At 5:45 p.m. on May 13, 2025, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin traveled to Phuket with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Interior Minister to monitor progress on illegal forest encroachment prosecutions and inspect conditions at Freedom Beach in Phuket Province.

Deputy Minister Nantachat Suphammongkol, Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthavas, Royal Inspector Kantpun Phisalsukhkul, and various departmental and local agencies joined the inspection of Freedom Beach, where evidence of potentially unlawful land use was found in certain locations, including along the shoreline.

The Prime Minister and delegation met with local leaders and residents, receiving progress reports from the Phuket Royal Forest Department and Phuket Provincial Police. The coordinated effort involves the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, the Forest Department managing Naka Range National Forest Reserve, Phuket Province, and local security agencies working systematically to resolve the ongoing issues. The area has been designated as a 41-rai recreational forest zone to promote ecological tourism and ensure appropriate public access to natural resources.

Land rights verification has identified multiple land documents including reserved forest land (ส.ป.ก.), land title deeds, Nor Sor 3 documents, and Sor Kor 1 certificates currently undergoing accuracy checks. Previously, authorities prosecuted 23 encroachment cases covering approximately 63 rai, and recently filed additional charges against three structures and commercial establishments for illegally occupying the national forest reserve and collecting unauthorized entrance fees from tourists.

Authorities are also investigating cases of fraudulent land rights claims and illegal land transactions that may have harmed residents and the area's natural resources. Two parcels have already been recovered: Freedom Beach and Bang Tao Beach.

The Prime Minister emphasized the government's commitment to protecting natural resources and preserving public areas for public benefit, pledging fair and transparent legal action against state land encroachment while instructing all agencies to expedite fact-finding and strict enforcement of their duties.

Minister Suchat stated the field visit aligns with government policy on natural resource management while promoting justice and public confidence, with the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry coordinating across all agencies to prosecute offenders and maintain public areas for sustainable national benefit.

On May 13, 2025, Theerapat Kachmart, Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), announced that the Central Operations Command for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has been monitoring weather conditions. The Meteorological Department issued a forecast on May 13 at 5:00 AM warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across Thailand and strong waves in the Andaman Sea from May 14-18, 2025. A strong low-pressure system over the lower Gulf of Bengal will move northward to cover the upper Gulf, while the southwest monsoon strengthens over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, creating significant wave heights of 2-3 meters in the Andaman Sea and 1-2 meters in the upper Gulf of Thailand, with waves exceeding 3 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Seventeen provinces in the North are under watch, including Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, and Uthai Thani. In the Northeast, 12 provinces are monitored including Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani. The Central Region includes 11 provinces: Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and others. In the South, 14 provinces are at risk including Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun.

For strong wind warnings in the South, six provinces are affected: Ranong (Muang, Suksamran, and Kapoe districts), Phang Nga (Koh Yao, Takua Thung, Thai Mueang, Takua Pa, and Kuraburi districts), Phuket (all districts), Krabi (Muang, Khlong Thom, Koh Lanta, North Khlong, and Ao Luk districts), Trang (Kantang, Sikao, Palian, and Hat Samran districts), and Satun (Muang, La-ngu, Tha Pae, and Thung Wa districts). The DDPM has coordinated with all 54 provinces to prepare emergency response teams and equipment in high-risk areas, with orders to closely monitor weather conditions, rainfall volumes, and water levels. Staff have been instructed to set up rapid response teams and machinery in vulnerable zones. Tourist attractions, especially waterfalls and caves, should close immediately if conditions become dangerous.

The Toyota Thailand Open 2026, a BWF World Tour Super 500 badminton tournament, took place at the Nimibutr Sports Hall on May 13, 2026 in the opening round. The women's singles draw featured an all-Thai matchup between world No. 7 Mai Rachanok Inthanon and world No. 71 Thidaporn Gleebunyun. Mai Rachanok maintained her commanding form, defeating Thidaporn with a clean 2-0 victory, winning the games 21-9 and 21-18, and advancing to the second round.

SURIN — Thailand's 2nd Army Region on Wednesday confirmed that a 58-year-old Thai man who went missing near the Thai-Cambodian border last month is currently being detained in Cambodia.

The man, identified as Yot Sainoi from Surin province, was reported missing after entering a forest area near the border in Kap Choeng district on 25 April to collect forest products. His family later filed a missing person report with Kap Choeng police after they were unable to contact him.

Authorities later found his motorcycle parked near the forest edge and launched a joint search operation with local administrative and security agencies.

Following coordination with Cambodian authorities, Col. Pov Peng, head of the O'Smach border coordination unit, informed Thai officials that Cambodian authorities had detained Yot and transferred him to Oddar Meanchey province for legal proceedings.

According to the Cambodian side, Yot is facing charges related to illegal entry and trespassing into a military area. He is currently being held at Oddar Meanchey provincial prison.

The 2nd Army Region said it is working closely with Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thai Consulate-General in Siem Reap to provide consular assistance and ensure the man receives humanitarian care and legal support. Officials said he remains safe while in custody.

The army also urged residents living near border areas to exercise caution when entering forests or conducting activities near the frontier, advising them to inform local officials in advance to reduce the risk of getting lost or facing legal issues in neighbouring countries.

The Phuket Express -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Surat Thani — Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has launched a sweeping investigation into 34 companies so far, registered on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, Surat Thani province, suspected of using Thai nationals as “nominee shareholders” to conceal foreign ownership. Pol Lt Col Yutthana Praedam, Director-General of the DSI told the Phuket Express that […] Thai DSI Targets 34 Companies So Far in Nominee Shareholder Probe on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui  -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

Two criminal cases are drawing intense public scrutiny over how police are investigating them, raising questions about whether investigators will pursue perpetrators thoroughly or handle matters with kid gloves. Both cases involve state officials becoming implicated, suggesting they may not progress as expected.

One involves Ming Chen Sun, a Chinese national, found with a massive arsenal of military weapons and explosives—essentially a small ammunition depot—in a residential area of Bang Lamung, Chon Buri.

The discovery of materials capable of causing such serious harm understandably alarmed the public. However, police's initial statements disappointed many by attempting to downplay the severity, suggesting it was merely a collection hobby.

Later, when additional information emerged showing the suspect's connections to Cambodian scammer networks and his gunfire training in Cambodia, the case took on far greater significance.

Public pressure mounted for police to investigate more deeply, questioning what purpose such an arsenal was intended for in Thailand.

Critically, investigators needed to determine where the military weapons, explosives, and firearms originated. It was discovered that some weapons came through military officials, while some firearms belonged to police—though fortunately, they were personal weapons.

Once connections to government officials surfaced, public alarm grew. This perception that police were handling the case halfheartedly became widespread.

This brings to mind another case stalled in similar fashion: the shooting of MP Kamomsak Livamaoh, a Nakhon Ratchasima representative from the Bhumjaithai Party. Seven suspects have been arrested, including former and current naval personnel.

The key evidence is a government vehicle belonging to the Prime Minister's Office that the shooting team allegedly used.

Because government vehicles and active state officials were involved in the MP's shooting, this case also appears to be handled hesitantly by police.

The pattern is troubling: weapons and explosives in the Chinese suspect's possession may have come from state officials, and the government vehicle served as evidence in the MP shooting case.

Both cases have stalled without substantial progress.

Police work has faced severe public criticism, raising a critical question: Why are serious criminal cases so often entangled with state officials?

— Wong Tawan