The Yodthawitit music ensemble from Kasetart University Demonstration School's Research and Educational Development Center has gained national and international recognition once again through the Yamaha Thailand International Music Competition 2026.

The competition, held on May 2-3, 2026 at the MACM music hall at Mahidol University's Faculty of Music, was conducted under a royal patronage trophy. Organized through a collaboration between Siam Yamaha Company Limited, Mahidol University's Faculty of Music, and Thai Wind Composers, the competition provided a platform for Thai youth to demonstrate their musical abilities.

Yodthawitit sent 5 teams competing in 2 categories and achieved excellent results:

Gold Medals: - Siam Resonance Saxophone (Small Wind Ensemble Scholastic Division) - KUS Woodwind Ensemble (Small Wind Ensemble Scholastic Division)

Silver Medals: - KUS Drumline (Standstill Drumline Scholastic Division) - KUS Holzblas (Small Wind Ensemble Scholastic Division) - Millettia Brass (Small Wind Ensemble Premier Division)

This was the ensemble's first participation in this competition, and they achieved remarkable success. The primary objective was to develop musical performance skills in small ensembles, which require stronger listening abilities, individual talent, and courage than traditional large ensemble competitions. Since each instrument line typically has only one player rather than multiple performers as in large ensembles, the challenge was particularly significant.

The competition featured numerous renowned school ensembles, especially in the Premier Division, making it highly competitive. This success demonstrates the students' intensive musical training, coupled with their dedication, discipline, and teamwork—the core values that Yodthawitit has cultivated over many years.

A major fire engulfed a government vehicle storage compound in Bang Nam Prio on May 11, destroying more than 10 vehicles and damaging an additional 2-3 cars parked in the vicinity. At 2:30 PM, Deputy Investigator Chon Manas Riya-Pa of Muang Chachoengsao Police Station received reports of the fire at the compound and immediately coordinated with firefighting units from the Khlong Nakhon Nueang Subdistrict Administrative Organization and neighboring areas. Upon arrival, authorities discovered flames engulfing a section containing both salvaged vehicles and government-owned cars. Firefighters required more than 20 minutes of continuous water spraying to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other areas with parked vehicles. The facility manager, Chiang Lek, explained that no one was present at the time since staff were on their lunch break when someone called to report the fire. Fortunately, the rapid response from firefighters prevented the fire from spreading further. Police will conduct a full investigation into the fire's cause and coordinate with forensic officials to determine the actual source of the incident.

Two siblings drowned in a pond while attempting to retrieve a motorcycle helmet on May 11, 2569 (2026) at 5:00 PM near Maliwat Village in Tha Khai subdistrict, Muang district, Chachoengsao province. Emergency personnel, including rescue workers and police from Muang Chachoengsao station, recovered the bodies of Suphanat (9 years old), a student at Wat Pratu Nam Tha Khai School, and his younger sister Suphacha (8 years old) from a pond deeper than 2 meters. Their grandmother and aunt were found weeping uncontrollably at the scene.

Rescue unit leader Pairot Bunhiran revealed that the first body discovered was the 9-year-old boy floating near the bottom of the pond, while the 8-year-old girl's body was found approximately 3 meters away, still submerged at the pond's bottom. A traffic police officer, Thanawat Suthewei, who happened to be passing by, immediately jumped into the water to help search and rescue, though his efforts came too late.

According to a 6-year-old witness named Je, the children had been playing in the water since morning at the shallow end of the pond. When a motorcycle helmet floated to the middle of the pond, the two siblings decided to swim out and retrieve it before both disappeared underwater. The young witness, who could swim, quickly returned to shore and waited in confusion about why his friends did not resurface, until adults arrived searching for them.

Suthathip, 34, the children's aunt, revealed they had been under her and their grandmother's care since their parents separated when they were very young. She emphasized that she and her mother regularly warned and scolded the children against playing in this area, as they worked from early morning. The family has not yet determined the exact cause of death, and authorities have handed over the bodies to the rescue team for religious ceremonies at Laem Tae Temple.

