After nearly three years of training and development, Yorch POW from POW has finally released his debut Korean-style solo single "Blow Your Mind," marking an important milestone in his artistic career. The artist opened up about the pressure, effort, and dreams behind his journey to become a world-class Thai artist.

Yorch explained how he first heard the song during the promotion of his single "Valentine" while chatting with their main producer. "The moment I heard this song, I really wanted to sing it. At that time, it didn't have an owner, and I wasn't sure I'd actually get to perform it, but I hoped I would."

He added, "At first, I was singing it like Lucky Daye's original version, but it wasn't my style at all. No matter how many times I recorded it, I wasn't satisfied. But I didn't want to give up. I adjusted the song to fit myself better and practiced continuously. I received guidance from King Henry and Sasha Alex Sloan, and the song was refined over nearly three years."

What thrilled Yorch most was discovering the song was produced by world-renowned producer and DJ Diplo. "I was shocked to learn it was Diplo's work. I waited for feedback with excitement, and I was delighted to receive great feedback. There were also ideas to add featuring artists. After working and practicing for three years, I'm happiest that this song has become a reality."

The single also features artists Sik-K and Bryan Chase. Yorch noted, "The song became more colorful and diverse with their different sounds and rhythms. I think it really helped make the song better."

Touching moments came when his POW bandmates surprised him at the music video shoot to encourage him. "We came to give our leader and band head YORCH hyung encouragement," they said. Yorch was grateful: "I felt very tired, but when the members came and cheered me on, I immediately felt energized."

He concluded, "I love making music and always want to try new things. 'Blow Your Mind' is like the first step of a new challenge. I started as a child actor in Thailand, trained as a trainee, and now I stand here as an artist. I want to continue growing."

"I hope this growth will make me a proud Thai artist, not just in K-pop but on a world level, like senior Thai artists such as Lisa, BamBam, and Minnie. One day, I'd also like to collaborate with them."

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has approved 42 water system development and agricultural land consolidation projects covering over 500,000 rai nationwide, established to create sustainable water security for agriculture. Deputy Permanent Secretary Kritsana Uttamawethin presided over the first 2025 meeting of the subcommittee for water system and land consolidation planning at the Ministry of Agriculture headquarters and via Zoom, with participation from Kittiporn Chueasuk, director of the Central Land Consolidation Office under the Royal Irrigation Department, and representatives from relevant agencies. The meeting reviewed project development approaches for water management and land consolidation in the agricultural sector and tracked previous implementation progress.

Kritsana revealed that the meeting reviewed performance under the Agricultural Land Consolidation Act of 2015. Between 2017 and 2024, 306 projects were implemented, covering over 1.9 million rai of beneficiary area. These comprised 279 water system development projects covering approximately 1.7 million rai and 27 land consolidation projects covering 178,312 rai.

The meeting approved 42 projects for 2025, covering a total development area of 504,216 rai. These include 41 water system development projects under Section 18, covering 456,728 rai, and one land consolidation project under Section 31, covering 47,488 rai, distributed across all regions of the country. The projects aim to improve water management efficiency, support agricultural cultivation, and enhance farmers' quality of life, with findings to be presented to the Central Land Consolidation Committee.

The Ministry of Agriculture, through the Central Land Consolidation Office and Royal Irrigation Department, has comprehensively gathered and analyzed project data, including area boundaries, locations, water source connectivity, and assessments of engineering feasibility, social impact, and project viability to maximize benefits for farmers and communities while ensuring sustainable agricultural water security.

Kritsana emphasized in the meeting that water system and land consolidation project development must align with the country's economic development goals and national economic and social development plans, ensuring water infrastructure investments maximize benefits to the agricultural sector. He requested that the subcommittee comprehensively review plans while considering area potential and appropriate land use for each region's context, and instructed relevant agencies to implement plans targeting 500,000 rai of development area concretely, with close monitoring of progress.

Never Give Up! A Chinese man who lost his arm and leg in a road accident refused to surrender to fate, taking up bodybuilding and becoming an inspiration that has won online acclaim.

A Chinese man with only one arm and one leg impressed audiences both at the competition venue and across social media after taking the bodybuilding stage and receiving thunderous applause from spectators.

Liu Xinzhu, 32, participated in the 20th bodybuilding competition held in Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province in eastern China on May 10. He competed in the weight category not exceeding 65 kilograms.

His performance video was quickly shared and went viral on Chinese social media. Many people were moved and admired his determination, earning him the nickname "Encouraging Brother," according to local media reports.

Ten years ago, Liu suffered a severe road accident that cost him his right arm and right leg. He subsequently fell into despair, spending most of his time in bed playing on his phone, which severely damaged his eyesight.

However, his family tried to motivate him to fight back through life with tough love, using the phrase "you're useless like that," which, though harsh, was intended to get him back on his feet. This became a turning point in his life.

