Trang — Residents and tourism operators around Libong Island in Kantang District, a renowned conservation area in Trang Province known for its abundant dugongs and seagrass beds, are increasingly concerned about coral bleaching occurring across Trang's waters due to ongoing global warming. The phenomenon has been accelerating since early May as seawater temperatures rise daily. Latest reports show bleaching affecting approximately 80% of the coral.

Jittapol Tan-anusoron, a prominent Trang tourism businessman who filmed the coral bleaching near Le Dunk Libong Resort at Haad Lang Khao beach on Libong Island after tidal waters receded, reports that the affected corals are primarily shallow-water species including rock corals, staghorn corals, and brain corals.

He predicts that if May passes without significant rainfall or temperature decrease, bleaching could expand to over 90% of the reef. "Within the next two weeks, bleaching will likely spread throughout Haad Lang Khao. Shallow corals, especially during low tide when intense sunlight and heat beat down, experience water temperatures like they're being boiled. Two years ago we had bleaching too, but nature recovered quickly in 4-5 months. This year it's critical—if rain doesn't come soon to cool the water, it will worsen severely. All the coral will bleach, and marine life won't enter the area because the water is too hot, the coral dies, and there's no food from algae covering the reef," he warned.

Pope Leo XIV became an internet sensation after a clip from Vatican News's documentary "Leone a Roma" revealed a brief moment showing him wearing white Nike sneakers under his traditional white papal vestments, prompting widespread sharing and discussion online.

The documentary trailer was officially released on May 6 to celebrate the first anniversary of his election as Pope. The content traces the life journey of Robert Francis Prevost before becoming Pope Leo XIV, covering nearly 20 years of his life in Rome. However, instead of focusing on the documentary's content, the online world became fixated on a brief scene revealing white sneakers peeking out from beneath the papal robes. Many joked that internet users were "zooming in on the shoes like fashion detectives at Paris Fashion Week" trying to identify the exact model.

The buzz intensified when prominent sneaker news account @KicksFinder posted: "Pope Leo XIV, originally from Chicago, wearing Nike in the Leone a Roma documentary trailer by Vatican News." The post was widely shared.

According to Vatican tradition, popes typically wear red leather shoes symbolizing "the blood of martyrdom" and Christ's sacrifice. Pope Benedict XVI was notably remembered for his striking red shoes, while Pope Francis chose simple black shoes to reflect humility and modesty. Pope Leo XIV's appearance in Nike sneakers represents a departure from previous papal leaders' fashion choices and sparked immediate online debate. Some viewed it as a modern and more relatable look, while others criticized it as inappropriate for religious leadership, with comments like "I don't think he should wear something like that" and "wearing a famous brand doesn't seem sacred as it reflects materialism's dark side."

Despite criticism, many internet users loved the look, with comments such as "He has great style" and "You can take the kid out of Chicago, but you can't take Nike out of the kid." Viral jokes followed, including "Nike is blessed now" and "Air x Popes coming soon to a store near you," making this brief moment from the documentary go viral globally in no time.

TENERIFE — 12 May 2026, All passengers and crew aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius have now been evacuated following an outbreak of hantavirus that left three people dead and several others infected, while health authorities continue monitoring passengers who have begun showing symptoms after returning home.

The final group of six passengers, along with some crew members, disembarked off the coast of Tenerife, Spain, on 11 May, marking the end of a complex international evacuation operation. The group included four Australians, one British resident of Australia and one New Zealander, who were later transferred to the Netherlands for quarantine.

Governments including Spain, France, Canada, Britain and the United States arranged charter flights to repatriate citizens after the outbreak aboard the vessel. In total, 94 passengers and crew members were returned to their home countries following the ship's 41-day voyage from southern Argentina. The final evacuation flight departed Tenerife around midday on 11 May local time.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry said 19 crew members and three doctors who remained on board to care for passengers had already arrived in the Netherlands. The MV Hondius, carrying the remaining 26 crew members, is now heading to the Netherlands for disinfection.

The first positive hantavirus test aboard the vessel was reported nine days ago. The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised all passengers to quarantine for 42 days from 10 May because the virus can incubate for up to six weeks. However, quarantine measures vary between countries.

Spanish passengers are required to remain in hospital quarantine for 42 days. French passengers must stay under hospital observation for 72 hours before continuing isolation at home for a further 45 days. American passengers may choose between home quarantine or isolation at a facility in Nebraska.

Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO director for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, said passengers should undergo daily health monitoring either at home or in designated quarantine facilities, depending on national guidelines.

WHO said seven confirmed cases of Andes hantavirus have been identified, along with two additional suspected cases. One suspected patient died before testing could be carried out, while the other is on Tristan da Cunha, a remote island in the South Atlantic without local testing facilities.

