National

Director Phoch Anant Unbothered by 'Heng Chia Jazz' Flopping: 'If It Doesn't Work This Time, We'll Try Again—Stop Freaking Out'

Director Phoch Anant brushes off criticism over his film "Heng Chia Jazz" flopping at the box office, saying he's unbothered and will simply make another movie if this one doesn't work. The veteran filmmaker stressed that the film turned a

6 May Khaosod

Renowned director Phoch Anant is not stressed about his film 'Heng Chia Jazz' failing to make money, casually suggesting that if this one doesn't work out, he'll just make another one—so everyone should calm down.

Having made numerous films throughout his career, the talented director is often the subject of discussion from various angles. Most recently, Phoch Anant faced criticism over 'Heng Chia Jazz' not performing financially, with some even asking him on social media how he felt about the film's poor box office returns.

He responded with a laid-back video in typical Phoch Anant style: "I want to thank our loyal fans who keep watching our movies. Are you disappointed? I'm not. There are plenty of other Thai films that made no money or earned less than ours. Our film had a smaller budget, but our production quality is second to none. This one didn't work out, maybe the next one will. Some companies make multiple films but only succeed with one. Our investors told me that as long as the film doesn't lose money and makes a little profit, that's good enough. Don't worry about it. Stop overthinking—I'm someone who enjoys keeping people on their toes anyway, otherwise life has no flavor, right? I'm happy to have made films in different styles. Thanks to our fans. Sometimes you hit, sometimes you miss, but at least we're still a top-five or top-ten earning production company. Missing the top rankings for a year isn't a big deal. The year's not even over yet, haha."

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Police

Village Chief Resigns After Alleged Sexual Assault of 13-Year-Old Girl; Police File Two Serious Charges

A village chief in Nakhon Phanom province has resigned after police filed charges of child sexual assault and rape against him following a complaint from the parents of a 13-year-old girl in late April.

6 May Khaosod

On May 6, 2025, Pol. Lt. Col. Kurupong Kaeo-saad, superintendent of Wang Yang Police Station, revealed progress in a case filed on April 28 by the parents of a 13-year-old girl from Nakhon Phanom province. They accused village chief Kittipong of assaulting their daughter and sexually coercing her. Pol. Lt. Col. Kurupong stated that investigators questioned both the accused and the victim. Although the village chief initially denied the charges, sufficient evidence was found, and the girl underwent a medical examination. Police are confident they have adequate evidence for prosecution. Pol. Lt. Col. Kurupong noted that despite the accused attempting to reconcile with the victim's family, this case cannot be settled as it is a criminal matter involving a child. Two charges are being prepared: abduction of a minor and indecent assault of a child under 15 years old, and rape with aggravated circumstances, carrying sentences of up to 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment. The accused was informed of the charges and legal procedures will proceed fairly for both parties. The incident reportedly occurred because the girl worked part-time as a traditional music performer, which the village chief exploited to approach and coerce her. Investigation revealed that Kittipong resigned from his position on April 28, after the incident occurred, placing the matter solely under police jurisdiction rather than district administrative disciplinary action. Meanwhile, social development and human security officials from Nakhon Phanom province, coordinated through a foundation, have been providing support and psychological rehabilitation to the 13-year-old girl and her family.

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National

Top Female Tennis Players Threaten French Open Boycott Over Unfair Prize Money

Top female tennis players including world number one Aryna Sabalenka have threatened to boycott the French Open unless organizers increase prize money to match the revenue share offered at other major tournaments.

6 May Khaosod

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has revealed that top-ranked female tennis players may boycott the Grand Slam tournament French Open if prize money is not increased appropriately. Although Roland Garros organizers announced a 9.5% increase in total prize money to €61.7 million (approximately $72.19 million) this year, this increase is insufficient to resolve the dispute. Leading players have stated that prize money represents less than 15% of the tournament's total revenue, far below the 22% standard set by ATP and WTA tournaments.

Speaking on behalf of female tennis players, Sabalenka stated: "I think at some point we will boycott the tournament. I feel that's the only way to fight for our rights. Let's see how far we can go. Some things that are happening feel completely unfair to athletes. This competition is driven by us. Without athletes, these tournaments and entertainment wouldn't exist. So we should receive a larger share of the revenue."

