Breaking! The Constitutional Court has accepted a petition challenging a royal decree authorizing the Ministry of Finance to borrow 400 billion baht to address the energy crisis and facilitate the country's energy transition. The court has ordered the cabinet to submit clarifications and supporting documents within seven days. On May 18, 2025, judges considered whether the Decree Granting Authority to the Ministry of Finance to Borrow Funds to Address Impacts of the Energy Crisis and Facilitate the Country's Energy Transition, B.E. 2569, complies with Article 172, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution (Case No. 11/2569). A total of 133 members of parliament—constituting at least one-fifth of all parliamentary members—filed the petition through the Speaker, arguing that the decree violates Article 172, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution. They requested the Constitutional Court to rule on the matter pursuant to Article 173, Paragraph 1. After reviewing the petition and supporting documents, the court determined the case meets constitutional requirements under Article 173, Paragraph 1 and the Organic Act on the Constitutional Court's Procedures, B.E. 2561, Section 7(1). The court has therefore accepted the petition for adjudication. Exercising authority under Section 27, Paragraph 3 of the Organic Act, the court ordered the cabinet to prepare a statement addressing specific points raised by the court and submit copies of all relevant documents within seven days of receiving the court's notice.

On May 18, 2025, at the Criminal Court on Ratchdamri Road, investigators from Makkasan Police Station brought train operator Siyamphon and state railway employee Uten, assigned as a crossing guard near the railway tracks, before the court requesting detention on charges of negligence resulting in another person's death, serious injury to another person, and bodily harm to another person.

The incident occurred on May 16, 2025, at 3:36 p.m. when police received a report of a train collision with a public bus causing deaths and injuries near Makkasan Airport Link railway station. A freight train traveling from Laem Chabang to Bangkok's Bang Sue district, operated by Siyamphon, struck Route 206 public bus driven by Laphit, which was traveling along Asok-Din Daeng Road from the Rama 9 intersection. When the bus was stopped across the railway tracks, Siyamphon's train approached from the left side of the bus and struck its left side, causing the bus to swerve and collide with another parked vehicle, resulting in property damage, injuries, and fatalities.

Investigation found that Uten, the crossing guard stationed at the location, failed to raise the barrier to signal the train to stop, preventing Siyamphon from seeing the stop signal and leading to the collision with the parked bus.

Investigators determined the accident resulted from negligence by Siyamphon, Laphit, and Uten, charging both under Criminal Code Articles 59, 291, 300, and 390 for negligence causing death, serious injury, and bodily harm. Both suspects denied the charges during questioning.

Investigators requested detention during May 18-29, 2025, as investigations are incomplete, requiring statements from 30 witnesses and fingerprint analysis results. The investigation team, victims, and key witnesses opposed temporary release due to the serious nature of the charges and flight risks. The court approved detention, with Siyamphon and Uten filing property bond requests for temporary release currently under court consideration.

An employee shared a shocking experience after their company distributed cheap gift bags instead of providing year-end salary increases. Opening the bag revealed even greater disappointment. As living costs surge across all sectors—food, fuel, and daily expenses—many employees eagerly anticipate salary raises, no matter how modest, as crucial morale support during difficult times.

However, a viral online drama erupted when an employee shared an experience that left many stunned. They received a cheap gift bag from their company instead of a year-end salary adjustment.

The story was posted on Reddit's r/mildlyinfuriating forum, where the poster attached photos of the gift bag they received. While it appeared ordinary at first glance, opening it revealed significant disappointment.

Many Reddit users expressed disbelief that this "actually happened," as it seemed more like contempt for employees than appreciation.

The bag contained a water bottle, a pen, a single piece of candy, crackers, and a small unidentifiable item that could be a toy or measuring tape device. Altogether, many felt the contents were "far too little" compared to expectations.

The poster wrote beneath the image: "Yes, this is everything that's in this bag," reinforcing the disappointment and becoming a widely discussed phrase among netizens.

Although the company name wasn't disclosed, the incident drew heavy criticism. Many viewed it as inappropriate recognition, especially during a time of rising living costs.

