On April 20, 2025, the Royal Gazette published a royal decree establishing ecclesiastical rank, stating that His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn issued a royal command to elevate ecclesiastical rank during the celebration of Her Majesty Queen Suthida's 60th birthday on June 3, 2025. Phra Prommuni was elevated to Somdet Phra Sangharat with the royal title Somdet Phra Maha Wachirmuneewong Mahachetiyapongsakunthaada Thammadutpatthanakannalankar, based at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat Woramahaviharn, a royal temple in Bangkok, with ten ecclesiastical rankings.

Announced from April 18, 2025, and officially proclaimed on April 20, 2025, Somdet Phra Maha Wachirmuneewong (formerly Bunruang Punnyachooto) is recognized for strict discipline, simple conduct, and exemplary virtuous practice. Currently 91 years old with 71 Buddhist lent years, he serves as committee member of the Maha Thera Association, advisor to Regional Council 8 (Thammayut), and abbot of Wat Phra Sri Mahathat Woramahaviharn in Bangkok.

Born August 8, 1935, in Maha Sarakham Province, he completed primary education and was ordained on June 10, 1955. He was fully ordained on June 26, 1955, under the guidance of Somdet Phra Maha Veerawong. He holds credentials including Parian Dhamma Level 4 and a Bachelor of Religious Studies from Mahachulalongkornrajvidyalaya University.

He has held administrative positions including abbot of Wat Phra Sri Mahathat Woramahaviharn since 1996, Regional Council 8 Chief from 2004, and served as one of the first Buddhist missionaries abroad, spreading Buddhism in Australia, the United States, and Indonesia. He has been instrumental in establishing Buddhism in Indonesia and oversees the training institute for overseas Buddhist missionaries annually.

Former singer Rosemary Kahandhing has called out a friend for sexually harassing her son. When confronted, the friend claimed it was just joking, but offered 50,000 baht as compensation, requesting to pay in installments.

Rosemary explained that a longtime friend had invited her son on a trip to Khao Yai for one night. She trusted this friend, so she allowed her son to go. When he returned home, he appeared withdrawn. When she asked what was wrong, he revealed he had been sexually assaulted—around midnight, he fell asleep but woke up at 2 a.m. to find the man grabbing his genitals. He felt terrified and was held so tightly he couldn't reach his phone to call his mother.

When Rosemary confronted the friend, he claimed it was just horseplay. However, her son insisted it wasn't joking—it was assault. Her son is normally quiet and reserved, which makes the fact that he disclosed this incident significant. "At school, kids joke around like that, but he's an adult. How could he do this to my son?" Rosemary stated.

The friend initially offered 20,000 baht in installments but later raised it to 50,000 baht—3,333 baht monthly for six months, then 1,666 baht monthly for 18 months. Rosemary rejected this arrangement. She asked if her son wanted to file a police report, but for now she doesn't want to escalate it into a major case. She simply wants the friend to genuinely acknowledge his wrongdoing and understand that such actions toward her son—or anyone's child—are unacceptable.

Deputy Transport Minister Sarapetch Bunyamani and Songkhla MP from the Bhumjaithai Party visited the Koh Tao subdistrict landfill fire site on April 24, 2569, meeting with relevant agencies to coordinate firefighting operations and minimize public impact. Provincial Deputy Governors Romdon Hayeeawaew and Jiravet Manichote, Muang District Officer Winit Thepnit, Songkhla Provincial Administration Vice Chair Chatchaipetch Kruamphot, and Koh Tao Subdistrict Chief Rorasing Rai Charoen participated in assessing the situation and developing response strategies.

Multiple agencies coordinated resource deployment, including the Rural Roads Department providing three water trucks and one excavator, the Highways Department providing two water trucks, and the Songkhla Provincial Administration Organization supplying over 10 water trucks and fire engines. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office fully mobilized equipment and personnel to accelerate firefighting operations and contain the spread.