The death toll remains at three, including two Dutch passengers and one German passenger.

BANGKOK — On May 12, 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun rode a motorcycle-mounted grocery sidecar around Government House to promote the government's "Thai Help Thai" campaign, which aims to reduce living costs by offering discounted food and household goods.

The two officials toured the grounds near the Thai Khu Fah Building on a "rot phum phuang" motorcycle sidecar—the traditional vendor cart seen throughout Thai neighborhoods—before opening an event showcasing discounted food, consumer goods, and household necessities from government agencies and private-sector partners.

Launched earlier this year, the "Thai Help Thai" campaign is part of the government's broader effort to ease living costs and support household budgets during economic weakness and high consumer expenses.

According to officials, the program operates through mobile sales trucks, community distribution points, and special discount promotions designed to help lower-income households afford essential goods at reduced prices.

Photos from Government House captured Anutin operating the motorcycle sidecar—a common sight in Thai communities where roaming vendors sell fresh vegetables, dry goods, and daily necessities directly to residents.

The staged appearance was intended to emphasize the campaign's grassroots character and link the government initiative to the everyday commerce that thrives in local communities.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprasert emphasized the necessity of issuing a 400 billion baht loan decree to address the cost of living crisis, comparing the measure to killing two birds with one stone by both providing relief and restoring economic strength. Speaking at Government House on May 12, 2025, he reaffirmed that the government regards this as an economic security matter following the opposition's petition to the Constitutional Court.

Distinguishing the current situation from past crises like the 1997 financial crisis and banking collapse, Ekniti stressed that today's challenge is a global cost-of-living crisis constituting an economic security threat. He warned that failure to act immediately would trigger cascading crises: rising inflation leading to increased living costs, shrinking incomes, small business collapse, and ultimately unemployment. "If we don't stop this crisis now and wait for problems to worsen, when living costs rise and income falls, small businesses cannot survive independently and will suffer severe impacts, eventually creating an unemployment crisis," he stated.

Ekniti confirmed that the loan decree has been published in the Royal Gazette and is now in effect, with the government ready to proceed. Regarding the remaining 200 billion baht tranche, he clarified that both portions must be treated separately as crisis relief measures, aiming both to mitigate immediate impacts and strengthen the economy's resilience. He further noted that Thailand faces greater energy security risks than many nations due to high energy imports, making an energy transition necessary to reduce dependence on oil amid ongoing global conflicts.

When asked about the Revenue Department's progress in collecting taxes from Shin Corp stock purchases, Ekniti declined to answer before departing Government House.

The Thai Tourism Authority's Jakarta office is mobilizing a three-pronged marketing strategy to drive Indonesian visitor numbers in 2026, targeting family groups and independent travelers with an average spending capacity of 30,000 baht per person per trip. According to Niti Wongwicha, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Jakarta office, the campaign will run from May to September 2026 and leverage social media to showcase Thailand's attractions to Indonesian tourists who enjoy visiting Talad Noi, Yaowarat, and other Instagram-worthy locations.

The three main activities include: First, partnering with airlines offering direct and connecting flights from Indonesia to create packaged tour products and boost flight bookings through social media. The initiative also extends to cruise ship tourism targeting Samui and Phuket. Second, collaborating with online travel agencies (OTAs) to stimulate tourism bookings within Thailand. Third, working with leading Indonesian bloggers and influencers to create awareness and promote Thai tourism.

The Tourism Authority is expanding promotional activities to secondary Indonesian cities such as Bandung, Balikpapan, and Semarang, with special focus on Muslim family groups, a significant market segment. The strategy includes short, medium, and long-term promotions designed to maintain airline frequency and encourage direct flight selections. Primary destinations include Bangkok, Pattaya (Chonburi), and secondary destinations, with Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima emerging as a new highlight.

Khao Yai is being positioned as an Asia-Europe equivalent destination offering multiple appeals: European-style atmosphere at budget-friendly prices, services tailored to Indonesian family travelers, and abundant natural beauty with numerous photo opportunities for social media. Popular attractions include Tuscany-inspired landscapes and vineyard-like settings reminiscent of French and Hokkaido experiences. The new M6 motorway from Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports to Nakhon Ratchasima significantly reduces travel time, supporting tourism business development.

For 2026, the Jakarta office is also targeting two additional high-value market segments. The first focuses on golf tourism in Bangkok and surrounding areas, with partnerships bringing in over 100 additional golfers in the coming months. The second targets wellness tourism, having recently brought Indonesian operators to participate in the Amazing Thailand Health and Wellness Trade Meet 2026 in Bangkok, and establishing cooperation with Samitivej Hospital and premium health clubs in Indonesia to promote Thailand's health services.