The badminton tournament draw for the Toyota Thailand Open 2026, a Super 500 event scheduled for May 12-17 at the Nimibutr Stadium, has been officially released. Notable Thai competitors in men's singles include champion and world number two "View" Kulwutti Vititsanthan, who will face Japan's Yudai Okimoto (world rank 36) in the first round. "Ikkyu" Panichpol Teerarattanaskul (world rank 25) will have a rematch against Indonesia's Moh Saki Ubaidillah (world rank 39) from the Thailand Masters 2026 final. In women's singles, "May" Ratchanok Intanon (world rank 7) awaits her qualifier opponent, while "Meow" Pornpawee Chochuwong, the former runner-up and world number 8, will compete against India's Annati Huda (world rank 19). "Cream" Busanan Ungbampunpun (world rank 18) faces Singapore's Yang Zihao Min (world rank 33), and "May" Supanida Ketuong (world rank 15) will compete against fellow Thai "Pink" Pitchayamol Obasaniput (world rank 24). In men's doubles, "P" Piratpol Sukpundan and "Omo" Parkpol Teerarattanaskul (world rank 60) face France's Julien Maio and William Villejuger (world rank 67), while "Ott" Chalermpol Charoenkit and "Team" Vorapol Thongson (world rank 54) will meet China's Huang Di and Liu Yang (world rank 35). In women's doubles, "Boom" Thitipin Kliebyisun and "Hwa Hwa" Natthamon Likrasun (world rank 77) face Japan's Ruoyi Hirokamii and Sayaka Hobara (world rank 14), while "Bam" Atitaya Powannont and "Fah" Pichayamuth Pattarapissittisini await their qualifier opponents. "Tara" Pattarinda Iamwattareesakul and "Nam Wha" Sarisa Chanthapang will meet Hong Kong's Yung Hao Ting and Yung Puay Lam, while "Pat" Hataitip Michat and "Kasjang" Napaphorn Tungkhasathan await their qualifier opponents. In mixed doubles, "Bass" Dechapol Pavarananda and "Fame" Supisara Piewsamran (world rank 3) face Indonesia's Adnan Maulana and Indah Cahya Sari Jamil (world rank 18), "Mix" Ratchapol Marksetthasit and "Hwa Hwa" Natthamon Likrasun will meet Indonesia's Jafar Hidayatullah and Felicia Pasaribu (world rank 9), "Title" Rutsanaphak Uupthong and "Jen" Cheah Nichacha Sudchapraprarun (world rank 15) face Scotland's Alexander Dunn-Julia Macpherson (world rank 33), and "Omo" Parkpol Teerarattanaskul and "Pop Pop" Sapsiree Teeratchai (world rank 20) will meet China's Cheng Xing and Zhang Chi (world rank 13).

On May 5, 2025, at Chulalongkorn University's Phra Keaw Hall, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yossakorn Wongswasdi presided over the opening ceremony of the Network for Executive Xceleration & Unbounded Scale (NEXUS AI) curriculum batch 2, alongside special keynote remarks. Chulalongkorn University executives, the vice dean of the Faculty of Engineering, and senior artificial intelligence officials from both the public and private sectors participated in the event.

Yossakorn stated that the government is accelerating the implementation of artificial intelligence policies to elevate Thailand's competitive capabilities, with the aim of integrating knowledge and applying it across all dimensions, from agriculture and public health to biotechnology and advanced technologies such as Physical AI and Digital Twin.

The ultimate goal is to transform Thailand from merely being a technology user dependent on foreign technology into a developer of its own AI innovations, establishing a solid technological foundation essential for the future. He further noted that although AI adoption rates in Thailand currently remain below 20 percent and governance development still requires acceleration, AI will serve as a crucial mechanism to catalyze a dramatic surge in gross domestic product growth.

The primary strategy involves deploying AI to enhance production efficiency in foundational sectors such as agriculture, SME businesses, and services, while simultaneously creating a new growth engine by advancing AI applications in high-value industries like the wellness economy and space economy. This includes encouraging private sector investment in research and development to create added value and attract foreign investment.

Another urgent priority is safeguarding data sovereignty through the promotion and development of a Thai Large Language Model to ensure the country possesses its own data processing infrastructure without solely relying on foreign platforms. The government also aims to build AI literacy across the population, targeting at least one in three Thai citizens with foundational AI knowledge to enable them to adapt to and benefit from AI effectively. Establishing this comprehensive ecosystem will be a critical variable enabling Thailand to advance toward a sustainable future, Yossakorn concluded.

Fang Thana Phase 4, a colossal music festival uniting youth from every corner of the city, concluded spectacularly at IMPACT Exhibition Center Halls 5-6 last Saturday (May 2), with crowds filling the venue. Every attendee was amazed by the massive landmark and thrilled to be part of this moment, with screams and powerful music thundering from opening to closing act. The night kicked off with special guest performers Ba Yin Hang Gai, Ai Ye, and Bateer Deng Yong, imported from China, who showcased cultural artistry through performances blending music, art, and national identity. MIRRR warmed up the crowd before Serious Bacon brought warmth and fun to the hall. JMNK and Purpeech took fans deep into indie territory, followed by Fellow Fellow and Polycat with hit songs that had the entire audience singing along. 4EVE brought vibrant dance energy to the stage, succeeded by Little John and Joey Phuwasit whose performances drew continuous screams. Three Man Down dominated the peak of the night with non-stop hits, turning the entire hall into a massive chorus before rock legends Bodyslam unleashed explosive power and emotion. Taito Smith closed the night with intense performances that captivated the crowd from start to finish. Beyond the stellar artist lineup spanning every music genre, the festival featured renowned food vendors from Fang Thana Foods offering diverse dining options and numerous activities, making this more than just a concert but a true gathering place for youth. The event was officially opened by university executives and organized by ENTLAB THAILAND, Event Entertainment BSRU, MACENT BSRU, and BSM BSRU in collaboration with Bansomdej Chaopraya Rajabhat University.

