MANILA, Philippines (AP) — More than 300 families have been evacuated after massive amounts of ash billowed from the Mayon volcano over the weekend due to the collapse of lava deposits from its slopes, officials said Monday.

There was no explosive eruption from Mayon, which has been erupting mildly on and off since January, but huge deposits of lava on its southwestern slope suddenly cascaded down in a pyroclastic flow — an avalanche of hot rocks, ash and gas — before nightfall on Saturday, said Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

No deaths or injuries were reported, but massive clouds of ash scattered over 87 villages in three towns, catching many by surprise and slowing down motorists due to poor visibility, officials said.

"The ashfall was just so thick and there was zero visibility even in our national road," Mayor Caloy Baldo of Camalig town, which lies near the volcano's foothills, said.

"Some villagers panicked but we advised them to calm down," Baldo told The Associated Press.

Vegetable farms were damaged by the ashfall, which also killed four water buffaloes and a cow in Camalig, Baldo said, adding that a cleanup was underway in his town of 8,000 people in Albay province.

"It's calm again now but the danger is always there," Bacolcol said of Mayon's condition Monday.

The 2,462-meter (8,077-foot) volcano is one of the Philippines' top tourism draws because of its near-perfect cone shape. But it's also the most active of the country's 24 volcanoes.

Authorities raised the five-step alert around Mayon to level 3 in January after a series of mild eruptions that caused intermittent rockfalls, some as big as cars, from its peak crater along with deadly pyroclastic flows.

Alert 5 means an explosive and life-threatening eruption is underway with deadly volcanic lava and pyroclastic flows and heavy ashfall.

The Pheu Thai Party is preparing to officially launch Dr. Chadchart Sittawet, their candidate for Bangkok Governor, on May 5 at 5 p.m. at The Mitr-ting room on the 5th floor of Samyan Mitrtown. The venue was changed from the original Siam Museum location. Dr. Chadchart, a party-list MP, has already made his public debut in a campaign march supporting the party's social security bill on May 1.

The Pheu Thai Party launched the campaign slogan "Simple Bangkok by the People's Governor," addressing the daily struggles of Bangkok residents through social media. The campaign emphasizes that simple dreams—such as having a quality school nearby, a commute of no more than one hour daily, doing business without corruption, and safely walking in one's own neighborhood—have become nearly impossible in Bangkok.

Several Pheu Thai MPs have shared posts about a new initiative launching on May 5. The party's Bangkok Facebook page describes how Bangkok is extremely difficult for many residents, despite the city's modern infrastructure and attractions. The campaign argues that basic needs allowing residents to live simply have not been adequately addressed. On May 5 at 5 p.m., Dr. Chadchart will present his vision for a simpler Bangkok at The Mitr-ting room, 5th floor, Samyan Mitrtown.

On May 4, the Chanthaburi Security Operations Command announced enforcement results against substandard durian exports following random inspections of packing facilities in three locations across the province. Inspectors discovered a clear violation at a facility in Salaeng subdistrict, where 350 boxes of Monthong durian weighing approximately 7 tons were prepared for shipment abroad. Random quality testing revealed the fruit's dry matter content fell below the legally mandated 32% standard, prompting officials to order immediate unpacking and sorting. The detailed inspection identified 529 individual underripe fruits weighing about 1.5 tons mixed throughout the shipment. Officers required the operator to mark each defective fruit with large red spray symbols to prevent resale, repackaging, or smuggling back into circulation—practices that damage Thailand's fruit reputation and destabilize market prices. The facility received a formal warning as a first offense, with documentation recorded. A second violation would result in immediate license suspension for 30-90 days, with potential permanent revocation.

The spirit of generosity was powerfully displayed at this year's charity walk and run event, 'Doctor Ortho's Step Forward for 13 Hospitals,' held at Naresuan Plaza at Thammasat University's Rangsit Campus to create opportunities for quality orthopedic and musculoskeletal care across the nation. The event was organized under the Royal College of Orthopedic Surgeons of Thailand (RCOST) with support from the Thai Orthopedic Association, Orthopedic Medicine Foundation, Siriraj Foundation, Step By Step Foundation, We Run THAILAND, Butterbear, Supachai-Busadee Jeerapunwit Foundation, and broadcast partners 3HD, Workpoint, and 7HD that collectively transformed the initiative into a nationwide phenomenon.

