TAK — 19 May 2026, flash floods triggered by days of heavy rain swept through a school and nearby village in Thailand's border province of Tak, forcing teachers, students and residents to scramble to move belongings to higher ground, officials said.

Authorities said continuous rainfall over the past five days affected several districts along the border, particularly Phop Phra district, a mountainous area where red floodwaters rushed down from surrounding hills on the evening of 18 May.

The floods inundated Rom Thai Phatthana 4 School in Ruam Thai Phatthana subdistrict, with water and mud surging into ground-floor classrooms used by young children.

The school temporarily suspended classes for younger pupils while teachers cleaned the affected buildings on 19 May. The incident caused panic among teachers, students and villagers as floodwaters rapidly entered the school grounds. Teachers and pupils helped move valuables to higher areas while trying to drain water from the buildings.

Floodwaters later swept into Ban Ruam Thai Phatthana 14, a veterans' village nearby, damaging homes, village roads and some agricultural land.

Residents rushed to move electrical appliances and belongings to safety as the fast-moving currents rose rapidly, leaving little time to prepare.

Thongdaeng Jantasen, village headman of Ban Ruam Thai Phatthana 14, said prolonged heavy rain caused runoff from nearby mountains to surge through the school area before quickly flooding the village. He said residents were alarmed by the speed and strength of the floodwaters, with some households fearing for their safety and property.

No injuries were reported, officials said.

On May 19, 2025, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchati Chomklin assigned Dr. Surintr Worakhitdhummrung, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department, to chair the opening ceremony and participate in the meeting "Advancing Measures to Address Thailand-Myanmar Transboundary Haze Problems Under the Clear Sky Strategy (2024-2030)." Dr. San Oo, Director of Myanmar's Environmental Conservation Department, along with representatives from Myanmar's Ministry of Agriculture and Trade and Thai agencies, attended the meeting at Amorat Hotel in Chiang Mai to develop approaches for managing the annual transboundary haze crisis.

Dr. Surintr revealed that according to Myanmar's latest reports, the country reduced hotspots by 12 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, reflecting Myanmar's government efforts to enforce environmental conservation laws and conduct awareness campaigns in vulnerable areas. However, despite the reduction in hotspots, addressing the overall problem faces significant challenges, particularly limitations in infrastructure for air quality monitoring and incomplete database systems.

Dr. Surintr stated that the key outcome of today's discussion is that the Pollution Control Department stands ready to support Myanmar as a neighboring country to make trilateral cooperation concrete and sustainable. The proposed technical assistance includes:

- Developing platforms and websites for reporting transboundary haze situations and Myanmar's air quality status - Providing technical expertise and knowledge transfer on establishing air quality standards and Air Quality Index (AQI), as well as developing national air quality management action plans for Myanmar - Sharing knowledge on developing fire risk maps using hotspot-tracking technology to improve Myanmar's emergency response capabilities

Dr. Surintr emphasized that sharing technology and knowledge is crucial to linking air pollution big data, enabling accurate and safe solutions to transboundary haze that will restore clean air to the Mekong region sustainably.

Chon Buri woman reports drugging and raping by bar workerLegacyA Thai woman is seeking justice after a bar worker in Sri Racha district of Chon Buri allegedly drugged her with a ketamine-laced e-cigarette, known locally as Pod K, before raping her. The 20 year old victim, Chidapa, shared details of the alleged incident with several Thai media outlets after reporting the case to police yesterday, May 18. She said she visited a bar with her 19 year old friend, Bee, on the night of the incident. According to Chidapa, the suspect approached them at the venue, joined them for drinks and brought a bottle of beer to their table. He also offered the pair two e-cigarettes. The group continued drinking until the bar closed before the suspect invited the women to a restaurant for a late-night meal. He later persuaded them to go to his condominium in Soi Bor Kok on Kao Kilo Road. Photo via Amarin TV Chidapa said the man handed them another e-cigarette with white powder while they were in the lift. She later believed the device contained ketamine, commonly referred to as Pod K. After using the e-cigarette, both women reportedly became dizzy shortly after arriving at the room. Chidapa alleged the suspect sexually assaulted her while she was under the influence of the drug. She said Bee lost consciousness and collapsed on the floor in the living room during the incident. According to Chidapa, she later managed to leave the room with her friend and contacted a male friend to collect them before filing a complaint at Sri Racha Police Station. Photo via Amarin TV Bee told reporters they did not know the suspect before that night and had only met him at the bar. She said she realised what was happening and attempted to help her friend, but was unable to because of the effects of the substance. Bee also claimed numerous e-cigarettes were scattered around the suspect’s room. Some local media outlets reported that police had identified and arrested the suspect following the complaint, before he was later released on bail by an employer or colleague. However, police have not officially confirmed those reports. The story Chon Buri woman reports drugging and raping by bar worker as seen on Thaiger News.

