BANGKOK — 12 May 2026, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, confirmed the government is reviewing its visa-free entry scheme for tourists by reducing permitted stays to no more than 30 days to prevent foreigners from misusing the system or engaging in activities affecting national security.

Speaking before a Cabinet meeting regarding the review of visa-free measures at Government House on 12 May, Sihasak said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out the existence of multiple visa types, believing the current 60-day visa-free period for tourists may be excessive. He noted that some visitors might not be genuine tourists and could exploit these measures, necessitating stricter regulations.

The proposal had originally been prepared since the first term of the Anutin-led administration, but was postponed because of the election period, Sihasak said. He added that the government now intends to move forward with the review urgently.

Under the process, the Secretariat of the Cabinet will consult relevant agencies, although Sihasak said he believed there will be no issues as the Foreign Ministry-led visa committee already closely monitoring the situation from related agencies.

Sihasak said he discussed the issue with Prime Minister on 11 May. He said Thailand currently has a large number of visa categories being pushed by various agencies, and while these initiatives are introduced with good intentions, including for foreign experts and soft-power support, but added that some measures may exceed actual necessity and should be reassessed.

Asked when the conclusion on streamlining visa criteria would be reached, Sihasak said the first priority was reviewing visa-free tourist entry following recent incidents involving Chinese citizens in Thailand. He clarified that his comments on the visa policy were not merely a reaction to these events, as the review had been initiated long before. Furthermore, the government plans to conduct a comprehensive review of all visa categories to determine if they are truly necessary or can be consolidated.

Asked whether the visa-free status for Chinese nationals would be shortened or revoked entirely, Mr. Sihasak emphasized that the government is not targeting any specific country. Instead, the focus is on activities that may pose risks to Thailand. Tourist visas should be granted for a duration appropriate for tourism, likely not exceeding 30 days, with criteria strictly aligned with their intended purpose.

He added that the focus is on if visitors are following their visa conditions. The government is not targeting any specific group, but it must tighten enforcement against those involved in illicit activities or security threats, as seen in the recent case of the Chinese suspect who was taken into custody.

Dr. Prawat Kitthammakoolnij, chairman of Kanchanaburi FC, confirmed that the club has concluded negotiations with Phan Hang Sao, former head coach of Vietnam's national football team. After the "Iron Horse" club was relegated from Thailand's top division and returns to Thai League 2 next season, they have reportedly finalized talks with the Vietnamese coach who previously led the Vietnamese national team. Regarding this matter, Dr. Kitthammakoolnij stated that he currently cannot disclose any details about negotiations or progress, though he did not deny the reports. The Kanchanaburi governor briefly remarked: "I want to keep everything as confidential as possible because we learned from last year's experience when we revealed everything about the team. This time we will wait until everything is 100 percent clear first, but we expect to have answers for the media within 2-3 days."

Alex Rendell, a conservationist and actor, has opened up about feeling truly adult since becoming a father for the first time. In an interview on the show My Daddy James, he shares candid moments about fatherhood while expressing concern about how screens, AI, pollution, and environmental problems are stealing childhood from the next generation. He emphasizes his desire to raise his child in nature and to become a good member of society.

When asked about his proudest or most embarrassing parenting moments, Rendell recalls learning proper holding techniques through trial and error, decoding different types of baby cries, and discovering that bath time is his favorite bonding opportunity. He shares an anecdote about his son happily sitting in a small tub while he poured water over his chest.

Regarding his readiness for fatherhood at 35-36 years old, Rendell explains that the timing felt right. He wasn't in the middle of building his career when his child arrived, allowing him to be more present. He calculates that when his son graduates from university, he'll be around 55-60 years old—young enough to still be active together. He also notes that parenting requires constant adaptation as children's energy levels change with age.

Since his wife became pregnant, Rendell has been preparing by arranging insurance, vaccinations, and medical care. He's also restructuring his organization and work commitments to ensure growth and stability for his growing family, having worked in advertising and acting for years while maintaining the opportunity to travel with his child.

Prime Minister Anuthon Chauyvarakul reaffirmed that the 400 billion baht emergency loan decree is necessary and urgent, dismissing the opposition's petition to the Constitutional Court. He insisted the decree won't disrupt relief programs for citizens, stating he wouldn't have issued it without confidence.

Speaking at Government House at 12:30 p.m. on May 12, 2025, Anuthon addressed the opposition's move to have the Constitutional Court review the decree. He stated that the government, in its administrative capacity, determined that the measure was urgent and beneficial. He expressed confidence that planned projects would not stall because the decree has already been published in the Royal Gazette and is in effect, though there may be some minor delays while one-fifth of parliament members' petition is being considered by the parliamentary speaker as an agenda item. Anuthon noted that government work supporting citizens continues alongside efforts to deliver relief funds.

When asked if the government had a backup plan in case the Constitutional Court ruled the decree unconstitutional, Anuthon responded that the government is performing its duty to alleviate people's hardship, emphasizing this is an executive matter. When pressed again on whether a contingency plan exists, the Prime Minister said there is only one plan: to help the people. When further questioned whether the Cabinet's position would guarantee the decree, prompting concerns about backup plans if the court rules otherwise, Anuthon stated he had reached his limit on the matter, saying simply: if you're not confident, you shouldn't issue a decree in the first place.

HBO Max has announced the production of season 2 of the original Harry Potter series. In this new adventure, Harry is forced to confront a dangerous enemy from his past.

The original series "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" will premiere during the Christmas season, and HBO Max has green-lit season two with production scheduled to begin this fall. Jon Brown, the writer of the first season, has been promoted to Co-Showrunner for season two. Francesca Gardiner, the writer and executive producer, explained: "We've planned overlapping production schedules so that season one finishes in time for Christmas and we can start shooting season two again this fall. Bringing in a Co-Showrunner to support us is the key to keeping the work running smoothly. I'm very happy to be working with Jon. He's an outstanding colleague and a truly delightful person. We're very lucky to have him on the team."

Jon Brown stated: "I'm very excited to work with Francesca as Co-Showrunner. Writing for Philosopher's Stone has been a joy. Thank you to Francesca and HBO for trusting me to continue on this remarkable journey. It seems we're never too old to receive an invitation to Hogwarts."

In season one, Harry Potter doesn't seem special at all—at least that's what his aunt Petunia always told him. But on his 11th birthday, an acceptance letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry changes everything, drawing Harry into a hidden magical world of wonder, friendship, and magic. In this new adventure, Harry must confront a dangerous enemy from his past.

Harry Potter will stream on HBO Max.

Thaksin Keeps His Appointment: Arrives at Rama 9 Hospital with Wife and Daughters for Health Checkup Following Eight Months in Prison. On May 12, 2569, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived at Rama 9 Hospital for a comprehensive health examination, accompanied by Pojaman Damapong and daughters Panthongtea and Pintongtha Shinawatra following his eight-month detention at Klong Prem Prison. Thaksin was granted parole and released from Klong Prem Central Prison on the morning of May 11. The family arrived at Rama 9 Hospital at approximately 8:00 AM. Reports indicate that Thaksin completed nearly all physical examinations except for scanning procedures, reportedly due to his electronic monitoring bracelet. The health checkup visit was conducted as a private appointment with no media documentation or reporting permitted.