On April 28, 2025, operators of an embroidery shop and document printing service in Nang Rong District, Buriram Province, appealed to the government to reconsider the new tiered electricity rate structure for businesses consuming over 400 units per month. The shop experiences peak electricity demand only during the school opening period when work volume is high, but during school closures when business slows, consumption drops below 400 units while revenue simultaneously declines. The business operators argue this new rate structure is unfair and places an unfair burden on business owners by raising the per-unit electricity cost, especially during economic hardship.

While supporting the government's policy to reduce electricity costs for residents using no more than 200 units, the operators contend that this burden should not be shifted to small businesses, particularly during periods of economic downturn when livelihoods are already strained and income is shrinking. They urge the government to reconsider this approach.

Trisit Tiaprasit, owner of the embroidery shop and document printing service located in front of Nang Rong City Shrine within Nang Rong Municipality, disclosed that his shop has consistently used more than 400 units monthly, but this month saw a reduction due to the school closure period when work diminished significantly and machinery and electrical equipment remained largely unused, causing revenues to drop proportionally.

He emphasized that the government should reconsider this measure, as some small businesses only consume high electricity during active work periods, while using less than 400 units during slow seasons, yet would still face the higher rate structure. This appears unjust to business owners. Rather than imposing rate increases, he suggested the government seek cooperation through awareness campaigns promoting alternative energy sources like solar panels, though he acknowledged that the current economic situation makes business owners reluctant to invest in additional infrastructure.

Singapore authorities have charged 18-year-old French national Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien with property damage and causing public nuisance after he posted a video of himself licking a straw from an automatic orange juice vending machine and placing it back in the dispenser on March 12 at a shopping mall. Local media reports that Maximilien, a student at ESSEC Business School's Singapore campus, posted the video on Instagram with a caption reading "city is not safe," which sparked widespread criticism on social media. The vending machine operator iJooz revealed it had to replace all 500 straws in the dispenser following the incident. If found guilty on both counts, Maximilien faces over two years imprisonment and fines amounting to several thousand dollars. ESSEC Business School confirmed it is conducting an internal investigation into the matter. Maximilien's attorney stated that his parents have arrived in Singapore and that a representative from ESSEC has provided bail during court proceedings, with the next hearing scheduled for May 22.

Former world snooker champion Neil Robertson has called for a ban on the cue chalk used by legendary snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan, stating that most players "hate it" and it "makes the table dirty and messy."

The chalk issue arose during a match where John Higgins defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan 13-12 in the World Snooker Championship Round of 16. During the match, Higgins encountered problems while shooting, with the cue ball not traveling in the intended direction. Despite pocketing the red ball successfully, the white ball positioning was unfavorable. This occurred because O'Sullivan continues to use the old Triangle brand chalk, which leaves marks on the felt, while most snooker players use the modern Taom brand chalk, which reduces "miscues" (unintended contact) and leaves no residue on the table. However, there is currently no rule against this chalk in professional snooker, meaning O'Sullivan has not violated any regulations.

Robertson, who faces Higgins in the quarterfinals, expressed relief at not facing O'Sullivan due to the chalk issue. "I'd rather play John because I won't have to deal with the chalk Ronnie uses, which should be banned from the sport entirely. I don't understand how they allow it. No professional would ever allow anyone to use Triangle chalk on their own table," Robertson stated.

The 2010 world champion elaborated: "Every player hates it. It ruins the game. It causes miscues, makes balls jump, and dirties the table considerably. I know Ronnie is friends with artist Damien Hirst, but it's like he's creating artwork with chalk on the felt. I don't think he's trying to upset anyone—he's not that type of person—but he's almost the last person on the tour still using this chalk. I hope they announce a ban eventually."

Robertson also noted that he doesn't even allow practice partners to use this type of chalk. "This is something that should be discussed because it ruins the game and is unfair to other players. Shaun Murphy and I would like to see it disappear altogether," he said, jokingly referring to the incident as "Chalkgate." He noted that several snooker clubs have already banned it because it damages the felt.

Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry weighed in on the issue, saying: "Ronnie uses very old chalk that leaves heavy marks on the table, both on the cloth and along the rails. When the ball hits these marks, it can cause unpredictable bounces. The table feels heavier than normal, which other players aren't accustomed to because everyone uses modern chalk that doesn't leave marks and doesn't cause miscues. Recently, new chalk technology has come out that significantly reduces contact errors. Almost everyone has switched to it because it's superior. You don't have to wipe the cue ball as often, it leaves no residue, but Ronnie chooses to use the old chalk he's familiar with."