Current conditions remain uncontrolled, with officials estimating an additional 2-3 days needed for full containment due to strong winds hindering efforts. Responders are focusing on limiting the fire's expansion. Deputy Minister Sarapetch instructed a revised 5-day operational plan with inter-agency coordination to prevent flare-ups, while commending personnel working continuously around the clock to resolve the situation and protect affected residents.

A stray dog has become a loyal coworker to traffic police at an intersection in Kuala Lumpur, showing up every day and sometimes earlier than the officers themselves. Known as "John" by locals, the dog has been helping at the checkpoint since 2024, arriving around 7 a.m. and leaving around 9 a.m., though no one knows its real name or origins.

One officer shared: "John has been here since I started this post. We've watched it grow over the years. When our shift ends around 9 a.m., it walks away from the area. No one knows where it goes or what it does on off days, but whenever we return, John is always here and ready to work."

After videos of John's work went viral on social media, the dog won over many people's hearts, with some bringing treats as rewards for its dedication. Recently, rescue volunteer Aris and their team noticed the dog's efforts and launched a mission to help it, giving it a new name—Chase—to symbolize a fresh start.

Aris describes Chase as a friendly, intelligent, and well-natured dog that enjoys head rubs but shows signs of fear around leashes, suggesting past trauma. The team is gradually rebuilding its trust.

A health checkup revealed Chase is approximately 4-5 years old, underweight, has multiple wounds, and is infected with ticks. The dog is now receiving ongoing veterinary treatment and is expected to fully recover within about a month before vaccination and neutering. Chase is temporarily staying with Aris and will be available for adoption once fully recovered.

April 24, 2026 – Reports indicate that a high-ranking official, the head of the administrative office of a subdistrict organization (SAO) in Ban Bueng District, Chachoengsao Province, has been accused of committing indecent assault against a female student inside a minibus en route to Bangkok. The incident occurred on April 17.

The victim stated that a man sitting in the rear seat reached from behind and touched her chest, claiming he was picking up something that fell. However, the victim believes the act was intentional, as it happened multiple times.

Suriya, 45, the victim's father, revealed that his daughter called him while on the minibus, reporting that a man behind her had grabbed her chest. She was screaming, but no one on the bus helped. He instructed his daughter to hand the phone to the minibus driver, but the driver refused to speak. Suriya then drove from Chachoengsao to the location where the incident was occurring on the expressway. When the minibus reached Mochit, he was unsure what the driver was thinking, as no one on the bus assisted his daughter. The perpetrator was eventually let off the bus.

Once his daughter regained her composure, she grabbed the perpetrator's neck and shouted loudly, as shown in video clips. A woman intervened to restrain him and called emergency services. They attempted to force the man back onto the bus and reported the incident to Bang Sue Police Station. The father is preparing to file a formal complaint with the provincial governor demanding maximum legal action.

Latest developments: A reporter visited the Mapphrai Subdistrict Administrative Office and spoke with officials, who confirmed that the accused is the head of the administrative office and is currently on leave. The superior stated they will conduct a fair investigation and, if evidence of wrongdoing is found, will take disciplinary action ranging from suspension to dismissal from civil service. The case file has been forwarded to the prosecutor and is awaiting court consideration.

The Pheu Thai Party will not reshuffle its leadership, keeping party chief Thaksin Shinawatra in his position after the Supreme Court rejected an order to suspend 10 current Pheu Thai MPs from office. Only the party secretary position will be changed. On April 24, 2025, reporters covered developments from the Pheu Thai Party following the Supreme Court's acceptance of a case involving 44 former Forward Party MPs regarding Article 112 amendments, with a ruling that allowed 10 current Pheu Thai MPs to continue performing their duties.

Most party members expressed satisfaction with the court's order, despite some surprise. The party had prepared in advance with four sets of statements to address various possible outcomes. Regarding the party's executive restructuring to replace the MPs involved in legal cases, there will be no changes to key leadership positions. Party chief Natthapong Ruangpanya will remain in his position, contrary to earlier reports suggesting Wirayut Kanjchuchart might be elevated as a replacement. Only the party secretary position will change, as Sarayut Jaichak has resigned—he had previously stated he would step down if the party lost the election. The party will proceed with selecting a new party secretary in due course.