Heavy criticism erupted online following an unexpected incident during a funeral ceremony at Tham Pru Takia Temple in Tha Sae District, Chumphon Province. The abbot refused to allow monks from Khao Chedi Temple to sit on the ceremonial pulpit, citing temple rules—despite both monasteries being branches of the late Luang Pu Proong Chotigo's lineage. The incident shocked hundreds of mourners and villagers, turning what should have been a solemn occasion filled with merit-making into a tense atmosphere, with many questioning the appropriateness and unity of the provincial monastic community.

The incident occurred at 2:30 PM on May 12, 2026, at Tham Pru Takia Temple's cremation hall during the funeral rites for 70-year-old Mr. Serm. The family had invited monks from both temples—15 from Tham Pru Takia and 10 from Khao Chedi—totaling 25 monks to chant prayers for the deceased.

However, when the ceremony began, Phra Khru Pinit Sak Chantago, the abbot of Tham Pru Takia Temple, unexpectedly prohibited the Khao Chedi monks from occupying seats on the monastic pulpit, stating it was a "temple agreement and rule." This left the deceased's relatives and villagers stunned, as they had never witnessed such an occurrence.

Virojn, the deceased's brother, expressed his sorrow, explaining that the family had maintained ties with the temple since Luang Pu Proong's lifetime and intentionally invited monks from both temples because they shared the same lineage. He simply wanted his brother to receive merit from all 25 monks equally, but instead encountered this conflict during the funeral.

Mo To, renowned local ceremonial master Thirachai Nual Prom and a long-time confidant of the temple since Luang Pu Proong's era, admitted shock at the incident. He noted that according to tradition, inviting monks from other temples to participate in chanting is standard practice and has never caused problems before. He appealed to society to judge whether such conduct was appropriate for a merit-making or funeral ceremony.

Ultimately, to prevent ceremony delays and maintain auspicious timing, the host reluctantly seated the 10 monks from Khao Chedi Temple at the guest reception area below instead of the main pulpit, while only Tham Pru Takia monks conducted the ritual on the pulpit, amid critical stares and comments from the attending crowd.

Tham Pru Takia Temple was home to the renowned late Luang Pu Proong Chotigo, a respected abbot known for his vipassana meditation teachings and temple development who passed away in 2019. Khao Chedi Temple was another monastery that Luang Pu Proong helped build and restore, entrusting it to close disciples.

The incident has become a hot topic in Chumphon's monastic circles, with many viewing it as potentially reflecting some division within Luang Pu Proong's lineage and possibly affecting local devotion if not promptly clarified to the public.

Pai Pai Oreo has officially stepped into his 30s, recently attending the Bangkok Pride Festival 2026 press conference at The Sukosol Hotel in Bangkok. He opened up about his warm birthday celebration held on May 9th, revealing heartfelt wishes from Nook Thanadol along with a special gift—a sacred amulet valued at around six figures. He also announced his major plan for the year: purchasing a new home in Bangkok with a budget that has increased from seven to eight figures. Joking about his wishlist for the new house, he quipped he'd love "a sports car that can actually drive on the expressway."

When asked about turning 30, Pai Pai replied: "30 is still cool, though my back hurts a bit. I celebrated my birthday on May 9th. At 30, I have my FC friends, Nook Thanadol, and even a band came. At 30, I feel pretty much the same as at 29—just maybe a bit more tired. At 31, I'll probably be even more exhausted."

Asked if his perspective on life has changed, he reflected: "Maybe I'm seeing things more broadly. Before, I traveled a lot and spent lavishly. Now I'm dialing it back a bit. I'm caring more for myself, my family, and my fans around me."

When asked about Nook Thanadol's wishes, Pai Pai shared: "It was very long. My birthday gift from him was an amulet. He said that at 30, I should have a protective amulet. I just found out the amulet costs around six figures—he said it was a million baht? He totally got me! Nook Thanadol wouldn't bring a million baht, it's more like six... I don't know if he's lying or what. He told me to go check it myself, but I couldn't figure it out."

He continued: "He said that no matter what happens, he'll always be by my side. He told me to be a 30-year-old who takes good care of his health, looks after himself, and loves himself more."

When asked if he's taking care of himself, Pai Pai joked: "Yes, actually today when I left the house, I drank 8 glasses of water a day and slept for 16 hours."

Regarding his new home purchase, Pai Pai explained: "This year I'm determined to buy a house. I've already looked at options. I'm buying in Bangkok. Initially, I set a budget of around seven figures, but ended up with eight figures. I'm so confused. It's probably around August. Anyway, I'm buying a house."

When asked if he's reserved space for Nook Thanadol in the new house, he clarified: "It's not just for Nook. All my friends can use it. They can sleep in the living room."

Asked what gift he wants from Nook for the housewarming—recalling that last time he gave plants—Pai Pai replied: "I already requested no plants. Maybe a picture frame, but I already have an amulet. Baskets aren't my thing. Flowers, I'll keep those. (What do you actually want?) A sports car. Not a remote-controlled one—one that actually drives. One that can go on the expressway."

