A historic opening with a giant wok showcasing the flavors of EEC spectacularly displayed on the beachfront stage in Pattaya, May 1-4, 2025. When food transcends the plate and takes center stage on the runway — the Colorful Eastern EEC Festival returns for its 15th edition in a grander new form under the theme 'EEC The Food Runway' from May 1-4, 2025 at Pattaya Central Beach Road, Chonburi Province. Organized by three provinces of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) — Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao — under the Chonburi Sports and Tourism Office, this event introduces a special concept titled 'From Local Cuisine to Modern Culinary Fashion,' elevating local products from the three provinces into creative experiences that blend food, art, fashion, and entertainment to meet modern tourists seeking both engaging content and delicious flavors.

The official opening ceremony on May 1, 2025 was presided over by Narisorn Niramaiwongse, Governor of Chonburi Province, who stated that the festival brings together 'the flavors of the Eastern region' in one comprehensive venue, offering tourists diverse dining experiences, quality local products, and an intimate encounter with Thai cultural atmosphere and charm. The event also serves as an important platform for restaurant operators, OTOP product manufacturers, and local entrepreneurs to showcase their capabilities, generate income, and create future business opportunities.

A key highlight of the opening ceremony is a spectacular giant wok featuring renowned ingredients from all three EEC provinces, symbolizing the combined strength of Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao. Visitors can taste the authentic flavors of the Eastern region through an EEC fried rice menu accompanied by cultural performances that blend music, movement, and local food stories.

More than 120 carefully selected restaurants and local product vendors from the three provinces are featured at the festival, creating a relaxed beachfront atmosphere in a night festival format filled with vibrant energy and activities.

From Chonburi — seafood and legendary flavors of the Gulf of Thailand: Featured vendors include Somchai Squid Egg, famous for crispy-outside, tender-inside fried squid eggs; Tacian Toi Community offering Gaeng Gai Kalah, a traditional homemade curry rarely found elsewhere reflecting century-old community wisdom; and Tang Bay Bangsaen with diverse menu options including Tang Bay noodles, mama with shrimp eggs, and corn cheese.

From Rayong — delicious flavors from the fruit city: Rayong offers diverse options appealing to both spice and aroma lovers, including Tom Yum noodles with original recipes and special bottled tom yum sauce perfect for souvenirs; Chok Moo Ob Ong presenting clay pot-roasted pork ribs and belly with traditional earth-oven techniques; and COCO LOVE offering fresh coconut smoothies with authentic tapioca pearls with sweet, creamy, aromatic coconut flavor.

From Chachoengsao — premium products from the eight-direction city: A land of abundance.

Bathing habits vary significantly across countries, influenced by factors including climate, culture, and lifestyle. On February 16, 2025, Seasia Stats, a Southeast Asian statistical data platform, released a report ranking bathing frequency by average weekly occurrences per population.

The survey found that countries with hot and humid climates typically rank highest. Brazil leads globally with an average of 14 showers per week—roughly twice daily—followed by Colombia with 12 times weekly. Thailand ranks third globally and first in Asia, averaging 11 showers per week, tied with the Philippines, while Indonesia follows in fourth place with an average of 10 showers weekly.

These statistics demonstrate that in tropical regions with high temperatures and humidity, frequent bathing is a necessity. Beyond cooling off, it promotes hygiene and provides daily refreshment, becoming a deeply rooted cultural practice. Many people commonly bathe twice daily—in the morning and evening.

Top 10 Countries with Most Frequent Bathing: 1. Brazil – 14 times/week 2. Colombia – 12 times/week 3. Thailand – 11 times/week 4. Philippines – 11 times/week 5. Indonesia – 10 times/week 6. Mexico – 8.5 times/week 7. Australia – 8 times/week 8. Venezuela – 8 times/week 9. Nigeria – 7.5 times/week 10. Peru – 7.5 times/week 11. United States – 7.2 times/week

Note: Rankings 3, 6, and 7 share equal averages and are grouped in the same rank.

Four heirs of the Smitmaan family have donated 66 rai of land valued at over one billion baht to Warin Chamrap Hospital to establish a medical center for medical activities and to accommodate future expansion of public health services. On April 27, Dr. Piyawat Angkhwanich, director of Warin Chamrap Hospital, along with hospital administrators, doctors, nurses, and staff, received a land donation certificate for approximately 66 rai, 3 ngan, and 7.4 square wah located in Kham Nam Saeb Subdistrict from the heirs of Major Pin and his wife Wichian Smitmaan (represented by Ms. Prapittha, Ms. Nurumon, Ms. Lattawan, and Ms. Kannika Smitmaan) for use in medical activities and to support future expansion of public health services. Dr. Piyawat Angkhwanich, director of Warin Chamrap Hospital, on behalf of the hospital and local residents, expressed gratitude for the generous charitable intentions of the Smitmaan family. The land represents an important foundation that will help reduce facility congestion and enhance healthcare capacity for Warin Chamrap residents and surrounding areas with greater efficiency and broader coverage. According to reports, the land donated by the Smitmaan family heirs is centrally located in Warin Chamrap, Ubon Ratchathani Province. It comprises nearly 67 rai valued at 1,000 million baht and will be used to develop a medical center for public benefit.

