Lanta & News
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National

Mai Ratchanok Powers Through Danish Opponent to Reach Malaysia Masters Semifinals

Thai badminton star Mai Ratchanok defeated Denmark's Line Kjaersfeldt in straight sets at the Malaysia Masters to advance to the semifinals in Kuala Lumpur.

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The 2026 Malaysia Masters, a World Tour Super 500 tournament with a total prize purse of $500,000 (approximately 16.25 million baht), took place at Unifi Arena Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur on May 22. In the women's singles quarterfinals, world number seven Mai Ratchanok Intanon faced Denmark's Line Kjaersfeldt, ranked 17th. Mai continued her strong form with a dominant straight-set victory, 21-16 and 21-11, advancing to the semifinals where she will meet Denmark's Line Hejmark Kiersfeld, currently ranked 23rd in the world. Meanwhile, Pink Picchayamon Opassanichpat, ranked 27th globally, fell short against China's fourth-ranked Chen Yufei, losing 19-21 and 9-21 to exit the tournament.

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National

Farmers Disappointed as Commerce Minister Supachee Signs MOU to Import 1 Million Tons of GMO Corn from the US

Thailand's Commerce Minister signed a deal to import one million tons of genetically modified corn from the US, ignoring farmer protests that the move will depress already-struggling domestic corn prices.

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Farmers are disappointed after Commerce Minister Supachee Suthammaphan signed a memorandum of understanding to import one million tons of genetically modified corn from the United States, with concerns that it will push domestic corn prices even lower. On May 22, Thawathai Tathiang, chairman of the Phichit Province Farmers Council, spoke following the announcement. Thawathai stated that Thailand's heaviest impact would be further depression of domestic corn prices. The Commerce Ministry had already announced a domestic corn procurement program for local farmers. The National Farmers Council had actually sent representatives to oppose the move and requested a review, with representatives presenting their case to the Feed Corn Policy and Management Committee. However, their concerns were ignored. Thawathai expressed frustration that farmer voices were not heard, and despite the opposition, the MOU to import GMO corn from the United States was signed anyway.

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National

Deputy Agriculture Minister Orders Intensified Tilapia Control Efforts Across All Provinces to Combat Black Chin Tilapia Outbreak

Thailand's Deputy Agriculture Minister has ordered urgent nationwide measures to combat an invasive black chin tilapia outbreak spreading across multiple provinces, with officials instructed to intensify containment and eradication efforts

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Deputy Agriculture Minister Watcharapol Khwaokhum announced urgent measures at the Department of Fisheries on May 22, 2026, to combat the black chin tilapia outbreak that continues to spread across multiple regions. While the Department of Fisheries has maintained ongoing control measures and daily situation reports, the minister emphasized the need for intensified efforts given the direct impact on communities. He outlined three primary strategies: maximizing efforts to contain the spread, accelerating eradication of the invasive species, and maximizing the value of captured fish through processing and utilization. Directors, deputy directors, and provincial fisheries officials have been instructed to implement these measures immediately without delay.

"This is an urgent matter with direct impact on the public," Watcharapol stated. "I have ordered administrators and provincial fisheries officials in high-risk areas—including Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Samut Prakan, Chonburi, and Rayong—to deploy and implement control measures every day without any flexibility in timelines to stop the outbreak as quickly as possible."

The ministry is also promoting the processing of black chin tilapia into various products including sun-dried fish, fish sauce, and fermented fish paste, as well as biological fertilizer production, which has received positive responses from farmers in multiple provinces. Watcharapol confirmed that the fish is safe for regular consumption with a taste no different from regular tilapia. The government aims to promote full utilization to reduce the impact of the outbreak while generating income for communities. Additionally, the ministry continues to monitor progress on population control efforts using sterile chromosome 4n tilapia, an initiative previously launched in Phetchaburi Province.

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National

Huaseng Heng: Gold Price Adjustment Signals Trend Change or Just a Pause?

Gold prices have fallen near $4,450 amid selling pressure from rising inflation, higher Treasury yields, and a stronger dollar, with analysts debating whether the decline signals a trend reversal or temporary consolidation. The 200-day movi

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Huaseng Heng has been monitoring gold's significant price adjustment, questioning whether it signals a trend change or just a temporary pause. The 200-day moving average (SMA200) will determine the fate of the long-term uptrend.

