LOEI — On May 22, 2026, Thai security forces intercepted over 1.08 million methamphetamine pills along the Mekong River in northeastern Thailand after suspected drug traffickers escaped across the border into Laos.

The operation began around 4 a.m. Friday near Highway 211 in Ban Sangao village, Huai Phichai subdistrict, Pak Chom district, following intelligence about a major drug shipment destined for the area.

Troops from the Surasak Montri Task Force, border narcotics suppression units, and local security agencies were deployed along the riverbank for surveillance. Officers spotted a suspicious pickup truck near the Mekong and observed three men loading black sacks into the vehicle.

When security personnel moved in to make an arrest, the suspects scattered into the darkness. They allegedly commandeered two motorized long-tail boats belonging to villagers and fled across the Mekong into Laos. The pickup truck driver separately escaped along Highway 211 toward Sangkhom district in neighboring Nong Khai province.

After securing the area, authorities discovered three sacks containing approximately 1.08 million yaba pills and confiscated one motorized long-tail boat. The drugs were transported to a local ranger unit base for inspection and subsequently handed over to Pak Chom police as evidence. Authorities continue efforts to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected trafficking network.

Sahamongkolfilm International launches a new installment of 'The Horror Universe Within University Gates' with 'Term 4,' featuring four horror legends, four institutions, and four regions: 'Pink Room,' 'Nang Snam House,' 'D-Day Night,' and 'White Bridge,' starring Pun Pantita Buunchuan, Jorinn Kamphiriphand, Aung Prammonthol Eamjunthore, Tad Thaapana Jongkolrattanaprnn, Jen Kuljiranat Warraksa, Tango Thitinanth Rattanthitinandt, Kao Jirayou Laongmani, and V Violette Wautier.

'Pink Room,' directed by Poeng Saleeni Khemjarus, showcases a northern university horror legend. A beautifully decorated pink dorm room is actually layered with deep crimson bloodstains embedded in the walls. No matter how many times it's repainted, it cannot erase the resentment of its former occupant. Kaninning (Pun Pantita), a freshman forced into the only remaining dorm room, discovers it's the cursed space where a heartbroken student once ended her life. Though the dormitory tried to conceal the tragedy with fresh pink paint, the deep-seated resentment becomes increasingly apparent each night as the original occupant's spirit lingers, seeking to reclaim her eternal space.

'Nang Snam House,' directed by Mooya Thamuyaa Tatchanakul, presents a central region university legend. The Nang Snam House is a location students avoid because whenever they pass by, they witness something unspeakable from outside. Grace (Jorinn), a fashion-major model, works for Biew (Aung Prammonthol), a talented senior photographer. Grace constantly compares herself to Biew until she discovers a shocking secret behind Biew's perfect work. When Grace accepts an invitation to investigate during a photoshoot at the old Nang Snam House—with its legendary tales of a former royal concubine's death—neither realizes what awaits them.

'D-Day Night,' directed by Ko Chakkra Chaiyapreecha, tells a famous southern university legend. D-Day Night is a freshman initiation activity where those who don't participate will be visited by senior ghosts who will 'boom' them to death. When the boom ends, the new student dies. Pow (Tad ATLAS), a freshman who recently lost his best friend in an accident, blames himself and refuses to participate in any activities, including orientation. The university has a legend about a senior student who died in a car crash while heading to graduation. Every year during freshman orientation, those who don't attend will be 'boomed' by senior spirits, and when the boom ends, that new student dies instantly. This year, Noy (Jen Kuljiranat), Pow's friend, must find a solution with the help of Shutter (Tango Thitinanth), a student from another faculty who has secretly harbored feelings for Noy, now entangled in this deadly fate.

'White Bridge,' directed by Tum Puttipong Saisirikae, speaks of the White Bridge—a landmark of horror at a northeastern university. This bridge of blood once overflowed with corpses layered upon the dead, while above it, a student had their heart torn out in a horrifying accident. Mind (V Violette) and Boss (Kao Jirayou), an engineering faculty couple who dated from year one through year four, chose to end their relationship at White Bridge, a location infamous for tragic couple legends. This becomes the beginning of their encounter with spirits that will continue to haunt them until they get what they seek.

