Loei — Mobile food cart vendors in Loei province are voicing concerns about participating in government programs, emphasizing the need for clarity on primary cost factors, particularly fuel prices, income sustainability, and the tax system. They describe their situation as heartbreaking, struggling with mounting debts, minimal profits, rising commodity prices, and skyrocketing living costs that are crushing the grassroots economy.

On May 16, Pancake (surname withheld), an actual mobile food cart owner, explains that profitability is not the answer when living costs are soaring. She describes her daily routine: waking early to stock her single vehicle with a complete inventory of fresh produce, preserved items, and dried goods—leafy vegetables, Chinese water spinach, basil, kale, garlic, bird's eye chili, tomatoes, eggplant varieties, curry ingredients, lemongrass, turmeric, and more—which she sells in the Namman, Kok Thong, and surrounding subdistricts of Muang Loei district.

She admits her work has become extremely difficult. Operating a mobile food cart is frightening. Comparing the current grassroots economy to one or two years ago is shocking—the situation has completely reversed. She's making sales on credit, with customers owing her 20,000 to 30,000 baht that remain unpaid.

The primary factor is skyrocketing fuel prices that show no sign of stopping. Previously, mobile cart vending was quite profitable because living costs were manageable, but now the situation is "rather grim." Fuel costs and daily fluctuating product prices are the main culprits. Some days prices spike so dramatically that it's impossible to keep up, but when she tries to adjust her selling prices accordingly, it becomes difficult. She once sold items for 20 baht but cannot raise them to 30 baht because her community consists mainly of children and elderly residents, some without family support. She must keep prices low, sometimes even offering freebies and accepting losses.

Mobile cart vendors must now cut corners to survive. Their income has shrunk by over 50%. They buy in larger quantities to secure lower wholesale prices, then accept minimal profit margins to maintain their community's purchasing power. Meanwhile, customers are cutting back drastically—from buying hundreds of baht worth to just tens—purchasing only absolute necessities.

Regarding the future, Pancake says she remains concerned and undecided about entering government programs, despite seeing benefits. She has critical questions requiring clarification: the program's scope and whether certain items qualify; whether primary costs like fuel are included; income sustainability, as this profession lacks guaranteed daily income and earns zero on non-working days; and tax implications or conditions that may arise later.

Thailand's national sports team is gearing up for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, scheduled for September 19 through October 4, 2026. Dr. Kongsakdee Yodmani, Director-General of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), announced that the organization is piloting the National Training Center (NTC) model for these games. The system brings national team athletes together for centralized, systematic training supported by professional sports science expertise, featuring more rigorous physical conditioning tests and a performance-based athlete grading system designed to increase international standards. This model has already proven effective in the United Kingdom and many European countries.

"Athlete grading involves categorizing athletes into groups based on their performance—medal winners, developing athletes, and youth prospects—with salary structures reflecting these classifications," explained Dr. Kongsakdee. "We believe this approach will motivate athletes to improve themselves and advance to higher grades and better compensation through rigorous performance evaluations. However, athletes with poor results may be dropped from the national team or demoted to lower classification levels based on established criteria."

Dr. Kongsakdee added that the model may be implemented for only certain sports during the Asian Games due to time constraints, but for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the SAT plans to work systematically with the National Sports Fund. Target sports with strong track records—weightlifting, badminton, taekwondo, and boxing—will implement the NTC model starting from the youth level. Other less prominent sports may focus on age divisions and specific events first. Officials believe the allocated budget will be worthwhile and significantly increase Thailand's chances of international success.

Jamie Redknapp, former Liverpool midfielder and current Sky Sports analyst, believes manager Arne Slot deserves another season in charge despite the club's poor performance this year. Slot faces mounting pressure after Liverpool's 2-4 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League on May 15, leaving the club uncertain about securing a Champions League spot for next season. Redknapp argued that Slot should get another opportunity, noting that while the club would face pressure if they miss out on Champions League football, it would be wrong to dismiss him just a year after winning the league title. "If you win the Premier League one year and sack the manager the next, that's not okay for me," Redknapp stated. He acknowledged the appeal of alternative candidates like Xabi Alonso, who has impressed at Bayer Leverkusen, but maintained that Slot deserves patience. Redknapp expressed optimism about improvements next season, citing potential benefits from full fitness for Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and others, while also noting the team's need for a new right-back and fresh energy.

