Recently, Deputy Prime Minister Yotchanan Wongsawasdi and the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation launched a custom-formulated fertilizer project for Thai farmers at the Udon Thani Agricultural Cooperative for Customer Marketing (Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives) in Udon Thani Province.

The project aims to assist farmers impacted by expensive chemical fertilizer prices resulting from import challenges and soil degradation that reduces agricultural productivity.

Farmers are currently facing multifaceted challenges including climate change and volatile global input prices, particularly chemical fertilizers which have consistently been a major production cost.

The government's expedited policy applies modern science, technology, and innovation to reduce farmer burden and increase income, with smart custom-formulated fertilizer being one noteworthy initiative.

Custom-formulated fertilizer is a technology for managing and designing nutrient-rich fertilizers specific to particular growing areas, based on critical factors affecting crop growth and productivity. These factors include crop variety, sunlight, temperature, humidity, rainfall, and soil composition, considered alongside existing soil nutrient analysis results.

Using fertilizers based on soil analysis and custom formulation enables farmers to apply the correct formula and proportions, reducing chemical fertilizer production costs from previously high volumes.

This approach elevates productivity through science and artificial intelligence to calculate precise fertilizer formulas, blending nutrient components to match each field's specific crop requirements.

The pilot program launches in Udon Thani Province with plans to expand to model cooperatives to prove effectiveness before nationwide rollout. The key is enabling farmers to access fertilizer bases appropriate to their soil and crops.

Additionally, a chemical-organic fertilizer innovation is proposed, converting agricultural waste materials and blending with chemical nutrient bases. Beyond maintaining productivity, this approach also restores soil health and reduces long-term environmental impact.

While custom-formulated fertilizer may not be entirely new, applying scientific innovation and technology to production and promoting precision agriculture represents a potentially transformative step for Thai agriculture if successful.

Moving forward, coordinated collaboration with relevant agencies and local government organizations using serious strategic planning is essential to enhance farmer skills and strengthen livelihoods through modern innovation.

Michael Carrick, interim manager of Manchester United, has praised Bruno Fernandes, the Portuguese midfielder, as a crucial player with significant impact on the team's performance this season. Manchester United's form has improved steadily since Carrick took over from sacked manager Ruben Amorim. Most recently, Carrick came out to praise player Bruno Fernandes, saying he plays a crucial role in the Red Devils' success.

"For me, giving Bruno the opportunity to showcase his talent is important—just like every player. I believe we're trying to build structure and construct a team, trying to bring out the best in everyone," Carrick said.

"Of course there are some limitations. Everyone has to make some sacrifices to make the team better. But for me, I like to see Bruno in an attacking position with a bit more freedom."

"He plays for the team and has tremendous responsibility in that regard. I think he's done well throughout—both when he doesn't have the ball and in defensive situations."

"He has great responsibility in that area, but we can trust him. He's an excellent player. He sees things, he's creative, he's intelligent. He has a huge impact on the team and is very influential."

The Public Health Ministry is urging food vendors to stop using newspaper for wrapping food due to health hazards. According to Dr. Amporn Benjpalsupphakit, Director-General of the Public Health Ministry, newspaper is not food-grade material and may contain residual substances from printing processes and ink, including lead, heavy metals, hydrocarbons from printing ink, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and chemical dyes that can transfer to food.

The contamination risk is particularly high when newspaper contacts hot or fatty foods such as fried rice, fried items, or grilled sticky rice, either directly or through inadequate barrier materials. Even when some vendors use plastic liners, if these are not food-grade or fail to fully prevent contact with food, the risk persists. The ministry strongly recommends that vendors immediately cease using newspaper for food wrapping.

The Public Health Ministry advises consumers to prioritize foods that meet food safety standards, starting with safe packaging, and to purchase from certified vendors. The ministry calls on food business operators to cooperate by eliminating newspaper use for food wrapping and urges the public to choose clean, safe, and standardized food options for long-term health benefits.

Peerapat Korthong, Secretary-General of the Agricultural Economics Office (AECF) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, announced Thailand's progress toward OECD membership. Thailand is currently preparing for the technical assessment phase in 2026, following the Prime Minister's official submission of Thailand's Initial Memorandum to the OECD Deputy Secretary-General on December 8, 2024—marking the completion of step 5 in the OECD accession process. The AECF has been designated as the lead agency responsible for coordinating Thailand's agricultural sector work under the OECD's Committee for Agriculture (COAG).

