The Tourism Authority of Thailand's Eastern Region is inviting travelers to explore sustainable tourism options throughout the summer and green season from May to August 2025, with five routes designed for families and friends seeking nearby getaways. The initiatives promote environmental conservation and carbon reduction while offering daily travel opportunities across major cities and provinces.

Route 1 focuses on fruit orchards in Chanthaburi, Rayong, and Trat, where visitors can taste fresh fruits directly from the trees including durian, mangosteen, rambutan, and longkong. On May 7, 2025, the Tourism Authority will officially launch the Eastern Region fruit season with promotions offering 100-baht discounts on purchases of 500 baht or more, with additional incentives through mobile apps. Chanthaburi is famous for premium durians graded 2-4 carats, while Rayong features well-known orchards like Supattara Land and Nai Lamai. Visitors can choose buffet-style eating or pay-per-kilogram options.

Route 2 offers beach relaxation in Pattaya and Chonburi, featuring water activities such as diving, paddling, and jet skiing, along with beachfront cafes, nighttime markets, and music festivals suitable for all groups and content creators.

Route 3 highlights natural adventures during the rainy season in Nakhon Nayok and Prachuap Khiri Khan, including visits to the Royal Thai Army NCO Academy, white-water rafting through challenging rapids, and access to national parks like Khao Yai with beautiful waterfalls and herbal gardens.

Route 4 showcases cultural and natural attractions in Sa Kaew, featuring border markets and Pang Sida National Park, which displays stunning butterfly populations during the rainy season.

The body of Prasayad, 65, a taxi driver, was discovered in the middle of a rice field near Highway 9 between Bang Pa-in and Bang Bua Thong in Bang Thai District, Ayutthaya Province. An autopsy revealed severe head trauma. The taxi was found parked with its door left open at the scene. On May 6, 2569, investigators found the crime scene located on a dirt embankment road through rice paddies, not a main road, surrounded by narrow paths too small for vehicles to pass each other.

When questioned, Songdech, 46, a roti vendor who has operated in the area for over 10 years, reported rarely seeing vehicles enter this area—mostly only farm trucks. He spotted a taxi-like vehicle with similar coloring but without a typical roof rack, traveling at moderate speed. However, he couldn't confirm whether it had yellow or white license plates or if it was the same vehicle.

A witness revealed that on May 4, 2569, around 11:00–12:00 noon, while working at an ice factory in Tha Ruea District, Ayutthaya, he saw a foreign man calling for a taxi pickup, claiming he was quitting his job to find new work. The witness observed a taxi resembling the victim's vehicle arrive to pick up the man, though he couldn't definitively confirm it was the same vehicle. The taxi then left with the man, destination unknown.

Police are conducting detailed interviews with witnesses and accelerating their review of CCTV footage throughout the area to establish a timeline. The investigation remains open on multiple fronts, particularly focusing on robbery as a motive. Authorities are also analyzing the nature of the weapon used—preliminary findings suggest curved or circular blunt force trauma to the victim's forehead—while actively pursuing suspects for legal prosecution.

At 9:25 AM on May 6, 2025, at Parliament, Senate Chairman Wutthichai Kalyanamitra, presiding over the special committee reviewing the Clean Air Bill, addressed the Cabinet's decision to resubmit the draft to Parliament. He explained that tri-party meetings involving the government, opposition, and Senate would be scheduled to confirm the bill. Wutthichai expressed agreement with the Cabinet's move, noting that the government prioritizes this legislation as a fundamental right for all citizens to breathe clean air.

He confirmed the review would proceed as quickly as possible while following proper procedures, and stated that today's Senate session would discuss whether the original committee should continue or if a new joint committee between both houses should be established. Wutthichai firmly denied rumors that the Senate would reject the Clean Air Bill, explaining that the Senate raised concerns about ensuring all stakeholders—both beneficiaries and those affected—are considered in the bill's content. He emphasized that all Senate members agree the legislation benefits the public.

Regarding the bill's current draft from the House, Wutthichai noted some articles the Senate disagrees with, making a joint committee possible. He stated this shouldn't take long since many provisions have already been reviewed. The Senate will base its consideration on the public interest. He rejected suggestions that the Senate's review would not serve its intended purpose, noting that public representatives participate in committee deliberations and consistently align with public interests.

On implementation timelines, Wutthichai stated: "We believe businesses need reasonable adjustment periods suited to their operations—not abrupt cutoffs that would destroy industries. If you can't adapt, we can't accept that either. There must be appropriate timeframes, carbon dioxide limits, and pollution standards that reduce gradually. If targets aren't met, there must be penalties, fines, or ultimately business closure."

