At 12:35 p.m. on May 21, a reporter in Prachuap Khiri Khan documented a critical water hyacinth crisis choking the Prachuap River, creating stagnant conditions with severely depleted oxygen levels. Fish farmers in Ban Sai district saw their ruby fish cages decimated as oxygen-starved fish floated to the surface and died en masse, with total damages exceeding 3.9 million baht. MP Amnuay Vilavaloey from Prachuap Khiri Khan District 1 of the Bhumjaithai Party brought the urgent matter to parliament, calling on the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to aggressively combat the water hyacinth problem and provide immediate relief to affected fish farmers.

Amnuay revealed the severity through aerial photographs showing the Prachuap River blanketed by dense mats of water hyacinth stretching for dozens of kilometers from Mueang Prachuap through Ban Sai districts. Despite provincial efforts, the massive volume of vegetation combined with privately-owned riverbanks has hindered irrigation department mechanized removal operations. High tidal conditions have worsened the situation by forcing water hyacinth further upstream into impassable blockages.

"Our people are suffering greatly, especially the fish farmers," Amnuay stated. "The fish are dying en masse because dissolved oxygen levels have plummeted to just 1.5 milligrams per liter—a critical level where aquatic life cannot survive."

Initial damage assessments identified two subdistricts and six villages in Ban Sai affected across Bang Phluwang and Bang Krachao subdistricts. The crisis has impacted 109 farmers, destroying over 2,895 square meters of fish cage area with cumulative damage reaching approximately 3,942,000 baht.

Amnuay, a five-term MP, emphasized this recurs annually, harming both raw drinking water quality and agricultural productivity while exacerbating seasonal flooding. He urged the Agriculture Minister to take decisive action based on the late King Rama IX's wisdom that "water is life," to restore vitality to both farmers and the Prachuap River.

Governor Veeraphun Deeawn has already mobilized emergency responses and ordered Ban Sai district to compile damage reports to declare the area a disaster zone for emergency fund allocation to compensate affected farmers.

The Royal Household Bureau on Thursday said a severe and uncontrolled infection has affected multiple vital organs of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati.

In its seventh statement on the princess's condition issued on 21 May, the bureau said doctors treating the princess at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital had detected an abdominal infection since April 2026 caused by inflammation of the large intestine.

The statement said the infection caused unstable symptoms including low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and abnormal blood clotting.

Despite continuous life-support treatment for her lungs and kidneys, along with multiple antibiotics and medications to stabilize blood pressure and heart rhythm, the princess's condition has continued to deteriorate, according to the statement.

"The condition indicates a severe infection that remains uncontrolled, affecting the function of multiple vital organs," the Royal Household Bureau said.

Doctors are continuing to provide full treatment and closely monitor her condition.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha has been receiving treatment at the hospital since 15 December 2022 after losing consciousness due to a heart condition.

Princess Bajrakitiyabha, 47, is the eldest daughter of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Princess Soamsawali. She graduated in law from Thammasat University before obtaining advanced law degrees from Cornell University.

The princess has worked in diplomacy and law, previously serving as Thailand's ambassador to Austria and as a public prosecutor. She also represented Thailand at the 60th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, focusing on issues including crime prevention, criminal justice, human rights and migration.

On May 21, 2569, at the Election Commission (EC) office, lawyer and political activist Pattrapong Suphakson, known as 'Lawyer On' from Buriram, along with 20 alternate senators, submitted evidence of LINE application conversations and financial trails to the EC and filed a letter demanding justice and updates on the senator selection rigging case.

Pattrapong stated that the evidence demonstrates a coordinated plan during the 2567 senator selection to lock voting and handpick candidates from Group 4, representing medical professionals, with approximately 10 members who communicated and planned through LINE before the selection. The scheme allegedly involved a key figure—a doctor from the Ministry of Public Health—and notably, nearly all group members were subsequently elected as senators as planned.

"The reason I came today to submit evidence and letters to the EC is because I personally believe there are efforts to derail this case, preventing the perpetrators from facing punishment within the next approximately four weeks," Pattrapong said.

