Pak Kret police arrested a major drug dealer operating a new form of methamphetamine mixed with collagen. The suspect confessed to mixing the drugs with collagen products to reduce production costs and increase product volume for distribution to entertainment venues nationwide.

At 1 p.m. on May 6, 2026, at the Nonthaburi Provincial Police Headquarters, Lt. Gen. Detchraphee Khongdee, commander of Nonthaburi Provincial Police; Deputy Commander Piyawut Kaewmanee; and other senior officers announced the arrest of 24-year-old Pongsathon from Chachoengsao Province. Seized items included collagen packets (37 packs containing 15 sachets each), 350 sachets of methamphetamine-collagen mixture, 1 drug press machine, 1.2 kg of loose methamphetamine, 179 methamphetamine tablets, 83.6 grams of ice, 220,668 methamphetamine pills, 65 bullets, and numerous scales and packaging equipment.

The arrest followed an investigation on May 5 that expanded from a Satun Provincial Court arrest warrant. Police connected the suspect to a previously arrested individual involved in a methamphetamine case. Officers discovered drug stashes at a condominium in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province, where the suspect led them to the hidden location.

Pongsathon confessed that all the drugs belonged to him. He would grind methamphetamine into powder, pack it into collagen product sachets, and distribute them to entertainment venues. He obtained the drugs from an acquaintance in Ayutthaya Province whose real name he did not know. He stored the drugs in a condominium room in Pathum Thani before mixing and distributing them.

The suspect mixed methamphetamine with collagen products to increase product quantity and reduce costs for agents to sell at entertainment venues nationwide. Deliveries were made to designated pickup locations, after which distributors would sell them further. The supply chain ran from Ayutthaya to storage in Pathum Thani, then to packing and distribution in Nonthaburi.

Initial charges include drug trafficking of a Category 1 controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute. The suspect was handed over to Pak Kret Police for further legal proceedings, and investigation into his network continues.

Thailand's Board of Investment has approved six major investment projects worth a combined 958 billion baht ($29.9 billion), with TikTok accounting for the largest share through a massive data infrastructure expansion project.

BOI Secretary-General Narit Therdsteerasukdi announced on May 6 that the board approved three data centre and data hosting projects worth a combined 913.8 billion baht ($28.6 billion), reflecting sustained investor confidence in Thailand's digital economy ambitions.

The largest project belongs to TikTok Systems (Thailand) Co., Ltd., which plans to invest 842.35 billion baht ($26.3 billion) across Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao provinces.

The project will expand server installations to strengthen Thailand's position as a strategic regional hub for data storage and processing, meeting growing demand from users across Southeast Asia.

The BOI noted that TikTok will also develop digital literacy and e-commerce training programmes designed to create new business opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs and strengthen the country's digital workforce.

Other approved digital infrastructure projects include a 46.9 billion baht ($1.46 billion) investment by Skyline Data Center and Cloud Services, part of the UAE-based DAMAC Group, in Chachoengsao province. The facility will support an IT load capacity of 200 megawatts.

Bridge Data Centres IIO (Thailand) Co., Ltd. also received approval for a 24.6 billion baht ($769 million) data centre project in Chonburi province with an IT load capacity of 134 megawatts.

Beyond the digital sector, the BOI approved projects in recycled plastics, wind power and potassium chloride production.

Narit stated that Thailand continues to attract substantial investment interest in digital and high-technology sectors despite global economic challenges, strengthening the country's aspirations to become a regional tech hub.

He added that the BOI is collaborating with partner agencies to enhance infrastructure, electricity systems and clean energy mechanisms while expediting investment approvals through the Thailand FastPass programme.

South African authorities conducted a daring and dangerous operation when they performed an autopsy on a giant crocodile in the Komati River, discovering human remains along with six pairs of shoes, as reported by BBC on May 6. Police diving unit officers were forced to rappel from a helicopter onto a crocodile-infested island in the middle of the river since boats could not safely navigate the area due to the presence of crocodiles, hippos, and numerous rock formations.

After suspicious crocodile experts examined a specimen measuring over 4.5 meters long and weighing approximately 500 kilograms, officers performed the autopsy and discovered multiple human body parts, including two arms, ribs, and chest tissue. DNA testing later confirmed the remains belonged to Gabriel Batista, a 59-year-old businessman and hotel owner in the area, who had become lost after his vehicle was swept off a flooded bridge. After escaping his car and attempting to swim to safety, he was carried downstream by powerful currents into a crocodile-inhabited region, either drowning or being attacked by a crocodile.

What alarmed officers most was finding six pairs of shoes—including flip-flops, sandals, canvas shoes, and high heels—inside the crocodile's stomach. Experts noted that crocodiles cannot digest plastic, so the shoes remain intact in the animal's body. Significantly, not all the shoes belonged to the deceased victim, raising concerns that this particular crocodile may be a serial man-eater responsible for previous attacks and deaths in an area prone to flooding and missing persons.

The South African National Police Commissioner praised Captain Potgieter, the diving unit officer, for his "brave and selfless" performance of duty. Potgieter himself revealed this was the first such operation in his 38-year career and expressed hope it would be the last, stating that their work aimed to help grieving families learn the truth and find closure.

