Breaking

Professor steals "King Taksin sword", blames mental blackout

Thai police recovered a ceremonial sword associated with King Taksin that was stolen from Wat Nang Phraya temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat on May 12. A 40-year-old university assistant professor was identified as the suspect and claimed he had taken the valuable artifact without realizing what he was doing, citing mental health issues. The suspect is currently receiving psychiatric evaluation, and authorities plan to proceed with legal action following his medical assessment.

5d ago Khaosod

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — 14 May 2026, Thai police said they had recovered a ceremonial sword associated with King Taksin, the 18th-century Siamese king credited with reunifying Thailand after the fall of Ayutthaya, after it was allegedly stolen from a temple in southern Thailand by a university assistant professor who later claimed he had taken it unknowingly.

The theft was discovered on 12 May after staff at Wat Nang Phraya in Nakhon Si Thammarat found that two sacred items had gone missing from temple buildings.

The missing items included a ceremonial "King Taksin sword" displayed inside the Mae Nang Phraya shrine and valued at about 30,000 baht. Temple officials said the sword had previously been donated by a devotee in fulfilment of a vow.

A red crystal orb valued at about 2,500 baht was also reported missing from the Jatukham Ramathep shrine within the temple grounds.

Police said security camera footage showed the suspect entering the temple during the morning while the area was relatively quiet before leaving with the items.

Investigators later identified the suspect as a 40-year-old assistant professor at a well-known university. Officers traced him to a house in Ron Phibun district, where his parents told police he had been receiving psychiatric treatment linked to family-related stress at Songklanagarind Hospital.

According to police, the suspect claimed he had taken the sword "without realising what he was doing".

Authorities said the man became agitated during discussions with officers and verbally confronted Phra Khru Palat Boonrit Wijjadharo, abbot of Wat Nang Phraya, in front of police before being restrained and transferred to Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital for further examination.

Police said legal proceedings would continue following medical evaluation.

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Tourism

Chinese Tourist Shocked as Monkey Steals Phone and Takes Selfies, Fills Device with Videos

A Chinese tourist's phone was stolen by a mischievous monkey in Bali, but local authorities recovered it after two hours. To his surprise, the device contained hundreds of accidental photos and videos the monkey had taken, including a 23-second clip that appeared to be the monkey documenting its own jungle life, which went viral online.

5d ago Khaosod

A Chinese tourist had an unforgettable Bali experience when a monkey snatched his smartphone right out of his hands and nearly sent it tumbling off a cliff. Fortunately, the phone was recovered, but when he checked his photo album, he found a major surprise that went viral online.

According to the tourist known as "Hu," the incident occurred on May 11 while he was visiting a popular tourist spot on the island of Bali. Suddenly, a monkey rushed in and grabbed his phone, then quickly ran off.

After the incident, he immediately sought help from local staff, who warned him to prepare himself as the monkey might throw the phone off a cliff, making recovery impossible. However, about two hours later, the staff successfully retrieved the phone.

But the story didn't end there. When Hu opened his photo album, he discovered numerous photos that appeared to have been taken randomly, along with a 23-second video clip that looked like the monkey was vlogging its own life.

He believes that after the monkey grabbed the phone, it accidentally tapped the camera shortcut on the screen, causing the phone to inadvertently record images and videos of the monkey's jungle life while it was running away.

After posting the clip on social media, it went viral instantly. Many netizens shared similar experiences of having glasses, hats, or headphones stolen by monkeys, joking that these monkeys were "gang thieves of the tourist destination."

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National

Phisadej Reveals Screening Committee Has Discussed 400 Billion Baht Loan Authorization—No Need to Wait for Parliament Procedures

Government Minister Phisadej Pirisanananthakoet announced that the 400 billion baht emergency loan authorization is already in effect and the screening committee has begun deliberations, allowing implementation to proceed without waiting for further parliamentary approval. The emergency decree, published in the Royal Gazette on May 8, was designed to address energy crisis impacts and facilitate Thailand's energy transition. Parliamentary procedures will continue once the Constitutional Court issues its ruling.

