BANGKOK — May 11, 2026: Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) confirmed reports of a newly discovered coronavirus strain found in bats in Thailand, while stressing that no human infections have been detected and the virus appears less capable of causing disease or spreading than COVID-19.

Spokesperson Wetang Puangsub announced Monday that the findings came from the Anti-Fake News Center (AFNC) as part of the government's intensified effort to combat misinformation. The monitoring follows a directive from DE Minister Chaichanok Chidchob to address national and social security threats. Officials said the ministry is prioritizing public awareness campaigns against cybercrime, fake news, and false information.

The statement followed the AFNC's monitoring of 160,397 online messages on May 9, 2026, of which 8,714 were flagged for verification, mostly from social media and one through Line Official. Among seven widely-discussed cases, two were classified as true, three as false, and two as misleading.

Verified as true: the discovery of the new coronavirus strain in Thai bats and four stricter measures in 31 border provinces to combat smuggling and narcotics trafficking.

Classified as false: claims about online driving license applications via TikTok, allegations that new Southern Economic Corridor laws would allow casinos and 99-year land leases, and a fraudulent Facebook page impersonating the Department of Skill Development to recruit home-based paper bag packers.

Classified as misleading: assertions that tongue characteristics can diagnose internal diseases and reports of the "MOU44" maritime agreement's cancellation.

Authorities confirmed that the new bat coronavirus discovery was verified through cooperation with the Department of Disease Control under the Ministry of Public Health, using the "One Health" surveillance approach that monitors diseases affecting humans, animals, and the environment.

Studies indicate the virus has lower transmission and severe illness potential than COVID-19, and existing COVID-19 vaccines are believed to remain effective in reducing severe symptoms if infections occur. Officials assessed the current risk of widespread outbreak as low.

The ministry urged the public to verify information before sharing and to rely only on official sources to prevent confusion, misinformation, and potential harm to personal data or property.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health announced the establishment of a border health fund to treat foreign patients, with clear separation of expenses between Thai and foreign nationals, to resolve financial problems and screen foreign groups with ability to pay in order to collect service fees properly.

On May 11, 2025, at Umphang Hospital in Tak Province, Minister Pattana Prom-Pattana of the Ministry of Public Health chaired a meeting to monitor public health operations and healthcare services for foreign populations in the Thai-Myanmar border area in Tak Province via online system. Present were Dr. Somruk Chumsaman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Lersachai Lersawut, acting as Inspector-General of the Ministry of Public Health, Health Region 2, and management teams from both central and regional offices in Tak Province.

Minister Pattana stated that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Interior Minister expressed concern about hospital operations in the Thai-Myanmar border area in Tak Province and ordered the acceleration of systematic corrective measures for sustainability. The Ministry of Public Health has established operational guidelines emphasizing efficient disease control management along the border, appropriate human resource management according to workload and location, budget allocation support for eligible patients, increased operational flexibility for border hospitals, and seeking foreign funding support for those without medical rights.

Dr. Somruk reported that after field visits monitoring public health operations and healthcare services for foreign populations in the Thai-Myanmar border areas, including Mae Sot and Pob Phra Districts, and today in Umphang District, which is a remote area with winding mountain roads requiring 3.5 hours travel to Mae Sot Hospital, he found staff highly dedicated with excellent management of sanitation and disease control.

Initially, the inspector-general was assigned to closely monitor development in four areas: 1) Electrical and IT systems by supporting solar panel installation and developing information systems for full health insurance reimbursement efficiency; 2) Financial reform by clearly separating expenses between Thai and foreign nationals, including disease prevention promotion at subdistrict health promoting hospitals for transparency and confidence in Thai patient services; 3) Establishing a 50 million baht central assistance fund with the health region and establishing a border health fund to receive future international support; and 4) Cooperating with administrative and legal authorities to regulate cross-border treatment access and screening foreign nationals with ability to pay to collect appropriate service fees.

May 11, 2026 – Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Panchjaroenverkul addressed criticism regarding the proposed departure tax on Thais traveling internationally. He noted that the measure is authorized under the 1983 Outbound Travel Tax Decree, which remains legally valid, though enforcement has been suspended. The decision to implement collection falls under the Ministry of Finance's authority. Currently, the proposal is undergoing feasibility assessment with no conclusion yet on whether to impose the 1,000 baht rate as reported. The Finance Ministry plans to invite relevant agencies and business operators for consultation to evaluate potential impacts on the public. The departure tax aims to channel revenue from approximately 10 million annual outbound Thai travelers into a domestic tourism support fund, to be deployed through co-payment programs incentivizing domestic tourism. The principle redirects spending from outbound travel to stimulate internal economic circulation, reducing reliance on government budget allocations for tourism promotion. However, this remains a study proposal, and actual implementation would only proceed if benefits outweigh drawbacks.