World number four Coco Gauff agreed 100%, supporting a boycott for the future of the sport, particularly to help players ranked 50 to 200 who lack major sponsorship deals and many of whom struggle financially. Gauff also suggested that tennis players establish a "union" similar to the women's basketball league (WNBA), which successfully reached an agreement after lengthy negotiations.

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Community

All-Out Fun! Domundi Invests Over 70 Million Baht to Create a Happiness Land at 'DMD LAND 3'

Domundi spent over 70 million baht on "DMD LAND 3," a two-day concert at Impact Arena in May featuring 39 artists from five generations of the label performing over 7 hours of continuous entertainment.

6 May Khaosod

Domundi invested over 70 million baht to create a happiness land in 'DMD LAND 3,' delivering a marathon of entertainment for over 7 hours to give the best gift to their fans. The grand and lavish event, led by company founder Off Kittipat Jampaa, took over Impact Arena for 2 full days with 39 artists from 5 generations of the Domundi label delivering exciting performances. The massive concert 'DMD LAND 3: THE FINAL LAND "LAND OF FUSION" CONCERT' took place on May 2-3, 2026 at Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani, featuring over 7 continuous hours of performances with high-budget production. The show kicked off with all artists performing 'Turn Down for What,' showcasing the breadth of the label's talent across 5 generations through songs like 'Bad Angels' and 'Blinding Light.' Highlights included Nunew's mysterious flying saucer entrance and fierce 'FXCK UP THE WORLD' performance, boy group DEXX's energetic three-song medley including 'Tokyo Drift,' Poppy's sultry 'Umbrella,' Park's smooth 'Gentleman,' and Mark's playful 'Banana.' Jimmy impressed on guitar with 'About You,' while Tommy delivered the emotional 'Don't Go.' Late and Kim charmed audiences riding a Harley in 'Sapya Ga Sa Long,' while Net and JJ brought both dance and vocals to 'Thalnung,' and Riujin and Patchi had the crowd screaming with 'BF.' Mek took over as DJ with 'My Humps' as Nath showcased dance moves center stage, while Om captivated with 'Crazy in Love,' Tutor and Yim impressed with 'Kitty Swag,' and U'u and Safe kicked off their appearance with screams from opening moments.

No. 04 of ∞ Read at source → Next

National

Warning: Construction Materials Set to Rise in Q3 as Price Wars Threaten Business Closures

Construction material prices are expected to surge in Q3 2025 due to global supply shortages, with Thailand's House Builders Association warning that contractors using aggressive price-cutting strategies risk business closure without adequa

6 May Khaosod

The Thai House Builders Association (THBA), through Honorary Board Member Sithiporn Suvanasut, has released a statement analyzing the house-building industry amid geopolitical crisis. The ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf region, now lasting over two months with no signs of resolution, is having direct negative impacts on the global and Thai economies, particularly through surging energy costs and transportation fees. The association views this as a critical warning signal for Thailand's construction industry, predicting that construction material prices will face another round of increases in Q3 2025 due to global raw material shortages and manufacturers reaching production cost limits.

"This will create immense pressure on the house-building sector that cannot be avoided," the statement warns.

The association expresses serious concern about contractors pursuing aggressive "price war" strategies by cutting prices to boost sales volume without adjusting selling prices to match actual costs. Contractors who refused to raise prices in previous rounds now face a "double-whammy" cost increase—first from already-raised costs and second from material price hikes coming in Q3. "If any company lacks sufficient financial reserves or business credit strength, they will face severe losses and risk having to close down entirely," the statement cautions.

For consumers, the association recommends extreme caution when signing construction contracts, particularly when contractors request advance payment installments exceeding contract terms while claiming the need to "lock in prices" with material manufacturers—a practice that is difficult in reality and often signals liquidity problems.

The association advises consumers to select builders based on three key standards:

1. Standardized house designs with complete and clear construction blueprints 2. Construction costs based on the company's standards, with reference prices calculated from actual costs per design, not per square meter of usable space 3. Material and equipment quality standards with detailed specifications including brand, grade, and model numbers

"These three factors are crucial indicators of whether the house and price offer reasonable quality," the statement explains. "Consumers should not be swayed by claims that construction can fit any budget with quality details settled later, as this is no different from hiring unaccredited contractors with no standards to compare against, risking hidden quality reductions."

