On May 24, 2026, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anusorn Thammjai, Bangkok MP from the Pheu Thai Party and Vice Chairman of the Finance, Banking, Financial Institution and Capital Market Committee, revealed that Thailand's financial and business sectors have become targets for shadow capital groups and illegal dirty money used as money laundering channels. Weaknesses stem partly from systems, mechanisms, and laws failing to keep pace with shadow capital groups' transaction innovations, and partly from weak law enforcement and corruption by those in power. Additionally, financial technology, digital finance, and cryptocurrency enable illegal transactions and money laundering to evade regulatory detection.

Shadow capital has deep roots and dramatically expanded its role and transactions since 2017, roughly two years after the coup, until Thailand earned the label "money laundering paradise" similar to some Latin American countries. Thailand ranks among the world's top 10 countries for shadow capital and money laundering problems, with these groups gradually infiltrating state power. Despite Thailand having anti-money laundering laws, enforcement is ineffective, officials are insufficient and unprepared for digital-era criminal operations, allowing dirty money to flow through diverse channels and methods.

Fraud data through the financial sector in 2025 and the first quarter of this year shows hundreds of thousands of cases with damage valued in tens of billions of baht, with conditions worsening. This has created capital flight, stalled foreign investment, and surging dirty money flows. Current shadow capital networks have built a large-scale money laundering industry in Thailand with organized division of labor, connections to state and political authorities, and massive interconnected transaction networks. These networks systematize and perpetuate money laundering by acquiring major shareholdings in financial institutions or listed companies, damaging legitimate business, distorting competition, warping market mechanisms, causing state revenue losses, and posing risks to financial system stability.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anusorn Thammjai announced plans to propose serious solutions to the Finance Committee to address shadow capital money laundering and financial fraud through the financial sector, ensuring wrongdoers face justice, rapid victim compensation, and halting state power seizure by shadow capital. Proposed countermeasures include: 1. Establishing a Data Bureau and linking financial data across all sectors to plug digital asset transaction loopholes used for money laundering; 2. Conducting sweeps against "nominees" and shell bank accounts, and severing corporate shell account circuits to counter shell entity usage.

On May 24 at the Chatuchak Room of the Golden Tulip Soferin Hotel in Bangkok, Sompon Chuibangyang, President of the Thai Volleyball Association, presided over the opening of Thai Volleyball Family Day 2025 titled "United, Moving Forward Together," to honor coaches and athletes from Thailand's national volleyball teams—both indoor and beach volleyball of all age groups—as well as staff and supporters who contributed to the association's remarkably successful activities in 2025 and brought glory to Thailand. The event was attended by Air Vice Marshal Chairuit Vongprasert, Honorary Secretary and Executive Director of the Thai Volleyball Association, along with former and current national team athletes, coaching staff, and sponsor representatives.

During the event, awards were presented to both senior and youth athletes as well as coaches who dedicated themselves to bringing honor to the nation through sacrifice, perseverance, and commitment. Prize money totaling over 10 million baht from the association and the National Sports Development Fund was distributed to athletes and coaches. Special recognition went to the women's indoor team for exceptional performances, including a gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games, winning the 2025 SEA V.League championship, and achieving 13th place at the 2025 Women's Volleyball World Championship. The men's indoor team also won the 2025 SEA Games championship with continuously improving form.

Furthermore, Sompon Chuibangyang revealed details about preparations for the Thai national women's volleyball team for the 2026 Nations League, which begins its first week in China from June 3-7. Foreign-based athletes have already returned, and the association is initially calling up approximately 30 players before narrowing the squad to around 20 players according to the 2026 Asian Games quota, with the possibility of retaining 1-2 additional players as injury cover during the long Nations League campaign. The association also plans to bring in promising young talents to gain world-level competitive experience and prepare them as future replacements for senior players.

Regarding injured key players, particularly Chatchaon Moksoree, Hatthaya Bamlungsuk, and Wipavee Srithong, they will sit out the first week of the Nations League to recover. Medical and sports science staff from the Thai Sports Authority will treat their injuries to restore full strength. They are expected to potentially return for weeks 2-3, though likely not at full capacity, and the association will carefully manage their recovery to ensure they return fully prepared.

