Thailand and Laos Unite to Combat Transboundary Haze Using Technology and Knowledge for Sustainable Clean Air

At 2:00 PM today (April 29, 2025), Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin, accompanied by Permanent Secretary Raweewan Pooridet, Ambassador to Vientiane Kroengkanit Rakcharoen, and senior ministry officials, met with Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane. The visit aimed to discuss and strengthen environmental cooperation between the two nations in concrete ways.

Both sides agreed to advance proactive collaboration to address transboundary haze, a shared regional challenge. The focus will be on deploying modern technology, including the development of data-sharing platforms for hotspots and PM2.5 monitoring via satellite imagery, establishing a "green bank," and strengthening capacity in forest fire prevention and control through training and knowledge transfer from Thailand.

Prime Minister Sonexay emphasized the importance of integrating environmental cooperation between the two countries' agencies to tackle issues with direct impacts on public health and quality of life. Thailand is prepared to provide support in technology, personnel, and equipment to improve problem management efficiency.

Minister Suchart stated that the Thai government, under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's leadership, takes the transboundary haze problem seriously, emphasizing proactive work and cooperation with neighboring countries to achieve clear and sustainable results.

"Haze is not a single country's problem—it's a shared regional challenge. Sustainable solutions require cooperation from all parties," Suchart said.

Both nations also agreed to develop systematic cooperation covering forest fire prevention, hotspot monitoring, development of traceability systems, and knowledge exchange to strengthen long-term collaborative capacity.

Additionally, discussions covered the drafting of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to align with Laos's institutional restructuring and changing environmental circumstances.

This dialogue represents another significant step in Thailand-Laos cooperation, reflecting their strong relationship and shared commitment to addressing environmental challenges, creating clean air, and sustainably improving quality of life in the region.

ITC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Roy Chan announced that the company's first quarter of 2025 performance marks the highest results since listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), with sales of $163 million USD, a 28.6% increase from the same period last year, equivalent to 5,174 million baht. This growth stems from increased demand from major customers in the US and European markets.

Operating profit reached 762 million baht, up 36.0% year-on-year, driven by higher sales volume and disciplined cost management. Adjusted net profit (excluding transformation costs) hit 991 million baht, growing 24.9%.

"The first quarter's record-breaking performance reflects our consistent strategic execution, commitment to operational excellence, and strong commercial operations, which have been crucial in driving revenue growth and maintaining robust gross profit margins," Chan stated.

Despite volatile trade conditions, customers continue to trust ITC's innovation capabilities, sustainability leadership, and world-class manufacturing and delivery standards.

Gross profit totaled 1,258 million baht, up 23.1% year-on-year, reflecting an increased proportion of premium products representing 51.5% of total sales.

Pet treat products remain a key growth driver, accounting for 20.8% of total sales in the first quarter with a remarkable 95% increase compared to the previous year. This growth is driven by the premium pet treat trend, growing awareness of pet health and wellness, and increased popularity of lickable pet treat formats.

All regions showed year-on-year growth, with the American market remaining ITC's largest at 60% of total sales. Increased demand from global pet food companies and private label customers drove this growth. Europe showed strong recovery signals with sales growth exceeding 49.2% year-on-year, representing 15% of total sales. Asia and Oceania accounted for 25% of total sales, with growth primarily supported by Japan, Taiwan, and Australia.

While Middle East tensions have not significantly impacted first quarter results, the company has implemented proactive measures and works closely with customers to manage potential indirect impacts. Through strategic groundwork, ITC remains confident in delivering long-term value to stakeholders.

Chan stated that the company maintains its full-year 2025 outlook with a target revenue growth of 9-12% in USD, gross profit margin of 23-25%, and SG&A expenses to sales ratio of 9-10%, while closely monitoring developments in the Middle East conflict.

Director Yangtirk-Thanadej Ramsombat and producer Toffee-Sivadol Chanthaensawi from Plasitao Films present a film exploring beliefs about extraterrestrials at Khao Kala through accounts and experiences of true believers. The project aims to elevate Thai mystery cinema to international standards with compelling visuals and thought-provoking content.

Yangtirk reveals that "Khao Kala is a Thai film based on true events and legends about aliens and UFOs in the Khao Kala area of Nakhon Sawan Province. It features multiple fascinating case studies arising from a blend of spiritual beliefs, conspiracy theories, and scientific interpretations. The film pits scientific theory against mysterious beliefs and international-standard horror, transforming Khao Kala—famous as Thailand's UFO checkpoint—from legend into modern mystery. This is not science fiction, but rather beliefs, mysteries, and countless questions waiting for everyone to investigate."

