On April 25, 2026, officers led by Deputy Police Colonel Suwat Nammuangkul of the Buriram Provincial Police Drug Suppression Task Force, along with Thanon Menthaisoung, Deputy District Officer of Muang Buriram, and personnel from various police and military units, raided a residence in Sawai Jeek Subdistrict, Muang District, Buriram. They arrested Sarphet (surname withheld), 28, and seized 8,222 methamphetamine pills, a mobile phone, and a motorcycle—the result of an expanded investigation following an earlier drug arrest in Phutthaison District.

Investigation revealed the suspect had been storing methamphetamine for Laotian drug dealers and distributing it to customers in Buriram province. When police located him at his residence in Sawai Jeek Subdistrict, they initially found about 200 pills on him. Sarphet confessed to hiding an additional 8,000 pills under the seat of his motorcycle parked beneath his house.

The suspect admitted he previously worked as a chicken egg delivery driver but earned insufficient income, causing his wife to leave him. A Facebook contact introduced him to Laotian dealers seeking someone to store and distribute methamphetamine, paying 500 baht per bundle of approximately 2,000 pills. He had completed numerous deliveries before this arrest. This latest batch consisted of 7 bundles totaling 14,000 pills; he had already distributed 3 bundles (6,000 pills) when arrested with the remaining 4 bundles still in his possession. Sarphet expressed regret, acknowledging his seized earnings would be forfeited and he would now have no opportunity to reconcile with his estranged wife as he had planned.

Details have emerged about the background of Lt. Cdr. Virojn Ketumani, a former naval officer and the fifth suspect in the shooting of Pol. Gen. Malasakdi Liwamaow, a Nakhon Si Thammarat MP from the Thai Nation Party, recently arrested by police. He is one of two gunmen who fired M16 rifles, injuring two people severely.

With his decade-long experience as a UN security officer in Iraq and Afghanistan, combined with YouTube clips showing him expertly analyzing Afghan situations with detailed knowledge of various ethnic groups, it becomes clear why his testimony in the MP shooting case is filled with evasions and selective admissions—claiming no one directed him, that ISOC and the military were uninvolved, and citing personal disapproval of the MP as a human rights lawyer, before concluding that Thailand's territory is sacred and indivisible.

Given his preparation time, readiness, and extensive foreign experience, his fragmented testimony appears calculated to shield others from prosecution. He is indeed an extraordinary suspect. However, no matter how knowledgeable or experienced, when someone stands accused as a shooter hunting human life, prosecution must proceed without exception. Those with expertise who turn to dark purposes must be caught and pursued. His invocation that Thailand's territory cannot be divided is absurd—MP Malasakdi is certainly not a separatist, making this the flimsiest of excuses.

Regardless of how skillfully Lt. Cdr. Virojn testifies to compartmentalize the case, the factual evidence cannot hide that more people are involved. Take Lt. Col. Montri Tolaprasoet, the ISOC officer who provided the vehicle to Lt. Cdr. Virojn. The Thai Nation Party is now pressing that he must inevitably face charges. His claim that he lent the vehicle to a friend without knowing what it would be used for is implausible. The vehicle underwent modifications and had tinted film applied—Lt. Col. Montri must have known. Furthermore, Virojn's team conducted live-fire drills at a military camp beforehand, which everyone would have witnessed. The case is now drawing dangerously close to Lt. Col. Montri, and there is no way to protect him. Additional active-duty military officers may also have evidence linking them to the incident.

Facts and evidence represent case progress that no one can stop. No matter how skillfully Lt. Cdr. Virojn constructs his testimony to obstruct the case, it cannot possibly be compartmentalized. This investigation will inevitably move forward.

Nong Khai narcotics enforcement officers have apprehended two men caught attempting to smuggle 790,000 methamphetamine pills valued at approximately 39 million baht through a rubber plantation in Sangkhom District, with plans to transport the drugs into central Thailand.

At 2:00 PM on April 25, 2025, officials from the Nong Khai River Security Unit in Si Chiang Mai District announced the arrests. Deputy Governor Paitoon Mahachuenjai, Narcotics Enforcement Commander Pol. Col. Nrong Emdee, and Nong Khai Narcotics Chief Adm. Wisitpong Charoenwijchadech coordinated with military personnel, police, customs officials including Customs Director Wanna Phuotsamai, and local administrative officers to make the announcement.

The suspects—27-year-old Kiartpong from Phra Yuen District, Khon Kaen Province, and 38-year-old Jeeranai from Sangkhom District, Nong Khai Province—were arrested along with three motorcycles used in the operation. Officers had received intelligence on April 22 about a planned drug shipment into Sangkhom and tracked the suspects' movement from the Thai-Lao First Friendship Bridge in Muang Nong Khai District to their hideout at a rubber plantation in Nam Phai Village.