When asked about past claims that the Clean Air Bill failed due to favoritism toward big business, Wutthichai rejected the term, asserting that the Senate based its decisions on reason and facts. He emphasized the need to balance citizens' right to clean air with fair treatment for businesses that must adapt. He proposed establishing procedures with timelines of 6 months to 1 year, with relevant agencies monitoring compliance with established standards.

CHONBURI — May 6, 2026: A video showing four couples of foreign tourists engaged in explicit behaviour in Pattaya Bay has drawn criticism from locals.

The clip, which circulated on social media, shows eight tourists—four men and four women—appearing heavily intoxicated as they entered the sea in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district. The group was seen embracing and kissing in pairs, displaying intimate behaviour in the water. Although only three couples are visible at any one time, the full video captures all eight individuals.

Witnesses at the scene, including other tourists and local residents, repeatedly shouted at the group to stop and recorded the incident on their phones. The tourists, however, ignored the warnings and continued their behaviour openly.

Around 2:00 AM on May 6, 2026, reporters spoke with a 44-year-old witness who filmed and posted the video. He stated the incident occurred between approximately 3:00 and 4:00 AM when the group appeared severely intoxicated and began acting inappropriately. He said he was angered by the situation and attempted to intervene, but the group did not respond and their behaviour escalated. He decided to record the video as evidence for authorities to take action.

The witness added that similar incidents have occurred before involving tourists from various countries, and warned that such behaviour damages Pattaya's image as a tourist destination and reflects poorly on Thailand.

Thailand has laws and widely observed cultural norms governing behaviour in public spaces. Indecent or explicit conduct in open areas may constitute an offence and can result in legal action. Authorities and local communities regularly urge visitors to respect local customs to help maintain public order and Thailand's reputation as a welcoming destination.

During the parliamentary session at 9:00 AM on May 6, 2025, with parliamentary speaker Sophon Sathiramya presiding, Lampang MP Dachay Ekpatphai from the Rak Thailand Party raised the issue regarding Bangkok MP Phandthil Nuamchai from the People's Party, who had made remarks linking village headmen and sub-district chiefs to drug abuse. Ekpatphai noted that these local administrative positions have a history spanning over 133 years and serve as crucial institutional pillars for the Ministry of Interior and all provinces. Village headmen and sub-district chiefs are positions of honor and dignity with responsibilities to address public suffering and promote community welfare. However, on April 30, another MP made sweeping allegations in parliament accusing all village headmen and sub-district chiefs of being drug addicts and traffickers, causing distress to these officials nationwide.

"I visited Lampang, and the village headmen and sub-district chiefs asked me to convey their strong concerns," Ekpatphai said, using language he later requested to be stricken from the record. He continued by arguing that the MP in question demonstrated a severe lack of intellectual integrity, as village leaders work tirelessly to care for their communities, yet the remarks have damaged all of them. He called for an apology rather than superficial video apologies.

Ekpatphai formally requested the speaker consider establishing an ethics committee to investigate whether the MP violated ethical standards under sections 13 and 15 of category 2 of the parliamentary code of conduct. In response, Phandthil bowed and apologized to the village headmen and sub-district chiefs, acknowledged all criticisms, and accepted all appropriate sanctions.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthummaphand reported on May 4, 2025, that her discussions with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Deputy USTR Rick Switzer were constructive and reflected shared commitment from both Thailand and the U.S. to accelerate the Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART) negotiations toward a quick conclusion to boost economic and investment confidence while reducing U.S. trade pressure.

The U.S. emphasized trade balance rebalancing and welcomed Thailand's expanded investment in joint-potential sectors including agricultural processing and energy, while Thailand seeks to import U.S. goods it cannot produce domestically. Thailand confirmed its readiness and presented Thai private sector investment plans to the U.S., which received positive reception and represents a tangible cooperation element both sides can advance together.

Supachai emphasized Thailand leveraged this opportunity to push multiple key issues, particularly securing U.S. tariff exemptions for Thai products the U.S. cannot domestically produce, with the U.S. showing openness and willingness to consider further. Both sides agreed to expedite negotiations to conclude the agreement's essential elements soon, confirming Thailand's status as a strategically important U.S. trading partner and reducing future tariff risks.

The Commerce Ministry will send a Thai delegation to the U.S. on May 13-14, 2025, to present and answer questions before the USTR office regarding the Section 301 investigation, aiming to clarify Thailand's trade and production structure. During her U.S. visit, Supachai also discussed economic cooperation, investment, and supply chain enhancement opportunities with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.

The U.S. proposed cooperation in potential sectors including clean energy and carbon reduction technology, small nuclear energy technology, food innovation, healthcare cooperation, and infant food industry—areas of interest to Thai private companies. Both sides agreed to promote cooperation between private sectors, educational institutions, and U.S. government agencies, particularly in Illinois, which has potential in energy, technology, and advanced agriculture, to expand investment and create long-term supply chain value.