Prapot Bunpan, Managing Director of Matichon Public Company Limited, announced that the first 2025 shareholders' meeting approved a dividend payment of 0.10 baht per share for 185,349,200 shares, totaling 18,534,920 baht, paid from retained earnings after corporate income tax of 30% has been deducted. This dividend rate matches the previous year despite a challenging economic climate. Over the past two years, the company has faced ongoing impacts from the changing media business landscape, similar to other media companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).

Prapot stated that Matichon continues restructuring its revenue streams, with online advertising now generating 52% of total revenue as its primary income source, while special events and activities contribute 27%, and traditional print media advertising accounts for just 20%. Daily newspaper sales have declined with market conditions, though the book publishing business remains strong, with book sales representing 45% of total sales revenue.

A key company initiative involves efficient cost management through an early retirement program, which cost approximately 90 million baht but is expected to yield long-term benefits. Starting from 2025, the company projects annual savings of about 36 million baht in personnel and employee welfare costs, strengthening organizational flexibility for future challenges.

Prapot emphasized that the company currently faces two fundamental challenges: cost reduction and revenue generation. The company has been searching for new business models but hasn't fully succeeded in replacing the traditional model. Matichon is considering a comprehensive review of its operations and cost structure. He stressed that the company has not raised newspaper prices and remains committed to professional journalism standards while seeking business survival.

Regarding financials, current assets total 774 million baht (down 158 million from 933 million in 2024), total assets stand at 1,583 million baht (down 199 million from 1,782 million), and liabilities total 287 million baht (down 30.7 million).

On April 28, 2569, at Government House, Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Cabinet meeting approved an expenditure budget framework of 3,788,000 million baht for fiscal year 2570, an increase of 7,400 million baht from fiscal year 2569's allocation of 3,780,600 million baht, representing a 0.2 percent increase.

The budget framework was developed through consultations among four agencies: the Budget Bureau, Ministry of Finance, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, and the Bank of Thailand on April 22, 2569. It aligns with the medium-term fiscal plan for fiscal years 2570–2573 previously approved by the Cabinet.

The budget maintains fiscal discipline with a projected net government revenue of 3,000,000 million baht, up 79,400 million baht or 2.7 percent from the previous year, and a deficit budget policy set at 788,000 million baht, a reduction of 72,000 million baht or 8.4 percent from fiscal year 2569.

Ratchada stated that the Prime Minister has instructed all government agencies to prepare budgets with precision and efficiency, focusing on directly addressing public hardships while adhering to principles of cost-effectiveness, necessity, urgency, and appropriateness to the current situation. The approach includes implementing zero-based budgeting concepts for maximum benefit and utilizing alternative funding sources outside the regular budget, such as off-budget funds or alternative capital, for government investment projects to reduce the overall budget burden on the nation.

On April 28, 2025, the Thai Meteorological Department issued the third severe summer thunderstorm warning affecting northern Thailand from April 29 to May 1, 2025. During this period, Thailand's upper regions will experience severe thunderstorms characterized by strong gusty winds, hail, heavy rainfall in some areas, and possible lightning strikes. The storms will first impact the northern, northeastern, and eastern regions before affecting central Thailand, Bangkok, and surrounding areas. This is caused by a high-pressure system and cold air mass from China moving over the northeastern region and the South China Sea while northern Thailand experiences hot to very hot conditions.

The public is urged to take precautions against thunderstorms by avoiding open areas, large trees, buildings, and weak signage. Farmers should strengthen fruit trees and prepare protective measures for crops and livestock. The Meteorological Department recommends monitoring weather updates via its website at http://www.tmd.go.th or by calling 0-2399-4012-13 and 1182 available 24 hours daily.

High-risk provinces for April 29 include: Northern region—Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Phichit, and Phetchabun; Northeastern region—Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nongbua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani.

For April 30, high-risk provinces shift to: Northern region—Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lampun, Lamphang, Sukhothai, Tak, and Kamphaeng Phet; Northeastern region—Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, and Surin; Central region—Nakhon Sawan, Lopburi, Saraburi, and Ayutthaya; Eastern region—Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, and Chonburi.

By May 1, medium-risk conditions are expected across northern provinces including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, and others; northeastern provinces including Loei, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Buriram; central provinces including Bangkok and its vicinity; and eastern provinces including Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaew, and Chachoengsao.

