The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has passed a significant resolution at its 2026 Annual General Meeting held in Denmark, officially approving new scoring rule changes for badminton. The vote passed overwhelmingly, with 198 member countries in favor and only 43 opposed.

The new competition format will retain the best-of-three games system but reduce the points per game from 21 to 15 to create faster, more compact matches. The deuce rule remains unchanged—players must win by a 2-point margin after reaching 14-14, with a maximum of 21 points in any game.

The BWF stated that these changes aim to increase excitement and reach critical moments faster, while improving broadcast scheduling efficiency. Importantly, the federation emphasized player welfare, seeking to reduce injury risk and extend athletes' competitive careers. The new rules will officially come into effect starting January 4, 2027.

A factory worker riding a motorcycle was heading home in strong winds when a large roadside tree branch snapped and struck him fatally on the head. At 5:30 PM on April 25, 2569, Police Lieutenant Mongkol Praisuun from Srimohosot Police Station in Prachuap Khiri Khan received a report of a large tree branch that fell onto a motorcyclist on Khiri-Srimohosot Road in Tambon Kok Thai, Amphoe Srimohosot, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. He coordinated with Srimohosot Hospital and responded with rescue teams from the Prachuap Province United Hearts Foundation and Sawang Bamphen Foundation.

At the scene on the roadway, authorities found a large tree branch over 20 meters long that had fallen onto a black and red Honda motorcycle, which was severely damaged. The motorcyclist, a 46-year-old man, was found on the road with critical head injuries. Rescue personnel and local residents had to work together with saws to cut through the branches to retrieve the victim's body and clear the roadway for normal traffic flow.

Investigation revealed the victim was returning home from work when he reached the accident site during a period of strong gusty winds. The large roadside branch could not withstand the wind force, snapped, and struck both his body and head with severe force, causing him to die instantly at the scene. Officials transported the body to the hospital and conducted legal investigation procedures before releasing it to the family for religious funeral rites.

The initiative to elevate Thai fabric and handicraft products represents a continuation of Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana's royal vision under the "Thai Fabrics, Wear with Joy" concept, which aims to establish traditional Thai textiles in the international contemporary fashion market while building value from local knowledge and strengthening the nation's grassroots economy.

On April 25, 2569, the Community Development Department under the Interior Ministry conducted the first coaching session for royal pattern fabrics and handicrafts at IconSiam in the Central Region, with Department Director Siam Sirimonkol presiding, alongside foundation advisors, community development leaders, and provincial officials.

This initiative serves as a critical mechanism for driving community economic growth by elevating Thai fabric and handicraft products as models for producers, entrepreneurs, and weavers to develop their skills across all techniques, creating quality and diverse products with contemporary designs and patterns. The program also emphasizes sustainable fashion that can compete domestically and internationally, generating income and long-term opportunities for communities. Additionally, the program prepares producers, OTOP entrepreneurs, and weavers for the 2569 Royal Pattern Fabric Competition scheduled by the Community Development Department for August 2569.

The Thai League 2 2025/26 season reached its finale on April 25, 2026, with Sisaket United delivering a dominant 5-1 victory over Songkhla to accumulate 60 points and secure second place, earning automatic promotion to the top division alongside champions Ratchaburi United. In other final-day matches, Kasetsart lost 3-4, Maha Sarakham drew 2-2 with Khon Kaen United, Bangkok FC drew 1-1 with Trat, Nakhon Sawan United drew 0-0 with Pattani, Nong Bua Pitchaya drew 3-3 with Ratchaburi United, Chainat Hornbill lost 1-2 to Pattaya United, Chanthaburi drew 1-1 with Police Tero, and Phrae United lost 0-2 to Nakhon Pathom. Teams advancing to the playoff promotion round are Pattani FC (3rd), Nong Bua Pitchaya (4th), Police Tero FC (5th), and Chainat Hornbill (6th). Teams relegated include Kasetsart FC (16th), Nakhon Sawan United (17th), and Bangkok FC (18th).

A marshland fire erupted in Chumphon province on April 25, 2026, consuming approximately 100 acres in Moo 5, Na Cha-ang Subdistrict. The area's sandy soil, dense vegetation of acacia and eucalyptus trees, combined with periodic strong winds, caused the flames to spread rapidly across multiple points. Firefighting crews from Chumphon Provincial Administration Organization and several local municipalities rushed to the scene with a 6,000-liter water truck to suppress both ground and aerial flames, preventing further spread into residential and agricultural areas.

Local resident Ms. Sujitr reported the marshland, spanning 300 acres, caught fire around noon, prompting immediate alerts to community leaders and police. Firefighters from multiple agencies coordinated an urgent response. Initial assessments showed approximately 100 acres damaged across three fire points, with no reports of property loss to residents so far. However, residents noted such fires occur regularly during dry seasons, and despite efforts to control the blaze, embers repeatedly reignited throughout the evening, raising concerns the fire could persist overnight.

On April 25, 2569, police officials led by Lieutenant General Natthasak Chauanasai directed officers to arrest two Kyrgyz nationals, both aged 26, at a hotel in Patong subdistrict, Kathu district, Phuket. The arrests were made pursuant to an INTERPOL red notice charging them with kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, assault causing death, and homicide. The suspects allegedly committed a brutal murder on April 11, 2569, before disposing of the body in a ravine in Alamedin district, Chuy Province, Kyrgyzstan. They subsequently fled to Thailand. Following international police cooperation through INTERPOL, the suspects were tracked to a Phuket hotel and arrested. During interrogation, both men denied all charges. Immigration procedures have been initiated to revoke their residency permits and arrange their deportation to Kyrgyzstan to face prosecution.