Deputy Permanent Secretary Raveevan Phuridej of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment chaired the second 2026 meeting of the National Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization Committee (NBCUC), following an assignment from Natural Resources Minister Suchati Chomklin. The committee included over 60 experts and officials serving as vice chairs and secretariat members.

The NBCUC approved a draft Biodiversity Act to be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration as comprehensive legislation for managing the country's biodiversity. It also endorsed nominating Doi Inthanon National Park as Thailand's 11th ASEAN Heritage Park, tasking the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation with Cabinet approval before forwarding to the ASEAN Centre on Biodiversity for processing through ASEAN mechanisms.

Additionally, the committee approved a registry and measures to prevent, control, and eliminate 31 invasive alien species, including high-priority species. The committee provided recommendations on the Bangkachaojao Biodiversity Learning Area project to promote education, tourism, and bioeconomy development at the local level. It also approved restructuring four sub-committees under the NBCUC to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework for concrete results.

On May 6, 2025, the Phuket Times page released CCTV footage of an incident where a van driver threatened an ice factory delivery worker with a rifle in Thalang District, Phuket at approximately 5:15 AM. The footage shows the van parked in front of the ice factory, followed by a brief conversation between the driver and a factory employee. The van driver then walked back to his vehicle, retrieved a long gun, and brandished it in a threatening manner, alarming the workers and others nearby.

According to the ice delivery worker, the van was blocking the entrance for about 7-8 minutes during regular delivery hours. When the worker inquired about the obstruction, an argument ensued. The driver claimed he was offended after being insulted and subsequently followed the delivery truck to the ice factory, where he brandished the weapon.

The victim stated this was an unprecedented incident and expressed grave concern about the danger posed to public safety by displaying a firearm in a public area with many workers present. The victim is preparing to file a report with police and present evidence to pursue legal action against the perpetrator.

Pak Kret police arrested a major drug dealer operating a new form of methamphetamine mixed with collagen. The suspect confessed to mixing the drugs with collagen products to reduce production costs and increase product volume for distribution to entertainment venues nationwide.

At 1 p.m. on May 6, 2026, at the Nonthaburi Provincial Police Headquarters, Lt. Gen. Detchraphee Khongdee, commander of Nonthaburi Provincial Police; Deputy Commander Piyawut Kaewmanee; and other senior officers announced the arrest of 24-year-old Pongsathon from Chachoengsao Province. Seized items included collagen packets (37 packs containing 15 sachets each), 350 sachets of methamphetamine-collagen mixture, 1 drug press machine, 1.2 kg of loose methamphetamine, 179 methamphetamine tablets, 83.6 grams of ice, 220,668 methamphetamine pills, 65 bullets, and numerous scales and packaging equipment.

The arrest followed an investigation on May 5 that expanded from a Satun Provincial Court arrest warrant. Police connected the suspect to a previously arrested individual involved in a methamphetamine case. Officers discovered drug stashes at a condominium in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province, where the suspect led them to the hidden location.

Pongsathon confessed that all the drugs belonged to him. He would grind methamphetamine into powder, pack it into collagen product sachets, and distribute them to entertainment venues. He obtained the drugs from an acquaintance in Ayutthaya Province whose real name he did not know. He stored the drugs in a condominium room in Pathum Thani before mixing and distributing them.

The suspect mixed methamphetamine with collagen products to increase product quantity and reduce costs for agents to sell at entertainment venues nationwide. Deliveries were made to designated pickup locations, after which distributors would sell them further. The supply chain ran from Ayutthaya to storage in Pathum Thani, then to packing and distribution in Nonthaburi.

Initial charges include drug trafficking of a Category 1 controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute. The suspect was handed over to Pak Kret Police for further legal proceedings, and investigation into his network continues.

Thailand's Board of Investment has approved six major investment projects worth a combined 958 billion baht ($29.9 billion), with TikTok accounting for the largest share through a massive data infrastructure expansion project.

BOI Secretary-General Narit Therdsteerasukdi announced on May 6 that the board approved three data centre and data hosting projects worth a combined 913.8 billion baht ($28.6 billion), reflecting sustained investor confidence in Thailand's digital economy ambitions.

The largest project belongs to TikTok Systems (Thailand) Co., Ltd., which plans to invest 842.35 billion baht ($26.3 billion) across Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao provinces.

The project will expand server installations to strengthen Thailand's position as a strategic regional hub for data storage and processing, meeting growing demand from users across Southeast Asia.

The BOI noted that TikTok will also develop digital literacy and e-commerce training programmes designed to create new business opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs and strengthen the country's digital workforce.

Other approved digital infrastructure projects include a 46.9 billion baht ($1.46 billion) investment by Skyline Data Center and Cloud Services, part of the UAE-based DAMAC Group, in Chachoengsao province. The facility will support an IT load capacity of 200 megawatts.