On May 5, 2569, the Central Corruption and Misconduct Court dismissed charges against Sritdit Chanthapradat (also known as Phra Tham Vachiradheerakun Sritdit Chanthapradat), former abbot of Nakhon Sawan Province and head of Wat Nakhon Sawan, and Ms. Phuthini Kiewpitaksakul as defendants 1 and 2 in an embezzlement case involving over 4 million baht from Wat Nakhon Sawan. The original charges included embezzlement and breach of duty causing damage.

The Special Prosecutors Office had alleged that the two defendants conspired to misappropriate temple funds under defendant 1's control, with defendant 2 providing assistance and facilitating the scheme. The temple's bank account at Krung Thai Bank required two of three authorized signatories, including the abbot, to withdraw funds.

According to prosecutors, defendant 1 assigned a monk to complete bank withdrawal forms for amounts defendant 1 specified. The funds were transferred through multiple bank accounts—first to the monk's account, then to defendant 1's Kasikornbank account, and finally to defendant 2's account. This process occurred 49 times, totaling 4,965,087 baht.

The prosecution sought penalties under Criminal Code articles 86, 91, 147, 157 and the Corruption Prevention and Suppression Act B.E. 2561, article 172, and demanded the defendants jointly repay 4,965,087 baht. Both defendants denied the charges.

After analysis, the court found that while the facts showed the monk transferred 4,965,087 baht from the temple's account in 49 transactions to defendant 1's account, and defendant 1 subsequently transferred 405,000 baht to defendant 2 in 32 transactions, a key witness testified that loan agreements existed between the temple and defendant 1, with the transfer amounts matching the loan documentation. After offsetting debts between the temple and defendant 1, the court determined insufficient evidence of criminal intent.

Nawat Itsaragrisil, chief executive of Miss Grand International Public Company Limited, has announced a major regional expansion after securing rights to operate the Miss Universe business in five ASEAN countries.

In a filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the company said its executive board approved the agreement at a meeting on 30 April 2026.

Under the deal, the company has obtained exclusive rights to manage and operate the Miss Universe licence in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos.

The agreement covers national pageant organisation, related events and activities, commercial development tied to the brand, and the right to appoint one local sublicense partner in each country.

Miss Grand said the move strengthens its position in the regional pageant industry and expands its business footprint across Southeast Asia.

The company previously acquired the rights to organise Miss Universe Thailand in 2025.

The Thai Cycling Association is advancing personnel development in line with its strategic plan by launching a foundational national-level cycling coach training program. Federation President General Decha Mekarachari announced that the association is conducting its 2025 training curriculum in collaboration with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), beginning with a foundational cycling coach development and skills enhancement program from May 13-17 at Wasitthi City Hotel in Suphan Buri province. Twenty representatives from member clubs will participate, with the International Cycling Union (UCI) appointing American professional mountain bike coach Robert Huber Jr.—a Level 4 certified instructor—as the program's lead trainer.

General Decha stated that the program aligns with the federation's strategic vision, which extends beyond athlete development to encompass comprehensive personnel development across multiple domains: coaching, refereeing from apprentice to international levels, and professional bicycle mechanic training. This comprehensive approach enables the association to build a skilled workforce capable of advancing Thai cyclists to international standards.

"Our approach to elevating Thai coaches starts with building a strong foundation by recruiting new coaches through programs coordinated with both the Sports Authority of Thailand and the UCI," General Decha explained. "We primarily select participants from our member clubs to ensure we're developing coaches with solid theoretical and practical knowledge in cycling. These trained coaches will serve as crucial drivers in developing the next generation of cyclists for Thailand's national team and sustained success. Currently, we're seeing a significant increase in capable young coaches."

General Decha noted that five Thai coaches—"Coach Tum" (Wissuth Kasiyapat), "Coach Bass" (Pongchong Saiudomsil), "Coach B" (Juthadip Maniphanthae), "Coach Nop" (Adisak Wangsri), and national team cyclist "TJ" (Jay Angsudasavit)—have completed the UCI Level 3 advanced coaching curriculum at the World Cycling Center in Eagle, Switzerland. After six years of training at the world center, they earned certification and are now licensed UCI coaches eligible to work globally.

"The association continuously invests in personnel development, offering multiple courses annually across road, track, mountain bike, and BMX disciplines," General Decha said. "We've also been developing referees with strong UCI support for both national and advanced-level international training. Most recently, BMX cycling referee Katthiya Srisodata passed the theory exam for the UCI international referee program and is awaiting practical examination in June. Once certified, Thailand will have added another international BMX referee to our current roster of one international road and track referee, Nathpong Lohitnavi."