Most recently, Secretary-General Korthong appointed Dr. Kancana Khwanmuang, AECF Deputy Secretary-General, as Head of Mission under COAG to participate as a speaker in the Agricultural Policy in Southeast Asia conference under the OECD framework in Indonesia. The conference was organized by The Agricultural Incentives Consortium, a network collaboration among five international organizations: the World Bank, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the OECD. The objective was to exchange experiences, empirical data, and innovative approaches for monitoring and evaluating agricultural policies, as well as to discuss trends and policy challenges facing Southeast Asia's agricultural sector.

During the conference, Thailand's delegation discussed policy approaches to climate change, presenting an overview of Thailand's agricultural economy, the impact of climate change on agriculture, government measures and management approaches, achievements and outcomes, as well as challenges and support needs to strengthen capacity for managing future changes.

This conference participation represents another significant step in demonstrating Thailand's commitment as an OECD accession candidate country and provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge with experts and international organizations—benefits that will contribute to Thailand's agricultural development moving forward.

Regarding the AECF's operations under COAG, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives issued Order No. 681/2568 dated August 19, 2024, establishing a working group for Thailand's OECD accession process under the COAG framework. This ensures smooth and efficient implementation. The AECF has participated in over 25 COAG meetings during 2024-2025, covering critical issues including agricultural and market policies, carbon footprint measurement, food security, food loss and waste problems, and agricultural and environmental matters.

The Secretary-General concluded by noting that OECD membership will benefit Thailand across multiple dimensions, including aligning policy standards and practices with international norms and enhancing capabilities.

On April 26, 2569, Deputy Superintendent Suwat Nammonkol of Muang Buriram Police Station, along with Tanon Mentaisong, Muang Buriram District Deputy Administrator, led officers in apprehending 18-year-old Sak and 24-year-old Payou, seizing 4,000 methamphetamine tablets. The operation followed the earlier arrest of 19-year-old Film with 8,222 tablets. During interrogation, Film revealed that a Buriram drug dealer hiding in Laos had been directing drug transactions through him. Film cooperated with authorities to set up a sting operation to catch other suspects.

Payou confessed to disrobing just that afternoon after ten days as a monk. Unable to cope with his cravings and unwilling to violate monastic precepts, he had his parents contact the abbot for his release. Upon disrobing, Payou was torn between visiting his girlfriend and satisfying his drug urge. The latter won out, and he purchased ten methamphetamine tablets from a villager, consuming four to five before his eventual arrest. His plan to see his girlfriend never materialized.

A new trend is catching on among modern couples who choose to express their commitment by tattooing rings on their fingers rather than buying expensive diamond bands. This approach saves money, eliminates the fear of losing jewelry, and symbolizes eternal love just the same.

While diamond rings have long represented everlasting romance, younger generations appear to be rewriting the rules. A significant number of Gen Z and Millennial couples are now opting for a newer, more permanent way to express their love—by getting ring tattoos on their fingers instead.

"Ring tattoos" are becoming an increasingly popular symbol of love for those who don't want to be tied to diamonds but desire something permanent they'll carry forever.

According to data from Chime, younger people are challenging traditional values: 25% say they might skip actual rings and get tattoos instead, while 30% choose non-diamond rings, and another 26% don't want rings at all but prefer to save the money for shared memories, like special trips.

For example, Matthew Morris, 36, and his wife Shannon, 34, from New York, opted for matching ring tattoos instead of spending thousands of dollars on diamond rings. The couple spent just a few hundred dollars on their tattoos. Four years later, they now have a child and are expecting another.

"Tattoos are cheaper, and my wife doesn't like wearing jewelry anyway. It reminds us every day that we chose each other," Matthew said.

Lindsay Beck, 42, from California, also chose to get a heart tattoo instead of a ring, with her husband tattooing it himself. She explained that she didn't want to spend $10,000 on a ring and would rather use the money for travel. However, she believes that having "no symbol at all" could send the wrong message: "If there's no symbol whatsoever, it feels like you're not ready to commit."

Source: NY Post