Bridge Data Centres IIO (Thailand) Co., Ltd. also received approval for a 24.6 billion baht ($769 million) data centre project in Chonburi province with an IT load capacity of 134 megawatts.

Beyond the digital sector, the BOI approved projects in recycled plastics, wind power and potassium chloride production.

Narit stated that Thailand continues to attract substantial investment interest in digital and high-technology sectors despite global economic challenges, strengthening the country's aspirations to become a regional tech hub.

He added that the BOI is collaborating with partner agencies to enhance infrastructure, electricity systems and clean energy mechanisms while expediting investment approvals through the Thailand FastPass programme.

South African authorities conducted a daring and dangerous operation when they performed an autopsy on a giant crocodile in the Komati River, discovering human remains along with six pairs of shoes, as reported by BBC on May 6. Police diving unit officers were forced to rappel from a helicopter onto a crocodile-infested island in the middle of the river since boats could not safely navigate the area due to the presence of crocodiles, hippos, and numerous rock formations.

After suspicious crocodile experts examined a specimen measuring over 4.5 meters long and weighing approximately 500 kilograms, officers performed the autopsy and discovered multiple human body parts, including two arms, ribs, and chest tissue. DNA testing later confirmed the remains belonged to Gabriel Batista, a 59-year-old businessman and hotel owner in the area, who had become lost after his vehicle was swept off a flooded bridge. After escaping his car and attempting to swim to safety, he was carried downstream by powerful currents into a crocodile-inhabited region, either drowning or being attacked by a crocodile.

What alarmed officers most was finding six pairs of shoes—including flip-flops, sandals, canvas shoes, and high heels—inside the crocodile's stomach. Experts noted that crocodiles cannot digest plastic, so the shoes remain intact in the animal's body. Significantly, not all the shoes belonged to the deceased victim, raising concerns that this particular crocodile may be a serial man-eater responsible for previous attacks and deaths in an area prone to flooding and missing persons.

The South African National Police Commissioner praised Captain Potgieter, the diving unit officer, for his "brave and selfless" performance of duty. Potgieter himself revealed this was the first such operation in his 38-year career and expressed hope it would be the last, stating that their work aimed to help grieving families learn the truth and find closure.

May 6, 2026 – Pongsak Kwanmeung, spokesperson for the Democratic Party and former Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesman during Lieutenant General Aswin Kwanmeung's tenure as governor, posted on Facebook to clarify Bangkok's budget situation. He stated that Bangkok's budget operated at a surplus every year, and efforts to pay down BTS debt left behind approximately 76 billion baht, not 94 million.

Recent discussions about Bangkok's financial status have referenced the period when Lieutenant General Aswin served as governor. Without criticizing current administrators, Pongsak sought to clarify the facts in fairness to Lieutenant General Aswin, who committed to supporting the work without criticism or obstruction.

1. Budget Surplus: Bangkok maintained surpluses across multiple fiscal years: 2017 (+54.06 billion), 2018 (+141.93 billion), 2019 (+81.34 billion), 2020 (+45.86 billion), 2021 (+45.51 billion), 2022 (+109.52 billion).

Year-end budget surpluses are normal accounting occurrences resulting from revenue exceeding targets or projects bidding below estimates. However, during 2019-2022, Bangkok faced the COVID-19 crisis. The government provided emergency assistance by reducing land and property taxes by 90% for two consecutive years, costing Bangkok 10,000-14,000 million baht annually in lost revenue. Despite mounting expenditures for healthcare, pandemic relief, and citizen support, the administration managed the crisis through strict fiscal discipline.

2. BTS Debt: Current officials note that even after allocating funds for BTS debt repayment, Bangkok maintained a surplus exceeding 5 billion baht. Lieutenant General Aswin attempted multiple approaches to resolve this pre-existing debt:

2.1 – Requested Bangkok Council approval to use accumulated reserves for debt repayment, but faced rejection due to council concerns about debt burden and municipal bankruptcy.

2.2 – Submitted borrowing legislation to the council to transfer assets and settle debt, successfully resolving the Mochit-Khuekhot portion.

2.3 – Sought central government subsidies for remaining debt, citing the government's original construction of the infrastructure, but was not approved.

2.4 – The government attempted Section 44 negotiations with private sectors, which ultimately yielded no agreement.

3. The 94 Million Baht Narrative: This represents the most unfair characterization. Repeatedly claiming that the previous administration left only 94 million baht ignores the actual transfer of approximately 76 billion baht in accumulated reserves (allocated for civil service pensions, emergency reserves, and resources for new leadership). The new administration and council subsequently approved using 76 billion baht for system maintenance costs (over 23 billion baht) and operational expenses (over 40 billion baht), reducing remaining BTS debt to approximately 50,000-60,000 million baht. Current accumulated reserves are projected at billions of baht.

Ultimately, whether financial management yields a "surplus," "balanced," or "deficit" budget each carries different advantages and disadvantages. What matters most is responsible stewardship.