GULF Development Public Company Limited has partnered with Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Dentistry to continuously elevate community and social quality of life. The "GULF Sparks Smiles Community Project," now in its sixth year and second round, will provide free preventive dental care services to the public at Thai State Wittaya School 93 (Ban Lad Takhian) in Kabinburi district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province on May 6-7, 2026. Walk-in participants can register on May 6 from 8:00-9:00 AM only, with limited spots available.

Operating under the philosophy "Powering the Future, Empowering the People," GULF and Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Dentistry launched the "GULF Sparks Smiles" initiative to improve dental health and create bright smiles, particularly for residents in remote areas. The project offers essential dental treatments including fillings, extractions, tartar removal, and wisdom tooth extraction on an equitable and accessible basis. These services form a crucial foundation for building a healthier society with better quality of life. Since its inception, the project has successfully served over 6,500 people and continues to spread bright smiles throughout 2026.

For more information about the "GULF Sparks Smiles Community Project," follow updates on three platforms: Facebook Page (Gulf SPARK), TikTok (GULF SPARK), and Instagram (gulfspark.th).

ONE Championship held official weigh-ins and face-offs on April 28 for ONE Samurai 1 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, with competition starting at 12:30 PM Thailand time on Wednesday, April 29. The headline bout features former ONE Muay Thai flyweight world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon against local favorite Takeru Segawa, with the interim ONE kickboxing flyweight world title at stake. Both fighters successfully made weight with no complications—Rodtang weighed in at 134.8 pounds with a hydration level of 1.0095, while Takeru came in at 134 pounds with a hydration level of 1.0226, setting up their matchup on April 29, 2569. Following the face-off, Rodtang stated: "I'm honored to be the final opponent of Takeru's career. I will do my best, and of course I will be the one to claim victory on April 29."

The Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Industries have sounded an alarm over a critical labor shortage stemming from systemic issues affecting all business sectors, particularly in the Eastern region. On April 28, 2026, Porn Aramwattananond, chairman of the two organizations, disclosed that business members nationwide are reporting severe labor shortages impacting legal foreign workers from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia—critical workforce components for manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and service industries. Eastern provinces including Chachoengsao, Rayong, Sa Kaew, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Trat face acute foreign worker shortages directly affecting production capacity and national competitiveness.

Aramwattananond noted that many MOU-registered foreign workers' permits are expiring, with some already returning home. Without immediate intervention, sectors heavily dependent on this labor force—particularly construction, agriculture including seasonal fruit harvesting, and services—could face sudden disruptions that threaten key pillars of the Thai economy.

To address the crisis, the Chamber has submitted urgent correspondence to Labor Minister Chulphan Amornvivat requesting expedited work permit extensions for all foreign nationalities. The organizations propose collaborative government-private sector coordination to prevent workforce depletion while developing comprehensive long-term foreign labor management policies balancing security, economic, and social considerations. The Chamber warned that failure to act promptly risks undermining economic growth targets and significantly weakening Thailand's long-term competitive capabilities.

The Thailand Volleyball Association, in partnership with Thai Union Group Public Company Limited, is organizing the 2025 'C-Select' Thailand National Volleyball Championship, featuring both indoor and beach volleyball across five categories from youth to open divisions.

Association President Sompon Chaibangyang presided over the press conference held on April 28 at the Sky Room on the 18th floor of Alexander Hotel on Ramkhamhaeng Road in Bangkok. The event was attended by various officials and representatives from partner organizations.

Chaibangyang stated that the 'C-Select' volleyball championship serves as a critical foundation for developing Thailand's volleyball program. He expressed gratitude to Thai Union Group for their sustained support over many years as the world-leading canned seafood producer under the 'C-Select' brand. He emphasized that the competition is essential for nurturing volleyball talent across all age groups, particularly youth players destined for national teams, noting that nearly all Thai national volleyball players have participated in this championship.