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On May 14, 2569, even as Parliament has not yet approved the emergency decree (Royal Decree) authorizing the Ministry of Finance to borrow funds to address the energy crisis impacts and facilitate the country's energy transition—the 400 billion baht loan authorization—Minister Phisadej Pirisanananthakoet, attached to the Prime Minister's Office, stated that the government can continue moving forward. This is because the 400 billion baht emergency loan decree came into effect upon its publication in the Royal Gazette on May 8. On May 14 in the afternoon, the screening committee overseeing the use of borrowed funds under this emergency decree held its first meeting and can proceed accordingly. Meanwhile, parliamentary procedures will await the Constitutional Court's ruling.

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National

Kia Launches May Campaign with Exceptional Value Across All Vehicle Models

Kia Sales Thailand has unveiled its May campaign offering significant discounts across its entire vehicle lineup, including the EV5 electric SUV, Sorento PHEV, and Carnival models. Buyers can enjoy special pricing along with comprehensive warranty coverage up to 8 years and round-the-clock emergency support. Interested customers can visit official Kia dealers throughout Thailand to test drive vehicles or check www.kia.com/th for more information.

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Kia Sales Thailand is launching its May campaign with valuable offers covering the entire Kia lineup to meet the needs of Thai customers across all lifestyles. This campaign demonstrates Kia's confidence in its product range and reinforces its position as an intelligent choice for customers seeking world-class vehicles with excellent value and long-term ownership benefits. Special offers are presented for each model as follows: The Kia EV5, a 100% electric SUV equipped with advanced cabin technology, features a special price starting at 1.08 million baht (Air trim after 319,000 baht discount). The Kia Sorento PHEV is a three-row, six-seat SUV combining plug-in hybrid performance with premium comfort and AWD capability at a special price of 1.499 million baht (after 600,000 baht discount). The New Kia Carnival HEV offers luxurious hybrid driving, ideal for families and executives, with a 200,000 baht discount. The Kia Carnival Diesel SXL continues to set the standard as a premium MPV, available with a 595,000 baht discount (for Astra Blue color). Beyond attractive pricing, Kia strengthens ownership confidence with comprehensive care packages including up to 7 years of vehicle warranty, up to 8 years of high-voltage battery warranty, and 24-hour emergency assistance service. Customers can now experience and test drive all Kia models at official dealers nationwide or visit www.kia.com/th for additional details.

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National

Thai Airways Takes Flight with Q1 2025 Net Profit Exceeding 10 Billion Baht

Thai Airways reported solid first-quarter 2025 results with net profit surpassing 10 billion baht despite a 1.2 percent revenue decline to 51.03 billion baht. The airline maintained strong operating margins at 26.9 percent and improved profitability year-over-year through effective cost management and one-time gains. With 80 aircraft in operation and an 83.1 percent passenger load factor, the company strengthened its financial position with equity rising 16.7 percent from year-end.

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Thai Airways Public Company Limited announced its first-quarter 2025 operating results with total revenue of 51,029 million baht, down 596 million baht or 1.2 percent from the same period last year due to lower production and transportation volumes. However, average revenue per passenger remained close to prior-year levels despite baht appreciation impacts, demonstrating strong pricing management. Total operating expenses reached 37,282 million baht, a 1.8 percent decrease from lower jet fuel costs proportional to reduced production volumes, along with baht strength benefits.

Operating profit before financing costs stood at 13,747 million baht, up 0.6 percent from last year, with an EBIT margin of 26.9 percent. Finance costs decreased to 2,987 million baht, down 494 million baht year-over-year. One-time items generated net gains of 1,088 million baht, primarily from aircraft lease cancellations and derivative valuations, resulting in net profit of 10,107 million baht against 9,839 million baht previously, with EBITDA of 17,548 million baht.

As of March 31, 2025, the airline operated 80 aircraft with average utilization of 13.8 hours per aircraft daily, carrying 4.18 million passengers total. Available seat kilometers (ASK) totaled 17,389 million, down 1.9 percent year-over-year, while revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) reached 14,453 million, down 2.2 percent, resulting in a load factor of 83.1 percent versus 83.3 percent previously. Total assets increased to 324,542 million baht, up 6.7 percent from year-end 2024, while shareholders' equity rose 16.7 percent to 88,622 million baht, with cash and liquid financial assets totaling 132,320 million baht.

