Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and senior Transport Ministry officials visited the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) on May 6, 2025, to deliver important policy directives. The visit emphasized urgent infrastructure improvements to reduce transportation costs while prioritizing public safety in line with government policy. BTS executives, led by Chairman Montri Dechaskulsompor and Governor Kacharap Udomtharmpakdi, received the delegation and briefed officials on BTS operations.

Phiphat stated that the government under Prime Minister Anusorn Chaiyaweerakul has tasked the Transport Ministry with developing a modern, efficient transport system connecting all transport networks nationwide. The ministry wants BTS to provide contemporary, convenient, safe, standard-compliant, and environmentally friendly services, ensuring equitable public access to transportation.

Key policy directives include:

1. Improving living standards and reducing cost-of-living burden by maintaining the 40-baht all-day BTS flat fare while promoting a zone-based fare (Zone-based fare) system to replace distance-based pricing. This aims to create a fairer, more sustainable fare structure accessible to all. BTS should also accelerate negotiations with private concessionaires for unified single-ownership system management and support the 2025 Integrated Ticketing Management Act, coordinating with the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) to ease commuter burdens.

2. Expediting construction and opening of projects, particularly the Purple Line (Taopoon-Ratburana/Rama IX Ring) and Orange Line (Bangkhunnon-Minburi/Suvinthawongse) extensions. Safety standards during construction and operations must strictly follow engineering and safety protocols, including machinery inspections, adequate lighting, warning signs, traffic management, and international-level monitoring systems to build public confidence.

3. Foundation-laying initiatives [content appears truncated in source]

On May 6, 2025, following the Cabinet's approval on May 5 to cancel MOU2544—a memorandum of understanding concerning overlapping areas where Thailand and Cambodia claim continental shelf rights—border trader Duang Rat, who operates a shop opposite the Chong Jom border market in Dan subdistrict, Kabchang district, Surin province, expressed her approval of the decision. She called on the Prime Minister to complete border wall construction quickly and comprehensively. She stated that cancelling MOU43 would be even better, while regarding MOU70, she emphasized that any agreement should not disadvantage Thailand, as border residents have suffered greatly in the past.

"If we open the checkpoint, where will national security be? What happens to the lives and property of border residents?" she asked rhetorically. "Border people can survive without opening a checkpoint. Before, we managed fine without Cambodia. We even provided assistance during the Khmer refugee crisis, supporting hundreds of thousands of people. Thais can help Thais. Thailand is abundant—if we want to boost the economy, we can do it ourselves. Many other countries offer trading opportunities; we don't need Cambodia. Instead, we should develop tourism attractions."

She highlighted potential tourism routes connecting Prasat Ta Kwaai, the 350-year-old temples, and other attractions, linking them to attractions like Khao Sala in Buachet district and Luang Poo Suang in Phu Sing district, Sisaket province. "We shouldn't just wait to open a checkpoint for Cambodia," she stressed. "We need to help ourselves and improve first before allowing them in. Thais can help Thais. Regarding the border wall, I urge the Prime Minister to accelerate its construction for national security and safety, and to meet the people's needs."

A tire blowout caused a gray Isuzu pickup truck bearing a Khon Kaen license plate to veer off the road on Petchkasem Road near Khlong Lamu Bridge in Ta Sae District, Chumphon Province, on May 6, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., resulting in 27 injuries. Among the casualties were 2 severe injuries, 3 moderate injuries, 17 minor injuries, and 5 additional injured passengers who declined hospital treatment. Emergency responders conducted emergency first aid before transporting victims to Ta Sae Hospital and Chumphon Hospital.

Investigators found the pickup truck heavily damaged, with the left rear tire and wheel rim severely fractured. The 38-year-old driver from Ubon Ratchathani, identified as Ampol, stated he was transporting relatives from Ubon Ratchathani to work in Surat Thani when the rear tire suddenly blew out at the accident location, causing the vehicle to lose control.

Police continue gathering evidence and witness statements to determine the precise cause of the accident before proceeding with legal action.

