Buriram United manager Mark Jackson admitted that the trip to face Johor Darul Takzim won't be straightforward in this AFC Champions League Cup playoff, but he's hopeful his team can deliver good results. The Shopee Cup 2025-26 semi-final first leg sees Buriram United traveling to face Johor Darul Takzim on May 6 at 7:00 PM at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Malaysia. At a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, May 5, Jackson and assistant Kenneth Dugall addressed the media.

Jackson stated: "We know this match will be difficult. We have to play in a tough environment, but we're ready and looking forward to it. We've had success in the league this season and hope to continue that momentum and perform well. That's why tomorrow's match is exciting for us."

He continued: "We won the league championship previously, which is why the last two games required adjustments to get our best squad for this match. This competition is decided over two legs, and while we have the advantage of playing away first, we must stay focused and deliver the performance we want."

Jackson added: "I believe we've started well and have a strong team. We're prepared for this match and remain focused on details today. We want good results like in every game. We're confident in our team's ability to play attacking football and will press our opponents. We respect Johor as they play at home with their supporters behind them, and I hope our fans will provide full support. We look forward to playing an intense match and showing our best performance."

Regarding team selection, Jackson noted: "All our players are ready. We always respect our opponents and have done our homework on them. I can't say who will start because this is a competitive match. We don't focus on individual players but the overall picture and the opponent's style. We're very well prepared."

He explained: "Our team isn't at full strength right now. Some players aren't ready for this match, but they're still part of the team and we hope to protect the result to compete in the second leg. That's our goal. In the last two matches, we rotated players, giving some rest. Those players are now ready to return tomorrow, which is positive. While we had some poor results recently, we're looking at the bigger picture. We've rested some players to bring them back at full fitness. I think the team is ready for this match and we're excited about it, including having the option to field the team as we wish."

Assistant Kenneth Dugall commented: "As you know, we were successful playing here last season and produced excellent results. We've faced Johor Darul Takzim four times in the last two seasons and won twice. So meeting them in the Shopee Cup is very important. Our goal tomorrow is to win and advance in the competition. We'll do our best in tomorrow's match."

Kasetsart University alumni from class 30 have contributed over 4 million baht toward the construction of Kasetsart Hospital to enhance the country's healthcare system. The university continues to drive forward its Medical Park Project to improve access to medical services, produce quality healthcare professionals, and develop health innovations nationwide.

Acting President Dr. Damrong Sriprarama recently accepted a donation of 4,010,600 baht from class 30 alumni, led by Mr. Krai Tangsang, on April 30, 2026, at the President's Office in the 50-Year Communications Building at Kasetsart University's Bangkok campus. The donation represents a significant charitable contribution supporting the university's mission to establish the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Pharmacy, and a 400-bed Kasetsart Hospital as a hub for education, research, and medical services focused on agro-medicine and bio-innovation.

The Medical Park Project will serve as a center for developing healthcare professionals and medical innovations to strengthen Thailand's public health system and improve people's quality of life sustainably. Currently, the Faculty of Medicine has two cohorts of 47 medical students each, while the Faculty of Nursing has 63 first-year students. The university is preparing to admit 24 students to the Faculty of Pharmacy in the 2026 academic year to strengthen Thailand's healthcare workforce.

The university is constructing teaching facilities and medical education centers at multiple locations, including the Bangkok campus and clinical education centers at Chaophraya Yommarat Hospital in Suphan Buri and Sakon Nakhon Hospital in Sakon Nakhon Province to support medical student training. The university has also established the Kasetsart Hospital Foundation to invite public participation in creating a future hospital that will serve the nation's healthcare needs.

Donations are tax-deductible and can be made through the Punboon website or Thai Military Bank account number 069-2-77187-6 (Kasetsart University Hospital). The university invites all interested donors to support this important healthcare initiative.

May 3, 2025 – The Northeast Border Drug Suppression and Precursor Chemical Control Command reported that on May 2 at approximately 6 p.m., the Royal Thai Army Region 2 Command and the drug enforcement unit received intelligence about an illegal drug smuggling operation near Ban Phu Sawat in Nong Doen Subdistrict, Bung Khla District, Bueng Kan Province. Military forces coordinated with local enforcement units and set up surveillance positions along the Mekong River.

At approximately 8 p.m., officers spotted a speedboat crossing from Laos into Thai waters near the Mekong River. A group of individuals began unloading suspicious sacks onto the shore. When officers revealed themselves to conduct an inspection, the group quickly fled into the darkness. Officers gave chase and managed to detain one suspect.

Upon searching the area, authorities discovered eight sacks containing Class 1 methamphetamine (ice), totaling 249 kilograms, hidden at the scene.

The suspect was identified as Thao Dom Sasaengbong, 24 years old, from Bolikamxai Province, Laos. Officers transported the suspect and seized materials to Unit 2108 for detailed inventory before handing the case over to Bung Khla Police Station for legal proceedings.