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Breaking

Thai Employee Attacks Vietnamese Boss with Knife Over Argument, Nearly Fatal

A Thai man working at a mobile meatball food cart attacked his Vietnamese employer with a knife over a dispute about purchasing a grindstone for his motorcycle sidecar on May 14, 2025. The Vietnamese man sustained serious injuries including a throat laceration but survived. Police arrested the 45-year-old suspect at the scene and charged him with attempted murder.

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A Thai employee working a mobile meatball food cart became furious when his Vietnamese employer refused to purchase a grindstone for his motorcycle sidecar. In a drunken rage, he grabbed a knife and slashed his boss's throat, nearly killing him.

At 11:00 AM on May 14, 2025, Deputy Sergeant Atsit Rungchet of Rattanakosin Police Station received a report of an assault with an injury victim. The incident occurred on Nonthaburi Soi 48, Branch 9 in Tha Trai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nonthaburi Province. Officers rushed to the scene.

The incident took place at a two-story townhouse used as a meatball preparation and sales location, with a motorcycle sidecar food cart parked in front. Signs of a violent struggle were visible, including a fallen tree. The injured victim, Tuan Ho, 55, a Vietnamese national, received first aid from Nonthaburi municipal rescue workers. He sustained a knife wound to the throat, a fish-shaped laceration, and multiple abrasions from the struggle. He was transferred to Phra Nang Klao Hospital.

Police arrested the suspect at the scene: Jamrus, 45, from Kalasin Province, who was found in a state of intoxication. A fruit peeler knife was seized as evidence. The suspect confessed to the assault while intoxicated, claiming he wanted the grindstone to sell better goods from his cart, but the victim refused to buy it for him. He admitted to slashing the victim's throat, intending to kill him, but the victim survived.

Nguyen Thi Thao, 42, the victim's wife, stated she was on the second floor when she heard her husband arguing with Jamrus, the Thai employee. The suspect had been living with them despite lacking a permanent residence. She noted that he had been drinking and bringing women into the house. That morning, he had asked her husband for the grindstone, but when refused, he became drunk and aggressive. She recalled he had previously hit and kicked her husband and slapped a friend, but this time he acted with extreme violence.

Police initially charged Jamrus with attempted murder. He was detained along with the knife evidence and transferred to Rattanakosin Police Station in Nonthaburi for further legal proceedings.

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National

Trump Praises Chinese President as 'Great Leader' as Xi Jinping Urges US to Be Partner, Not Rival

During a high-profile bilateral meeting in Beijing, US President Donald Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinping as a 'great leader,' while Xi warned that mishandling the Taiwan issue could lead to serious conflicts between the two nations. The contrasting tones highlight significant disagreements on sensitive issues including Iran, trade, and Taiwan relations. Xi called for the US and China to be partners rather than rivals and to avoid what he termed the 'Thucydides Trap' of great power conflict.

5d ago Khaosod

US President Donald Trump told Chinese President Xi Jinping it was 'a great honor to be your friend' during a highly-publicized bilateral meeting, while China's leader warned of potential conflicts between the two nations. The stark differences in tone reveal the two leaders remain far apart on sensitive issues including the Iran war, trade disputes, and US relations with Taiwan. Though the meeting was closed-door, China's Xinhua news agency reported that Xi warned Trump that mishandling the Taiwan question could lead to clashes and conflicts that would jeopardize the entire relationship.

These warnings came after Trump's public opening remarks at the Great Hall of the People, where he praised Xi lavishly. 'You are a great leader. Sometimes people may not like me saying this, but I will say it because it is the truth. It is a great honor to be with you. It is a great honor to be your friend,' Trump said, adding that 'the relationship between China and the United States will be better than it has ever been.'

While Trump's tone was upbeat, Xi took a more cautious stance, expressing hope that the two nations could avoid conflict. The world is asking whether the two countries can overcome what Xi called the 'Thucydides Trap'—the concept that conflict often arises when a rising power threatens an established one.

Xi emphasized that cooperation benefits both sides while confrontation endangers both. 'The two countries should be partners, not rivals. Work together to achieve success, pursue common prosperity, and chart the right course for the relationship between two great powers in a new era,' Xi stressed.