Huaseng Heng's analysis shows that global gold prices have faced continuous selling pressure after declining to near $4,450 per ounce, creating investor concerns about the direction of the next trend.

Amid mounting inflationary pressures, rising U.S. Treasury yields, and the possibility that the Federal Reserve may maintain tight monetary policy longer than market expectations, the precious metal faces headwinds. Although Middle East tensions remain a significant risk factor for the global economy, markets are increasingly interpreting the geopolitical conflict through an inflationary lens rather than viewing it as a safe-haven asset driver. Rising energy prices from geopolitical uncertainty have increased inflation pressure and affected interest rate policy expectations.

Recent economic data clearly reflects these pressures, with the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 3.8% year-over-year in April, up from 3.3% in March—the highest level since 2023. This has renewed market concerns that the Fed may delay interest rate cuts and maintain rates at elevated levels.

These pressures are reflected in the U.S. Treasury market, with 10-year yields touching their highest level in over a year, while 30-year yields reached 5.19%, the highest since 2007. This reflects investors' demand for higher returns to compensate for inflation risk and economic uncertainty.

Higher Treasury yields directly increase the opportunity cost of holding gold, as gold is a non-interest-bearing asset.

Simultaneously, the dollar's strength—supported by Fed meeting minutes indicating that some Fed members are opening the door to potential rate hikes—continues to pressure global gold demand.

Global financial institutions have begun revising their short-term gold price forecasts downward. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has lowered its average gold price forecast to $5,243 per ounce from $5,708, while ANZ Bank revised its year-end gold target to $5,600 per ounce, citing inflation, interest rates, and the dollar as primary headwinds.

However, Goldman Sachs maintains a positive outlook on gold, forecasting prices could reach $5,400 per ounce by year-end, supported by continued central bank purchases aimed at diversifying international reserves. This aligns with World Gold Council data showing multiple central banks continue accumulating gold in 2026.

Huaseng Heng assesses that gold's current price correction does not signal a complete shift to a bear market, but rather a consolidation under macroeconomic pressure, particularly from accelerating inflation and elevated interest rates.

Technically, the $4,370 per ounce level, corresponding to the 200-day moving average (SMA200), remains a critical support level to monitor closely, as it reflects the structure of the long-term uptrend.

If gold prices can hold above this level, it will indicate that the primary trend remains unchanged and the current pullback may be merely a base consolidation before the next leg up.

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Community

Viral Wedding Defies the Downpour: Bride, Groom, and Guests Keep Celebrating Through the Floods

A Chinese couple and 200-plus wedding guests in Shaanxi Province refused to let flooding spoil their celebration, continuing their meal in ankle-deep water on May 17 after heavy rainfall inundated the venue. Guests remained for hours, dinin

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The show goes on! A wedding battered by heavy rain saw the bride, groom, and guests press ahead undeterred, continuing their celebration and meal in the middle of floodwaters.

On May 17, Chinese social media erupted with images of a viral wedding in Weiyang, Shaanxi Province, after intense rainfall caused the venue to flood. Undeterred, both the couple and guests soldiered on, continuing the event and dining without hesitation.

Photos showed hundreds of guests remaining seated and eating amid water that rose to ankle height, while servers waded through the flood to deliver food to each table.

A guest named Wang revealed that heavy rain began immediately after the bride's procession ended, causing rapid flooding. Despite waiting over two hours for food, all guests stayed and continued dining until early afternoon—around 2 to 3 p.m.—before gradually wading home as rain persisted.

"This rain cooled the air down nicely and everyone ate happily," Wang said. "A wedding meeting water is considered a symbol of good fortune and a good omen."

Another guest disclosed that the event had over 30 dining tables with approximately 200 to 300 guests in attendance.

According to Weiyang Meteorological Station data, a blue alert for heavy rainfall was issued at 11:37 a.m. on May 17, with some areas expected to accumulate over 50 millimeters of rain within 12 hours.

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National

9 Years in the Making! Pongskor Shatters World Record in 200m Wheelchair Racing in Switzerland

Thai wheelchair racer Pongskor Paiya shattered a 9-year-old world record in the 200m T53 class at Switzerland's Nottwil Para Athletics Grand Prix, clocking 24.89 seconds and edging out Canada's previous mark by 0.15 seconds.