Liu decided to make a fresh start by dedicating himself seriously to fitness. As a former athlete, he already had a foundation of discipline and strength, which he developed until he could eventually take the bodybuilding stage.

When asked by skeptics, he responded: "I just fell down, I didn't die. Why do you think I can't get back up?" He emphasized that even though his body is disabled, as long as his mind remains strong, he can still live a happy life.

On competition day, Liu humbly said that standing on the same stage as provincial champion-level athletes was an enormous honor for him. Spectators stood and applauded him with admiration, calling him a symbol of hope and perseverance.

Although official competition results haven't been released, Liu's story has generated widespread acclaim online, with many holding him up as an inspiration for fighting through life.

He also revealed that he receives government assistance of approximately 1,100 yuan, or about 5,300 baht per month, and intends to repay the gym that allowed him to train without charge.

Ultimately, people online have expressed overwhelming admiration. Some even called him a "real-life Superman," while others said his story made their own life problems seem smaller and filled them with inspiration to move forward.

Source: South China Morning Post (SCMP)

SAMUT SAKHON — A massive fire ripped through an aluminium manufacturing plant in Samut Sakhon province on Wednesday, destroying the life savings of a Myanmar worker who kept gold and cash at his workstation.

At about 10:00 on Wednesday, the radio centre at Krathum Baen Police Station received reports of a fire at an aluminium manufacturing company in Moo 1, Tha Sao subdistrict, Krathum Baen district, Samut Sakhon. More than 10 fire engines from the Tha Sao Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and nearby municipalities responded to the blaze.

Krathum Baen District Chief Phirunrot Nakdontree directed the emergency response as incident commander alongside Krathum Baen police superintendent Pol. Col. Phasapong Monta, Tha Sao SAO president Wallop Thongphat and Deputy Investigating Officer Sub-Lt. Natthiphat Naksang.

The factory, which manufactures steel rebar, aluminium sheets and custom aluminium castings, covers more than 10 rai (16,000 square metres). The industrial complex comprises four warehouse buildings.

The fire broke out in the fourth warehouse at the rear of the compound, an area covering slightly more than one rai used for processing and moulding aluminium sheets. The intense heat caused parts of the roof and structural framework to collapse, damaging machinery and manufacturing equipment. No injuries or deaths were reported.

A Myanmar supervisor at the factory pleaded with firefighters to let him enter the damaged warehouse to search for 10 baht-weight of gold bullion, approximately 152 grammes, and 200,000 baht in cash kept in a bag inside his desk drawer. However, neither the cash nor the gold could be recovered.

Phirunrot ordered the Tha Sao SAO to close the damaged warehouse and designate it a hazardous area off-limits to the public until further notice. He also instructed local authorities to work with forensic experts from the Forensic Science Division and other agencies to investigate the cause of the fire.

The Thai Meteorological Department issued a weather forecast on May 20, 2569, for the next 24 hours, predicting continued rainfall nationwide with heavy downpours in certain areas. Heavy to very heavy rain is expected in parts of the Northern Region, upper Northeastern Region, and the western coast of the Southern Region.

Weather forecast from 6:00 PM today through 6:00 PM tomorrow:

Northern Region: Thunderstorms covering 60% of the area with heavy rain in Nan, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, and Phichit provinces. Very heavy rain expected in some areas of Phitsanulok and Phetchabun. Low 23-26°C, high 31-38°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Northeastern Region: Thunderstorms covering 80% of the area with heavy rain in Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, and Nakhon Ratchasima. Very heavy rain in parts of Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Udon Thani, and Chaiyaphum. Low 23-25°C, high 30-34°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Central Region: Thunderstorms covering 60% of the area with heavy rain in Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Lopburi, Saraburi, and Singburi. Low 24-27°C, high 31-35°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Eastern Region: Thunderstorms covering 60% of the area with heavy rain in Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Low 24-29°C, high 32-34°C. Southwest winds 20-35 km/h. Seas around 2 meters high, higher in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (East Coast): Thunderstorms covering 60% of the area with heavy rain in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, and Songkhla. Low 24-26°C, high 30-35°C. Southwest winds 20-35 km/h (from Surat Thani northward) and 15-35 km/h (from Nakhon Si Thammarat southward). Seas 1-2 meters, higher in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (West Coast): Thunderstorms covering 80% of the area with heavy rain in many areas of Krabi, Trang, and Satun, and very heavy rain in parts of Ranong, Phang Nga, and Phuket. Low 23-26°C, high 26-30°C. Southwest winds 20-40 km/h (from Phuket northward) and 20-35 km/h (from Krabi southward). Seas 2-3 meters from Phuket northward, higher in thunderstorm areas.

Bangkok and Vicinity: Thunderstorms covering 40% of the area. Low 26-28°C, high 33-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Warning Alert No. 16 issued at 5:00 PM regarding very heavy rain across Thailand and strong winds in the Andaman Sea (Alert 76/2569).