The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted the 'TAT Happiness Giveaway - Claw Your Joy Across Thailand' event, featuring an energetic atmosphere and smiling faces of visitors participating in large numbers. The highlight activity was a prize claw machine filled with over 800 rewards totaling more than 500,000 baht, supported by various brand partners to share happiness with travelers. Prizes included airline tickets, accommodations, luggage, beauty vouchers, restaurant credits, tourism activities, and iPads that delighted participants throughout the event.

The activity took place under the campaign 'Instant Happiness When Traveling Thailand - The More You Travel with Heart, the Greater Your Joy,' designed to inspire and encourage continuous domestic travel through accessible, fun activities that engage younger travelers. The concept emphasizes that 'travel happiness can happen instantly, you just need to set out.'

Aphichai Chaturlermkij, TAT Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, explained: 'As the world faces economic and energy challenges that increase travel costs, people seek simpler, accessible, and energy-efficient vacation options. Domestic tourism is no longer just an alternative but a solution addressing both economic concerns and quality of life. This event aims to revitalize domestic tourism and encourage continuous travel through activities engaging younger generations with genuine participation. We believe travel is more than just movement—it's an experience that energizes, brings joy, and creates meaning in life.'

Aphichai added that today's travelers value 'experience quality' over travel quantity, so TAT focuses on campaigns creating meaningful human connections and deeper significance in every journey.

'Thailand offers charm and diversity satisfying every travel style—nature, cuisine, culture, creative activities, and hidden local attractions many haven't experienced. We invite everyone to travel and discover happiness, experiences, and inspiration available instantly throughout Thailand.'

Supporting partners included Dermatige Aesthetics, KTC Credit Card (Thai Credit Card Company), Grab Thailand, Santhiya Resorts & Spas, Cape&Kantary Hotels, Centara Life Cha-Am Beach Resort Hua Hin, The Heritage Chiang Rai Hotel and Convention, JP TRAVELSTORE, Cross Pattaya Pratamnak, and S-Tech Pharma. Follow updates on Facebook: The Story of Thailand - Instant Happiness Travel Thailand.

On May 14, a young woman posted a warning in the 'Phu Kradueng Love' Facebook group after a disturbing camping experience at Phu Kradueng National Park. The incident occurred between 1-2 AM on May 12 when a man claiming to be a park official approached her tent with increasingly aggressive behavior. He first told her to turn off lights that weren't on, then claimed she needed to move her tent due to wild gaur activity. When she began changing clothes to pack up, the man reappeared, shining his phone flashlight through the tent's ventilation in her face. As she requested time to put her shirt on, he immediately unzipped the tent. She managed to photograph him before he fled, and she revealed this was the fourth such incident reported.

Phu Kradueng National Park has issued an official statement confirming they received the report on May 12 afternoon. Initial investigation found that the individual falsely claimed to be park staff, approached the tourist at night, pressured her to relocate without proper identification, circled her tent, and used phone light to obscure his identity by shining it in her face through ventilation gaps. The man had a red leather phone case. When the tourist began recording, he quickly fled toward the rear right of the tent. Due to limited evidence and identifying details, park officials cannot yet confirm the perpetrator's identity and continue investigating. They have requested the tourist remain available for further inquiry until her scheduled departure on May 14.

A major lesson for Markie Rassamee! The celebrity has issued a public apology to Tray Scott, expressing genuine remorse for her actions and accepting all critical feedback.

Following the controversy where several celebrities commented on Mind Labhasalai's Instagram post regarding her husband's family matters, Markie Rassamee has posted a message apologizing for the incident and specifically addressing Tray Scott.

In her statement, Markie says she wanted to speak directly about what happened and apologizes sincerely to everyone involved. She expresses deep regret over her own actions and acknowledges that she should not have interfered or voiced opinions about other people's family matters, especially when she didn't have complete information about the situation.

Markie recognizes that her comments disappointed and upset many people, and she feels genuinely sorry about this. She particularly apologizes to Tray, acknowledging that she should not have meddled in matters that weren't her concern. If her remarks caused Tray any pain or discomfort, she asks for forgiveness once more. She emphasizes that she never intended to hurt anyone's feelings.

