Op-Ed by Her Excellency Mrs. Luisa Ragher, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kingdom of Thailand, Her Excellency Ms. Ping Kitnikone, Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Thailand, and Mr. Viktor Semenov, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Thailand.

In times of conflict, and in times of peace, the rights of children must remain among any nation's foremost responsibilities. Regardless of nationality, politics, or geography, every child has the same fundamental rights: to safety, to family, to education, and to a future free from fear. When children become victims of war, protecting them is not only a national responsibility, but also a shared duty of the entire international community.

The unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children did not begin with Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. This practice began years earlier, following the illegal occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation in 2014. By 2015, there was evidence of Ukrainian children being taken from non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine and deported across borders or transferred deeper into Russian-controlled areas.

This unlawful and inhumane practice has grown into a large-scale and systematic violation of the rights of Ukrainian children. Today, the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has officially confirmed more than 20,000 cases of deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia or temporarily Russian-controlled territory. For these children, the disruption has meant not only displacement, but separation from family, loss of community, and an attack on their identity, language, and connection to home. Their situation reminds us that protecting children in conflict is not an abstract principle, it is a human responsibility that requires sustained international cooperation.

Ukrainian authorities and civil society organisations working on these cases face enormous challenges in tracing where children have been taken. Russia has not provided comprehensive information about the number of deported or transferred children or their locations, making identifying and ultimately returning those children extremely difficult. Even when children are located, bringing them home can be a long and complex process.

This is why international cooperation is essential. No country facing such a challenge could address it alone. And no child should have to wait for the world to act.

This is the purpose behind the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, launched by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in 2023, and the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, launched by Ukraine and Canada in February 2024. Bring Kids Back UA provides the national framework for Ukraine's efforts to return children, support their recovery and reintegration, and pursue accountability. The International Coalition mobilizes international support for those objectives and helps translate political commitment into coordinated action.

BANGKOK — Chanokchon Limpinpetch, a member of Thailand's national ice hockey team, has died at the age of 27 after suffering a severe bloodstream infection, officials said.

According to reports, Chanokchon travelled from Chumphon province to Bangkok on 15 May and stayed at a residence in Bang Bua Thong district. Early on 16 May, he developed a high fever and took medication after his symptoms worsened.

Later that morning, he went out to buy supplies but continued feeling unwell and was admitted to Kasemrad Hospital.

His condition deteriorated on 17 May, with doctors attempting to resuscitate him for several hours after his heart stopped beating. He was pronounced dead at noon. Doctors concluded the cause of death was a bloodstream infection.

His body will be taken to Chumphon province for Christian funeral rites.

Chanokchon first joined Thailand's senior national team at age 20 during the 2019 SEA Games and remained a key player through the 2025 SEA Games hosted by Thailand. Wearing jersey number 42, he played as a forward and was considered one of the team's core second-line players.

His achievements included a gold medal at the 2019 SEA Games, a silver medal at the 2025 SEA Games, and a World Championship Division III Group A title. He also represented Thailand at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China.

ML. Kridsada Kasemsanta, president of the Ice Hockey Association of Thailand, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing Chanokchon as a disciplined athlete with great potential and an important member of the national team.

Earth-Mix, Joss-Gwin, and Ou-Boom bid farewell to the hit BL series 'Only Friends: Dream On' at an impressive 'Only Friends: Dream On Final EP. FAN MEETING' event, wrapping up all the character relationships in this sizzling series from Thailand's leading content provider GMMTV. Fans flooded social media with the hottest moments between Jack (Earth-Pirapat Wattanasirisiri) and Dean (Mix-Sahapap Wongrat), along with sweet moments from Arnold (Joss-Veroh Sangngien) and Towa (Gawin Caskey), plus the steamy chemistry of Ruffie (Ou-Thanapoom Kiaratiniran) and Rome (Boom-Tharathorn Chantaravanit).

The hashtag #OnlyFriendsDreamOnFinalEP surged to number one trending on X globally and trended in numerous regions worldwide. The series maintained strong momentum from the first to final episode, becoming a massive hit. The event, held on Friday, May 15, 2025, at The Mall Lifestore Bangkapi, featured an exclusive show filled with special performances and the 'ONLY FRIENDS ZONE' game where actors faced hilarious challenges and penalties.

