Kasetsart University Demonstration School, Research and Educational Development Center, serving as the Geography Olympiad hub, has been honored as host for the 8th National Geography Olympiad (The 8th Thailand Geography Olympiad 2026) from April 29 to May 4, 2026, at Kasetsart University Demonstration School and TK Palace and Convention Hotel Bangkok. The competition aims to select Thailand's representatives for the International Geography Olympiad while elevating Thailand's geography education standards to international levels. This competition platform serves as a crucial mechanism for developing Thai youth into internationally-capable spatial thinkers and reflects the school's role as a center for academic excellence in the country. The official opening ceremony, reflecting collaborative educational efforts, will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at the Hydrenia 2-3 meeting room at TK Palace and Convention Hotel Bangkok. Distinguished guests include Professor Emeritus Dr. Charas Suwanwela, Vice President of the OCSC Foundation, as president of the ceremony, alongside executives from Kasetsart University, the Office of the Basic Education Commission, academics, teachers, and over 350 students from across the country. Dr. Phakamask Nantjeewrawat, Chairman of the Geography Olympiad Center at Kasetsart University Demonstration School, stated that this competition is organized under the supervision of the OCSC Foundation, with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as Foundation President. The primary objectives include providing students with opportunities to demonstrate academic potential, selecting Thailand's representatives, building academic networks, and elevating geography education to international standards. This competition is not merely a platform to measure academic capability, but also a space for shared learning among youth nationwide who exchange experiences and geographic perspectives, which will serve as important foundations for future knowledge development. The opening ceremony includes significant activities such as the introduction of flags from all 16 centers and the OCSC flag, the pledge by competing students and committees led by Dr. Thanatep Pitayaratchakti, as well as performances and academic exhibitions reflecting advances in geographic science. The host is fully prepared to create an internationally-standard competition platform. This competition is a collaboration between Kasetsart University Demonstration School and the Foundation for the Promotion of Academic Olympiad (OCSC), with intensive preparation involving over 280 personnel to accommodate more than 469 participants from across the country. Competitors consist of 108 student representatives from 16 OCSC centers who will participate in exams and activities over 6 days under the same standards as international competitions. Beyond academic testing, the competition period represents a time for capable youth to live together, learn, exchange, and build academic networks, which constitutes valuable and sustainable out-of-classroom experience. The competition format challenges modern-world skills through written exams and case analysis.

On April 30, 2025, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, clarified the Prime Minister's absence from live parliamentary questioning, explaining that the Parliament only notifies the cabinet of question topics on Thursday morning. Since the Prime Minister and ministers don't know the topics in advance, they sometimes cannot attend due to pre-scheduled commitments, or questions may be delegated to the responsible minister to answer on their behalf.

Regarding the Land Bridge project question, it was assigned to Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Transport, to answer instead because the Transport Ministry is the primary responsible agency. However, the Deputy Prime Minister was occupied with the first 2025 Rail Transport Committee meeting, an important agenda following the Rail Transport Act's official implementation on March 27. The meeting was scheduled a week in advance and produced significant resolutions, including measures to reduce public expenses and protect passenger rights, as well as expediting regulations for an integrated ticket system. Therefore, Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angksakulkiart was assigned to provide clarification to Parliament on behalf.

Ms. Ratchada further noted that the Prime Minister's schedule included meetings with the Police Commission, economic team discussions, and a press conference on suppressing transnational criminal networks, corruption, citizenship fraud, and illegal gambling operations. She emphasized that assigning responsible ministers to answer questions is not avoidance but rather ensures comprehensive information, as the responsible minister can provide complete and detailed data.

Burnley announced the departure of Scott Parker from the managerial position following the team's relegation, with Mike Jackson taking charge on an interim basis until the end of the season. Parker had guided Burnley to promotion to the Premier League this season, but ultimately failed to prevent 'The Clarets' from being relegated, finishing 19th in the table. On April 30, Burnley confirmed the mutual split through the club's official website, with immediate effect. Mike Jackson and his coaching staff will oversee the team's remaining four Premier League matches, starting with an away fixture at Leeds United on May 1. According to the BBC, Burnley is targeting Craig Bellamy, manager of the Welsh national team, as the new permanent manager.

