Thailand News: Mortar shell in concrete, insect poisoning, Bangkok Pride, and Milli

Workers in Amnat Charoen province made a dangerous discovery when a mortar shell fell out of a cement mixer during a concrete pour. The object fell out near the end of the job, and employees initially mistook it for a discarded bottle before realizing it resembled an explosive device. Muang Amnat Charoen police contacted an explosive ordnance disposal unit, which confirmed the object was a mortar shell. Workers suspected it had entered the concrete mix along with sand dredged from the Mekong River. The device was safely removed for destruction, with one worker warning that an explosion during the pour could have resulted in fatalities or serious injuries. Twelve officials in Lampang fell ill after eating giant scale insects. Twelve officials from the Ban Huad District Office in Lampang suffered from diarrhea and dizziness after consuming insects collected from a tree near their workplace. The insects were identified as giant scale insects, which are larger than common species and attach to tree bark to feed on sap. One official initially ate the insects with salt and rice without falling ill, prompting colleagues to deep-fry them and share the meal. Most of those affected experienced mild symptoms, while three were taken to the hospital for further examination. The exact cause of the illness has not been confirmed, although theories include insects ingesting substances from the monkey pod tree or mistaking them for an edible species. The Bangkok Pride festival is laying the groundwork for WorldPride 2030 ambitions. The Bangkok Pride 2026 festival is being held under the slogan "Road to Bangkok WorldPride 2030" as organizers aim to position the capital as a future host city for the global celebration. The program includes the Bangkok Pride Awards, Bangkok Pride Forum, Drag Bangkok Festival, and the main parade on Sunday, May 31. The parade is scheduled from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM along a 3.8-kilometer route, starting at Naradhiwas Intersection and ending at Thepha Hasadin Stadium. Over 150 parade floats are expected, and Rama I Road between Pathumwan and Chaloemphao intersections will be closed from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Admission for individuals is free, and organizers encourage travelers in the Silom, Sathon, and Rama I areas to plan ahead or use the BTS. Milli named South Korea's public diplomacy advocate after a breakthrough year. South Korea has appointed Thai rapper Danupha Khanatheerakul, better known as Milli, as an honorary advocate for public diplomacy. Ambassador Park Yong-min presented her with the letter of appointment at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand on May 15 as part of the KETH Supporters project. The embassy praised Milli for helping to promote both Thai and South Korean culture, as well as for encouraging closer communication between the two countries. Her appointment followed her historic appearance on the South Korean rap competition Show Me The Money, where she became the first foreign contestant to reach the final round and place fourth. The recognition also drew attention to her earlier experience in 2022, when visa issues prevented her from entering South Korea for a scheduled performance at a music festival. The Empower Foundation has submitted a bill aimed at providing legal protection for sex workers. The Empower Foundation has submitted a draft law to parliament calling for the decriminalization of sex work and improved labor protection for individuals in the industry. The proposal aims to replace Thailand's 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, which currently criminalizes voluntary sex work. Under the proposed Sex Service Provider Protection Act, sex work would be decriminalized.