The armed attack on Kamlasak Leewamoh, Narathiwat MP from the Pheu Chart party, continues to draw intense scrutiny on how the Royal Thai Police will investigate whether this case leads to identifying those who masterminded the assassination attempt. All five gunmen have been arrested, and it's abundantly clear that the government vehicle from the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense used in the attack was checked out by a naval officer. Yet police remained silent until the victim, MP Kamlasak, was forced to submit evidence that his party team had gathered to file charges himself against a rear admiral from the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense who provided the vehicle to the gunmen, and a naval lieutenant affiliated with the Royal Thai Navy who is implicated in the evidence. This brought two military officers into the legal proceedings. Public attention is intensely focused on whether the M16 assault that was unleashed on an MP using an Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense vehicle was purely an internal operation among the shooting team alone. That's clearly impossible. Someone higher up the chain than the gunmen must be responsible. Police must thoroughly examine whether the evidence clearly links to the officers involved and carries sufficient weight. Yet from the public's perspective, it's already evident that a government vehicle was requisitioned for the gunmen, and there's even evidence of vehicle tampering. This means police work is under intense public scrutiny. If the investigation doesn't progress further, public confidence will erode and credibility will be lost, especially among those in the southern border region who view this incident as reinforcing a pattern of violence in the area. There are covert operations—ambushes and assassinations—that aren't just the work of a single terrorist faction. Military leaders' statements about IO operations targeting certain groups, attacking media, religious schools, and politicians reflect an extreme military-led state policy approach. This incident will only intensify the atmosphere of suspicion and tension. Furthermore, the Pheu Chart party's case investigation team is led by Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, the party chairman and a former investigator of major cases. They're pursuing investigative leads that are far from ordinary. The police investigation team clearly won't simply drop this matter.

Assoc. Prof. Parinnya Thaewanphimolkul along with law students from Thammasat University have submitted a draft amendment to Section 29 of the Criminal Code to abolish imprisonment in lieu of fines to representatives from five political parties.

The key proposal involves replacing imprisonment with systematic community service or public benefit work to address the "imprisonment due to poverty" problem—a long-standing inequality.

While current law appears neutral, identical fine amounts in practice affect people of different economic status differently. Between 40,000-50,000 people are imprisoned annually for unpaid fines. Although Section 30/1 provides for community service as an alternative, access is below 10%.

This means the legal "right" cannot be genuinely used by most people.

The stance of representatives from the five political parties showing principled agreement is a positive signal. Chaturon Chaisaeng from Pheu Thai Party, who has previously studied justice and poverty issues, pinpoints the core problem: identical fine systems have never truly been equal. He proposes expanding community service to all groups, not just the poor. This concept is important because it shifts the perspective from punishment as restitution to punishment that creates social value.

Allowing knowledgeable or skilled individuals to contribute public service time not only benefits society but makes punishment carry greater moral weight than mere financial payment.

Meanwhile, the Phalang Prachachon Party connects this to a larger issue: some defendants haven't been convicted yet but are restricted in freedom simply because they lack bail money.

However, the question for the five major parties is how to make this actually happen. Historically, many legal reforms have stopped at principled agreement but never became enforceable law.

Abolishing imprisonment in lieu of fines is not merely reducing the number of incarcerated people, but elevating Thailand's justice standards to align with true human rights principles and fairness.

With all political sides in agreement, what society expects is action, not just supportive words. If all five parties—Pheu Thai, Phalang Prachachon, Phum Jai Thai, Kla Tham, and Prachatipat—genuinely share this position, coordinating in Parliament should not be difficult.

It would also be important proof that Thai politics can still build consensus on matters benefiting the public.

Famous lukthung singer Surachai Samapatcharoen has sparked another online controversy by posting a video expressing doubt about his biological relationship with Rocky Surabordin Samapatcharoen. In the video, Surachai reveals that online commenters have questioned whether the two are truly father and son, and he openly admits, "I'm not sure either." He asserts that he is open-minded and willing to take a DNA test to determine the truth, saying he wants clear answers. He further states that if the test shows Rocky is not his biological son, he wants Rocky to change his surname and questions whether he can pursue legal action if Rocky refuses. He asks legal experts for advice and mentions he will return to Bangkok by mid-month. In a direct quote, Surachai says: "People have been commenting asking if Bordin is really my biological son or not. Honestly, I'm not sure either. I'm ready to do a DNA test. I want to know too. If he's not my son, I want him to change his surname. If he won't change it, can I take legal action? Anyone with legal knowledge, please advise me. I should be back in Bangkok by mid-month." Additionally, Surachai attached a clip from a lukthung radio show where Rocky gave an interview with harsh undertones, and he also shared song lyrics with paternity-related content, which sparked numerous comments from netizens.

At Palang Pracharath Party headquarters on May 4, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul gave a statement following the party's weekly parliamentary caucus and executive council meeting. He explained the gathering was held to inform and secure party support for proposals to be presented in parliament and agenda items for tomorrow's cabinet meeting, which he described as routine procedure. When asked about the 400-billion-baht loan decree, Anutin confirmed it would be included on tomorrow's cabinet agenda, stating 'we say and we do.' When reporters brought up Dusit Poll's latest political popularity survey showing him leading as Thailand's most prominent politician, Anutin did not answer verbally. Instead, he raised his hand in a respectful wai gesture above his head, said 'sadhu' (an expression of appreciation), and immediately left the interview area.

Elderly Man Shoots Four Rounds, Dies on Scene Over Stolen Gold Ring Dispute Before Turning Himself In

On May 4, Deputy Lieutenant Kankaweah Meethram, Deputy Investigation Officer at Ko Kha Police Station in Lampang, received a report of a shooting incident resulting in a death within Sab Pueng Village, Moo 3, Tha Pha Subdistrict, Ko Kha District, Lampang. He coordinated with forensic doctors, the Ko Kha Hospital, evidence officers, Tha Pha rescue workers, and the Ko Kha Rescue Association to investigate.

The incident occurred at a dirt courtyard in front of an orchard house with a temporary shelter. One male body was found lying on the ground, wearing a red shirt and black trousers, with gunshot wounds to the head and blood pooled on the ground. The victim was identified as Weerachai, 76 years old. The suspect was Nopadol, 77 years old, who surrendered to police at Ko Kha Police Station after the incident.

During investigation, Nopadol stated that he and the victim had quarreled because he suspected the victim had stolen a gold ring from his house. When questioned, the victim denied it. Nopadol then warned him never to enter his property again. However, during the incident, the victim walked into Nopadol's orchard house, causing Nopadol severe displeasure. He used a .38-caliber gun to shoot the victim four times, resulting in death, after which he turned himself in. Police have taken him into custody for legal proceedings.

BANGKOK — The Department of Corrections has ordered a group of prison officials to be removed from service over allegations of providing special "VIP" treatment to Chinese inmates at Bangkok Remand Prison, following a probe by the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand.

The agency said the action was part of a wider disciplinary crackdown after investigations found serious misconduct, including accepting benefits in exchange for overlooking offences such as inmates' possession of mobile phones and facilitating improper access for lawyers. Officials implicated in the case have been suspended pending a serious disciplinary inquiry to ensure transparency.

The Department of Corrections said it had also forwarded evidence to the Department of Special Investigation, with the case now under consideration by the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further legal action.

Authorities said the measures were aimed at eliminating corruption within the prison system and restoring public confidence, stressing that all inmates must be treated equally under the law without exception.