PHUKET: Phuket officials have stepped up preparations for the royal visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who is scheduled to visit the island on June 1 to preside over the inauguration of the Sri Sirindhorn Building at the Srinagarindra The Princess Mother School Phuket in Phuket Town.

Caltex is expanding energy alternatives by offering Caltex B20 diesel fuel to ease operating costs for transport operators and truck companies. Sananya Sai-ong, manager of fuel retail and card business for Star Fuels Marketing Company Limited under SPRC—the exclusive operator of Caltex fuel in Thailand—said the company is helping operators manage costs better through access to quality B20 diesel covering major transport routes. Promoting B20 diesel also supports Thailand's agricultural sector and reduces reliance on imported energy. The company is ready to cooperate with all sectors to support this approach and strengthen long-term national energy security, especially as energy costs continue to impact living expenses and business operations, particularly in transport. Caltex currently operates 15 service stations offering B20 diesel in key transport and logistics areas covering Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chonburi, Rayong, Samut Prakan, and Ayutthaya provinces, with plans to expand to 100 locations within 2-3 months to meet growing demand for alternative fuels.

Thomas Tuchel, England's national team manager, announced that he is ready to depart for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the completion of the Three Lions' squad announcement. Although there has been criticism from English football fans regarding Tuchel's World Cup squad selections, particularly the absence of several high-profile players including Harry Maguire, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden, Tuchel recently opened up after the squad announcement, saying: "I've had a lot of phone calls over the past three days, and of course there's a lot to think about, many decisions to make, difficult decisions. Right now I feel relieved and excited, and ready to go, because when you get your energy back, when you see the excitement of the players you've selected, and when the decisions have been made, it brings clarity. Within a week or maybe just over a week, we'll be on the plane, and I can't wait to be on board and to be the coach."

England's 2026 World Cup squad consists of:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)

Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Jade Speakman (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Jarrell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United)

Midfielders: Elliott Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Ivan Toney (Al Ahli), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Aberebchi Ezeah (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona on loan from Manchester United)

The wait is over for a major product showcase that transforms "local pride into something urban dwellers genuinely choose to use in their daily lives" under the OTOP URBAN LIFE concept, connecting community-made goods to city hearts (FROM LOCAL HANDS TO URBAN HEARTS). This event showcases how community products become stylish items that perfectly match your lifestyle.

Special highlights to experience:

• OTOP Product Exhibition and Sales: Discover premium products from across Thailand, including delicacy foods, designer Thai textiles, fine wicker crafts, jewelry, and stylish home décor items • Knowledge-Sharing Workshops: Learn and create products directly with OTOP entrepreneurs to make practical items for everyday use • Shopping Luck Draw: Spend 500 baht or more and enter to win gold prizes • Mini-Concerts: Enjoy performances from legendary and popular artists every evening starting at 6 PM

OTOP TO THE TOWN Artist Schedule at Central Salaya (6 PM onwards):

May 21, 2026: ไข่มุก (Khaiumuk) The Voice May 22, 2026: Pramote Vilepanana May 23, 2026: Kob Thongsit May 24, 2026: Charas Fuengoramai May 25, 2026: Nittha Bunsoongnoen

"OTOP TO THE TOWN: OTOP URBAN LIFE" - Elevating Thai OTOP to Urban Lifestyle Dates: May 21-25, 2026 Location: Central Salaya Shopping Center Hours: 10 AM - 9 PM Organized by: Department of Community Development, Ministry of Interior

On May 22, 2569, Jetsada Anukoolphokaratana, Director of Parliament Building Security, disclosed details of drug test results for parliamentary police officers, security personnel, and vehicle division staff conducted under the policy of Parliament Speaker Sophon Saramyth. One officer's urine tested purple, prompting clarification from authorities.

The Narcotics Control Board confirmed that the test results do not indicate methamphetamine use, contrary to public misunderstanding. Instead, morphine was detected in two officers' systems. One officer holds clear medical documentation for morphine-based pain medication, while the second officer lacks such documentation but has chronic conditions requiring multiple medications.

"We have sent the medications the officer regularly takes to the Narcotics Control Board for examination, and we are coordinating with the parliament medical office to determine next steps and whether deeper investigation is necessary," Jetsada stated.

The security chief emphasized that affected officers remain on regular duty pending conclusive findings, as initial investigation is complete and no treatment has been ordered yet. He stressed this case does not involve methamphetamine, only morphine, and authorities are working to clarify the source and cause.

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angsukulkiarti revealed ongoing discussions with the Finance Ministry to identify relief measures for seven transport operator groups including minibuses, trucks, buses, taxis, motorcycles, and tuk-tuks experiencing hardship from economic conditions and elevated operating costs.

The Transport Ministry initially reported results from the 'DLT Ready Support' program, which helped mitigate impacts from rising fuel prices for transport operators registered with the Department of Land Transport. The program covers buses, trucks, taxis, and hired motorcycles, and has received positive feedback from both the private sector and operators, which is considered a positive signal.

Siripong explained that the DLT Ready Support measure ran from April 20 to May 31, 2025, for 42 days with assistance rates paid as lump sums based on vehicle type: 840-5,040 baht per vehicle or 2 baht per kilometer, capped at 500-700 baht per day for Grade 2-3 buses. Trucks with fewer than 10 axles with a minimum distance of 2,500 kilometers receive 3,000 baht per vehicle, while trucks with 10 or more axles with a minimum distance of 4,000 kilometers receive 6,000 baht per vehicle. Registered taxis with a minimum distance of 2,500 kilometers receive 5,040 baht per vehicle, and public motorcycles receive 840 baht per vehicle.

Simultaneously, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprayat has instructed the Transport Ministry to consider remaining budget allocations for additional measures to cap fares and prevent fare index increases. Originally, the fare index was projected to increase by 20 percent, but through the Department of Transport's efforts, the index has been capped at 10 percent, a satisfactory result that pleased the Finance Ministry.

The additional measures the Finance Ministry requested the Transport Ministry to consider do not include the ministry's push for clean energy transition to enhance competitiveness. However, this will be discussed with the Finance Ministry again within the next week, with the clean energy transition measures currently only being acknowledged as a guideline, which the Finance Ministry neither objected to nor explicitly approved.