The Ministry of Commerce's Department of Intellectual Property, in coordination with economic crime police and private rights holders, continues its aggressive campaign against counterfeit goods. In April 2025, authorities in Bangkok, surrounding areas, and other provinces made significant seizures of counterfeit products, particularly fake cosmetics.

Department Director Ormon Saoptavirattham emphasized that intellectual property infringement threatens economic security and directly harms manufacturers, business operators, and consumers while eroding the nation's competitiveness. The government and Commerce Ministry are committed to addressing this issue seriously through stricter inspections, rigorous law enforcement, and integrated cooperation among all sectors to prevent counterfeit goods from entering the market and to apprehend major offenders.

The department is also working to strengthen intellectual property protection standards to enhance Thailand's credibility in global trade and improve the nation's intellectual property protection status internationally.

During April 2025, enforcement teams conducted coordinated raids in major commercial and tourism areas across four southern provinces: Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani, Krabi, and Phuket. Officers seized counterfeit trademark products including bags, pants, shirts, eyeglasses, belts, bracelets, shoes, and hats.

Searches were also conducted at storage facilities in Samut Prakan following reports of online sales of counterfeit cosmetics. The raids uncovered large quantities of counterfeit cosmetics bearing fake brand trademarks.

April 2025 statistics show 709,786 items seized across 29 cases with an estimated economic loss of over 50 million baht. Officers arrested suspects and forwarded cases to investigators for prosecution.

Director Ormon noted that the enforcement operation successfully prevented illegal products from reaching consumers, protecting them from substandard counterfeit goods that may pose health risks—especially cosmetics. She warned that counterfeit cosmetics now feature increasingly sophisticated fake packaging nearly identical to genuine products, including counterfeit Thai labels and product registration numbers, which can easily mislead consumers.

The department urges the public to exercise caution when purchasing goods, especially online. Consumers should buy from authorized retailers or trusted sources, verify packaging for proper standards and integrity, and ensure prices are reasonable. Those with information about counterfeit goods sales can report through the IP Thailand website (www.ipthailand.go.th) under "Report Intellectual Property Infringement" or call the hotline 1368.

Similan Islands has reclaimed the spotlight with Donald Duck Bay securing the 10th position on the 2026 World's Most Beautiful Beaches ranking. The island features stunning powder-fine white sand that feels like walking on cotton candy, water so transparent it seems unreal, and the famous giant granite rock formation shaped like Donald Duck—a must-visit photo spot offering unforgettable views of Similan blue. Three beaches from the archipelago made the top 30 list, including Paradise Beach and Freedom Beach, thanks largely to Thailand's annual limited-access conservation policy that has preserved the area's pristine ecosystem. The combination of natural beauty and environmental stewardship makes Similan an ideal destination for 2026 island getaways.

This week, "Hit Tai Krua" visits the cheerful household of Mom Jakamok to celebrate her youngest son Mix's recent proposal to his girlfriend Aie. However, before reaching this joyful milestone, the family had erected an emotional wall between father and son. For the first time, they openly address the real issue: Mix chose to pursue music, which his father disapproved of, offering no explanation for his objection. This lack of understanding led to four years of silence—the father wouldn't speak, and the son wouldn't either. The stubborn silence of the family members became a quiet heartache.

Mom reveals her parenting philosophy, never openly praising her son because she believed in letting him think and grow on his own, while always watching from afar. She opens up the "private zones" of the M household for the first time, sharing personal corners never shown before. This includes Mix's bold escapades, like climbing out a window to go out with friends, and his defiant act of forming the BKL band to prove himself as more than just "Mom's son."

One touching moment comes when Mix admits that during the COVID period when he had no income, he told his girlfriend Aie to find someone better, but she simply replied, "It's okay, I'll take care of things." The bride-to-be explains why this man is "the one."

Special guest M, the eldest sister, shares insights about the father-son relationship. The family concludes that what matters most is that parents and children now understand: everything the father did was out of love. Watch all the funny, touching, and warm moments of the "Mom-Mud-M-Mix" family on "Hit Tai Krua" this Sunday at 14:15 on Channel 3, Digit 33.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Cambodia has acknowledged Thailand's cancellation of the 2001 memorandum of understanding, with both sides agreeing to use the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the key framework for future discussions. Speaking after a trilateral meeting between Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Cebu on Thursday evening, Anutin said both countries shared a commitment to peace, stability and constructive dialogue while protecting their national interests. The talks were held at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who sought to promote cooperation and mutual understanding within ASEAN, Anutin said. Thailand brought representatives from its foreign affairs and security agencies to reaffirm its position of pursuing peaceful approaches alongside safeguarding sovereignty and the interests of the Thai people, he added. Anutin said the meeting reviewed progress on security measures and military coordination between Thailand and Cambodia, noting that no violent incidents had occurred along the border during the past five months. Thailand also explained its reasons for terminating the 2001 MOU, formally known in Thailand as MOU 2544, with Cambodia acknowledging and understanding Bangkok's position, he said. "Both countries agreed to adhere to the principles under UNCLOS as an important framework for future operations," Anutin said, adding that further discussions would still be needed on practical details. The two sides also agreed to gradually resume discussions at all levels, including through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), General Border Committee (GBC), and talks between foreign ministers, with the aim of generating mutual benefits for both peoples. Anutin stressed that all negotiations must remain based on the existing ceasefire agreement and previously agreed mechanisms in order to build trust and maintain a peaceful atmosphere. He described the discussions as a positive signal for strengthening peace and stability between Thailand and Cambodia, while insisting that the dispute was between governments and not between the peoples of the two countries. The prime minister also urged both countries to ensure the safety of Thai nationals in Cambodia and Cambodians in Thailand, and to prevent discrimination or inappropriate actions. Anutin said Thailand and Cambodia should continue bilateral discussions through constructive negotiations without pressure from third countries, warning against any escalation of tensions. He clarified that the talks did not involve negotiations on border demarcation or border reopening, but focused only on agreeing to begin operational-level discussions, with Thailand's foreign minister and deputy chief of defence forces expected to continue detailed talks. Thailand would fully protect its dignity, sovereignty and national interests throughout the process, he said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has clarified that the hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship MV Hondiusis does not represent a pandemic threat comparable to COVID-19, even with three fatalities recorded. Five confirmed cases have emerged from eight suspected patients, and health authorities are actively tracing dozens of passengers and crew members who left the vessel previously.