According to Red Star News, Zhang Xiaole, 28, who has appeared in over 200 short-form series, began working at a farm in Qinghai Province in northwestern China starting in March to earn a living.

Zhang initially entered the entertainment industry through dance before being introduced by a friend to a short-form series production team in late 2023, quickly becoming a recognizable actor. Over 70% of his roles featured him playing "ba zong" (the domineering CEO)—a romantic novel character archetype with an overbearing personality who shows tenderness only to his love interest.

Zhang recalls the boom years of the short-form series industry, when work was so abundant he filmed continuously for three days without rest, and online audition chat groups constantly posted casting calls. However, since early this year, he has received only one acting offer, with his pay cut to half of the previous year's rate. This shift coincided with AI's emergence in creating virtual characters, significantly reducing demand for real actors.

In early March, Zhang invested 400,000 yuan (approximately 1.9 million baht) to establish a chili farm in Haidong, Qinghai Province, choosing chili farming because his family had long worked in agriculture and he had basic knowledge of it.

"Now my main work is growing and selling chili peppers in the market. If acting opportunities come, I'll take them, but if not, I'll continue being a farmer," he said. He reflected on social media: "In dramas, I hit other people, but in real life, reality has hit me in the face. In dramas I have vast wealth, but in real life, when a customer forgets to pay 10 yuan, I still feel the loss."

The short-form series industry is undergoing rapid transformation. According to Sina.com, AI has significantly reduced production costs. While live-action series previously cost at least 10,000 yuan per episode, AI has drastically lowered expenses. AI usage in production has surged from 7% last year to 38% this year. Zhang's life change has become widely discussed online.

At 1:00 AM on May 2, 2025, Suwan Prachjang, investigation deputy at Chumphon Police Station, received a report of a shooting incident on Chandi-Khuen Songsaan Road, Village 3, Chandi Subdistrict, Chumphon District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. One person was injured. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phuvasisit Wangkhaew, commander of Chumphon Police Station, led the investigation team and emergency responders to the scene.

The injured victim, identified as Thanit, 21 years old, was shot once in the right heel with a .38 caliber handgun. He was transported to Somdet Phra Yupharach Chumphon Hospital.

Investigation revealed the suspect was Thanaphorn, 19 years old, who surrendered with the firearm. He confessed that the victim came to his house to settle a dispute over a girl, but they could not reach an agreement. An argument ensued with physical fighting, after which he fired one shot at Thanit, injuring him. After the incident, he did not attempt to flee and requested to surrender.

Police have charged the suspect, who has been handed over to investigators for further legal proceedings.

At 12:30 p.m. on May 2, 2025, Ms. Parichat, 27, a barista, filed a complaint with the Facebook community page "Sai Haem Tong Rod" (Thai Silk Must Survive) seeking help after being duped by a foreign con artist who tricked her into lending her iPhone 17 and skipped out on a meal bill, causing tens of thousands of baht in damages. The "borrow then flee" tactic occurred in the Thonglor neighborhood.

Ms. Parichat recounted that the incident happened on April 18 at a restaurant in Thonglor. A light-skinned Asian male foreigner arrived at 12:20 p.m., ordered food normally like any other customer, and stayed until nearly 3:00 p.m. At 3:10 p.m., the man approached her at the counter claiming he had forgotten his phone and asked to borrow hers to call a friend. Trusting him since he appeared to be a regular who had been sitting in the shop for hours, she agreed.

The scammer pretended to make a call and returned the phone initially. Shortly after, another call came through, so he requested to borrow it again. This time, he wandered around the shop looking for an opportunity. When she wasn't paying attention, he bolted out the back door and disappeared with the iPhone 17, leaving behind an unpaid food bill of 1,463 baht.

After the incident, the victim filed a report at Thonglor Police Station with CCTV footage evidence. Investigators discovered the perpetrator is a Mongolian male approximately 40 years old with a criminal history including:

Previous theft cases: Multiple incidents across Bangkok Prior arrest: Apprehended by Immigration Police and Huai Khwang Police on June 9, 2024 Visa overstay: Records show he has been overstaying for more than 2 years, making him an illegal resident

Ms. Parichat expressed frustration, saying that when she searched online, she found news reports that he had been arrested in mid-2024. She questioned why he was released and able to commit the same crime again, and how Thai law could do nothing about someone with an expired 2-year-old visa.

Nirun Keakhaew, co-founder of the Sai Haem Tong Rod Facebook page, stated this is a serious social threat because the criminal shows no fear of Thai law. He announced they would contact the commander of Thonglor Police Station to expedite the investigation and arrest for quick prosecution.

Additionally, they will request the Immigration Bureau investigate why a person with an expired visa and pending charges remains in the country, calling for his deportation and blacklisting to prevent future harm to Thai citizens. The community has also warned the public and business owners not to trust strangers requesting to borrow valuable items, even if they appear to be regular customers.