Golden Buddha Hair Relic Opened for Inspection: Drama Over 50 Baht Gold Ends with Gold Embedded in Cement—Craftsman Relieved to Find Gold Inside. May 4—A man brought a golden Buddha hair relic weighing nearly 50 baht for inspection after his family had collected 45 baht in gold to participate in a merit-making ceremony to cast the relic, with a local abbot and villagers contributing additional gold as well.

However, after 8 years passed, suspicions arose. When the golden relic was tested at a shop, the truth emerged: the nearly 50-baht golden relic turned out to be brass, with only 2-3% actual gold content remaining.

As a result, Phra Khru Pathumapunyabhassaipaithuraya Jaraban, 67, abbot of Wat Bunchuenchoo Temple in Pathum Thani Province, along with Nakorn Kanthoolis and disciples, filed a report with Deputy Investigation Officer Wuthinan Somsunant at Pak Khlong Rangsan Police Station in Pathum Thani, seeking both civil and criminal legal action until the case reached its conclusion.

Most recently, Phra Khru Pathumapunyabhassaipaithuraya and Phra Khru Prathip Thammo, abbot of Wat Dao Ruang Temple, along with craftsman Woraphon Chitthatham and temple committee members, held a meeting to find a solution regarding the missing gold from the Buddha hair relic. After Buddhist authorities approved an inspection, Woraphon used a steel cutting tool to slice open the relic crosswise, taking approximately 3 minutes. Upon opening it and removing the surrounding cement, gold pieces were discovered embedded inside at the end of the relic, bringing relief and joy to everyone involved.

With tears in his eyes, Woraphon stated that he had followed every detail of the news reports and was going mad because he had no idea what had happened to the relic over the past 10 years. He said he had been held responsible for whether gold existed inside or not, and if it didn't, he would face imprisonment—leaving his children's future uncertain. He expressed immense relief upon finding the gold was still there.

ROME (AP) — The Baths of Caracalla, the sumptuously decorated public baths complex near the Colosseum, were long a place of leisure, healthcare and relaxation for ancient Romans. On Sunday, the place provided a different sort of decompression to a group of Palestinian children and their families who had been evacuated from Gaza for medical care, thanks to Italy's humanitarian corridors program. "We brought families with children so they could experience visiting an ancient archaeological site," said Luisa delle Fratte, a tour guide with Guides for Gaza, in an interview with The Associated Press. "We also offered them a snack, some games and moments of social interaction and togetherness." Ordinary Italian families mingled throughout the sprawling site, some settling on the grass to enjoy the springtime sun. The Palestinian families, all now residing in Rome, blended in seamlessly—following their tour guide and translator, taking selfies amid the ruins, and watching water jets shoot upward from the newly installed reflecting pool. Organizers designed the outing as a respite from medical treatments and the memories of war. "I was injured and lost my ability to speak, as well as mobility and normal function in my hand and leg," said 13-year-old Ahmed Skena, struggling to form his words. He added that he also lost his father and brother in the war. Mariam Dawwas, 25, attended with her husband and four young children, one of whom is ill. The family arrived in Italy after being displaced more than 10 times. "Thank God, I am still in a better situation than in Gaza, away from the bombing. At least I am safe, I have shelter, and there is light for my children," she said. Some of the families at Caracalla on Sunday knew each other from Gaza but hadn't seen one another since their evacuation, according to Delle Fratte. Guides for Gaza, a network founded last year in Umbria and Tuscany, has recently expanded to Naples and Rome. "It was very beautiful to see them there embracing again and meeting one another once more," she said. While the Palestinian families toured the ruins, other guides offered tours to Italians in exchange for donations to support Gazelle, a nonprofit involved in child protection projects in the Gaza Strip. The war in Gaza began with a 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, in which the militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted others.

The identity of the man found dead beside a school bathroom has been confirmed. He had recently escaped and returned home, staying for just one day before vanishing for three weeks, ultimately being discovered in his current condition.

On May 4, authorities found the decomposing body of an unidentified man, approximately 40-45 years old, lying beside the bathroom of a school in Glanthai subdistrict, Muang district, Buriram province. The discovery caused significant alarm among police and residents, as there had been no missing person report and no prior signs of trouble before the body was found. Concerns arose about whether this could be a concealed murder case.

Police Colonel Warayus Chanyiam, commander of Buriram Provincial Police, subsequently ordered the investigating officers to urgently resolve the case to reassure the local community. Inspector Jarut Siriliang, superintendent of Muang Buriram Police Station, directed a detailed investigation into both criminal and public health records, leading to the identification of the deceased as Niphorn, 34, from Phrakru subdistrict, Muang district, Buriram province.

According to Natthrika, 49, a friend of the deceased's mother, the victim had a history of psychiatric treatment and drug rehabilitation in Pathum Thani province for over five years. He subsequently escaped from the medical facility and returned to Buriram, staying with relatives for only one night before disappearing for more than three weeks until his body was found.

Inspector Jarut reported that preliminary investigation of the scene revealed no signs of struggle. The cause of death remains unconfirmed pending a detailed autopsy report from the medical examiner.

SURAT THANI — A shop owner on Koh Phangan has warned fellow operators after two foreign youths allegedly took drinks without paying, according to a post shared on a local Facebook page. The owner posted on the public page "Koh Phangan" describing the incident, which occurred while a young female employee was alone in the shop. According to the post, the two youths had earlier purchased items and later returned, asking for a refund and claiming the products were fake. The employee refused, saying the shop sells only legitimate goods with proper tax stamps. The pair then turned to a refrigerator, took two cans of beer and told the employee they would take them instead, the owner said. The owner added that the employee, being young and not wanting trouble, allowed them to leave. The post was shared as a warning to other business operators, noting that "tourists come in many forms". The incident drew online reactions, with some users urging the owner to report the case to police, warning that failing to act could encourage repeat behaviour.

On May 4, 2026, singer Wonderframe posted a complaint stating that her electric vehicle suddenly wouldn't open. When she contacted the service center, she was given a technician's phone number, spoke with them for hours, but the technician never showed up and claimed they couldn't help. She was told to contact a locksmith to open the car herself.

Changan Thailand has now issued a statement regarding the inconvenience experienced by Wonderframe. The company acknowledged receiving the complaint and expressed deep regret over the incident, offering a sincere apology for the inconvenience and dissatisfaction caused to their customer. The company emphasized they have not been idle, stating they immediately dispatched a service team to address and resolve Wonderframe's issue, and will coordinate to schedule a formal apology meeting.

Changan reaffirmed their commitment to prioritizing customer safety, trust, and satisfaction, pledging to take full measures to resolve the situation appropriately. The company stated they will use this incident to improve and enhance their service quality moving forward. They also thanked customers for their feedback and suggestions, which will be used to improve service and ensure maximum customer satisfaction.