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Phang Nga – A rare leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), the largest species of sea turtle in the world, was discovered nesting on the shores of Lam Pi–Hat Thai Mueang National Park in Phang Nga . The event occurred this week, when the mother turtle came ashore near the park’s protection unit to lay her […] Leatherback Sea Turtle Lays 119 Eggs on Phang Nga Beach -=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=- The Phuket Express - Real. Unbiased. Impactful. In the moment.

At the Thammasat Society on May 24, M.L. Korksakul Kasemsri officially launched his Bangkok Governor campaign with the slogan "How ready is Bangkok to elevate itself to become a world-safe city?" He presented his team including Theerachai Phuvanasanananubol, Pantheep Pawpongphan, Dr. Atit Laosakul, Pol. Lt. Gen. Piya Tajwichai, Pol. Maj. Noprat Paenkaew, Dr. Apisate Prosetnanthid, and Dr. Panchaya Dangaram.

M.L. Korksakul outlined his vision, stating that Bangkok, as his hometown, has repeatedly borne the brunt of external and internal crises. "Bangkok residents have suffered enough," he declared, calling for a new governor to serve as a strong "commander" rather than merely managing day-to-day affairs. He envisions making Bangkok a protective fortress and a reliable haven for residents.

The candidate proposes elevating Bangkok to an international safety standard through comprehensive security and surveillance systems. He plans to implement AI-powered facial recognition technology integrated with CCTV cameras to identify wanted criminals and address security threats. He also suggests establishing impenetrable digital infrastructure and partnering with 500,000 private sector cameras without municipal expenditure.

M.L. Korksakul pledges to combat drug abuse by declaring war on narcotics and establishing "white schools" with continuous drug testing. He aims to transform vulnerable communities into strongholds and prepare for unpredictable disasters—both earthquakes and flooding—through preventive measures rather than reactive responses.

For earthquake preparedness, he proposes upgrading aging Bangkok structures to withstand 7-magnitude quakes and conducting regular disaster drills. To address flooding, he advocates the "sponge city" policy, redirecting excess water through permeable pavements and converting public parks into "smart monkey cheeks" that store and gradually drain water. He plans to dredge canals like Saen Sab and Ladprao, using AI to optimize pump station operations based on rainfall volume.

Additionally, M.L. Korksakul proposes converting wastewater into clean water to develop new waterway tourism attractions, creating both environmental and economic benefits for the city.

In a remarkable turn of events, monkeys in Gibraltar have developed unusual eating habits after becoming addicted to junk food from tourists, leading them to eat dirt to ease digestive problems. Researchers suggest this may be a form of natural self-medication behavior.

The monkey population in British Gibraltar is now attracting scientific attention after researchers discovered these animals engage in soil-eating behavior to counteract the effects of regularly consuming junk food from tourists.

Approximately 230 monkeys, believed to originate from North Africa, are one of Gibraltar's iconic symbols. This small territory has a population of about 30,000 and is located near Spain's southern border. These monkeys attract large numbers of tourists daily.

Many visitors get close to the monkeys and feed them snacks, candy, and processed foods. While this creates entertainment, experts warn the behavior is dangerous to wildlife health and disrupts the animals' natural eating patterns.

These monkeys are literally eating dirt to help digest the junk food received from tourists.

The monkeys in this area have begun aggressively taking food from tourists, including ice cream, cake, and french fries, as well as rummaging through trash or accepting food directly. This has clearly altered their eating system, which previously focused on fruits, vegetables, and seeds.

A study conducted between 2022-2024 by researchers from leading universities including Oxford, Cambridge, and Paris-Sorbonne found that these monkeys exhibited abnormally high rates of soil-eating behavior, particularly during summer when tourist numbers peak. This was the first time such behavior was recorded in this monkey population.

Researchers explain that this behavior may represent a form of "natural self-medication," as junk foods like sweets, french fries, and dairy products can cause digestive problems in monkeys, prompting them to eat dirt to help balance their gut flora.

Experts also theorize that soil may contain microorganisms or substances that help restore the microbiome in the monkeys' bodies. Scientists emphasize this may be one of the clearest examples demonstrating the impact of human food on wild animal behavior in nature.