On April 29, 2025, Deputy Police Commander Pattanasak Bubphasuwan ordered the arrest of Richard, a 57-year-old Australian national, at a residence in Ban Pet Subdistrict, Mueang District, Khon Kaen Province. The suspect had his residency revoked, passport cancelled, and was subject to Interpol Green Notice C-218/4-2026 issued on April 9, 2025.

Richard was convicted multiple times by Australian courts between 2007-2021 for child sexual abuse offenses and child exploitation material production, requiring him to register as a sexual offender and report regularly for life. When he fled Australia, Queensland Police issued arrest warrants for breaching parole conditions and revoked his passport. Interpol issued a Green Notice warning member nations that he posed a risk of reoffending, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Authorities discovered Richard had entered Thailand and settled in Khon Kaen Province. After obtaining a court-approved search warrant, officers raided his residence on April 29. During the search, Richard attempted to destroy his laptop, but officers secured electronic evidence including four items for examination.

Under interrogation, Richard confessed that after his release from prison, he was required to report regularly for life. However, after his Thai girlfriend moved back to Thailand about two years ago, he became homesick and illegally departed Australia by sailboat alone through natural channels, taking approximately five months for the journey. He left his boat at a port in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, paying 10,000 baht monthly storage fees.

Authorities detained Richard for prosecution under the Immigration Act 2522 (1979) and related laws.

Northern Thailand will experience hot to very hot conditions today with summer thunderstorms affecting the North, Northeast, and East regions, bringing strong winds, hail in some areas, and possible lightning strikes. The Thai Meteorological Department has issued warnings for 53 provinces expecting rain, including Bangkok, as a new cold air mass from China moves across the region. The public is urged to avoid outdoor areas, large trees, weak structures, and unstable signs. Farmers should reinforce fruit trees and prepare measures to protect crops and livestock from potential damage.

Northern Region: Generally hot with 30% chance of thunderstorms, temperatures 20-26°C (low) to 33-40°C (high), southwest to south winds 5-15 km/h

Northeast Region: Hot midday conditions with 60% chance of thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and heavy rain in some areas across 16 provinces, temperatures 23-25°C (low) to 33-37°C (high), southeast winds 10-15 km/h

Central Region: Hot to very hot midday with 20% chance of thunderstorms and occasional strong winds across 6 provinces, temperatures 26-28°C (low) to 36-40°C (high), south winds 10-15 km/h

Eastern Region: Hot midday with 30% chance of thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail in some areas, temperatures 25-28°C (low) to 33-37°C (high), southeast winds 15-30 km/h, sea waves around 1 meter

Southern Region (East Coast): Hot midday with 30% chance of thunderstorms across 8 provinces, temperatures 24-27°C (low) to 34-36°C (high), southeast winds 15-30 km/h

Thailand has advanced both its men's and women's badminton teams to the semifinals of the Thomas & Uber Cup 2026 world team championship, held in Denmark on April 28. The men's team claimed the group title with a dominant performance, while the women's team finished as group runners-up.

In the men's tournament (Thomas Cup), Group D required Thailand to defeat Algeria to secure advancement. The Thai badminton team delivered without disappointment, winning all five matches decisively.

First singles player Kulawuth Vitidsant (Viw) defeated Adel Hamek 2-0 with scores of 21-9, 21-14. Second singles Panitchpol Teerawattanasukul (Ikkiu) beat Mohamed Abderrahime Belarbii 2-0, 21-7, 21-7. Third singles Purithat Areepimolpisan (Phuri) defeated Mohamed Abdelaziz Ouchefun 2-0, 21-8, 21-7. First doubles Rutsadapak Utthong (Title) and Phukkahpol Teerawattanasukul (Omo) beat Adel Hamek and Cosela Mommery 2-0, 21-6, 21-11. Second doubles Dechapal Papveeranukul (Bass) and Peeratchai Sukpun (P) defeated Mohamed Abderrahime Belarbii and Mohamed Abdelaziz Ouchefun 2-0, 21-4, 21-5.

In another Group D match, France defeated Indonesia 4-1. After three rounds, Thailand, France, and Indonesia each posted 2 wins and 1 loss, but Thailand topped the group on point differential and advanced as group champions, with France advancing as runners-up. Indonesia and Algeria were eliminated.

For the women's tournament (Uber Cup), Group D featured Thailand against South Korea, with both teams already guaranteed advancement. Thailand suffered a decisive 0-5 loss to South Korea.

