Swedish defence company Saab plans to expand investment in Thailand following the Royal Thai Air Force's decision to procure Gripen E/F fighter jets, with ambitions to develop the country into a regional defence technology and production hub. Fredrik Lindblom, vice president and country manager of Saab Thailand, said the company was seeking Thai industrial partners to jointly manufacture certain Gripen aircraft components locally under Thailand's offset policy framework. Thailand recently approved the first phase of a procurement project for four Saab JAS 39 Gripen E/F fighter jets valued at around 19.5 billion baht. Lindblom said Saab's plans extended beyond aircraft delivery and focused on long-term industrial cooperation, including local production of selected parts, electronics and defence technologies. However, he said the company currently had no plans to establish a full aircraft assembly line in Thailand. Instead, Saab intends to cooperate with capable Thai manufacturers through OEM partnerships while exploring opportunities to strengthen Thailand's aviation and defence industries. The company also plans to establish a research and development centre in Thailand as part of the new Gripen offset programme to support technology transfer and workforce development. Lindblom said personnel development would be a key part of the cooperation, including technical training for military personnel and support for educational institutions to help prepare a future high-tech workforce. Saab also highlighted plans to support network-centric warfare systems by integrating real-time data sharing between military branches. The company pointed to Thailand's domestically developed Link TH tactical data link system as a strong foundation for future integrated defence operations. Beyond fighter aircraft, Saab said it was also interested in expanding into radar systems, command-and-control technologies and counter-drone defence systems in Thailand, citing the growing importance of unmanned aerial threats in modern warfare. The company said Thailand had the potential to become a regional centre for security and defence technology in the Asia-Pacific region. Saab has operated in Thailand for more than 40 years and currently serves customers in more than 100 countries worldwide.

A catastrophic train-bus collision in Bangkok that ignited a massive fire has claimed 8 lives and injured 32 people—a tragedy that should never have occurred. This type of accident happens repeatedly, causing loss of life, devastating families, and resulting in substantial property damage. Investigations will determine which parties were negligent and how traffic laws were violated, though existing traffic signals and barriers failed to prevent the accident. Preliminary findings suggest shared responsibility among the train operator, the bus driver who parked on the tracks, and barrier control personnel. However, the intersection regularly sees traffic violations with inadequate enforcement by authorities. Amorn Pimmanmas, chairman of Thailand's Structural Engineers Association, has called for urgent surveys of other high-risk intersections, citing research showing 2,300 rail-road level crossings nationwide. He identified 10 categories of risk factors, noting many intersections have only warning signs without barriers, and Bangkok alone has dozens of dangerous crossings. High-risk intersections are identified using the Traffic Moment formula—the product of vehicle volume and daily train frequency. Risk characteristics include locations on curves, steep grades, oblique angles, construction zones within 1,000 meters, proximity to bridges or tunnels, obscured signage, inadequate nighttime lighting, broken barriers, missing signals or alarms, and absence of stop lines 5 meters before the tracks. Users must exercise caution while relevant agencies including the State Railway of Thailand and the Department of Land Transport must urgently conduct risk assessments and strengthen safety standards to prevent future tragedies.

At 11:00 AM on May 17, 2025, police officials from Mueang Udon Thani Station announced the arrest of Saratip (surname withheld), 38, from Sawang Daen Din District, Nakhon Sakhon. He faces charges of theft, nighttime theft, and illegal Category 1 drug possession (methamphetamine), with seized items including three Honda Wave motorcycles in bronze, red-black, and black colors, plus a pink iPhone 16.

The investigation began on May 14 when Ratanaphon, a 35-year-old food vendor, reported that her black Honda Wave motorcycle was stolen from outside her shop on Thesa Road while she was inside. She chased the suspect but only retrieved his bag, which contained identification documents. CCTV footage tracked the suspect's movements.

On May 16, police located the suspect attempting to sell the stolen iPhone 16 at a shopping mall and apprehended him. During interrogation, Saratip confessed to stealing three motorcycles in Udon Thani, selling each for 2,000 baht and one bicycle for gambling purposes. He claimed a man on a motorcycle ordered him to commit the thefts to frame him, though he denied drug use.

Background checks revealed Saratip had outstanding drug possession charges from 2023 and a warrant from Sawang Daen Din Court. Police escorted him to the victim's shop where he apologized, then proceeded with legal proceedings. Ratanaphon confirmed she parked her motorcycle outside her shop when the suspect stole it.

Nutritionists warn: discard these 3 items immediately after opening supplement bottles, keeping them only increases moisture absorption, with guidance on proper storage after opening.

Many people habitually keep desiccant packets, cotton, and plastic sheets from inside supplement bottles until the product is finished, believing this better prevents moisture damage. However, experts warn this common misconception actually causes supplements to deteriorate faster.

Nutritionist Shui Shuo Jia, who runs the page "The Multi-faceted Life of Nutritionist Shui Shuo Jia," says she recently learned this information herself and felt it was important to share. She explains that desiccant packets, cotton, and plastic sheets primarily serve to prevent damage from impacts and absorb moisture within the packaging "before opening." However, once the bottle is opened, humid air from outside—especially in humid climates like Taiwan—immediately enters the bottle, and the desiccant continuously absorbs moisture from the external air.

