Thailand's under-14 boys' tennis team achieved a historic third-place finish at the ITF World Junior Tennis Championship Asia/Oceania qualifying event in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia on May 3, 2026, defeating Indonesia 2-0 to secure a spot at the world finals. Denis Khiavruksak won his singles match 6-3, 6-3 against Ahmad Sulfan Sadewa Dwi, while team captain Pannaphorn Nimmowalkul secured victory over Gomang Bakus Wahyu Purwatama at 4-1 after his opponent retired due to ankle injury.

This bronze medal marks Thailand's return to the world championship finals for the first time in five years. The top four teams from the Asia/Oceania region—Japan (1st), Australia (2nd), Thailand (3rd), and Indonesia (4th)—all qualified for the 16-team world finals. Thailand's girls' team under-14 finished seventh in Asia.

Thailand Lawn Tennis Association President Suchai Pornchaiysakdium praised the team's exceptional performance, noting it exceeded expectations as they aimed initially for the round of eight. He expressed gratitude to Ambassador Lada Phoommas at the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, who hosted and supported both the boys' and girls' teams throughout the competition from April 21 to May 3, 2026. Head coach Pachornpol Kumsamarn and team members attributed their success to comprehensive support from the association's leadership, coaching staff, parents, and Thai supporters who provided continuous encouragement throughout the tournament.

D Gerrard has parted ways with Warner/Weaver Records, marking the end of an eight-year tenure with the label and the beginning of his journey as an independent artist. Having progressed from underground artist to one of the label's quality acts, D Gerrard (Bryan Gerrard) announced his independence with gratitude for the label's support throughout his career. "I have important news to announce," he shared. "I'm now an independent artist after eight years with the label. This has been a challenging period as I navigate managing everything on my own, as things happened very quickly."

Reflecting on his journey, D Gerrard recalled his commitment from day one: "I've never stopped since I first thought about making music. I started as an underground artist wanting people to know me and listen to my songs. As more people discovered my work, I felt grateful for everything that happened."

Describing this transition as a new chapter in his life's story, D Gerrard expressed cautious optimism about the future: "If my life were a book, this would be a new chapter—an exciting one. Though I don't know what lies ahead or if people will still listen to my music, I promise I won't stop creating."

The artist expressed heartfelt thanks to Warner/Weaver Records for standing by him through both good times and challenges over the past eight years, and thanked his supporters, friends, and fans who he considers family. He also promised a new album coming soon and pledged not to disappoint his supporters.

MAE HONG SON — 3 May 2026, The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) has claimed it killed more than 60 Myanmar junta troops since April, as fighting intensifies near the Thai-Myanmar border, according to a statement by the Karen National Union (KNU).

The KNU said its forces had killed over 60 government soldiers since early April. In the past week alone, it reported 26 killed and 35 wounded, with several troops captured during clashes in Hpapun township in Karen state, opposite Mae Sariang district in Thailand's Mae Hong Son province.

The statement added that between 15 and 22 March, there were nine clashes between junta forces and the KNLA's Brigade 5.

Residents in Mae Sam Laep village in Sop Moei district said they heard explosions and gunfire from across the border in Myanmar late on 3 May, suggesting fresh clashes. The fighting is believed to involve KNLA forces and Myanmar troops, who may have been deployed as reinforcements but were ambushed, according to local reports.

On May 3, 2025, Deputy Education Minister Akkhanan Kankaittinant, along with officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and members of parliament, visited Lopburi province to monitor school safety measures and provide updates on a case involving a former private school teacher who sexually abused a student in 2024. Victims' family members participated in the discussion.

Deputy Minister Akkhanan stated that the Education Ministry has closely followed the case. The perpetrator is currently imprisoned serving approximately 36 years, and the ministry remains committed to providing psychological care and support to the victim. He emphasized that schools must stand beside affected students and announced three urgent measures:

1. Permanent revocation of teaching license, coordinated with the Teacher Council to ensure the teacher can never return to the profession. 2. The Private Education Promotion Office will issue a warning to the affiliated school requiring appropriate victim care measures and consideration of stricter penalties such as license suspension or school closure. 3. The school administration committee must reach a fair and humane compensation agreement within two weeks.

The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security confirmed it has deployed social workers and psychologists to provide close psychological support to the victim and family. Both ministries committed to strengthening child protection measures and creating effective monitoring systems to prevent similar incidents.

A new phenomenon is gaining rapid attention across China's booming AI landscape: the creation of "virtual ex-partners" through technology known as Ex-partner.skill, which allows users to digitally reconstruct past lovers. Although AI developer Zhou Tianyi has cautioned against directly copying someone's identity, many users are applying the technology to deeper emotional memories and experiences. The feature has gained quick popularity among younger Chinese users, with some willing to pay 25-45 yuan (approximately 115-200 baht) for access despite technical complexity. Supporters view AI virtual exes as therapeutic tools for post-breakup healing, allowing users to voice unsaid words and gain clearer understanding of past relationships. Many report feeling lighter and finding it easier to accept reality, with some users noting that conversations with their virtual ex helped them see their past partner as imperfect, enabling them to move forward rationally. However, the trend faces criticism from those concerned it could enable new forms of "emotional infidelity," particularly when users continue engaging with virtual exes while starting new relationships. Guangdong marriage consultant Wan Xiao acknowledges that nostalgia shouldn't be viewed as betrayal if it doesn't affect current relationships, but warns this technology could create new attachments difficult to control with long-term consequences. Guangdong lawyer Zhang cautions that using ex-partners' conversation data and social media posts without consent may violate personal data protection laws, highlighting how technological advances are challenging ethical and privacy boundaries. The phenomenon extends beyond exes—users are increasingly creating AI models of deceased loved ones or family members, further blurring lines between "healing" and "clinging to the past." A parallel "cyber heartbreak" trend has emerged when users find updated AI versions feel colder and more distant than previous versions, creating emotional attachment to the changed technology itself. Ultimately, this trend reflects a critical question of the digital age: should technology help heal human emotions, or is it gradually replacing the essence of authentic human experience?

The Department of Corrections announced on May 3, 2569 that it is pursuing strict disciplinary action and anti-corruption measures following the National Human Rights Commission's investigation into complaints of special VIP treatment given to Chinese inmates at Bangkok Special Prison, which constituted discrimination and human rights violations. The Justice Ministry issued Order 240/2568 on November 24, 2568 establishing a serious disciplinary investigation committee for the prison commander and his personal secretary, with immediate suspension from duty pending the outcome of a transparent and fair investigation. Further investigation revealed that the involved officials engaged in extortion by deliberately overlooking disciplinary and criminal violations committed by inmates, including possession of mobile phones—constituting serious misconduct. The Department subsequently reported to the Justice Ministry, which issued Order 1562/2568 on November 28, 2568 establishing a serious disciplinary investigation committee for staff members involved in demanding benefits related to inmate contraband phones and those who improperly facilitated attorney visits in exchange for compensation. Criminal evidence has been submitted to the DSI, whose investigation is now complete and forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for legal proceedings. The Department of Corrections emphasizes that all actions are based on evidence and civil service regulations without favoritism, and has instructed all prisons nationwide to strictly comply with the Corrections Act B.E. 2560 and relevant procedures to ensure equal, transparent, and dignified treatment of all inmates.