WHITE LIONs has partnered with Air Force to rebrand as WLAF, launching their campaign for the 2026 Basketball Thailand League season with a vision centered on Sports Business and a comprehensive athletic ecosystem, targeting long-term team growth. The rebrand marks a significant milestone following WHITE LIONs' sixth-place finish in the 2025 Basketball Thailand League. The Air Force partnership aims to establish solid team foundations over 3-5 years across athlete development, staff, and management operations, pushing the team toward stronger and more sustainable performance standards.

WLAF team manager Kriengsak Chaiwirot stated that the Air Force collaboration represents a crucial starting point for long-term team development, focusing not just on single-season performance but on building a structurally sound team with continuous growth potential. For the 2026 season, WLAF will merge players from both White Lions and Air Force, supported by experienced coaching staff including former Thai national team player Danai Khongkhum, alongside national team athletes Nopachai Thongphul, Tacharin Daydeent Narbonne, and foreign players Marc Seylan-Anbo and Ray Miller. The team also plans to develop an academy for nurturing young athletes.

Beyond competitive performance, WLAF is establishing itself as a professional sports brand through branding and partnership management to elevate Thai basketball. Partnership & Brand Manager Alongkorn Rueanglek emphasized that modern sports team building encompasses more than competition results—it requires building a strong brand, community, and ecosystem. WLAF aims to become a sports brand with clear identity that can grow alongside partners and fans long-term. Current supporters include TA WHEEY as main sponsor, VOLT as apparel provider, Heal U Wellness Clinic for athlete care, Kanokrob sausage products, and FYB at The O2 Bangkok serving as the team's home venue.

The WLAF launch on May 23, 2025, at FYB Academy in Bangkok represented not just a team rebrand but a comprehensive sports ecosystem development initiative designed to drive sustainable growth and advance Thai basketball's long-term future.

The Thai Meteorological Department released a 7-day weather forecast on May 25, 2569 (2026), covering May 25-31, 2569, warning the public to prepare for heavy rainfall at the end of the month and remain vigilant against the dangers of flash floods and flash flooding.

May 25-27, 2569: Rainfall across Thailand is expected to decrease, though heavy showers will continue in isolated areas of the eastern and southern regions due to moderate southwest monsoon winds covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. The Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand will see wave heights of 1-2 meters, with heights exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

May 28-31, 2569: Rainfall will increase across Thailand with heavy downpours in some areas, particularly in the eastern region and the western-facing southern region, which will experience heavy to very heavy rain in some areas. This is due to a monsoon trough moving across the central region, lower northeastern region, and eastern region, combined with increasingly strong southwest monsoon winds covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. Wind and wave conditions will strengthen, with wave heights of 2-3 meters in the upper Andaman Sea and exceeding 3 meters in thunderstorm areas. The lower Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand will experience wave heights of approximately 2 meters, with heights exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Warnings: From May 28-31, residents of the northern, northeastern, central, and eastern-facing southern regions should be alert to heavy rainfall hazards. Residents of the eastern and western-facing southern regions should prepare for very heavy rainfall and accumulated precipitation that may cause sudden flash floods, flooding, and overflowing waterbanks. Mariners in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand should exercise caution and avoid areas with thunderstorms. Small vessels in the upper Andaman Sea should remain ashore from May 28-31.

Regional Forecasts (May 25-31, 2569):

Northern Region: May 25-28: Thunderstorms in 20-40% of areas May 29-31: Thunderstorms in 40-60% of areas with heavy rain in some places Southwest winds at 10-20 km/hr Low 23-27°C, High 32-38°C

Northeastern Region: May 25-28: Thunderstorms in 10-30% of areas May 29-31: Thunderstorms in 40-60% of areas with heavy rain in some places Southwest winds at 10-20 km/hr Low 23-26°C, High 32-37°C

Central Region: May 25-28: Thunderstorms in 20-40% of areas May 29-31: Thunderstorms in 40-60% of areas with heavy rain in some places Southwest winds at 10-20 km/hr Low 24-27°C, High 32-38°C

Eastern Region: May 25-27: Thunderstorms in 30-40% of areas with heavy rain in some places Southwest winds at 15-35 km/hr, sea waves 1-2 meters high, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas May 28-31: Thunderstorms in 40-60% of areas with heavy to very heavy rain in some places Southwest winds at 20-35 km/hr, sea waves approximately 2 meters high, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas Low 25-29°C, High 31-37°C

Southern Region (Eastern Coast): May 26-27: Thunderstorms in 30-40% of areas

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDB), led by Secretary-General Danuscha Pichayanan, revealed that household debt in Q4 2025 increased by 0.05% to 16.44 trillion baht, bringing the household debt-to-GDP ratio to 86.7%, up from the previous quarter. Personal loan non-performing loans (NPLs) exceeding 90 days overdue reached 1.31 trillion baht, representing 9.59% of total credit and up from 9.45% the previous quarter.

"The key issue is the consumption behavior of young people who purchase goods and services based on online reviews and trends, causing credit card debt and personal loans among those under 25 to increase significantly compared to other age groups in 2025," Pichayanan stated. "We should accelerate financial literacy education starting from primary school."

The council also flagged concerns about the launch of virtual banks, which could increase debt exposure similar to patterns seen in China and the Philippines. A major concern involves the influence of finfluencers on household financial behavior. Some finfluencers may spread incomplete or inaccurate information, necessitating closer regulatory oversight. The council recommends requiring finfluencers to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and obtain licenses.

