On May 3, 2569 at 5:17 PM, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen proceeded to preside over the Royal Umbrella Ceremony for the Year 2569 Buddhist Era at the Amarindra Vinijchaya Throne Hall in the Grand Palace. Princess Sineenatra Pilaskalyanee also attended the ceremony. Princess Sirindhon and Princess Sirivannavari were among the royal family members present to pay their respects.

Upon arrival at the throne hall, His Majesty lit candles and incense to make offerings before the Buddha images representing the reign periods of Chakri Dynasty monarchs, prostrated, and observed the precepts as part of the ceremony. He then proceeded to make offerings to the protective deities of the Great White Umbrella and royal regalia.

After the Supreme Patriarch and participating monks chanted Buddhist prayers and the ceremonial proclamation was read, His Majesty paid respects to the Buddha images and received the formal reverences of those present at the ceremony. He then departed from the throne hall and returned to his residence.

Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw 5,000 American troops from Germany was "foreseeable," while NATO seeks clarification from Washington. Pistorius told DPA that "the presence of American troops in Europe, particularly in Germany, is in our interest and in America's interest."

The U.S. military deployment in Germany—currently numbering over 36,000 troops—represents the largest American military presence in Europe, compared to 12,000 troops in Italy and 10,000 in the United Kingdom.

When asked about the troop reduction on Saturday, May 2, Trump said "we will reduce significantly, and we will reduce more than 5,000" without providing additional details. He also indicated the U.S. will withdraw troops from Italy and Spain.

Pistorius stated that Europe must assume greater responsibility for its own security and that Germany will work more closely with European allies. "Germany is already on the right path," he noted, pointing to Germany's substantial increase in defense spending in recent years.

Trump had previously accused Germany of "shirking its duties" due to defense spending below NATO's 2% GDP target, but the situation has changed under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Germany is expected to spend 105.8 billion euros (over 4 trillion baht) on defense in 2025.

Meanwhile, NATO spokesperson Alison Hart said the alliance is "working with the United States to understand the details of their decision." The move follows Trump's criticism of Merz for stating the U.S. had been "humiliated" by Iranian negotiators in the ongoing war.

Last year, the U.S. reduced troop numbers in Romania as part of Trump's plan to shift American military focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region, amid growing concern among NATO's 32 member states that the latest decision could weaken the alliance. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that "the greatest threat to the transatlantic community is not an external enemy, but internal fragmentation."

Manchester United and Liverpool have revealed their starting lineups for the season's final big derby clash at Old Trafford on May 3rd at 9:30 PM. Third-placed Manchester United will host fourth-placed Liverpool in what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the campaign.

Manchester United's XI: Senne Lammens – Diogo Dalot, Eden Hazard, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw – Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo – Mateus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo – Benjamin Chesco

Liverpool's XI: Freddie Woodman – Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson – Rayan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister – Jeremy Frimpong, Dominic Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz – Cody Gakpo

The cremation ceremony for Alongkorn, 27, a motorcycle taxi rider, took place on May 3, 2025, at Wan Suan Kluay Temple in Saraburi province. He was struck and killed when a famous university student, driving while intoxicated in a luxury BMW, collided with his motorcycle at high speed.

The funeral atmosphere was somber, with many of the victim's fellow riders and friends in attendance. His widow, Ms. Supaweee, wept continuously throughout the ceremony while relatives provided support. When the coffin was brought to the cremation site, she viewed her husband's body one final time and broke down in tears. Notably, the university student driver and their family did not attend the funeral at all.

Ms. Supaweee revealed that she had informed the driver's family about the cremation date and asked them to take responsibility by attending the final funeral rites, but no one read or responded to her messages. Her calls went unanswered. What troubled her most was the driver's group showed no conscience, made no attempt to speak with the family, and displayed no human decency or accountability.

She expressed concern about whether justice will be served, noting suspicions about how quickly bail was granted. She questioned why a luxury vehicle wouldn't have a dashcam, as the driver claimed, stating that surveillance footage would be the only way to ensure her family receives justice. She rejected the driver's father's excuse that his son struggles with Thai language, pointing out that he studies in Thailand, attends Thai schools, and communicates in Thai. She vowed to fight the case fully and demanded that her husband receive justice.

BANGKOK — On May 3, 2026, Thailand announced it will waive toll fees on three major expressways on May 4th to mark Coronation Day, covering 63 toll plazas nationwide, according to the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT).

The toll exemption will be in effect from 00:01 to 24:00 on Monday and applies to the following routes:

Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway (Din Daeng–Bang Na–Dao Khanong), 21 toll plazas Si Rat Expressway (Chaeng Watthana–Bang Khlo–Srinakarin), 32 toll plazas Udon Ratthaya Expressway (Bang Pa-in–Pak Kret), 10 toll plazas

EXAT said the measure follows government and Transport Ministry policy under revised concession agreements with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM) and the Northern Bangkok Expressway Co (NECL). The move is intended to ease travel during the public holiday, reduce costs for motorists and help alleviate congestion at toll booths, officials said.

On May 3, 2025, Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, discussed the Thai Helping Thai Plus program scheduled for cabinet consideration this week. She explained that once welfare measures including the Thai Helping Thai Plus program (the 50-50 cost-sharing scheme), state welfare cards, and other initiatives are approved, the cabinet will then address the loan framework.

"This cabinet meeting will first consider the borrowing framework this week, with individual projects requesting funds to be considered sequentially," she stated. "We're committed to moving quickly to get money into people's hands by June. While there's been discussion of a 500 billion baht loan, a 400 billion baht budget is actually sufficient."

Ratchada outlined two main uses for the borrowed funds: the 50-50 cost-sharing program where the government pays 60% and citizens pay 40%, along with state welfare cards. The remaining portion will promote Thailand's transition from fossil fuels to clean energy and solar power.

The energy transition will require incentive measures including support for electric vehicles and motorcycles, solar roof installations, and infrastructure development. The government has identified the need for borrowing to cover these substantial costs, though she emphasized all spending will be transparent and auditable.

Read related news: PM rushes to bring loan authorization to cabinet on May 5, stating there's no need to go through the economic committee first.