The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) announced that Thailand's Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) reached 108.69 in March 2025, expanding 0.75% from the same period last year, with manufacturing capacity utilization at 64.61%. The petroleum industry expanded 1.48%, while industrial goods exports grew substantially at 21.10%—marking 21 consecutive months of expansion—and the automotive sector returned to growth at 0.55%.

Automobile bookings at Motor Show 2026 totaled 132,951 units, up 55,572 units or 71.8% compared to the previous year, reflecting strong demand for modern vehicles, particularly electric and hybrid models. This surge stems from volatile oil prices, worsening PM 2.5 pollution, and government incentive programs including EV 3.0 and EV 3.5 initiatives, which have encouraged consumers to prioritize fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles.

These trends are expected to boost automotive production and domestic component usage, supporting Thailand's transition toward becoming a regional center for modern vehicle manufacturing. International tourist arrivals grew 2.0% to 2.8 million, benefiting related industries. The first-quarter 2025 MPI reached 102.76, expanding 0.83% year-on-year with average capacity utilization at 61.26%.

Government stability and smooth governance transition have supported the continuation of economic stimulus programs and projects. Officials expect Thailand's industrial sector to gradually recover throughout 2025, provided risks from global trade policies and geopolitical tensions are managed effectively. However, April 2025 signals warrant caution, as Middle East tensions raise energy costs and logistics expenses, while persistent trade barriers and import competition increase pressure on domestic manufacturers.

The National Savings Fund (NSF) released survey results showing the precarious financial situation of Thai workers, with 79.1% having no savings. A survey conducted by the Thai Chamber of Commerce Poll and the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at the Thai Chamber of Commerce found that 98% of workers earning up to 15,000 baht carry an average household debt of 500,000 baht, with the most alarming finding being that 79.1% of workers have no savings, forcing them to borrow more due to insufficient income.

Since income falls short of expenses, the NSF aims to help convert "sweat equity" into accessible "pension payments" for all informal workers. The NSF positions itself as a solution designed specifically for informal workers' financial planning, offering three key strengths: First, savers receive government contribution matching of up to 100% depending on age, capped at 1,800 baht annually, providing guaranteed returns and retirement security. Second, high flexibility—given that 68% of workers consider the current minimum wage inadequate, the NSF offers flexible savings starting from just 50 baht per contribution, with a maximum of 30,000 baht annually and no requirement to save every month. Third, lifetime pension—since 21.9% of workers face high unemployment risk, NSF membership guarantees "monthly pension payments" for life after age 60, regardless of employment circumstances.

The NSF recognizes that rising costs of living make saving difficult, but views NSF savings not as an added burden but as self-rescue planning for the future. A 50-baht contribution today, combined with government matching and investment returns, becomes an important financial foundation when working years end. Eligible members include self-employed individuals, informal workers, small traders, motorcycle taxi drivers, and general workers aged 15-60. Workers are encouraged to seize this Labor Day opportunity to start saving for themselves by registering through the NSF mobile application or calling the savings hotline at 02-049-9000, or messaging Line: @nsf.th during business hours.

On April 30, 2025, at 9:30 AM, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin, accompanied by Permanent Secretary Dr. Raveewan Pooripetch and other ministry officials, made an official visit to Luang Prabang province, Lao PDR, to hold policy-level discussions on environmental management and conservation of the Luang Prabang UNESCO World Heritage Site. The delegation met with Luang Prabang's provincial governor and officials from heritage protection, culture and tourism, and agriculture and environment departments.

The discussions focused on environmental management in the old city, with an exchange of ideas on waste management, wastewater treatment, and pollution control in protected areas to preserve the heritage city's landscape and ecosystem. Both parties discussed balancing tourism promotion with universal value conservation and strengthening community-level environmental management through knowledge and technology transfer mechanisms.

Minister Suchat stated: "Luang Prabang is not merely a Lao heritage site, but a heritage of the ASEAN region and the world. Preserving this beauty requires strong environmental management. This visit represents an exchange of experiences in managing world heritage sites, similar to Thailand's nomination of Chiang Mai-Lanna as a living city UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is currently undergoing evaluation. What matters most is ensuring that once inscribed, we maintain the site's values sustainably in the long term."

Both parties agreed to develop a joint action plan for staff exchange and learning activities to ensure Luang Prabang maintains effective environmental management and remains a model living heritage city. The cooperation emphasizes the ministry's role in systematically driving environmental work and integrating cooperation across all sectors at national and regional levels to elevate natural resource and environmental management standards to international levels and improve citizens' quality of life.

It hasn't been easy getting here! Pond Naravit puts work first, and opportunities like this don't come around often – he was shocked to discover a fan had hidden a camera inside their glasses, emphasizing this is unacceptable behavior.

After a video surfaced showing a fan wearing glasses with a hidden camera while participating in a benefit event with "Pond and Phuwinit," other fans expressed discomfort, citing concerns about privacy and safety.