Markie takes full responsibility for the incident and vows to accept all the criticism as a major life lesson moving forward.

Roi Et PB United, a Thai League 3 team in the northeastern region, has announced a major organizational overhaul aimed at transitioning to full professional status, bringing in 'Tonno' as a shareholder. The club is preparing comprehensively for the new season with restructuring across management, staff, and club development strategies. The major highlight is the involvement of Pakhin Khamwilaisak, or 'Tonno,' a renowned artist and actor, as a new shareholder—a crucial step toward achieving true professionalism.

Team manager Awut Eifah, known as 'Bosbuck,' explained that the partnership with 'Tonno' generates widespread interest while reflecting a shared vision of sustainable regional football development in Thailand. Tonno will contribute through investment, brand building, and attracting a new generation of football fans to the club.

The club has restructured its management to cover technical departments, youth player development, marketing, and commercial operations to support long-term growth. The goal is clear: elevate to a fully professional football club meeting standards equivalent to national league clubs. The club is also establishing a systematic youth academy to develop local talent for the senior team, while enhancing the fan experience at matches under the motto 'Together as One.'

Roi Et PB United is also prioritizing commercial revenue generation through sponsorships, digital marketing, and merchandise sales to ensure sustainable long-term management. This transformation marks a new era for the club, looking beyond just match results to build a comprehensive football ecosystem genuinely connected to the community.

BURIRAM — On May 14, 2026, a Thai villager leading efforts to drive wild elephants away from communities near Dong Yai forest was killed after being attacked by an elephant inside a village in Buriram province, local residents said.

Weera Ratchawong, 66, chairman of the Dong Yai Wild Elephant Watch Network, was attacked at about 04:00 in Ban Khlong Hin Lat village in Non Din Daeng district while attempting to push elephants away from residential areas.

Residents living along the Dong Yai forest boundary said such incidents have become increasingly common, with several people reportedly killed by wild elephants each year as the animals frequently enter villages in search of food.

Prasit Jupamatang, 61, a wild elephant patrol officer in the Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary, said he arrived after receiving reports of the attack but found Weera had already died.

Weera's wife said local elephant patrol volunteers normally travel in groups of 14 when responding to villager reports, but her husband often went out alone. She said elephants had entered the village several times during the night before the fatal attack, with Weera leaving alone again shortly before 04:00.

Manat Yiamram, village headman of Ban Khlong Hin Lat, said wild elephants enter the community almost every day, usually in groups of one to three animals.

He said villagers are living in fear and called on authorities to address the situation more seriously, adding that residents believe the elephant population has grown beyond the forest's capacity and that fatal attacks occur in nearby communities every year.

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — 14 May 2026, Thai police said they had recovered a ceremonial sword associated with King Taksin, the 18th-century Siamese king credited with reunifying Thailand after the fall of Ayutthaya, after it was allegedly stolen from a temple in southern Thailand by a university assistant professor who later claimed he had taken it unknowingly.

The theft was discovered on 12 May after staff at Wat Nang Phraya in Nakhon Si Thammarat found that two sacred items had gone missing from temple buildings.

The missing items included a ceremonial "King Taksin sword" displayed inside the Mae Nang Phraya shrine and valued at about 30,000 baht. Temple officials said the sword had previously been donated by a devotee in fulfilment of a vow.

A red crystal orb valued at about 2,500 baht was also reported missing from the Jatukham Ramathep shrine within the temple grounds.

Police said security camera footage showed the suspect entering the temple during the morning while the area was relatively quiet before leaving with the items.

Investigators later identified the suspect as a 40-year-old assistant professor at a well-known university. Officers traced him to a house in Ron Phibun district, where his parents told police he had been receiving psychiatric treatment linked to family-related stress at Songklanagarind Hospital.

According to police, the suspect claimed he had taken the sword "without realising what he was doing".

Authorities said the man became agitated during discussions with officers and verbally confronted Phra Khru Palat Boonrit Wijjadharo, abbot of Wat Nang Phraya, in front of police before being restrained and transferred to Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital for further examination.

Police said legal proceedings would continue following medical evaluation.