Don Kamyan snakehead fish has enjoyed a stellar reputation for over 80 years. Historical records from 1923-1935 documented that snakehead from the Don Kamyan Canal possessed superior flavor to fish from other sources. In 1980, the Department of Fisheries officially recognized it as the most renowned snakehead source in Central Thailand.

When crayfish farmers encountered disease outbreaks in 2002-2003, the Fisheries Office actively promoted switching to Don Kamyan snakehead farming, given the species' remarkable hardiness and disease resistance. A fisheries director so admired the fish's exquisite taste that he introduced the breed to Bang Bo District in Samut Prakan Province, establishing the foundation for commercial snakehead farming operations.

The name "Don Kamyan snakehead" derives from the Don Kamyan Canal, which winds through eight districts in Suphan Buri Province: Muang, Sri Prachan, Sam Chuk, Dem Bang Nang Buach, Don Chedi, Bang Pla Ma, Song Phi Nong, and U Thong. The fish flourish abundantly in this region due to its low-lying topography, which frequently experiences prolonged flooding. This causes kamyan plants (Sida acuta) to decompose in the water. When snakehead feed on the fragrant kamyan roots, they develop their distinctive aromatic, delicious flavor—a unique characteristic. This earned Don Kamyan snakehead registration as the province's second Geographical Indication (GI) product, following Suphan silk.

Historically, kamyan plants grew abundantly near Don Kamyan Subdistrict in Muang District, Suphan Buri Province, hence the name "Don Kamyan." Naturally, kamyan is a small climbing plant with single leaves, white fragrant flowers, and aromatic roots with distinctive properties. The roots are traditionally used to create incense sticks, scented candles, scented water, and natural insect repellents.

Today, wild kamyan plants are scarce. The Suphan Buri Provincial Agricultural Office has tasked the Bung Chawa Commemorative Local Vegetable Park in Dem Bang Nang Buach District with propagating and distributing kamyan plants to local snakehead farmers and residents, who plant them along waterways to sustain the fish's signature flavor.

Don Kamyan snakehead is an indigenous breed of Suphan Buri with a leaf-like, flat, elongated body marked with black stripes. The flesh is white with a pinkish hue and minimal belly fat, delivering excellent taste. Products are marketed in diverse forms: fresh, trimmed, sun-dried, and crispy fried. Harvested fish typically weigh 5-12 per kilogram.

"We use 'Don Kamyan' as our gimmick," explained Arisaa Yeuk Yen, leader of the Ban Du Tham Local Fishing Community. "It's the origin of Don Kamyan snakehead. We cultivate and conserve kamyan and Sida acuta plants—what we call 'the fragrant root spirit'—which possess remarkable medicinal and nutritional value. They support circulatory health, particularly for men, boosting male vitality and virility, the Thai way."

Today, the Ban Du Tham Local Fishing Community in Suphan Buri serves as a learning hub for complete-cycle Don Kamyan snakehead processing, holding certification from the Department of Fisheries. The community emphasizes semi-natural farming: regular pond cleaning, sludge removal, pH balancing, and planting lotus and morning glory as fish shelter. Fish consume aquatic plants naturally in the water column.

The operation prioritizes low-cost farming using primarily natural feed—what's called "natural agricultural principles" or "fish sandwich" methods and fermented rice straw feeding (fish forage). Following Department of Fisheries guidance, this approach significantly reduces farming costs by minimizing commercial feed consumption.

The beloved on-screen duo returns in the WeTV Original series "Love of Silom." Stars Up Bhoomipat Eamsumang and Poom Puriphan Sapsawat have shared details about their roles in the production.

What is "Love of Silom" about? Up explains: "It's a story about an impossible love between a police officer and a bar host. It unfolds in an unexpected setting, and you'll have to watch to see how such a connection becomes possible." Poom adds: "Its charm lies in how something that seems impossible actually becomes possible."