On April 29, Pond Naravit appeared at the It'S SKIN Clinical Solution Plump & Glow Experience as the brand's new presenter at CentralwOrld's Eden zone on the first floor, where he addressed the situation. Pond admitted he was shocked when he saw the video since he hadn't actually noticed it at the time – he was fully focused on entertaining all his fans. He stressed that this behavior violates regulations and should not be done, asking everyone to respect the guidelines for propriety and fairness among all fans attending the event.

Currently, Pond's schedule is packed with series filming and preparations for a couple's concert. He's already discussed concepts with Phuwinit and the team and is determined to deliver something as excellent as the first concert. While such a demanding schedule does concern him regarding his health, he believes opportunities like this don't come around often, as the journey to reach this point hasn't been easy.

When asked about his heavy workload: "Yes, I feel disconnected from people because we're on set. Today I'm very excited to see fans – they've been waiting since morning! I'm really happy."

Has it been like this the whole time? "Yes, I'm happy every time. I'm actually worried when we disappear to film a series or work, not seeing fans. I wonder if they'll still think of us. Today I'm extremely happy to see everyone."

You've only been gone less than five days? "Believe it or not, last time I went to a phone launch and completely forgot it was five days. It felt like such a long time not seeing everyone."

With this much work, aren't you worried your body won't hold up? "To be honest, I am somewhat worried about my physical health. But what's really important is that we need to be healthy mentally first. I think this opportunity doesn't come around often, so I'm doing my very best."

How do you balance work and personal life? "I choose to prioritize work first. It's not easy to reach this point, so I want to give it my all. Simply put, I want to preserve this as long as possible."

What comes second? "Exercise. Even when I'm not working, I make time to work out. It's become a part of my life now. If I don't exercise or take care of myself, I feel strange and empty."

Have you become addicted to exercise? "I think it's a good addiction. It helps with my strength and also with my dancing. We have the JASP.ER group."

What about the concert? "I'm really happy about it. But right now there's one mission I need to complete first – the LOL concert. For the couple's concert, we've already discussed songs and copyright issues, and we're planning various performances. I see fans are really waiting, so I'm excited wondering if it'll sell out. But we'll definitely give it our all."

Do you have to compete for songs? "Regarding songs, I haven't really discussed it much with others yet, so I don't know what they're choosing. But we're trying to select songs that match this year's couple concert concept. I could actually spoil it – we already have a concept, but I won't say what it is yet. We've already discussed it with Phuwinit and the senior management team."

At 10:30 AM on April 30, 2569, Parliament Speaker Sopon Saranyut presided over a live question session where Nattapong Ruengpanya, a People's Party list MP, sought to question Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister regarding oil storage matters. However, Anutin delegated Deputy PM Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, who in turn delegated Transport Deputy Minister Siripong Angkhaskuldee to answer on his behalf. Nattapong objected, explaining he had coordinated since April 29 to speak directly with either Anutin or Pipat, emphasizing the issue involved high-level government connections to dark money networks and oil hoarding schemes that required answers from top officials, not subordinates. He outlined five suspicious coincidences to present, including connections between alleged oil trader "Mo-ng" (identified as Sian Tutor) and BCPG oil company. Parliament Speaker Sopon ruled the question admissible under parliamentary rules allowing delegated responses, while opposition lawmakers protested that substantive government accountability required direct answers from senior officials rather than subordinates.

Better World Green Company Limited (BWG), a leader in comprehensive industrial waste management, announced today its official readiness to resume full 100% operations across all work areas following a final safety inspection by the Department of Industrial Works and Saraburi provincial inspectors. The company completed all necessary repairs and improvements to meet safety standards within just seven days, earning praise for its efficient and swift crisis management that demonstrated high professionalism and social responsibility.

The fire incident was limited in scope and caused no serious harm. The incident occurred in a closed section of the industrial waste landfill awaiting permanent closure, with the fire originating only from an HDPE plastic cover sheet used to protect soil according to environmental standards. The damage did not spread to critical operational areas or hazardous waste containment, and core infrastructure and safety systems remained fully operational. Swift response measures allowed authorities to control the situation quickly. Government inspections confirmed there were no injuries or deaths, no damage to public property in surrounding communities, and no air pollution or chemical levels exceeding standards contrary to some media concerns. The company has now installed new HDPE cover sheets in all damaged areas according to advanced engineering standards as directed by officials, and government agencies unanimously approved the company's return to normal operations across all work sites.

Beyond recovery efforts, BWG has also strengthened safety standards further under a Safety Excellence framework, upgrading fire prevention and emergency response plans, installing active surveillance systems with increased inspection frequency of extended areas and risk points 24/7, and deploying community relations teams to provide transparent information to residents. The company's return to operations signals BWG's commitment to advancing the nation's environmental management sector with stability and sustainability, while maintaining the trust of business partners and communities.