The Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has officially launched the CBT EXPO THAILAND event as part of the 2026 Sustainable Community-Based Tourism Initiative (CBT Green World Challenge 2026). The expo will be held at the Rajprasangsabdhi Building B, Chulalongkorn 80th Birthday Commemoration Government Center in Bangkok from May 6-8, 2026, with Patpong Pongsukul, Inspector-General of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, presiding over the opening ceremony.

The event operates under the concept "THAI (crea) TIVE: Creativity Rooted in Thai Identity," demonstrating how Thai innovation not only intelligently addresses environmental challenges but also genuinely enhances the value of products and services in community tourism destinations. This aligns with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) standards that the Department of Tourism uses to upgrade tourism communities nationwide.

Patpong Pongsukul stated that this event is a key mechanism for advancing Thai community tourism toward international standards, giving communities opportunities to showcase their unique identities, local wisdom, and products to a wide audience. The initiative aims to raise awareness among communities, entrepreneurs, and tourists about the importance of sustainable and environmentally responsible tourism.

The three-day expo will feature more than 40 community tourism booths from across all regions, showcasing local products, food, and handicrafts. Activities include performances of regional arts and culture, expert seminars with community tourism representatives, business matching sessions connecting communities with government and private sector partners, community workshops, and daily lucky draw prizes for domestic flight tickets.

A highlight of the expo is "The Infinity Coaster for Local Benefit," coasters created through upcycling of non-degradable plastic waste, redesigned with unique patterns from all four regions by renowned artist DecideKit. This initiative tangibly reflects the event's commitment to sustainability through Thai creative thinking. Registered participants will receive 250 special commemorative coaster sets daily.

The CBT EXPO THAILAND 2026 runs from May 6-8, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM at Rajprasangsabdhi Building B. For more information, contact the Department of Tourism at 0-2141-3249 or visit their Facebook page: Department of Tourism.

The Thai Newspaper Association under Royal Patronage has awarded the 2025 'Newspaper Person of Honor' to three distinguished journalists: Ravi Lohthong, Chai Ratchavat (Somchai Katanyutnant), and Phusadee Keetavaranart, recognizing their significant contributions to journalism and their exemplary service to the media profession.

President Nakhon Veerapreewat announced on May 6, 2025 that this marks the third year the association has presented the honor. The award ceremony will be held on May 10, 2025 from 1:30 to 4:00 PM at the Muang Thai Life Insurance Auditorium on Ratchadamri Road in Bangkok, with former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai as the awards presenter and keynote speaker.

The three recipients are:

1. Ravi Lohthong, known as the 'Prophet of Thai Sports Media,' founder of Siam Sports Syndicate Company Limited, and one of the most influential figures in Thai football and media circles.

2. Chai Ratchavat (Somchai Katanyutnant), one of the most influential political cartoonists in Thai media history, famous for his iconic cartoon 'The Elder and the Dogs in the Rice Field,' which has served as both entertainment and a mirror reflecting Thai society and politics for over four decades.

3. Phusadee Keetavaranart, a pioneering female editor of a Chinese-language newspaper in Thailand and a dedicated senior journalist with over half a century of service, credited with establishing connections between Thai and Chinese media.

The association also presented honors to three organizations contributing to journalism, education, society, and the nation:

1. Bodhi Kaya Witchyalai Institute 980, which promotes Buddhism across multiple dimensions and initiated the historic 'Mahanadi to Ganges' project, bringing Buddha relics from India to Thailand for the first time.

2. The Samanera Planting Wisdom Project, founded by Suphachai Chearvanon, a 12-year reality television program teaching dharma to youth aged 7-12, broadcast live worldwide to educate young people and adults about Buddhist principles and ethical living.

3. Heart-to-Heart Thai People Don't Abandon Each Other Group, a volunteer organization founded by artist 'Phandee-Phundeun Jarriyathanakorn,' focusing on volunteer work supporting society during crises, disasters, and impoverished communities.

Thailand's top military commander on Tuesday awarded "Bang Rachan" medals to four soldiers injured while carrying out missions along the Thai-Cambodian border, honouring what the military described as acts of bravery and sacrifice in defence of national sovereignty.

The ceremony took place at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters in Bangkok, where Gen. Ukrit Boontanon, The Chief of Defence Forces, presented the medals and certificates to the injured personnel.

According to the Defence Ministry, the Bang Rachan Medal is awarded to military personnel who are killed or seriously injured while performing duties related to national security, sovereignty protection and maintaining public order.

The medal takes its name from the historic Bang Rachan villagers, who are remembered in Thai history for resisting invading forces during the Ayutthaya period. The military said the award symbolises courage, sacrifice and loyalty to the nation.

The round medal features the emblems of Thailand's three armed services on the front alongside the word "Bang Rachan", while the reverse bears the inscription: "Honouring those who perform duties for the nation."

