Thammasak Setrathum, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siam Cement Public Company Limited (SCG), revealed that the company achieved 6.223 billion baht in profit for the first quarter of 2025, with sales revenue of 123.327 billion baht. Adjusted Cash EBITDA—excluding inventory adjustments, impairments, and non-recurring items—reached 14.929 billion baht, a 17% increase.

Amid Middle East tensions driving volatility in energy and raw material prices, which impact the global economy including Thailand and multiple industries, SCG has implemented proactive strategies to absorb and manage the situation. In the short term, the company operates a Daily War Room command center to monitor and manage raw material costs and energy expenses, address oil supply shortages through improved energy efficiency and alternative energy sources, reduce transportation costs, and maintain strict fiscal discipline through restructuring and discontinuing unprofitable operations.

"These measures have achieved cost savings exceeding 4.3 billion baht, while working capital increased by 2.438 billion baht. Capital expenditure was controlled at 5.482 billion baht, reducing net debt by 2.813 billion baht. The net debt-to-EBITDA ratio improved to 5.0 times from 5.5 times. Financial position remains stable with 67.137 billion baht in cash reserves," the company stated.

For the 2025-2026 two-year plan, SCG focuses on building competitive strength through diverse production bases across ASEAN, improving manufacturing efficiency and product quality—projected to reduce costs region-wide by approximately 3.3 billion baht annually. The LSPE project at Long Son Petrochemicals in Vietnam, launching late 2025, will enhance feedstock flexibility and is expected to generate 6 billion baht in annual cost savings.

The company is pushing green products, quality goods at competitive prices, and high-value-added products while pursuing a strategic joint venture in olefins and polyolefins between GC and SCGC, expected to conclude by third quarter 2025. SCG is also advancing its integrated clean energy business to reduce costs and fossil fuel volatility. While closely monitoring global developments, the company remains confident in its strong financial position, adequate cash reserves, and capacity for sustained long-term growth.

Chalitrat Jantarubeeksa, known as "Big Mhong," has been re-elected for a third term as president of the Thai Squash Association, Royal Patronage. He is prepared to continue developing youth squash athletes from the regions and will introduce a Pakistani foreign coach to reinforce the national team.

The Thai Squash Association, Royal Patronage, held its 2026 annual general meeting on April 30 at the Fueang Fah Conference Room, Golden Tulip Sofferine Hotel in Bangkok. The key agenda item was electing a new association president following the completion of Chalitrat Jantarubeeksa's second term. The election proceeded smoothly, with Chalitrat being the sole nominee for a third term and receiving unanimous support from club members within minutes.

Chalitrat expressed gratitude to all club members, the committee, staff, and athletes who supported his nomination. He committed to fully executing his duties to advance Thai squash sports. He will continue the existing policy of expanding and developing squash as a grassroots sport among youth to develop more athletes. The association has faced a shortage of competitive athletes, limiting options for international advancement. In the past year, the association has partnered with multiple educational institutions and schools, allocating budget to build squash courts at educational facilities for training young athletes. Most recently, courts were donated to a school in Sangkhla Buri, Kanchanaburi Province.

Chalitrat noted that while the association was fortunate to receive budget support from PTT Oil and Retail Company (OR), funding remains insufficient for continuous development, particularly in youth athlete creation. He pointed out that the main issue is inadequate state support through the Sports Development Fund and Thailand Sports Authority, with all sports associations experiencing budget cuts and insufficient funding for both national and international competitions. Nevertheless, the association will continue progressing and developing.

Akkarin Hiranyaprueksa, secretary-general of the Thai Squash Association, outlined the association's plans for the year. Beyond expanding youth athlete development, a key priority is sending athletes to compete at the Asian Games in Japan in September. The association has hired a Pakistani foreign coach, recognized for developing Malaysian squash athletes to continental prominence. He will oversee Thai athletes for six months through the Asian Games, helping develop technique, establish training systems, prepare teams, and advance athletes to the international level. If results are positive, collaboration may extend through the SEA Games in Malaysia in two years.

Mari Ruumet's path to becoming the first Rajadamnern champion in the 112-pound women's division has been anything but easy.

