The Department of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Commerce announced on April 25, 2025, that 27 products in the pottery, handicraft, and natural material product categories (excluding agricultural goods and textiles) have been registered as geographical indications (GI) from 39 provinces nationwide, generating a combined market value of 440 million baht in 2025.

These statistics reflect not only the integration of natural resources with local wisdom but also demonstrate the value, standards, quality, and reputation of Thai GI products recognized at both national and international levels.

Ormorn Sapsapattana, director of the Department of Intellectual Property, revealed that the department aims to develop community economies through GI registration and protection to build confidence and promote market opportunities for Thai community-branded products. This effort forms part of the government's 10 Plus economic policy in the SMEs Plus dimension, designed to enhance competitiveness for Thai entrepreneurs, as well as the policy priorities of Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Suthammanont, who emphasizes strengthening SMEs through community economic development via GI.

GI products are distinguished by their unique quality and identity linked to their origin, including geography, climate, and long-inherited local wisdom. These factors create distinctive products that stand out when combined with rigorous production quality controls, thereby adding value and earning recognition from both domestic and international consumers.

Thailand currently has 256 GI products, with over 210 in the agriculture and agricultural processing categories. The remaining products span diverse categories including textiles, pottery, handicrafts, and natural material products—all serving as Thailand's soft power recognized internationally.

Among pottery, handicraft, and natural material GI products, the top five value-generating products in 2025 are:

Rank 1: Phatthalung kratip leads with the highest value of 150 million baht in 2025. Current retail prices average 300 baht per piece, representing a 50% increase from the pre-GI price of 200 baht per piece. Phatthalung kratip is produced in Phatthalung Province's swampland and wetland areas with freshwater, brackish, and saltwater conditions. The geography features lagoon-like formations with two rainy seasons (October-January and May-September), ensuring year-round humidity ideal for kratip palm growth. The resulting fiber is tough, non-brittle, non-cracking, and uniform in size. The white clay in the region gives kratip its glossy sheen and excellent flexibility, enabling high-quality production of diverse woven products—from daily-use items and table accessories to decorative pieces and souvenirs—designed and decorated in ways that reflect the lifestyle of Phatthalung residents.

Actress Amy Thetsara experienced an unsettling moment when an overzealous fan approached her closely at a coffee shop, staring directly at her. The incident has left many fans concerned about her safety since the video circulated online.

Recently, Amy was spotted with close friend Bonnie Patrapasit at an L'Oreal Paris event launching the new Infallible Fresh Wear Cushion Raffia Limited Edition at Siam Square ONE, where she discussed the incident.

Amy recounted: "I didn't really notice what was happening at first. I didn't know someone was filming or that someone would follow me. Suddenly, this person came up close and stared right at me. I was confused about what they wanted. I was scared because I was about to pay and enter my bank PIN, so I asked what they wanted. They said they didn't want anything, just that they were concerned about me. I felt bad for the people in the shop because it got a bit loud, so I decided to leave. I went outside to wait for my coffee, and then they followed me out too."

When asked if she found it strange, she replied: "It was definitely strange because the person taking photos seemed like the twin of the person who came up to me. They didn't come alone."

Regarding her precautions now, Amy said: "There's definitely some fear because they got so close. Some people told me that if they wanted to harm me, they could have done it since they were that close. After that incident, I've been more cautious. But I'm not sure what to do because there are always people waiting outside the GMM building. I've actually stopped going out for coffee as much. The staff at the building who heard about it are worried too—they ask if I know this person and why they came so close as if they knew me. I tell them I don't know them. Everyone is concerned because the images look quite scary, but it's something we can't control."

Asking what message she has for people with this behavior, Amy said: "I understand everyone who loves me. When they see me, they're happy and want to be close. But sometimes when I'm not prepared, I get startled. So I'd like to ask fans to greet me in a sweet way. We can say hello, but please do it gently and slowly."

Toyota held its third open house event to build customer confidence, showcasing its world-class manufacturing process at the Ban Pho plant under the 'Toyota Trusted Services Open House III' program. The initiative has reached its third edition, allowing media personnel to experience the operations of various departments and reinforce assurance that every Toyota vehicle is manufactured under strict standards for maximum quality before delivery to customers worldwide.

