SA KAEO — 28 April 2026, the Burapha Task Force's Humanitarian Mine Action Unit 1 is continuing landmine clearance operations along the Thai-Cambodian border at Ban Nong Chan in Non Mak Mun subdistrict, Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo province.

During operations on 25 April, teams worked in the suspected hazardous area SHA 27-01/AD, which covers 99,800 square metres. Personnel cleared an additional 400 square metres and uncovered 32 landmines, including 22 PMN anti-personnel mines and 10 MN79 mines. Released images show the mines bundled together for transport, illustrating the severity of contamination in the zone.

Since 18 November, cumulative operations have rendered 62,000 square metres safe, representing 62.93% of the total area, with approximately 37,000 square metres (37.07%) still requiring clearance. To date, 189 explosive items have been discovered and cleared, comprising 122 PMN mines, 30 MN79 mines, two POMZ-2 mines, 34 PMD-6M mines, and one unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Authorities report that large quantities of mines continue to be found along the border. The bundling of recovered mines for safe transport and storage before disposal is rarely documented and underscores the extensive contamination. Operations remain underway as officials work to restore safety for border communities.

Climate change is subjecting Bangkok residents to increasingly high temperatures and heat index levels, especially during the hot season, disrupting daily life. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has implemented a systematic heat management approach to address the 2025 hot season, establishing a heat management committee to set policies, oversee operations, and coordinate surveillance, early warning systems, and urban heat mitigation efforts.

The BMA's 2025 Heat Management Plan for Bangkok focuses on protecting public health, reducing heat-related illnesses, and building long-term urban resilience. A key initiative is an early warning system where Bangkok's Air Quality Data Center monitors daily heat index values and coordinates with the Thai Meteorological Department to track weather forecasts and heat wave trends. Public alerts with health recommendations are distributed through all BMA communication channels, including the AirBKK website and app, the Bangkok Environment Office Facebook page, and community networks for real-time updates.

Bangkok residents can escape the heat at 'cooling spots' and 'cooling centers' throughout the city, operating from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (hours vary by location) during peak heat and UV intensity periods. The BMA operates cooling services across all districts with 2,806 water stations, including 110 cooling spots in 48 public parks, 242 cooling spots in 15-minute parks, 255 cooling centers in schools (51 schools and 10 vocational schools), 68 health service centers, 76 cultural, sports, and tourism facilities, recreational centers, 50 district offices, and 24-hour rest centers in BMA hospitals.

These cooling spaces serve vulnerable populations including the elderly, children, those with chronic illnesses, and outdoor workers, allowing them to rest, hydrate, and escape extreme heat. Residents can locate nearby cooling facilities through the greener.bangkok.go.th website.

Since heat index concerns no longer affect only the summer season but threaten public health year-round, the BMA is implementing both short-term and long-term strategies under its heat management committee to protect residents' quality of life. Short-term measures include close monitoring and early warnings using heat index data with four alert thresholds.

At 8:30 a.m. on April 28, 2025, at the Government House, Energy Minister Eknath Phrom-phun outlined a restructured household electricity rate before a cabinet meeting. The new structure charges no more than 3 baht for the first 200 units, 3.95 baht per unit for 200-400 units, and a new rate of 5 baht per unit for usage above 401 units. The minister explained that previous electricity price increases were driven by LNG costs tied to global market prices, which spiked when Middle East tensions caused gas prices to double. The new rate formula will reduce electricity costs system-wide by 30-40%, benefiting all 23 million households assessed under this structure. The minister clarified misconceptions, emphasizing that the new tiered structure means households using the first 200 units receive full benefits with a 20% reduction, while those exceeding 200 units still benefit from the 10% discount on that baseline. The Energy Ministry's agenda, designated as a national priority, will be presented at the cabinet meeting today, including initiatives to promote solar rooftop installations with reduced bureaucracy—condensing multiple agency visits into a single process completed within 30 days—and securing affordable installment financing. Additional measures include promoting domestically-produced electric bicycles and motorcycles, improving energy efficiency in government facilities and street lighting, and permanently reducing electricity rates by canceling perpetual unfair contracts. The government aims to reduce gas dependency in power generation by cutting expensive imports and expanding solar energy use. The minister will meet with the National Energy Policy Committee on April 29 to proceed with public consultation, with implementation expected in June's bill cycle, allowing consumers to pay the new rates by month-end.

At 7:35 AM on April 28, 2569 at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Wongswat, also Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, explained that his ministry is working to convert waste and agricultural material burning into a circular system. The plan involves collecting materials farmers would otherwise burn and exchanging them for solar panels in partnership with private companies using the ministry's technology to create a closed loop that reduces farmer expenses. A project announcement is planned for this afternoon.

When asked about proposals for today's cabinet meeting, Yuthasak said budget-related matters requiring quick action would likely be presented, along with several urgent items, particularly those addressing people's income as household expenses continue rising. He expects various ministries will submit quality projects, with his ministry's budget expected to remain at previous levels as specified by Deputy PM and Finance Minister Ekniti.

Yuthasak emphasized his focus on the Wellness Economy, believing that investments generating long-term returns could transform taxpayer money into high-value economic activity. He noted the Prime Minister has assigned him to oversee the Circular Economy initiative, with the ministry working to improve air quality and environmental conditions. During a recent field visit to Udon Thani province on April 25, he addressed public awareness about flooding and drought, coordinating with multiple ministries. The ministry is also promoting fertilizer programs developed with agricultural cooperatives.

The Commerce Ministry is closely monitoring live-streamed durian sales and stands ready to implement legal measures immediately if influencers launch promotions that destabilize the market and artificially depress prices.

On April 28, 2025, Kornit Nonchuay, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, revealed that following public interest in the case of influencer Pimrypie's high-volume live durian sales, the ministry inquired with the influencer and learned that the entrepreneur's intent is to support farmers in line with the Commerce Ministry's policy of expanding distribution channels for Thai fruits through live commerce directly from production sources.

This approach enables faster product distribution and broader consumer reach to efficiently address this year's increased production. To achieve this, durians are being sold through live streams using promotions to accelerate sales turnover, a practice that occurs annually. The goal is to provide farmers with new assured markets and higher product prices.

The Commerce Ministry welcomes private live commerce operators to participate in elevating agricultural prices. The ministry has no policy of providing special support to any particular influencer, farmer, or merchant.

Distribution methods, promotions, and prices are determined through direct negotiation between farmers and sellers. All parties can negotiate terms aligned with costs and to prices farmers find acceptable, following each merchant's marketing plan. The Commerce Ministry will oversee transactions to prevent farmer price suppression and ensure genuine market mechanisms.

Durian prices as of April 27, 2025, according to market rates:

- Export Grade AB: 135-150 baht per kilogram - Grade C: 90-100 baht per kilogram - Grade D: 70-80 baht per kilogram - Mixed Grade: 125-130 baht per kilogram

Price ranges vary according to product quality.

The Commerce Ministry will closely monitor price and production volume situations to ensure balance in both price and quantity, while continuously supporting expanded distribution channels so farmers can sell at fair and appropriate prices.

"Going forward, the Commerce Ministry will closely monitor and oversee all merchants and influencers. If any party's promotions cause market disruption affecting supply and prices—particularly causing significant price drops—we will immediately implement legal measures to ensure farmers can sell their products at fair and appropriate prices," the spokesman stated.