A controversy has shaken public faith in a sanctuary zone after the community proposed leasing the pond behind Wat Nong Tama to a private operator to sell fish-catching permits as a fundraiser for temple repairs. Local residents have strongly opposed the plan, and the abbot has indicated the project is insensitive, though acknowledging mutual misunderstandings, and has asked for a delay. The dispute has sparked intense public criticism on social media over the Nong Tama pond, a large water body behind Wat Nong Tama in Sri Saket Municipality.

On May 6, 2026, this reporter visited the site and found Nong Tama to be a large natural wetland-like water source behind the temple, home to various fish species including tilapia, snakehead, and catfish visible on the water's surface. For decades, residents have regularly fed the fish, especially on weekends and birthdays, coming to make merit by releasing fish and providing food in a practice spanning over ten years. The public has come to associate this pond with the temple as a sanctuary zone where harming aquatic life is forbidden, partly due to past signage. The fish, unafraid of humans and reproducing rapidly, have become part of the community's spiritual connection to the site.

However, investigations revealed that Nong Tama does not lie within temple property and lacks documentation recognizing it as public land or royal property. The Sri Saket Municipality is currently surveying the area. The community identified problems including overpopulation causing water quality deterioration and occasional fish die-offs creating foul odors during dry or rainy seasons.

The community held a meeting and decided to lease the pond to a private operator to organize a fish-catching event, selling 5,000-baht permits on May 17, with proceeds funding temple hall repairs. Though intended to solve environmental and community development issues, the plan sparked strong online opposition, with critics viewing it as killing fish that people had released and violating Buddhist precepts and sanctuary principles. Public opinion split into supporters and opponents.

Noi Payom, 71, who has sold fish food in the area for over ten years, revealed the pond long served as a merit-making site, especially on weekends when many came to feed fish. Since news of the plan emerged, foot traffic has declined as people feel their released fish will be caught and sold. She opposes the permit sales out of compassion for the fish, though acknowledging others see it as solving overpopulation. Regarding foul odors, she noted they haven't occurred this year but remembered a past season when mass fish die-offs created stench, compounded by herbicide spraying.

At 6:26 PM on May 6, 2569, Kanchanadit Police Station in Surat Thani province received a report that a police officer had been hit by a bus while apprehending a suspect and sustained critical injuries near a Super Cheap store in Tha Thong Nai subdistrict, Kanchanadit district, Surat Thani province. Investigation and rescue personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene.

When they arrived, they found Pol. Sgt. Natthapon Khuea Dej (nicknamed "Muay Thai"), a patrol supervisor at Kanchanadit Police Station, lying face-down on the roadside median strip in critical condition and unconscious. He had severe injuries including a fractured skull and a severely deformed right wrist fracture. A green bus with a shattered right windshield was parked nearby at the scene.

Rescue personnel from Surat Thani Kusalasat Foundation rushed him to Kanchanadit Hospital before transferring him to Surat Thani Hospital. Doctors discovered significant internal bleeding in the abdominal cavity and rushed him into surgery for emergency drainage. His fractured skull required a CT scan for further assessment. His condition remains stable with close medical supervision.

Investigation revealed that prior to the incident, Pol. Sgt. Natthapon had been tracking and attempting to arrest Natthapaht, a suspect accused of stealing water meter protective caps from residential properties. After receiving a report that the suspect was spotted near a sausage stand, the officer made the arrest. However, while being transported, Natthapaht resisted and fled across the street. Pol. Sgt. Natthapon and another officer pursued him closely, but as they crossed the street, a bus traveling at high speed struck Pol. Sgt. Natthapon, sending him flying into the middle of the road. The suspect, Natthapaht, escaped into a nearby alley but was subsequently apprehended.

Initial charges against the suspect include illegally carrying a knife in a public residential area and possession of methamphetamine (Category 1 drug). The theft charges remain under further investigation for prosecution.

Naphak Pengsuk, the People's Party candidate for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council seat in Ladprao District, took to Facebook on May 6 to solicit public opinion on his election strategy. He asked constituents: "For this election campaign in Ladprao, I'm thinking of not putting up campaign posters to avoid creating clutter and obstruction. What do you all think?"

The post generated extensive debate with divergent viewpoints. Supporters of his idea argued that campaign posters were unnecessary since residents already know him, while some felt their voting decision was already made regardless of signage. Others disagreed, suggesting he should display posters if placed strategically without obstructing walkways, or use smaller-sized materials. Some commenters emphasized that posters were essential for name recognition, noting that certain voters don't follow online platforms and need offline reminders. One critic warned that avoiding posters would be negligent, cautioning that a significant portion of the community doesn't stay constantly connected online.

Additional suggestions included placing posters at existing advertising boards or central locations. Some noted that while online campaigns are more effective in today's era, offline signage should still focus on communicating policies and ideology.

Following ONE Championship featherweight kickboxing champion Superbon's withdrawal from his scheduled bout against Chinese fighter Liu Mengyang at The Inner Circle on Friday, May 22nd, citing injury concerns, Liu Mengyang has posted a video response questioning whether Superbon's withdrawal was due to genuine injury or fear. Liu questioned the sudden withdrawal with only two weeks remaining before the competition.

Liu further mocked Superbon, suggesting he's too old and undeserving of the 'King of Muay Thai' title. In a scathing message, Liu said: "You don't have the courage to fight. I sympathize with you. You got away this time, but next time remember to bring your tail. When eating rice, just sit at the kids' table."

Meanwhile, Liu Mengyang will face Gabriel Perreira from Venezuela in a featherweight kickboxing bout as the main event replacement at The Inner Circle on Friday, May 22nd.

On May 6, 2025, Nitthat Nunsong, director of the Regional Conservation Area Office 3 in Phetchaburi, received a report from Surasakdi Anumethanglor, director of the Phetchaburi Wildlife Conservation Division, along with Itthiphon Changruang, head of the wildlife enforcement unit, and veterinarian Anurak Skulpong. Officers from multiple agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, wildlife conservation promotion staff, prevention and suppression units, Phetchaburi police, and the narcotics suppression unit coordinated to inspect a suspicious gray Toyota truck in Don Khun Huai subdistrict, Cha-Am district, Phetchaburi province.

The search of the truck bed revealed numerous protected animals in boxes, including 13 Moluccan cockatoos, 8 cuscuses, 6 tree kangaroos, 13 echidnas, 1 sugar glider, and 100 snakes of unidentified species. The driver, 49-year-old Songob (surname withheld) from Satun, was taken into custody.

During questioning, Songob confessed to smuggling the animals for resale, having received them from an illegal wildlife trafficking network. Authorities initially charged him with "possessing protected wildlife without permission" under Section 19 of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562. The suspect and seized animals were handed over to Cha-Am police station for legal proceedings, with plans to expand the investigation to the wider trafficking network and conduct further species identification of the protected and CITES-listed animals.