SONGKHLA — Three Thai children who were allegedly taken to Malaysia by a monk to be ordained as novice monks and used for begging have returned safely to Thailand, authorities said.

The children, aged 5, 11 and 12, arrived back in Thailand after a coordinated rescue effort involving several agencies, including Thailand's Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Malaysian Embassy and the Pavena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women.

Parents wept and embraced the children upon their return.

Four other Thai children aged between 13 and 15 remain temporarily in Malaysia to testify in court proceedings and are expected to return to Thailand in early June, officials said.

Pavena Hongsakul, president of the foundation, said the organisation received complaints about the case on 9 May and immediately submitted an urgent request to the Malaysian ambassador in Thailand seeking assistance to return the children.

The foundation also coordinated with Thailand's Department of Consular Affairs and officials responsible for protecting Thai nationals overseas to gather information and monitor efforts to assist all seven children.

Authorities from the Department of Children and Youth and social development officials in Songkhla province also joined the operation.

On 12 May, the Foreign Ministry informed the foundation that three children would return to Thailand that evening. Officials from Songkhla's social development office, the Southern Border Coordination Centre and immigration police received the children at the border checkpoint in Songkhla province at 20:45.

Officals said the children were suffering from fever and exhaustion and were taken for medical examinations and rest at a child protection shelter in Songkhla for two nights before being reunited with their families.

On 18 May, the children's parents travelled from Prachuap Khiri Khan and Ratchaburi provinces to thank the foundation, the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and the Malaysian Embassy for helping bring the children home safely.

Pavena said the foundation would continue coordinating psychological rehabilitation for the children alongside relevant agencies.

Kasetsart University is moving forward with its Net Zero Carbon initiative, positioning carbon credits as a transformative income source for Thai farmers. The university will host a significant academic forum titled "Enhancing Farmer Income Through Net Zero Carbon Policy: The Role of Kasetsart University" on June 9, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in room EC5205, Building 5, Faculty of Economics, to explore new perspectives and practical solutions for converting carbon credits into tangible supplementary income for Thai farmers.

Dr. Damrong Sripraram, acting rector of Kasetsart University, noted that Thai agriculture faces both challenges and new opportunities as the world shifts toward a carbon-neutral society. Through collaboration among the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, the Institute of Research and Development, the Sugar and Sweetener Research Center, the Thai Sugar and Sweetener Association, the Faculty of Integrated Sciences, and the Thai Rubber and Glove Association, the university organized this academic forum.

The forum will feature nationally recognized experts and distinguished scholars discussing critical issues including: elevating Thai farmers through the carbon credit market (featuring a representative from the Department of Agricultural Extension), rubber plantation carbon credit experiences in Laos and Thai rubber standards (presented by Chairojn Thammaratana, secretary-general of the Thai Rubber and Glove Association), implementing farmer-level carbon credit trading (Dr. Kitti Sophon Thaninsiripinya, carbon credit standards specialist), and guidelines for increasing sugarcane farmer income through Net Zero Carbon policy (Amnuay Patisai, former deputy agriculture minister).

This forum represents a critical turning point in translating national-level policy into grassroots implementation, which will not only help Thailand achieve its Net Zero target by 2050 but also serve as a key driver for creating sustainable economic security and income for Thai farmers. Interested participants can register now through the QR code on the promotional poster or contact 087-495-0488 or thanaporn.at@ku.th for more information.

Arada Fuengtong, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, revealed that Thailand participated in technical-level discussions with the USTR on May 13-14, 2025, represented by Deputy Minister Dr. Kirita Phaopitchit and officials from the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thai Customs Department, and Board of Investment. The delegation addressed U.S. concerns regarding forced labor and excess capacity under a Section 301 investigation of the Trade Act of 1974.

Thailand emphasized that its supply chains are free from forced labor, with strict enforcement of labor laws and exports verified by U.S. buyers and international organizations as compliant with standards and free from exploitation. The country is developing a Human Rights Due Diligence law to enhance supply chain oversight. Both sides acknowledged the importance of close cooperation in preventing forced labor throughout supply chains.

Regarding overcapacity concerns, Thailand affirmed its commitment to free trade and market mechanisms, noting that production and investment decisions are made by the private sector based on market conditions. The government has no production targets but facilitates fair competition, and denies overcapacity in automobiles and parts, rubber products, and machinery and electronics. Thailand also pledged close collaboration with U.S. Customs to prevent goods misrepresentation and enhanced origin verification to ensure Thai exports meet U.S. standards.

