This marks Thailand's first-ever competition to find an exceptional rice master chef—someone with true understanding of rice—who can artistically create dishes that capture the distinctive charm, aroma, softness, and unique flavor of Thai rice in every serving. From applicants nationwide through intensive selection and final trials, 12 finalist teams have qualified, ready to demonstrate both the science and art, technique and precision throughout every stage. The 'Rice Master' competition by Khao Tra Chat brand transcends mere culinary competition—it comprehensively showcases the value of Thai rice, from careful ingredient selection to developing professional-grade menus, all to propel Thai rice toward international standards. Another key highlight is featuring premium Khao Tra Chat rice as the competition's foundation, reflecting Thai rice's diverse potential across multiple dimensions, including 100% new jasmine rice developed with advanced 15°C cold storage technology that preserves freshness like fresh-harvest rice year-round, maintaining quality in opaque metallized bags for fragrant, soft, sticky, and delicious grains; medium-low glycemic index rice offering softness and deliciousness for health-conscious consumers; and premium golden jasmine rice that won the World Best Rice Award, carefully selected from quality cultivation areas with long, slender, fragrant, and soft grains favored by international restaurants. Follow all 12 teams and discover who will become Thailand's true 'Rice Master' champion on April 30th via Khao Tra Chat Family Facebook and YouTube channels.

Football has a new rule that has been approved, allowing referees to issue red cards to players who cover their mouths when confronting opponents. This rule will be implemented in the upcoming World Cup. The 2026 World Cup will feature an interesting new rule that has received international approval, whereby referees can immediately issue red cards to players who intentionally cover their mouths when facing off against opposing players. The rule was proposed by FIFA following an incident involving Benfica forward Gonçalo Ramos, who pulled up his shirt to cover his mouth and spoke to Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior during a UEFA Champions League match between the two teams. UEFA subsequently investigated and handed Ramos a six-match ban, with three matches suspended over a two-year period on charges of discriminatory language. Most recently, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which sets football regulations, issued a statement that "players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations with opponents can be punished with a red card, at the discretion of the referee." Additionally, another new rule has been approved whereby players who walk off the pitch to protest the referee may also receive a direct red card. This rule stems from an incident during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and host nation Morocco.

The Office of Energy Policy and Planning (OEPP) under the Ministry of Energy reported today's fuel prices at five major gas station operators: PTT, Bangchak, PT, Caltex, and Shell.

PTT Station (April 29, 2026): - Gasohol 95: 42.45 baht/liter - Gasohol E20: 35.45 baht/liter - Gasohol E85: 31.39 baht/liter - Gasohol 91: 42.08 baht/liter - Gasohol 95 Premium: 51.54 baht/liter - Benzine 95: 52.04 baht/liter - Diesel: 40.20 baht/liter - Diesel B20: 33.20 baht/liter - Premium Diesel: 62.10 baht/liter

Bangchak Station (April 29, 2026): - Gasohol 95: 42.45 baht/liter - Gasohol E20: 35.45 baht/liter - Gasohol E85: 31.39 baht/liter - Gasohol 91: 42.08 baht/liter - Gasohol 95 Premium: 56.04 baht/liter - Diesel: 40.20 baht/liter - Diesel B20: 33.20 baht/liter - Premium Diesel: 62.10 baht/liter

PT Station (April 29, 2026): - Gasohol 95: 42.45 baht/liter - Gasohol E20: 35.45 baht/liter - Gasohol 91: 42.08 baht/liter - Benzine 95: 52.54 baht/liter - Diesel: 40.20 baht/liter - Diesel B20: 33.20 baht/liter

Shell Station (April 29, 2026): - Gasohol 95: 42.95 baht/liter - Gasohol E20: 35.95 baht/liter - Gasohol 91: 42.33 baht/liter - Gasohol 95 Premium: 49.84 baht/liter - Diesel: 40.20 baht/liter - Premium Diesel: 49.84 baht/liter

Caltex Station (April 29, 2026): - Gasohol 95: 42.45 baht/liter - Gasohol E20: 35.45 baht/liter - Gasohol 91: 42.08 baht/liter - Benzine 95: 56.01 baht/liter - Diesel: 40.20 baht/liter - Premium Diesel: 62.10 baht/liter

On April 29, 2569, Ms. Yosita Thamjai, managing director of Thai Herb For Life Limited, announced that on Friday, April 24, the company held a merit-making ceremony with nine Buddhist monks from Saroithong Temple, the royal temple in Bangkok, to bring auspiciousness to the business. The event was honored by Dr. Phakaphumi Detchakularit, managing director of Jesada Technique Museum Foundation, Aphisit Thamjai, and Suchitraporn Athithnethavongsinn, executives of Confastpro Limited, along with company staff.

