Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wisit Limsombunchai, Vice President for Asset Management at Kasetsart University, presided over the press conference launching the operational research project 'EEC Water Alliance: Know-Adapt-Survive,' designed to create a learning mechanism and sustainable water management system for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) on May 8, 2026, at Room 904, 9th Floor of the Science Services Building, Office of Lifelong Learning Development at Kasetsart University. The event was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Veeraket Suwanphaka, Director of the Office of Lifelong Learning Development at Kasetsart University, and leading network partners in water management.

The operational research project 'EEC Water Alliance: Know-Adapt-Survive' was initiated by Kasetsart University's Office of Lifelong Learning Development, uniting five leading water management network partners: the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), Royal Irrigation Department, Department of Water Resources, Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA), and East Water Resource Management and Development Company Limited (East Water). The project aims to analyze water situations, create mechanisms for participation among industrial, agricultural, and household sectors, bridge information gaps, and develop practical policy recommendations to address the eastern region's water crisis.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wisit Limsombunchai stated that Kasetsart University supports efficient water use and conducts water research. The university is pleased to announce a joint commitment with five leading water management partners to oversee water management in the Eastern Economic Corridor, ensuring water is used efficiently to support the EEC's substantial water demands. Informed decision-making combined with inter-agency cooperation will prepare the region to handle potential water crises.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Veeraket Suwanphaka explained that the project stems from lessons learned during the 2005 Eastern Region water crisis, which saw protests and obstruction of water diversion to industrial areas. The 'EEC Water Alliance: Know-Adapt-Survive' is a participatory action research (PAR) project that treats stakeholders as 'co-researchers' rather than 'data subjects,' using the PAOR (Plan-Act-Observe-Reflect) process across four strategic zones: Map Ta Phut, Pluak Daeng-Bo Win, Laem Chabang, and Chachoengsao. The project employs data-driven principles to consolidate water data from all agencies into a unified dataset through three strategies:

'Know' – Unified, accurate data integrating information from five main agencies into one source, transforming raw data into accessible, understandable knowledge for the public.

'Adapt' – Managing crises through intelligent networks by developing the EEC Water Network and a flexible Water Grid system to handle emergency situations such as El Niño phenomena.

'Survive' – Sustainably and securely by elevating practices into national-level policy recommendations, aiming to support industry and communities.

The ITF Men's World Tennis Tour M25 and Women's World Tennis Tour W15 tournaments with prize purses of $30,000 (approximately 974,700 baht) and $15,000 (approximately 487,350 baht) respectively were held at Kasetsart University's Kamphaeng Saen campus in Nakhon Pathom on May 8, 2025, in the fourth day of the main draw.

In the men's doubles semifinals, young Thai players "Boom" Kasidis Samrutsai and "Dragonfly" Pawich Sanlauksang fought hard and managed to defeat the tournament's top-seeded pair, Charles Barry of Ireland and Joshua Charlton of Australia, winning in straight sets 7-6 (tiebreak 7-3) and 6-4. They advanced to the final to face Jesse Delaney of Australia and Yamato Sueoka of Japan, the second-seeded pair.

Meanwhile, Thai women's tennis players "Eve" Patcharin Cheepchanjaed and "Buoy" Kamalvaran Yodpetch secured victories in the women's singles category. In the semifinal, Patcharin, who is the defending champion from the previous week, ranked 1st seed and 452nd in the world, spent nearly two hours defeating Japan's Naho Sato (6th seed, 727th in the world) in straight sets 7-6 (tiebreak 7-4) and 7-5 to advance to the final against Erika Sema of Japan (4th seed, 631st in the world).

Kamalvaran, ranked 1,067th in the world, had to battle three sets against South Korea's I Kyeong-so, the defending champion from the previous week (595th ITF ranking). After winning the first set, Kamalvaran lost the second but dominated the decisive third set, winning 2-1 with scores of 6-0, 4-6, and 6-3 in 1 hour 35 minutes, advancing to face Liu Yuhan of China (1,010th in the world).

Other match results: Women's Singles Semifinals: Erika Sema (4-Japan) defeated Monique Barry (7-New Zealand) 6-4, 6-1; Liu Yuhan (China) defeated Im Heeram (South Korea) 6-2, 6-0

Men's Singles Semifinals: Mitsuki Wei Kang Liong (Malaysia) defeated S.D. Prajwal Dev (India) 6-1, 6-3; Moerrani Butsidis (3-Australia) defeated Taiyo Yamanaka (Japan) 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-2; Matthew Dellavedova (4-Australia) defeated Masami Imamura (5-Japan) 7-5, 1-6, 6-1; Takuya Kumasaka (7-Japan) defeated Cruz Hewitt (Australia) 7-5, 6-1

Men's Doubles Semifinals: Jesse Delaney-Yamato Sueoka (2-Australia/Japan) defeated Francis Kesy Alcantara-Colin Sinclair (Philippines/Northern Mariana) 6-2, 6-3