Regarding their characters: Up: "I play Krit, a young police officer who grew up in a strict family framework. My father was a police officer who established the foundation for everything." Poom: "I play Vayu, who grew up in a less warm household without a father. My character had to sacrifice his dreams to provide for his family, including caring for a nephew."

Is this Up's first police role? Up: "Yes. I did research on police procedures and developed the necessary skills. The production provided workshops, and I trained additionally myself. For example, I took jujutsu classes to enhance the action scenes. I've done action scenes before, but never at this scale. I suffered some injuries during rehearsals—once falling from a height and couldn't walk for two weeks. I went to the hospital daily for shock wave therapy and physical rehabilitation to recover in time. I gave it my all."

For Poom playing a bar host: Poom: "The biggest challenge was dancing, as I had no experience. But everyone was supportive and helped. When I learned there would be many performance scenes, I took additional dance classes to ensure the best outcome." Up: "Beyond developing our characters and scripts, we each trained in separate skills, then reunited for later workshops. Watching each other improve and seeing the bar scenes develop was rewarding."

Poom: "I committed fully to the performances, wanting them to be captivating to viewers. Beyond the intense storyline and dancing, I had to understand the character's relationships, profession, and mindset deeply, since bar work involves psychological interaction. I researched actual bars and spoke with people in the industry to avoid stereotyping."

What other themes does the series explore? Up: "The series has multiple storylines—investigation elements, thriller aspects, family dynamics, and the loves of those close to the main characters." Poom: "Beyond romance, there's a legal case that entangles both characters and serves as a pivotal turning point. My character's family storyline, particularly caring for a nephew with speech difficulties, adds emotional depth to their relationship."

Final message: Poom: "Watch 'Love of Silom.' Three episodes have already aired, with 12 total. Stream on WeTV every Friday at 2 PM." Up: "We also have our channel 'Up & Poom Official' where we're very much ourselves. We'd love for everyone to join our family. Please subscribe!" —Jiranart Jongprasop Mongkol

Sakamoto Math, a Japanese supplementary mathematics institute, officially launched in Thailand at the Sakamoto Math Grand Opening Thailand event recently held at Little Walk Ramkhamhaeng in Bangkok. The event invited parents and children to experience the systematic mathematics learning approach through the Sakamoto Method, under the concept "Smart Summer Kick-Off: Every Problem Has a Solution," aimed at helping children think analytically, analyze problems, and solve them with confidence.

Sakamoto Math was founded by Dr. Hideo Sakamoto in Osaka, Japan in 1975 and developed the Sakamoto Method, a learning approach that helps children understand problems through key steps: understanding the problem's relationships, drawing diagrams to aid thinking, writing logical sequences, and finding accurate answers. It also enhances logical thinking skills, analysis, and visual perception naturally.

Dr. Hideo Sakamoto stated that learning mathematics is not just about finding the correct answer or relying on calculators, but the core is "organizing one's thinking system." This method will help Thai children overcome mathematics anxiety, understand logical thinking processes, and enjoy solving problems with real-world applications.

Currently, Sakamoto Math operates learning networks in multiple countries including Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar, before officially entering Thailand. The curriculum is accredited in Singapore and actively used in Southeast Asia with over 20,000 students. Research published in ASM Science Journal (2020) found that elementary students using this method showed improved mathematical problem-solving skills, with average scores increasing from 67.94 to 82.86, and demonstrated more positive attitudes toward learning compared to traditional teaching methods. Internationally, Sakamoto hosts the World Math Competition and graduation activities in various countries.

Cheroen Pengsat-porn, the primary franchise administrator in Thailand, stated that Thai children have high potential when given proper foundational thinking methods. The expectation is that this learning approach will provide tools to help children not only improve their mathematics performance in the classroom but also gain analytical thinking skills that will benefit them throughout their lives, confidently facing future challenges.

