NAKHON RATCHASIMA — A seven-year-old novice monk has entered a national competition to become a Patimokkha reciter, raising the prospect of a new record as the youngest participant to pass the demanding test.

Phra Maha Jai Khemacitto of Wat Chana Songkhram, who oversees the sixth Novice Patimokkha Recitation Project in 2026, said 11 novices aged between seven and 17 have applied so far.

Among them is novice Trin Apivansanong from Wat Nikhom Phang 16 in Pak Chong district. If he passes, he would become the youngest successful candidate in the project's history, surpassing last year's record set by a nine-year-old novice.

The Patimokkha is a recitation of the 227 monastic rules in Theravada Buddhism, traditionally performed every fortnight on the Uposatha day. The ritual, conducted entirely in Pali, serves as a core discipline governing the conduct of monks and maintaining harmony within the Sangha.

A Patimokkha reciter must memorize the full text accurately without omission or error. The recitation, which spans around 30 pages, typically takes about an hour to complete and cannot be read from a script.

On May 5, reporters visited Wat Nikhom Phang 16 to meet the young novice. Phra Maha Chit Vajirayana, the abbot who oversees his training, said Trin had expressed a wish to ordain while still in kindergarten in Ayutthaya before joining the temple in early 2025.

Despite his age, the novice has shown remarkable progress, the abbot said. "At first, I was unsure because he is only seven. But over the past five to six months, his memory and focus have been exceptional," he said, noting that the boy can now recite long passages with precision.

The novice is currently revising the full text in preparation for the competition. Temple officials have called on the public to offer encouragement as the young participant takes on the challenge.

Trin later demonstrated parts of the recitation, delivering the Pali verses fluently.

On May 5, 2025, Sittiwat Kamkatvongs, CEO of Inter Medical Care and Lab Public Company Limited (IMH), announced that IMH Silom Hospital has partnered with BRICS Thailand as the Official Healthcare Partner to formally launch IMH Phuket Representative Office at the BRICS Phuket office. BRICS comprises emerging market nations including Russia, China, India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The IMH Phuket Representative Office will provide screening services for the over one million Russian residents in Phuket and refer patients to IMH Silom Hospital, which operates a specialized medical center for Russian patients. Since 2025, IMH Silom has repositioned itself as the leading comprehensive healthcare provider for Russians in Thailand, targeting average annual revenue increases of 250 million baht.

Kamkatvongs added that the hospital's board appointed Michaye Taojarin, Chairman of the BRICS Thailand International Alliance, as a hospital advisor and representative of IMH Phuket Representative Office.

With over one million Russians currently living in Phuket and strong community relationships, IMH Silom Hospital is well-positioned for Russian medical tourism. The hospital benefits from its central Silom-Sathorn location, experienced medical team, modern equipment, and proximity to major attractions along the Chao Phraya River, luxury hotels including Shangri-La and Mandarin Oriental, and the AEON SIAM shopping complex.

Patients can contact IMH Phuket Representative Office at 65/26 Thepkrasatri Road, Tambon Koh Kaew, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket Province 83000.

At 2:00 PM on May 5, 2025, Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploythale Laksameesang revealed after the Cabinet meeting that the Cabinet acknowledged recommendations regarding the Land Bridge project, a transportation infrastructure initiative to develop the southern economic corridor and connect shipping routes between the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea in Chumphon and Ranong provinces, as proposed by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The NHRC's recommendations include:

1. Directing the Office of the National Council for Peace and Order (NESDC) to conduct public hearings in Ranong and Chumphon provinces on development direction at both structural and comprehensive levels, recognizing residents' right to self-determination regarding their future, economic, social and cultural development. This input will inform the assessment of the Land Bridge project's feasibility and allow all community members and occupational groups to participate in developing provincial plans for Chumphon and Ranong that align with areas' potential as identified in feasibility studies conducted by NESDC in 2021-2022.

2. Using public hearing results and research reports to assess the Land Bridge project's continued feasibility, ensuring alignment with local potential and community needs.

The Cabinet assigned the Transport Ministry as the lead agency to coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Interior, NESDC, and relevant organizations to study the appropriateness of these recommendations. The Transport Ministry must submit a comprehensive summary of its findings to the Office of the Cabinet Secretary within 30 days for Cabinet consideration.

