BANGKOK — Thailand's cabinet has approved the cancellation of the 2001 memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Cambodia on overlapping maritime claims, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul insisting the move will not affect border stability.

Speaking after the cabinet meeting at Government House on 5 May, Anutin said the decision was not linked to any current dispute with Cambodia, but reflected a policy review of a framework that has been in place for more than 25 years without reaching a conclusion.

He said both countries could instead rely on existing international frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to guide future discussions, noting that Thailand and Cambodia are both parties to the convention.

Asked about remarks by Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen that scrapping the MOU could intensify disputes, Anutin declined to comment, saying reporters should seek clarification from the Cambodian side.

The prime minister added that there have been no negotiations between the two countries at present, and any future talks would take place under a "new context", with the 2001 MOU no longer forming the basis.

On next steps, Anutin said Thailand would formally notify Cambodia of the decision before it takes effect. He noted that any future arrangement on sharing benefits from undersea resources would require fresh discussions and potentially a new agreement.

Regarding the upcoming ASEAN Summit in the Philippines, Anutin said he expected to meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and stressed that Thailand was ready for dialogue.

"We have no problem meeting and talking," he said. "I can assure the Thai people of a 'Thailand First' approach. There will be nothing for the country to lose."

Responding to concerns over possible tensions along the Thai–Cambodian border, Anutin said security agencies and the military remain on alert and continue to monitor the situation closely.

"There is no cause for concern. In fact, the situation has improved," he said, adding that he receives regular updates from the armed forces.

May 5 – Online communities in Pathum Thani province are sharing information about "Nong Belle," 14-year-old Natthaida Klahaiyai, who has gone missing from her home and cannot be reached.

According to her sister, Ke Thanyasiri, the girl left home at 2:40 p.m. on May 2, saying she was going to find their mother at another nearby residence. Checking CCTV footage in the area, she was seen stopping at a "Chorotee Cha Chak" shop, after which contact with her was lost. When the family called their mother, she said the girl had not arrived.

Meanwhile, her boyfriend has been helping search for her throughout the night, and inquiries with her friend group have yielded no information about her whereabouts. The family is extremely worried, unsure if she has had an accident or something worse. A missing person report was filed with Muang Pathum Thani Police Station on May 3.

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.