On May 26, 2025, reporters surveyed the verification process for the second day of the Thailand Help Thailand Plus program at Krung Thai Bank's Bang Nam Priao Branch in Bang Nam Priao District, Samut Prakan Province. Large crowds of elderly citizens and those unable to verify through a mobile app were lined up throughout the morning. Nang Lek Chanthapoht, 74, had left home at 6:00 a.m. and hired a motorcycle taxi from Soi Bang Sai in Muang Samut Prakan District to travel to the bank, hoping to verify her eligibility and receive the program benefits. However, she found a massive queue and had to wait nearly three hours for her turn. When staff checked her phone, they discovered it had no internet connection—it was only a basic calling device with no data plan, as she had never purchased an internet package and didn't know how to use the internet. This prevented her from completing the verification process. Lek expressed frustration, saying she had intended to use the money to support her family and daily expenses, but the complicated procedures and long wait defeated her purpose. She has decided not to participate in this program again, having only once received benefits from the "Khon la Khrun" (People's Half) program before and never qualifying for assistance since.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suthep Thaugsuban made remarks during a breakfast roundtable meeting with MEDEF International at Salon Foch in Paris, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presiding. Suthep noted that this year marks 170 years of diplomatic relations and 340 years of initial contact between Thailand and France, reflecting their enduring friendship and multifaceted cooperation.

In economic and trade matters, bilateral trade exceeded $5 billion annually, with over 290 French companies operating in Thailand and creating more than 45,000 quality jobs. Suthep emphasized Thailand's three guiding principles for strategic partnerships: mutual benefit, high standards and quality, and open and balanced partnerships with all parties. She reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to international standards, transparency, and regulatory alignment, including progress toward OECD membership.

Regarding the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement, Suthep stated Thailand's strong commitment to accelerating negotiations. After nearly two years and eight rounds of talks, the ninth round is scheduled for late June in Brussels. Thailand aims to resolve outstanding issues quickly, projecting the deal could increase bilateral trade by at least 40 percent.

Suthep stressed Thailand's strategic advantages as a "Gateway to ASEAN and Asia," positioned at the center of Asia with key connections along north-south and east-west economic corridors. This makes Thailand an ideal location for foreign companies seeking to expand into ASEAN markets, offering one of the strongest options for French businesses entering the region.

At 10:00 AM on May 26, 2569 (2026) in Meeting Room 501 of the Government House Building 1, Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn and Transport Minister presided over the cabinet meeting in place of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister, who is on an official visit to Paris, France between May 21-27. Several related ministers also accompanied him, resulting in 11 cabinet members being absent from today's meeting, including PM Anutin, Deputy PM Ekniti Nitithanprasap and Finance Minister, Deputy PM Yosthana Wangsawasdi and Higher Education Minister, Deputy PM Sihasak Phuangketkaew and Foreign Affairs Minister, Deputy PM Suphajee Suthammaphan and Commerce Minister, Culture Minister Sabida Thaiseetchart, Public Health Minister Pattana Prompattana, Deputy Transport Minister Sariprecha Bunyamani, Deputy Education Minister Akkanun Kankittinan, Deputy Interior Minister Cheesetsart Thaiseetchart, and Deputy PM Office Minister Suphamas Israpakdi.

At 11:10 AM, Pipat revealed that after the cabinet meeting, he requested postponement of the mobile cabinet meeting (provincial cabinet session) in Hat Yai, Songkhla scheduled for June 8-9 by approximately one month. Consultations had been conducted with the Budget Bureau and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).

Pipat reiterated that this was merely a request to postpone the provincial meeting, but no specific timeframe has been set. Further consultation with the Prime Minister is necessary.

At 9 a.m. on May 26, 2025 at Parliament, Prayut Wachchirasindhu, a list-based MP and deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, explained the meaning of the "blue system" as a political faction exploiting loopholes in the 2017 Constitution. These loopholes allow Senate selection to be self-selecting and disconnected from the public, enabling political groups to manipulate and control Senate votes. By controlling the Senate, they can then control appointments to independent organizations, consolidating power across the executive, legislative, and independent agencies.

