Police in North Halmahera have named Reza Selang, 35, as a suspect in charges of negligence resulting in death following a volcanic eruption on Mount Dukono on May 8 that killed three people: two Singaporeans named Shahin Muhrez Abdul Hamid and Timothy Heng, and an Indonesian national named Angel Krichela Praditya. Selang led a group of eight guides and twelve climbers, including nine Singaporeans, up the active volcano early in the morning on May 8. A major eruption occurred minutes after the group reached the summit. Although local authorities had banned climbing Mount Dukono since April 17 due to increased volcanic activity, Selang claims he was not aware of the ban. According to North Halmahera Police Chief Erlichson Pasaribu, Selang has not been detained but his status could change depending on his cooperation with police. Authorities identified Selang as a suspect for two reasons: proceeding with the climb despite the ban, and climbing without coordination with the government volcano observation center, which monitors the volcano at alert level 2 out of 4. The case will proceed through Indonesian legal channels, with police conducting further investigation and compiling evidence to present to the local prosecutor, who will determine whether to file formal charges.

Today's fuel prices effective May 22, 2026 from 5:00 AM. The Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) under the Ministry of Energy has reported current fuel prices at five major service stations: PTT, Bangchak, PT, Caltex, and Shell.

PTT Station (May 22, 2026) Gasohol 95: 44.90 baht/liter Gasohol E20: 37.90 baht/liter Gasohol E85: 33.84 baht/liter Gasohol 91: 44.53 baht/liter Gasohol 95 Premium: 52.39 baht/liter Benzene 95: 54.49 baht/liter Diesel: 42.20 baht/liter Diesel B20: 35.20 baht/liter Diesel Premium: 61.25 baht/liter

Bangchak Station (May 22, 2026) Gasohol 95: 44.90 baht/liter Gasohol E20: 37.90 baht/liter Gasohol E85: 33.84 baht/liter Gasohol 91: 44.53 baht/liter Gasohol 95 Premium: 54.84 baht/liter Diesel: 42.20 baht/liter Diesel B20: 35.20 baht/liter Diesel Premium: 61.25 baht/liter

PT Station (May 22, 2026) Gasohol 95: 44.90 baht/liter Gasohol E20: 37.90 baht/liter Gasohol 91: 44.53 baht/liter Benzene 95: 54.99 baht/liter Diesel: 42.20 baht/liter Diesel B20: 35.20 baht/liter

Shell Station (May 22, 2026) Gasohol 95: 45.40 baht/liter Gasohol E20: 38.40 baht/liter Gasohol 91: 45.03 baht/liter Gasohol 95 Premium: 49.84 baht/liter Diesel: 42.20 baht/liter Diesel Premium: 49.84 baht/liter

Caltex Station (May 22, 2026) Gasohol 95: 44.90 baht/liter Gasohol E20: 37.90 baht/liter Gasohol 91: 44.53 baht/liter Benzene 95: 54.81 baht/liter Diesel: 42.20 baht/liter Diesel B20: 35.20 baht/liter Diesel Premium: 61.25 baht/liter

At 1:30 a.m. on May 22, 2025, Pol. Lt. Col. Paibuun Mala, an investigative deputy commander at Bangna Police Station, received a report of a vehicle collision involving a traffic police officer near an alcohol checkpoint on Theprat Road (Bangna-Trat Highway) at kilometer 1 outbound in Bangna District, Bangkok. He rushed to the scene with volunteers from a charitable foundation.

At the four-lane road location, officers found a white Mitsubishi vehicle with Ubon Ratchathani license plates with severe front-end damage, parked along the left lane. Nearby, a white motorcycle with Trat license plates was overturned and heavily damaged. An injured traffic police officer, Pol. Lt. Col. Tharawan Piromjitcharoen, 59 years old, a traffic deputy commander at Bangna Police Station, was found with a severe head wound and bleeding. He was immediately transported to Thai Nakhon Hospital.

During vehicle inspection, officers discovered one handgun and ammunition concealed inside the car, which were seized as evidence. Two male teenagers, approximately 25-30 years old—the driver and passenger—were taken into custody at Bangna Police Station for drug testing and blood alcohol measurement.

