The Democrat Party has secured a Bangkok governor candidate and plans to introduce the pick alongside all 50 Bangkok Metropolitan Council candidates in mid-May. On May 3, Sakolthee Phattiyakul, the party's list MP and deputy leader overseeing Bangkok operations, revealed that while the party has identified its gubernatorial candidate, the identity cannot yet be disclosed due to pending procedural steps. "I can confirm we have a Bangkok governor candidate ready, but there are still some processes to complete," Sakolthee said. "I can only tell you it's a male candidate, but I really cannot say who or their background right now." Sakolthee added that the party has finalized all 50 district council candidates. The party's administrative board will approve remaining candidates on May 5, followed by a meeting with all 50 district candidates on May 11 at party headquarters for briefing and alignment. The formal launch of all candidates is planned for mid-May onward to allow time for policy preparation and other details. Regarding whether a deputy governor team will be introduced simultaneously, Sakolthee indicated the team will be rolled out gradually rather than all at once. When asked about campaign activities, Sakolthee confirmed the party is conducting activities but will proceed when fully prepared, as other parties have already begun their campaigns.

Koh Pha Ngan raid exposes illegal school, unregistered foreign teachersLegacyA Koh Pha Ngan childcare centre was raided on May 1 after officials found it was allegedly operating outside the scope of its licence with unregistered foreign teachers and 163 children enrolled. Surat Thani Immigration police, Koh Pha Ngan police, district officials, and Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 officers inspected the property. The centre was licensed as a childcare facility operated by a juristic person for children aged two to six, with a limit of 18 children. However, the site was found operating as a non-formal school, with four classroom levels, teaching children from nursery age up to 12 years old. Photo via Matichon The school reportedly ran three terms per year and charged tuition of 32,000 baht per child per term. Officials found that the centre issued certificates to children who completed its courses, but staff could not show a licence to operate a non-formal school. A total of 163 children were found enrolled at the site. Thairath reported that the group included 89 foreign children aged two to 12, most of them Israeli nationals. Police arrested nine people, including three listed as owners or employers and six foreign teachers. Photo via Matichon The owners and employers were one Thai woman and two Iranian nationals. They were charged with employing foreigners without work permits, failing to report foreign workers within 15 days, breaching childcare centre rules, and operating a private non-formal school without permission. The six teachers were from the United States, South Africa, and France. They were charged with working without permits and failing to report their employer, workplace, and job duties within 15 days of starting work. All nine suspects were handed to Koh Pha Ngan police for legal proceedings. Photo via Thairath Surat Thani police also ordered an investigation into the company’s shareholder structure. Investigators found that the company had four Thai shareholders and three foreign shareholders from Iran and Estonia. The structure raised suspicion that Thai shareholders may have been used as nominees to conceal foreign-run business activity in the tourist area. In a similar case, a special operations unit conducted a raid on Koh Pha Ngan, apprehending a group of foreigners from Russia, Ukraine, and Myanmar involved in operating an illegal childcare centre. The story Koh Pha Ngan raid exposes illegal school, unregistered foreign teachers as seen on Thaiger News.

A 40-year-old South Korean man is facing up to 5 years in prison after creating an AI image of a wolf walking through a city, which triggered a major search operation before authorities discovered the entire thing was fabricated.

AI-generated images have become increasingly popular worldwide, ranging from obviously crude creations to photorealistic images indistinguishable from real photographs. Millions of people now use these tools daily, and although platforms have safety controls in place, they cannot prevent all unexpected consequences.

The latest case to become a major issue involves an image of a wolf appearing to walk down a city street that spread rapidly online. Despite seeming harmless, it sparked significant chaos in Daejeon, South Korea.

On April 8th, South Korean media reported that a wolf named Nuk-gu had escaped from Daejeon Zoo, with reports and photos claiming sightings within the city, prompting urgent official response.

However, it was later discovered that the circulated online image was "not real" but had been generated by AI through user commands, significantly complicating the situation beyond expectations.

South Korean authorities revealed that this single AI image delayed the wolf capture operation by as long as 9 days and required mobilizing large numbers of police and fire units, impacting core public safety operations.

Concerned the wolf might still be hiding in the city, authorities closed several elementary schools and deployed special emergency units for thorough area inspections to protect residents from potential danger.

As the investigation continued, authorities confirmed the image causing all the panic was indeed an AI fake, resulting in unnecessary diversions of operations and damage to emergency management.

Eventually, officials did locate Nuk-gu in the Daejeon suburbs, but significantly later than should have been the case. The 40-year-old AI image creator claimed he made it "for fun" and now faces potential prosecution and imprisonment of up to 5 years.

'Thaeng' Unfazed by Poll Drop as 'Abhisit' Surges, Insists 'Pheu Thai' Works as a Team, Not Dependent on Individuals, Vows Opposition Will Deliver Results for the People

On May 3, 2569, at Bang Khun Thian district, Nutthapon Ruengpanyawut, Pheu Thai party list MP and party leader, was interviewed about the opposition's recent political poll results showing his popularity declining while Abhisit Vejjajiva, Democrat party list MP and party leader, experienced a surge. He stated he believes Pheu Thai's strength comes from not being fixated on individuals; rather, the party functions as a team—across MPs and Bangkok Metropolitan Council members, supported by various sectors driving collective work. According to the latest Dusit Poll, it's not just a single Pheu Thai representative appearing in the rankings; Ratchanok Srinork, a Pheu Thai party list MP, also features prominently. Looking at the overall party approval scores, he maintains confidence that Pheu Thai remains the most popular political party currently. When asked whether these results would require greater effort, and whether the opposition might be competing against itself given the Democrats' previous strength in government oversight, Nutthapon responded that even if internal competition exists, as long as public benefit remains the primary focus and government oversight remains straightforward and transparent, ultimately the people will be the ones who benefit.

