The Intellectual Property Department has registered a Geographical Indication (GI) for 'Ban Wang Som Sa Phitsanulok,' a renowned local citrus fruit grown in Muang District, Phitsanulok Province. According to Department Director Oramon Saptaweedharm, this distinctive fruit features a round, firm shape with thick dark-green bumpy skin resembling pomelos, aromatic fragrance, and a unique tangy-sweet taste with a lingering citrus note on the tongue. Its distinctive flavor sets it apart from other citrus varieties, making it popular in traditional Thai dishes like mah hor (a savory rice cracker appetizer), as well as in desserts, beverages, and numerous health and beauty products including soaps, face creams, lip gloss, shampoos, herbal inhalants, and air fresheners.

Currently, Ban Wang Som Sa Phitsanulok produces approximately 120,000 kilograms annually, generating over 3.6 million baht in economic value for the community. The fruit's history traces back over a century when Hainanese Chinese migrants planted som sa along the Nan River, eventually establishing the community known as Ban Wang Som Sa. Residents continue to preserve their heritage through the Mae Tab Thim shrine and the annual Loy Krathong festival in May, using som sa fruit as ritual offerings to the sea goddess.

Director Oramon stated that the GI registration will differentiate Thai produce, establish production standards, prevent counterfeit products, and build consumer trust while supporting the community's reputation. Following registration, the department will assist the community through quality control systems, packaging development, marketing education, market channel expansion both online and offline, and agritourism development. These initiatives aim to help producers create added value, attract tourists to experience the authentic community and production processes, and support continuous economic growth. Interested buyers can purchase Ban Wang Som Sa Phitsanulok GI products through the Facebook page 'Ban Wang Som Sa' and TikTok account 'Wang Som Sa.'

A 44-year-old man with a troubled history of drug addiction violently assaulted a fellow inmate in a detention cell, critically injuring him. Officers Pol. Maj. Winyoo Chaemsai and Pol. Capt. Ratchin Charoenram arrested the suspect, known as Arak (surname withheld), based on a warrant from Bangkok South Criminal Court for assault causing serious bodily harm. The arrest took place outside the Central Pathum Thani Detention Facility in Thanyaburi district.

The incident traces back to mid-2024, when Wat Phraya Kai police station received a report of a heavily intoxicated Thai man causing a disturbance in the Soi Charoen Krung 78 area. Upon investigation, officers found Arak in an incoherent state due to drug use, discovered narcotics on his person, and took him into custody. While detained, Arak became violently deranged from drug effects and brutally attacked fellow inmates in the same cell, severely injuring one who required hospital treatment.

Background checks revealed that Arak has a 15-case criminal record dating back to age 19 in 2001, primarily involving methamphetamine and ice drug possession and distribution in Bangkok and surrounding areas, including cases handled by Wat Phraya Kai, Yannawa, and Lam Luak police stations. He has been sent to rehabilitation facilities multiple times and has a history of using violence, including an assault case in 2007. Arak recently completed a approximately two-year drug sentence from Thanyaburi Prison. He confessed to all charges and was handed over to Wat Phraya Kai police station for legal proceedings.

Thailand's youth tennis teams have earned the right to represent Southeast Asia at the 2026 ITF Asia Under-12 Team Competition finals following the regional qualifiers held at the National Tennis Development Center in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi, concluding on May 8, 2025.

In the boys' team championship, Thailand faced Indonesia with standout performances from Theer Sraprasit in the second singles match, who secured a 2-1 set victory over Al Sauki Geo Asmara (6-7 tiebreak 3-7, 7-5, 6-2) to give Thailand a 1-0 lead. Oliver Bensen Berkhudt, a Thai-Dutch player, lost his first singles match to Rezo Tanujojo 1-2 (6-0, 6-7, 3-6), leveling the match at 1-1. The doubles match between Berkhudt and Pratthakorn Pachiratan versus Warren Premiere Lii Pevoko and Rezo Tanujojo was abandoned due to heavy rain when Thailand trailed 3-4 in the first set. Officials from the ITF, ATF, and both team coaches decided to cancel the doubles match, resulting in a 1-1 tie with no champion or runner-up declared. Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the third-place playoff.

In the girls' team competition, Thailand secured third place by defeating Singapore 2-0. Phakjira Holeatsagul opened with a second singles victory over Alicia Yao (6-4, 5-7, 6-4), while Vimuttinya Pongnu, recently recovered from illness, dominated her first singles match against Lou Ya Viktoreya Prezleh with a 2-0 set victory (6-0, 6-2). Malaysia won the girls' championship, defeating Indonesia 2-1, with Singapore placing fourth.

