Football Schedule April 30, 2025

UEFA Europa League Semi-final First Leg

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa - This match kicks off at 2:00 AM with live coverage on beIN Sports 1. It's a showdown between two English clubs as "The Reds" Nottingham Forest open their City Ground to welcome "The Lions" Aston Villa.

From their recent league performance, Forest recorded 4 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses for 14 points, advancing as the 13th-ranked team. Villa, meanwhile, posted 7 wins and 1 loss with 21 points, advancing as the 2nd-ranked team.

In the knockout stages, Forest defeated Fenerbahçe 4-2 on aggregate in the playoff round, then drew with Middlesborough 2-2 on aggregate (winning 3-0 on penalties after extra time in the second leg), and beat Porto 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-final first leg. Villa defeated Lille 3-0 on aggregate in the round of 16 and thrashed Bologna 7-1 on aggregate in the semi-final first leg.

Forest are expected to field Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Omari Hutchinson, while Villa likely deploy Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, and John McGinn.

Forest's recent form has been impressive, making their fans optimistic. Though Villa are strong, this match should be competitive, with Forest favored to secure the first-leg advantage.

Braga vs Freiburg - This match kicks off at 2:00 AM with live coverage on beIN Sports 4. Portugal's Braga open their Estádio Municipal de Braga to host Germany's Freiburg.

Braga had to start from the second qualifying round, drawing with Levski Sofia 0-0 on aggregate (winning 1-0 after extra time), then beat CFR Cluj 4-1 on aggregate in the third qualifying round, and defeated Lincoln Red Imps 9-1 on aggregate in the playoff round. Both teams finished their league stage with identical records of 5 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss for 17 points each, but Braga advanced as the 6th-ranked team while Freiburg came 7th on goal difference.

In the knockout stages, Braga beat Ferencváros 4-2 on aggregate in the round of 16 and defeated Real Betis 5-3 on aggregate in the semi-final first leg. Freiburg beat Genk 5-2 on aggregate in the round of 16 and thrashed Celta Vigo 6-1 on aggregate in the semi-final first leg.

Braga are expected to field Pau Victor, Ricardo Horta, and Rodrigo Zalazar, while Freiburg likely deploy Igor Matanovic, Yuito Suzuki, and Vincenzo Grifo.

Braga are strong at home and Freiburg aren't significantly superior, making the hosts favorable to celebrate.

UEFA Conference League Semi-final First Leg

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace - This match takes place in Krakow, Poland, and kicks off at 2:00 AM with live coverage on beIN Sports 3. Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk are in excellent form, and England's Crystal Palace look set for a tough challenge. Shakhtar appear to be favorites.

Rayo Vallecano vs Strasbourg - This match kicks off at 2:00 AM with live coverage on beIN Sports 3. Spain's Rayo Vallecano have more firepower than France's Strasbourg, with the home side favored to claim victory.

The durian sales controversy has escalated into a political issue, reflecting more than just pricing debates or marketing strategy—it exposes the gap between government policy and the concerns of stakeholders including farmers, traders, and consumers.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Suthammaphand clarified that the measure is part of an aggressive marketing plan to handle an expected 33% increase in durian production and prevent market oversupply in the future.

Collaboration with influencers for online sales represents a modern tool well-suited to the times, capable of rapid product distribution, reaching vast numbers of consumers, and potentially helping clear inventory in the short term. This certainly reflects good intentions.

Yet the problem here lies in the method rather than the intent.

The promotional pricing strategy of 100 baht per durian, even if merely a temporary tactic or specific marketing condition of sellers, has created ripples across the broader market. This has especially alarmed durian farmers who fear this price will become a "psychological price point" that depresses production values long-term.

What requires careful consideration is that the durian market structure encompasses more than just "producers" and "consumers"—it also includes middlemen, exporters, and quality-based pricing systems.

Government intervention through special mechanisms like discounted live-stream sales may help move some inventory, but risks distorting overall price mechanisms without rigorous design.

Public expectations of the commerce minister go beyond addressing immediate problems; they demand long-term stability for the trading system while maintaining balance between fair pricing and product distribution.

