Doctors are sounding the alarm about colon cancer, particularly the right-sided variant, which presents with subtle and easily overlooked symptoms. A hepatogastroenterology specialist, Dr. Chien Cheng-hong, revealed that in April alone, he diagnosed three right-sided colon cancer patients—all sharing the absence of typical warning signs like bowel habit changes, bloody stools, or weight loss. One 50-year-old female patient had only one symptom: unusual fatigue.

Dr. He Chien-lin, a colorectal surgeon, describes right-sided colon cancer as a "silent vampire," gradually draining blood without detection. Unlike left-sided tumors that often produce visible symptoms, right-sided cancers bleed slowly and internally. Because the right colon is wider, blood lingers there longer, gets broken down by bacteria, and blends invisibly with stool. This silent bleeding resembles a slow leak, causing iron deficiency anemia with symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath—often only discovered during blood tests.

Left-sided colon cancer presents more obvious signs: changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), abnormally thin stools, incomplete bowel movements, frequent straining, and clearly visible blood in stool (bright red or dark). The narrower left colon makes tumors more obvious obstacles to passage.

Doctors warn that unexplained iron-deficiency anemia, chronic fatigue, or weight loss—even without bloody stools—should raise suspicion of right-sided colon issues. Prevention's best defense: colonoscopy screening. About 95% of colon cancers originate from polyps. Early detection and removal significantly reduce cancer risk. General screening should begin at age 40, with repeat screenings every 3-5 years. Those with a family history should start screening 10 years earlier than the relative's diagnosis age.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul defended Deputy Prime Minister Supachee Suttheermphand following online backlash and criticism, saying he's not concerned because he's confident that everyone who tangles with 'Brother Tem' ends up humiliated. On May 1 at Bangkok City Market, after completing inspections for the Thai Help Thai cost-of-living relief project, PM Anutin and Deputy PM Supachee gave media interviews. Before entering the press conference, Anutin jokingly told Supachee, "Take me for a live stream selling durian sometime." When reporters asked Anutin if he wanted to give moral support to Supachee, who has faced harsh criticism recently, he responded by countering, "Does Brother Tem get hit hard? Only the people who go against Brother Tem get hit hard. I see you staying quiet, but whenever you come out to respond, you all end up making a fool of yourselves." After the interview concluded, members of the public brought flowers to encourage the Prime Minister, who received two bouquets and gave one to Supachee. When reporters asked if this was meant to boost her spirits, the Prime Minister replied, "No need for encouragement, but I want to tell those attacking Deputy PM Supachee—don't rush to come out and respond, or you'll choke again."

May 1, 2025 — Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchat Chomklin has issued an urgent order for relevant agencies to investigate conditions in Phetchaburi Province and gather public opinion regarding opposition to the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for Siam Gulf Petrochemical's condensate and crude oil conversion plant project and its power and steam generation unit project. This action follows a complaint filed by Phetchaburi Provincial MP Thiwalrat Angkinanth.

The ministry has assigned Deputy Permanent Secretary Nipont Jamrongsirisak as oversight coordinator and instructed the Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Planning Office (ONEP) to expedite transparent and comprehensive public hearings, with ONEP Secretary-General Bannarak Serimthong personally attending the consultations.

The public hearing drew over 700 participants, including government agencies, local representatives, and community residents. Three main concerns emerged:

1. Lack of transparency in previous public hearings 2. Impacts from the existing oil refinery that received EIA approval in 2004 3. Environmental, health, and livelihood concerns, given the area's importance for tourism and agriculture

ONEP's secretary-general has ordered officials to conduct a thorough environmental impact inspection on May 8, 2025, covering the petrochemical project, mooring buoys, subsea oil pipelines, and storage facilities operated by Asia Link Terminal.

Minister Suchat emphasized that public participation is central to the ministry's approach and that all EIA procedures must be transparent, verifiable, and prioritize environmental and community well-being impacts. The goal is to balance economic development with sustainable natural resource conservation.