After the post went viral, nearly 300 comments flooded in, mostly mocking the gesture and sharing similar experiences. Some commenters said, "If this is what we're getting, it'd be better to give nothing at all."

One comment questioned harshly: "Are you people in kindergarten?" while others sympathized with managers who had to distribute such inadequate gifts while pretending to be pleased.

Additionally, another user shared a similar experience from working at a company that distributed comparable gift bags during Christmas, while another revealed an extreme case where senior executives received bonuses in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, while employees received only a single cookie.

Ultimately, this gift bag drama continued to draw criticism online, with many viewing it as a reflection of workplace inequality. It became another hot topic discussed extensively across global social media platforms.

Phraratchadol Paricharananon, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, revealed on May 18, 2025 that Bhumjaithai will present its constitutional amendment draft to the party's parliamentary group for consideration on May 19, with plans to submit it to the Parliament speaker on May 20 if approved, making Bhumjaithai the first party to announce a new charter based on the 21 million votes from the public referendum.

According to Phraratchadol, Bhumjaithai's draft would amend Article 256 of the Constitution by adding Section 15/1 to create a new charter following the referendum results, with no changes to Sections 1 and 2, which would be locked from amendment even by the Constitutional Drafting Assembly.

When asked how the constitutional amendment would succeed given existing conflicts, Phraratchadol stated that the party must review past problems and obstacles, then improve the draft and negotiate with all sides. He noted that passing the amendment in the third reading requires support from multiple parties, including the Senate, and at least 20 percent of opposition members.

Phraratchadol clarified that gaining unanimous approval from any single faction is impossible, but Bhumjaithai is committed to pushing the constitutional amendment forward. He emphasized that submitting legislative drafts is the right of each political party, and Bhumjaithai, as a democratic political party, considers it important to be the first to announce a new constitution following the government's rejection of the previous constitutional drafting assembly's draft.

Regarding discussions with the Senate, Phraratchadol noted that the Senate previously insisted on having one-third voting power in constitutional amendments before the Constitutional Drafting Assembly is established. This issue will be discussed within the party on May 19 to determine the middle ground, noting that Bhumjaithai's original draft included provisions for one-fifth voting power.

UBON RATCHATHANI — 18 May 2026, Thailand's 2nd Army Region has launched an exploration and nature trail route to an ancient underwater carving of "Narai Banthomsin", believed to be the only underwater rock carving of its kind in the country, as part of efforts to promote conservation tourism in Ubon Ratchathani province. The initiative, led by Lt. Gen. Weerayut Raksasin, commander of the 2nd Army Region, followed a route traditionally used by villagers from Khae Don village in Nam Yuen district to reach and worship the site. The route begins from the Phra Yai base of the 23rd Ranger Regiment near Phu Wang Nam Chan monastic retreat and is intended to support sustainable eco-tourism and historical education. The bas-relief sandstone carving, depicting the Hindu deity Narai reclining on the serpent king Ananta Naga, was discovered by chance in 1979 by a local hunter searching for fish in a stream near Khae Don village. Archaeological examinations found the carving portrays Narai reclining on his right side atop a three-headed naga. A lotus bud rises from the deity's navel, while a female figure, believed to represent Lakshmi, appears near the feet. The carving measures about 120 centimetres long and 50 centimetres high and is believed to be more than 1,000 years old. The site is currently overseen by the Fine Arts Office 9 and Phu Chong Na Yoi National Park in the Phanom Dong Rak mountain range, within Yod Dom Wildlife Sanctuary in Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani province. The story of "Narai Banthomsin" appears in the Mahabharata epic, describing the end of a cosmic age when all things are destroyed and submerged beneath the ocean before Narai awakens to recreate the world — a belief reflecting longstanding religious faith and cosmological traditions. Following past clashes in the area, the 2nd Development Division and the 23rd Ranger Regiment task force began improving strategic access routes connecting the site to main roads, with plans to develop the area into a conservation and cultural tourism destination. Authorities are also considering community tourism activities linked to the protection of natural resources and antiquities to generate sustainable income for local residents. Each year, a ceremonial offering ritual for Narai Banthomsin is held during the dry season, usually in early March when water levels recede, drawing worshippers from Ubon Ratchathani and across Thailand.