"Once the desiccant becomes fully saturated and remains in the bottle, it can become a moisture reservoir instead, causing the supplement to absorb moisture, change color, or clump easily, affecting product quality," she explains.

Nutritionists warn that when desiccant packets shift from moisture-prevention devices to "moisture-storage sources," the nutritional value consumers intended to gain may decrease accordingly.

Nutritionists recommend "3 storage steps after opening a bottle":

1. Discard all materials inside the bottle immediately after opening—whether desiccant packets, cotton, or plastic sheets. Once you open the bottle, these materials' purpose is complete. "Don't hesitate; let them finish their job and be removed."

2. Close the bottle cap immediately after use, especially in humid conditions. Minimize the time the supplement stays exposed to air, and don't leave the cap open for extended periods.

3. Consume the supplement within 3 months of opening. The expiration dates on labels typically assume unopened conditions, so after opening, consume regularly and finish quickly to maintain optimal quality.

Shui Shuo Jia emphasizes that consumers buy supplements to maintain health, so proper storage is equally important to ensure the nutritional value isn't wasted.

Additionally, Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration explains that cotton inside bottles fills empty space and prevents medication from breaking during transport, while desiccant packets absorb trace moisture that may seep past the bottle cap to maintain medication quality and safety during its shelf life.

Therefore, after opening the bottle, both cotton and desiccant packets should be removed immediately to prevent these materials from absorbing and accumulating moisture, which would accelerate deterioration of the medication or supplement.

On May 17, 2569, the Thai Meteorological Department forecast heavy rainfall in the upper portions of Thailand over the next 24 hours, concentrated mainly in western areas, the upper Northeast region, and the Eastern region. Very heavy rainfall is expected in parts of the Western Coast of Southern Thailand due to a moderately strong southwestern monsoon covering the upper Andaman Sea and Thailand.

The public is warned of dangers from heavy to very heavy rain and accumulated rainfall that may cause flash flooding and flash floods, particularly in foothill areas near water channels and low-lying areas. People are also advised to monitor their health during this period of changing weather conditions.

Sea conditions in the upper Andaman Sea are expected to be rough, with waves 2-3 meters high, and over 3 meters in thunderstorm areas. The lower Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand will see waves 1-2 meters high, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. Fishermen are urged to exercise caution and avoid areas with thunderstorms, while small boats in the upper Andaman Sea should not venture offshore.

Weather forecast for Thailand from 6 p.m. today to 6 p.m. tomorrow:

Northern Region: Thunderstorms in 40% of areas with heavy rain in some spots, particularly in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces. Lows 24-26°C, highs 35-38°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Northeastern Region: Thunderstorms in 60% of areas with heavy rain in some spots in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. Lows 24-26°C, highs 34-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Central Region: Thunderstorms in 60% of areas with heavy rain in spots including Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Lopburi, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi provinces. Lows 25-27°C, highs 36-38°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Eastern Region: Thunderstorms in 60% of areas with heavy rain in Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces. Lows 25-28°C, highs 34-36°C. Southwest winds 15-35 km/h. Sea waves 1-2 meters, over 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (East Coast): Thunderstorms in 60% of areas, mainly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces. Lows 23-25°C, highs 34-37°C. Southwest winds 15-35 km/h. Coastal waves around 1 meter, 1-2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (West Coast): Thunderstorms in 70% of areas with very heavy rain in some spots in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, and Trang provinces. Lows 20-24°C, highs 29-34°C. From Phuket northward: southwest winds 20-40 km/h. Sea waves 2-3 meters, over 3 meters in thunderstorm areas. From Krabi southward: southwest winds 15-35 km/h.

On May 17, 2025, Deputy Education Minister Akkhanan Kankittinanth traveled over two hours to a highland area to visit and listen to concerns from teachers and students at Phalang School in Muang Chiang Rai district, a remote school that only received electricity one month ago due to difficult terrain and limited accessibility.

During this visit, Akkhanan actively taught grades 1-4 students in reading, writing, and arithmetic, finding that students demonstrated excellent development and literacy skills comparable to urban schools.

He emphasized concerns about the safety and quality of life of teachers in remote areas, who face limitations in transportation, utilities, and educational resources. "Education should not be determined by geography," Akkhanan stated. "Whether children live in mountains or cities, they deserve equal educational opportunities and quality. This is the heart of reducing inequality that we must make real."

The Deputy Minister announced that the Ministry of Education will accelerate support systems for remote schools to bring learning quality to the same national standard. He referenced a Nida Poll survey showing most Thais still trust Thailand's education system but want the government to speed up reducing unnecessary paperwork and teacher workload, as well as hidden costs burdening parents.

"This field visit represents an important step in driving our policy to reduce educational inequality, ensuring Thai education meets the same standards whether schools are near or far from cities," Akkhanan concluded.