PHAYAO — A dramatic fire broke out in front of a 7-Eleven convenience store opposite the University of Phayao after a severe electrical short circuit ignited overhead power lines and communication lines.

Witnesses said a loud explosion was heard before sparks began falling from the cables, which quickly caught fire. Flames spread rapidly along the communication wires, flaring high in the air and causing panic among nearby residents and students, who fled the area for safety.

Provincial Electricity Authority officials and rescue workers rushed to the scene, cutting power immediately to prevent further spread before working to extinguish the blaze. It took some time to bring the fire under control.

Initial reports indicated that at least two poles were damaged, while numerous communication lines were destroyed. Authorities are now working to repair and replace the damaged infrastructure to restore electricity as soon as possible.

At noon on May 5, 2026, at the Phakdi Bodin Building of the Government House, Prime Minister Anusit Charnveerakul and the Interior Minister led a cabinet announcement regarding the government's decision to issue a Royal Decree granting the Finance Ministry authority to borrow 400 billion baht to address impacts from the energy crisis and facilitate the country's energy transition.

The decision stems from the Middle East conflict situation, which has severely impacted global energy prices and the economy. The crisis has spread from energy costs to food and living expenses—a situation that is neither normal nor one that can be postponed.

The Prime Minister stated that the government's duty is to prevent Thailand's economy from entering stagflation—a combination of high inflation and economic slowdown. Therefore, swift action is necessary, requiring the use of special instruments such as this Royal Decree under clear legal principles, qualifying as an urgent emergency case that cannot be avoided. The decree aims to relieve the burden on citizens' living costs and sustain economic activity.

Measures under this decree will target key groups requiring urgent assistance, including low-income and middle-income earners, farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and sectors directly affected by rising energy costs.

Two parallel approaches will be implemented: First, providing relief by reducing living cost burdens on citizens while lowering production costs, particularly for agriculture through fertilizer and essential production input procurement. Second, structural transformation by seizing this opportunity to transition to modern energy, restructure the country's energy infrastructure, reduce fossil fuel dependence, ensure stable energy costs, and eliminate previous volatility.

The Prime Minister emphasized that this decree serves as a tool to guide the country through the crisis and establishes foundations for reducing future economic vulnerability while maintaining strict fiscal discipline. The solution will not eliminate global crisis impacts but will strengthen Thai people to cope better and help vulnerable populations weather this crisis together, ultimately positioning Thailand with maximum resilience for future challenges.

"The government is committed to standing with the people in solving problems arising from current global turmoil. We will do everything within our capacity to help people navigate this crisis successfully," the Prime Minister stated.

On May 5, 2025, at Bangkok City Hall, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt addressed online speculation about Bangkok flooding in 2030 due to global warming and rising sea levels, as well as claims that Bangkok subsides 2-3 centimeters annually. He questioned where floodwaters would originate, noting that if flooding came from the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok already has protective embankments measuring 2.80-3.5 meters in height along both banks, spanning approximately 88 kilometers. Regarding tidal surge over 4-5 years, there may be minor flooding at vulnerable points, but no sudden water rise in the short term. Chadchart stated Bangkok ranks 9th globally for climate risk, a long-term concern requiring government-wide planning across provinces bordering the Chao Phraya River, including Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram. The immediate concern is rainbombs, which the city has analyzed for 300mm rainfall in 3 hours. He ordered all agencies to prepare for this more likely scenario. Current land subsidence in Bangkok is relatively low due to reduced groundwater extraction. Sea level rise from global warming is gradual, not sudden, and the 4-year assessment may be overly cautious. Bangkok's embankments are built 50cm-1 meter higher than normal, with additional water gates planned along canals as secondary defenses. Based on analysis, significant flooding is not expected within 4 years but is a long-term concern.

On May 5, 2025, at Government House, Justice Minister General Rutthapol Naovaratne addressed the electronic monitoring conditions imposed on former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra following his sentence commutation and prison release. The conditions were issued in accordance with a Justice Ministry committee resolution from April 29, requiring Thaksin to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet. Regarding arguments about his advanced age, the minister stated these do not meet legal eligibility criteria.

When asked about activist Dr. Tuhlob Sithisomwong's planned objection to the commutation—based on the argument that Thaksin is not a model prisoner due to two previous convictions—the minister said he had not yet reviewed those specific arguments.

Concerning whether sufficient grounds exist to prevent Thaksin's release on May 11, the minister stated that relevant parties would need to examine the legal issues involved and potentially request the committee to reconsider. However, he expressed confidence that the committee had thoroughly examined all details before reaching its decision.

When asked if Thaksin could engage in political discourse after commutation, the minister clarified that such restrictions are not part of the conditions. Regarding international travel, the minister indicated it would be unlikely without court approval, though he noted that Thaksin could petition the court if necessary.

Rising Chinese snooker star Wu Yize has defeated England's Shaun Murphy 18-17 frames to claim the 2026 World Snooker Championship title, becoming the second-youngest world champion in the sport's history. The World Snooker Championship final was held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England on May 4, 2026. The second day of the finals featured 22-year-old Wu Yize from China against Shaun Murphy, the former 2005 world champion from England. After day one, Wu Yize held a 10-7 frame lead. The match between Wu Yize and Murphy proved intensely competitive, ultimately coming down to a deciding final frame—the fourth decider of the championship—before Wu Yize clinched victory 18-17 frames with a break of 85 points. With this victory, Wu Yize becomes only the second Chinese snooker player to win the world championship, following Zhao Xintong's 2025 triumph. He also sets the record as the second-youngest world champion ever, behind Stephen Hendry who won in 1990 at age 21. After winning the title and claiming the prize money of £500,000 (approximately 22.1 million baht), Wu Yize, now ranked fourth in the world, said: "I've been trying to do this for a long time. Over the past few months, I've been living the same way. I'm very happy to play well today." "My parents are true champions. Since I decided to quit school, my father has always been by my side. My mother has also been through so much. They are my source of inspiration. I love them very much."

BEIJING (AP) — An explosion at a fireworks plant in a central Chinese province killed at least 21 people and injured 61 others, state media reported Tuesday.

China's official news agency Xinhua said the blast occurred at a fireworks plant in Changsha city of Hunan province on Monday afternoon. State media China Daily said the plant was operated by the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. in the Changsha-administered, county-level city of Liuyang, a prominent fireworks powerhouse.

Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday showed white smoke still billowing in certain areas of the site, with facilities collapsed or damaged.

Nearly 500 rescuers were deployed to the scene and residents in danger zones were evacuated by authorities, citing high risks from two black powder warehouses near the explosion site, the Xinhua report said.

Authorities were investigating the cause of the blast and police have detained the person in charge of the company, Xinhua said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged "all-out efforts" to search for people who are still unaccounted for and save the injured. He called on authorities to investigate the cause swiftly and pursue serious accountability, the report said. Xi also ordered effective risk screening and hazard control in key industries and the strengthening of public safety management.

To prevent other accidents during the operation, rescuers adopted measures such as spraying and humidification to eliminate potential hazards. They also deployed three robots to help with the search and rescue operation.

Liuyang has a long history of fireworks production. The Guinness World Records organization said the first accurately documented firework, the Chinese firecracker, was attributed to Li Tian, a monk who lived near Liuyang during China's Tang dynasty dating to around 618 to 907 C.E. Li discovered that putting gunpowder in enclosed hollow bamboo stems created loud explosions and bound crackers together to create the traditional New Year firecrackers to drive out evil spirits, Guinness said.

In February, China reported two deadly explosions at fireworks shops around the Lunar New Year period.