True Bangkok United has officially signed John-Patrick Strauss, a 30-year-old defender for the Philippine national team, as their second major reinforcement before the 2026/27 season, following James Berrelsford. Strauss developed through the youth academy of RB Leipzig, the prestigious German club, before progressing to the senior squad and securing a professional contract. He accumulated extensive experience in German football, appearing in over 100 Bundesliga 2 matches, with Hansa Rostock being his final German club before moving to Thailand with Mueang Thong United, where he made 67 appearances with 2 goals and 5 assists. At the international level, Strauss is a key player for the Philippine national team, earning 18 caps across major tournaments including World Cup qualifiers, AFC Asian Cup, AFF Championship, and King's Cup. He is a versatile defender capable of playing multiple positions, including right and left fullback, center-back, and even midfield. Strauss's arrival will strengthen True Bangkok United's defense with added versatility and experience for the upcoming season.

At 6:00 AM on May 23, 2025, Deputy Police Chief Samran Nualma, directing the Center for Suppressing Cross-Border Criminals and Illegal Immigration, ordered Major General Nophsit Poolswadee to coordinate over 300 officers in launching Phase 2 of the operation to dismantle foreign nominee networks on Koh Phangan. The task force pursued 39 cases with 36 search warrants and 45 arrest warrants targeting various nationalities of foreign nationals accused of engaging in businesses prohibited to foreigners and illegally holding land. One notable case involved an Israeli national posing as a Thai shareholder while holding 8 plots of land (7.5 rai) valued at over 60 million baht, while also operating an unlicensed hotel. Phase 2 results were divided into two groups: the first comprised 32 clear nominee companies with 45 seized land plots (over 40 rai), 22 arrested foreigners, and damages exceeding 200 million baht; the second group consisted of 32 companies where foreign shareholding exceeded Thai shareholding, holding 38 land plots (over 38 rai), mostly vacant. Authorities conducted sweeping inspections of 21 such companies to gather evidence for prosecution. Deputy Police Chief Samran revealed that the Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had directed Police Chief Kittarat Parnpetch to aggressively eliminate the nominee scheme—using Thai names as proxies for foreign ownership and land holdings. This initiative addresses accumulated problems on Koh Phangan since 2024, with 29 cases previously prosecuted, 2 convicted, and 62 suspects (32 Thai nationals and 30 foreigners). Phase 1 launched on May 13, targeting upstream and midstream operators including law firms, accounting firms, and nominee companies, resulting in 37 cases, 3 arrest warrants, and 27 search warrants, revealing patterns where Thai state welfare card holders and company employees served as nominees.

Thailand's sepaktakraw team proved why they're defending champions, securing a commanding 2-0 victory over South Korea in the men's team division semifinals of the 2026 ISTAF Sepaktakraw World Cup at Titiwangsa Stadium in Malaysia on May 23. Thai Team A, comprising Wuthinan Khamsena, Thanapol Satyuen, and Kritsanapong Nonthakoet, won decisively 2-0 sets (15-10, 15-9). Thai Team B, featuring Jirasak Phakbuaengoen, Mueakarin Phanmakorn, and Porntep Thinbangbohn, sealed the overall victory with an identical 2-0 sweep (15-10, 15-9), sending Thailand through to the final with an overall team score of 2-0. Thailand will now face the winner of the Malaysia versus Indonesia semifinal in the championship match on Saturday, May 23 at 7:00 PM Thailand time.

On May 23, 2569, a joyful LGBTQ+ wedding ceremony took place between Pranya 'Milk,' a former contract teacher from Kamphaengphet, and Vishnu 'Chat,' a young businessman from Bangkok. The celebration was held at the bride's residence in Thepnakorn Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kamphaengphet, filled with festive betel processions and surrounded by family members, grandparents, relatives, and friends offering enthusiastic congratulations.

The couple shared that this was their happiest day after waiting three full years. They first met in Bangkok through a friend's introduction. The couple emphasized that what made their love perfect was the openness and acceptance from both families, who supported them wholeheartedly. They have plans to start a joint business venture together in the future.

The bride revealed her secret devotion: before meeting her groom, she had made a pilgrimage to the Trimurti statue in Bangkok with local Kamphaengphet banana bread, offering three prayers. Two wishes have already been fulfilled, and today's wedding marks the completion of her third wish. She praised her groom as a devoted and caring partner.

The morning engagement ceremony saw the groom presenting dowry gifts valued at 200,000 baht in cash, two baht of gold, and a diamond ring. The highlight came when the newlyweds kissed, prompting enthusiastic cheers from jealous guests. The celebration concluded with a reception where the couple thanked all honored guests in gratitude for their borderless love.

Taiwan's presidential office stated on May 23 that it has not received any information about changes to U.S. weapons sales following statements by senior American officials indicating a temporary pause in arms sales due to the need for sufficient weaponry for operations against Iran. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, is awaiting U.S. approval of a new weapons package valued at up to $14 billion. President Donald Trump said after a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing the previous week that he has not yet decided whether to approve the sale. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Hong Chao stated on May 21 that "We have done some foreign military sales to them. It's just right now we're doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury – which we have plenty," referring to U.S. operations against Iran. He added that "we're just making sure we have everything, but then the foreign military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary." Hong noted that approval for Taiwan weapons sales depends on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Taiwan's presidential spokesperson Karen Koa stated that Taiwan has not received information about any changes to U.S. weapons sales policy and that the U.S. has a legal obligation to provide Taiwan with defensive capabilities. Although China has repeatedly called on the U.S. to halt its weapons sales policy, Taiwan has rejected China's sovereignty claims, emphasizing that only the Taiwanese people can determine their own future.

Actress Perth Weeratorn Tangkitsuvanich is taking on an exciting new challenge with her first stage play debut in "Once Again... The More It Hurts, The More I Remember, The More I Love," starring opposite skilled actor Aem Bhumi. While she admits feeling slightly nervous because she idolizes Aem's acting abilities after watching him in the film "Youth," she discovered a much funnier side to him in person.

Perth explained her reasons for accepting this challenging project, emphasizing that audiences should expect a completely new character different from all her previous roles. Regarding her stage play experience in "Once Again," playing a friend-zone character opposite Aem Bhumi, she shared: "This story offers a fresh take. Our pair's storyline involves the friend-zone with both comedy and drama. We've already done some rehearsals together, and I have to say Aem has tremendous comedic timing. He might look calm and composed, right? But after watching his work in 'Youth,' he became my acting idol. When I first learned we'd be in a stage play together, I was so excited I was afraid to even talk to him at first. I initially thought he was quiet, mature, and very serious, but in reality, Aem is very friendly. He's hilarious and sometimes so funny that I have to hold back my laughter."

About having such a skilled actor as her scene partner: "At first I was excited and honestly a bit nervous. The more I realized how talented he is, the more I wanted to perform at his level. But I've noticed that his excellence as an actor actually puts me at ease and allows me to relax. It became natural for us to play friends."

On her first stage play experience: "It's very different. In film, you might do a few takes of a scene, but in stage plays, you're delivering the same scene multiple times throughout the show for months. That was initially concerning, but during rehearsals I realized it's a unique opportunity to continuously refine my performance and get deeper into character."

Why did she decide to take on a stage play project? "When I was approached, I didn't hesitate at all because I wanted to try it once in my life. Theater is challenging because if you miss something, you miss it—there's no do-over. I wanted to experience that challenge myself."

She urged fans to support "Once Again," premiering June 15, which tells the story of three couples in three different relationship dynamics. Most importantly, Perth emphasized that the character she plays in this production is completely different from any role she's done before.