This case cannot be viewed from a single perspective. One side may see it as an attempt to help farmers, while another views it as price suppression. To speak neutrally: it's a well-intentioned policy but one that lacks comprehensive impact assessment.

Though begun with good intentions to solve durian oversupply and assist growers, all measures require careful, multifaceted consideration covering all stakeholders. Viewing the problem from only one angle risks solving one group's problem while inadvertently creating new ones for another.

The hundred-baht durian saga thus serves as a major lesson for the commerce minister, who bears responsibility for agricultural prices, consumer goods, and ultimately the livelihoods of all people.

On April 30th, government officials from the Ministry of Finance and private sector representatives presented flowers to Ms. Kulya Tantitemmit, Director-General of the Revenue Department, on her final day of work after submitting her resignation prior to retirement. The ceremony took place on the first floor of the Revenue Department headquarters on Phahol Yothin Soi 7 as a gesture of gratitude for her contributions to tax administration. Earlier that morning, officials from various departments, including Ms. Sudtai Chaijantuk, an accounting systems development advisor, led senior executives and staff from the Comptroller General's Department in bidding farewell and expressing their appreciation to Tantitemmit. Dr. Kulya has made history as a high-ranking female civil servant who has served as Director-General of three major departments—Revenue, Excise, and Customs—and had been considered a strong candidate to become the first female Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance.

On April 30, 2025, Deputy Police Colonel Tat Phoomi Jarupprachya, commander of the Anti-Money Laundering Office, ordered the arrest of Anantakorn, age 46, and Krokamol, age 39, according to criminal court warrants 2352 and 2353/2569 issued on April 24, 2025. They face charges including conspiracy to defraud, fraud, fraudulent loan solicitation, and falsifying computer data with intent to cause harm.

The operation targeted Core X Company in Chiang Mai's Santhrai Noi subdistrict and Neo International in Samut Prakan province. Officers seized commercial rental agreements, 15 cryptocurrency trading robot service contracts, computers, bank passbooks, investment guides, land deeds, passports, and recruitment documents.

The scheme operated as follows: victims were deceived into investing in "AI IOTA," marketed as advanced UK-based robot technology capable of generating 12% profits every 28 days with principal guarantees. Suspects invited victims to lavish offices in Bangkok's Prawet district and Chiang Mai, displaying fake investment portfolios with fabricated profit statements and false money transfer receipts. A website (www.iotawse.com) was created allowing victims to view fake investment and profit balances. Communication occurred through Line groups that continuously pressured victims for additional funds. After investment contracts were signed, victims transferred money to the suspects' bank accounts. When payment deadlines arrived, suspects began making excuses, eventually shutting down operations and fleeing with office equipment. Total verified damages exceed 23 million baht.

Investigators obtained court-approved arrest warrants and search warrants from courts in Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, and Samut Prakan provinces. Anantakorn, identified as company director and programmer, and Krokamol, former director and account administrator, were arrested. Both denied all charges during initial interrogation. The case has been forwarded to prosecutors for legal proceedings.

SA KAEO — Thai authorities on Thursday received 635 Thai nationals from Cambodia, suspected of involvement in online scam operations, for screening and legal action.

The group was handed over at Khlong Luek border checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district at 16:38 after delays earlier in the day. The transfer followed coordination between the Royal Thai Army and Cambodian authorities under military diplomatic procedures.

Army chief Phana Klaewplodthuk assigned officials to oversee the handover, working with the Royal Thai Police, Immigration Bureau and relevant ministries.

Authorities said all returnees had been working in the same 13-storey building, known as "Building F", opposite Rong Kluea Market in Poipet.

All individuals will undergo a detailed screening process to determine whether they were victims of trafficking or willing participants in scam operations. Officials said each person will be questioned extensively and checked for criminal records before further legal proceedings.

The operation follows a joint Thailand–Cambodia statement signed on 27 December 2025 aimed at strengthening cooperation against transnational crime, including online fraud and human trafficking.

Earlier, Cambodian officials had planned to return about 300 people in the morning, but the transfer was delayed due to a shortage of buses after large-scale arrests of scam suspects overnight, according to officials.

The handover was led by Cambodian police officials, who met Thai authorities at the border.

Thai officials said more returnees are expected as coordination continues to bring back nationals allegedly involved in scam networks.