Authorities believe the methamphetamine shipment is part of an international drug trafficking network using the Mekong River route to smuggle drugs into Thailand under cover of darkness. However, this operation successfully intercepted the drugs before they could be distributed inland.

Mae Sod district experienced a devastating tornado on May 5 at 4:30 p.m., bringing fierce winds, heavy rain, and hail. Two agricultural workers who took shelter under a large tree in an open field were struck by lightning and seriously injured, and were rushed to Mae Sod Hospital by coworkers.

The tornado, which extended over 100 meters into the sky with a powerful spiral formation, was the most severe weather event of the summer season so far. Visibility on the Mae Sod-Tak highway was reduced to just 100 meters as drivers were forced to use headlights. Power outages and fallen trees blocked roads to several villages, while the Mae Sod night market (street food area) suffered extensive roof damage to numerous shops, forcing many to remain closed overnight.

As the tornado swept across Mae Sod, hail fell widely across the area accompanied by repeated lightning strikes. Two agricultural workers who ran to seek shelter under a large tree in an open field were struck by lightning, sustaining injuries. Friends immediately transported them to Mae Sod Hospital amid continued heavy rain and lightning.

Mean Kanthapongse Piphatthamontrithikun, the district chief of Mae Sod, ordered community leaders from all border villages to conduct urgent damage assessments. Initial reports indicate widespread damage to homes, and emergency relief operations are already underway.

At 5:45 p.m. on May 5, 2569, Lieutenant Pantharak Pongsaprugsachat, investigator at Na Khayad Police Station, received a report from a good citizen about a fatal fire. The incident occurred in Moo 2, Phanom Wang Subdistrict, Khuan Khanan District, Phatthalung Province. Police and rescue officials from Phatthalung Provincial Administrative Organization, Phatthalung rescue workers, and forensic officers rushed to the scene near a residence.

At the scene, officials discovered fire blazing in a corrugated metal shed. After extinguishing the flames, they found Mr. Khao, 80 years old, the homeowner, burned beyond recognition with only skeletal remains. Near the body, officials discovered gasoline bottles and jerry cans. They also found prepared food with a handwritten note believed to be left by the deceased.

The note read: "I beseech you, Lord, creator of mankind, food, and all living creatures upon this earth. I, Mr. Khao Damchuai, member of Thungsong Church under the leadership of Head Chom Kumarchanchan, born in God, today I offer my life and body back to God through death as predetermined three years ago. Forgive my sins and guide me to happiness in the afterlife. I have strayed from God for so long, but I still love, respect, and revere Him. Please forgive and pardon me. Today I offer this food. When God accepts it, please grant me this final meal before I depart with reverence to God, Jesus, and Head Chom, who faces life challenges I can no longer bear. Thank you, God. Amen."

According to village headman Prasit Kongphet, 57, the deceased lived alone, avoided socializing, and was a very private person. Six to seven days before the incident, he had constructed the corrugated metal shed, but no one knew what for. No one understood why he would harm himself.

The deceased's sister, 63, stated that he had been unwell previously. She visited and repeatedly tried to ask about his condition, but he insisted he was fine and told her not to worry. She later learned he had set himself on fire. She believes her brother did not want to burden anyone and chose to end his life this way.

According to the Phak Prachanachon task force investigating the shooting of Kamlasak Leewamaud, a Narathiwat MP, party deputy secretary-general Abdulrahman Molla (Professor Ben) has previously stated that the assassination plot against the MP is now completely visible, involving four distinct levels: Level 1 (the true mastermind), Level 2 (coordinators and planners), Level 3 (facilitators who procured weapons, ammunition, and vehicles and arranged escape logistics), and Level 4 (the gunmen, with five already arrested). The deputy secretary-general noted that when the case stalled at the arrest of the five lower-level suspects, Kamlasak himself filed a complaint, bringing two high-ranking naval officers into the proceedings. Recently, Narathiwat police issued summonses, and both officers appeared to hear the charges and entered the legal process. The crucial question is whether, without Kamlasak's personal decision to file a complaint and without the party's independent investigation efforts, the case would have progressed beyond the arrest of these five individuals. The case now clearly shows Level 2 and Level 3 involvement, but Level 1—the actual mastermind—remains to be identified. Investigators must examine mobile communications, particularly LINE app messages, between all suspects. According to gunman testimony, after the shooting, one officer immediately called someone via LINE, making communication records essential to solving the case. The Phak Prachanachon team, which includes former police investigator Tawee Sotsong, has already gathered substantial evidence and claims to have identified the Level 1 mastermind. The truth will ultimately depend on how thoroughly the investigation follows the evidence and what the courts ultimately determine, but one thing is certain: there is still a Level 1 commander pulling the strings above the arrested suspects.