Regarding market trends in Q2-Q3 2025, the association predicts overall market contraction due to declining purchasing power from rising living costs. However, new entrants—including small real estate developers, subdivision project contractors, architects, and engineers—are flooding into the house-building business at unprecedented rates in both Bangkok and provincial areas. "With so many new players entering while demand shrinks, this will inevitably lead to fierce competition," the statement notes.

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National

Dr. Lab Panda Analyzes Why Private Hospitals Are Withdrawing from Gold Card Scheme

Private hospitals are withdrawing from Thailand's Gold Card health scheme due to delayed and incomplete reimbursements from the National Health Security Office, forcing them to absorb costs upfront while waiting for payment.

6 May Khaosod

Over the past 2-3 days, multiple private hospitals have announced their withdrawal from the National Health Security Scheme (Gold Card or 30-baht card), causing widespread disruption for patients. Medical technician Pakpumi Dechahsadin, who runs the popular "Dr. Lab Panda" Facebook page, recently commented on the issue, explaining: "Under the Gold Card system, hospitals must pay patients upfront and then claim reimbursement from the National Health Security Office (NHSO), which holds the funds. However, the NHSO has faced problems—making late payments and paying incomplete amounts. When private hospitals can't sustain losses, they withdraw from the scheme, but state hospitals have no choice but to continue. They're forced to absorb drug and equipment costs until reimbursement, creating cash flow problems and risking financial collapse."

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Police

Singaporean linked to Cambodia scam network arrested in Phnom Penh

A 30-year-old Singaporean arrested in Cambodia was repatriated to Singapore for his alleged role in a scam network that defrauded victims of S$53 million across at least 535 cases.

6 May Khaosod

A 30-year-old Singaporean man accused of involvement in a Cambodia-based organised scam syndicate targeting victims in Singapore has been arrested in Phnom Penh and returned to Singapore, authorities said.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said Ngiam Siow Jui was arrested by the Cambodian National Police (CNP) in Phnom Penh following close cooperation and intelligence sharing between the two agencies.

Ngiam was among 34 suspects earlier sought by Singaporean authorities in connection with investigations into an organised criminal group allegedly operating from Cambodia.

He was repatriated to Singapore on 4 May and arrested upon arrival. Authorities said he will be charged in court on 6 May with facilitating the commission of a serious offence in furtherance of the illegal purpose of a locally linked organised criminal group under Singapore's Organised Crime Act 2015.

If convicted, he faces up to five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.

According to the SPF, the syndicate is believed to be linked to at least 535 reported scam cases involving losses of around S$53 million.

The group allegedly operated from a scam compound in Phnom Penh that was disrupted during a joint operation by Singaporean and Cambodian police on 9 September 2025.

Singaporean authorities said they had previously seized assets linked to the syndicate and issued prohibition of disposal orders as part of ongoing investigations.

The SPF also announced that additional INTERPOL Red Notices were issued on 25 March against two other Singaporean men believed to be members of the syndicate.

The two suspects — Jonathan Boneta, 27, and Lee Ding Hao, 33 — are believed to be outside Singapore and remain at large.

The SPF said it would continue working closely with foreign law enforcement agencies to track down suspects involved in scams targeting victims in Singapore.

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National

Namcha Chiranath Receives Skepticism After Sharing Mysterious Childhood UFO Encounter Experience

Thai actress Namcha Chiranath has publicly disclosed a mysterious childhood incident involving a near-alien abduction experience, which inspired her to star in the film "Khao Kala" after years away from acting. Her candid revelation came at the film's premiere, where she explained how UFO researcher Toffee encouraged her to share her experience during an era when UFO beliefs are increasingly accepted by Thai society. Namcha noted that while she faced ridicule when first discussing the incident over a decade ago, growing public acceptance has given her confidence to openly discuss the encounter and encourage viewers to watch the film based on her true story.