The Pheu Thai Party is preparing to announce 14 parliamentary committee chairs next week, with positions already allocated. Key appointments include: Asopdal Sannartribupt (Sri Saket) to head the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Prevention Committee; Thanyos Timsuwann (Loei) to lead the Administration Committee; Wachrapong Kuwijittasuwarn (Saraburi) chairing the Police Committee; Kongkrit Chaturaleeratna (Ranong) leading the Decentralization Committee; Thiwalrat Anksinantana (Phetchburi) heading the Religious Affairs Committee; Supon Julsi (Chumphon) chairing Energy; Supachoke Srisukjorn (Nakhon Pathom) leading Industry; Samret Thansap (Chaiyaphum) chairing Commerce; Chuti Krairik (Phitsanulok) heading Finance; Atthapol Trisiree (Phang Nga) leading Consumer Protection; Dr. Alongkot Manigat (Nakhon Phanom) chairing Communications; Serisit Butneiam (Prachuap Khiri Khan) heading Debt Solutions; Montien Songpracha (Chainat) leading National Security; and Kulanvali Nophomrabadee (Ratchaburi) chairing Land Affairs.

Managing Director Praapat Bunpan of Matichon Public Company Limited announced that the board of directors approved a dividend payment of 0.10 baht per share for fiscal year 2568, totaling 18,534,920 baht from retained earnings on 185,349,200 shares. The dividend rate matches the previous year's payout despite economic challenges. The company has faced significant disruption in the media business over the past two years, a struggle shared across the media industry in Thailand's stock market.

Praapat stated that Matichon is continuously restructuring its revenue streams, with online advertising now accounting for 52% of income, special events and activities contributing 27%, and traditional print advertising declining to just 20%. The book business (pocketbooks) remains strong, representing 45% of total sales, particularly during book festivals in April and October.

A key cost management measure involved an early retirement program costing approximately 90 million baht, which is expected to reduce annual personnel and employee welfare expenses by 36 million baht starting in 2569. The company faces two primary challenges: cost reduction and current revenue generation, requiring periodic review of business models and organizational structure.

Praapat acknowledged that while the company has attempted new business models, none have fully replaced the traditional model. He stated that 2569 may require reconsideration of daily newspaper operations, but the company has not yet raised prices due to concerns about damaging print media business confidence amid weak economic conditions. He reaffirmed that Matichon will continue operating under professional media standards while seeking business survival strategies.

Financially, the company reported current assets of 774 million baht (down 158 million from 2567's 933 million), total assets of 1,583 million baht (down 199 million), and liabilities of 287 million baht (down 30.7 million). Sales and service revenue declined to 464 million baht from the previous year's 590 million baht.

Senators roundly criticized the Election Commission's election management for damaging public confidence, contradicting claims of transparency. Election Commission Secretary-General Suwang Boonmee defended the integrity of the system, stating no one can tamper with it. The suspended senator case is being treated as a special matter with over 90,000 pages of investigation completed, awaiting consideration by the full Election Commission.

On April 28, 2025, at the National Assembly, the Senate met with Boonsoung Noisopon, Deputy President of the Senate, presiding to review the Election Commission's fiscal year 2567 performance report under Section 22(8) of the Election Commission Act 2560. Election Commission Secretary-General Suwang Boonmee was present to clarify the commission's work.

Most senators criticized the Election Commission's management of recent elections, particularly the Senate and House elections, saying it had eroded public confidence and trust. Dr. Prem Saktdi Piayura, a senator, argued that while the Election Commission submitted documents to the Senate claiming elections were conducted cleanly, fairly, and transparently, the public had raised many questions, with widespread public sentiment expressing distrust of the commission.

He questioned: "How can the secretary-general be proud of public distrust? I want to ask the Election Commission secretary-general if your words match your heart. You should investigate why the public speaks this way. You have the authority and role the constitution assigns to manage elections, but authority without credibility is meaningless."

Senator Angkhana Neelapaijitr noted that many citizens had questioned the Election Commission on transparency, fairness, vote-buying, unfair rules, and unequal enforcement. She proposed four recommendations: 1) Create mechanisms for public oversight of elections; 2) Set fixed timelines for complaint processing and publicly disclose decisions in writing; 3) Simplify legal language in public communications and provide clear explanations of importance and rationale; and 4) Refrain from using laws to prosecute citizens expressing sincere, transparent opinions, as this may constitute legal intimidation.

"Trust doesn't happen by itself," she said. "It must be built through transparent, verifiable work. The more society questions, the more it shows citizens care about the Election Commission."

Secretary-General Suwang responded that elections are competitions requiring rule-based integrity, with results stemming from political parties, candidates, and citizens sharing responsibility. The Election Commission designed the system to be fair and transparent. Regarding direct and secret ballot allegations currently in court, he deferred to judicial proceedings. Regarding claims of 50% error rates, he clarified this meant 50 errors among 100,000 units. On election day, citizens and the Election Commission saw the same things, with no commission staff serving as election officials—poll observers were volunteers.