At 9:00 PM on April 30, 2026, Saen Suk Police Station in Chon Buri Province, along with rescue workers from the Dharmarajamani Foundation, responded to a collision between a passenger van and pickup truck that left 15 people injured, with 1 in critical condition, on Khao Lam Road near the Guan U Shrine U-turn in Muang District, Chon Buri.

At the scene, officers found a passenger van bearing license plate 1NJ 8751 from Bangkok, flipped on its side with severe damage. All 13 passengers sustained injuries, including one woman trapped under the vehicle in critical condition. Rescue workers attempted CPR but were unsuccessful, and she died shortly after. Nearby, a pickup truck with license plate PB 2437 from Bangkok had its right side severely damaged and two occupants trapped inside. Rescue personnel had to use cutting equipment to extract them. In total, 14 people were injured and 1 person died.

According to witness Nai Aek, a resident who saw the incident, the pickup truck emerged from an alley, stopped in the left lane, and attempted to make a right turn to reverse direction. At that moment, the van traveling straight ahead struck it at full speed, causing the pickup to lose control and flip over. Witnesses immediately rushed to help as people were trapped under the vehicle. The road is a straight stretch where vehicles tend to travel at high speeds and accidents are frequent occurrences.

Si Sa Ket authorities launched a crackdown on three kratom juice shops operating openly near schools with flavored formulas targeting youth. The operation, which began at 3 p.m. on April 30, 2026, was coordinated by Si Sa Ket Governor Anurath Thammaratchajit and other provincial officials, involving health department staff, security volunteers, and local police.

At the first location, authorities arrested a 24-year-old man named Phong while illegally producing and selling kratom juice near a school. Officers seized 74 bottles of flavored kratom juice, 2 cough syrup bottles, 300 plastic bottles for packaging, 5 strainers, and a QR code payment sticker.

At the second location within Si Sa Ket municipality, a 22-year-old man named Chai was arrested with 67 bottles of flavored kratom juice, QR code payment stickers, and shop signage. Authorities confirmed the shop had been continuously selling to local youth near school boundaries.

At the third location, a 23-year-old man named Rach was apprehended with 257 bottles of flavored kratom juice—the largest seizure of the operation. Authorities suspect he operated a larger distribution network supplying youth groups in the area.

Governor Anurath stated that officials had received numerous complaints from parents and residents about shops selling flavored kratom drinks to attract young people. Although kratom was removed from the narcotics list, its production and sale remain regulated by law, which explicitly prohibits sales near educational institutions, to minors, and in illegally mixed formulas. Violators will face strict prosecution.

On April 30th, reporters visited Wat Tha Pha in Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province after learning that devotees were gathering to make merit donations and receive oversized premium bananas graded for Japanese export, which the temple distributed to the faithful in celebration of National Labor Day.

Upon arrival, the area in front of the traditional Thai pavilion housing a statue of Khun Mae Chi Bun Ruean Tong Bun Toem was found to be lined with hundreds of premium-grade bananas, each marked with a "donate 50 baht per bunch" sign. Devotees enthusiastically participated in merit-making before taking the giant banana bunches to present to Khun Mae Chi Bun Ruean, then bringing them home as auspicious blessings.

Chai Sripho, a committee member at Wat Tha Pha, revealed that all the bananas were donated by Pim Jai and Lek Kaew Jai, owners of the renowned Thai restaurant Kaew Jai in Narita, Japan. Originally destined for export, the bananas ripened faster than expected due to the intense heat and would have been overripe by the time they reached their destination. The donors consequently decided to offer them to the temple to distribute as merit donations, with an entire truckload delivered.

Weighing tests showed the largest banana bunches weighed nearly 8 kilograms, with smaller ones around 4 kilograms. Premium bananas of this grade typically sell for no less than 200 baht per bunch in the market. However, the temple wanted merit-makers to receive quality goods, so anyone donating 50 baht or more received one bunch of these export-grade bananas as a blessing.

Bananas are traditionally offered to Khun Mae Chi Bun Ruean based on the belief that such offerings bring smooth livelihoods and easy success in endeavors, much like peeling a banana into one's mouth.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, the lucky number draw was a highlight for those trying their luck. Committee member Chai drew an auspicious ping pong ball before the statue of Khun Mae Chi Bun Ruean as a National Labor Day gift, revealing the number 547. Local residents quickly photographed and recorded the number, hoping to purchase lottery tickets for the upcoming draw.