WHO epidemiologist Maria van Kerkhove stated that hantavirus transmission differs fundamentally from COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, requiring extensive close contact for human-to-human infection. This cruise ship incident represents the first clearly documented case of human-to-human transmission. The WHO has assessed the overall public health risk as low.

The MV Hondiusis, operated by Netherlands-based Oceanwide Expeditions, departed from Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1st with approximately 150 passengers and crew from 28 countries. Some passengers disembarked at Saint Helena, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, on April 24th.

Multiple countries including the United Kingdom, United States, and Singapore have begun monitoring and tracking passengers returning from the vessel. Of the three deaths, one was a 69-year-old Dutch woman confirmed to have hantavirus infection, along with her husband, and a German woman who died aboard ship pending cause investigation. The Dutch government revealed the infected woman traveled to South Africa after leaving the ship before her death. Some passengers have been asked to monitor themselves closely for symptoms.

WHO cautioned that the disease's incubation period may extend up to six weeks, meaning additional cases could still emerge. Argentine authorities are preparing to survey rodents in the Ushuaia area, believed to harbor hantavirus-carrying rat species.

Symptoms initially resemble common flu—chills, muscle pain, weakness, headache, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases (uncommon), symptoms include hemorrhagic fever with kidney failure, or severe respiratory disease with potential pulmonary edema, which can be fatal rapidly.

Two daughters of accused men in the murder of Pranee, known as 'Grandma Jook' a local loan shark, are demanding justice after police allegedly relied on testimony from just one witness while lacking scientific evidence. Police arrested Charoenyuth, 51, and Pholphol, 54, on warrants from Thungsong District Court on charges of premeditated murder and robbery in connection with Pranee's death in Ron Phibun District, Nakhon Si Thammarat. The victim was found dead on May 1, 2569, with bite wounds and lacerations to her head and arms.

On May 8, 2569, Suphaporn, 28, and Nopdol, 32, filed complaints requesting justice, asserting that both men are innocent. Nopdol revealed that on April 30, the day before the murder, witnesses saw Akkhom, Grandma Jook's foster son, in a heated argument with her. Akkhom disappeared for three days before returning on May 3 to tell police that Charoenyuth and Pholphol hired him to commit the murder. However, key evidence—a spray can, shoes, and two machetes—was found in Akkhom's house.

The family questions why police closed the case based on a single witness when locals know Akkhom owed Grandma Jook money, while neither Charoenyuth nor Pholphol had financial dealings or debts to the victim. They demand thorough DNA testing and forensic analysis before proceeding. Suphaporn confirmed the family had no debts to Grandma Jook and noted that regarding Pholphol, police suspected a 'debt-clearing' murder after finding watermelon rinds near his home, despite his wife only having borrowed money and sold goods near the victim's house.

The family also claims that during the suspected time of murder, Pholphol was riding his motorcycle in the village and stopped at a nearby shop, while Charoenyuth was ill and resting at home, with neighbors confirming both accounts. Suphaporn stated that the evidence police used to obtain the arrest warrant was insufficient, particularly the machetes seized from a neighbor on May 5—two days after the murder—which Charoenyuth had borrowed on May 3 for firewood. She noted suspicion over a police officer's comment asking why the machete owner hadn't claimed he lent it on another day.

She also mentioned that on the night of April 30, Akkhom's mother suffered shock and was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night, and wants an investigation into what happened during that time. Since their arrest, both men have maintained their innocence to family members and vowed not to confess, even under pressure. Bail requests have been denied at both investigation and court levels, and family visits have been restricted.

Sirivarn, 29, Pholphol's daughter, revealed that the witness who claimed her father paid 7,000 baht as hush money at 18:05 contradicts CCTV footage showing Pholphol was in Khuan Chum sub-district at that time and later rode back into the village, stopping at a shop near his home at 20:27. She also questioned why police took her father for another interrogation, claiming it was for a urine test despite having tested him before, coinciding with the moment Akkhom entered Ron Phibun Police Station wearing a hat and mask.

The family maintains they have evidence and witnesses confirming both men's innocence, though some witnesses are afraid to testify due to fear of police testing.