CHIANG MAI — On May 7, 2026, Thai tourist police arrested eight Chinese nationals during a raid on an illegal film set in Chiang Mai where a Chinese 'vertical series' was being produced without official authorization.

The operation was part of a nationwide crackdown ordered by the Royal Thai Police targeting criminal activity involving foreign tourists.

Tourist Police Bureau Commissioner Lt. Gen. Saksira Pueak-am directed units nationwide to step up inspections of foreign visitors. Investigators from Tourist Police Division 2 launched the inquiry after receiving reports of unauthorized filming at a residence in Hang Dong district.

Police discovered a crew of Chinese filmmakers and a Thai interpreter actively filming inside the property. The group could not produce the filming permits required under Thai law, and no government officials were overseeing the production as regulations mandate.

Investigators found that the Chinese nationals had entered Thailand on tourist visas and lacked work permits. A suspect identified as Ms. Wei admitted to working as both producer and actress on the 'vertical series'—a short-form drama format gaining popularity online.

She explained that the production team chose Chiang Mai for its appeal to Chinese tourists and its famous attractions.

Authorities informed the suspects that film production in Thailand is governed by the 2008 Film and Video Act, which requires official approval, script review, and government supervision during filming to prevent content that could harm the country's image. Violations carry fines up to 1 million baht.

The eight Chinese nationals were transferred to Hang Dong police station to face charges of working in Thailand without authorization. Police said additional legal action regarding the unauthorized film production would be escalated to the Film and Video Committee under the Tourism Department.

Tourist police encouraged the public to report suspicious foreign national activity via the 1155 Tourist Police hotline or the Thailand Tourist Police application, available 24/7.

Officers from Chakravarti Police Station successfully prevented a suicide attempt and safely de-escalated the crisis. Major Chaikrit Pothacha, Major Watcharavir Thammasemai, and other officers including Deputy Chief Sanya Lekklaa, Sub-Lieutenant Krithanai Glianglom, and Officer Jaturphon Bunthuam received reports at 11:45 AM on May 6th of a man attempting to end his life at Phra Pokklao Bridge. Upon arrival, officers found a distressed individual and immediately engaged in careful negotiation, using respectful language to calm him. Through their professional intervention and compassionate approach, the officers successfully controlled the situation and ensured the man received help safely without any tragic outcome.

On May 8, 2025, at the Nakhon Ratchasima Bar Association office, 61-year-old Ponthip Chanyaviphaa from Hua Thale subdistrict, along with nine other affected self-employed workers under Section 39, met with Prathep Charoenphong Anant, chairman of the Nakhon Ratchasima Bar Association, to seek legal assistance for a class-action lawsuit regarding inadequate old-age pensions.

The group alleges that self-employed workers who switched from Section 33 to Section 39 are receiving significantly lower pensions than they should. The problem stems from how the contribution calculation base is interpreted. Workers who previously contributed under Section 33 with a wage basis of 15,000 baht for decades find their calculation base reduced to just 4,800 baht under Section 39, resulting in pension losses of nearly 70%.

Ponthip revealed that she worked as a factory employee under Section 33 before registering as a self-employed worker under Section 39 to access healthcare benefits. However, she now receives only 1,320 baht monthly in pension—insufficient for living expenses amid economic hardship and inflation.

Khwanjai Ung Gerd, 55, shared that she underwent kidney surgery and sought social security protection as a low-income worker, switching from Section 33 to Section 39. Instead of protection, she received a trap: only 1,397 baht monthly—approximately 46 baht daily. She noted that even a basic meal costs 50 baht, making survival impossible. At her age, she cannot find new employment and must resort to gardening and casual labor, potentially becoming a burden on her children and relatives.

Prathep announced that the bar association is mobilizing over 100 volunteer lawyers to gather evidence and establish a fact-finding committee to seek justice. They are preparing to file the class-action lawsuit. Other affected Section 39 workers can join the case by submitting documentation to the Nakhon Ratchasima Bar Association. Although some Supreme Court verdicts have ordered pension payments according to rights, many cases remain unresolved, with affected individuals believed to exist throughout Thailand.

A concerning new trend has emerged among young people in China: using specialized AI models to create digital versions of their exes. Called Ex.skill, this open-source module lets users upload relationship data—including chat histories, photos, social media posts, and personal descriptions—to "extract" their former partner's identity as an AI chatbot.