On May 19, relatives of one victim, known as Paa Iang, collected documents from investigators at Makkasan Police Station to retrieve her body from the Police Hospital's Institute of Forensic Medicine for a merit-making ceremony at Naam Daeng Temple in Samut Prakan Province.

The family expressed concern about compensation amounts but remained more disturbed by the State Railway of Thailand's defensive responses about personnel management rather than offering assistance or taking responsibility. They questioned why the bus driver parked across the railway tracks and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances.

Another victim's father, Santi Kheeowvijit, whose son Thanatphipat was on the bus just three stops away from his destination, collected documents to bring his son's body for religious ceremonies at Khlong Nueng Temple in Pathum Thani Province. He revealed that his son was only 19 years old and would have graduated next year, with dreams of becoming an app developer.

Santi criticized both the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and State Railway of Thailand for organizational failures, noting that while the transit authority showed concern and assistance, Thai Railways showed no apologies whatsoever. He severely condemned Thai Railways' lax personnel screening system that allowed drug-addicted employees to operate trains, and rejected their claims that the train was operating normally when the bus blocked the tracks—arguing that railways bear responsibility for their own personnel systems.

Santi emphasized that public transportation should be the safest system and that no compensation could ever be worthwhile for losing his young son with a promising future.

At 12:40 p.m. on May 19, 2025, at Government House, Transport Deputy Minister Siripong Angkhaskulgiat held a press conference following a cabinet meeting regarding the incident where Bangkok-Chachoengsao commuter train No. 367 struck a man near Makkasan-Khlong Toei station. He explained this case differed from previous incidents as it occurred on the main track rather than at a junction, despite barriers being in place. The man had trespassed into the restricted railway zone to use a toilet, resulting in the collision. While expressing sympathy, the deputy minister emphasized that railway tracks are not safe for anyone and that legal procedures must be followed.

Siripong noted the train was traveling at normal speed in a non-junction area and the incident happened too suddenly for the train to stop. He urged the public to exercise caution around railway tracks. Regarding concerns that a three-month suspension of trains in inner Bangkok might affect commuter rail users, he stated that the Transport Ministry has given SRT two months to develop a plan with a three-month review period.

The deputy minister clarified this is not a new issue but rather an ongoing study of previous complaints. He emphasized the ministry's principle is to elevate the entire rail system, similar to the Bang Sue-Rangsit line, which has proven effective in solving traffic problems. If elevated crossings are built in the future, the system will be fully elevated. He stressed that no official plan has been submitted yet and all voices must be heard. This proposal remains in the study phase at SRT.

Narathiwat — On May 19, 2025, joint military operations in Narathiwat coordinated an integrated security task force to search the residence of Imam Manaseh (surname withheld) in the Ban Gaae area, Dusongyo subdistrict, Chanae district, Narathiwat province, to bring him in for interrogation and legal proceedings. All operations were conducted according to principles of caution, transparency, and respect for fundamental human rights.

During the operation, local leaders, community figures, and religious leaders from the area observed the procedures closely to build public confidence and ensure the transparency and integrity of the operation. Following his detention, authorities conducted a medical examination at Narathiwat Rajanagarindra Hospital, recorded initial statements at Tan Yang Police Station in Narathiwat, and transferred him to an interrogation center at the 46th Ranger Task Force unit of the Royal Thai Army in accordance with legal procedures.

Authorities brought Imam Manaseh, the religious leader from Ban Gaae village, Moo 5, Dusongyo subdistrict, Chanae district, Narathiwat province, to Khao Tan Yang camp for further questioning.

Manaseh holds significant religious, educational, and social roles in the community, serving as imam of Ban Gaae village mosque, advisor to the Madani Youth Club in Dusongyo subdistrict, president of the Ta Dee Ka Club in Dusongyo, vice president of the Imam Mosque Club in Chanae district, and treasurer of the Chanae Education Foundation.

Authorities have not yet disclosed details regarding the reasons or specific allegations related to his detention and interrogation. Local residents and those close to him are closely monitoring developments in the case.