Suchai Pornchai Saksdiudom, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage (2nd term), revealed that the association assembled young national tennis players aged 16 and under, both male and female, for intensive training to prepare for international competition. The association expressed gratitude to Dr. Usnee Mahakij Siri Leonardo for providing training facilities at ALM X Impact Tennis and Sport Center in Muang Thonburi.

Recently, the female tennis contingent arrived in Kazakhstan to compete in the 2026 Billy Jean King Cup Juniors by Genbridge, Asia/Oceania qualifying round on clay courts in Shymkent, Kazakhstan from May 11-16, 2026. The Thai female team consists of "Beer" Chotirin Khaewka, "Ginny" Jinnipa Traschuwanich, and "BB" Pattanathimanant Phuakham, coached by "Coach Not" Sarayuth Teepkakorn and trainer Ravikarn Sukthai.

Suchai added that the male team, comprising "Sinxiann" Patcharaphol Likul, "Trai" Trai Srisaen, and "Namo" Dharma Kosiri, will compete in the 2026 Davis Cup Juniors from May 18-23, 2026, also in Shymkent. Coached by "Coach Jim" Sergeant Major Sahathat Supakij and trainer Anuchit Ruenkoh, the team has prepared through specialized clay court training focusing on footwork, court movement, and sliding techniques. "These young athletes represent the future of Thai tennis. We wish them safe travels and hope they achieve great success," Suchai concluded.

DISCTOPIA CONCERT brings together mega-hit artists from the golden vinyl record era in a phenomenon that has taken the city by storm! This event aims to capture the hearts of 2000s generation audiences by reuniting legendary disc-era performers and revisiting every cherished memory. It's another rare concert event by ATIMESHOWBIZ, Thailand's leading concert promoter, delivering a truly worthwhile and value-packed experience. The DISCTOPIA CONCERT at BITEC LIVE! features a complete lineup of 9 artists: Bank Preeti, Da Endorphine, ETC, Flure, Lipta, Scrubb, Slot Machine, Tattoo Colour, and Zeal, inviting everyone on a time machine journey through nostalgic memories with non-stop stage performances lasting over 9 hours.

The festival opened with Lipta, whose hit songs resonated throughout, performing classic tracks from 18 years ago like "Just Knowing You Love Me," "How to Decline," and "Stupid Questions," igniting the crowd's passion from the start. Scrubb followed with their timeless secret love songs, bringing warmth and intimacy with hits like "Everything," "As a Couple," "You Spin Around Me," and "Close." ETC continued with their tight instrumental performance and fan favorites "Change," "Prince Nitra," "Angel," and "Living Things," performing intimately close to the audience.

DA ENDORPHINE, the only female artist on stage, delivered powerful performances with countless hits, commanding both the vocals and audience engagement. She brought back memories with songs spanning from cassette era to vinyl records, including "Pour Full Cup," "Close Friend," "Optical Illusion," and "You Don't Need to Know How We're Dating." ETC made a surprise return to duet with her, sending the crowd into ecstasy.

ROCK powerhouse FLURE took the stage with their signature tight musicianship, performing "Change," "Between Us," "Each Other," and "The Season I Was Lonely." Bank Preeti's highly anticipated set opened with "Fire of Love," immediately igniting the atmosphere. The crowd sang along passionately to hits like "My Illness," "Let Me Wipe Your Tears," and "I Accept Everything."

ZEAL, the rock band everyone awaited, brought legendary hits like "Two Love" and delivered a major surprise featuring Buachompoo Ford as a special guest returning for an original collaboration of "Dead Life (I Give You)" for the first time in 18 years, sending fans into rapturous screams. SLOT MACHINE continued the energy with their internationally acclaimed rock performance, getting the vinyl era devotees to sing along to "Genesis," "Wait," "Pass," and "Moon Master."

TATTOO COLOUR closed the festival with their versatile sound and a full set of singing and dancing tracks including "Love at First Sight," "Pig's Leg," "Cinderella," and "Lie," perfectly concluding the vinyl era celebration with complete musical charm and memorable nostalgia that truly impressed.