These "AI exes" can reportedly mimic tone of voice, favorite phrases, and linguistic quirks of the original person, while recalling shared experiences from the uploaded data. Essentially, the module enables users to "transfer memories from biological neural networks to digital neural networks." On GitHub, Ex.skill's creator explicitly stated the project is "intended solely for self-reflection and emotional healing, not for stalking, harassment, or privacy violations."

However, the trend's growing popularity has sparked heated debate over privacy concerns, emotional dependency, and the appropriate boundaries of AI in romantic relationships. While the stated goal is to help people move past failed relationships, critics worry that emotional attachment to AI could hinder forming healthy real-world relationships. Privacy concerns also loom large, as personal data is fed into systems without the original person's consent.

Despite criticism, some Ex.skill users claim the tool has genuinely helped them achieve closure. One user reported being able to say things to their digital ex they never dared express in real life, while others noted that talking to the AI recreation helped them realize their ex "wasn't that great after all."

On May 8, 2025, Deputy Superintendent Udomchoke Singhakul of Nong Sung Sub-Police Station led officers in arresting Wuthichai on charges of possessing and distributing Class 1 narcotics (methamphetamine and crystal meth) for commercial purposes. Police seized 800 methamphetamine tablets and one bag of crystal meth weighing 37.5 grams from a grocery store front in Nong Na Kham subdistrict, Mueang district, Udon Thani province.

Wuthichai, a former drug convict, had been purchasing methamphetamine from a friend he met in prison nine years earlier. After serving nearly eight years of a 25-year sentence for a previous methamphetamine trafficking case, he was released in October 2023. He initially sought legitimate employment and planned to stay clean, but no employer would hire him due to his criminal record. After two to three months of unemployment, he reconnected with his current wife. When unable to find work, he relapsed into drug use after seeing friends using in social settings, eventually becoming a small-time dealer about two months before his arrest.

During interrogation, Wuthichai confessed he purchased methamphetamine at 10,000 baht per 1,000 tablets from his prison acquaintance and sold individual tablets for 30 baht each. He consumed approximately 10 tablets daily and provided some customers discounts for bulk purchases. He claimed he intended this to be his final deal before being arrested. The crystal meth was given to him by a friend as a sample to try selling, though he had not yet tested it.

Wuthichai raised three fingers in a traditional pledge, vowing not to involve himself with drugs again if released, expressing remorse for his family and society. His wife, who only recently learned he had been dealing rather than just using, cried while visiting him in custody and promised to wait for his release, though he advised her not to wait given his likely lengthy sentence.

GCAP GOLD is making waves in Thailand's gold market with its groundbreaking "GCAP GOLD x Butterbear" collaboration, launching an unprecedented licensed partnership that transforms gold into cute collectible items for all ages. On May 8, 2025, Thanapisan Kuhapremagit, executive chairman of GCAP GOLD, a major Thai gold leader with over 80 years of experience in importing and exporting gold bars, unveiled a major brand transformation into a modern, accessible brand tailored to contemporary lifestyles across all generations.

The rebranding features a major surprise: Thailand's first adorable collaboration project in the gold business, partnering with beloved idol "Nong Nai" (Butterbear), flipping the concept from "converting gold assets" to "accumulating happiness." This collaboration merges genuine gold value with Butterbear's charm to create special gold collections designed for contemporary lifestyles and to fulfill collectors' and fans' happiness.

This collaboration represents more than traditional gold investment—it combines "authentic gold value" with "premium cuteness," creating a special gold collection addressing modern lifestyle needs. Thanapisan emphasized the company's vision to redefine gold as more than just speculation, transforming it into a happiness item reflecting owners' lifestyle and pride through the partnership with Thailand's most influential young idol.

The project marks Thailand's first authentic licensed collaboration, reinforcing GCAP GOLD's vision to transform "gold" into more than just an investment asset, but a "symbol of happiness" fitting every life moment while answering every lifestyle need. Customers can explore special collections blending Nong Nai's charm with GCAP GOLD's legendary pure gold standards, available as gold bars, coins, and jewelry including pendants, necklaces, and bracelets, with new designs rolling out soon.

The project aims to break traditional gold-saving barriers often seen as exclusive or overly serious, introducing a new dimension of positivity through Nong Nai's brightness as happiness ambassador. "GCAP GOLD x Butterbear" becomes a precious gift elevating Thailand's asset-accumulation standards with fashion and deeper emotional connection.