First Kunpan and Khao Tung Thanvat are pulling out all the stops for the upcoming LOVE OUT LOUD FAN FEST 2026: HEART RACE concert with entirely new performances that promise to blow away expectations. The two artists have been rehearsing hard to deliver surprising shows, featuring fresh visuals in their individual segments and an unmissable couple's performance that the pair teases will be incredibly sweet—honey-level sweet, as they playfully describe it.

The artists recently gave candid interviews at the Mom Choice cat food presenter launch event held at Exhibition Halls 5-8 of the Sirikit National Convention Centre. Known as devoted cat lovers, they've become presenters for the cat food brand.

First: "I'm really happy and excited about it." Khao Tung: "It's a great honor that Mom Choice chose both of us as presenters. For anyone who loves cats and keeps them, choosing quality food is obviously important. For me personally, I consider nutritional value, age stage, and the cat's weight."

How far along are you with preparations for the LOVE OUT LOUD FAN FEST 2026: HEART RACE concert?

First: "We're in full rehearsal mode. Whether we're dancing hard? You'll have to wait and see. (smiles) I want to give you a tiny spoiler—there's one performance I personally love. I had imagined it would be rock and cool, but once we entered the rehearsal room, the concept completely changed because multiple people are involved in this show, making it unique in a fresh way."

Khao Tung: "I've already had the chance to watch their rehearsals and I was really impressed. But I can't spoil any more than that—I want everyone to experience it themselves. As for my collaboration segments this year, everyone should see something completely new, and we've all discovered new aspects of our own abilities."

First: "I also got to watch rehearsals for his performances. Some of them might require special attention from the audience. What kind of attention? In terms of... approach. (laughs) Not that I'm jealous or anything, just thinking 'Hey! What are you doing? Can I join in?' (smiles)"

What about your couple's performance? How will it differ from last year?

Khao Tung: "Last year we performed Shoulder Shake, which had a bit of a rap vibe, along with Your Ever. This year will definitely be different. Is it sweet? Incredibly sweet—honey level sweet! (smiles)"

First: "What's different is we've created entirely new music. We took a song we never thought could have this style and mixed and matched it."

Will there be a Feel Fan Fun Party Concert after this?

Khao Tung: "Yes, we're promoting it! After LOL ends, there will be our Feel Fan Fun concert."

First: "For this concert, the setlist is already set in our heads. We're determined to perform what we have planned, but honestly, these are songs everyone should get to sing along with."

SAMUT PRAKAN — On May 3, 2026, at 09:10, emergency responders were dispatched after a two-seat training helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Soi Bang Mek Khao, Suwit Sai Kao Road, Thai Ban subdistrict, Mueang district.

Initial reports to the Prakan rescue center described an aircraft down near the end of the soi, beside a factory compound. Firefighters, rescue teams and officers from Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station reached the site, which was located in dense brush. Crews had to run hoses through the undergrowth to extinguish flames around the aircraft's engine. The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes, and the area was cordoned off for further investigation.

The aircraft was identified as a Guimbal Cabri G2, a light two-seat helicopter. Early checks indicated the pilot and a passenger, reported to be a mechanic, sustained only minor injuries.

Local residents said no one witnessed the moment of impact, learning of the incident only after the crash. The helicopter is believed to be privately owned, with a landing area behind a nearby factory adjacent to the crash site. Police are inspecting the premises as part of the inquiry; media access has not been granted, and no official statement has yet been issued by the operator.

Pol. Capt. Jakkrit Srirotchanakul, superintendent of Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station, said the aircraft had taken off at around 08:30 from a factory in the area, bound for another facility in Chonburi. After climbing to roughly 10 meters, it reportedly developed a technical fault, prompting the pilot to attempt an emergency landing about 30 meters from the lift-off point. During touchdown, the rotor struck tall grass, igniting a fire. Both occupants exited the aircraft safely, with no serious injuries reported.

Preliminary findings suggest insufficient engine power may have led to the emergency landing. The helicopter, in service for around two years, was said to have valid flight documentation.

Rewat Hoonarat, deputy district chief of Mueang Samut Prakan, noted the crash site is within an industrial zone away from residential areas, and no nearby residents were affected. Forensic officers have been called in to examine the scene in detail, while local authorities are assessing damage and gathering evidence for the investigation.

The Guimbal Cabri G2, designed by Bruno Guimbal, a former Eurocopter engineer, is widely used in flight training. It features a composite airframe, glass cockpit avionics such as Garmin G500H TXi, an enclosed tail rotor (Fenestron) for improved safety and noise reduction, and a digital engine governor system. The model is certified under EASA CS-27 and FAR Part 27 standards and has been approved for use in Thailand by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).