Former senate candidate Komet Kerdsamwat stated that he believes the senator selection rigging genuinely occurred, citing financial trail evidence beginning from the district-level registration process in Surat Thani Province. He noted irregular financial connections between district-level candidates extending to three provincial-level candidates, all affiliated with the blue-colored political party group.

The National Police Chief opened a training program to enhance the capabilities of drug investigation and suppression officers at the Metropolitan Police Command on May 20, 2025 at 1:30 PM. Police General Siam Bunyasorm presided over the opening ceremony held in the Achirya meeting room, 4th floor of the headquarters, attended by Deputy National Police Chief Theeradej Thammsudhee and other senior drug enforcement officials.

Deputy National Police Chief Theeradej was invited as a special lecturer to deliver presentations on basic drug investigation procedures and various investigation theories applicable to drug cases. The training aims to equip participating officers with practical knowledge and skills for improved narcotics suppression operations.

The National Sports Development Fund is supporting the preservation and promotion of traditional Muay Thai arts to raise awareness of sports among ethnic minority youth in Om Koi District, Chiang Mai Province. The fund is committed to conserving and passing on Thailand's valuable cultural heritage to young people and residents in remote areas, particularly among ethnic groups in Om Koi District. The event is scheduled for May 21, 2026, in Om Koi District, Chiang Mai, marking an important initiative to expand sports opportunities for local youth and communities.

The event aims to promote traditional Muay Thai arts, especially the wai khru (respect to teacher) ceremony, which represents Thailand's significant cultural heritage and identity. Participants will learn about the beauty, techniques, and cultural values of this long-standing tradition. The initiative also seeks to inspire youth to pursue Thai sports, particularly Muay Thai as the nation's martial art.

Additionally, the event features the "Om Koi Super Fight Kraipatsan Circuit" boxing competition, bringing together rising boxing stars from northern Thailand to compete fiercely alongside renowned fighters from the championship circuit. This creates excitement and generates interest among the community while giving youth the opportunity to experience professional Muay Thai competitions firsthand.

May 21, 2569 – True Corporation announced its readiness to enhance 5G and 4G network capacity to support registration for the 'Thai Help Thai Plus 60/40' program through the Pao Tang application from May 25-29, 2569, between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM. The company expects massive concurrent usage nationwide, particularly during the initial hours of registration on the first day, which will significantly increase data usage and mobile network traffic. True Corporation has deployed an AI-powered Autonomous Network system to manage the network in real-time, including traffic management, load balancing in congested areas, and has established a War Room to monitor signal quality 24 hours a day to ensure continuous and optimal mobile service.

Khuram Athfaak, head of network management at True Corporation Public Company Limited, stated: "We prioritize continuity and digital connection quality during all critical periods for the nation, especially government services affecting large populations. We have prepared a War Room to monitor the situation 24 hours a day, and we have enhanced our network in advance in terms of signal capacity and area coverage to support nationwide Pao Tang app registration."

True's network team analyzed behavioral data from previous registrations to plan ahead. During the first day of the 'Khon La Khrung Plus' program registration on October 20, 2568, Pao Tang app usage among True and dtac customers increased by over 2,600% compared to normal periods, with peak usage between 6:00-7:00 AM, followed by 7:00-8:00 AM, 8:00-9:00 AM, 9:00-10:00 AM, and 10:00-11:00 AM respectively, showing that many citizens waited to register from the first second nationwide.

True Corporation has established a War Room at the Business and Network Intelligence Center (BNIC) with AI to manage and monitor networks 24 hours a day. Network and IT teams will be on duty starting before registration opens on the morning of May 25 to continuously monitor system readiness, including 5G and 4G signal stability, data transmission speed, and connection security. True Corporation has also prepared additional support plans to maintain nationwide signal quality throughout the program period from June 1 to September 30, 2569, in high-traffic areas including Bangkok and various provinces by increasing signal quality monitoring and coordinating with field teams nationwide.

True Corporation recommends that citizens update the Pao Tang application to the latest version and check their mobile internet connection before registering. New users must verify their identity through Bangkok Bank and should test their readiness by trying other services within the app to ensure faster and more confident registration.