Pol. Sgt. Maj. Somkit Bampenboon, traffic chief at Bangna Police Station, stated that before the incident, more than 10 traffic officers had set up an alcohol checkpoint on Theprat Road (Bangna-Trat Highway) outbound. Pol. Lt. Col. Tharawan was standing on the roadside footpath about 100 meters before the checkpoint when a white vehicle suddenly accelerated and struck the parked motorcycle. The impact threw the officer's body, with his head striking the ground severely.

Police are continuing detailed interrogation of the two teenage suspects before proceeding with legal action.

A shocking incident occurred when a student shuttle van attempted to breach a railroad crossing barrier and stalled on the tracks, forcing the crossing attendant to urgently signal an approaching train to make an emergency stop. This occurred just days after the May 16 tragedy in which a train collided with a bus parked on railroad tracks, killing 8 people and injuring many others. Facebook user Suresiang Plabpla Saworn posted a video of a student shuttle van attempting to drive through a railroad crossing while a train was approaching. According to the post: "An early morning scare—a student shuttle van tried to force through the crossing barrier and ended up stalling on the tracks. The crossing attendant had to frantically signal the train operator to brake hard. Residents and officials were waving and shouting for the driver to hurry and get out, but the van just sat there on the tracks. The crossing attendant was put in an impossible position, having to run out and try to get the van moving. Fortunately, the train operator braked from a distance...but what a mess. The crossing attendant's life was in just as much danger as anyone else." After the video was shared, many commenters strongly criticized the van driver for operating the vehicle so recklessly without regard for safety.

A secondary school teacher was shocked to discover a student who cannot write properly and needs hand-guided assistance, yet was passed by their primary school teacher. The teacher posted this story which went viral with many comments and shares. The post describes the teacher's interaction with the struggling student: when asked to write, the student says 'Teacher, I don't want to write, I can't write' nearly in tears. The teacher encourages him to try copying large letters written on the board. After checking on 30 other students and returning, the teacher is amazed at the lack of progress. The teacher then holds the student's hand to guide the writing. Despite the student's tears saying 'Teacher, I can't write,' the teacher praises two letters the student managed to write (S for tiger, M for horse) and decides to start over from one together.

The post raises broader concerns about Thai education. Many students are increasingly unable to read or write, yet are promoted to secondary school where they sit alongside proficient students, creating a complex problem. When a student struggles, they become insecure. If most students in a class are illiterate, they drag down the other half who read and write well, slowing their development. The teacher questions whether Thai education has lost its way. Only small secondary schools truly understand and address these issues.

At 9:30 p.m. on May 21, 2569, Bang Lamung District Officer Anusak Piriyamorn, accompanied by former Pattaya City Mayor Pramesuan Gampichertkul, arrived at the scene of a fire that erupted on the seventh-floor rooftop bar of a prominent Pattaya hotel. Firefighters responded quickly with multiple water trucks and managed to contain the flames to the rooftop area, preventing the fire from spreading to other floors of the building.

Four people were injured in the incident. The first three victims—two Thai women and one Indonesian boy—suffered smoke inhalation. The fourth victim, a Thai man, sustained burns covering approximately 20% of his body after running through the fire and inhaling smoke. All victims were transported to nearby hospitals by rescue teams and medical personnel.

According to initial inquiries, the hotel had all 173 rooms occupied on the night of the incident, with guests consisting mainly of foreign nationals, including Indian tourists and visitors from various countries. The preliminary cause is suspected to be an electrical short circuit on the rooftop level, though officials will conduct a thorough investigation once the situation returns to normal.

At 10:30 p.m., firefighters brought the situation under control, with no visible flames remaining and only smoke lingering. Police Captain Aneuk Sathongyu, head of Pattaya City Police Station, along with Bang Lamung District Officer Anusak Piriyamorn and other relevant officials, were on-site investigating the cause and coordinating the evacuation of residents from the building. Nearly all occupants had been evacuated, though rescue teams continued searching to ensure no one remained trapped inside, as the hotel confirmed that all rooms were fully booked that evening.