At 6 p.m. on May 16, 2025, a reporter visited Wat Huay Soop in Namatum Subdistrict, Panasnikorn District, Chachoengsao Province, where over 20 lucky winners gathered with flowers, incense, candles, and firecrackers to pay respects to Luang Pho Yai. The winners had struck it lucky with the two-digit ending number 08 (10 tickets each) and the three-digit front number 298 (10 tickets per set), each receiving tens of thousands of baht in winnings. They brought over 3,000 firecrackers as offerings of gratitude.

Ms. Toom, 58, one of the fortunate winners, revealed that she came to make merit at the temple and request blessings from Luang Pho Yai. She saw the numbers 298 and 45 written on the abbot's board. Initially planning to buy the two-digit ending number 298, she discovered only the three-digit front number was available, so she purchased 10 tickets of that instead. When the lottery drawing occurred, she was delighted to have won over 40,000 baht through Luang Pho Yai's blessing.

Many other villagers also won the two-digit ending number 08 with 10 tickets each. Luang Pho Yai is known for regularly providing blessings to villagers regarding employment opportunities and land sales, with many having achieved their wishes. Following the ceremonial firecracker lighting, the numbers 32, 164, and 114, 34 were drawn as lucky numbers that villagers plan to play in the June 1, 2025 lottery drawing.

The Royal Gazette announced the appointment of Mom Luang Panadda Diskul as a Privy Councilor by royal decree on May 16, 2569 (2026), the 11th year of the current reign. Following the health-related resignation of Supachai Phugnam from his position as Privy Councilor, which was originally granted on December 6, 2559 (2016), the King has authorized the appointment of an additional Privy Councilor. Under the authority granted by Articles 10, 11, and 14 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2560 (2017), the royal decree appoints Mom Luang Panadda Diskul to serve as Privy Councilor effective immediately from this date, May 16, 2569 (2026).

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski has confirmed he will depart Barcelona after this season concludes, marking the end of a four-year chapter with the club. Since transferring from Bayern Munich to Barcelona in 2022, Lewandowski has appeared in 191 matches, scoring 119 goals and playing a key role in the team's three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, and three Spanish Super Cups. The 37-year-old recently announced via Instagram that he will leave Barcelona at season's end, saying: "After four years filled with challenges and hard work, it's time to move forward. I leave with the feeling that the mission is accomplished—four seasons, three championships (La Liga)." He added: "I will never forget the love I received from the fans from my first days here. Catalonia is my place in this world. Thank you to everyone I've met during these beautiful four years. Special thanks to President Joan Laporta for giving me the opportunity to live the most incredible time in my career. Barcelona has returned to where it belongs." Finding a new striker is now a top priority for Barcelona's board in summer 2026.

On May 16, 2569 (2026), Deputy National Police spokesman Pol. Lt. Col. Theeradej Thammasuthee reported on the incident involving a train colliding with a public bus near Makkasan Airport Rail Link station in Bangkok, confirming 8 deaths and 15 injured passengers. According to coordination with Kittikaan Jomdung Jaruworpalkul, director of Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), the preliminary cause was a bus stopped on the railway crossing while stuck in prolonged traffic congestion. Unable to move in time, the bus was struck by an oncoming train, resulting in the serious accident. The incident continues to cause widespread traffic disruptions, prompting authorities to request the public avoid Ratchada-Rama 9 interchange, Asok-Phetchburi interchange, and roads beneath the RCA elevated expressway to minimize congestion and allow emergency vehicles and rescue workers to operate efficiently. Police Commissioner Pol. Gen. Kittiratch Phanphet ordered rapid deployment of patrol and traffic police to manage traffic at surrounding intersections and maintain order until the situation normalizes. Investigators have been instructed to meticulously gather evidence including closed-circuit camera footage and witness statements to determine the true cause and ensure fairness to all parties involved.

The Toyota Thailand Open 2026 badminton tournament, a World Tour Super 500 event, held its semifinals on May 16 at the Nimibutr Sports Building.

In the men's singles draw, world No. 2 and two-time tournament champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn faced Taiwan's Chu Tien Chen, ranked 6th globally. Kunlavut maintained his strong form, sweeping both games 21-7 and 21-19 to secure his spot in the final, where he will meet Denmark's Anders Antonsen, world No. 3.

In the women's singles, Thailand's Pisichaya Oraphasa, known as "Pink," lost to Japan's Akane Yamaguchi, world No. 4, in straight sets 11-21 and 15-21, ending her campaign in the semifinals.

BANGKOK — 16 May 2026, A freight train collided with a Route 23 air-conditioned bus near the Airport Rail Link Makkasan Station in Bangkok on Saturday afternoon, sparking a major fire that killed at least eight people and injured more than 20 others, officials said.

The crash occurred at about 15:50 when a freight train travelling from Chachoengsao province to Bang Sue struck the bus, which operates on the Bang Na–Thewet route. The impact dragged the vehicle about 50 metres before it burst into flames, according to preliminary reports from authorities at the scene.

Several motorcycles and cars were also caught up in secondary collisions near the crossing, with additional fires reported in the area.

Firefighters and emergency responders from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Makkasan police station and rescue foundations rushed to contain the blaze. Authorities later brought the fire under control and began recovering bodies and clearing the wreckage.

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat, who inspected the scene, said initial reports confirmed eight deaths and about 25 injuries. Victims were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, while the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) would provide assistance to those affected.

He said reports that the bus had become stranded across the railway crossing remained unconfirmed and investigators were still determining the exact cause of the crash. However, he noted the freight train was carrying a heavy load at the time of the collision.

Video recorded near the scene captured the bus engulfed in flames following the collision.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt also visited the scene to monitor the situation. Officials from Ratchathewi district told him the train was approaching from Chachoengsao en route to Bang Sue when the bus became stuck across the tracks amid heavy traffic congestion.

According to preliminary accounts, malfunctioning crossing barriers may have contributed to the crash, allowing the train to strike the bus before dragging it along the tracks and igniting the fire. Authorities stressed that the circumstances remained under investigation and final conclusions had not yet been reached.

One witness, identified as Aun, 38, said he had stopped his Audi before the crossing when he suddenly heard two loud impacts. Moments later, his vehicle was struck on the left side by debris from the collision.

"When I turned to look, I saw the train pushing the bus away and flames erupted almost immediately," he said, adding that the incident unfolded so quickly he believed his own car could have been swept into the crash.

Aun said he later discovered an injured person trapped beneath his vehicle with what appeared to be a broken leg. He reversed the car to help rescuers pull the victim free before the injured person was sent to hospital.

He also praised local motorcycle taxi riders who helped.