TAKHLI — Thailand's top military commander flew aboard an F-16 fighter jet on Tuesday during a combat readiness inspection at Wing 4 in Nakhon Sawan province, as the Royal Thai Air Force reaffirmed its capability to defend the country and monitor border areas.

On May 19 at 09:00, Air Force Commander ACM Seksan Kanta welcomed Supreme Commander Gen. Songwit Noonpackdee to inspect the operational readiness of Wing 4 at Takhli air base. The visit included an F-16 performance demonstration and the presentation of a 403 Squadron F-16 patch to the Supreme Commander before the flight mission.

Gen. Songwit donned a full F-16 flight suit and participated in an aerial patrol alongside Wing Commander Chanon Sattayuk, commander of 403 Squadron. The approximately one-hour flight surveyed training areas and Thailand's western border region. Other senior Air Force officers participated in the operation, including Air Chief Marshal Rawin Thanomsingh, commander of the Air Operations Control Command, piloting another F-16, while Air Chief Marshal Anurak Romanarak, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, flew in a T-50TH trainer jet.

Before takeoff, Gen. Songwit addressed Wing 4 personnel, commending their dedication and sacrifice in protecting national sovereignty. He emphasized that the Air Force maintains robust operational capabilities and remains ready for missions in all circumstances, including coordinated operations with other military branches. ACM Seksan also thanked Wing 4 personnel for their service, calling Wing 4 "the real force protecting the country" and urging personnel to maintain professional standards across aviation, maintenance, and mission support operations.

The Supreme Commander operated under the call sign "UK Biker" during the mission and completed full aviation medical and safety screening before takeoff, including hearing and vision tests, cardiac monitoring, and hypobaric chamber training. The operation was part of ongoing combat readiness inspections and air exercises designed to strengthen Air Force capabilities and support national defense missions.

Industry Minister Verawut Silpaarch discussed proposals from government-private sector consultations held at the 'Entrepreneurs Speak, Government Listens' forum. During these discussions, CP Group Senior Chairman Thanin Chearavanont made an important observation that Thailand possesses 'surface oil'—agricultural resources—which are more valuable than underground oil. This aligns with the government's policy direction emphasizing agricultural industry development. On May 18, Verawut met with Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Suthammaphand and Commerce Minister to discuss preserving Thai fruit quality year-round and extracting high-value compounds for export, which he emphasized is crucial for Thailand's food security. The ministry is implementing comprehensive support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), working with the Thai SME Development Bank to provide not only financial loans but also personnel development and knowledge transfer. The bank will implement a unified industrial policy using the ministry's resources to elevate SME operations.

Chinese, Pakistani nationals found packed in Sa Kaeo pickupLegacy

Sixteen Chinese and Pakistani nationals were arrested in Sa Kaeo today, May 19, after they were allegedly smuggled across the border from Poipet, Cambodia, and found packed inside a pickup truck with a Thai driver.

Military officers, district officials, and village security volunteers launched the operation after residents reported a suspicious vehicle circling in Non Mak Mun subdistrict, Khok Sung district, late at night. Officials intercepted the pickup near the border and found 16 foreigners inside, comprising 10 Chinese nationals and six Pakistani nationals. The Thai driver, 35 year old Surat Boonkrut, was also arrested. Initial questioning found the group had travelled to Poipet for work after being persuaded to take jobs linked to online businesses and restaurants. Photo via Khaosod They said they were not paid as agreed, while some claimed they were forced to work and controlled for more than six months before fleeing at night.

Officials said the group was allegedly moved in stages, first by vehicle from Poipet to an area near the border. Cambodian guides then led them through sugarcane fields and natural crossings into Ban Ang Sila, where a Thai broker was allegedly waiting to take them further into Thailand.

During the search, officials found multiple mobile phones, foreign SIM cards, and several passports. Some of the foreigners had no identification documents, leading officials to suspect links to a cross-border smuggling network and illegal labour activity along the border. Photo via Khaosod Surat reportedly confessed that he had been hired by a broker named Preeda to pick up the foreigners. He said he was paid 50 baht per person to take them to Aranyaprathet district, but was intercepted before reaching the destination. Khaosod reported that all suspects were taken to Khok Sung Police Station for legal action. Officials are expanding the investigation to track down the remaining brokers involved in the smuggling network. Similarly, last year, Thai border forces arrested a Chinese national linked to a call centre scam and found 1,000 mobile SIM cards near the Thai-Cambodian border. The equipment was reportedly being sent to an employer in Myawaddy. The story Chinese, Pakistani nationals found packed in Sa Kaeo pickup as seen on Thaiger News.

The Cabinet has approved the appointment of Somsak Anantawat as the new Revenue Department director, replacing Kulya Tantitemit who previously resigned. On May 19, 2025, the Cabinet approved the promotion of Somsak Anantawat, a tax collection strategy advisor for the energy business group at the Revenue Department, to director of the Revenue Department in place of Kulya Tantitemit. According to the Finance Ministry, Somsak is a career civil servant within the Revenue Department, and officials believe his appointment will provide advantages in policy continuity and administration since he has strong knowledge of the department's organizational structure, tax collection systems, and internal mechanisms, requiring minimal transition time. "Somsak's key strength is his experience in audit and inspection work, which is the department's primary responsibility, especially as the government seeks to improve tax collection efficiency and expand the tax base amid economic slowdown, along with challenges from digital business and cross-border transactions." Somsak has comprehensive qualifications in accounting, law, and public administration, which address the department's needs across multiple dimensions including legal matters, audits, tax interpretation, and large-scale organization management. He also has board experience with state enterprises and private companies, giving him deeper understanding of business structures and private sector constraints, which could be crucial for designing future tax policies that balance collection efficiency with the competitiveness of the business sector.