Two cases of hantavirus have been confirmed following an outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius operated by Oceanwide Expeditions in the Netherlands, which has resulted in three deaths—a Dutch couple and one German national. The confirmed hantavirus cases include a deceased Dutch woman and a 69-year-old British passenger who was admitted to a critical care unit at a hospital in South Africa. The cause of death for the other two passengers remains under investigation. Hantavirus typically spreads from rodents through feces, saliva, or urine and can cause severe respiratory disease, though it rarely spreads between humans. Additionally, five suspected cases linked to the MV Hondius are being monitored, including one English crew member and one Dutch crew member, both experiencing acute respiratory symptoms—one severe and one mild—though hantavirus infection has not yet been confirmed. The MV Hondius, carrying 149 passengers from 23 countries, remains anchored off the coast of Cape Verde and is under investigation by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has prohibited passengers and crew from disembarking.

The Ministry of Industry is moving forward to support Thai entrepreneurs facing global economic challenges by launching the second round of "Tiger with Wings" and "Strong Foundation" credit programs through the SME Development Fund, injecting a combined 1.5 billion baht. These initiatives aim to maintain business liquidity and equip enterprises with innovation tools to achieve sustainable growth amid regional economic crisis.

Nathapol Rangsitpol, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and chair of the SME Development Fund, explained that Thailand's industrial and economic sectors are facing unavoidable challenges from global economic conditions, particularly the Middle East conflict driving up crude oil prices, which directly and indirectly impacts Thai manufacturing, trade, and exports.

Following the policy of Industry Minister Varawut Silpaarcha, who prioritizes supporting small and medium-sized enterprises as the country's foundation, the ministry aims to enhance SME competitiveness and maintain quality standards under crisis conditions, emphasizing sustainability and transition to new economy industries. The "Tiger with Wings" program will inject capital to encourage adaptation by applying innovation and technology to reduce costs, while the "Strong Foundation" program will serve as business protection, strengthening liquidity for entrepreneurs to maintain operations.

The SME Development Fund is fully prepared with over 1.5 billion baht divided into two programs: "Tiger with Wings" Round 2 with 1 billion baht ceiling, offering loans up to 15 million baht per applicant at fixed interest rates of 3-5% annually for innovation and technology investments; and "Strong Foundation" Round 2 with 500 million baht ceiling, offering loans up to 5 million baht per applicant at fixed rates of 5-7% annually to maintain business liquidity.

Applications are open from today until June 30, 2025, or until funds are exhausted. Interested entrepreneurs can apply online or contact the SME Development Fund office, provincial industry offices, or the Thai Small and Medium Enterprises Development Bank (SME Bank) nationwide.

A viral photo emerged after couple Kao Jirayut Lao-ong Manee and Vee Violet Wattier recreated a sweet hugging pose with couple Goy Oracha and Tim Pita, prompting fans to tease them online.

On May 5, 2026, both couples opened up at a premiere event for the horror film franchise "Term 4" at Sahamongkol Film International (Phahon Yothin Soi 2). Vee emphasized it was just a fun moment during a live stream with friends. She noticed Goy and Tim had posted birthday photos, so she jokingly recreated the pose. Kao admitted he was confused and didn't know beforehand—he was just asked to hug and complied.

When asked if they usually embrace that way, Kao laughed: "Not really. We barely touch. We say 'I love you' from eight meters away." He revealed this was the closest they'd stood in 10 years, despite knowing each other for 8 years. Vee joked about his reserved nature but insisted Kao is actually quite romantic in his own way—he's caring and attentive, especially during emotional filming scenes.

Kao's idea of romance is more practical: calling taxis for Vee. This led to today's playful conflict—he called her a taxi that morning but forgot to pay, leaving Vee humorously "angry" though not genuinely upset. "It's more of a teasing anger," she clarified.

The couple, together for 8 years, recently started moving into their new home, which features numerous decorative lights. Kao joked he needs half an hour to turn them all off before bed. Despite needing to adjust to each other's differences, their love remains strong and stable. Vee confirmed she truly loves him, while Kao expressed his philosophy: "Having something is always better than having nothing." He's drawn to Vee's genuine, straightforward nature, which makes their relationship comfortable and unpredictable-free.