The Thailand International LGBTQ+ Film & TV Festival 2026 opened on May 22, 2026, at Kantana Virtual Production Studio, emphasizing Thailand's position as a space of freedom, diversity, and creative industry power. The festival has emerged as a major gathering place for films, television, and LGBTQ+ content from around the world, conveying stories that reflect identity, freedom, equality, and human experience through powerful contemporary perspectives, while positioning Thailand as Asia's creative content hub on the world stage. The event was attended by artists, actors, content creators, entertainment industry representatives, and supporters from various sectors. The festival runs from June 5-11, 2026, at Siam Paragon. Festival Director Piyarat Kalpjaroek explained that this year's theme "Courage & Transformation" reflects the growth of people, society, and diverse content industries, moving from acceptance to confidently standing as oneself. The PRISM symbol represents transition, growth, and diversity—like light refracting through a prism to reveal different colors. Waddao Arnon Chumapon, founder of Namrit Pride Company, emphasized cinema's role in making previously marginalized stories visible and equally understood as human experiences. Nopasit Tiang Tham, chairman of the Thai BL Content Promotion Association, highlighted the collaboration's importance in elevating Thailand's LGBTQ+ content industry to compete globally in creativity, talent development, and business opportunities.

A woman driver returning to Prachuap Khiri Khan from Bangkok fell asleep at the wheel, causing her red Mitsubishi sedan to lose control and crash into a roadside gathering, killing two people and injuring three others while destroying seven motorcycles. Deputy Superintendent Pakorn Khun Phao of Muang Prachuap Khiri Khan Police Station reported receiving notification at 1:40 AM of the fatal collision on the Prachuap Khiri Khan-Sri Maha Bodhi Road in Tambon Thagnam, Muang District. Officers including Lieutenant Colonel Suparuk Yoopai, forensic pathologists from Chao Phraya Abhaiphubejra Hospital, and rescue personnel responded to the scene on the four-lane highway near a marble showroom. The red Mitsubishi sedan, driven by Ms. Phakkhawadee (surname withheld), was traveling from Bangkok toward Kabinburi District when the driver dozed off and the vehicle veered into a group of teenagers who had gathered to socialize since evening. The car struck seven parked motorcycles, hit the group of youths sitting along the roadside, and rear-ended another parked sedan. The two fatalities, identified as Kirkkach, 32, and Hasdin, 17, were found trapped under the vehicle, while three others—Nattapong, Kamphon, and Abhisit (surnames withheld)—sustained injuries. Witness Chokechai Potthung, 28, a volunteer rescue worker and relative of one injured person, reported approximately 10-15 people had been gathered at the spot before the car struck them violently. Investigators ordered an autopsy and instructed Ms. Phakkhawadee to undergo blood alcohol testing and detailed interrogation. A CCTV video posted by Chokechai showed the sedan approaching at high speed before losing control and striking the group of youngsters with significant force.

Skilled young actor Em Phoomipat has opened up about his major challenge performing in the large-scale theater production "Once Again... The More It Hurts, The More I Remember, The More I Love" at Rachadalai Theatre, which seats 1,500 people. He admits feeling both excited and pressured, as he must ensure audiences even in the back rows connect with his character's emotions.

EmPraise his chemistry with co-star Perth Verinratsara, saying that despite never working together before, he's impressed by her exceptional talent as a new-generation actress who deeply understands performance and can access emotions with remarkable precision.

Explaining the challenge of performing in such a large venue compared to smaller intimate theaters seating under 200, Em notes that the acting style, direction, and techniques must be completely different. "This is my first large-scale theater production," he explains. "With 1,500 seats at Rachadalai, it's difficult because it's a completely different format. The way we perform, the directing approach, the tricks—everything differs from smaller theaters. That's why I said yes to this project. I want to explore this format and discover how to perform so that someone sitting in the very back row can feel what the character is experiencing."

Regarding his preparation time with only 20 days remaining, Em expressed feeling pressure due to other commitments and the need to deliver a polished performance given ticket prices aren't cheap. He compared the situation to MasterChef, saying the pastry shell is done, the filling is prepared, it's in the oven, but they're watching to ensure it cooks in time.

On working with Perth, Em revealed they've never met before, though he's seen her performances, including the film "Mae Sueai." He praised her as an exceptionally skilled new-generation actress with sophisticated character interpretation. He noted that Perth has far more experience with series and drama formats, giving her sharp instincts for entering and exiting scenes with precise emotions. He compared himself to a diesel engine that starts slowly, while Perth is like an electric vehicle that immediately reaches full speed.

Describing their on-screen couple as the youngest pair in the story, Em explained that the challenges they face at their age might seem trivial to adults, but to those who've been young, these issues represent their entire world.