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Wheelchair racing athlete Pongskor Paiya has broken a 9-year-old world record in the 200-meter race at an international paralympic athletics competition in Switzerland. At the Nottwil Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 in Switzerland, on the evening of May 21, the highlight was the men's 200m wheelchair racing T53 class, where 'Jao Gror' Pongskor Paiya claimed the gold medal, crossing the finish line with a time of 24.89 seconds. Beyond winning the championship, he also broke the world record previously held by Canada's Brent Lagatos, who set the mark of 25.04 seconds on May 28, 2017—a record that had stood for 9 years—by just 0.15 seconds. Second place went to Fernando da Silva Ariosval from Brazil with 26.74 seconds, and third to Balber Johannes from Belgium with 27.45 seconds.

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National

Thailand introduces Muslim prayer carriages on southern trains

Thailand's State Railway will launch dedicated prayer carriages on southern train routes from May 22 to help Muslim passengers observe Eid al-Adha, featuring separate prayer rooms and ablution areas for ritual cleansing.

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Thailand's State Railway will introduce dedicated prayer carriages on southern train routes from 22 May to accommodate Muslim passengers travelling during the upcoming Eid al-Adha festival.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn ordered the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to modify train carriages into "prayer cars" to support Muslim passengers returning to their hometowns for the holiday, which falls on 28 May this year.

The move is aimed at allowing Muslim passengers to perform religious practices comfortably and in accordance with Islamic principles while travelling.

Acting SRT governor Anan Phonimdang said the railway has converted third-class passenger carriages into dedicated prayer areas with four partitioned rooms, separated for men and women. Ablution areas have also been installed to allow worshippers to perform ritual cleansing before prayers.

The prayer carriages will operate on Rapid Train No. 171/172 between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and Sungai Kolok, as well as Rapid Train No. 169/170 between Krung Thep Aphiwat and Yala.

Authorities also stressed security measures ahead of the holiday travel period, including stricter inspections of trains and equipment, CCTV monitoring at stations and onboard trains, and coordination with railway police.

The SRT said the initiative reflects efforts to accommodate passengers of all faiths equally, noting that reserved seating for Buddhist monks has also long been available on third-class trains.

Eid al-Adha, also known as the "Festival of Sacrifice", is one of the most important celebrations in the Islamic calendar and is widely observed by Muslims around the world.

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National

Mom Gror Launches Bangkok Governor Bid on May 24, Unbothered by Competing Against Chatchatchai, Enlists Ex-PM as Advisory Chair

Bangkok governor candidate Mom Gror Kasemsr launches her campaign May 24, enlisting a former prime minister to lead her advisory board as she promises crisis-focused leadership to address cost-of-living issues.

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Mom Gror Kasemsr, a Bangkok governor candidate, announced on May 22 that she will officially launch her campaign on May 24 at 3 p.m. at Thammasat Society under the 'SAVE BKK – BKK SAFE' platform, introducing her expert team. She invited a former prime minister knowledgeable in finance and economics to chair her advisory board, emphasizing that as an independent candidate she needs specialized expertise to tackle cost-of-living issues and help Bangkok survive overlapping crises. She described her role as a military commander driving the capital's development and solving residents' problems. When asked if she was concerned about competing with former Governor Chatchatchai Sitthipuntharik, Mom Gror said she wasn't bothered by such comparisons, as she believes she's volunteering to fill existing gaps. She noted that while traditionally governors were seen as household managers, the current economic turmoil requires governors to act as battlefield commanders leading Bangkok through crisis, while still collaborating with permanent administrative staff handling routine operations.

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National

Chaiyachon Integrates Disaster Response Cooperation, Moves Forward with ONE ID Initiative for Cabinet Approval

Thailand's Digital Economy Minister announced disaster response protocols and a comprehensive ONE ID system for cabinet approval, while telecoms unveiled a public safety mobile network covering 75 provinces to strengthen emergency communica

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Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiyachon Chidchob announced after the ministry's fourth top executives meeting of 2025 that discussions focused on tracking progress of government policies, including energy efficiency measures and various technology initiatives. Projects under review include an AI Passport to expand Thai citizens' access to artificial intelligence technology, a public welfare data platform, and development of a comprehensive ONE ID system using digital identification data.

Responding to recent earthquakes and heavy rainfall affecting multiple regions, Chaiyachon directed relevant agencies to prepare disaster mitigation protocols. The Meteorological Department will enhance weather monitoring and forecasting capabilities in coordination with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to deliver timely public warnings. The National Statistics Office will establish standardized disaster data collection procedures to facilitate information sharing and develop a national public disaster database covering alerts, evacuation records, affected persons, damages, shelter information, and post-disaster recovery data, with proposals to be submitted to the cabinet.