On April 28, 2025, police officers from Muang Phatthalung Police Station responded to a report of a man with mental illness acting erratically inside a home in Chai Buri Subdistrict, Muang District, Phatthalung Province. The man's mother requested assistance in transporting her 37-year-old son to Phatthalung Hospital for treatment.

When officers arrived, they found the patient barricaded in his bedroom refusing to open the door. At the mother's request, officers attempted to break down the door. As they entered, the patient suddenly burst out and lunged at Police Officer Somphorn Ketdaeng, the substation chief, stabbing him once in the left abdomen beneath his protective vest. Officers immediately transported Somphorn to Phatthalung Hospital, where his condition was initially reported as stable. Other police units successfully restrained the suspect without further incident.

The man's mother tearfully explained that her son has suffered from mental illness for years with frequent episodes requiring police intervention. Although the family has continuously sought treatment, the high costs of psychiatric care have made it impossible to afford proper care due to their financial hardship. She stated that the previous night, her son isolated himself in his room, speaking to himself and showing unusual behavior, prompting her to call for help. She had hoped to have him admitted to the hospital, but when officers entered, he apparently panicked as his condition worsened, leading him to attack the officer.

Major Sompracha Kankanant, superintendent of Muang Phatthalung Police Station, confirmed that the suspect is a psychiatric patient currently undergoing legal proceedings. Authorities are coordinating with relevant agencies for his continued care and treatment.

Cambodian police raided a suspected online scam operation in the border city of Poipet on Sunday, detaining multiple individuals as authorities face mounting international pressure to crack down on cybercrime networks. The Cambodian National Police said the operation took place at 17:00 in Balelay 2 village, Poipet commune, in cooperation with Banteay Meanchey provincial police and the Poipet City Administration. Officers searched the premises and arrested several suspects, including foreign nationals, while seizing evidence. Authorities said those detained remain under investigation, with legal proceedings pending. The crackdown comes as Cambodia faces heightened scrutiny from the international community over its efforts to dismantle scam compounds operating within its borders. During a recent visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi raised concerns over online scam networks in talks with Cambodian leaders, urging stronger enforcement. Meanwhile, the United States has imposed sanctions on a Cambodian senator accused of links to scam operations, adding further pressure on Phnom Penh to act.

This article was written by H.E. Mr. Evgeny Tomikhin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Thailand.

On April 20–21, 2026, the Russian city of Kazan hosted the 22nd Russia-ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting, a regular event in the evolving dialogue between Russia and the Association. This meeting took place in a symbolic year: 2026 marks the 35th Anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations – a partnership that had matured alongside profound transformations in the global order.

Anniversaries often invited reflection. Yet beyond ceremonial language, a more important question arose: what is the real substance of Russia-ASEAN cooperation today? And, more pointedly, does Russia indeed "have little to offer" Southeast Asia, as some commentators suggested?

Such claims tend to overlook a fundamental shift in how international partnerships are evaluated. ASEAN countries consistently emphasized pragmatism, strategic autonomy, and diversification. In this context, Russia's role should not be measured by comparison with any single external actor, but by the concrete value it brought across multiple domains.

Energy cooperation provides perhaps the clearest answer. On March 23, 2026, Russia and Vietnam signed an intergovernmental agreement to construct the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant – the first such facility in Southeast Asia. This is not a symbolic project. It involves advanced technology, long-term investment, workforce training, and the development of an entire ecosystem around peaceful nuclear energy. For a region facing rising energy demand, climate challenges, and the need for reliable baseload power, such cooperation speaks directly to ASEAN's priorities.

Russia possesses advanced and practical expertise in the field of small modular reactors (SMRs). Unlike many other countries where such technologies remain at the design stage, Russia already operates real, functioning solutions – including the world's first floating nuclear power plant, Akademik Lomonosov. These developments offer flexible, safe and cost-effective energy solutions, particularly relevant for archipelagic and remote areas. There is genuine interest in SMRs across ASEAN, and Russia stands ready to share its technologies and experience on a mutually beneficial basis.

Importantly, this project also illustrates a broader point: Russia's comparative advantage lies in sectors that require long-term commitment, technological depth, and respect for national development strategies. Nuclear energy, hydrocarbons, transport infrastructure, and food security are not areas of short-term engagement. They are foundational elements of economic sovereignty – something ASEAN states value highly.

Since 2024, Russia is also an ASEAN Digital Partner. Russian expertise in e-governance, digital public services, fintech solutions, and IT infrastructure development provides additional avenues for cooperation.