Thailand's boys' team, along with Indonesia and Vietnam, and the girls' team, along with Malaysia and Indonesia, have qualified as Southeast Asian representatives for the 2026 ITF Asia Under-12 Team Competition finals, which will be held in Singapore from September 15-20, 2025.

Sujai Pornchaiyasakkumdom, president of the Thai Lawn Tennis Association, praised all athletes and staff for their full effort and commitment, while expressing admiration for the skill and determination of athletes from other nations. British ITF tennis development officer Jonathan Stopps and Indian ATF administration and development officer Sunil Gill presented certificates of honor to the athletes.

On May 9, 2569, Pol. Lt. Gen. Songpruet Sirisucha, Commander of the Immigration Bureau Region 3, along with Deputy Commander Pol. Col. Chinwut Tangwonglert and Inspector Pol. Col. Suriya Puangsambat led an investigation team to arrest Mr. Chen Tao, 57, a key suspect wanted most urgently by the People's Republic of China.

Following a request from Beijing, Thai authorities targeted Mr. Chen Tao for concealing and hiding assets obtained through criminal activity. An arrest warrant was issued by the Lanzhou Public Security Bureau with damages valued at approximately 3,222 million yuan (1.6 billion baht).

Pol. Lt. Gen. Songpruet stated that the suspect was involved in defrauding a bank and laundering money through shell companies. Investigators discovered the suspect entered Thailand on November 11, 2568, on a PE visa. He had provided multiple false addresses to conceal his actual residence. Officers arrested him at a condominium in the Ramkhamhaeng area and revoked his visa as a foreigner with a criminal record deemed a threat to society.

The suspect had hired someone else to rent the room under their name as a cover. During arrest, officers discovered a second passport—a Vanuatu passport—believed to be used for identity concealment, as China had already revoked his Chinese passport. The suspect is a core leader who directly commands operations both domestically and internationally.

The Immigration Bureau confirmed its continued commitment to combating transnational organized crime and will not allow Thailand to serve as a haven for criminals, ensuring public safety and protection of property.

On May 9, 2025, former Thai for Thais Party spokesperson Prompong Nopradit stated that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to receive a sentence remission on May 11, but some activists and groups continue to oppose it.

Nopradit noted that these same groups previously urged Thaksin to return to Thailand and face the justice system. After Thaksin complied, proceeded through all legal channels, and served two prison terms, they remain unsatisfied. The Justice Minister has clarified that the remission process follows proper procedures and does not violate political speech restrictions.

He argued that Thai society has been trapped in conflict for over 20 years because some people harbor grudges and refuse forgiveness. At 76 years old, Thaksin has followed all regulations without resistance, even accepting an electronic monitoring bracelet. Nopradit questioned what activists expect and urged society to forgive, move forward, and let go of past grievances.

Nopradit emphasized that during Thaksin's time abroad, business leaders and politicians frequently consulted with him, reflecting his continued influence. He noted that Thaksin's experience managing large international corporations and relationships with global leaders could benefit Thailand's future direction.

He expressed confidence that a 76-year-old man with seven grandchildren would prefer spending time with family rather than plotting revenge. He stated that Thaksin, who has forgiven those who threatened his life, would not seek vengeance. Nopradit called on those spreading doubts to stop and urged Thai society, as a forgiving society, to let go of what can be released.

Nopradit announced he would join red-shirt supporters in welcoming Thaksin's return on May 11, while emphasizing that only Thaksin or his family could clarify his future role. However, he noted that many people still remember Thaksin's policies—such as the 30-baht healthcare program, village funds, drug suppression, and systematic solutions to poverty—that directly benefited ordinary citizens and represented practical democracy.

Police Chief Orders Expanded Investigation into Chinese Man's Weapons Cache Following Home Raid with Full Network Check and Financial Trail Review. On May 9, 2025, a Chinese national's vehicle overturned, leading police to discover a handgun and subsequently uncover a cache of military weapons, explosive-laden body armor, and prepared explosive devices in the Nakhon Chachoen area of Chachoengsao Province. National Police Chief General Kittiratha Punthavetcr announced he has assigned Deputy Police Chief General Samran Nualmaa, overseeing security affairs, to direct this case. He ordered Region 2 investigation teams to accelerate their inquiry into the suspect's details, travel history, employment, associates, weapon origins, acquisition methods, possession intent, phone communications, and financial accounts with strict legal enforcement and regular progress reports until the entire network faces prosecution. General Kittiratha further instructed Deputy Police Chief Samran to obtain data from immigration authorities to identify foreign nationals with suspicious entry-exit patterns and prolonged stays for police investigation, conducting both intelligence and surveillance operations on foreign individuals and their residences to prevent similar incidents.