This Saturday, May 2, the RWS event opens May's action with a heated main event: a women's 112-pound Rajadamnern title defense between current champion Mari Ruumet and challenger Jitti Manpommaymuaythaigym, a skilled fighter crowned champion at the Muaythai Soft Power Championship.

This marks only the second title defense in the division's history. The belt was established earlier this year, with its first champion crowned at the RWS event on February 28, when Mari Ruumet defeated Saidania Lukthraigongdin to become the division's inaugural champion in magnificent fashion.

Mari's Muay Thai journey began at age 15, when she asked her parents to move to Thailand so she could pursue the sport—a childhood dream inspired by the legendary champions Buakaw Banchamek and Saenchai PK.Saenchai. Nine years have passed since that decision, filled with both triumphs and disappointments. Before claiming the 112-pound title, she suffered a heartbreaking loss to Brazilian fighter Barbara Aguiar in a 118-pound title challenge, an early setback that tested her mentally.

But she persevered. In her most recent fight, Mari not only became the first 112-pound women's champion, she also made history as the first Estonian to win a Rajadamnern title. She acknowledges the difficulty of her journey: "I asked my parents to move to Thailand when I was 17 because I wanted to train Muay Thai and achieve success like Buakaw and Saenchai. Becoming a Rajadamnern champion wasn't easy, and the real challenge now is maintaining the title and staying at the top for as long as possible."

This Saturday, May 2, Mari begins her first title defense against Jitti. There's no room for surrender or retreat on either side—both fighters share the same goal: to reach the pinnacle of the Rajadamnern stage and claim the championship. This fight is guaranteed excitement. Don't miss it!

Welcoming Labor Day! Minimum wage is the key to lucky numbers for May 2, 2026 – Ae Chern Yim reveals the numbers this week after recently winning first prize and collecting another 200,000 baht. A popular program borrows fortune from lucky people in gray shirts to pick the winning numbers.

The "Number Unlock" program this week revealed lucky number predictions, saying "Who would think that 'minimum wage' would become the key to this week's lottery numbers?" The program set up equations and calculated numbers based on Thailand's May minimum wage, comparing it with historical data from previous years. They found it consistently matched the last two digits throughout.

Minimum wage: The key to lucky numbers for May 2, 2026

The program calculated using May 2, 2025 figures as guidance for 2026, comparing the last two digits from May 2025 before finalizing the predictions:

Two-digit numbers: 64, 97 Three-digit numbers: 773 and 647

Meanwhile, another program "Trending Lottery" featured Ae Chern Yim, who won first prize on November 16, 2025. He shared that he's been buying lottery tickets since his twenties but only won around age 50. He emphasized that success requires patience and perseverance.

Ae Chern Yim's lucky numbers for May 2, 2026: He recommended 5 as the key number, 8 as secondary, with 7 and 9 not to be ignored, keeping 64 and 320 in reserve. His three-digit predictions are:

5 (key number) 8 (secondary) 3 (paired)

A man in a gray shirt who borrowed fortune for the program drew ping-pong balls and selected 8-4-6, which matched one digit with Ae Chern Yim's prediction.

CHONBURI — Thai cyber police have arrested a 42-year-old Swedish-Finnish man for allegedly hacking hotel systems and running a phishing scam that tricked dozens of guests into transferring money for fake damage claims.

At around 14:00 on 29 April 2026, the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), or cyber police, announced the arrest of Mikael Toni Kristian at a residence in Tambon Takhian Tia, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi. Officers seized 25 items of evidence, including computers, hard drives and mobile phones.

Police said the suspect, an IT specialist who has lived with his Thai wife—an employee at a hotel in Pattaya—for over eight years, allegedly used his access knowledge to obtain customer database information.

According to investigators, he then created fake websites and email accounts impersonating the hotel, sending messages to guests claiming they had damaged hotel property and were required to pay compensation. Victims, both Thai and foreign tourists, reportedly transferred money believing the claims were genuine.

Authorities said more than 35 people were affected, with total damages estimated at around 100,000 baht. The hotel later filed a complaint, leading to the investigation and arrest.

Police have urged potential victims to come forward and file complaints with the cyber police, while also advising travellers to verify any suspicious payment requests directly with hotels before transferring money.