The Land Development Department is implementing urgent measures under Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry policy to mitigate the impact of continuously rising chemical fertilizer prices amid global economic volatility and Middle East geopolitical tensions affecting energy and fertilizer costs.

On April 28, 2025, Land Development Department Director Sumitra Wattana announced that the department is backing Agriculture Minister Suriya Chungrungreungkit's policy to promote organic fertilizer and implement urgent proactive measures to assist farmers. The focus is on reducing chemical fertilizer dependency, encouraging farmers to make their own fertilizer based on soil analysis, using organic and biofertilizer from raw milk, and improving crop growth efficiency while cutting costs.

The department has adopted an active operational approach under the concept "Know Your Soil, Reduce Chemical Fertilizer, Achieve Sustainable Agriculture" to help reduce costs, increase production efficiency, and ensure long-term food security. The department is implementing 4 urgent measures nationwide:

1. Plant Nutrient Maps for Precision Fertilizer Use and Real Cost Reduction: Developing plant nutrient maps by region nationwide to help farmers analyze soil and use fertilizer appropriately through digital systems such as soil maps, good soil cards, Zoning by Agri-Map, and e-Service soil testing, plus an AI chatbot "Nong Dindee" via Line providing 24-hour consultation.

2. Cost-Reduction Formula Using 70% Chemical Fertilizer Based on Soil Analysis and 30% Organic/Biofertilizer: Targeting a reduction in chemical fertilizer use from 8.6 million tons to 2.6 million tons by promoting fresh plant fertilizer, organic fertilizer, biofertilizer, and fermented biological liquid for 13 commercial crops through volunteer soil doctor networks and learning centers nationwide.

3. Quick Win 3-Month Plan to Rapidly Deliver Knowledge to Farmers: Planning activities where April 2025 focuses on transferring organic fertilizer access processes and providing learning resources, May 2025 supports production inputs and fresh plant seeds, and June 2025 conducts demonstrations and promotes organic fertilizer use in actual farm plots.

4. Expansion to 77 Provinces to Build Strength from the Grassroots: Targeting 1,750 strong groups and 40 comprehensive groups covering all provinces nationwide, using local waste materials such as rice straw and animal manure to produce organic fertilizer, while transferring knowledge through 77 land development stations and integrating with government and private agencies including the Agricultural Promotion Department, Rice Department, Department of Agricultural Extension, and the Highland Research and Development Institute.

The Land Development Department Director further stated that promoting farmers to produce their own organic fertilizer not only reduces costs in the short term but also builds agricultural immunity, reduces import dependency, and restores soil quality for long-term sustainability.

Luang Pu Chu Chantasoro, a renowned Buddhist monk and former abbot of Wat Naka Prok in Bangkok's Phasi Charoen district, was originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, born in 1858. His family engaged in commerce, operating trading vessels between Nakhon Si Thammarat and Bangkok. In 1869, the family relocated to Thonburi Province, where he ordained at Wat Thong Nopkhun, a prestigious meditation school of that era.

From his youth, he devoted himself to Buddhist studies across multiple disciplines until achieving mastery. He studied under various renowned teachers, including those at Wat Rakhang Kositaram and Phra Achan Phlab at Wat Chi Tai (present-day Wat Chi Phon) in Ayutthaya. He spent an extended period in Phichit and Phitsanulok provinces, where his family eventually believed him deceased. Upon his eventual return home, his joyful reunion with relatives led his parents to arrange his marriage, resulting in three children—two sons and one daughter.

Using his knowledge of herbal medicine and traditional healing practices, he earned the local nickname "Pharmacist Chu" for helping those suffering from illness. Becoming weary of worldly life and recognizing the impermanence of existence, he re-ordained at Wat Nang Chi in Phasi Charoen and later became abbot of Wat Naka Prok, with ten monks following him from Wat Nang Chi.

During his tenure as abbot, he renovated temple buildings and oversaw their development. He served as a spiritual refuge for villagers, treating their illnesses and becoming a beacon of faith. The temple grounds were filled with medicinal herbs and various traditional remedies. One notable medicine he prepared was preserved lime (makrut) stored in large jars exposed to sunlight and dew, freely distributed to those in need for treating headaches, fever, abscesses, and various inflammations.