On employment, the situation showed improvement with 41.2 million people employed, a 4.6% increase year-over-year. However, the council identified three areas requiring monitoring: first, the potential impact of Middle East conflicts on employment and wages amid persistently high living costs; second, rising underemployment at approximately 220,000 people, a 17.8% increase, concentrated among low-education and agricultural workers; and third, employment risks in industries dependent on internal combustion engine manufacturing as the sector contracts due to the shift toward electric vehicles.

CHACHOENGSAO — On May 24, 2026, workers excavating beneath a damaged ancient stupa at a temple in eastern Thailand discovered dozens of historic Buddha statues hidden inside four underground chambers, with monks estimating the artifacts to be more than 100 years old.

The discovery was made at Wat Laem Tai in Na Mueang subdistrict of Chachoengsao province as construction workers prepared to relocate and restore the old stupa after cracks and structural tilting raised safety concerns.

Excavation work entered its second day on Saturday after workers uncovered several Rattanakosin-era Buddha statues made from brass and silver during the first day of digging. Additional small Buddha statues made from wood, brass and silver-coated metal were also found on Saturday and were later moved for safekeeping inside the residence of a former abbot at the temple.

Phra Khru Thammathon Chamlong Rojanathammo, abbot of Wat Laem Tai, said the stupa was believed to date back to the reigns of King Rama III or King Rama IV, making it more than a century old. He said it remained unclear whether the stupa existed before the temple was established or whether the temple had later been built around it. The temple itself was officially founded in 1933.

The abbot said elderly residents in the community recalled seeing the stupa since childhood. He added that Phra Thammapariyatmuni, an 88-year-old Buddhist scholar and former abbot of Wat Pitulatirangsan, had inspected the artifacts and believed them to belong to the early Rattanakosin period based on their artistic style and materials.

Temple officials said the stupa had initially been scheduled for relocation using structural lifting methods, but excavation became necessary after workers discovered that the ancient foundation extended deep underground. During the digging, workers found four small chamber-like cavities beneath the base containing large numbers of hidden Buddha statues.

The temple said the artifacts would later be cleaned, preserved and displayed in the temple museum for worship and historical study. The abbot also said local residents had already approached the temple seeking to rent or purchase some of the statues after news of the discovery spread, but insisted the artifacts would remain temple property and would not be made available for commercial purposes.

Some residents visiting the site on Saturday said they believed the discovery was auspicious, with some attempting to interpret lucky numbers from the uncovered artifacts ahead of Thailand's next lottery draw.

A startling incident occurred at a water park in Jakarta, Indonesia, when a woman enjoying a water slide was frightened to discover a large snake sliding down the same chute. The 47-second video was quickly shared across social media platforms.

In the footage, the woman initially appears cheerful as she rides down on a rubber tube before spotting a snake ahead of her. As she accelerates down the slide due to water pressure and the slope, the distance between her and the snake rapidly closes to near-collision. The woman screams throughout, gripping both sides of the slide tightly while attempting to dodge the snake in her path.

Fortunately, the woman reached the bottom safely with no reported injuries. However, it remains unclear whether the snake sustained any damage from the mishap, though authorities have since captured it.

The video has been widely shared across social media platforms, with many calling it "the most unlikely situation in the world" and expressing concern for the woman. Other internet users have reacted humorously, joking that she received a 200% more thrilling experience than other visitors for the same entrance fee, with some suggesting the snake was equally frightened and merely wanted to enjoy the slide too.

Indonesian media outlets report that such incidents can occur in tropical, humid areas, particularly at water parks near natural environments where reptiles may accidentally wander in. This has prompted facility managers to increase safety inspections and wildlife monitoring in the area.

On May 25, 2025, at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister's Office Minister Paradorn Prissananantkul spoke about the constitutional amendment timeline and second referendum raised by Nikorn Chamnong, a Bhumjaithai Party list MP. Paradorn stated that it remains unclear and impossible to predict how the first reading consideration will proceed. Currently only Bhumjaithai's draft has been submitted, but it's unknown how many other constitutional amendment drafts will be submitted and whether the Pheu Thai Party will submit combined signatures as well. Therefore, setting a timeline would be difficult—it's entirely parliament's matter.

When asked about Natthapon Ruengpanyawat, Pheu Thai Party leader and list MP, who stated that Bhumjaithai's constitutional amendment draft doesn't meet Pheu Thai's three conditions, Paradorn said he hasn't yet seen what Pheu Thai's draft looks like. However, Bhumjaithai's draft was presented first for public scrutiny, though it's not a final draft. A committee must be established to discuss and produce a committee draft before moving to second reading consideration. There are still many procedural steps, but today the party has clearly demonstrated its sincere intention to amend the constitution.

When a reporter asked whether negotiations with the opposition could secure 20 percent opposition support in the third reading, Paradorn said that's too far ahead and suggested waiting to see how the first reading debate proceeds and how much discussion occurs in committee, and whether people concede or hold firm on positions. If everyone agrees in committee, there would be no problem.

When asked if all sides must compromise, Paradorn stated that making a constitution is a public law matter requiring unanimous consent. The constitution clearly stipulates the conditions needed for a draft to pass, so any amendment must proceed with all parties' approval.

Regarding whether he has spoken with Pheu Thai about supporting their draft, Paradorn said he had an informal discussion with Chusak Sirinil, Pheu Thai deputy party leader, because Pheu Thai's 71 MPs are insufficient to propose a constitutional amendment draft alone. The government coalition parties, particularly Bhumjaithai, are ready to support. It depends on what kind of draft Pheu Thai proposes.

When asked if the budget for the second referendum is sufficient, Paradorn said that whenever the law requires the government to act—and the Prime Minister always emphasizes the government is prepared to take all necessary measures to fulfill the intent of 26.7 million voters from the referendum results—the government will use all resources to support it. It's the government's responsibility to comply with the law.