The Department of Agricultural Extension is leveraging artificial intelligence to strengthen grassroots economic development by training approximately 1,000 agricultural promotion officials at all levels to serve as 'AI Coaches' and transfer knowledge to local communities. Deputy Director Suriya Kampuang revealed that these officials will be trained online to develop AI skills and guide the application of AI technology in various areas including targeted marketing, product and packaging development, demand forecasting, and precise business planning.

The department has also compiled practical support tools for community enterprises and farmer entrepreneurs, including over 400 AI prompts and ROI (Return on Investment) calculation guides to help community enterprises analyze business viability, make informed decisions, and reduce investment risks.

The initiative aims to enable community enterprises to apply AI responsibly while adhering to ethical principles and relevant laws. The program targets over 64,513 community enterprises nationwide with more than 1.17 million members, aiming to enhance their competitiveness, add value to products and services, and transition effectively to the digital economy era.

"Using AI will help community enterprises reduce operational costs, increase production efficiency, and expand marketing channels, particularly in online marketing and brand creation, which will add value to community products and services and create economic multiplier effects at the regional and national levels," Suriya stated.

The project emphasizes responsible technology use, considering ethics, intellectual property, and relevant laws. The department aims for at least 70% of trained officials to apply their knowledge concretely in their local areas and scale up community enterprise development broadly.

The initiative represents a shift for Thai community enterprises from manufacturers to modern entrepreneurs capable of creating added value and competing in the digital economy with integrity. The department expects the program to serve as a key mechanism for elevating the nation's grassroots economic structure from product manufacturing to brand creation and value addition, moving from traditional market dependence to data-driven business analysis and planning, while strengthening Thai community enterprises' self-reliance and ensuring sustainable long-term growth.

Thailand Cement Public Company Limited (SCG), a leading cement and construction materials provider in Southeast Asia, has announced a major partnership with Huawei Technology (Thailand) Limited and Anhui Conch Information Technology Engineering (Conch), experts in Advanced Process Control (APC) systems and AI-driven industrial optimization.

The collaboration aims to develop and implement integrated APC and artificial intelligence solutions on modern ICT infrastructure specifically designed for SCG's cement production processes. The three organizations will combine their strengths to drive Industrial AI in the cement sector.

Each partner brings distinct expertise: SCG contributes deep cement manufacturing knowledge and its proprietary CiMie AI Foundation Model; Conch provides proven APC technology and algorithms for cement production optimization; and Huawei supplies comprehensive ICT infrastructure including cloud computing, edge computing, AI platforms, cybersecurity, and F5G/IPv6 industrial networks to enable complete digital transformation.

Under the agreement, the three parties will jointly design and install specialized APC systems for cement production process control, develop AI Foundation Models for production optimization, and implement AI Agents to support automated decision-making. The scope also includes Smart Factory construction, cloud-edge computing architecture for real-time AI workloads, dashboards for operators and management, and comprehensive knowledge transfer and training programs for SCG personnel.

William Zhang, Enterprise Business President at Huawei Technology (Thailand), stated the partnership reflects Huawei's commitment to accelerating Industrial All Intelligence transformation in Thailand, leveraging expertise in ICT infrastructure, cloud computing, and AI platforms.

Xu Yue, Digital Division CEO of Conch Group and Chairman of Conch Information, noted that Conch's APC and AI expertise combined with SCG's CiMie Foundation Model and Huawei's robust infrastructure will create a powerful, scalable solution delivering measurable operational results.

Hashai Paharphap, Factory Director at SCG's Saraburi Cement Plant, stated that this partnership represents a crucial step in integrating AI and Advanced Process Control with SCG's manufacturing expertise. Integrating the CiMie AI Foundation Model with global partner technologies will enhance productivity and competitiveness.

A stray dog has been honored as a hero after fighting and killing a cobra that was attacking schoolchildren, ultimately sacrificing its own life in the process. In a village in Odisha State, India, residents remember the stray dog named Kali as a hero after it fought a venomous snake to protect the children, resulting in the dog's death.

According to reports, on April 20 at approximately 8:30 AM, around 30 schoolchildren were engaged in an outdoor activity when a venomous cobra crept nearby unnoticed. However, Kali detected the danger and rushed in immediately. The dog used its body to shield the children from the snake and fought the cobra fearlessly. Although Kali managed to bite the snake to death, the dog was bitten in return and died from the venom shortly after.