He provided excellent training to the temple's monks and novices, regularly preaching to laypeople about maintaining moral conduct and ethical livelihoods. Before modernization, Wat Naka Prok and its surroundings were covered in dense forest, with residents practicing agriculture and cultivating betel nut groves so extensively that the area became known as the "Betel Market." Transportation relied on boats, and electricity and running water were unavailable; people lit oil lamps and candles in the evenings to study Buddhist texts and dharma literature.

According to local accounts and documented records, Luang Pu Chu was known for his simple lifestyle, knowledge, humility, virtue, and exemplary conduct. Remarkably, he was the only monk whom Phra Bhavana Gosalatthera (Luang Pu Iem of Wat Hang), a celebrated teacher skilled in medical science and ancient medicine, personally recommended to others. When villagers sought blessings from Luang Pu Iem, he would direct them to Luang Pu Chu, and vice versa. These two revered teachers held deep mutual respect, understood each other's spiritual maturity, and frequently visited one another.

He passed away peacefully on Wednesday, the fifth waning day of the second lunar month in 1934, at the age of 76.

The Office of Fiscal Policy (OFP) announced Thailand's economic forecast for 2026, projecting gradual recovery with growth of 1.6% fueled by strong domestic demand, featuring private consumption growth of 2.3% and private investment growth of 3.2%, while merchandise exports are expected to expand 6.2%. Risk factors requiring attention include Middle East tensions, drought, and elevated household debt.

Vinij Wisesuwarnnaphumi, Director of the Office of Fiscal Policy, stated that Thailand's 2026 economy is on a gradual recovery trajectory, though facing headwinds from external factors and global geopolitics. The Finance Ministry is prepared to implement proactive policies to maintain growth momentum while accelerating economic restructuring to enhance long-term competitiveness.

The projected 1.6% growth (forecast range 1.1% to 2.1%) is primarily supported by both domestic and external demand. Export values in US dollars are expected to grow 6.2%, benefiting from recovering demand from major trading partners and sustained strong export signals since the first quarter, particularly in industries rebounding with global economic cycles. Import values are projected to rise 13.9%, reflecting industrial production trends as businesses accelerate imports of capital goods and raw materials to support expected private investment expansion and export-oriented manufacturing, alongside rising energy import prices.

Domestic demand shows strong expansion as a key economic driver. Private consumption is forecast to continue growing at 2.3%, supported by tourism sector recovery distributing income to grassroots levels and government cost-of-living relief measures strengthening household purchasing power. Private investment is projected to expand 3.2%, driven by increased investment promotion applications, continuous monitoring and acceleration of actual investment, Thailand FastPass implementation, and removal of key investor obstacles, particularly in targeted industries (New S-Curve) and foreign investor confidence in Thailand as a production base.

The public sector will play a key role in supporting economic growth, with government consumption forecast to expand 1.3% and government investment projected at 1.7%, resulting from fiscal year 2570 budget expected completion on schedule, ensuring continuous money circulation. Major infrastructure mega-projects will enhance competitiveness and attract private investment through crowding-in effects.

State enterprise investment shows strong continued disbursement, with first-half fiscal year 2569 reaching 117 billion baht at approximately 50% disbursement rate, higher than the same period previously.

Five divine spirits possessed the ceremonial medium during a water blessing ritual for protective deities in Fai Luang subdistrict, Lap Lae district, Uthai Thani province on April 28, 2025. The ceremony brought together many villagers to perform the traditional water blessing honoring the guardian spirits that protect residents and ensure prosperity for crops like longong, langsat, and durian. Families prepared fragrant water infused with ingredients including eagle-claw leaf, pomelo skin, and other botanicals in silver bowls for the blessing ritual.

During the ceremony, the medium entered trance states as multiple deities possessed him in sequence. The first spirit, calling itself "Chao Ton Por" (the founding patriarch spirit), spoke with a commanding voice and trembling body movements. The medium relayed the spirit's message clearly stating there would only be two-digit lucky numbers—specifically 78—for the May 2nd lottery draw, with no three-digit numbers available. Subsequent spirits including a female deity "Chao Ton Mae" and others also possessed the medium to bestow blessings on the gathered community.