Military officials said the award represents one of the Defence Ministry's highest honours for personnel wounded in the line of duty.

Somchai Chuaybuunchum and Monthphen Sriserm have been dropped from the professional-level football coaching program due to failing to submit course fees on time. The Thai Football Association announced the roster of eligible participants for the AFC Pro Diploma coaching course for 2025, Batch 4. The two applicants removed from the program are Somchai Chuaybuunchum and Monthphen Sriserm, who did not meet the payment deadline requirement. The committee decided to advance the next-ranked interview candidates to replace them: Rathathee Euathanpaisarn and Phuriphat Niyomchit. The AFC Pro Diploma is the highest-level football coaching curriculum offered by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). This training session is part of an assessment for participation in the AFC Coaching Convention at the Pro Level, aimed at developing the association's coaching education programs to meet AFC standards. The Pro License coaching course curriculum is divided into four modules: Module 1 (May 7-16, 2025 - 10 days), Module 2 (September 1-10, 2025 - 10 days), Module 3 (February 1-10, 2026 - 10 days), and Module 4 (May 1-12, 2026 - 12 days). Training fees are 500,000 baht for Thai applicants and 650,000 baht for foreign applicants.

On May 6, 2025, Chanthanee, 41, a condo manager in the Suthep district of Muang, Chiang Mai, filed a police report with Deputy Inspector Prasong Nafan at Phuphing Rajanuves Police Station requesting assistance in locating Ms. Ann (alias), a British woman approximately 35 years old. The tenant had signed a six-month lease agreement starting October 16, 2024 through March 2025 at 25,000 baht per month. The caretaker became suspicious due to an unpleasant odor and the tenant's absence, so she used a spare key to check the room and was horrified at what she found.

The unit was completely trashed with garbage, underwear, and rotting clothes scattered throughout. Walls were carelessly painted and covered in stains. A professional assessment revealed damage including a destroyed bed and deteriorating sofa, with estimated repair costs of 500,000 baht. A flat-screen television has also gone missing, apparently stolen by the tenant.

The incident serves as a cautionary tale to property owners. While many assume only Thai nationals cause such property damage and mess, this foreign tenant—expected to be clean and respectable—proved otherwise. The caretaker warns other condo and rental room owners to remain vigilant and regularly inspect their properties for any changes or damage. Police are currently pursuing the tenant with a warrant for questioning regarding compensation for the damages. She is believed to still be in Chiang Mai province.

The owner of a canned fish factory has apologized and insisted that the tilapia canned product was not intentionally released for sale, claiming it was only in the testing phase and is safe for consumption with no health hazards and nutritional benefits.

The controversy began when canned fish products did not match their labels, with tilapia meat found substituted for mackerel, prompting relevant authorities to inspect the factory in Samut Sakhon Province.

On May 6, 2025, Kittipong and Patthumrat Vikun Prasert, serving as company board members of the canned fish factory that used tilapia instead of mackerel, publicly apologized. On behalf of the company, they expressed regret to all people, particularly those affected by the incident, stating they were not complacent after learning of the problem. The company has contacted consumers and has already implemented some compensation measures. The company is currently investigating and recalling products, confirming that the product in question was an experimental product made from tilapia, which is safe to consume, poses no health risks, and offers nutritional value. The company is currently seeking proper label approval.

Regarding the labeling issue, the company is in the process of obtaining correct labels, but Kittipong could not immediately explain why the product was packaged in cans labeled as mackerel. He stated this matter requires further investigation and that production numbers cannot yet be confirmed, requiring document review for clarity.

On the matter of releasing experimental products for sale, Kittipong stated that the company had no intention to sell them but encountered complications, possibly in the production process. He could not confirm when the distribution process occurred and requested thorough investigation.

"The company requests the opportunity to do our best. Throughout our 15 years in business, we have genuinely intended to produce quality products at fair prices accessible to consumers. The current economic situation may have made things more challenging," Kittipong stated.

Kittipong also clarified that the over 10,000 cans of fish that were seized were confirmed not to be tilapia, but the Food and Drug Administration found labeling errors with text that was too small, so samples were sent for testing.

When asked whether the circulating images of canned fish made from tilapia were from the company, Kittipong suggested they likely were based on the appearance but requested verification.

"Regarding tilapia details, we will clarify with the Samut Sakhon Provincial Commerce Office and the FDA first. We confirm that no other fish species were used in experimental canned fish production and accept taste testing and nutritional value assessment. We have already conducted our own quality evaluation of tilapia canned fish and reiterate that we are currently seeking proper label approval."

"The reason we tried tilapia production was due to the economic situation. The factory wanted to maintain the original selling price without increases because rising costs could create a chain effect affecting wholesalers and consumers, burdening the public. We wanted to keep prices at current levels or raise them minimally. Currently, freshwater and saltwater fish costs are nearly identical," he added.