MGI All Stars Bangkok: Colombia’s Vanessa Pulgarin won the first-ever MGI All Stars “Grand Final,” with public votes and fast-track challenges shaping the Top 18 semifinalists. Cross-border crime crackdown: Thai authorities arrested four Chinese nationals in Pattaya linked to a violent loan-shark syndicate, including alleged kidnappings and extortion. Coffee & health habits: Experts warn that drinking coffee right after waking on an empty stomach may temporarily raise heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety for some people. Immigration and road safety: Nine immigrants were detained after a car crash into a house, with the driver allegedly paid to transport people across the border. LGBTQ+ culture moment: A “Gay Day” feature marked poet Walt Whitman’s birth and revisited his legacy and sexuality debates. Regional tourism ties: Nepal’s embassy met Thai tourism entrepreneurs in Bangkok to boost Thai visitor numbers and highlight Buddhist and heritage routes. Court ruling on lèse-majesté: Thailand’s Criminal Court acquitted Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, saying his vaccine-procurement criticism targeted government handling, not the monarchy. Buddhist diplomacy: India airlifted Lord Buddha’s relics and those of his chief disciples to Mongolia for a 10-day public exposition, underscoring shared Buddhist heritage.