On May 1, 2025, at the Crime Suppression Division's complaint center, lawyer On from Buriram brought Sai Cheeya Wongwirot, the actor known from the "Broke, Stressed, Drinking" advertisement with credits in several Hollywood film collaborations, to file a formal report and clarify his involvement with Siamchai White Sand Beach in Samut Prakan. Sai Cheeya explained that ten years ago, a businessman recruited him for a real estate land-division project in Nakhon Pathom province, offering a 15,000 baht monthly salary and a vehicle registered under the businessman's name while Sai Cheeya made the installment payments. When the business struggled, the idea emerged for Sai Cheeya to appear as the owner. He promoted the beach extensively, organizing events and birthday celebrations, and the venture became successful, attracting many visitors. He later requested a salary increase from 15,000 to 35,000 baht, which was approved, but received no annual dividends. His salary went entirely toward living expenses, car payments, fuel, and gifts for weddings and funerals under the beach's name. Depleted financially, his car was repossessed and he fell into debt. With diminishing entertainment work, he withdrew from the project and filed the police report to clarify he is no longer associated with White Sand Beach. After meeting with Crime Suppression Division investigators, it was discovered that Sai Cheeya's name appears on the land title documents for several plots alongside three to four other individuals, preventing the filing of a formal report at that time. He was advised to consult with his legal team before proceeding further.

Deputy Transport Minister Sapphet Bunyamani unveiled a six-pronged policy initiative at the Port Authority to advance the nation's water transportation sector in line with government objectives. The minister emphasized that developing maritime transport infrastructure is crucial for driving the country's economy while improving public welfare and environmental sustainability. The six strategic areas include: (1) boosting economic growth by accelerating infrastructure development such as dredging key waterways including Samut Sakhon, Ban Don, Pattani, Songkhla, and Bang Pakong channels, and developing Don Sak Port to connect with the Land Bridge project; (2) generating tourism revenue by developing cruise ports across the Thai Gulf and Andaman coast, particularly in Phuket and Phang Nga Bay, with enhanced safety standards through systematic Port Control systems; (3) improving quality of life for water transport users by developing Smart Piers along the Chao Phraya River by 2027, incorporating modern technologies like vessel tracking systems and AI-based port management; (4) addressing public hardships from flooding, water source restoration, and coastal erosion through comprehensive short and long-term solutions, with coastal restoration targets set for completion by 2032; (5) promoting environmentally-friendly water transport by transitioning to clean energy, reducing PM 2.5 and greenhouse gas emissions, and developing Green Ports; and (6) protecting Thailand's maritime commerce interests by enhancing standards and competitiveness through collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), developing maritime personnel, establishing bilateral and multilateral cooperation frameworks, and ensuring international waterway standards. To accelerate implementation, the ministry has established "Quick Win" guidelines for priority projects.

Ang Thong province has long suffered from seasonal flooding during the rainy season. Traditionally, locals earned their living through brick-making and incense stick carving, but rainy season floods prevented them from burning bricks or drying incense, causing significant economic hardship.

In 1976, Queen Sirikit visited Bang Sadet subdistrict and conceived of an alternative occupation. Recognizing that residents possessed abundant clay resources and noting that traditional Thai 'wang dolls' (royal dolls) had nearly vanished, she saw an opportunity to both create income and preserve ancient Thai handicraft traditions. She graciously sent instructors from the Vocational College to teach royal doll crafting.

The initial training program enrolled 150 participants for a three-month course, culminating in a teacher-blessing ceremony presided over by Princess Sujinda Siribodindra. The "Bang Sadet Royal Doll Center" was established within the grounds of Wat Tha Suddha Vas temple along the Chao Phraya River in a two-story traditional Thai building called "Khum Suvarnnabhumi."

Today, the Bang Sadet clay doll tradition serves multiple purposes: it provides sustainable livelihoods, preserves Thai cultural heritage, keeps artisans in their communities, and has achieved international export success. Importantly, residents have developed the "Moo lineage dolls" – clay handicrafts blending auspicious beliefs through representations of Thai-dressed women, literary figures, and sacred deities like Ganesha, characterized by refined craftsmanship and graceful seated postures that reflect Thai cultural values.

These dolls, crafted from high-quality clay filtered from local fields, are suitable for worship or as precious souvenirs. Artisan Ruj Wijitkranurak explained that orders arrive in cycles, with sculptors creating various forms reflecting traditional Thai life, cultural practices, and customs as requested by patrons who follow the Moo tradition. What began as small figurines has evolved into custom orders of sacred figures, Ganesha representations, and elaborately dressed Thai women inspired by classical literature.