When asked if the blue system would complicate constitutional amendments, Prayut said the challenge is real, but the critical factor for success is the voice of 21 million citizens who voted in the referendum demanding a new constitution. They want to escape political factions created through collusion and weak oversight mechanisms.

Asked how 21 million voices can counter the blue system in Parliament, Prayut outlined three ways: First, Pheu Thai representatives will be seated in Parliament as the opposition to scrutinize the process. Second, he believes the 21 million referendum votes will bind all parties to proceed with a new constitution. Third, the public's voice matters for a potential second referendum, since if Bhumjaithai uses its parliamentary majority to push through Article 256 amendments favoring their draft—which risks monopolizing power by concentrating authority with the Senate—and if most citizens reject it in a second referendum, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul should take political responsibility.

Prayut referenced international standards: when governments clearly take a position on referendums and results contradict them, prime ministers typically resign to show accountability, citing the British Brexit referendum example.

When asked if a second referendum campaign against the new constitution draft is possible, Prayut said not to rush to conclusions, as they're currently preparing for the first reading. The goal is aligning the draft with Pheu Thai's three principles and passing the first reading to find common ground in the subcommittee. He insisted the people's voice has meaning: "If Bhumjaithai uses parliamentary majority to make the final draft match theirs entirely..."

At 8:30 a.m. on May 26, 2025, at Ban Nai Thon Pier in Ko Samui District, Surat Thani Province, Ko Pha-ngan police investigators presented 51-year-old British national Wilcox to Ko Samui Provincial Court requesting detention and opposing bail. The suspect is accused of recklessly driving a motorcycle, striking a pedestrian causing severe injury, and fleeing the scene. The incident occurred on the road between Ko Pha-ngan Hospital and Tong Sala on May 23, injuring Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thirasak Kaewamontavong, 53, a renowned medical instructor specializing in respiratory diseases and critical care.

Detailed investigations led to crucial evidence showing that 17 minutes before the incident at 8:30 p.m., CCTV footage captured Wilcox purchasing two cans of alcoholic beverages from a supermarket 1.4 kilometers from the accident site, then walking while drinking to his parked motorcycle before riding out and striking the victim. Witnesses confirmed that after the incident, Wilcox displayed loud, aggressive behavior consistent with intoxication. Medical tests confirmed the presence of Type 2 narcotic cocaine in his system. Additionally, Wilcox lacks a Thai or international driver's license, holds only a British license, and the motorcycle had unpaid annual taxes since early 2568 and no vehicle insurance coverage.

Police have filed seven charges against Wilcox: reckless driving causing severe injury to another person; hit-and-run without assistance; driving without a license; using an untaxed vehicle; using a vehicle without mandatory insurance; possession and use of cocaine; and drunk driving causing severe harm to another. During initial questioning, Wilcox denied charges related to hit-and-run and drunk driving causing harm. Police have requested his detention, opposing bail due to serious penalties, his foreign status, lack of fixed residence, and risk of fleeing the country. The victim's relatives have been kept informed of developments.

Police are also investigating a company associated with the suspect for potential legal violations, including possible use of Thai nationals as nominee shareholders to conduct illegal business operations on Ko Pha-ngan, with full legal proceedings to follow.

On May 26, 2025, reporters documented the scene at the home of teacher Fatimah Yango, who was killed in an armed ambush while parked outside a private school in Yaring District, Pattani Province, waiting to pick up her child. Throughout the morning, colleagues, relatives, and neighbors visited the family to offer condolences and support. The teacher's body underwent religious ceremonies the previous evening before being taken to a cemetery near her birthplace in Moo 6, Prajan Subdistrict, Yaring District, Pattani Province.

The victim's infant daughter, who sustained injuries in the shooting, remains hospitalized at Pattani Hospital under close medical supervision and is now out of critical condition. Family members revealed that the teacher was shot in the head and upper back, with bullets penetrating her abdomen, while the infant was grazed by a bullet in the diaper area. The deceased had four children total—three of whom are currently enrolled in primary and kindergarten classes at the same school where their mother taught, and the youngest daughter was wounded alongside her mother during the attack.