Across the five regional activities, over 100,000 participants joined the walk and run, with the May 3rd running event alone attracting 20,000 participants. The campaign successfully surpassed its 100 million baht fundraising target, which will be used to purchase orthopedic medical equipment for 13 under-resourced hospitals nationwide. The fundraising drive continues through June 30th, as many other hospitals across Thailand still need essential medical equipment support. The event featured a warm-up session led by popular idol 'Noi' from Butterbear and closed with a full concert by the band Bodyslam, creating an atmosphere of joy and lasting impressions for all attendees.

Professor Keerati Jarunchalowarit, President of RCOST, stated that the project aims to elevate orthopedic and musculoskeletal care treatment, a field where many hospitals, particularly in remote areas, still lack modern medical equipment and tools. He emphasized that this step-forward initiative represents more than just exercise for health—it reflects unified support from all sectors that has made the campaign's success possible, reaching the 100 million baht target. All funds will be used to purchase orthopedic equipment to deliver to 13 hospitals nationwide, enhancing their capacity to treat patients, reduce waiting times, and improve long-term quality of life for communities, marking a significant achievement for Thai public health.

Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, has suggested he will continue leading the club next season, putting to rest recent speculation that he might leave during the upcoming summer. Guardiola remains under contract with Manchester City until the end of the 2026-27 season, though there had been speculation he might bid farewell to the Etihad Stadium in the coming summer transfer window. But based on his latest interview, it appears the manager still has the drive to continue managing the team next season. "I don't think I could have lasted 10 years even with all these championships, if I didn't have such an excellent environment," Guardiola said. "I'm feeling more now, I don't know if it's happiness, but I still have abundant energy to work. I still feel good about coming here and working even on my days off."

The Commerce Ministry has advised exporters to leverage cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) platforms to penetrate the lucrative Chinese cosmetics market. According to Sunantha Kangwalkulgij, Director-General of the International Trade Promotion Department under the Ministry of Commerce, the ministry has tasked commercial attachés stationed abroad with surveying trade routes and export opportunities for Thai products in their respective countries. Recently, the ministry received a comprehensive report from Sakorn Sansopha, Director of the Thai Trade Promotion Office in Shanghai, detailing the Chinese cosmetics industry's consumer behavior, market conditions, and export opportunities for Thai cosmetic products.

Commercial attachés report that China has become one of the world's leading cosmetics consumption markets, demonstrating strong domestic purchasing power and significant growth potential. The Chinese cosmetics market is projected to reach 579.1 billion yuan (approximately 2.895 trillion baht) in 2025, a substantial increase from 445.9 billion yuan (approximately 2.229 trillion baht) in 2024.

When purchasing cosmetics, Chinese consumers prioritize product efficacy, ingredients, and brand reputation. Their preferred shopping channels are e-commerce platforms such as Taobao and JD.com, which dominate the cosmetics purchasing landscape. Physical retail options include official brand stores and retail chains like Watsons and The Colorist.

Chinese consumers favor eco-friendly, minimalist, and modern packaging designs, as well as luxury and retro-styled packaging. The most frequently used cosmetic products include face and neck care products, followed by lip products, eye products, foundations, lip care products, and eye cosmetics. Consumers seek products that provide hydration, skin tightening, brightening effects, and blemish reduction, while desiring long-lasting results and improved after-sales service.

The Chinese cosmetics market is substantial with high demand and strong growth potential. However, Thai entrepreneurs face intense competition from well-established and recognized brands. To successfully enter the Chinese market, Thai cosmetic manufacturers should prepare competitive products with proven hydration and skin-tightening benefits, lasting results, eco-friendly and modern packaging, and clear label descriptions. The cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) channel is particularly favorable, offering relaxed regulations, simplified labeling requirements, and customs tax exemptions that reduce costs. Thai entrepreneurs seeking to export cosmetics to China should seriously consider starting with CBEC platforms.