BANGKOK — 13 May 2026, Thai Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul joined members of the public in collecting royal rice seeds after the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, saying the seeds would be planted in his own rice field while assuring farmers the government had measures in place to address expected drought conditions this year.

After the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Anutin walked to a demonstration rice field where royal rice seeds had been scattered and joined members of the public in gathering the seeds into prepared bags.

The prime minister said it was his first time collecting the royal rice seeds, adding that he had never previously had the opportunity to take part in the activity despite attending the ceremony in earlier years.

When asked by reporters what he planned to do with the seeds, Anutin initially declined to answer and continued collecting rice grains before later confirming that he owned rice fields and intended to plant the seeds there.

"I do," he replied when asked whether he had his own rice fields, adding that he would reveal later where the seeds would be planted once they begin to grow.

Anutin later posed for photographs with award-winning farmers and outstanding agriculturalists recognised during the ceremony.

Asked about government preparations for possible drought conditions this year, the prime minister said authorities had already coordinated water management plans through the Office of the National Water Resources, the Royal Irrigation Department and other agencies to secure water supplies for farmers, including groundwater sources.

He added that the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning would also work together to address drought-related problems, following weather forecasts indicating dry conditions later this year.

Anutin said the government aimed to maximise water storage and secure additional water sources to minimise the impact on farmers.

During the event, some members of the public approached the prime minister to greet him and jokingly asked in the Isaan dialect whether he was a "real Isaan person or a fake one", to which Anutin laughed and replied: "A fake Isaan."

Some attendees also asked whether they would receive a promised 1,000-baht cash handout at the end of the month, although the prime minister did not respond to the question.

On May 13, 2025, the Royal Thai Police Office, led by Deputy Police Chief Samran Nualma and accompanied by Nopsil Poolsawat, mobilized 266 officers from various agencies including Immigration Police, Central Investigation Police, Provincial Police Region 8, Surat Thani Provincial Police, Koh Phangan Police Station, and security agencies to launch the 'Koh Phangan Foreign Nominee Crackdown' operation in Surat Thani Province.

Officers conducted searches at 29 targeted locations, consisting of 5 upstream companies and 24 nominee companies, to seize evidence including corporate documents, share transfer agreements, financial trails, digital data, and evidence of business control. The investigation revealed a pattern of using Thai nationals as nominee shareholders to evade foreign business regulations.

Investigators reported that Koh Phangan has 3,754 registered business entities, of which 2,381 involve foreign shareholders. Of these, 243 companies were identified as investigation targets, with 27 nominee companies and land holdings discovered, linked to 37 plots of land valued at approximately 150 million baht.

Authorities identified the operation as a network scheme initiated by foreigners or true beneficiaries who established multiple companies before appointing Thai nominees as shareholders, then linked these to land ownership, business operations, and financial channels to conceal the real operators.

Key patterns identified include the use of the same Thai shareholder groups, simultaneous registration of multiple companies, use of identical addresses, and sequential transfers of shares or assets.

Authorities arrested four suspects: one foreigner and three Thai nationals on charges related to foreign business operations using Thai nominee shareholders. Investigators indicated they are preparing to expand the investigation to other related individuals and networks.

Parliament Speaker Sophon Saram has forwarded the opposition's petition to the Constitutional Court requesting interpretation of a 400 billion baht emergency borrowing decree, with parliament postponing the agenda pending the court's ruling.

On January 13, 2025, following the opposition coalition's submission led by Nathpong Ruangpanyawut, list MP and Thai People's Party leader, the petition was filed through Speaker Saram on May 11.

The petition asks the Constitutional Court to determine whether the 2025 royal decree granting the Finance Ministry authority to borrow 400 billion baht—intended to address energy crisis impacts and advance the country's energy transition—violates Article 172 of the Constitution.

Speaker Saram formally submitted the petition to the Constitutional Court on May 12, with the court's office officially registering the document.

Although the government submitted the borrowing decree for parliament's agenda as of May 11, Speaker Saram has not yet placed it on the official agenda. Following proper parliamentary procedure, he is awaiting the Constitutional Court's complete ruling before proceeding, as parliament convention dictates that when members petition the court for constitutional interpretation, the legislature should suspend consideration of the matter until the court delivers its judgment.

Five football legends including Steven Gerrard, Steve McManaman, Michèle Salgado, Claude Makélélé, and Quinton Fortune visited Thailand as participants in the Living Legends Football Festival last weekend (May 9-10). Before leaving Thailand, all five decided to visit Rajadamnern Stadium, the birthplace of Thai boxing, on Sunday (May 10), where they received a warm welcome from Buakaw Banchamek and Daniel Rodriguez, the Rajadamnern 154-pound champion. In addition to exchanging souvenirs, the legends had the opportunity to converse and share many valuable experiences together on the Thai boxing ring.