Prepare to be terrified by four horror legends in 'Term 4,' releasing May 28th at cinemas.

On May 22, Dr. Sujai Wongswat, a senior physician and spokesperson for the Department of Disease Control under the Ministry of Public Health, addressed the Ebola virus situation, emphasizing that Ebola is not a new disease but an infectious viral illness that has continuously spread across Africa. Multiple outbreaks have occurred since 2014, 2016, and 2022, with the latest in 2025 involving the rare Bundibugyo strain—not a newly discovered variant. As of May 17, there were over 250 suspected cases and approximately 160 deaths linked to the disease, prompting global vigilance. Thailand has yet to identify any suspected or confirmed Ebola cases in 2025.

Dr. Sujai explained that Ebola belongs to the viral hemorrhagic fever category, distinct from dengue fever commonly found in Thailand. The virus is in the Filovirus family and primarily spreads in Africa. Severe Ebola symptoms limit patient mobility outside outbreak zones, containing transmission largely to Africa.

"Disease transmission originates from animals to humans, with fruit bats serving as the natural reservoir, before spreading person-to-person through contact with secretions, blood, or contaminated materials from patients. Unlike COVID-19 or influenza, it does not spread through respiratory droplets, resulting in slower transmission," Dr. Sujai stated.

Ebola's average transmission rate is approximately 1.95, indicating it can spread but requires close contact. Currently, six Ebola strains exist, with four capable of infecting humans. The previously prevalent Zaire strain now has vaccines and treatments, but the current Bundibugyo outbreak lacks approved medications or vaccines. Vaccine development is expected to take at least three to nine months. The disease has an incubation period of two to 21 days, initially resembling flu with high fever, headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, progressing to severe symptoms including abnormal hemorrhaging, with mortality rates between 40-80%.

Following outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and two confirmed cases in Uganda with travel history from Congo, the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, 2025, though it has not yet reached pandemic status. Thailand has escalated surveillance accordingly.

"The Ministry of Public Health has declared the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as Ebola-affected zones, effective May 21, to strengthen disease control and prevention measures, including traveler screening, airport surveillance, and nationwide hospital monitoring, while preparing disease investigation teams and laboratory testing facilities," Dr. Sujai said.

Dr. Rom Buathong, acting senior physician and director of the International Disease Control and Quarantine Division, noted that all travelers—Thai citizens and foreigners—from these two countries must undergo health screening at disease control checkpoints upon entering Thailand. At-risk travelers must complete health declaration forms through the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system.

SM True is bringing together JENO and JAEMIN as the NCT JNJM unit for their first-ever fanmeeting tour in Thailand, captivating Thai NCTzen fans with the 2026 NCT JNJM FANMEETING TOUR [DUALITY] # BANGKOK on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM at Impact Arena.

The duo has made waves in the music industry with their official debut and first mini-album 'BOTH SIDES,' which achieved half-million seller status with over 500,000 copies sold since its February 23 release. They've topped music and album charts across South Korea, Japan (Oricon Daily Albums), and China (QQ Music Digital Albums Chart), cementing their global popularity. Their partnership spans over 10 years, from their trainee days through activities with NCT and NCT DREAM, allowing them to showcase diverse and distinctive charms that have earned them massive love from fans worldwide.

The concept "DUALITY" serves as the main theme throughout their promotion, from the mini-album to the fanmeeting tour name, symbolizing two contrasting yet perfectly complementary images. Both members showcase their unique identities and colors distinctly before blending into one to create perfect balance, demonstrating how their combined strengths transform differences into powerful assets. The "aesthetics of duality" proves that from every angle—up, down, left, right—NCTzen will be delighted.

The 2026 NCT JNJM FANMEETING TOUR [DUALITY] kicked off in Seoul, South Korea on June 13-14, with all three shows and limited view seats sold out immediately. The tour will then travel to various Asian cities including Tokyo, Jakarta, Macau, Guangzhou, and conclude in Bangkok—the final destination that Thai NCTzen have been eagerly awaiting.

