Peerapat Korthong, Secretary-General of the Agricultural Economics Office (AECF) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, announced Thailand's progress toward OECD membership. Thailand is currently preparing for the technical assessment phase in 2026, following the Prime Minister's official submission of Thailand's Initial Memorandum to the OECD Deputy Secretary-General on December 8, 2024—marking the completion of step 5 in the OECD accession process. The AECF has been designated as the lead agency responsible for coordinating Thailand's agricultural sector work under the OECD's Committee for Agriculture (COAG).

Most recently, Secretary-General Korthong appointed Dr. Kancana Khwanmuang, AECF Deputy Secretary-General, as Head of Mission under COAG to participate as a speaker in the Agricultural Policy in Southeast Asia conference under the OECD framework in Indonesia. The conference was organized by The Agricultural Incentives Consortium, a network collaboration among five international organizations: the World Bank, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the OECD. The objective was to exchange experiences, empirical data, and innovative approaches for monitoring and evaluating agricultural policies, as well as to discuss trends and policy challenges facing Southeast Asia's agricultural sector.

During the conference, Thailand's delegation discussed policy approaches to climate change, presenting an overview of Thailand's agricultural economy, the impact of climate change on agriculture, government measures and management approaches, achievements and outcomes, as well as challenges and support needs to strengthen capacity for managing future changes.

This conference participation represents another significant step in demonstrating Thailand's commitment as an OECD accession candidate country and provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge with experts and international organizations—benefits that will contribute to Thailand's agricultural development moving forward.

Regarding the AECF's operations under COAG, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives issued Order No. 681/2568 dated August 19, 2024, establishing a working group for Thailand's OECD accession process under the COAG framework. This ensures smooth and efficient implementation. The AECF has participated in over 25 COAG meetings during 2024-2025, covering critical issues including agricultural and market policies, carbon footprint measurement, food security, food loss and waste problems, and agricultural and environmental matters.

The Secretary-General concluded by noting that OECD membership will benefit Thailand across multiple dimensions, including aligning policy standards and practices with international norms and enhancing capabilities.

On April 26, 2569, Deputy Superintendent Suwat Nammonkol of Muang Buriram Police Station, along with Tanon Mentaisong, Muang Buriram District Deputy Administrator, led officers in apprehending 18-year-old Sak and 24-year-old Payou, seizing 4,000 methamphetamine tablets. The operation followed the earlier arrest of 19-year-old Film with 8,222 tablets. During interrogation, Film revealed that a Buriram drug dealer hiding in Laos had been directing drug transactions through him. Film cooperated with authorities to set up a sting operation to catch other suspects.

Payou confessed to disrobing just that afternoon after ten days as a monk. Unable to cope with his cravings and unwilling to violate monastic precepts, he had his parents contact the abbot for his release. Upon disrobing, Payou was torn between visiting his girlfriend and satisfying his drug urge. The latter won out, and he purchased ten methamphetamine tablets from a villager, consuming four to five before his eventual arrest. His plan to see his girlfriend never materialized.

A new trend is catching on among modern couples who choose to express their commitment by tattooing rings on their fingers rather than buying expensive diamond bands. This approach saves money, eliminates the fear of losing jewelry, and symbolizes eternal love just the same.

While diamond rings have long represented everlasting romance, younger generations appear to be rewriting the rules. A significant number of Gen Z and Millennial couples are now opting for a newer, more permanent way to express their love—by getting ring tattoos on their fingers instead.

"Ring tattoos" are becoming an increasingly popular symbol of love for those who don't want to be tied to diamonds but desire something permanent they'll carry forever.

According to data from Chime, younger people are challenging traditional values: 25% say they might skip actual rings and get tattoos instead, while 30% choose non-diamond rings, and another 26% don't want rings at all but prefer to save the money for shared memories, like special trips.

For example, Matthew Morris, 36, and his wife Shannon, 34, from New York, opted for matching ring tattoos instead of spending thousands of dollars on diamond rings. The couple spent just a few hundred dollars on their tattoos. Four years later, they now have a child and are expecting another.

"Tattoos are cheaper, and my wife doesn't like wearing jewelry anyway. It reminds us every day that we chose each other," Matthew said.

Lindsay Beck, 42, from California, also chose to get a heart tattoo instead of a ring, with her husband tattooing it himself. She explained that she didn't want to spend $10,000 on a ring and would rather use the money for travel. However, she believes that having "no symbol at all" could send the wrong message: "If there's no symbol whatsoever, it feels like you're not ready to commit."

Source: NY Post

A pet groomer named Xiaohongsu (@Big) was taken aback when a customer brought in a strangely-shaped animal they'd found late at night and asked for help bathing and cleaning it. Initially thinking it was a puppy, the groomer was surprised upon closer inspection to see it had an odd appearance resembling a mix between a bear and a dog. When the customer repeatedly asked what breed of dog it was, the bewildered groomer honestly replied, "I don't know either." The animal appeared to be somewhere between a dog and some other wild creature, so the groomer photographed it and posted to social media seeking opinions.

