Central Region Water Crisis Zone Critical as Usable Water Falls to Just 33%

On May 4, the National Water Resources Office released its comprehensive water situation assessment for the country. Currently, northern Thailand continues to experience scattered thunderstorms, while the southern region also sees isolated storms. Forecasts indicate increased rainfall in both northern and southern areas on May 5, with rainfall decreasing in the north but heavy in parts of the south from May 6-9.

Overall Reservoir Water Situation Total water volume: 59% of storage capacity (47,247 million cubic meters) Usable water volume: 41% (23,149 million cubic meters)

Regional Reservoir Water Status North: 15,939 million cubic meters (58%) Northeast: 5,663 million cubic meters (47%) Central: 655 million cubic meters (33%) East: 1,081 million cubic meters (35%) West: 19,007 million cubic meters (67%) South: 4,902 million cubic meters (63%)

Water Status in 3 Major EEC Dams Bang Phra: 56 million cubic meters (48%) Nong Pla Lai: 74 million cubic meters (45%) Prasae: 164 million cubic meters (56%)

Water Status in 4 Major Chao Phraya Basin Dams Bhumibol: 8,062 million cubic meters (60%) Sirikit: 5,560 million cubic meters (58%) Khwae Noi Bamrung Daen: 284 million cubic meters (30%) Pa Sak Cholasit: 206 million cubic meters (21%)

Water Quality Drinking water from the Chao Phraya River at the Samrong Chai pumping station in Pathum Thani meets standard specifications at under 0.25 grams per liter. Agricultural water from the Ta Chin River at Khlong Chinda in Nakhon Pathom and the Mae Klong River at Amphawa in Samut Songkhram also meet standards at under 2 grams per liter, with the exception of the Bang Pakong River at Wat Bang Thaen in Prachuap Khiri Khan, which exceeds standard levels.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said he arrived in the African nation of Eswatini on Saturday, days after his government was forced to push back the trip when several countries withdrew permission for him to fly over their territories reportedly over Chinese pressure.

In a post on X, Lai said he arrived in Eswatini — Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Africa — to "affirm our longstanding friendship." He said that Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy that China considers part of its territory, "will never be deterred by external pressures."

Lai was originally scheduled to visit the southern African country from April 22, but Taiwanese officials said that flight permits were revoked by Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar over "strong pressure from the Chinese authorities, including economic coercion."

In a separate Facebook post on Saturday, Lai wrote that the visit was made possible following careful arrangements by his diplomatic and national security teams. He said the trip will further deepen the friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini through closer economic, agricultural, cultural and educational ties.

"Our resolve & commitment are underpinned by the understanding that Taiwan will continue to engage with the world — no matter the challenges faced," Lai wrote on X. Taiwan did not announce latest plans of Lai's Eswatini visit prior to his arrival.

A spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement shortly after Lai posted on social media about his visit that he was "performing a laughable stunt in front of the world," and referred to him being "smuggled" out of Taiwan.

Lai's "undignified act" and visit "will always be a losing cause and nothing will ever change the fact that Taiwan is part of China," the ministry said. "We urge Eswatini and some other individual countries to see where the arc of history bends and stop serving as the prop of 'Taiwan independence' separatists."

In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwan's President William Lai Ching-te, center, is met by Eswatini King Mswati III in a military welcome ceremony at the Mandvulo International Conference Hall in Eswatini on Sunday, May 3, 2026 (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry hit back, saying Lai's trip was conducted "in accordance with international law, international norms, diplomatic practices" and Taiwan's regulations.

Lai's arrival in Eswatini was only announced after he landed safely, the ministry said in a written statement, a precaution which it said had numerous international precedents.

China has not ruled out using force to take control of Taiwan and has sought to block other countries from maintaining formal diplomatic ties with Taipei.

In 2023, Tsai Ing-wen was the most recent previous Taiwanese president to visit Eswatini, the small, landlocked nation with a population of around 1.2 million. Eswatini became the only African country excluded from tariff-free access to China's market.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce has warned the government to maintain financial reserves to prepare for unforeseen crises, expressing concerns that raising the debt ceiling to 75% would be extremely challenging if needed. Wisit Limlueechai, Vice Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, revealed details about the government's planned major economic stimulus measure 'Thailand Helps Thailand Plus' (the revised name for the 'Fifty-Fifty Plus' program), under which the government would contribute 60% and the public would contribute 40% to encourage consumer spending. He personally views the Fifty-Fifty Plus program as an effective measure for directly stimulating consumption, as it encourages people to spend more freely. However, more clarity is needed regarding the conditions and specifics from the government following formal Cabinet consideration. Regarding fiscal concerns, Wisit expressed confidence that the government can manage within the existing fiscal discipline framework. The current public debt-to-GDP ratio is approximately 66.6% of the 70% ceiling, leaving a remaining margin of about 4-5%, which represents hundreds of billions of baht still available for use. Additionally, the government could utilize budget savings from public sector cost reductions, such as eliminating unnecessary expenditures, canceling foreign study tours, and consolidating central budgets from various government agencies to allocate assistance to the public during this period of economic fragility and ongoing impacts from multiple factors. However, recognizing that government funds are limited, the government may need to carefully screen beneficiaries based on necessity, particularly vulnerable groups or those most severely affected. "The government must preserve reserves for unexpected situations in the future, because if we exhaust the funds up to the 70% debt ceiling and then face a compounded crisis, seeking Parliamentary approval to raise the ceiling to 75% would be extremely difficult," Wisit stated. Regarding Thailand's economic outlook for the second quarter, he expressed cautious optimism for growth from exports and tourism, particularly in electronics and high-value products that show expansion trends, while exports to the United States continue under the 10% tariff rate amid ongoing trade negotiations. Regarding the Middle East conflict situation, although it requires close monitoring, any de-escalation would help reduce pressure on commodity costs and transportation, especially for the agricultural and food sectors which can continue exporting, though domestic production costs remain elevated.

