BANGKOK — The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is moving forward with plans for four new rail transit projects in Bangkok, including the Brown, Silver, Grey and Blue lines, according to MRTA governor Kajpachon Udomthamphakdi. The first project is the Brown Line connecting Khae Rai and Lam Sali (Bueng Kum), covering 22.1 kilometres. Kajpachon said the MRTA would continue to push ahead with the project as planned. The second project is the Silver Line, a 19.7-kilometre light rail transit (LRT) route linking Bang Na and Suvarnabhumi Airport. The project is currently under review to improve integration with the airport terminal. MRTA will also conduct a new environmental impact assessment (EIA), as the previous study is more than five years old. The review process is expected to begin within the next two to three months and take around one year. Kajpachon said the third project, the Grey Line monorail connecting Watcharaphon and Thong Lo over 16.3 kilometres, is also being revised to better match current conditions. The proposal is expected to be submitted to the MRTA board in 2027. The fourth project is the Blue Line monorail linking Din Daeng and Sathorn over 6.7 kilometres. MRTA expects studies for the route to begin after 2029 in line with priorities under the M-MAP2 transport development plan.

BANGKOK — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Saturday welcomed the upcoming release of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, saying he still respects Thaksin after working under him for more than two decades.

Speaking to reporters on 9 May, Anutin said he wished to congratulate Thaksin and his family ahead of the former prime minister's expected release from detention on 11 May.

"I still respect him. I used to work under him for more than 20 years. We have a close relationship, like family," Anutin said.

When asked whether he planned to seek advice from Thaksin on issues the former premier was known to have expertise in, Anutin said there was no restriction against meeting him.

However, he said Thaksin should first be allowed to spend time with his family following his release.

"Bangkok is small. Someday we may have a chance to meet under different occasions," he said.

Anutin added that Thaksin would still be under parole conditions after his release, meaning there would likely still be restrictions and limited convenience for outside visitors.

Asked whether Thaksin's return could trigger political ripple effects if he remained active in politics, Anutin said he had not thought that far ahead.

"Regardless, he is still someone I respect," the prime minister said.

The Structural Engineers Association chair has advised investigation into soil movement concerning the Charoen Sanit Road collapse, revealing such incidents have occurred previously in 2021 and 2023. May 9, 2026 – Prof. Dr. Amorn Pimanmak, president of Thailand's Structural Engineers Association, commented on the road collapse on Charoen Sanit Road at Vijai Hospital near the Fai Chao intersection. Prof. Dr. Amorn disclosed that the Charoen Sanit Road collapse has happened multiple times in 2021 and 2023. Analyzing photographs from today's incident, the collapse appears as a single-lane subsidence with the road fractured in a V-shape, not damage to the road surface itself but rather loss of supporting soil beneath the roadbed. Regarding possible causes, the following have been identified: 1. Underground utility pipes or vaults in the area, such as electrical conduit chambers, may have leaked at connection points where pipes meet vaults or at other locations, allowing soil to flow into these vaults; 2. Combined with potential rainfall during this period making soil saturated, it may flow more easily than usual; 3. Possible nearby construction activity with excavation or exposed soil that could allow soil movement; 4. Broken water or drainage pipes that allow water to carry soil away. All of these remain speculative, and relevant authorities will need to conduct on-site inspections of underground utilities in the affected area to determine the actual cause. However, this collapse appears less severe than the Vajira Hospital road collapse, as that incident was located near underground train construction, though monitoring is advisable to check for further expansion. Relevant authorities should investigate soil movement, particularly during the rainy season when saturated soil flows more easily, using scanning equipment to check underground pits or vaults at regular intervals, as even small holes could pose hazards to drivers.

The final of the I-EA-T Phitsanulok Cup, Thailand Ranking Circuit 2026, held at Ratana Grand Convention in Phitsanulok on May 9, 2026, concluded with a thrilling championship match. MP Natthaida Thepsutin, Deputy Leader of the Pheu Thai Party, presided over the awards ceremony alongside Sunthorn Charummanth, President of the Thai Billiards Association, and other officials. The best-of-seven-frames final pitted world professional F-One Thepchaia Uonnoo, ranked 18th globally and defending champion from the Khon Kaen event, against Jack Dechaovat Pumjaeng, Thailand's number 4 ranked nine-ball player.