6 May Khaosod

Actress Namcha Chiranath Yusanant recently shared details about a mysterious childhood experience where she nearly encountered alien abduction, explaining how this pivotal moment led her to return to acting after years away through the film "Khao Kala," which draws inspiration from her personal experience. The revelation comes amid heightened societal interest in UFO beliefs and extraterrestrial phenomena.

Namecha gave a special interview at the premiere screening of "KHAO KALA" at ONE Ultra Screens, Level 5 of ONE Bangkok shopping mall. She became involved in the film after UFO researcher Toffee (Sambaht Hahsip) invited her to join the project. "Cha was one of the people who went UFO watching with Toffee. Afterward, he asked if I was interested in being part of his story since he was making the Khao Kala film. I shared the incident I experienced as a child, and that became the starting point," she explained.

Namecha admitted she wasn't initially a believer until she witnessed the phenomenon herself. She remained silent about her experience for over a decade after appearing on a talk show approximately 10-15 years ago, when the public largely dismissed her account as absurd and mocked her for it. "I lost my confidence and was seen as crazy. I decided not to talk about it anymore," she said.

However, meeting Toffee, who is serious and knowledgeable about the subject, prompted her reconsideration. Initially hesitant to revisit the topic, she eventually agreed to participate in the film. "There's something that keeps pulling me back to this experience, as if they're trying to keep connected with me," she reflected.

Namecha noted that growing social acceptance of UFO phenomena has given her more confidence to speak publicly. "At first, I faced criticism and ridicule, but now I receive supportive comments from people who share similar experiences and believe in the phenomenon," she said. She encouraged audiences to watch "Khao Kala," calling it a proud achievement of Thai filmmaking that explores genuine, intense experiences and helps answer lingering questions about extraterrestrial encounters.

No. 08 of ∞ Read at source → Next

National

Man Deported from Russia After Posting Leather Skirt Review

An Uzbek migrant worker was deported from Russia after posting a humorous online review of a women's leather skirt on the Wildberries platform that Russian authorities interpreted as promoting non-traditional sexual orientations. Despite deleting the post and pleading guilty in court, the man was sentenced to five days of administrative detention before being forcibly deported from the country. Russia classifies LGBTQ+ individuals as an extremist group with strict legal penalties for any perceived promotion.

6 May Khaosod

An Uzbek man was arrested and ultimately deported from Russia after posting an online review of a women's leather skirt. In the Russian Federation, LGBTQ+ individuals are classified as an extremist group and banned, so any involvement or promotion of any kind can have serious legal consequences. A young migrant worker from Uzbekistan discovered this the hard way after reviewing a women's leather skirt on the Wildberries online platform.

In September 2025, a young man named Islamjon posted a review of a women's leather skirt and included a photo of himself wearing it. In the review, he wrote, "The skirt is great! It not only hides the flaws in my body shape, but also hides the fact that I'm a man." Islamjon's photo in the skirt didn't actually hide his gender and appeared to be posted jokingly, but Russian authorities didn't see the humor in it. Even after he deleted the review and photo, the young man was arrested and charged with "distributing propaganda about non-traditional sexual orientations by disseminating information aimed at promoting non-traditional sexual attitudes and making such relationships appear attractive."

It was recently reported that he pleaded guilty in court but requested only a fine for his mistake, without deportation, under Russian law. However, the court found no mitigating circumstances, and last month he was sentenced to five days of administrative detention. Following that, he was forcibly deported from the Russian Federation.

Source: odditycentral

No. 09 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Police

Electricity Worker Bewildered After Being Assaulted by Homeowner During Power Disconnection for Unpaid Bills

An electricity worker was attacked with a metal rod by a homeowner during a power disconnection for unpaid bills in Bangkok's Sai Mai district on March 16, requiring seven stitches. The incident has gone unresolved after two months, prompti

6 May Khaosod

On May 6, 2025, at a location in the Sai Mai district, Nattcha, a 35-year-old employee of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, filed a complaint after being assaulted while disconnecting power at a residence with overdue bills. The incident occurred on March 16 around 11 a.m. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to contact the homeowner, Nattcha proceeded with the disconnection according to protocol. When the homeowner emerged and asked if power could be restored since they were about to pay the bill, Nattcha explained the process required payment first before reconnection could be authorized. The homeowner apparently grew angry and attacked, punching him in the face while saying "Can't you wait a moment?" When Nattcha raised his arm defensively, the homeowner struck his left arm with a large metal rod, causing significant bleeding. Nattcha fled to take shelter and called his company, then sought medical treatment where he received seven stitches at his elbow before filing a report at Krathumlaban Police Station.

