Myanmar has transferred former State Counsellor and civilian government leader Aung San Suu Kyi to house arrest following her detention for over five years since the military coup. The 80-year-old has been under military junta control with her location kept secret. Myanmar's state television reported that "the remainder of Aung San Suu Kyi's prison sentence has been commuted to serve at a designated residence."

New photographs released by state media show Suu Kyi sitting on a wooden chair with two uniformed officials beside her, marking the first public images of her in several years.

In December 2024, Suu Kyi's son Kim Aris told Reuters he had not been in contact with his mother for years and has received only limited information from others about her health problems, including heart, bone, and gum issues.

A member of Suu Kyi's legal team stated, "It's good to hear that house arrest has been confirmed, but we weren't informed directly and only learned about this from the news announcement."

After a lengthy legal process, Suu Kyi was sentenced to 33 years in prison on various charges including corruption and election fraud, as well as violations of state secrets laws. Her supporters contend these charges are politically motivated and designed to silence her. Her sentence was later reduced to 27 years, then further reduced by six years through a Myanmar New Year amnesty on April 17. Former president Win Myint, an ally and co-defendant, was released. On April 30, her sentence was reduced by one-sixth as part of a broader prison amnesty in Myanmar.

Previously, Suu Kyi had been under house arrest for 15 years under a previous military regime at her lakeside residence on Inya Lake in Yangon, where she became famous for delivering speeches to supporters gathered outside her home's gates.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar's president, faces continued international pressure, including from ASEAN nations, to release political detainees since the recent elections ended. Last week, Min Aung Hlaing told Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeaw that Suu Kyi is being well cared for.

The Gold Association announced today's gold prices this morning with two consecutive price adjustments. Gold prices dropped 300 baht before rising 100 baht within minutes, with ornamental gold trading at 72,050 baht per baht weight according to the latest data from the Gold Association published at 9:01 AM and 9:13 AM.

First Announcement at 9:01 AM: Gold Bars: Buy 70,950 baht, Sell 71,150 baht per baht weight Ornamental Gold: Buy 69,523.76 baht, Sell 71,950 baht per baht weight Global Gold Spot Price: 4,621.00 USD/ounce

Second Announcement at 9:13 AM: Gold Bars: Buy 71,050 baht, Sell 71,250 baht per baht weight Ornamental Gold: Buy 69,629.88 baht, Sell 72,050 baht per baht weight Global Gold Spot Price: 4,631.00 USD/ounce

On April 30th, the grandfather and mother of an 11-year-old girl named E (pseudonym) filed a complaint with media and police at Kabinburi Station regarding an alleged sexual assault by 50-year-old Noi (pseudonym), a relative. The incident reportedly occurred on April 28th at a single-story concrete house in Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict, Kabinburi district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, while the mother was away.

The girl's aunt discovered the assault when she passed by and noticed the bedsheet moving suspiciously. After calling out to the girl with no response, she entered the house and lifted the blanket to find the suspect hurriedly putting on clothes. He claimed it was just horseplay, and the aunt was too shocked to act immediately.

When questioned by her mother, the girl admitted she had been assaulted multiple times by the relative, including incidents in the bathroom. A 7-year-old sister also witnessed some of the incidents. The girl underwent a medical examination at Kabinburi Hospital.

The suspect's mother claimed her son only touched the girl's chest by accident and did nothing more serious. The suspect's relatives also noted that he had accumulated a large collection of pornographic videos in his room.

Authorities from the Prachuap Khiri Khan Child and Family Protection Center, along with social welfare and human security officials, visited the area to investigate. The girl confirmed the allegations during preliminary questioning. Officials stated they would coordinate closely with police to proceed with legal action and provide psychological support to the victim.

Homelessness and vulnerability extend far beyond the lack of physical shelter—they reflect economic fragility, family breakdown, health challenges, and lost opportunities for life recovery. On April 29, 2025, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, through its Department of Social Development and Welfare, launched a significant new mechanism for supporting vulnerable populations. The initiative, titled the "Housing Welfare and Family Caregiver Support Program," was officially opened by Social Development Minister Nikhom Somkhlang, alongside Kanthapong Rangsi-sawang, Ministry Permanent Secretary, and Rampung Worawat, Department Director, at the ministry's Bangkok headquarters.

This collaborative effort brings together multiple stakeholders including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Health Promotion Foundation, Asia Institute at Chulalongkorn University, the Housing Development Foundation, the Thai Homeless Association, Mirror Foundation, and Israchon Foundation. Rather than limiting assistance to emergency relief, the initiative aims to design sustainable pathways enabling homeless individuals to reintegrate with dignity.

Minister Nikhom revealed that survey data from 2016-2023 shows homeless populations initially surged from 1,307 to 3,534 individuals before declining to 2,499 in 2023. However, concerning trends persist: most homeless people are between 40-59 years old (56.8%), live alone (74.1%), and predominantly reside in Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Songkhla. Critically, 39% are newly homeless (within two years), making early intervention crucial for successful reintegration.

To address these challenges, the ministry is transitioning from a welfare provider role to a supportive state role, utilizing electronic family household record technology (MSO-Logbook) for precise benefit targeting. Two key measures were introduced:

First, housing security through co-payment rental assistance, where homeless individuals contribute toward rent while the state subsidizes remaining costs up to 1,500 baht monthly, plus utilities, bedding, and clothing. This approach treats housing as a safe foundation enabling life planning rather than merely shelter.

Second, vulnerable population protection through family caregiver support, providing compensation to families willing to provide care, ensuring sustainable community-based solutions.

Crystal Palace overcame Shakhtar Donetsk with a sharp defensive display in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League semi-final, as Ismaila Sarr set a tournament record for the fastest goal. On April 30, the Ukrainian hosts Shakhtar Donetsk faced English side Crystal Palace in a match played in Kraków, Poland. Despite Palace's possession being significantly lower at just 29%, they scored three goals from Ismaila Sarr (minute 1), Daichi Kamada (minute 58), and Jørgen Strand Larsen (minute 84). Shakhtar, who controlled 71% of the ball, managed only one goal from Oleg Ocheretko in the 47th minute. Palace secured a 3-1 victory and travel home with a commanding advantage ahead of the second leg on May 7. Notably, Sarr's goal in just 21 seconds became the fastest goal in the competition's history. In the other semi-final, Rayo Vallecano from Spain edged out Strasbourg from France 1-0, with the return leg scheduled for May 7 at Strasbourg's home.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reconfirmed that Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will play all of its matches in the United States as originally planned. The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but Iran has become a focal point of concern following military tensions involving U.S. action, raising questions about whether the country will compete, particularly since all of Iran's matches are scheduled to take place in the United States. The situation became more strained when Iranian officials failed to attend the latest FIFA meeting in Vancouver, Canada on April 30—a pre-World Cup preparatory session—after the Canadian government denied them entry visas. During the meeting, Infantino stated: "Iran will certainly participate in the 2026 World Cup and will play in the United States as well. The reason is simple—we must come together as one. This is my responsibility, our responsibility."