Ticket sales schedule: NCTzen DREAM Membership (GL) Pre-Sale on Friday, June 5, 2026, 7:00-11:59 PM; JOY-CLUB Pre-Sale on Saturday, June 6, 2026, 11:00 AM-3:59 PM; and General Sale on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 11:00 AM onwards. Tickets are available through All Ticket counters at 7-Eleven stores nationwide and at www.allticket.com/event/NCTJNJM_DUALITY_BANGKOK. Ticket prices range from 2,000 to 6,500 baht, with special benefits for purchasers. Follow SM True on Facebook (facebook.com/smtruethailand) and Instagram for more details.

On May 22, 2026, the Krajeevoharn Poll Institute (KPI Poll) released results from a survey titled "Bangkok Election 2026: Public Interest in the Governor Election and Expectations for the New Bangkok Metropolitan Administration." Conducted between May 8-11, 2026, among 1,600 Bangkok residents aged 18 and older across all districts, the survey found that 85.9% stated they would definitely vote for a new Bangkok governor, 9.2% said they probably would or were unsure, and 4.9% said they probably would not or would definitely not vote.

Meanwhile, 49.2% of respondents reported following news about the governor and BMA election quite closely to very closely, while 48.3% followed somewhat to very little, and 2.5% did not follow at all.

Regarding desired qualifications for the new Bangkok governor, 26.4% wanted someone who understands real community problems, 21.3% wanted someone with strong coordination skills who can solve local issues, 19.3% wanted an honest and transparent person who can be held accountable, and 13.3% wanted someone approachable. Additionally, 9.5% valued someone courageous in investigating and addressing problems, 6.5% wanted someone with experience in the area, only 3.4% prioritized affiliation with a trustworthy political party, and 0.3% cited other characteristics.

By district tier, outer Bangkok residents (30.7%) most valued understanding real community problems, followed by 22.9% wanting strong coordination and problem-solving skills. Middle Bangkok residents (29.3%) prioritized understanding real problems, with 22.2% valuing honesty and transparency. Inner Bangkok showed similar proportions across strong coordination skills (21.7%), understanding real problems (21.1%), and honesty and transparency (20.3%).

GCAP GOLD identifies Kevin Warsh, the incoming Federal Reserve chairman, as a key variable in shifting U.S. monetary policy, with analysts watching for a gold rebound toward $4,600. Areeratchai Murachay, chief analyst at GCAP Gold, reveals that Warsh's appointment may represent a significant turning point in U.S. monetary policy and is another factor global gold markets must monitor closely. Amid persistent high inflation, geopolitical risks in the Middle East, and political pressures before U.S. midterm elections, these factors directly impact the trajectory of the U.S. dollar, Treasury bond yields, and gold prices. "Warsh's assumption of the Fed chairmanship raises questions about how well he can maintain the Fed's independence in monetary policy, especially given President Donald Trump's continued signals favoring quick interest rate cuts to stimulate an economy showing signs of slowdown." Energy costs remain elevated due to tensions with Iran, prompting markets to lower expectations for rate cuts this year and instead focus on the possibility that the Fed may need to return to tighter monetary policy if inflation accelerates. If Warsh pursues a stricter policy than expected, it could support the U.S. dollar and Treasury yields while pressuring gold prices in the near term. Additionally, Warsh has signaled support for reducing the Fed's balance sheet, currently valued at approximately $6.7 trillion, and may scale back forward guidance communications such as quarterly interest rate projections (Dot Plot), changes that could increase volatility in global financial markets during this policy transition. For investment strategy, analysts note that gold prices are entering a critical juncture determining whether they will recover or decline further. Key support lies at $4,480 (approximately 69,400 +/- baht for Thai gold); if this level holds, there is potential for a rebound testing resistance around $4,600 and $4,640 (approximately 70,900–71,600 baht). If $4,480 breaks, selling pressure could push prices to the $4,430–$4,400 zone (approximately 69,000–68,700 baht). Therefore, analysts recommend gradually accumulating gold at support levels to capitalize on rebound opportunities.