Police Region 3 arrested an international Korean scammer wanted on an INTERPOL Red Notice at a luxury condominium in Bangkok's Huai Khwang district on April 30, 2025. Acting on information provided by the South Korean Embassy in Thailand, investigators under the command of Police Region 3 leadership tracked down the suspect, identified as Mr. GIJU (surname withheld), 31, who had entered Thailand on April 2, 2025 on a tourist visa. The suspect is wanted for organized crime involving telecommunications-based financial fraud, trafficking Korean nationals to scam centers in Cambodia for forced labor, and money laundering through voice phishing schemes, converting proceeds to digital currency (USDT) while based in the Philippines. Officers arrested the suspect at the luxury condominium and revoked his visa due to his status as a prohibited alien and threat to public safety. A search discovered 1.31 grams of methamphetamine hidden in his bag. He was charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 controlled substance and referred to Huai Khwang Police Station for further legal proceedings. Background checks revealed prior convictions in South Korea for sexual assault in 2022 and drug distribution in 2023, indicating a dangerous pattern of criminal behavior with high risk of reoffending.

Nom Jit Manufacturing Limited, represented by Managing Director Anon Jitmeesilp, announced the company will keep student uniform prices frozen throughout the 2025 academic year and both terms, even as production costs have risen approximately 5-10% from increases in energy, oil, and transportation expenses. Key raw materials including polyester fabric, plastic, buttons, and thread—all tied to oil prices—have become more expensive, but the company will maintain current prices since most uniforms being sold this year are old stock from 2024 produced before global cost pressures escalated.

Currently, Nom Jit manufactures continuously year-round, with nearly all uniforms sold during this semester coming from existing inventory. New batches hit by higher costs will be produced for next year's sales around May 2026, allowing the company to absorb costs in the short term. Although shipping costs have already impacted operations, management believes they can manage without immediate price increases.

"We will reassess average costs again," a company statement noted. "If costs don't rise much, we can maintain prices, but if they spike significantly—say 20-30%—we may need to adjust prices on specific necessary products next year."

Parental purchasing power in 2025 is expected to remain flat compared to 2024, which already saw weak consumer spending. Most parents buy only essential items, with students changing grades purchasing 2-4 uniforms on average depending on school requirements, while returning customers often buy just one uniform or opt for alterations and repairs instead of new purchases to save money.

Nom Jit's current uniform prices start around 200 baht per set and can reach 300-400 baht depending on size and type. The overall student uniform market remains highly competitive, with consumers choosing from various price points across major brands, secondary brands, and both retail and online channels.

While some schools are allowing casual or private uniforms on certain days, this trend won't significantly impact the market over the next 5-10 years, as most parents and schools still see value in uniforms for cost savings, discipline, and educational management.

President Donald Trump discussed how to mitigate the impact of a possible months-long U.S. blockade of Iran's ports with oil companies, a White House official said on Wednesday, as the U.S. renewed its calls for other nations to help open the Strait of Hormuz. Tuesday's talks with oil executives followed a deadlock in efforts to resolve the conflict, which has led the United States to try to squeeze Iran's oil exports with a naval blockade aimed at forcing it to reopen the Strait to shipping. Trump stated that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons despite repeatedly claiming its program is for peaceful purposes. 'They don't know how to sign a non-nuclear deal. They'd better get smart soon!' Trump said in a social media post. He also posted a mock-up image of himself wearing dark glasses and wielding a machine gun, captioned 'No more Mr. Nice Guy.' Oil prices rose more than 6 percent, with Brent crude touching its highest level in a month due to the prolonged blockade outlook. U.S. Department of Defense officials stated the conflict has already cost the U.S. military $25 billion, the first official cost estimate following U.S. coordination with Israel in launching strikes against Iran in February 2025. Meanwhile, Iran vowed to continue blocking passage through the Strait of Hormuz as long as it remains threatened, warning of 'unprecedented military operations.' Iran is seeking U.S. recognition of its right to uranium enrichment for civilian and peaceful purposes. Iran currently holds approximately 440 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium, enough to produce significant quantities of nuclear weapons. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, speaker of Iran's parliament and head of its negotiating team, said Trump is attempting to divide Iranians and force capitulation through the blockade. 'The only way to counter the enemy's new conspiracy is to maintain unity,' Qalibaf said. Iran's latest proposal to end the conflict, which has been suspended since April 8 under a ceasefire agreement, would defer nuclear program discussions until the conflict is formally resolved and shipping issues are addressed.