According to Somkhit Praditsgarnchai, Senior Managing Director of Toyota Motor Thailand Limited, Toyota Trusted Services represents a service experience designed to build customer confidence and peace of mind from the moment someone becomes a Toyota owner—from standard quality from the beginning, through delivery to customers, and throughout vehicle use.

The Ban Pho plant is a world-class manufacturing facility where Toyota actually produces vehicles, not merely assembles them. It is Toyota's only facility worldwide capable of manufacturing vehicles for export back to Japan. The plant produces Toyota Hilux legendary pickup trucks, which began exporting to Japan in 2017, and this year added the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ model—a quality guarantee reflecting high manufacturing standards. Previously, Toyota manufactured Land Cruiser exclusively in Japan.

The Ban Pho factory operates on 1,500 acres and began production in 2007, with a maximum capacity of 230,000 vehicles annually. It produces pickup trucks and multipurpose vehicles across six main production lines, utilizing advanced digital technology including the E-KANBAN system for inventory management and real-time transport systems to ensure continuous production, reduce costs, increase efficiency, and maximize resource value.

The facility implements the Toyota Production System (TPS), a globally recognized manufacturing system emphasizing high quality, reasonable costs, and short lead times. It operates on two pillars: Just in Time—producing vehicles exactly when and in the quantities customers need—and Jidoka, which guarantees quality through strict adherence to standards by both Toyota and component suppliers without exception. Toyota monitors every production step using the POKAYOKE system, an automated mechanism that detects anomalies and errors.

The manufacturing process includes: the stamping shop, which produces body components in various sizes using advanced technology at a capacity of 2,380 pieces per hour with excellent quality control; the welding shop, which joins body structures using robot systems controlled by computer for maximum accuracy and energy efficiency; the painting shop, where Toyota was Thailand's first manufacturer to use advanced water-based painting technology that is environmentally friendly by reducing volatile organic compounds harmful to respiratory systems; and the molding shop.

CHIANGMAI — On Saturday, April 25, 2026, a drunken woman sat in the middle of a road in San Kamphaeng district, forcing several vehicles to swerve abruptly and narrowly avoid hitting her, according to authorities.

A patrol unit from a local rescue team responded to reports that a woman was attempting to get herself struck by traffic on the San Pa Kha–Bo Sang road.

At the scene, the woman was found intoxicated and sitting in the roadway, creating a dangerous situation for passing motorists. Several vehicles were seen taking sudden evasive action to avoid a collision.

Rescue workers and police officers worked together to calm the woman before safely escorting her off the road to a secure area to prevent potential harm.

At 7:30 a.m. on April 25, 2026, Lt. Weerawut Siri of Phra Samut Chedi Police Station in Samut Prakan received a report of a female body discovered in an overgrown field near a futsal court at an abandoned transportation office compound in Ban Pla Kod Subdistrict, Phra Samut Chedi District, Samut Prakan. Officers including Deputy Commander Prabhat Mangkang, Police Major Patchnkorn Kanjina, and other personnel rushed to investigate.

The scene was a vacant 10-rai field covered almost entirely with grass. The former transportation office branch had relocated years earlier. The body, found lying face-down in the grass, was that of a woman wearing a black hooded jacket over a pink and red silk scarf, black sweatpants, and white-and-black sneakers. Blood was visible on her face and the ground. Officers cordoned off the area before forensic teams conducted a detailed examination.

Initial investigation identified the deceased as Miss Phim (alias), 26, from Koh Kaew Subdistrict, Muang Phuket, Phuket Province. When the body was moved, a 9mm GLOCK pistol was found beneath her. She had a gunshot wound to the right temple with the bullet passing through the left side of her head. Medical estimates indicated death occurred 6-8 hours prior.

Motorcycle taxi driver Theerasak, 64, stated that around 6:30 a.m., he had dropped off passengers before parking his bike and stepping out to urinate near the field. He noticed what appeared to be someone lying in the grass, approached to investigate, and discovered the body. Shocked, he ran to alert police and rescue teams.

Family members revealed the victim had recently moved from Phuket Province to stay with relatives in an adjacent village since October. They noted she had mild mental health issues, never sought medical treatment, sometimes spoke to herself, and occasionally seemed distant. She was unemployed and left home around 3:00 p.m. the previous day dressed entirely in black with a black mask. Relatives believed she was job hunting, as she had mentioned to neighbors seeking employment assistance. The motive behind the incident remains unknown.