On May 23, 2569 (2026), authorities reported that at 4:00 PM on May 22, National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirattana Phanphetch, along with Deputy Police Chiefs Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma and Pol. Gen. Thana Chuwong, and Assistant Police Chiefs Pol. Maj. Gen. Jiraphop Phuridech and Pol. Maj. Gen. Kritsada Kanjanalong, ordered an operation led by Pol. Col. Siam Bunsombat, Deputy Inspector and commanders from the Narcotics Control Bureau, Nonthaburi Provincial Police, and Ratchada Police Station to execute a "dark room dismantling" operation. Armed with a court-issued search warrant from Nonthaburi Provincial Court, officers raided three rooms in a luxury condominium near Suvarnabhumi Airport and apprehended six suspects:

Mr. Denis (name withheld), age 23, Nigerian national (overstayed 726 days) Mr. Ejikeme (name withheld), age 24, Nigerian national (overstayed 827 days) Mr. Ibekwe (name withheld), age 29, Nigerian national (overstayed 1,166 days) Mr. Okorom (name withheld), age 26, Nigerian national (overstayed 695 days) Mr. Nwosu (name withheld), age 30, Nigerian national (overstayed 1,560 days) Mr. Obielu (name withheld), age 35, Nigerian national

All six were charged with illegal entry and remaining in the Kingdom without valid authorization. Romance scam charges are pending further coordination with victims and local investigators for additional prosecution. Seized evidence included 18 mobile phones containing romance scam chat data, fraudulent scripts, and AI-generated facial images; 3 laptop computers; and 3 bank account ledgers. The operation took place at a luxury condominium in the Phra Nang Klao Bridge area, Bang Krasor Subdistrict, Muang District, Nonthaburi Province.

Background: On May 22, 2569, National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirattana Phanphetch appointed Deputy Police Chief Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma to head a task force targeting foreigners engaged in illegal business operations, working alongside the Narcotics Control Bureau director. Following this directive, Pol. Col. Siam Bunsombat and Pol. Lt. Col. Theerdet Thamsutheera, deputy head of narcotics operations, expanded investigations into foreign drug trafficking networks in alignment with government policy.

The investigation expanded following the earlier arrest of "Patrick," a Nigerian national and major figure in an international cocaine trafficking network, along with four associates on April 18, 2569. Authorities seized 27 grams of cocaine and 2.5 million baht in assets. Continuous follow-up investigations revealed a structured criminal organization with interconnected financial networks.

Maitree Kongueang, president of the Thai Disabled Sports Association and vice chair of Thailand's Paralympic Committee, has declared his candidacy for the ASEAN Disabled Sports Federation (APSF) presidency. The election will take place during the federation's 2026 annual general meeting on June 6 in Solo, Indonesia, to select new leadership for the 2026-2030 term. Kongueang faces one other candidate: Senni Marbun, chair of Indonesia's National Paralympic Committee.

Kongueang expressed his readiness for the role and thanked all parties for their trust in representing Thailand. He has already visited various ASEAN member nations to present his policy platform and vision for the federation. Despite admitting some concern about managing multiple responsibilities at both the ASEAN and Thai national levels, he committed to working at full capacity if elected, or to building goodwill for Thai disabled sports if unsuccessful.

Kongueang's four core policies include: (1) organizational reform to increase participation from all 11 member nations in federation committees to enhance transparency; (2) implementing technology for clearer coordination; (3) establishing an ASEAN disabled sports training center in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, modeled on Thailand's existing facility, while allowing specialized sports associations to establish headquarters in their respective countries of excellence; and (4) promoting ASEAN Youth Games to create more international competition platforms and talent pathways for emerging athletes.

The Gold Traders Association announced that gold prices have fallen today, May 23, 2026, at morning market opening compared to yesterday's closing prices, with ornamental gold selling at 70,650 baht per gram. Gold prices for May 23, 2026, have dropped 200 baht compared to the final price on May 22, with ornamental gold selling at 70,650 baht per gram according to the latest data from the Gold Traders Association published on their website at 9:03 AM. Gold bars are trading domestically at 69,650 baht per gram for buying and 69,850 baht per gram for selling in the first announcement. For 96.5% ornamental gold, the buying price is 68,250.32 baht per gram and the selling price is 70,650 baht per gram, while international gold spot prices (Gold Spot) stand at $4,508 per ounce. Current prices summary for May 23, 2026: Gold bars — buying at 69,650 baht per gram, selling at 69,850 baht per gram; Ornamental gold — buying at 68,250.32 baht per gram, selling at 70,650 baht per gram.