The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health announced the establishment of a border health fund to treat foreign patients, with clear separation of expenses between Thai and foreign nationals, to resolve financial problems and screen foreign groups with ability to pay in order to collect service fees properly.

On May 11, 2025, at Umphang Hospital in Tak Province, Minister Pattana Prom-Pattana of the Ministry of Public Health chaired a meeting to monitor public health operations and healthcare services for foreign populations in the Thai-Myanmar border area in Tak Province via online system. Present were Dr. Somruk Chumsaman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Lersachai Lersawut, acting as Inspector-General of the Ministry of Public Health, Health Region 2, and management teams from both central and regional offices in Tak Province.

Minister Pattana stated that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Interior Minister expressed concern about hospital operations in the Thai-Myanmar border area in Tak Province and ordered the acceleration of systematic corrective measures for sustainability. The Ministry of Public Health has established operational guidelines emphasizing efficient disease control management along the border, appropriate human resource management according to workload and location, budget allocation support for eligible patients, increased operational flexibility for border hospitals, and seeking foreign funding support for those without medical rights.

Dr. Somruk reported that after field visits monitoring public health operations and healthcare services for foreign populations in the Thai-Myanmar border areas, including Mae Sot and Pob Phra Districts, and today in Umphang District, which is a remote area with winding mountain roads requiring 3.5 hours travel to Mae Sot Hospital, he found staff highly dedicated with excellent management of sanitation and disease control.

Initially, the inspector-general was assigned to closely monitor development in four areas: 1) Electrical and IT systems by supporting solar panel installation and developing information systems for full health insurance reimbursement efficiency; 2) Financial reform by clearly separating expenses between Thai and foreign nationals, including disease prevention promotion at subdistrict health promoting hospitals for transparency and confidence in Thai patient services; 3) Establishing a 50 million baht central assistance fund with the health region and establishing a border health fund to receive future international support; and 4) Cooperating with administrative and legal authorities to regulate cross-border treatment access and screening foreign nationals with ability to pay to collect appropriate service fees.

May 11, 2026 – Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Panchjaroenverkul addressed criticism regarding the proposed departure tax on Thais traveling internationally. He noted that the measure is authorized under the 1983 Outbound Travel Tax Decree, which remains legally valid, though enforcement has been suspended. The decision to implement collection falls under the Ministry of Finance's authority. Currently, the proposal is undergoing feasibility assessment with no conclusion yet on whether to impose the 1,000 baht rate as reported. The Finance Ministry plans to invite relevant agencies and business operators for consultation to evaluate potential impacts on the public. The departure tax aims to channel revenue from approximately 10 million annual outbound Thai travelers into a domestic tourism support fund, to be deployed through co-payment programs incentivizing domestic tourism. The principle redirects spending from outbound travel to stimulate internal economic circulation, reducing reliance on government budget allocations for tourism promotion. However, this remains a study proposal, and actual implementation would only proceed if benefits outweigh drawbacks.

Suchai Pornchai Saksdiudom, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage (2nd term), revealed that the association assembled young national tennis players aged 16 and under, both male and female, for intensive training to prepare for international competition. The association expressed gratitude to Dr. Usnee Mahakij Siri Leonardo for providing training facilities at ALM X Impact Tennis and Sport Center in Muang Thonburi.

Recently, the female tennis contingent arrived in Kazakhstan to compete in the 2026 Billy Jean King Cup Juniors by Genbridge, Asia/Oceania qualifying round on clay courts in Shymkent, Kazakhstan from May 11-16, 2026. The Thai female team consists of "Beer" Chotirin Khaewka, "Ginny" Jinnipa Traschuwanich, and "BB" Pattanathimanant Phuakham, coached by "Coach Not" Sarayuth Teepkakorn and trainer Ravikarn Sukthai.

Suchai added that the male team, comprising "Sinxiann" Patcharaphol Likul, "Trai" Trai Srisaen, and "Namo" Dharma Kosiri, will compete in the 2026 Davis Cup Juniors from May 18-23, 2026, also in Shymkent. Coached by "Coach Jim" Sergeant Major Sahathat Supakij and trainer Anuchit Ruenkoh, the team has prepared through specialized clay court training focusing on footwork, court movement, and sliding techniques. "These young athletes represent the future of Thai tennis. We wish them safe travels and hope they achieve great success," Suchai concluded.

DISCTOPIA CONCERT brings together mega-hit artists from the golden vinyl record era in a phenomenon that has taken the city by storm! This event aims to capture the hearts of 2000s generation audiences by reuniting legendary disc-era performers and revisiting every cherished memory. It's another rare concert event by ATIMESHOWBIZ, Thailand's leading concert promoter, delivering a truly worthwhile and value-packed experience. The DISCTOPIA CONCERT at BITEC LIVE! features a complete lineup of 9 artists: Bank Preeti, Da Endorphine, ETC, Flure, Lipta, Scrubb, Slot Machine, Tattoo Colour, and Zeal, inviting everyone on a time machine journey through nostalgic memories with non-stop stage performances lasting over 9 hours.