On May 6, Saksit Phumiluang, director of the Registry and Identity Card Fraud Prevention and Suppression Division and head of the DOPA N.I.C.E. unit under the Department of Interior, led a team to investigate one of four houses involved in a corruption scheme orchestrated by a former deputy district chief of Huay Thalang district and registry officials. They illegally registered children with Chinese nationals' names at house number 87, village 5, Luang Pradu subdistrict, Huay Thalang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. Investigation revealed the two-story house—wooden upper floor, concrete lower floor—has been abandoned for years. Local residents and the homeowner's relatives confirmed the owner died three years ago, and relatives moved out due to a mortgage, subsequently building a new house in front of the abandoned property.

Three other properties were also flagged: house number 68, village 7 and house number 114/1, village 2 in Huay Thalang district had addresses but no actual dwellings—just empty land. House number 111, village 2, Hin Dad subdistrict had no structure or land whatsoever, appearing to have been fabricated by registry staff solely to register trafficked children and other Chinese nationals.

Saksit stated that Huay Thalang district appears to be a hub for the Chinese child trafficking network, serving as a waypoint before falsified registrations are corrected and records transferred nationwide. The district contains 19 cases total involving four properties—three empty plots and one abandoned house whose owner is deceased. Officials exploited gaps in the system where residents demolished homes but failed to cancel registrations, allowing the former deputy district chief to transfer children into these defunct addresses.

District Chief Adul explained that the former administrator misused his access to citizens' registry data to alter details and move children into prepared residential records. Huay Thalang district has filed official reports with the DSI and NACC and is proceeding to cancel all four fraudulent property registrations, while establishing a disciplinary investigation committee to prosecute two officials under the district's jurisdiction.

On May 6, 2569, at the Third Floor Conference Room of Wichit Police Station in Phuket, Deputy National Police Commissioner Sinlert Sukkum, commander of Phuket Provincial Police, along with Somsak Thongliang, superintendent of Wichit Police Station, announced the seizure of approximately 6,198 grams of Class 1 narcotics (heroin) hidden inside the lining of 48 Thai silk garments packed in two shipment bags from a private courier company destined for illegal export to Australia.

The case originated on April 30, 2569, when officers received intelligence about a suspicious package from Chiang Khan District in Loei Province with destination to Saku Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket. On May 2, the package recipient became suspicious after being hired through Facebook to transport silk garments abroad. The recipient turned the package over to authorities for inspection, revealing the hidden heroin.

Officers seized the narcotics as evidence and Wichit Police are conducting legal proceedings with the investigation still ongoing.

Deputy National Police Commissioner Sinlert stated that some individuals hired to transport goods overseas may unknowingly be carrying illegal contraband. He urged the public to exercise caution and thoroughly inspect goods before accepting courier work to avoid inadvertently becoming criminal suspects.

Regarding the street value of the seized drugs: based on Thai domestic prices averaging 400,000 baht per kilogram, the 6 kilograms of heroin would be worth approximately 2.4 million baht. However, if smuggled to countries like Australia where prices are significantly higher, the same shipment could command a value of approximately 24 million baht.

Deputy Governor Clarifies Police Followed Protocol, Committed to Fair Treatment for Both Parties

The incident began when a 24-year-old mother shared video footage with media outlets showing her son being assaulted by police officers while riding his motorcycle. When the officer opened a car door, her son's motorcycle lost control and crashed.

On May 6, 2025, at Phi Thong Police Station, Pol. Col. Sing Lampong Phi Sua, Deputy Commander of Ang Thong Provincial Police, announced that officers were following traffic control procedures by parking their vehicle to signal passing traffic to slow down before the accident occurred. Regarding the assault allegations, he stated that video footage must be reviewed thoroughly, and an investigation committee will be established to examine the officer's conduct according to proper procedures, with commitment to fair treatment for both parties. To date, the victim has not filed an official complaint.

Related story: Mother lodges complaint alleging police excessive force; concerned about her son's case; preparing to file formal charges.