First singles May Ratchanok Intanon lost to An Seyoung 0-2, 15-21, 12-21. First doubles Pat Hattaytip Michad and Gasjang Napbakorn Tungkasathan fell to Baek Hana and Lee Sohee 0-2, 11-21, 14-21. Second singles Mew Porpavee Chotchuwong lost to Kim Gaeun 1-2, 21-18, 16-21, 17-21. Second doubles Muna Benyapa Aimsueard and Fem Supissara Piewsamphran lost to Chong Naeun and Kim Hyechong 0-2, 11-21, 9-21. Third singles Me Suphanida Ketuthong fell to Shim Yujin 0-2, 21-23, 12-21.

In the other Group D match, Bulgaria defeated Spain 3-2. South Korea advanced as group champions undefeated and will compete in the semifinals, while Thailand finished with 2 wins and 1 loss to advance as group runners-up. Bulgaria and Spain were eliminated.

The draw for the semifinal matches of both tournaments will be held on April 29, with Thailand's men's team facing one of the runners-up from Groups A, B, or C, and the women's team facing one of the champions from Groups A, B, or C.

Paris Saint-Germain claimed a narrow home victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 semifinal, with both teams producing an intense battle throughout 90 minutes.

On April 28, the French champions PSG hosted the German powerhouse Bayern Munich at Parc des Princes. Bayern struck first in the 16th minute when Louis Diaz was fouled in the penalty box by Willian Pacho, and Harry Kane converted the spot kick in the 17th minute for a 1-0 lead.

PSG equalized in the 24th minute through Quicha Quarctskhelia, who latched onto a through ball and fired home with precision. The teams traded blows with Bayern nearly doubling their lead but being denied by goalkeeper Matvei Safonov.

PSG took a 2-1 lead through a set piece before Bayern equalized at 2-2 in the 41st minute via Michael Olise. After VAR intervention, PSG was awarded another penalty, and Osman Dembele converted to make it 3-2 at halftime.

The second half saw PSG pull away as Quarctskhelia added a second goal in the 56th minute, followed by Dembele's second in the 58th to extend the lead to 5-2. Bayern mounted a spirited comeback with goals from Dayot Upamecano (65') and Louis Diaz (68'), narrowing it to 4-5, but PSG held firm for a 5-4 victory.

At 5:30 p.m. on April 28, 2025, summer storms with severe lightning struck multiple areas across Surin Province. In Ban Thai village, Moo 11, in Si Kharin District, a female cow belonging to 66-year-old resident Thani Datsatrop was killed by lightning while tied to a teak tree in a rice field. The tree bore clear scorch marks from the strike, and authorities believe the lightning struck the tree directly, electrocuting the animal tied to it. Residents gathered at the scene expressed shock and fear, with some who were preparing their fields for rice planting particularly alarmed about their own safety.

Thani recounted that he was heading out to lead the cow back to its pen when the storm suddenly rolled in with heavy rain. A deafening clap of thunder made him drop to the ground in fear. When he approached to check, he found the cow already dead with visible burn marks. "I was lucky I hadn't reached where the cow was tied yet, or I could have been struck too," he said. No people were injured or killed in the incident. Thani expressed distress over the loss, noting the cow had been well cared for, and appealed to relevant agencies for assistance with his financial loss.

Thai Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. held a ceremony to present the "Star of Success" award, inducting two Thai riders from Yamaha Thailand Racing Team into the YAMAHA RACING CORNER HALL OF FAME. The honored riders are Tee Anupap Samul and Idea Kritphat Khueankham, who demonstrated exceptional performance at the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) 2026 opening round.

The ceremony was attended by Pongsathorn Ueumngulchai, Executive Chairman, and Ukrit Phakvirvat, Deputy Managing Director of Commercial Planning and Marketing at Thai Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. The riders joined company executives for photos and celebrations with the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team, while also mingling with employees and distributing treats to staff members who came to congratulate them.

At the 2026 ARRC Round 1, held April 10-12 at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, Idea Kritphat delivered a masterful performance by winning both races in the Asia Production 250cc class, accumulating a perfect 50 points and holding the championship lead. Rising star Gus Thiranai Thabthim, competing on a wildcard entry, finished 10th in the first race with 6 points and contributed to Yamaha's first-place team standing in the category.

Meanwhile, Tee Anupap secured second place in the SuperSport 600cc opening race, collecting 24 points and maintaining a position among the championship leaders.

The 2026 ARRC Round 2 will take place May 8-10 at Chang International Circuit in Buriram Province. Motorsports fans can support the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team via their Facebook page and watch live streaming through the Asia Road Racing Championship official channel.