The festival opened with Lipta, whose hit songs resonated throughout, performing classic tracks from 18 years ago like "Just Knowing You Love Me," "How to Decline," and "Stupid Questions," igniting the crowd's passion from the start. Scrubb followed with their timeless secret love songs, bringing warmth and intimacy with hits like "Everything," "As a Couple," "You Spin Around Me," and "Close." ETC continued with their tight instrumental performance and fan favorites "Change," "Prince Nitra," "Angel," and "Living Things," performing intimately close to the audience.

DA ENDORPHINE, the only female artist on stage, delivered powerful performances with countless hits, commanding both the vocals and audience engagement. She brought back memories with songs spanning from cassette era to vinyl records, including "Pour Full Cup," "Close Friend," "Optical Illusion," and "You Don't Need to Know How We're Dating." ETC made a surprise return to duet with her, sending the crowd into ecstasy.

ROCK powerhouse FLURE took the stage with their signature tight musicianship, performing "Change," "Between Us," "Each Other," and "The Season I Was Lonely." Bank Preeti's highly anticipated set opened with "Fire of Love," immediately igniting the atmosphere. The crowd sang along passionately to hits like "My Illness," "Let Me Wipe Your Tears," and "I Accept Everything."

ZEAL, the rock band everyone awaited, brought legendary hits like "Two Love" and delivered a major surprise featuring Buachompoo Ford as a special guest returning for an original collaboration of "Dead Life (I Give You)" for the first time in 18 years, sending fans into rapturous screams. SLOT MACHINE continued the energy with their internationally acclaimed rock performance, getting the vinyl era devotees to sing along to "Genesis," "Wait," "Pass," and "Moon Master."

TATTOO COLOUR closed the festival with their versatile sound and a full set of singing and dancing tracks including "Love at First Sight," "Pig's Leg," "Cinderella," and "Lie," perfectly concluding the vinyl era celebration with complete musical charm and memorable nostalgia that truly impressed.

At 2:00 PM on May 11, 2569 at Parliament, Raween Parisnanandakul, Ang Thong MP and Bhumjaithai Party member, speaking as chairman of the government coalition coordination committee, discussed a four-party coordination meeting involving representatives from the Cabinet, opposition, government faction, and Senate held this morning. He noted that discussions covered a joint parliamentary session on May 15 to consider legislation that the Cabinet has resubmitted to parliament, including discussions on timeframe and issues for debate in each bill. Regarding the 400 billion baht loan decree that the opposition submitted to the parliament speaker for Constitutional Court review on constitutionality grounds, Raween stated that the government can proceed with implementing funds from the decree after royal approval, even with the opposition's constitutional court petition. As a result, the parliament speaker did not include the loan decree on the May 14 session agenda, making it a regular session with open and general questions. For the establishment of 35 standing committees, if the agenda is approved, the government is ready to establish them within the week. The committees will hold their first meeting on May 15 to elect chairs and assign positions, allowing each committee to begin operations the following week. When asked if the government should prepare speakers to counter opposition motions for a special committee to review the 400 billion baht loan decree, Raween stated the opposition has already petitioned the Constitutional Court, so such motions are unlikely on May 14, and parliament must wait for the court's ruling, expected within 60 days. Regarding concerns about delays in implementing the loan decree, Raween said there are no concerns as the decree signed by the Cabinet is already in effect and has been announced as law. He emphasized that submitting the decree to parliament is merely for confirmation and making it official law, but with the constitutional court petition, parliament must delay consideration pending the court's ruling. He believes that regardless of the court's decision, the parliament speaker will promptly add it to the agenda for further consideration.

On May 11, 2569, Narongvit Chadchoy, director of Khao Khiao Open Zoo, accepted the 26th Silver Conch Honorary Award on behalf of the zoo, receiving the organizational category award from the Public Relations Association of Thailand. The award ceremony was held at the Department of Public Relations conference room, presided over by Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phukphatsuk.

The Silver Conch Honorary Award is a prestigious national award recognizing organizations, institutions, and individuals with outstanding achievements in communications and public relations that benefit the nation, as well as those who support and promote public relations work and the dissemination of information beneficial to society.

Receiving this award represents another source of pride for Khao Khiao Open Zoo, which remains committed to delivering communications and public relations work alongside wildlife conservation, education, and visitor engagement with strong media support.

The zoo continues to develop creative public relations initiatives through activities and storytelling that showcase the appeal of wildlife, fostering public awareness and understanding of conservation efforts. Through strategic social media engagement, the zoo has achieved global recognition with phenomena such as 'Moo Deng,' the pygmy hippopotamus, creating international awareness and love for wildlife while promoting Thailand's conservation and tourism image worldwide.