Khon Kaen residents are calling for the 'Khon La Khrueng Plus' subsidy program to become a monthly initiative, saying it genuinely helps reduce living expenses. Business owners believe the recurring program is more effective than one-time cash disbursements that customers spend immediately.

April 26, 2026 – A reporter conducted ground surveys following the government's announcement of the 'Khon La Khrueng Plus' program under the 'Thai Help Thai Plus' policy, with registration set to begin in May and implementation expected in June. The program operates with the government providing 60 percent funding and citizens contributing 40 percent through the 'Pao Tangka' mobile application over a four-month period.

Siriporn, 44, a hotel employee, stated she missed the previous round due to application problems but intends to register this time, though she worries about the complicated process. If approved, she says it would reduce her monthly household expenses somewhat, but she wishes the government would increase the amount and extend the program duration, given rising prices require careful budgeting with each purchase.

Meanwhile, Kraisuwan, 60, said the previous round's benefits were substantial and she used her full allocation. While she questions whether the current amount and timeframe are appropriate, she feels it still helps and is better than having no assistance program at all.

Laksina, 41, a seafood restaurant owner, noted that participating merchants experience significant economic stimulus during the program period, with customers filling the shop and spending generously. However, business drops sharply once the program ends. She expressed hope to see bustling customer activity return and urged the government to continue supporting the program, as it's more effective than one-time cash handouts that get spent immediately. With this approach, customers gradually make purchases and restore the vibrancy to the business community.

At 11:50 a.m. on April 26, 2025, at Maple Hotel Bangkok (Bang Na branch), Pheu Thai party leader Nattapong Rueangpanya addressed the media regarding candidate Nissamaad Louherattanaheerin's withdrawal from the Pattaya mayor race, citing personal reasons. The party has already selected a replacement candidate, Ittivat Wattanasathansaethon, following a complete vetting process. Candidates for Bangkok governor and Bangkok Metropolitan Assembly members will be unveiled in early May. When asked whether the mid-campaign replacement appears disrespectful or resembles a trial run, Nattapong stated that what matters most is the candidate's commitment and stability. Since the initial candidate had reservations before requesting withdrawal, the party had to reconsider while prioritizing voters and eligible electorate, which led to selecting a new candidate.

The Prachachat Party held its first ordinary general meeting of 2569 on April 26 at Al-Imam Al-Nawawi Hall of Prince of Songkla University's Islamic Studies Faculty in Pattani province. Former Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong, serving as party leader and list MP, presided over the meeting alongside party officials including Sugarno Mata (Yala Zone 2 Secretary-General), Sulaiman Buanapina (Yala Zone 1), Abdulayee Samang (Yala Zone 3), and Kamlasak Livameuea (Narathiwat Zone 5).

Thawee emphasized that political parties must adapt to social changes and that true democracy goes beyond election day—it requires continuously improving citizens' quality of life. Though the Prachachat Party has only five MPs, Thawee pledged to use all available political mechanisms to push forward promised policies addressing real citizen needs, particularly in areas facing inequality in economics, security, and education.

The meeting marked the party's first assembly since the recent elections, aimed at setting work direction, strategy, and political analysis while increasing female representation in party leadership. An afternoon panel discussion on the party's future direction in southern border provinces will be held, with former Prime Minister's Advisor Wanmuhammadnor Mata scheduled to deliver closing remarks at 3 p.m.

A birthday celebration with a difference, but one full of meaning for entertainment couple Pooklook Fon Thip and Mike Patradej, who transformed this special day into a day of giving by helping hundreds of stray dogs.

The couple personally prepared the meals themselves. They teamed up to shop for ingredients, purchasing dozens of kilograms of meat and fresh vegetables before returning to the kitchen to cook everything by hand. They prepared special meals for nearly 500 stray dogs to ensure all of them had full bellies.

Pooklook revealed that since this occasion marked Mike's birthday, they intentionally wanted to do something good together. She acknowledged that the process took considerable time from shopping to cooking. She emphasized that besides food, water is equally important, especially during hot weather. After their previous experience helping strays, she said it made her want to help even more.

The couple is calling on kind-hearted people to share food and water with stray dogs. Pooklook said: "We hope compassionate people will come feed and give water to the dogs. Next month, I'll need surgery, but we can continue visiting them. Anyone interested in helping, the location is: 4 Soi Khlong Sam 10/3, Soi Phenpak, Khlong Sam Subdistrict, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand. Contact Khun Pa at: 085-109-5965"

An Indian tourist has filed a police complaint after allegedly being robbed of a gold necklace worth more than 100,000 baht by a group of transgender women on Pattaya beach.

At 01:30 on April 26, 2026, 36-year-old Rishav Singh reported the incident to police at Pattaya City Police Station after returning to his hotel and discovering his necklace missing.

The theft allegedly occurred on the night of April 25 along Pattaya Beach Road, opposite a shopping centre in the Nong Prue area of Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province.

Singh said he had been on a five-day trip to Pattaya and visited entertainment venues on Walking Street in South Pattaya around 04:00 before walking back to his hotel along the beachfront road.

He reported that while passing the beach area opposite a shopping centre, two transgender women approached him, struck up a conversation, acted friendly, and hugged him. Singh said he felt suspicious and tried to push them away.

After returning to his hotel, he discovered his gold necklace missing, valued at approximately 300,000 Indian rupees, or around 100,000 baht.

Police confirmed that the complaint has been recorded as evidence and investigators have been instructed to review CCTV footage from the area. Officers are also compiling records of individuals involved in similar incidents for identification purposes. If a match is found, authorities said they will pursue legal action.

At 11:50 a.m. on April 26, 2026, at Maple Hotel in Bangkok, Natthapon Rueangpanya, party list MP and Pheu Thai Party leader, announced that the party's annual general assembly approved Picharn Chaowapatvanont as party secretary-general. Suthawan Subban Na Ayutthaya, former Nakhon Pathom MP, was appointed to the party executive committee, while Phakamon Nunanant, party list MP, became party spokesman. All confirmed their readiness to work full-time.

Picharn stated that as the new secretary-general, he would implement decisions from party meetings and prioritize human resource development across all party units. He emphasized that all party activities should benefit the people. He called for coordination between parliamentarians, provincial teams, and networks to work seamlessly both inside and outside parliament, using legal knowledge and parliamentary mechanisms to solve people's problems as an opposition party.

When asked about accelerating MP candidate selection and addressing qualification issues, Picharn explained that candidates who could be quickly endorsed would have stronger teams and greater capacity to work in their areas, paving the way toward elections.

Regarding pressure about accepting the secretary-general position—described as the party's brain—Picharn said pressure was irrelevant; rather, when the party gave him their trust, he had a duty to drive objectives. He saw the current judicial crisis as an opportunity to work effectively through the ten MPs not under suspension orders.

On preventing internal politics and position-grabbing, Picharn said party units must understand their shared goal: improving people's lives and creating a better Thailand. If everyone focused on that objective, all obstacles and conflicts could be overcome.

After the announcement, Pheu Thai supporters presented a "Conquer Evil—People's Version" talisman and oranges in a transparent box to Natthapon and Picharn. When reporters asked if the oranges resembled those in Prime Minister Anutthin Charnvirakul's office at Government House, Natthapon only smiled and laughed without answering.