Nattcha later learned the homeowner had a history of threatening electricity workers during disconnections, though this was his first time handling that location. He acknowledged the incident has made his work difficult, causing him anxiety during subsequent duties. Despite meeting the homeowner once after the incident, he received no apology, and was even told he had provoked the situation. Ekaphap Luangprasert noted they have coordinated with Krathumlaban Police Station to follow up on the case, but no progress has been made in two months, with police never calling for mediation. He criticized the delay and urged the Metropolitan Electricity Authority to improve worker safety by assigning employees in pairs rather than alone, given the repeated incidents of violence against workers during disconnections.

No. 10 of ∞ Read at source → Next

Tourism

Anime Festival Asia Brings Anime, Cosplay, Gaming, and Massive Concerts to Thailand This May

Anime Festival Asia returns to Bangkok May 30-31 with major concerts, cosplay, gaming, and performers including SPYAIR, HoneyWorks, and Grammy-winning producer TeddyLoid at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.

6 May Khaosod

Anime Festival Asia is pulling out all the stops with a massive lineup of anime, cosplay, gaming, and concerts hitting Thailand this May.

Anime Festival Asia Thailand 2026 (#AFATH26) is set to return to Bangkok on May 30-31, 2026, at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC). The highly anticipated event will bring together fans and industry leaders to celebrate Japanese pop culture in full force, featuring anime, cosplay, and gaming.

Saturday's artist lineup, organized by Crunchyroll, is nothing short of extraordinary. The event features renowned artists performing hit songs, with most making their Thailand debut:

HIMEHINA: Owner of the viral hit "Heart Pie Dancehall" Shouta Aoi: Voice actor and singer of "Bad End" from the popular anime, making a new appearance as a villain in the dating sim game SPYAIR: Legendary rock band, creators of "Orange" from the anime Haikyuu!! TeddyLoid: Grammy-winning producer who created the soundtrack for Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt

Sunday's lineup promises to be equally spectacular, with doors opening one hour early at 6:00 PM and performances starting at 7:00 PM.

HoneyWorks brings the largest artist ensemble ever assembled for Bangkok, featuring 7 lead vocalists and 4 full band members:

CHiCO (from CHiCO with HoneyWorks), HaKoniwalily, Momoko Hashimoto & Momona Matsumoto (from TAKANE NO NADESHIKO), Rio Nagao & Yura Nishihara (from Karen na Ivory), with Guitar: Oji / Bass: kyo / Keyboard: Keiki Uto / Drums: AtsuyuK!

Also performing: KAF: Renowned Virtual Singer artist, creator of "Kako wo Kurau" kz(livetune): World-class DJ and producer famous for collaborations with Hatsune Miku Reona: Distinctive vocalist featured in the Sword Art Online anime soundtrack

Tickets are now available through Thaiticketmajor at https://bit.ly/AFATH26Tickets

VIP One-Day Pass – 3,750 THB per day Includes: 1 VIP ticket (Saturday or Sunday) with benefits such as numbered seating with the best concert views, a chance to win signed posters from artists, and access to the Exhibition and Next Stage zones for the selected day.

Concert General Admission (GA) Standing Pass – 2,750 THB per day Includes: 1 standing ticket (Saturday or Sunday) with standing zone access for the concert and access to the Exhibition and Next Stage zones for the selected day.

Additionally, separate tickets are available for Exhibition and NEXT STAGE areas, giving all fans the opportunity to enjoy the event. Early bird tickets are limited and available while supplies last.

*Prices do not include booking fees. Please note that the artist lineup may change, and no refunds or exchanges are permitted after purchase.

Anime Festival Asia Thailand 2026 May 30-31, 2026 Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC)

For more details, visit: https://animefestival.asia/afath26/ Facebook: animefestivalasia X: @animefestasia Instagram: @animefestivalasia

No. 11 of ∞ Read at source → Next