The Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association has lodged a formal complaint with the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) against the Thai national team following the world championship final held in Malaysia on May 23. The complaint states that during disruptions caused by protests against a referee's decision in the third match, three Thai officials—Thana Chaiyaprasit (president of the Thai Sepak Takraw Association), Dr. Sihasak Arirachakanya (secretary-general), and Phairojn Acharungrojn (former team manager)—who were not on the official roster entered the court and gathered at the Thai team's bench during competition. Malaysia's Dato Abdullah Saleh, secretary-general of the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association, expressed deep disappointment that these high-ranking officials and sports leaders failed to restore calm or encourage Thai athletes to return and finish the match according to regulations. He stressed that if unhappy with a decision, teams should use ISTAF's formal protest procedures rather than walking out. The incident was broadcast live globally to millions of viewers, damaging the sport's image and the host nation's investment and reputation. ISTAF is being asked to formally investigate this behavior.

Regarding the complaint, Dr. Sihasak stated that Thailand has received the letter and will immediately respond. He noted that both he and Thana were VIP guests invited by the federation to attend, and they will clarify that the final was not a walkout or match abandonment—the Thai team conceded because they were in a state where they could not continue competing due to the referee's injustice.

"In the final match, the federation assigned four interchangeable referees. It's not wrong to use Referee A and B in one game and Referee C in another, but this is a championship final with four referees. Why was there a need for one referee to officiate two games? We learned that the referee roster was predetermined and this specific referee was assigned by the federation from the start," Dr. Sihasak stated.

Royal Thai Police spokesperson revealed progress in the case of police officers who extorted five Chinese nationals, with connections to a scammer network operating from Cambodia, with roles divided among Cambodian, Chinese, and Thai nationals.

On May 25, 2025, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trirong Phiwpan, spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, disclosed updates on the extortion case involving five Chinese nationals. Following directives from the national police commander and inspector general, investigators were deployed to Sa Kaew province to track case progress and pursue disciplinary action against officers involved in apprehending the Chinese nationals and demanding payment in exchange for their release.

The investigation has significantly expanded. Sa Kaew provincial police found critical information suggesting additional arrest warrants and charges will be filed against smuggling networks illegally transporting Chinese nationals from Cambodia into Thailand and back, with charges potentially including participation in transnational organized crime.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Trirong stated that those involved include Thai, Chinese, and Cambodian nationals, with some Cambodian individuals apparently wielding influence and playing key roles in border areas. Investigation teams have been ordered to accelerate their expansion of the case.

The investigation has uncovered clear connections between human smuggling networks and a scammer operation based in Cambodia. The criminal organization operates in coordinated layers involving Cambodians organizing the operation, Chinese intermediaries facilitating transactions, and Thai members receiving smuggled individuals into Thailand.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Trirong indicated that police are considering charges against all involved parties for participation in a transnational criminal organization. Regarding the officers who arrested the Chinese nationals but failed to proceed legally despite the suspects' unlawful entry charges, investigations are ongoing.

Initially, four police officers and one civilian were arrested. Subsequently, one additional police officer was charged, and yesterday one more officer was charged, bringing the total involved police officers to six.

Based on disciplinary investigations and digital evidence currently examined, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trirong indicated that the police group involved in the arrest and release of the Chinese nationals is believed to be completely identified.

Investigators continue examining digital evidence including mobile phone data, CCTV footage, and financial transactions through bank accounts and cryptocurrency to determine if additional persons are involved.

The spokesman confirmed that key evidence from mobile phones and CCTV footage is now substantially complete, and investigators are currently linking financial trails to identify additional individuals to prosecute.

On May 25, police at Bang Kaew Station received a report at 9:30 p.m. of a man shot in the leg seeking help along Theprat Road at kilometer 11 in Bang Pli district, Samut Prakan. Officers and rescue workers found a 30-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his right leg waiting by his motorcycle. The gunman fled the scene. Rescue workers provided first aid and transported him to Bang Pli Hospital.

Investigation revealed the victim was shot elsewhere and attempted to drive to the hospital himself, but exhausted and stopped to request assistance. The incident stemmed from a love triangle involving the victim and a woman previously dating a gunman from the Onnuch area who had been imprisoned. When that gunman was released, the woman returned to him. Later, when the victim was released from prison for firearms violations, the woman left the first gunman again. This sparked a rivalry, leading to the confrontation and shooting.