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Weather

Alert: High Tidal Surge Expected May 17-21, Seven Provinces Face Flooding Risk on Major Roads

Thailand's Department of Natural Resources has issued a tidal surge warning for May 17-21, with seven provinces including Bangkok and surrounding areas facing potential flooding. High sea levels driven by seasonal winds could inundate low-lying communities and major thoroughfares, while saltwater intrusion threatens drinking water and agricultural resources.

5d ago Khaosod

The Department of Natural Resources Water Administration issued a warning on May 14 about high tidal conditions expected between May 17-21. Southern winds and southwest monsoon winds over the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand will intensify waves, raising water levels at river mouths and potentially causing flooding in low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya, Mae Klong, and Tha Chin rivers. Communities outside flood barriers and major roads including Sukhumvit, Suksawat, and Rama II roads are at particular risk. Saltwater intrusion poses additional concerns for drinking water quality and agricultural areas. Relevant agencies are urged to monitor conditions in Samut Prakan, Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Songkhram provinces.

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National

April Bakery Rebrands and Expands with 100-Store Target, Opens to New Investment Partners, and Aims for 2.5 Billion Baht Revenue by 2029

April Bakery is investing 200 million baht in a major rebranding and expansion strategy, targeting 100 stores by 2029 and aiming for 2.5 billion baht in annual revenue. The company is introducing a new "Fresh Bake Experience" store concept and planning a stock exchange listing in 2029, while shifting its revenue mix away from heavy reliance on 7-Eleven convenience stores.

5d ago Khaosod

April Bakery, owned by Singha Food Industries (Thailand) Co., Ltd., is undertaking its first major rebranding in 16 years with a 200-million-baht investment. Managing Director Kanokkan Madhurapon announced the company is rolling out new store designs, expanding its branch network, developing new operational models, and strengthening backend systems to support long-term growth and prepare for a stock exchange listing in 2029.

The company plans to grow from approximately 40 current branches to over 60 by year-end and exceed 100 branches by 2029, focusing initially on Bangkok and surrounding areas before expanding to other provinces and overseas markets. The new store concept, called "Fresh Bake Experience," features in-store baking to create a complete sensory experience for customers. After successful testing at the Charoen Krung branch, this format will roll out to all new locations from Q3 onward.

The 200-million-baht investment covers rebranding, new store design, packaging updates, branch expansion, and management system development. Investment costs range from 2 million baht per standard store to 4-5 million baht for larger locations.

Kanokkan described this as the company's largest brand investment to date, as previous investments focused primarily on machinery and manufacturing. The company currently derives over 80% of revenue from 7-Eleven with 15 SKUs and average daily sales of 270,000 units. However, it aims to rebalance revenue to 60% from convenience stores and 40% from direct retail and OEM manufacturing.

In 2024, the company recorded 1.3 billion baht in revenue. For 2025, it targets 30% growth reaching 1.7 billion baht, with 2029 revenue projected at 2.5 billion baht, driven by branch expansion and overseas market growth. Despite cost pressures from raw materials and consumer spending concerns, the company plans no price increases and will instead focus on launching new products weekly—March-May 2025 sales grew 55% year-over-year.

The company is also studying construction of a new 20-rai manufacturing facility to support long-term production capacity, complementing its current nine factories. This expansion will serve both domestic and international markets, particularly OEM orders from Taiwan and South Korea.

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National

75 Years of Thai Vivat Insurance: Nurturing Seeds of Opportunity Through the 'Partnership School Project'

Thai Vivat Insurance celebrates 75 years by expanding its Partnership School Project across five schools nationwide, aiming to reduce school dropout rates and develop potential in remote areas. The initiative combines scholarships covering hidden expenses, the Winner English digital learning program, and community-based virtue school projects, all designed through collaboration with teachers and local communities. The company emphasizes a sustainable development approach that complements—rather than burdens—existing school efforts.

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Students across the country are learning English through computer screens with dedication, many receiving educational scholarships that cover daily living expenses to ensure regular school attendance, while classrooms are implementing virtue-based school activities in collaboration with their communities. Though these scenes may seem small to ordinary observers, for students, teachers, and people in remote areas, they represent 'critical educational opportunities' that can genuinely transform lives.