The event opened with three special song performances featuring the series soundtrack, including 'Saturn' by Ou-Boom, 'Dejavu' by Earth-Mix, and 'Like The Tide' by Joss-Gwin, which drew screams from excited fans. All six actors then took the stage greeted by fans in their respective character roles. The 'ONLY FRIENDS ZONE' game challenged players to continue phrases within three seconds, with face-pinching penalties for wrong answers. The first round asked for 'actions that go beyond friendship,' the second required romantic confessions without using the word 'love,' and the third asked for terms of endearment for fans.

Director New-Pimyada Jukhomsri later joined the host Leo Sosai on stage to discuss behind-the-scenes moments, followed by a recall game where fans guessed which episodes contained specific couple moments. Wrong answers meant the couples had to poke each other's cheeks. Ou-Boom and Room lost and had to poke both cheeks, while Earth-Mix received one cheek poke penalty, sending fans into fits of screaming and laughter.

PUMA Sports (Thailand) Limited is driving speed innovation and elevating the running experience through the 'TOO FAST DEVIATE4' campaign, launching THE FAST LANE—an exclusive speed challenge zone inviting runners to push their limits and experience the superior propulsion of the PUMA DEVIATE NITRO 4. This speed-focused running shoe from the DEVIATE family is designed to transform every stride with power and velocity. Participants can join special speed challenges from May 16-23 at the DEVIATE4 TOO FAST STATION at HEY! Beanstro (S-OASIS).

During the event, runners can wear the PUMA DEVIATE NITRO 4 to test performance on the 'DEVIATE4 ROUTE,' a 5-kilometer course navigated via GARMIN smartwatches, which are available to borrow at the station. Participants will experience the speed, cushioning, and responsive technology of NITRO at full capacity. HEY! COFFEE is also serving a special menu item called 'SPICY STRIDE'—a refreshing, spicy, energizing beverage perfect for recharging before and after runs during the hot season.

Beyond the running trial, PUMA has organized activities to crown the speed champion:

• FAST LANE CHALLENGE: Compete over 30 meters to find the fastest runner. Winners in both men's and women's categories receive 2 pairs of PUMA DEVIATE NITRO 4 shoes (1 pair per category), valued at 12,400 baht total (May 16-23).

• DEVIATE4 ROUTE CHALLENGE: Special activity for runners who complete the 5-kilometer DEVIATE4 route guided by GARMIN and register results at the DEVIATE4 TOO FAST STATION to instantly earn 50 ADVOCAT points (PUMA member rewards; 50 points equal a 120-baht discount). Participants also enter a draw for 4 pairs of PUMA DEVIATE NITRO 4 shoes (2 pairs for men, 2 for women), valued at 24,800 baht, to be announced at campaign's end (May 16 – June 15).

Interested participants can register from now through June 15. Winners will be announced June 19 on www.facebook.com/PUMAThailandOfficial.

The 'TOO FAST DEVIATE4' campaign launches the new speed-focused running shoe innovation while reflecting PUMA's commitment to advancing running culture and promoting an active lifestyle through engaging, accessible experiences for runners of all levels.

Nikki Natchatr filed his first-ever police complaint after years of receiving online harassment, but drew the line when a netizen insulted his mother during a football broadcast. At a press conference on May 18 at Aree Football One Bangkok, he updated that police have identified the suspect and located their residence, with the case progressing through legal channels. Though he admitted feeling lonely without the daily hate messages he previously received, Nikki emphasized his main demand is for the person to apologize to his mother, noting that his parents bore no part in the online feud. He revealed the personal attack criticized his mother's cosmetic procedures, which concerned him as it could prompt unnecessary anxiety and additional medical expenses for her.

At 4:55 p.m. on May 18, 2025, at Government House, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed reports that the government was backing away from plans to purchase broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He stated: "The government will coordinate to the best of its ability and explore every possible avenue." When asked how the government views redirecting World Cup broadcasting funds toward Thai football development instead, Anutin clarified that no government budget or public funds are being used. Rather, the government is facilitating and providing support to interested private parties willing to make the broadcast happen. When asked whether Thai people still have a chance to watch the World Cup, Anutin replied with a "Best Effort" commitment.