Sakamoto Math Thailand's course format offers a one-year curriculum per grade level, from Grade 1-6, in small groups of 5-6 students per class for close teacher supervision. Classes meet twice weekly for one hour each.

At the institute's opening event, prominent parents brought their math-loving children, including Thitinan Kiarti-paibuul and his daughter Vorwalai Boonsong, Visarut Chunhawat and son Nobvor Patmasat-yasandhi, Chantharoda Yukhol Uboldech-pracharak, Naphalaksa Srisoom, Orchuma Durongdech with her son Puritch Predanont, Rawiwal Tanaka and her son Akila Tanaka, and Ajcharaa Ratnathanasart with her three children Kanjon, Korn, and Prim Porwatpattana.

Children participated in three interactive activity rooms designed for hands-on thinking, guided closely by Dr. Hideo Sakamoto and Mr. Jeff Lefkee, founder of Sakamoto Worldwide, along with experts in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Parents had the opportunity to learn about the curriculum in detail. Interested parents can find more information on Facebook at SakamotoMathThailand or contact the center directly.

On May 6, 2025, Phuket tourism police, in coordination with the Tourism Business Registration office, deployed a patrol boat to arrest a Russian national in the middle of the sea off Phang Nga Bay after discovering he was illegally operating a tour business without proper authorization, taking work from Thai citizens. Police are preparing to seek visa revocation and deportation proceedings.

According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Saksirah Phueak-am, the Commander of the Tourist Police, strict enforcement measures have been ordered in coordination with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to crack down on foreigners illegally operating reserved Thai occupations.

Pol. Maj. Ekchai Siri, Chief of Phuket Tourist Police Station, revealed that following a tip through the 1155 hotline about foreign nationals advertising tour packages via Telegram, undercover officers posed as customers to purchase a fishing tour at 3,000 baht per person. On May 6, while the Russian guide was leading an undercover officer and six other foreign tourists on a fishing activity off Phang Nga Bay, tourism police apprehended him at sea.

The suspect faces three serious charges: 1. Operating a tour business without a license (Section 15 combined with Section 80 of the Tourism Business and Guide Act): punishable by imprisonment up to 2 years or fine up to 500,000 baht, or both 2. Acting as a tour guide without a license (Section 49 combined with Section 86 of the Tourism Business and Guide Act): punishable by imprisonment up to 1 year or fine up to 100,000 baht, or both 3. Working as a foreigner beyond authorized employment (Section 8 of the 2017 Foreign Workers Management Decree): subject to Section 101 penalties ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 baht fine

Following the completion of criminal proceedings, police will initiate procedures to revoke his residence permit (visa) and pursue his deportation through legal channels.

A cousin of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has acknowledged holding a 30 per cent stake in a payment platform linked by US authorities to cyber scams and money laundering operations across Southeast Asia.

Businessman Hun To, a nephew of former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, said in a statement on Wednesday that he owned shares in Huione Pay but was not involved in its management and received no profits from the company. His statement came after renewed scrutiny surrounding Phnom Penh-based Huione Group, which was designated by the US Treasury last year as a "primary money-laundering concern".

US authorities accused the group of helping transnational criminal networks move billions of dollars tied to online scams, stolen funds and illicit cyber activities. Cambodian business records previously listed Hun To as a director of Huione Pay. According to a liquidation report, Chinese national Li Xiong held a 62 per cent stake in the company, while Hun To owned 30 per cent. Li was extradited to China last month over alleged links to a major gambling and fraud syndicate.

Huione Pay completed its liquidation process in October 2025. Liquidators said the company still held more than US$1.1 million in cash after paying creditors, with the remaining funds distributed to shareholders involved in its previous operations. Hun To denied receiving any portion of the remaining assets.

The controversy comes as Cambodia faces increasing international pressure over its role as a regional hub for cyber scam operations. Criminal syndicates based in casinos, hotels and heavily guarded compounds have been accused of running online romance and cryptocurrency investment scams targeting victims worldwide.