Three years ago, Thai Vivat Insurance Company (Public) Limited joined the Partnership School Project in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, undertaking a mission far greater than charity: reducing the risk of children dropping out of the education system and developing the potential of students in remote areas. The company oversees five schools nationwide that operate under a new development model that can be measured and scaled effectively.

The project uses a Co-Creation approach to design activities together with teachers and communities at each school, working closely with the Yuva Development Foundation through three main tools to transform 'opportunity' into 'genuine educational development': (1) Thoughtfully-designed scholarships covering hidden expenses including transportation, meals, and equipment that might otherwise push children out of school, allowing students to develop skills fully without family financial worries; (2) The Winner English program, which provides computers and self-learning English software with mentoring support to give students easier access to English and improve their chances for further education and future employment; (3) Virtue School projects with customized plans for each school reflecting local children's lifestyles and community contexts, rather than one-size-fits-all templates.

Thepiphant Asvadhanasgul, Vice Chairman and Director of Thai Vivat Insurance, stated: 'Thai Vivat wants to be more than just a donor—we want to be a sustainable development partner walking alongside teachers, schools, and communities throughout this journey. Through our collaboration with Yuva Development Foundation, which has expertise in education, process design, and impact monitoring, we believe sustainable development has no single formula, but begins with understanding each area's context to design programs that truly match children's needs and aspirations.'

Kanokwan Chaosr, Director of the Hundred Strength Education Initiative from Yuva Development Foundation, said: 'Many remote schools face significant constraints in budgets, personnel, and teaching materials, while teachers are already overburdened. The Partnership School Project prioritizes not adding more work to schools, but rather filling gaps in ways that fit each community's context. We believe sustainable development cannot happen with one organization alone, but requires continuous collaboration to create changes that teachers and schools can sustain.'

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National

Sandy Returns for Year 7 with Ford Thailand Racing, Targeting Super Pickup Championship in Thailand Super Series 2026

Sandy Kraakiaew Stuvik, a Thai-Norwegian racing driver for Ford Thailand Racing, is competing for his seventh season in the Thailand Super Series 2026, targeting the Super Pickup championship. This season, Sandy will partner with YK Motorsports to develop and race a new Ford Ranger diesel pickup truck, with the inaugural race starting May 21-24 in Buriram Province. The Super Pickup class features 39 vehicles competing, making it one of the most intense divisions in Thai motorsports.

5d ago Khaosod

Thai-Norwegian racing driver Sandy Kraakiaew Stuvik, competing under Ford Thailand Racing (FTR), Thailand's first team of its kind, is prepared to take on the country's largest annual motorsports competition, the Thailand Super Series (TSS), in the Super Pickup class. For the 2026 season, Sandy has set his sights on winning the annual championship alongside his team while delivering pride and excitement to motorsports fans.

The year 2026 marks a crucial turning point for FTR as the team significantly expands its roster to strengthen its competitive grid. This season, Sandy will join YK Motorsports, a vehicle development team, to spearhead development of the team's new racing project.

Under this new partnership, Sandy will race a Ford Ranger single-cab with a 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine in the Super Pickup class, which has become one of the most fiercely competitive divisions in the series. This year, 39 vehicles are entered in the competition, making it a speed battle where even a single second's mistake cannot be afforded.

Moving to YK Motorsports represents not just a new opportunity but also comes with significant challenges, as the team must rapidly build and develop an entirely new racing package within a limited timeframe before the season opener at Chang International Circuit in Buriram Province on May 22-24. Having just claimed victory in the final race of the 2025 season, Sandy is confident heading into competition, though he remains vigilant about the increasingly intense competition year after year.

Sandy stated: "I'm very pleased to work with Ford Thailand Racing again, marking our seventh season together. This year presents another major challenge with the new vehicle development team. We're working together to fine-tune our new racing car, and although time is somewhat limited, I'm ready to give my all to push the team forward into contention and fight for our ultimate goal of winning this year's championship."

The Thailand Super Series 2026 season opener will ignite excitement from May 21-24 at Chang International Circuit in Buriram Province. Motorsports fans cannot miss a blink, as Sandy's new team debut could become one of the season's most significant highlights.

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