BANGKOK — Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has criticized the government led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, saying it appears strong on the surface but is actually fragile due to networks of vested interests.

Speaking at 11:50 on April 26 at a hotel in Bang Na, Bangkok, the leader of the People's Party was asked whether the government could complete its full four-year term and what potential political "traps" could threaten its stability.

From the outside, Natthaphong said the administration appears to have stability across multiple fronts, with some analysts attributing its strength to influence over the Senate and independent organizations. However, he argued that beneath that image lies internal weakness.

"What makes this government fragile is that all the power groups tied together are driven by interests," he said.

He pointed to what he described as political factions absorbed into the Bhumjaithai Party, alleged misuse of power by independent agencies, business groups providing support, and bureaucrats benefiting from the so-called "blue government" network.

Natthaphong said these interconnected interests would become more visible during crises, citing recent tensions over an oil-related issue as an example that exposed underlying weaknesses. He also suggested that even technocratic ministers have been reluctant to criticize sensitive policies such as the land bridge project.

"In every crisis, this internal fragility will emerge. A government that looks strong will ultimately reveal its weaknesses," he said.

He added that it is the role of the opposition, including the People's Party, to show the public that such a system could make Thai society more fragile and eventually undermine the government's stability.

The Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival in Samut Prakan Province has been bustling with visitors enjoying water play since 11:30 AM, prompting police to implement strict traffic control measures. Authorities have prohibited water trucks carrying tanks and water play equipment from using 13 designated major routes in the area.

The Phra Pradaeng District Administration has set up concert stages, while main roads such as Suksawat Road, Pu Chao Saming Phrai Road, and Phet Hung Road, along with various side streets, are packed with residents and visitors on both sides engaging in continuous water play. This has created a vibrant and lively atmosphere throughout the area.

As evening approaches, greater numbers of people are expected to arrive for the festivities, particularly along Suksawat Road, which is currently under construction for the Purple Line monorail project. This may result in heavier traffic congestion and delays at multiple points.

The Samut Prakan Provincial Police Command has issued traffic regulations prohibiting water trucks and water play equipment from using 13 major routes between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM throughout the festival period to alleviate traffic problems and reduce accident risks.

The restricted routes are: 1. Nakhon Khuean Khan Road (entire route) 2. Si Khuean Khan Road (entire route) 3. Phet Hung Road (at Thong Tham intersection) 4. Phrarachawiriyan Phon Road (entire route) 5. Waen Uthai Road 6. Thong Tham Road (entire route) 7. Pu Chao Saming Phrai Road (from Pu Chao Saming Phrai intersection to Wat Lam pier) 8. Suksawat Road (from Rattanakosin Police Station boundary to Phra Samut Chedi Subdistrict boundary) 9. Suksawat Soi 39 (entire route) 10. Suksawat Soi 70 / Khru Nai Tat Mai Road (entire route) 11. Suksawat Soi 74 / Wat Chom Nimit Soi (entire route) 12. Suksawat Soi 76 / Klap Charoen Soi (entire route) 13. Suksawat Soi 78 / Wat Sang Ruaeng Soi (entire route)

Don't ignore it! 3 warning signs doctors alert may indicate a urinary tract infection and offer prevention advice.

Have you ever experienced urinary pain shortly after leaving the toilet? Dr. Chiang Peuy Zhang, a urinary system specialist, warns that if you experience "3 abnormal sensations" during urination, it may indicate that bacteria are invading your urinary tract. If these initial warning signs are ignored, the condition can escalate into severe kidney inflammation.

Dr. Chiang Peuy Zhang from the Urology Department at Tri-Service General Hospital noted through his personal page that early-stage urinary tract infections typically display recognizable warning signs. There are "3 warning signs" that people can self-check:

1. Burning or stinging sensation during urination, particularly toward the end of urination. Patients may feel a burning or scalding sensation in the urethra.

2. False urgency—even shortly after urinating, you feel bladder pressure and want to use the bathroom again within less than 30 minutes.

3. Abnormal cloudy urine—if urine is not clear as usual, appears cloudy, contains blood, or has an unusually strong odor, it may signal a bacterial infection.

What should you do if you notice these symptoms? Dr. Chiang emphasizes that you should "stop holding your urine immediately" and drink more clean water. While this means more frequent bathroom visits, it helps flush bacteria from your body. However, if symptoms don't improve within 12 hours, see a doctor promptly.