The Smart Water Operations Center (SWOC) under the Royal Irrigation Department reported that as of May 19, 2025, major and medium-sized reservoirs nationwide contain approximately 43,621 million cubic meters of water—57% of their total capacity—with additional storage capacity of 33,133 million cubic meters available. The four key dams in the Chao Phraya River Basin (Bhumibol, Sirikit, Khwae Noi Bhumrung Dam, and Pasak Cholasit dams) hold 13,483 million cubic meters of water, representing 54% of combined capacity, with 11,388 million cubic meters of additional capacity remaining.

As of 6 a.m. on the reporting date, water flow at the C.2 measurement station in Nakhon Sawan reached 563 cubic meters per second. Combined with flows from the Sakae Krang River and tributary streams, the total water volume managed above Chao Phraya Dam stands at 577 cubic meters per second, distributed to various irrigation systems as follows: Eastern region receives 189 cubic meters per second (69%) and Western region receives 258 cubic meters per second (55%).

The remaining water released through Chao Phraya Dam maintains a continuous rate of 130 cubic meters per second with no adverse impact on downstream areas. Current rainfall monitoring shows that from January 1 to May 17, 2025, the nation received 212.4 millimeters of rain—78.8 millimeters below normal, representing a 27% deficit. Multiple regions experienced below-normal rainfall, particularly the Eastern Southern region (49% below normal) and Central region (41% below normal). To prepare for potential impacts on residents and farmers, the Royal Irrigation Department continues closely monitoring rainfall and water flow, implementing comprehensive water management plans to maximize benefits while adapting to changing weather and rainfall patterns throughout the season. The department is readying machinery and equipment to assist flood-prone areas during the monsoon and strictly implementing 2025 monsoon season preparedness measures as directed by Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suryya Juengrungruangkit to minimize impacts on communities.

Da Endorphine delivered unforgettable moments at 'DA ENDORPHINE UPSTAGE Cheeky Concert,' transforming the hall into a nostalgic karaoke space where fans sang every song. If 'concert' seems too ordinary, this was a 'generational reunion phenomenon.' The 'DA ENDORPHINE UPSTAGE Cheeky Concert' turned Royal Paragon Hall into a massive karaoke room and a powerhouse of nostalgia for over three hours on May 16-17, 2025, under the direction of CHANGEshowbiz's concert maven Chod Saithip Montrikul at Ayutthaya, who paid meticulous attention to every detail of this premium production—from sound and lighting to the grandly designed stage reaching every fan in every seat. This special event featured not only Da Endorphine's greatest hits that had the entire hall singing along, but also brought out 'cheeky special guests' who grew up alongside the band through different eras, creating non-stop excitement. These included the Queen of Dance Christina Aguilera, the iconic diva of the 90s, in a 'mom meets mom' moment with dance steps that shook the stage; Off Pongsak, a quality-voiced singer who delivered emotional depth clashing with Da's power; Joey Bhuwasit, a smooth artist who unexpectedly clicked with Da across different eras; and the surprise guest Toon Bodyslam, rock music legend, whose brief appearance sent screams throughout the hall. Every show, every song, every moment was designed to trigger fans' 'release of happiness hormones,' living up to the 'UPSTAGE Cheeky Concert' concept. This wasn't merely Da Endorphine's comeback, but a journey taking everyone back to embrace their own memories with full hearts. The night exploded from the first second when Da Endorphine's powerful vocals hit the opening song 'Cheeky,' instantly triggering fans' endorphin rush at maximum capacity. The energy peaked unexpectedly when the show broke concert tradition by featuring all special guests—Tina, Off Pongsak, Joey Bhuwasit, and Toon Bodyslam—friends, older sister, and close brother, in the song 'This Life Will Be Short Until Death,' igniting the entire hall's adrenaline. Because this was Da Endorphine's concert—artists who know their fans best—they filled the playlist with songs fans had requested from the previous concert, performed at full intensity for singalongs without pause. Songs from both their original catalog and covers like 'Time to Listen,' 'Written in My Heart, Sung in a Song,' 'Want to Hear You Say You Love Me,' 'Don't Do This,' 'Not Loving is Good,' and 'Preserve Your Rights' transformed the entire hall into a space where close friends released their emotions singing loudly together to soothe their longing. When quality-voiced singer Off Pongsak appeared on stage, the entire hall shifted into deep dramatic mode instantly through the song 'Stabbed from Behind Piercing Through the Heart.' Off and Da then alternated releasing powerful vocal duels song after song without compromise through 'From an Old Lover,' 'Won't Ask So I'll Give,' 'This Man Is Running Out of Strength,' and 'You Have Me, Who Do I Have,' where both conveyed emotions so deeply that every lyric hurt. When they entered 'Take Care of Him Well,' the stage emotions peaked—their voices, gazes, and inner power delivered straight to fans' hearts at full force, causing many to sing along at the top of their lungs.