A young man's online complaint to Phuket social media claimed his girlfriend was forcibly taken to a short-time hotel and assaulted by teenagers, complete with video evidence showing her in distress. Police Captain Chatree Chukaew of Phuket City Station ordered an urgent investigation, leading to the arrest of two suspects, ages 22 and 28.

According to initial questioning, one suspect claimed the incident began as a motorcycle dispute over property damage. The argument escalated into a physical fight, but after it ended, he noticed he was attracted to the other man's girlfriend and invited her to ride with him. He insisted she voluntarily climbed onto his motorcycle without resistance and they went to the hotel together, but nothing happened before the woman's boyfriend called police.

The suspects maintain no coercion or force occurred and that both parties consented. They also admitted to drug use before the incident. However, Captain Chatree noted that while the motorcycle dispute has been charged, the forced assault claim remains unresolved pending the woman's testimony. Police are skeptical of the consent claim and have not yet filed charges in the case.

Thai police and wildlife authorities have dismantled a transnational illegal ivory trafficking network, arresting nine suspects and seizing more than 250 kilogrammes of ivory and wildlife products worth nearly 10 million baht ($270,000).

The operation, code-named "Broken Ivory: Operation Elephant Slayer", was announced on Sunday by the Central Investigation Bureau, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

Investigators targeted administrators of secret online trading groups allegedly involved in the illegal sale of ivory, dugong tusks and other wildlife remains. Police launched the investigation after discovering a Facebook group named "Tusks and Animal Amulets", where wildlife products were allegedly being traded illegally.

Undercover officers posed as buyers and later confirmed through forensic testing that the seized ivory originated from African elephants. Authorities said the network had been operating for about one year and generated an estimated turnover of around 10 million baht.

Investigators found the ivory was smuggled from Africa by sea to Vietnam before being trafficked into Thailand through natural crossings along the Mekong River with assistance from Vietnamese contacts working in Thailand. On May 7, 2026, officers carried out coordinated raids at 11 locations across seven provinces — Samut Sakhon, Uthai Thani, Kamphaeng Phet, Chumphon, Songkhla, Chonburi and Chanthaburi — and arrested nine suspects under court warrants.

Among the items seized were 140 kilogrammes of raw ivory tusks, 40 kilogrammes of cut ivory pieces, ivory prayer beads, ivory powder, resin-compressed ivory, knives with ivory or antler handles, stingray tail parts, hawksbill turtle remains and equipment used to cut and shape ivory. Authorities estimated the ivory and related products were worth about 7.5 million baht, while ivory-handled knives were valued at approximately 2.4 million baht.

All nine suspects reportedly confessed during questioning. Police said further investigations would focus on Vietnamese intermediaries and import routes linked to the smuggling network. Officials said much of the ivory had been carved into amulets, knives, prayer beads and Buddha statues for Thai buyers who believed ivory carried spiritual significance.

Thailand's wildlife authorities said the country has never issued permits allowing legal possession of African elephant ivory under domestic law. Officials said the results of the operation would be reported to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Geneva to demonstrate Thailand's commitment to suppressing illegal ivory trafficking under the 2015 Ivory Act.

The confiscated items will remain in the custody of the Department of National Parks until legal proceedings are completed, after which the ivory will be destroyed, authorities said.

Japanese kickboxing sensation Takeru Sekawa stunned the global boxing community by posting a photo of his fractured leg following a knockout victory over beloved Thai fighter Tank Jitmuangnon and capturing the ONE Championship interim flyweight title. Takeru stated in his caption: "After the fight with Tank, my leg hurt the entire time. At some point it turned out to be broken. Until the very last second, I remained a true fighter worthy of my 'Natural Born Krusher' nickname. Now with no more fights ahead, I'll be taking an extended break to recover. I'm genuinely grateful I managed to pull off the win." Takeru has officially announced his retirement from professional fighting following his victory over Tank Jitmuangnon at ONE Samurai 1 on April 29, marking a graceful exit from the ring in front of his Japanese fanbase.