Daily Prevention Methods for Urinary Tract Infections Health education information from Tri-Service General Hospital recommends the following behavioral adjustments:

1. Drink plenty of water and avoid holding urine—this increases urination frequency and reduces bacterial accumulation.

2. Clean properly, especially for women—wipe from front to back to reduce the chance of introducing bacteria into the urethra.

3. Maintain good bowel habits and avoid constipation, which can increase pressure on the bladder.

4. Practice good hygiene after sexual intercourse—drink water and urinate afterward to help flush out pathogens.

5. Consume cranberries—organic compounds in cranberries may help maintain urine acidity and reduce bacterial adhesion.

6. Wear breathable clothing—avoid tight pants and choose cotton underwear to reduce moisture buildup.

Doctors emphasize that early symptom recognition and proper hygiene practices are key to reducing the risk of urinary tract infections and serious future complications.

Ratsii Sai United, owners of this season's Thai League 2 champions, announced that their Beagle dog 'Choy' has been found and has safely returned home. The person who reported the discovery will receive the promised reward. The dog had gone missing from home on April 20, prompting the club to post an appeal for help with a 10,000 baht reward offer, team merchandise from the new season, and free access to watch games at the club's home venue throughout the season. The club's official Facebook page has now posted the good news that 'Choy' has been found, is back home safely, and the informant has received the promised reward.

In early April, the story of Sun Pan, a 21-year-old from Shaoxing in Zhejiang Province, China, went viral on social media. He was presented as the eldest son shouldering family responsibilities alone, supporting six younger siblings while his parents continued wanting more children.

According to social media posts, he would wake at 2 a.m. to butcher pigs with his father, return at 4 a.m. to care for a disabled sister, then rush to set up a pork stall in the city before 7 a.m. He would then livestream sales, package products, and work every single day without breaks. This lifestyle deeply moved many people, particularly the troubling fact that his parents wanted more children despite already having seven, including one disabled daughter and one son with intellectual disabilities. Many netizens praised his responsibility but heavily criticized his parents for burdening their eldest son.

However, after the story went viral, local authorities investigated and uncovered "another side of the truth." Sun Pan was not impoverished as portrayed—his family owned 2-3 shops in the city.

Furthermore, Sun Pan didn't drop out due to poverty. He failed the college entrance exam and chose not to continue studying. All the difficult circumstances shown in the videos were scripted fiction. The entire operation was marketing content that took over two months to plan, crafting an image of a "sacrificing son" that attracted nearly 200,000 followers and thousands of livestream viewers per session.

Regarding income, the team priced pork nearly double the market rate at approximately 30 yuan per kilogram (about 140 baht). Leveraging viewers' sympathy, they sold well—some days selling up to three pigs. Combined with livestream and product sales revenue, they earned continuously. Local residents confirmed the family was not poor as portrayed online.

Still, some elements were true: Sun Pan did help with household work and genuinely livestream sales. His parents' belief that "more children mean more opportunities for success" was real, and they genuinely intended to have more children despite already having seven.

Many view this as another case reflecting the problem of sympathy-baiting content in the online world, which not only erodes public trust but may also redirect help away from those truly in need.

At 11:50 AM on April 26, 2025, at Maple Hotel in Bangkok's Bangna area, Nattapong Rueangpanya, Democrat Party list MP and party leader, gave an interview assessing whether Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's government will complete its full four-year term and what obstacles could lead to its downfall. While the government appears strong externally with stability in multiple areas, analysts suggest influences from the Senate or independent organizations may be at play, but beneath that veneer lies internal fragility.

According to Nattapong, the government's fragility stems from various power factions bound together—including parties absorbed into Pheu Thai Party, improper use of power by independent organizations, business groups providing support, and civil servants benefiting covertly from the blue government—all interconnected by mutual interests. This is evident from the oil crisis, which reveals the government's internal weakness. Despite having technocrat ministers, some dare not speak out on certain issues such as the Land Bridge project.

"Therefore, the government's internal fragility, bound by these interest groups, means that future crises will expose how this seemingly strong government actually has internal weaknesses. It's the responsibility of opposition parties and the Democrat Party to show the public that under such a government, Thai society becomes even more fragile, and the government itself won't be able to survive," Nattapong stated.

When asked about the Democrat Party collecting names of parliamentarians to establish an independent committee of the Supreme Court to investigate the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Nattapong said coalition opposition parties and some senators have joined them, confirming he is not working alone. When asked who he has already spoken with, Nattapong said there have been behind-the-scenes conversations with all sections, but since there is no formal resolution yet, revealing names prematurely would be discourteous. He assured that behind-the-scenes discussions have taken place and is confident the complete list of names will be secured.