On May 16, 2025, it was reported that following a rescue operation, Mr. Yochan Saynoi, known as "Uncle Yochan," a 58-year-old Thai citizen who was detained by Cambodian authorities after entering the Thai-Cambodian border area to forage, has been safely released. This success resulted from the proactive efforts of the Thai government and armed forces, which closely integrated security and diplomatic operations.

The incident began when Uncle Yochan's family filed a missing person report at Kab Choeng Police Station in Surin province after he disappeared on April 25, 2025, while foraging in the Huay Sam Ruang area near Ban Non Thong, Kok Taqian Subdistrict, Kab Choeng District, Surin—an area adjacent to the Thai-Cambodian border. The government immediately expedited the case due to its sensitive border security implications.

Upon receiving the report, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to urgently verify the facts and utilize all channels to assist the Thai national. The Defense Minister then ordered the Army Commander to have the Army Chief of Staff closely oversee the matter, and tasked the Second Army Region to use the Regional Border Committee (RBC) mechanism as the primary channel to coordinate with Cambodia—an effective border cooperation mechanism that helps reduce tensions between the two countries.

Brigadier General Kampanart Waphan Suk, Chief of Staff of the Second Army Region and Thai RBC Chairman, telephoned Maj. Gen. Nid Narong, Deputy Commander of the Fourth Border Defense Force and Cambodian RBC Chairman, before submitting an official letter to Cambodia requesting information about Uncle Yochan's status.

Following verification, the Cambodian side confirmed that Uncle Yochan was indeed detained on charges of illegal entry and was being held at Udon Mueang Provincial Prison. The two sides then maintained continuous coordination through telephone channels and border mechanisms.

Sources indicated that during the 48th ASEAN Leaders' Summit in the Philippines, which the Thai Prime Minister attended, the Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry accelerated coordination efforts to achieve concrete results swiftly.

Cambodian authorities subsequently announced that Thai consular officials would be permitted to visit on May 14, and later confirmed his release on May 15, 2025, bringing relief to his family and residents of the border area who had been closely following the case.

The rescue mission succeeded when the Thai-Cambodian RBC committee coordinated Uncle Yochan's transfer back to Thailand through the Chong Sam Ngam Checkpoint in Phu Sing District, Sisaket Province, on May 15, 2025. This demonstrated the seamless cooperation among the government, armed forces, and foreign affairs agencies working in unity to protect Thai citizens abroad.

Timeline of Uncle Yochan's rescue from April 25 to May 15, 2025:

April 25, 2025: Uncle Yochan disappeared while foraging in the Huay Sam Ruang area near Ban Non Thong, Kok Taqian Subdistrict, Kab Choeng District, Surin, an area adjacent to the Thai-Cambodian border.

May 10, 2025: News of his disappearance began circulating on social media with posts requesting assistance and ongoing appeals.

May 11, 2025: Confirmation that Uncle Yochan was detained.

RATCHABURI — A noodle vendor in Ratchaburi has kept her prices at 10 baht per bowl despite the rising costs of ingredients and fuel, maintaining one of Thailand's most affordable meal options as inflation squeezes household budgets.

Jiraprapa Chulert, 59, runs the modest roadside stall near Kobkul Bridge across the Mae Klong River in Tha Rab subdistrict. The cart attracts students, laborers, and locals looking for budget-friendly food. Her menu includes nam tok (Thai-style boat noodles), tom yum noodles, clear broth noodles, and yen ta fo—all served at the same 10-baht price.

Remarkably, Jiraprapa has held prices steady for about eight years despite meat, vegetables, and other ingredient costs climbing steadily. She refuses to raise prices because many of her customers—factory workers and schoolchildren from a nearby institution—rely on affordable meals to make ends meet.

The economics are challenging. After covering expenses, the stall generates only 500-600 baht daily, surviving on high volume rather than healthy margins. Yet the modest income has helped put three grandchildren through vocational training.

Jiraprapa operates from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily or until sold out. Customers praise the value, with one noting that two bowls for 20 baht still constitutes a full meal—far cheaper than most other food stalls, which have raised prices significantly in recent years.

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