"This discussion occurred in a constructive and friendly atmosphere," the statement noted. "Thailand and the United States share long-standing mutual trade interests. Thailand is integral to U.S. supply chains and Thai goods are desired by American consumers—not a trade threat. Thailand reaffirms its readiness for close cooperation to ensure transparent, fair, and sustainable bilateral trade."

On May 18, 2569, police at the Phuket security checkpoint arrested 29-year-old Russian national Mr. Gorskii Matvei when he arrived on a Phuket-Pattaya passenger bus. Officers noticed his suspicious behavior and nervous demeanor; he attempted to kick a bag underneath his seat when approached for routine ID inspection. Unable to produce a valid passport, he consented to a search, revealing a backpack containing: 564.74 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ice), 471.92 grams of mephedrone, 129.8 grams of heroin, 51 grams of ecstasy, 54.6 grams of amphetamine, 582 grams of ketamine, two mobile phones, one Macbook, and 11,320 baht in cash.

The arrest was led by officers from Tha Chatchai Police Station under the command of Phuket Provincial Police leadership. The suspect faces charges of possessing Class 1 narcotics with intent to distribute without authorization. Background checks revealed that Matvei had overstayed in Thailand with an expired visa (expiration date June 15, 2568) and had made multiple border crossings through Chachoengsao and Nong Khai provinces.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas discussed Thailand's first-quarter 2025 GDP expansion of 2.8%, compared to 2.5% in the previous quarter, noting that the standout indicator was total investment growth reaching an 11-year high. Private sector investment surged 10.1%, up from 6.5% growth the previous quarter, coinciding with the Board of Investment's (BOI) Fast Pass unlocking easier investment pathways. Government spending acceleration policies also drove public investment growth to 9.4%, while export indicators remained strong due to accelerated shipments amid Trump tariff measures.

"This quarter's GDP growth stems from two main engines: aggregate investment leading the charge, alongside export acceleration triggered by Trump's tariff measures," Ekniti explained. "These two prominent engines reflect what the Finance Ministry intends to achieve as short-term stimulus with long-term benefits. Currently, it feels like we're looking in the rearview mirror at positive results that occurred before Middle East tensions, but the road ahead remains uncertain and concerning."

Despite GDP expansion from the previous quarter, which resulted partly from pre-conflict Middle East conditions, concerns remain about uneven investment distribution affecting small and medium enterprises and ordinary citizens, as well as energy and economic crises stemming from Middle East tensions. Oil prices are expected to remain elevated for another 1-2 years, driving higher inflation and cascading crises. Consequently, the government must prepare accordingly.

Ekniti stated that tomorrow's cabinet meeting (May 19) will approve a 200-billion-baht debt financing plan and the Thai Helps Thai Plus program to assist citizens impacted by Middle East conflict crises, specifically addressing cost-of-living pressures. The borrowing will simultaneously support cost-of-living relief and long-term impacts mitigation while enabling energy transition investments. The 200-billion-baht fiscal year borrowing will maintain public debt at 68% of GDP, within the established ceiling, with expectations that investments will boost GDP growth and subsequently reduce the public debt-to-GDP ratio.

Additionally, the Finance Ministry is coordinating with the Transport and Agriculture ministries to roll out targeted farmer assistance measures, including a fertilizer subsidy program, as farmers face hardship from fertilizer raw material price increases stemming from Middle East tensions. Energy transition measures will also address transport sector impacts from elevated oil prices.

Thanawat Thirapongpaibuul, known as 'Man Nakhon Pathom,' has earned his return to professional world snooker after defeating China's Bai Langning 4-1 in the qualifying round at the 'I-EA-T Asia Oceania Q-School 2026 Event 1' held at Kiattithada Sukondhasawat Club on May 18.

The 32-year-old previously competed as a professional snooker player from 2010 to 2016 and became the youngest player in professional snooker history to achieve a maximum break of 147 points.

However, Man was implicated in match-fixing involving six professional snooker matches between 2013-2015 and received a 9-year ban. Due to his cooperation and confession, the penalty was reduced to a 6-year ban with a 2.5-year competition suspension (from June 15, 2022 to March 14, 2025). Despite this setback, Man remained committed to his training during the suspension period and has successfully proven himself by securing his ticket back to the professional world snooker main tour.