F-One started hot, breaking for 84-12 to lead 1-0. Both players made errors in frame two, but F-One's stronger play saw him break for 50 points and win 77-26, extending his lead to 2-0. Jack fought back in frame three with a 62-point break and 94-47 victory, closing the gap to 1-2. Frame four saw Jack continue his momentum, breaking 48 points with 79-27, equalizing at 2-2. The match remained tense with both players trading mistakes, but F-One's superior play delivered back-to-back frames to clinch the championship 4-2 with final scores of 84-12, 77-26, 47-94, 27-79, 76-58, and 115-16. F-One claimed his second consecutive title and 200,000 baht prize money. Runner-up Jack received 80,000 baht. Top Chun Phongsakorn Jongjarak earned the maximum break and highest break awards, totaling 584,000 baht.

F-One expressed his satisfaction with the event, praising the Phitsanulok hosts for their excellent organization and the large crowd. He noted that both he and Jack played poorly today, but his ability to close out frames secured the championship. F-One will showcase his skills in China on May 10 before returning to Thailand ahead of the professional world circuit season starting in June.

Many young people assume their bodies can handle anything due to their age, but an ICU nurse named Lin Ting recently shared a shocking case of a 24-year-old woman who developed complete kidney failure. The woman had consumed sugary drinks and sweets regularly since childhood, refused to see doctors when ill, and self-medicated heavily with painkillers. One week before hospitalization, she experienced severe chest tightness but ignored it until she tearfully called her mother saying she couldn't take it anymore.

Upon arrival at the hospital, her condition was critical—pale, losing consciousness, and her blood pressure barely detectable. Her blood sugar levels were so dangerously high that the testing equipment could not register the value. Doctors found severely elevated inflammation markers that had spread to her lungs and kidneys. Her mother revealed that the bedside table was lined with medication boxes that her daughter had been self-administering.

Despite the medical team's efforts to save her life, the young woman's kidneys failed completely. She was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure and required emergency intubation and dialysis. Doctors confirmed that improper lifestyle habits—late nights, late meals, and daily sugary drinks combined with unsupervised medication use—caused chronically uncontrolled high blood sugar that permanently damaged her kidneys.

Nurse Lin Ting has issued a warning to young adults living independently, emphasizing that risky behaviors should not become daily routines. She provided three key recommendations: avoid making risky habits like late nights, irregular eating, and sugary foods part of your daily routine; do not assume a young body can always handle the strain, as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes are increasingly affecting younger people; and seek medical attention when symptoms appear, because waiting until kidney failure requires lifelong dialysis is never worth the temporary comfort.

A stray cat becomes a super mom in this heartwarming viral story! A mother cat named Mittens arrived at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in early April with her own kitten, Sox. The pair wasn't ordinary—both had a genetic condition causing extra toes, giving them adorably oversized paws. But the real surprise was how Mittens would become the shelter's unlikely hero.

While Mittens was already caring for Sox, six orphaned kittens just one week old arrived at the center. Hungry, tiny, and requiring intensive care, the staff worried they couldn't manage the demanding task. Desperate, they decided to introduce the kittens to Mittens—and the result was miraculous. The kindhearted cat immediately pulled all six kittens close, nursing and caring for them as if they were her own.

"Overnight, Mittens went from being a mother of one to a mother of seven," said Courtney Williams, a staff member at the shelter.

Williams explained that Mittens didn't just provide milk for the orphaned kittens—she gave them the love and warmth they desperately needed. The six kittens—five males and one female—were named Flip, Flop, Jeans, Jacket, Hat, and Scarf. All are now thriving and growing strong, a remarkable transformation from their desperate first days at the shelter. They're expected to be ready for adoption in early June.