On May 4, 2569, Pol. Lt. Col. Jenpop Butgarinee, superintendent of Khao Phanom Police Station in Krabi, along with forensic officers and rescue units, investigated human remains discovered along the Kowtong-Khao Kaew road in Nakhon Sritummarat. The discovery came after villagers reported a foul smell in the area.

Initially, scattered hand and foot bones were found near the roadside, along with a white cloth, a wall clock, religious prayer papers, a pen, and a vehicle license plate numbered Khorompho 383 from Nakhon Sritummarat. Three hundred meters deeper into the forest, a complete body was discovered, estimated to have been dead for 2-3 days. The body showed signs of severe blunt force trauma to the left side of the skull, causing it to collapse. The victim was identified by relatives as Somphong, 70, a gardener and temple caretaker from Plaichao District, Krabi, who had disappeared on May 1 after leaving on his three-wheeled motorcycle with a trailer.

Somphong's sister, Prapian, 62, revealed that her brother was well-liked and had recently hired a worker in his 30s to work in his palm plantation and build a house. That morning, the worker had asked to borrow 300 baht; Somphong gave him 500 baht and suggested he leave because of his drug use. The worker later returned to sell Somphong a 200-liter water tank for 300 baht. The next morning, Somphong was missing. The family found the house ransacked with blood stains inside and reported him missing to Plaichao Police Station.

Pol. Lt. Col. Jenpop believes the suspect is the recently hired worker who attacked Somphong at his home, loaded the body onto the motorcycle trailer, dumped it, and returned to the scene the next morning. The suspect was spotted sitting at the crime scene by villagers passing by, but later disappeared. Investigators theorize the suspect then dragged the decomposing body deeper into the forest, where the skin on the hands and feet peeled away and scattered. The body was finally hidden 300 meters from the road. The suspect is believed to have recently rented a house with his wife in Plaichao District and is originally from one of three southern provinces. Police are intensifying efforts to identify and apprehend him.

Hukka Cafe Kanchanaburi, a well-known establishment, has announced its closure on May 5th following years of success. The cafe, located in Tha Maka Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province, operated for over four years and became famous for its scenic setting amid lush rice fields and a miniature train that delighted young visitors and their families.

On April 4th, the owner Richtanon Jirakulthanarak, known as Mel, age 35, shared his story. He pioneered the concept of opening a restaurant and cafe in the middle of rice paddies in Tha Maka, which inspired other investors to follow suit and open similar establishments in the area.

Over the past four years, Mel invested more than 10 million baht in improving and enhancing the cafe's appeal to attract tourists to the area. The venture was quite successful initially. However, the decision to close resulted from multiple factors, primarily the current economic downturn. Operating costs continuously rose, but the cafe couldn't raise prices accordingly. Despite maintaining a steady customer base, profit margins became virtually nonexistent.

Mel had considered closing since mid-2024, but his concern for longtime employees who had been with him since opening kept the cafe operational. After notifying staff, he announced the May 5th closure date. Following the shutdown, he will wait to see if anyone is interested in leasing the space. If no one leases it by year's end, he may pursue other business ventures on the land, but for now, he needs to take a break as he can no longer sustain the operational burden.

Notably, between April and May, four famous cafes in Kanchanaburi Province announced closures, all citing severe economic hardship, rising input costs, increasing electricity bills, and raw material expenses as primary reasons.

On May 4, 2025, at 3:30 PM, Pichanon Ingprasar, a Pheu Thai MP from Trat province, addressed allegations made by Phandil Nuamjim, a People's Party MP from Bangkok, who raised concerns about village chief and headman networks allegedly connected to drug trafficking during a parliamentary session on April 30.

Pichanon, who previously served as village chief of Bo Ploi subdistrict in Trat province and as deputy chairman of the Trat Province Village Chiefs and Headmen Association, said he was upset by the allegations. He noted that village chiefs, sub-district doctors, and other community officials had called him expressing that the debate had demoralized them.

He emphasized that the village chief and headman network is a major organization crucial to nation-building, operating 24/7 without days off, assisting all government ministries and departments without salary, only receiving compensation. He pointed out that district officials regularly conduct drug inspections during monthly meetings, and village chiefs themselves actively work to prevent and suppress drug trafficking in their areas.

When asked how accountability should be ensured, Pichanon stated that the People's Party and the MP who made the allegations must take responsibility. Regarding the People's Party's statement, he said if he were a village chief, he would consider a statement alone insufficient. He stressed that before making any statements that could affect any organization—whether village chiefs, the military, or even MPs themselves—one must consider carefully, as words carry weight.

"As an MP, showing responsibility should be understood clearly. If I said something that caused this much harm and demoralized people, I would know how to take responsibility. We must understand the hearts of village chiefs and headmen, which I understand well. When there were Thai-Cambodian border conflicts, those who didn't work on border security wouldn't know how exhausted village chiefs became. The compensation they receive is hardly enough to live on, yet they carry honor and dignity," Pichanon concluded.