As the ceremony concluded with the tying of blessed strings around residents' wrists for protection, a 50-year-old woman unexpectedly became possessed by "Chao Seiang Mia," a water gate guardian spirit who expressed displeasure at not being invited to the ceremony. The ceremonial leader apologized on behalf of the community, and the spirit was appeased with the fragrant water blessing before departing. The annual water blessing ceremony, held before the traditional "Hae Nam Khuen Hong" festival, is part of a thousand-year-old tradition in Lap Lae district dedicated to honoring protective deities and ancestors.

The director of the Sports Authority of Thailand disclosed that the International Olympic Committee is still awaiting clarity regarding Thailand's government budget allocation for the 2030 Youth Olympic Games bid. All necessary information has been submitted, with only cabinet approval pending before hearing the decision on June 25th.

Following Danka Bartekova, chair of the IOC's Youth Olympic Games 2030 working group, and an IOC delegation's official visit to Thailand, they will conduct inspections in Bangkok and Chonburi from April 28-30, 2025, to assess readiness. Thailand is one of three finalists competing to host the 2030 Youth Olympic Games alongside Asunción, Paraguay and Santiago, Chile.

Dr. Kongsak Yodmani, Sports Authority of Thailand director, revealed that Thailand has been selected as one of the final three candidates and has provided all information confirming government support. The proposal is currently being processed for cabinet approval and will be discussed with the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Sports.

Thailand places great importance on national sports and youth development programs held annually, reflecting the Sports Authority's long-standing vision. The facilities are fully prepared and Thailand aims to inspire children and youth toward sports goals through its "Sports Build People, People Build Nation" policy.

Public transportation infrastructure will soon include underground rail access through the Sports Authority venue, along with police presence and anti-harassment campaigns for athletes. Thailand's Youth Olympic Games bid is not new, with preparations beginning in 2019, but this visit reaffirms to the IOC Thailand's readiness to host.

"While we cannot predict with complete certainty since we don't know what our two competing nations will present, discussions have been positive," said the official. "We will travel to Lausanne, Switzerland to hear the decision on June 25th."

Following the IOC team's inspections at the Sports Authority's Huamark facility, the Thai-Japanese Youth Center at Din Daeng, Chulalongkorn University Sports Center, and the National Stadium on April 28, inspections continue in Chonburi on April 29. On April 30, a joint meeting between the Sports Authority and Thailand's Olympic Committee will be held, chaired by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenvorakul.

The Tracklab Youth group, led by motorsports expert Phakorn Thientong ("Nong Kor"), alongside TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand racer Narresam Abhiwat ("Nexki"), Nexkart Racing team members, and the Formula Student vehicle development team ExceedAE, is creating a new phenomenon in Thai education. They serve as main speakers and key drivers of the "Go-Kart Industry Career & Technical Workshop 2026," sharing advanced automotive engineering knowledge and national-level racing experience with vocational students. The initiative aims to develop technical personnel for target industries in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

Dr. Peerphong Pansoda, director of Chonburi Technical College, designated Vice-Academic Director Santhipracha Donchum to chair the opening ceremony welcoming Pirul Viriyaprakop, director of Chonburi Vocational College, alongside faculty and over 70 students from mechanical and electric vehicle (EV) departments at Tew Sorn Conference Room.

Go-kart racing is used as a learning model because the sport encompasses foundational engineering covering mechanics, physics of motion, and electronic control systems—skills transferable to advanced industries.

The workshop includes lectures on "The Path to Professional Racing" sharing preparation, field skills, and real competition experience, plus "Behind the Professional Racing Team" explaining team structure, mechanic roles, and race operations.

Phakorn Thientong ("Nong Kor"), 2025 ROK Cup Thailand runner-up and TrackLab Youth leader, emphasized that today's learning represents concrete STEM Education application. He stressed that go-kart racing isn't merely about speed but involves calculating acceleration, G-force, and engineering system stability. He hopes the workshop inspires students toward international careers as Race Engineers or Mechanic Specialists.

Additionally, Peeriyuth Thongtum, automotive engineering lecturer at Siam University's Faculty of Engineering, delivered an academic presentation on "Racing Car Engineering and Physics: Performance Principles and Setup," diving deep into aerodynamics and powertrain systems. Narresam Abhiwat and Watin Thakanha shared experiences working under international safety standards.

An electric vehicle (EV) department student representative noted that witnessing the role of Data Analysts and millimeter-precise race car setup revealed that modern automotive careers must integrate information technology and applied physics knowledge, motivating them to develop into high-skilled workers aligned with EEC objectives.