The wait is finally over for the annual durian extravaganza at Baiyoke Hotel's iconic durian buffet. Every year it's packed with fame and glory, with each seating completely full daily and reservation cards sold out months in advance. Customers have been clamoring for this event since before the durian even blooms. Before you know it, ten years have passed. The organizers are announcing this year as extra special to honor the prestige of this legendary buffet.

"Baiyoke Durian Fever Buffet" previously featured "durian and seafood," but in 2026 they're adding a heavyweight champion: "steak." The buffet's triple threat—"durian, seafood, and steak"—is priced at 1,290 baht net with no additional charges, regardless of rising oil prices. That's the advance booking rate, though walk-in guests will be charged the standard rate of 1,490 baht per person.

Included with your meal are passes to view the 77th floor and the rotating rooftop platform on the 84th floor for taking stylish photos and creating content. This year won't disappoint in any way.

The event runs for 45 consecutive days from May 1 to June 14, 2026, at Bangkok View Restaurant on the 76th floor of Baiyoke Sky Hotel, with seven seatings daily from 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM, each lasting 90 minutes. Eat until you're completely satisfied before heading out.

The durians here are delicious and carefully graded for guaranteed quality, featuring premium Monthong varieties from orchards in Rayong and Chanthaburi—plenty of flesh and small seeds, never disappointing. They're peeled piece by piece and plated for you to choose from. You can sample before picking, and switch if something doesn't suit your taste until you find your favorite. The restaurant's popularity speaks volumes—the minimum daily durian order is over 3 tons.

The new "steak" menu was added in response to customer requests in comments and feedback. They serve beef, pork, and chicken, with beef being the star—grilled with fragrant fat and paired with savory dipping sauce that's absolutely divine. The meat is so tender it melts in your mouth.

The seafood selection is comprehensive, including river shrimp, white shrimp, clams, and squid, prepared grilled, blanched, or in tom yam. Signature dishes like waterfall hot pot, rice mixed with seafood fish sauce, fried rice with thick seafood omelet, and more remain consistently excellent.

Desserts include sticky rice with coconut milk and durian, and mango sticky rice—saving room for these is essential. That's just a glimpse; the delicious offerings continue throughout the hotel.

Reservations are recommended through the hotel website at https://baiyokebuffet.com/detail/Durian2026, available 24/7. Bank transfers are convenient, fast, and safe from fraud.

Phone: 0-2656-3939

CPRAM Company Limited, a leader in ready-to-eat food products, has partnered with Chester's, the legendary roasted chicken brand beloved by Thais, to launch Delicasia x Chester's Spicy Roasted Chicken. Premium chicken wings are carefully selected and packed three pieces per pack, marinated with special spices and roasted in Delicasia's distinctive style while preserving Chester's signature taste—offering the fresh-grilled experience with every bite. Designed for modern lifestyles demanding convenience, speed, and simplicity, it works perfectly as a main dish, snack, or quick dinner. Simply tear open and microwave for moments to enjoy authentic Chester's roasted chicken flavor, delivering restaurant-quality taste anytime, anywhere. Available 24/7 at 7-Eleven throughout Thailand at just 42 baht per pack. Launch promotions include: first offer – special introductory price from April 30 to May 23, 2026, reduced from 42 baht to 39 baht; second offer – exclusive app deal from June 4 to July 1, 2026, pre-order four packs for 159 baht instead of 168 baht, plus a free limited-edition Chestie water glass (500 units available).

A high-ranking individual's burial site has been discovered in a rice field in Ban Lad District, Phetchaburi Province, featuring the skeleton of an ancient human adorned with gold bracelets dating back approximately 1,500 years, buried alongside prehistoric drums. On April 30, 2026, Fine Arts Department Director-General Panom Butt Chantrachote visited the excavation site at Moo 6, Ban Don Plab, Somphloei Subdistrict, Ban Lad District, accompanied by Nipha Sangkanakindhorn, Director of Fine Arts Office Region 1 Ratchaburi, and other officials and archaeologists.

Initial findings revealed gold bracelets attached to the wrist bones of the skeleton, estimated to be 1,500 to 2,000 years old from the prehistoric era through the early Dvaravati period. The excavation also uncovered four additional glong moh-ra-thuk drums, bringing the total to six drums, along with eight clay vessels, glass beads, clay projectiles, portions of approximately four human skeletons, and metal container fragments.