Ms. Yosita stated that this ceremony marked a significant milestone as the company's first formal merit-making event since its establishment, celebrating the business's stability and success in overcoming challenges.

Nine monks, led by Phra Maha Oksit Prayok from Saroithong Temple, participated in Buddhist chanting and alms-giving ceremonies. The company also conducted rituals to honor the land spirit shrine and project spirits, followed by water-pouring blessings from elders to maintain good traditions, boost morale, and strengthen unity among management and staff.

Beyond the internal ceremony, executives and employees also made merit donations to Wat Pa Phor Phiphit in Chaiyaphum Province for pagoda construction as a charitable contribution.

Ms. Yosita explained that Thai Herb For Life Limited was established on August 24, 2564, with Dr. Phakaphumi Detchakularit as co-founder. The company is a Thai-managed organization responding to the rapidly growing health and beauty trend by curating premium products from its own brands and partners for e-commerce distribution. Key products include:

• KenKi: Turmeric extract supplement for liver health and cholesterol reduction • Kenkiko: Gummy vitamins for children with essential nutrients including Omega 3-6-9, Calcium + Vit D, and Elderberry + Multi Vit • LONGLAK Probiotic Tea: Innovative probiotic beverage for body balance • Asurasothaphumipanya 1000 Year: Traditional herbal medicine formula available in four variants for vitality • ATiRA: Innovative sunscreen vitamin for skin protection and anti-aging

Interested consumers can purchase products through Facebook (Thaiherb For Life Co.,Ltd.), Shopee/Lazada/TikTok (Thaiherb for life), Line (@thaiherb4life), or call 098-558-6666.

From Phatthalung province, 46-year-old Yupaporn and 53-year-old Thanasak filed a complaint with media, alleging that their son, 20-year-old Pirasak, was lured into hi-lo gambling by Police Sergeant Dap, assigned to Provincial Police Region 9 Investigation Unit. The officer allegedly intended to take money and the son's gold necklace. Yupaporn explained that her son has a chronic brain condition requiring continuous medication. On the night of the incident, her son called saying he lost at hi-lo and had no money left. The police officer holding the game kept his 2-baht gold necklace. When the mother went to retrieve it, the officer demanded 50,000 baht to return it, but then insisted on 100,000 baht as the borrowed amount.

The officer, claiming his police status gave him immunity, threatened to shoot and file trespassing charges if they didn't comply. The family reluctantly transferred 49,000 baht to an account belonging to the officer's relative instead of the officer himself, with the remainder to be paid later. When tensions escalated and the father called the police, the officer quickly ordered relatives to remove the gambling equipment before traffic police arrived. When uniformed officers showed up, the officer falsely claimed it was just a argument, not gambling. However, the mother showed video evidence sent by her son, causing the officer to go silent.

Pirasak recounted that the officer had frequently invited him to play hi-lo at his home before this incident. On that day, despite initially losing small amounts, the officer called him nearly 20 times to come play. With 20,000 baht in his pocket, he came over and lost it all. The officer then offered him a loan, first 10,000 baht, then suggested pawning his necklace for 100,000 baht in betting chips at 5,000 baht per round plus 100 baht commission. Desperate to recover his losses, he agreed, but lost the entire 100,000 baht in just 15 minutes, prompting him to call his mother for help.

Residents in Tambon Wai Niao, Amphoe Tha Maka District of Kanchanaburi Province are concerned after discovering large animal footprints on an island in the Mae Klong River that resemble crocodile tracks. A man named Niran was the first to spot the tracks and reported finding drag marks and footprints leading into the water, significantly larger than human-sized, though he suspects it may not be an ordinary fish. He no longer dares to swim in the area.

Chelampon Hongyont, chairman of the Region 7 Water Rescue Club, conducted an on-site investigation and discovered two large burrows with soil disturbance patterns suggesting a large animal attempting to enter the water. Body drag marks approximately 4 meters long were also found. Residents from a nearby village reported discovering a burrow about 3 meters deep with similar markings.

Hongyont noted that crocodile behavior typically involves basking during midday and retreating to burrows at night, though he stressed that the creature's identity remains unconfirmed and requires further investigation by fisheries officials.

The village headman has issued a warning to residents and fishermen in the area to avoid the riverbank and refrain from swimming temporarily until officials can definitively identify the animal to prevent potential accidents.