Thailand's Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) says sound trademarks are becoming increasingly important in branding and marketing, with Thai TV personality DJ Nui Thanawat Prasitsomporn among those seeking legal protection for a signature sound.

DIP director-general Oramon Sapthaweetham said on 21 May that sounds such as jingles, catchphrases, app tones and voice introductions are now powerful branding tools in the digital era, helping consumers instantly recognize products and services.

She said DJ Nui had applied to trademark his distinctive laugh with the department, describing it as an example of a new form of intellectual property protection gaining importance both in Thailand and internationally.

The department noted that global artists have also moved to protect signature sounds. Taylor Swift previously filed sound trademark applications in the United States for phrases including "Hey, it's Taylor Swift" and "Hey, it's Taylor".

Officals said the growing use of artificial intelligence has increased concerns over voice imitation and unauthorised commercial use of distinctive voices and sounds.

Thailand amended its Trademark Act to allow protection for sound marks, including human voices, music and other distinctive audio elements that are not directly related to the nature of a product.

According to the DIP, Thailand has received 494 sound trademark applications since September 2017, including 438 from Thai applicants and 56 from foreign applicants. So far, 114 sound trademarks have been approved.

A Thai woman from Nakhon Si Thammarat province has won a gold medal in the oil massage category at the Wellness World Championship 2026 in Bangkok. Soraya Thaoram claimed the top prize during the international competition held on 18 May at TK Palace & Convention Hotel on Chaeng Watthana Road. The event featured around 200 contestants from 22 countries competing in four categories: facial massage, Thai massage, oil massage and foot massage. Soraya, who is from Koh Thuat subdistrict in Pak Phanang district, received widespread congratulations from local residents after bringing home the gold medal for Thailand. The competition was judged by a panel of 30 experts from Thailand and abroad. Soraya was trained by Kanticha Rodbut, a massage instructor from Thung Song district in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Organisers described the Wellness World Championship 2026 as one of the year's major international wellness competitions, showcasing massage and spa skills from around the world.

Prominent Thai boxer Nabil Anane has posted a statement seeking public opinion following his younger brother Yunis Anane's unanimous decision loss to British fighter Freddy Haggerty at ONE Championship's The Inner Circle event.

Yunis Anane, an 18-year-old French-Thai boxer, competed in a Muay Thai rules bout in the strawweight division (115-125 lbs) before losing by unanimous decision to 21-year-old British fighter Freddy Haggerty.

Following the fight, Nabil Anane, the prominent Thai boxer and older brother of Yunis, posted on Facebook stating 'I have nothing to say, I'd like to hear your thoughts,' accompanied by an overwhelming number of comments from boxing fans.

On social media, many Thai boxers have expressed disagreement with the decision and confusion regarding the fight's outcome.

At ONE Championship's The Inner Circle event held at Lumpinee Stadium on May 22, the main card featured a highly competitive bantamweight (135-145 lbs) bout between 24-year-old "Yodaikyuu" from Buriram and 31-year-old Russian powerhouse "Kiamran Nabati." The two skilled fighters battled intensely through all three rounds before the judges awarded Yodaikyuu a split decision victory. In other results, Viet Anh Do defeated Kim Kyung Jung by TKO at 2:17 of the second round. Vero defeated Kana by unanimous decision. Freddie Haggerty won his bout against Younis Annan by unanimous decision. Liu Mengyang also claimed victory over Gabriel Pereira by unanimous decision.

The Contemporary Arts and Culture Office (CACO) held an awards ceremony on May 22, 2025, for the Art City Development Project Proposal Competition. Culture Minister Sabeeda Thaisetr delegated Deputy Permanent Secretary of Culture Chotika Akkitsopha to preside over the ceremony and present awards at the Auditorium of the Rajdamnoen Contemporary Art Gallery in Bangkok.

The event featured a panel discussion titled "Project Proposals and Art City Development" led by two expert panelists: Lakkhana Kunawichayanan, a visual arts specialist, and Sirisak Khotchapathorn, a film expert. An exhibition of all submitted project proposals was also displayed, alongside performances from the "Phimai Inspire" community empowerment initiative.

CACO Director Kasetr Kamnertpetch stated that in 2025, the office recognized the importance of artist and cultural network participation in communities and opened calls for Art City Development Project proposals. A total of 56 projects were submitted from five provinces: Krabi (6 projects), Chiang Rai (18 projects), Nakhon Ratchasima (12 projects), Phrae (11 projects), and Ratchaburi (9 projects).

The evaluation committee, comprised of CACO executives, contemporary arts and culture experts across various disciplines, and provincial culture officers from all five provinces, reviewed proposals based on community participation, economic and social impact, implementation feasibility and budget, and sustainability and management. The winning projects were:

Grand Prize (1 award): "Banok: International Contemporary Art Festival in Rural Areas" (Phase One) from Ratchaburi Province, led by Pornpilay Mimailay, awarded a trophy and 20,000 baht prize money, plus 900,000 baht in project implementation support.

Excellence Awards (5 awards): Recipients receive trophies and 10,000 baht prize money, plus project implementation support of 500,000 baht each.

On May 22, 2569, Col. Natthasak Chaowanat, commander of the investigation team, led a joint operation involving officers from multiple divisions including the Traffic Police, the Cyber Crime Police, the Technology Crime Division, and investigators from Ban Du Police Station. They arrested 24-year-old Sarram (surname withheld), who was wanted under arrest warrant No. 329/2569 from Chiang Rai Provincial Court issued on April 24, 2569. He faces charges of committing indecent acts against a person over 15 years old using force and breaking into a residence at night.

The arrest occurred at a rental house in Moo 15, Yang Hom Subdistrict, Khun Tan District, Chiang Rai Province, after police learned the suspect was hiding in the area. When officers arrived and identified him matching the warrant, they presented it and took him into custody. The suspect admitted to being the person named in the warrant and had no prior arrests in this case. He was transferred to Ban Du Police Station for legal proceedings.

The case stems from an incident on July 31, 2568, when an 18-year-old female victim reported to police that while resting in her dormitory room in Ban Du Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District, a man hid behind her room before forcing his way in and attempting sexual assault. She fought back and escaped to seek help from other residents, while the suspect fled into the darkness.

Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and conducted field work, identifying a suspect living in the same dormitory who hastily moved belongings out after the incident. Upon obtaining a court warrant and examining the suspect's phone, officers discovered numerous photos and videos of the victim. The suspect confessed to secretly following and photographing her for an extended period before deciding to break into her room that night.

Investigators are continuing to examine additional data on the phone and investigating whether other victims may be involved, with further legal action to follow.