on four security-related arrest warrants, who decided to surrender to authorities to enter the justice system through peaceful means.

The sequence of events began at 4:25 p.m. when officials were informed of a suspect hiding in a rented house on Soi 14, behind Municipal School 5.

At 7:20 p.m., officers cordoned off the area and coordinated with community leaders and local administrators to facilitate understanding and discussion.

At 8:45 p.m., officials began negotiation efforts, requesting the suspect's cooperation for the safety of all parties involved.

By 9:06 p.m., the suspect's wife emerged and presented herself to authorities. At 9:33 p.m., Ismaae decided to surrender following successful peaceful negotiations.

Throughout the operation, security agencies operated under the principles of "negotiation, building understanding, and providing an opportunity to re-enter the justice system" while carefully enforcing the law, upholding human rights principles, and prioritizing everyone's safety, ultimately resulting in Ismaae's voluntary surrender.

The deputy spokesperson thanked all sectors including religious leaders, local administrators, the public, and security personnel for their continuous cooperation in using peaceful methods and dialogue, successfully restoring the fugitive's confidence in the justice system.

This reflects that "creating spaces of understanding" remains an important approach to resolving situations in Thailand's southern border provinces.

Officials reaffirmed their readiness to ensure fairness for all who decide to surrender and enter the legal process, adhering to principles of justice, transparency, and peaceful resolution to build sustainable peace in the southern border region.

The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Front requests public cooperation. Anyone with information or suspicious individuals in the area can contact the command's hotline at 1341 or local task force units 24/7.

Additionally, those who assist wrongdoers through various means such as harboring, providing shelter, or supplying food will face criminal charges under the Criminal Code Section 189, punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 2 years, a fine not exceeding 40,000 baht, or both.

Gold prices for May 22, 2025 remain unchanged compared to yesterday's closing rates, with ornamental gold selling at 70,800 baht per baht weight according to the Gold Traders Association announcement released at 9:03 AM. Gold bars are trading at 69,800 baht per baht weight for buying and 70,000 baht for selling, while ornamental gold (96.5% purity) is at 68,401.92 baht per baht weight for buying and 70,800 baht for selling. Global gold spot prices stand at 4,527.00 USD per ounce. Industry leaders predict gold prices could surge 1,000-2,000 baht per baht weight tomorrow, potentially breaking through 80,000 baht.