On April 30, 2025, Deputy Commander Chuthesan Yingyongdam of Region 6 Immigration Police revealed that immigration officials coordinated with Interpol and the Israeli Embassy's police and security attaché office to arrest and extradite Matan Avif, 28, an Israeli national wanted for serious security and criminal violations. Avif is a high-ranking member of the 'Avengers' criminal organization established in Israel and had fled to Thailand to evade prosecution under an Interpol red notice and Israeli arrest warrant.

The Israeli Embassy identified Avif as a dangerous person involved in violent crimes with an extensive criminal history including theft, fraud, illegal weapons possession, drug trafficking, murder, bomb transport and creation, threats, possession of prohibited equipment, and drug-related offenses involving minors.

Investigators from Suratthani Provincial Police traced Avif's movements and discovered he was hiding with four others at a luxury villa in Koh Samui. They recommended his deportation, which was approved by the Immigration Bureau. Officers successfully apprehended Avif on April 29 at 4:00 PM, issued a deportation order, and placed him in custody pending extradition to Israel while adding him to the blacklist prohibiting future entry.

Deputy Commander Chuthesan stated this operation aligns with the Royal Thai Police's transnational crime suppression policy under Police Commander Kittirat Punthaiphet and Deputy Commander Panumat Bunnyalak, targeting foreign nationals with antisocial behavior and international criminal gangs using Thailand as a base. Police urge the public to report suspicious foreign nationals by calling the hotline 1178 available 24 hours daily.

The Commerce Ministry has launched the Back to School 2026 program—"Start the Term with an Easy Budget"—in partnership with 49 private sector companies under the government's "Thai Helping Thai" policy to reduce the financial burden on parents during the school season. The initiative emphasizes affordable educational products through both offline and online channels nationwide.

The program includes over 1,000 products across multiple categories: apparel (school uniforms, shoes, socks), school supplies (stationery, office equipment, desks and chairs), and specialty items (eyeglasses and sports equipment), with discounts reaching up to 86%. This is projected to save Thai families approximately 300 million baht.

The 32-day campaign runs from April 30 to May 31, 2026, covering the period before and after the school term begins. Products will be sold through major retailers, department stores, and convenience stores participating in the program. Parents and the public can also purchase items through the E-Catalog online system by scanning QR codes to check product lists and place orders immediately.

The Commerce Ministry is also partnering with the Education Ministry to sell products directly in approximately 1,000 schools nationwide, prioritizing remote areas and schools where students lack access to these supplies. Distribution has already begun.

Krung Thai Bank has joined forces with PTTEP to launch digital USD bonds for everyday investors, with a minimum investment of just 1,000 US dollars and no upper limit. Ravintr Bunyanusat, head of the money and capital markets business at Krung Thai Bank, stated that on the occasion of the bank's 60th anniversary, it is committed to developing internationally-standard investment products and services that meet investors' needs across all dimensions. The bank is advancing investment capabilities through digital platforms by developing the USD Bond Wallet to broaden investment options for Thai people in US dollar-denominated assets, which currently attract significant investor interest. Thai investors can now conveniently access highly-credible digital USD bonds from Thai companies, with a secondary market supported by Krung Thai Bank operating 24/7 to enhance liquidity and investment management flexibility.

The digital USD bonds are being offered through the bond trading wallet on the Pao Tang app for the first time in Asia, giving Thai investors equal access to US dollar-denominated assets from companies with strong fundamentals and growth potential. This allows portfolio diversification and enhanced return opportunities with a minimum investment of 1,000 US dollars and no maximum limit. PTTEP's digital USD bonds have received a AAA credit rating with stable outlook from Tris Rating as of March 16, 2025—the highest rating available.

The bonds are unsubordinated, unsecured digital USD instruments with a 5-year maturity, a fixed interest rate of 4.50% per annum, and semi-annual interest payments. The offering is scheduled for May 18-21, 2025, exclusively through the bond trading wallet on Krung Thai Bank's Pao Tang app.

Prospective investors can prepare by: 1) Installing and registering the Pao Tang app; 2) Opening a bond trading wallet and completing a risk assessment; 3) Opening a foreign currency savings account with Krung Thai Bank or a Global Savings account on the Krungthai NEXT app and linking it to the bond trading wallet for interest and principal payments; 4) Exchanging USD into the Global Savings account to prepare for purchase.

Investors can exchange USD into their Global Savings account anytime across 24 hours and earn 2.25% annual interest while waiting to invest. Once invested in digital USD bonds, interest automatically transfers to the Global Savings account to sustain long-term investment growth. The company is currently submitting disclosure documents and a prospectus to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors can find more details at www.sec.or.th and www.krungthai.com or contact Krung Thai Bank at 02-111-1111.