However, online commenters offered conflicting theories—some suggested it was a fox-dog hybrid, others guessed it was a raccoon, and some thought it might be another type of wild animal, only adding to the confusion. Concerned it might be a protected species, the groomer decided not to proceed further and immediately notified the relevant authorities.

The animal was subsequently examined by experts who confirmed it was a raccoon dog pup, indeed a protected wildlife species. It was then transferred to a wildlife rescue center for proper care. Experts explained that young raccoon dogs have round, plump bodies that resemble both puppies and bears, which confuses many people. As they mature, they develop increasingly raccoon-like features. Despite their cute appearance, raccoon dogs remain wild animals and should never be captured or kept as pets without authorization.

On April 26, Deputy Commander (Investigation) Wirot Setchang of Ladbualuang Police Station in Ayutthaya received a report of a deranged man using a firearm to shoot at vehicles traveling along Phraya Banlue Canal Road in Ladbualuang District, Ayutthaya Province. The incident resulted in one death, injuries to others, and damage to multiple vehicles. Police coordinated with emergency responders and the Ayutthaya United Association to assist victims.

At the scene, officers found a white Honda sedan with Bangkok license plates with gunshot damage near the driver's side door. The bullets penetrated the vehicle, striking the female driver critically. She was rushed to Ladbualuang Hospital but died shortly after. The victim was identified as Ms. Patthasara (surname withheld), 44, a Ladbualuang resident. Another victim, Mr. Wallop (surname withheld), 60, was shot in the arm.

Authorities apprehended the suspect, identified as Mr. Sarawut (surname withheld), 35, from Pathumthani Province, along with a black Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle and three methamphetamine pills. Background checks revealed previous drug-related convictions. The suspect was unable to give an initial statement due to injuries and was admitted to hospital for treatment and drug testing.

Investigations at the scene revealed seven damaged vehicles: four trucks, two sedans, and one pickup truck. Mr. Udomthai, 46, a truck driver, stated that while hauling soil, he saw the suspect speeding on his motorcycle before losing control and crashing multiple times. The suspect then stood up, drew a firearm, and fired multiple shots at his truck, hitting the front windshield approximately five times. The driver fled while shouting warnings to other vehicles.

Mr. Puwanai, 39, another truck driver, reported seeing the suspect standing in the middle of the road aiming and firing at a ten-wheel truck, hitting the windshield once. He immediately drove away. Mr. Seri, 40, a nearby shop owner, heard dozens of continuous gunshots and saw truck drivers fleeing into his shop, prompting him to quickly close the door in fear of stray bullets.

Authorities are coordinating with forensic teams to conduct detailed investigation at the scene, collect evidence, and analyze bullet trajectories before proceeding with legal charges.

Creating Equal TCAS Access! Deputy PM orders University Admissions Authority to freeze TCAS application fees at current rates for one additional year and expand free A-Level exam rights to a maximum of 7 subjects, while introducing "TCASFolio" to improve the selection system and reduce educational inequality.

On April 26, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yossakon Wongsuwan unveiled higher education policies to the Conference of Rectors of Thai Universities to guide institutional operations in alignment with national strategy and ministerial policies. The announcement was attended by senior officials including Supchai Patumnak, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education; Dr. Srinyada Palimaphand, Advisor to the Minister; and Wileash Burivatch, Chairman of the Conference of Rectors and Rector of Chulalongkorn University, along with leaders from other higher education institutions at NIDA's conference hall.

Yossakon stated that consultations with the University Admissions Authority concluded on three main points for creating "Equal TCAS":

1. Maintaining current TCAS application fee rates for one additional year despite prior plans to increase them, while providing budget support for free TGAT/TPAT exams (rounds 1-5). The government will additionally offer free A-Level examinations for up to 7 subjects at 100 baht per subject (maximum 700 baht) and free registration for the third admission round at 7 universities. The portfolio round application fee will be reduced by 25% for students in the educational equity fund system to expand equal opportunities for selection.

2. Improving the portfolio selection round through "TCASFolio," a standardized system for portfolio preparation and submission designed to reduce unnecessary burdens and prevent commercial portfolio production services. A parallel "TCAS Verified" system will enable source organizations to directly verify activity information, enhancing data reliability and preventing falsification. Universities will be urged to balance portfolio round admissions at an average not exceeding 30% to preserve opportunities for all applicant groups. Selection criteria that impose excessive burdens or create inequality—such as mandatory published research or high-cost activities—will be reviewed and replaced with criteria measuring potential relevant to each field of study.

3. Implementing systematic risk management oversight across all stages from exam development, quality checks, and data processing to public communication to ensure proper, transparent operations and public confidence. The process will continue accepting and considering post-exam appeals as part of quality assurance, with feedback reviewed by experts to verify exam accuracy, answer keys, and grading criteria before official score announcements, ensuring fair measurement of students' true potential.

Wileash noted that the University Admissions Authority is currently compiling data on portfolio admission proportions across faculties to establish joint policies moving forward and is considering adjusting procedural sequences.