An appeals court in Phnom Penh upheld a 27-year prison sentence against opposition leader Kem Sokha on sedition charges and ordered him banned from leaving the country for five years after his release. Sokha has remained under house arrest since his 2017 arrest.

Cambodia has long faced accusations of using its justice system to suppress government critics and political opponents. Though the government claims to uphold the rule of law within an electoral democratic system, rival political parties have been dissolved by court order or their leaders imprisoned and threatened.

In 2023, courts convicted the 72-year-old Sokha of conspiracy with the United States to overthrow the Cambodian government, citing video evidence of him discussing political advice from U.S. democracy support groups.

Sokha's Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was the sole opposition party capable of challenging the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP). However, the court dissolved the CNRP after Sokha's arrest, preventing him from running in the 2018 elections.

In early April, Sokha testified to the appeals court that he never conspired with any country or proposed trading Cambodian lives or territory, asserting his actions were motivated by national peace and unity.

Sokha's lawyer, Peng Heng, expressed disappointment with the verdict and said he and his client would decide whether to appeal to the supreme court. He also called on the government to promote national reconciliation.

Western embassies in Cambodia have expressed concern over the ruling. The British embassy stated: "We want to see Kem Sokha released and have his political freedoms restored. We believe this would help strengthen democracy in Cambodia."

In a separate political case, a Phnom Penh court recently sentenced 33 suspects on April 29 for opposing a border development agreement. The defendants included social media users, opposition politicians, and political activists. Human rights organization LICADHO reported they were convicted of incitement to commit serious offenses—a broadly applied charge common in political cases—with sentences ranging from 18-month suspended sentences to two years imprisonment, plus $1,000 fines.

After entertainment host Mawdaai Kachapon hinted on her news program about a young celebrity couple who have been quietly separated for 3-4 months while still maintaining business partnerships with no couple photos on social media, it emerged the person in question is JJ Krishnapoomi, the boyfriend of actress Tah Naeng Kanyanwee. Mawdaai revealed she didn't interview JJ directly but instead told him, "Come back another time, don't worry. I won't ask you anything, just come back again," while offering him encouragement as he smiled with relief.

Mawdaai later updated through her news program, "Yesterday I felt bad for him—he was sweating the whole time. I could tell I hadn't asked him anything, but I sensed something was there. I'll let him finish his work and then he can answer himself."

"I spoke with his manager and the manager told him to be ready. Then he should come out and explain what's going on himself. I didn't dare ask him directly. When I spoke with his manager, things just seemed off and different from usual."

Meanwhile, actress Tah Naeng has been traveling to Phu Quoc, Vietnam for a vacation with world-class superstar Jessica Jung, former member of Girls' Generation, seemingly ignoring the breakup rumors. She posted relaxed photos of her time there and her latest work updates, with fans flooding her posts with hearts and compliments.

A villager from Loei province entered the forest to forage for wild products and disappeared for eight days before being found dead in the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary, believed to have been attacked by a wild elephant. The family remains uncertain about the cause of death.

The case involves a village headman from Yang Diao village, Khao Luang subdistrict, Wang Saphung district, Loei province, who reported a missing resident after the person entered the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary to search for forest products on April 22, 2025. The missing person is identified as Boonma Whaen Chanlah, 57 years old.

Following the report, officials coordinated search efforts involving multiple agencies including the Wang Saphung district administration, Khao Luang subdistrict administrative organization, Border Patrol Police Unit 246, K9 police dog unit, Border Patrol Police Command Unit 24, village officials, Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary staff, rescue teams, Loei Amateur Radio Association, and the QRK5TAEM association. The search operation ran between April 28-29, 2025, but found no trace of the missing person.

On April 30, 2025, villagers reported discovering Boonma's body approximately 800 meters from the forest boundary near the Huai Buaeng checkpoint area.

Investigators found elephant tracks in the surrounding area, and the body bore multiple wounds. Initial findings suggest the man may have been fatally attacked by a wild elephant.

A preliminary autopsy was conducted by medical and investigative officials, which revealed the body was severely decomposed. The family expressed doubts about the cause of death. The body was released to the family for funeral rites on May 1, 2025.

Thai boxer Rotkhao Jitmeuangnon opened up in an interview with Japanese YouTuber Valentine Hosokawa following his defeat to Takeru Segawa at ONE Samurai 1, stating that external pressures had severely impacted his physical condition, leaving him at just 1% capacity. "It was wrong from the start because my body wasn't properly trained—everyone knows what happened to me," Rotkhao said. During the fight, he continued, "my body wasn't ready, my timing was completely off, it felt like I was being pushed back. My strength had already declined, and I wanted to add more but had nothing left." He attributed his struggles to insufficient training due to personal circumstances that caused him to lose focus. "Without proper training and power, there's no way I could fight him. No matter how skilled I am, I can't land a punch," he explained. "During this difficult period, I was doing my best to make weight." Valentine Hosokawa, a former JBC champion, responded with understanding and thanked Rotkhao for his willingness to speak openly during such a challenging time.

Gaem and Aff brought the house down at Cover Night Live: Gatsby Gala, a free concert presented by Greenwave 106.5 FM at ATIME in Muang Thai Ratchadamri Theater. Featuring Gaem Vichyanee Piaklim and Aff Pongsak Rattanaphong, the duo delivered a high-energy cover song performance that had the entire audience on their feet.

The stage opened with "Ballangkmeow," with both artists immediately impressing the crowd with their powerful vocals. Aff then took the spotlight with a solo performance, holding nothing back and delivering her signature songs including "True Story Better Than Fiction," "High," "If We Ever Meet Again," "First Love," and "I Won't Die," as well as the emotionally charged "No One Understands My Pain."

Gaem followed with a queen-level performance on "Flame," complete with glamorous styling and backup dancers, performing heartfelt tracks like "Love Can't Be Bought," "Dust," "Sky Changes Color," and "Jai Chachah." The show peaked with a duet cover of "Burn," where both artists brought maximum energy to close out the evening. This kickoff concert for Greenwave's new year delivered complete entertainment and left audiences with lasting impressions.

A student shuttle van from Chom Thong School lost control and veered off the roadside before colliding with a tree on the morning of May 1, 2026, between Ban Nakop and Ban Mon Hin in Ban Pae Subdistrict, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province, resulting in 15 injuries. At the scene, rescuers found the van with severe front-end damage parked near the tree, with injured passengers scattered both inside and around the vehicle, sustaining both serious and minor injuries. Rescue personnel from Ban Pae Subdistrict Municipality and nearby rescue units quickly transported all victims to Chom Thong Hospital.

Initial investigations identified the driver as Nattaphumi Khunkhram, 44, who regularly operates the shuttle route between Chom Thong and Hot, carrying male and female students aged 12-17 who were heading toward Chom Thong town when the accident occurred. After the crash, traffic control measures were implemented and all injured passengers were rushed to hospital for treatment. The cause of the accident remains under investigation by Chom Thong Police Station.