Authorities believe the suspects received the methamphetamine from a neighboring country and were holding it temporarily while coordinating with their network to distribute it throughout Thailand's interior. The suspects face formal drug trafficking charges.

Consadole Sapporo has confirmed that Supachok Sarachat, a forward for the Thai national team, sustained a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) in a home match where the team defeated Matsumoto Yamaga 2-1 last week. Medical assessment suggests the player will require at least two to three months of recovery, eliminating his availability for critical fixtures during this season. The injury is also likely to impact his chances of returning to play for Thailand, with indications he will miss the team's FIFA international window friendly matches scheduled for June.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives is spearheading efforts to transform Chiang Rai into the 'Agricultural Hub of Northern Thailand,' leveraging cooperatives as a mechanism to drive grassroots economic development and agricultural reform.

Deputy Minister Piyaratcha Tiyapairat presided over the 'Cooperative Unity Assembly in Chiang Rai Province,' organized by the Chiang Rai Cooperative Office to disseminate key ministry policies to cooperatives and farmers. The event, held at the Chiang Rai Teachers' Savings Cooperative meeting hall in Ban Du subdistrict, attracted approximately 500 participants including senior agricultural officials, cooperative administrators, farmers, and representatives from state agencies.

The ministry's policy, under the direction of Agriculture Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, emphasizes 'innovative agriculture for sustainable Thai farming.' The approach integrates technology and innovation throughout the agricultural value chain, from production to marketing, while fostering collaboration across all sectors to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and strengthen farmers' capabilities.

The implementation strategy encompasses five key dimensions: elevating cooperatives to professionally-managed, transparent community enterprises; enhancing cooperative competitiveness through knowledge development in production, processing, and marketing; driving cooperatives through digital technology and innovation; promoting group collaboration and networks at local, regional, and national levels; and developing new-generation farmers and cooperative leaders with modern skills.

Crucially, the ministry will advance cooperatives under the BCG economy concept—combining bioeconomy, circular economy, and green economy principles—to ensure sustainable, environmentally-friendly agricultural development.

Chiang Rai possesses significant potential in commercial crop production, agricultural processing, and cross-border trade. The Agriculture Ministry has set an ambitious goal to develop the province into the 'Agricultural Hub of Northern Thailand,' using the cooperative system as a strategic mechanism to transform grassroots economies into regional economic centers. The focus will be on agricultural cooperatives, which play a crucial role in aggregating and processing key products such as rice, rubber, and fruits.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Panitchpakdi led Commerce Ministry executives to Chanthaburi province on April 25 to monitor the 2025 durian production situation and inspect farming operations at Sompong Garden, a 1-billion-baht durian farm in Khao Khitchakut District. The delegation inspected quality management systems from farm to market, accompanied by provincial governor Mont Sitthiphon Paisalthanavatana, parliamentary representatives, and Chanida Khai Phuean, Director of Public Policy for TikTok Thailand.

During the visit, the team observed premium durian production and processing techniques under the "Q-Chan" brand, which implements quality control throughout the supply chain. Minister Supachai revealed that 2025 durian production is expected to reach approximately 2.071 million tons, a 33% increase, with the eastern region alone producing about 998,000 tons—48% of the national total. Peak harvesting is anticipated in May.

Currently, Thai durians are exported at roughly 70% while 30% are consumed domestically. The Commerce Ministry aims to increase domestic consumption to manage the surplus production and maintain price stability. The ministry targets moving at least 450,000 tons through domestic channels, including central markets and over 350 modern retail outlets, alongside sales through Thailand Post and online platforms in partnership with TikTok's live commerce features to reach younger consumers.

Minister Supachai witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Internal Trade and TikTok Technologies Ltd. to promote Thai fruit sales through TikTok Shop and live commerce platforms. This collaboration is expected to boost farmer income, expand consumer reach particularly among younger demographics and foreign tourists, utilizing digital content and influencer partnerships.

Chanida Khai Phuean from TikTok Thailand noted that the platform has become crucial in converting content into actual sales, with agricultural products on TikTok Shop growing 15-20% and 1.8 million creators participating. TikTok will run promotional campaigns with the Commerce Ministry, providing over 6.5 million baht in coupons and shipping subsidies to accelerate product sales. The partnership will follow a 3S strategy (Start-Skill-Scale) supporting farmers from their first sale to scaling operations, while promoting the "Thailand: The Land of Tropical Fruits" brand through digital content to boost global recognition of Thai durians.