News of Kali's sacrifice spread throughout the village, causing great sadness among residents. They came together to hold a dignified funeral ceremony, placing Kali's body on a decorated stretcher adorned with flowers, covering it with white cloth, and parading it around the village before burying it according to ritual.

"Kali saved the lives of our children. The dog will remain in our hearts forever," one villager said.

Source: NDTV

On April 29, 2026, officers from the Highway Police Division 7, led by Police Major Intharatana Panya, arrested Yurang (surname withheld), a 43-year-old man, on charges of forging government documents and receiving stolen property. Police seized a gray-black Mitsubishi Spacewagon, forged license plates, and fake registration documents with Bangkok plates. The arrest took place along a roadside in Pak Bang subdistrict, Thepha district, Songkhla province.

Officers received a tip about a suspicious vehicle possibly linked to drug trafficking and found it parked at the suspect's residence. Upon inspection, the license plates appeared abnormal and didn't meet Department of Land Transport standards, and the registration documents were entirely forged. A VIN check revealed the vehicle matched a car reported stolen to Thonglor Police Station in April 2013.

During interrogation, Yurang claimed that about two years ago, a coworker had brought the car to pawn for 50,000 baht due to financial need. He accepted it, but the coworker later quit and disappeared. Yurang has been handed over to Thepha Police for legal proceedings, with authorities coordinating with the owner to retrieve the seized vehicle.

I'm done for! Sorayut Sutasaneejinda is raising his hands in surrender over an electricity bill exceeding ten thousand baht despite living alone, urging the Bangkok Metropolitan Electricity Authority to investigate whether his meter is faulty.

While high electricity bills have been widespread lately, some households appear to be experiencing suspiciously excessive charges. In the program 'Kammakan News Chat Off-Screen,' Sorayut announced to the Bangkok Metropolitan Electricity Authority's Bang Khen branch that he's financially ruined, living alone yet receiving a bill for over ten thousand baht.

"Could you please check my house? I live alone. Even though I have several air conditioning units, I only turn them on when I'm around. Why is my bill over ten thousand baht?" Sorayut pleaded with the electricity authority to investigate the possibility of a faulty meter.

"I'm done for! This is really suspicious. The water pump sometimes runs even when the water isn't being used. This is it—Bangkok Metropolitan Electricity Authority, Bang Khen branch, I'm begging you, please come check. It must be a jumbled meter reading from another house. I never had problems before, but now I'm suffering."

Sorayut also noted that "Look at the billing yourself. If anyone's bill is lower than 2,300 baht, their electricity rate is cheaper. If it exceeds 2,300 baht, the rate becomes more expensive in June's billing cycle." The post has drawn various comments from other users.

KANCHANABURI — 29 April 2026, Villagers in Kanchanaburi province are on edge after large, crocodile-like footprints were found on a sandbank in the Mae Klong River, prompting an urgent inspection by officials.

Residents of Moo 3 in Wai Niao subdistrict, Tha Maka district, reported discovering the tracks on a mid-river islet, raising concerns among people living nearby. Community leaders have contacted the provincial fisheries office to verify the findings.

Naruenart Kongkaew, who first spotted the tracks, said he and friends had gone to the area when water levels dropped enough to allow access to the islet. There, they found marks resembling the drag of a large animal's body across the ground, along with deep clawed footprints leading into the water.

"The size was clearly larger than a person's body. It doesn't look like a monitor lizard," he said, adding that locals are now afraid to enter the water.

Later, Chalermphon Hongyon, head of a regional water rescue unit, inspected the area and found two large burrows. The surrounding ground showed signs of heavy disturbance, consistent with a large animal moving in and out of the water. He said body marks suggested a creature measuring at least 4 metres in length.

Villagers in nearby Ban Pong Tuek also reported finding a similar burrow about 3 metres deep, with matching traces.

Chalermphon said crocodiles typically bask on land during the day and retreat to burrows at night. However, he cautioned that it remains unconfirmed whether the animal is indeed a crocodile, pending a detailed inspection by fisheries officials.

In the meantime, the village head has issued a warning urging residents and fishermen to avoid the riverbank and refrain from entering the water until the species is identified, citing potential danger.