Excavations began on February 9, 2026, led by archaeologist Kanickar Premjai and conducted by a team including students from Naresuan University and Phetchaburi Rajabhat University alongside local volunteers. The initial dig revealed the base of a drum at 60 centimeters depth and the drum's rim at one meter depth, indicating the drum was inverted with its base exposed. Among the findings were eight clay vessels at 60 centimeters depth, including seven pot-shaped containers and one bowl-shaped vessel, along with glass beads, clay projectiles, human bone fragments, metal vessel pieces, and notably, rings and gold bracelets worn on the skeletal remains.

Archaeologist Kanickar explained that the discovery represents a burial ritual involving glong moh-ra-thuk drums, metal containers, clay vessels, and gold ornaments interred with the deceased as offerings to honor the deceased individual. Further excavation expansion is continuing to uncover additional artifacts from this significant archaeological site.

KHON KAEN — On April 30, 2026, rescue workers successfully freed a woman trapped inside a six-wheeled truck after it swerved off the road and crashed into a tree on the roadside in northeastern Thailand. The accident happened on Highway 2062 along the Manchakiri–Ban Thum route in Ban Sawang village, Suan Mon subdistrict, Manchakiri district. Emergency responders from local rescue units found the vehicle, registered in Chachoengsao province, had left the carriageway before colliding with the tree. A female passenger identified as 34-year-old Saengchan Phutthawo was pinned inside the cab between the vehicle and the tree. Rescue teams deployed hydraulic cutting equipment to extract her, completing the operation in just over an hour. She received initial treatment at the scene before being transported to Manchakiri Hospital for urgent care. Police attributed the accident to the driver—believed to be her boyfriend—falling asleep at the wheel. Although he regained consciousness, he could not regain control of the vehicle before it left the road and struck the tree. No fatalities were reported.

The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) announced that Thailand's Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) reached 108.69 in March 2025, expanding 0.75% from the same period last year, with manufacturing capacity utilization at 64.61%. The petroleum industry expanded 1.48%, while industrial goods exports grew substantially at 21.10%—marking 21 consecutive months of expansion—and the automotive sector returned to growth at 0.55%.

Automobile bookings at Motor Show 2026 totaled 132,951 units, up 55,572 units or 71.8% compared to the previous year, reflecting strong demand for modern vehicles, particularly electric and hybrid models. This surge stems from volatile oil prices, worsening PM 2.5 pollution, and government incentive programs including EV 3.0 and EV 3.5 initiatives, which have encouraged consumers to prioritize fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles.

These trends are expected to boost automotive production and domestic component usage, supporting Thailand's transition toward becoming a regional center for modern vehicle manufacturing. International tourist arrivals grew 2.0% to 2.8 million, benefiting related industries. The first-quarter 2025 MPI reached 102.76, expanding 0.83% year-on-year with average capacity utilization at 61.26%.

Government stability and smooth governance transition have supported the continuation of economic stimulus programs and projects. Officials expect Thailand's industrial sector to gradually recover throughout 2025, provided risks from global trade policies and geopolitical tensions are managed effectively. However, April 2025 signals warrant caution, as Middle East tensions raise energy costs and logistics expenses, while persistent trade barriers and import competition increase pressure on domestic manufacturers.

The National Savings Fund (NSF) released survey results showing the precarious financial situation of Thai workers, with 79.1% having no savings. A survey conducted by the Thai Chamber of Commerce Poll and the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at the Thai Chamber of Commerce found that 98% of workers earning up to 15,000 baht carry an average household debt of 500,000 baht, with the most alarming finding being that 79.1% of workers have no savings, forcing them to borrow more due to insufficient income.

Since income falls short of expenses, the NSF aims to help convert "sweat equity" into accessible "pension payments" for all informal workers. The NSF positions itself as a solution designed specifically for informal workers' financial planning, offering three key strengths: First, savers receive government contribution matching of up to 100% depending on age, capped at 1,800 baht annually, providing guaranteed returns and retirement security. Second, high flexibility—given that 68% of workers consider the current minimum wage inadequate, the NSF offers flexible savings starting from just 50 baht per contribution, with a maximum of 30,000 baht annually and no requirement to save every month. Third, lifetime pension—since 21.9% of workers face high unemployment risk, NSF membership guarantees "monthly pension payments" for life after age 60, regardless of employment circumstances.

The NSF recognizes that rising costs of living make saving difficult, but views NSF savings not as an added burden but as self-rescue planning for the future. A 50-baht contribution today, combined with government matching and investment returns, becomes an important financial foundation when working years end. Eligible members include self-employed individuals, informal workers, small traders, motorcycle taxi drivers, and general workers aged 15-60. Workers are encouraged to seize this Labor Day opportunity to start saving for themselves by registering through the NSF mobile application or calling the savings hotline at 02-049-9000, or messaging Line: @nsf.th during business hours.