Telecommunications Authority of Thailand (NT) presented a Public Safety Mobile Network (PSMN) project utilizing 850 MHz and 700 MHz frequencies to establish emergency communication channels for disaster alerts and relief operations. The project will deploy 350 base stations across 253 districts in 75 provinces, prioritizing high-risk disaster zones and economic areas including Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Songkhla, Phuket, and the Eastern Economic Corridor (Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, and Rayong), based on eight years of historical disaster data.

The network will operate with roaming capabilities for maximum coverage and stability, with all base stations equipped with backup power generators and satellite backup systems covering 10 percent capacity for continuous communication even if primary networks fail. Accompanying applications will support mission-critical push-to-talk communications, video surveillance for emergency personnel, and public assistance request reporting with location coordinates.

The government is implementing comprehensive disaster management policies through integrated data sharing and inter-agency cooperation, emphasizing timely public alerts, immediate response, and rapid recovery operations to establish standardized disaster prevention and mitigation procedures.

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National

Thawee, Rohm, and Neneh Lead Justice Committee Inspection of Bangkok Prison to Improve Inmates' Quality of Life Before Release

A parliamentary justice committee led by former Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong inspected Bangkok Special Prison to assess conditions and discuss improving rehabilitation programs and legal aid access for inmates serving long sentences.

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Led by former Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong, the parliamentary Justice, Law, and Human Rights Committee, including committee chairman Rangsiman Rohm, conducted an inspection of Bangkok Special Prison in the Lad Yao district on May 22, 2569 (2026). The committee visited various sections including the reception ward for elderly and vulnerable inmates, vocational training facilities, the prison kitchen, and the medical clinic to assess the quality of life and conditions for imprisoned individuals serving long sentences.

During the inspection, the committee discussed with prison director Kiattikorn Patmothat and relevant officials about policy frameworks for improving healthcare access, rehabilitation programs, and preparation for inmates' reintegration into society. Committee chairman Rangsiman noted concerns about inmates' access to current information about the outside world, particularly those serving lengthy sentences, and emphasized the need to improve legal aid fund accessibility to help inmates secure temporary release to defend their cases in court.

Rangsiman highlighted that many inmates face obstacles in gathering documents for their legal defense while imprisoned and called for improved systems to support their cases, as proper legal representation during trial is crucial for proving innocence. The committee plans to further study these issues raised by inmates to develop more effective solutions for the justice system.

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Regional

Sirawit Falls to South Korea, Misses Medal at Asian Taekwondo Championships

Thailand's taekwondo team failed to medal at the Asian Championships in Mongolia, with SEA Games champion Sirawit losing to South Korea's Yang Hee Chan in the semi-finals despite previous victories over the same opponent.

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The 2026 Asian Taekwondo Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from May 21-24, served as a qualifying event for the Asian Games. On day two, Thailand's taekwondo team competed with four athletes. In the 58kg division, Fa Ees Sirawit Muhammadiad, the previous SEA Games champion, defeated Brunei's Muhammad Iman Safwan in the first round with a dominant 12-0 performance in both rounds. He then advanced to face a Chinese competitor in the Round of 16, winning 11-1 and 13-9. In the semi-finals, Fa Ees faced Yang Hee Chan, a former world youth champion from South Korea, whom he had previously defeated at a Grand Prix event in Thailand last year. However, this time Fa Ees lost decisively 0-2, 0-9 and 6-14, narrowly missing out on a medal.

In the 49kg division, Shutikarn Jongkolratanvattana, a previous SEA Games champion who moved down from 53kg, defeated Singapore's Nichelle Tan in the first round and advanced to face Yun Yu Liu, the world champion from Taiwan. After a close first round that ended 5-5 on kicks before Shutikarn's head strike gave her the edge, the semi-final proved more challenging. Liu pressured aggressively in the second round with a head strike to take it 3-1. The third round remained tied 3-3, but Liu's stronger chest protector scoring secured the victory. Shutikarn was eliminated in the Round of 16.

Two other Thai athletes also fell short: Krit Yachon Prom Patchai lost to South Korea's competitor 11-12 and 9-15 in the 74kg Round of 16, and Lukkaow Kanjanaksa Chunchoolim lost to China's Chao Su Nan 1-2 in the 73kg Round of 16.

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