Police identified the shooter as Wasant, alias Mofeen, 28 years old, captured on CCTV riding as a passenger on a motorcycle. Security footage clearly showed him firing at least six shots at the victim. Police are gathering evidence to obtain an arrest warrant on charges of attempted murder and firearms violations.

Deputy investigator Charoenchai Haiyuttakun stated they are pursuing leads and have questioned the victim's girlfriend. They have identified the suspect and are compiling evidence for the arrest warrant. The CCTV footage provides clear visual and audio evidence of the incident.

Heavy rainfall in Phichit province has caused all 30 overflow dams in the Phichit Administrative Organization's "One Subdistrict, One Dam" project to overflow, with four newly completed dams that were awaiting handover collapsing from water erosion. The latest failure occurred at the Khlong Huai Yai-Khlong Huai Lek water retention dam in Moo 8, Ban Kui Krachai, Wang Mok Subdistrict, Wachirbarami District, which was swept away by flooding from the Khlong Thong Tong Daeng. Local residents have raised concerns that the dams may be substandard or improperly designed, noting the absence of foundation posts or reinforced concrete, and pointing out that all collapsed dams were built by the same contractor responsible for previous failures in other locations. The Phichit Anti-Corruption Commission inspected the site and found the project cost 1,487,000 baht with no project identification signage. When contacted, the contractor acknowledged the contract was won through electronic auction and that construction followed the designs provided by the Administrative Organization, attributing the collapse to the design's lack of foundation posts and the concrete's inability to withstand water pressure. The dam has not yet been handed over to the Phichit Administrative Organization.

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is ready to upgrade all parking facilities of the MRT Blue and Purple Lines to the full MRTA Smart Parking system starting June 1st, 2025, following the discontinuation of MRT and MRT Plus prepaid cards for parking entry and exit. This change aims to provide continuous convenience to parking users traveling on the MRT system.

The MRTA Smart Parking system operates through simple steps:

1. Upon entering the parking building, users receive a parking ticket (QR Code Slip) from a KIOSK at the entrance or scan a QR code through the MRTA Parking application.

2. MRT users bring the parking ticket or QR code from the application to an E-Stamp machine in the paid area within the MRT station to record the parking fee discount.

3. When exiting the parking building, users can pay through two methods: scanning the QR code via a banking application, or paying at service counters using cash or banking applications.

After payment, users must exit the parking building within the designated timeframe. During the system transition, MRTA staff will provide assistance and guidance to users at the parking facilities.

The MRTA aims to enhance service standards and provide users with a better experience, making travel in Bangkok convenient with a simple tap of the phone for seamless city-wide mobility. The authority requests users to study the MRTA Smart Parking system in advance.

For inquiries, users can contact the Blue Line parking at 06 5205 3927 or the Purple Line parking at 06 3583 2290, or via Line OA: @mrtaparking. Additional information is available at www.mrta.co.th, the MRTA Facebook fan page, or by calling the MRTA Call Center at 0 2716 4044.

Pattani FC, the newest team in the Thai League for the 2026/27 season, is developing a strategy to build a strong squad that can sustain its position in the top division long-term, rather than being promoted only to be relegated after a year. Club president Assoc. Prof. Dr. Worawit Baru revealed that with the Thai League's foreign player quota of 10 registrations and a maximum of 7 on the pitch, the team is still exploring solutions despite limited financial resources. "We don't have the money or capital, but we're making it work," he said, explaining the team expects to spend around 55 million baht per season and has already secured 37-38 million baht, with the remainder possibly coming from Bangkok-based partners. The club promises transparent player salaries and has found that foreign players are eager to join Pattani, discussing opportunities among themselves—a crucial factor to finalize by the 5th. Pattani FC plans to negotiate MOUs to acquire players from Malaysian league clubs Johor Darul Ta'zim and Selangor FA through loan arrangements, leveraging the fact that Malaysian teams frequently hold preseason friendlies in Pattani and nearby provinces, making negotiations easier. For the 2026/27 season, the Thai League allows clubs to register 10 foreign players with a maximum of 7 on the field, and Pattani FC hopes to strengthen its team to compete effectively and survive in the T1 division as long as possible.