Is Khao Kala "real" or "a hoax"? The debate continues, but you don't have to believe—just investigate all the mysteries and enigmas yourself when the film opens on May 7th at cinemas nationwide.

Villagers are abuzz about a two-headed calf, converting its features into lottery numbers for this week's draw. The mother cow "Bua Ngen" has just given birth for the first time, and after a veterinarian assisted with the delivery, the two-headed calf survived and remains alive. The owner intends to provide the best care possible.

On April 29, 2569, reporters received word that villagers have been visiting the two-headed calf at Amphorn Thai Buffalo Farm in Ban Non Phayom, Muang Wan Subdistrict, Nam Phong District, Khon Kaen Province. After the mother cow delivered, the calf was discovered to have two heads, and locals analyzed its features into lottery numbers, hoping to win the May 2 draw.

Nai Preecha, 50, owner of Amphorn Thai Buffalo Farm, revealed that he works as a livestock farmer with 30 cattle and buffalo, including both miniature buffalo and beautiful varieties. He buys, sells, and trades cattle at various markets, a practice known locally as "nai hoi." The female cow that delivered the two-headed calf, named "Bua Ngen," is a four-year-old Brahman breed experiencing her first birth. She was scheduled to deliver on April 28. Because the delivery appeared difficult and it was her first time, Preecha called a veterinarian to assist.

"After delivery, I discovered it was female but with abnormalities: two heads, four ears, two mouths, two noses, separated from each other with faces pointing right and left. Both heads have open eyes and are alive. The calf can drink milk—I milk the mother and bottle-feed both heads, and they both suckle equally well. After posting about the birth on Facebook, people started calling. Some wanted to own it, while others asked for lottery numbers. I plan to care for this calf as best I can, raising it naturally for however long it remains with us."

Jakrapong Siang-dee, known as Doctor Wave, the veterinarian who assisted with Bua Ngen's delivery, explained that the two-headed condition resulted from gene mutation during the calf's development, causing abnormal organ development. In the case of true twins born from a single egg, if the embryo begins to separate to form twins but the process stalls or separation is incomplete, a condition called "conjoined twins" occurs—in this case, joined at the head. However, another possible cause could be chemicals or toxins the mother ingested during pregnancy, which may have affected the calf's cell division.

Meanwhile, villagers who came to watch the two-headed calf nursing analyzed the lottery numbers for the May 2 draw, reasoning that a calf with two heads, four legs, four ears, and two mouths would likely be 24 or 42.

The Office of Fiscal Policy, headed by Winit Wisetsuwannaphum, revealed that Thailand's economic and fiscal conditions in March 2025 are being supported by continuous export growth marking the 21st consecutive month of expansion, coinciding with improved private consumption in durable goods, though the tourism sector has slowed from the previous month. Authorities are monitoring oil prices and geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, which could impact Thai manufacturing supply chains.

Private consumption indicators show improvement compared to the same period last year, particularly in durable goods consumption. New car registrations increased 16.6% year-on-year and 17.5% month-on-month after seasonal adjustment, while motorcycle registrations rose 6.8% year-on-year and 2.0% month-on-month after seasonal adjustment. However, consumer confidence declined to 51.8 from 53.7 the previous month, pressured by concerns over geopolitical tensions, particularly between the US, Israel, and Iran, as well as rising global oil prices that threaten household living costs. Farmers' real income fell by 4.1%.

Private investment indicators improved from the previous month, with private sector investment in machinery and equipment reflected in capital goods imports increasing 23.2% year-on-year and 0.6% month-on-month after seasonal adjustment.

Export values expanded year-on-year, reaching $35,157.1 million in March, marking the 21st consecutive month of growth at 18.7%. Excluding oil and gold-related products, exports grew 19.3%, driven by electronics expanding 43.8%, minerals and fuels up 26.6%, and electrical appliances up 14.3%. By market, exports to India surged 140.6%, Australia grew 56.2%, the US expanded 41.9%, and ASEAN (5) increased 25.0%, though Middle Eastern markets declined 57.1% and China fell 1.1%.

On the supply side, tourism from foreign visitors grew at a decelerating rate, with 2.78 million international arrivals, up 2.0% year-on-year but down 5.2% month-on-month after seasonal adjustment. Domestic tourism recorded 22.6 million visitors, increasing 0.4% year-on-year but declining 1.6% month-on-month after seasonal adjustment. The agricultural sector, reflected in the agricultural output index, expanded 0.8% year-on-year and 1.2% month-on-month after seasonal adjustment, driven by increases in rubber, corn, palm oil, and fruit production, though rice and cassava output fell.