Women's Doubles Semifinals: Anchalee Chanthla-Taraspon Nakhlor (3) defeated Lalda Kamhom-Pimmaida Thongkam 6-2, 7-5

The Agriculture Ministry has approved a rice insurance subsidy program for the 2025 crop year, with a focus on comprehensive support for smallholder farmers. Permanent Secretary Winatroj Sapsongsuk announced the decision after chairing the first meeting of the agricultural insurance promotion committee, attended by Piraphan Khotong, secretary-general of the Agricultural Economics Office, and relevant agencies. The committee endorsed a hybrid insurance model emphasizing broad coverage of small-scale farmers. The government and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) will jointly fund insurance premiums for smallholder farmers and BAAC customer groups, covering cultivation areas of no more than 10 rai per household, providing protection against natural risks, particularly severe drought and sudden flooding that may occur under El Niño conditions. The committee urged the secretariat to accelerate submission of the resolution to the BAAC board and the National Rice Policy and Management Committee by June to coincide with planting seasons and when farmers most need protection. The initiative aims to serve as a prototype for integrating digital data between government and private agencies, allowing farmers maximum benefits and peace of mind through a unified, rapid assistance system nationwide. Additionally, the committee approved modernizing the insurance system with greater efficiency by incorporating advanced satellite imagery technology alongside existing assessment methods to increase accuracy and speed in paying compensation to farmers within 7 to 14 days. Simultaneously, the committee recommended bolstering farmer confidence through risk management education programs, enabling farmers to adapt effectively and plan cultivation efficiently. This represents a transition from providing temporary relief to establishing systematic livelihood security using international standard insurance mechanisms as a primary tool to protect production and ensure sustainable livelihoods.

Thailand's youth tennis team has advanced to the championship finals of the 2026 ITF Asia Under-12 Team Championship held at the National Tennis Development Center in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi. After battling to a 1-1 tie with Malaysia on May 7, rain forced a suspension, and the deciding doubles match resumed the following morning on May 8, where Thailand's boys rallied to secure a 2-1 victory. Thailand will now face Indonesia, who defeated Vietnam 2-1, in the championship match. In the boys' singles matches: Thir Sraprasit defeated Alexander Sayyid 2-0 (6-0, 6-1) in the second singles position, while Oliver Bensen Berkhoudt, a Thai-Dutch player, lost to Mason Gyrus Ho 0-2 (4-6, 2-6) in the first singles. In doubles, Oliver and Prattakorn Pachirattana defeated Varun Raj Doyrai and Mason Gyrus Ho 2-0 (6-3, 6-3).

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Friday urged ASEAN to strengthen unity, resilience and its global role amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and a changing world order.

Speaking during the Retreat Session of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, Anutin said recent tensions in the Middle East reflected growing global instability and showed that the international order was undergoing significant change. "The world will never be the same again," government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek quoted him as saying. Anutin said ASEAN could no longer remain reactive and must respond to challenges with greater agility and foresight. He proposed three strategic priorities for the bloc: stronger regional unity, greater resilience and maintaining ASEAN's relevance on the global stage.

He stressed the importance of "ASEAN Centrality," saying member states should keep ASEAN at the core of their foreign policies while strengthening mechanisms for crisis coordination and confidence-building. Anutin also said ASEAN must remain a trusted partner in supporting multilateralism and a rules-based international order, while ensuring regional integration delivers tangible benefits for people.

On Myanmar, he said recent developments — including the pardon of former President U Win Myint and the transfer of detained former state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to a residential setting — could help create a more favourable atmosphere for dialogue and reconciliation. He added that Thailand was ready to support ASEAN efforts to gradually re-engage with Myanmar under the bloc's Five-Point Consensus.

Japan's Environment Ministry confirmed on Friday, May 8, the first bear attack fatality of 2026 in Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan, with police accelerating investigations into two additional deaths believed to be bear-related amid a sharp surge in bear attacks nationwide.

The first victim was a 55-year-old woman who died on April 21 in Iwate Prefecture. Police are investigating two other deaths suspected to involve bears—one body found in Iwate on Thursday, May 7, and another discovered in a forest in Yamagata Prefecture on Tuesday, May 5.

According to NHK television, one victim identified as Kumagai Shiyoko, 69, went missing while foraging for wild vegetables in a mountainous area. Rescuers found her body near a parking area in the forest Thursday morning with facial and head wounds bearing marks resembling animal claw scratches.

Following the incidents, local authorities deployed hunters to patrol high-risk areas for prevention, and assigned police with emergency authority to shoot bears if necessary.

Environment Ministry data shows that between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, 216 people were injured in bear attacks—a significant increase from the previous year's 3 deaths and 82 injuries.

Scientists attribute the surge to rapidly increasing bear populations combined with declining rural human populations, bringing bears closer to communities. Additionally, a reduced acorn crop last year—a key bear food source—has forced bears to forage in other areas.

Brown bears are found only on Hokkaido Island, where the population has more than doubled in 30 years, reaching over 11,500 in 2023. Japanese black bears are distributed across multiple regions including Honshu, covering both Iwate and Yamagata prefectures.