May 6, 2026 – Pongsak Kwanmeung, spokesperson for the Democratic Party and former Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesman during Lieutenant General Aswin Kwanmeung's tenure as governor, posted on Facebook to clarify Bangkok's budget situation. He stated that Bangkok's budget operated at a surplus every year, and efforts to pay down BTS debt left behind approximately 76 billion baht, not 94 million.

Recent discussions about Bangkok's financial status have referenced the period when Lieutenant General Aswin served as governor. Without criticizing current administrators, Pongsak sought to clarify the facts in fairness to Lieutenant General Aswin, who committed to supporting the work without criticism or obstruction.

1. Budget Surplus: Bangkok maintained surpluses across multiple fiscal years: 2017 (+54.06 billion), 2018 (+141.93 billion), 2019 (+81.34 billion), 2020 (+45.86 billion), 2021 (+45.51 billion), 2022 (+109.52 billion).

Year-end budget surpluses are normal accounting occurrences resulting from revenue exceeding targets or projects bidding below estimates. However, during 2019-2022, Bangkok faced the COVID-19 crisis. The government provided emergency assistance by reducing land and property taxes by 90% for two consecutive years, costing Bangkok 10,000-14,000 million baht annually in lost revenue. Despite mounting expenditures for healthcare, pandemic relief, and citizen support, the administration managed the crisis through strict fiscal discipline.

2. BTS Debt: Current officials note that even after allocating funds for BTS debt repayment, Bangkok maintained a surplus exceeding 5 billion baht. Lieutenant General Aswin attempted multiple approaches to resolve this pre-existing debt:

2.1 – Requested Bangkok Council approval to use accumulated reserves for debt repayment, but faced rejection due to council concerns about debt burden and municipal bankruptcy.

2.2 – Submitted borrowing legislation to the council to transfer assets and settle debt, successfully resolving the Mochit-Khuekhot portion.

2.3 – Sought central government subsidies for remaining debt, citing the government's original construction of the infrastructure, but was not approved.

2.4 – The government attempted Section 44 negotiations with private sectors, which ultimately yielded no agreement.

3. The 94 Million Baht Narrative: This represents the most unfair characterization. Repeatedly claiming that the previous administration left only 94 million baht ignores the actual transfer of approximately 76 billion baht in accumulated reserves (allocated for civil service pensions, emergency reserves, and resources for new leadership). The new administration and council subsequently approved using 76 billion baht for system maintenance costs (over 23 billion baht) and operational expenses (over 40 billion baht), reducing remaining BTS debt to approximately 50,000-60,000 million baht. Current accumulated reserves are projected at billions of baht.

Ultimately, whether financial management yields a "surplus," "balanced," or "deficit" budget each carries different advantages and disadvantages. What matters most is responsible stewardship.

PTT Public Company Limited has been selected for inclusion in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index (DJBICI), formerly known as the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), for the 14th consecutive year in both the DJBIC World Index and DJBIC Emerging Markets Index, reflecting international-standard business operations.

The company adheres to good corporate governance principles while reducing greenhouse gas emissions across all operational processes in economic, social, and environmental dimensions. PTT also manages its supply chain efficiently to support sustainable growth. The company prioritizes environmental management and climate change mitigation aligned with national and international targets while caring for all stakeholder groups based on balanced sustainability principles, following its vision of "PTT strong together with Thai society and growing globally in a sustainable manner."

Several PTT subsidiaries have also been selected for DJBICI inclusion, including PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited, Thai Oil Public Company Limited, IRPC Public Company Limited, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, Global Power Synergy Public Company Limited, and PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited.

The Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index (DJBICI) is a globally recognized index that evaluates business performance of listed companies according to sustainable development guidelines, covering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. It is acknowledged internationally by investors, financial institutions, and funds worldwide to build confidence among both domestic and foreign investors.

On May 6, 2025, Pol. Lt. Col. Kurupong Kaeo-saad, superintendent of Wang Yang Police Station, revealed progress in a case filed on April 28 by the parents of a 13-year-old girl from Nakhon Phanom province. They accused village chief Kittipong of assaulting their daughter and sexually coercing her. Pol. Lt. Col. Kurupong stated that investigators questioned both the accused and the victim. Although the village chief initially denied the charges, sufficient evidence was found, and the girl underwent a medical examination. Police are confident they have adequate evidence for prosecution. Pol. Lt. Col. Kurupong noted that despite the accused attempting to reconcile with the victim's family, this case cannot be settled as it is a criminal matter involving a child. Two charges are being prepared: abduction of a minor and indecent assault of a child under 15 years old, and rape with aggravated circumstances, carrying sentences of up to 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment. The accused was informed of the charges and legal procedures will proceed fairly for both parties. The incident reportedly occurred because the girl worked part-time as a traditional music performer, which the village chief exploited to approach and coerce her. Investigation revealed that Kittipong resigned from his position on April 28, after the incident occurred, placing the matter solely under police jurisdiction rather than district administrative disciplinary action. Meanwhile, social development and human security officials from Nakhon Phanom province, coordinated through a foundation, have been providing support and psychological rehabilitation to the 13-year-old girl and her family.