Nathawee Wachiratheepatpan, General Manager of Emerging Markets at Thai Union Group, expressed pride in the company's long-standing partnership spanning over 30 years. She highlighted the shared vision between the association and Thai Union to promote youth health and wellness through sports, instilling athletic discipline, sportsmanship, and teamwork values.

Subin Thongnoi, Director of Tembabaal School 1 (Yiemkasetsuwarn), noted the school's gymnasium in Samut Prakan has hosted multiple volleyball championships and is fully prepared to deliver a successful and impressive competition.

Assistant Professor Nat Kaewsakul, Vice President of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, announced the university's co-hosting role for the men's open division, having prepared all necessary competition facilities.

Government spokesman Ms. Lalida Periswitvatana announced on April 28, 2569 that the Cabinet has approved the Andaman Health Center project under Prince of Songkla University with a total budget of 6,431.74 million baht for a four-year implementation period from fiscal years 2570-2573. The project aims to strengthen healthcare services in Phuket and the Andaman provinces.

The project addresses critical goals including resolving shortages of medical and public health personnel, reducing the burden of referring complex patients to other regions, and enhancing medical services for residents and tourists in the Andaman area, which is identified as a strategic region for the country.

The project comprises five main components: the Andaman Health College, Songkla Nakharin Thai Medicine Hospital in Phuket, the Songkla Nakharin Medical Technology Service Center in Phuket, the Songkla Nakharin Digital Dentistry Center in Phuket, and Songkla Nakharin Hospital in Phuket, which will serve as a tertiary specialized hospital treating complex diseases, precision medicine, telemedicine, and training health science personnel.

The Songkla Nakharin Hospital in Phuket will include construction of hospital buildings with a budget of 4,845.14 million baht, utilizing 2,907.09 million baht in budgeted funds and 1,938.06 million baht in non-budgeted funds, along with medical equipment procurement. The hospital is expected to begin operations in 2573.

Ms. Lalida stated that this project will elevate Phuket and the Andaman provinces into a regional health center, improving public access to quality medical services nearby, reducing healthcare disparities, and building confidence among residents, investors, and tourists. She emphasized that this is not merely hospital construction but rather establishing a comprehensive Andaman regional health system with personnel, technology, research, and internationally standardized medical services.

On April 28, 2025, a 42-year-old woman filed a complaint reporting that her 8-year-old daughter was lured and sexually abused by the son of her husband's friend, a 14-year-old boy recently released from juvenile detention. The incident occurred on April 26 in Pathum Thani province when the girl's bicycle went missing while she was buying snacks at a convenience store. Around 8 p.m., the teenage boy invited the girl to help search for the bicycle, and the mother, believing he had just been released from detention and would not cause harm, allowed them to go. After some time, her other son ran home in panic to report that the teenager had pushed the girl into the woods and sexually assaulted her. The mother found her daughter hiding at a friend's house in fear.

A community leader advised the family to file a police report and arranged for the girl to undergo preliminary medical examination, which revealed bruising in the genital area. Detailed examination results from Pathum Thani Hospital are pending. The mother stated that her daughter is now suffering from depression and is determined to pursue charges to the fullest extent. She revealed this is the second incident with the same perpetrator; the first occurred when her daughter was 6 years old near her aunt's house but was prevented from escalating when someone intervened.

Police brought the girl to the scene for investigation amid considerable public attention. A confrontation erupted when the girl's uncle assaulted the girl's biological father—her uncle—out of anger and grief because the biological father sided with the perpetrator and showed reluctance to pursue the case. The community leader disclosed that the perpetrator has a history of inappropriate behavior and multiple incidents, having been released from detention just 3-4 days before committing this new offense. The perpetrator's parents also have a history of drug involvement, prompting the community leader to regularly warn residents to be cautious.

Police stated that because both the victim and perpetrator are minors, the investigation will involve a multidisciplinary team for thorough questioning. Charges will be filed once the investigation is complete and the legal procedures can proceed accordingly.