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.

Gold prices are consolidating in the short term as market uncertainty persists between inflationary pressures and the direction of Federal Reserve policy, according to YLG Bullion International Limited. The firm is urging investors to watch the Fed's policy committee meeting on April 29 at 1:00 AM Bangkok time, notably Jerome Powell's final meeting as Fed Chair before his term ends on May 15. If the Fed signals no rush to cut rates, it will pressure gold prices in the near term due to the lack of benefit from elevated interest rates. However, YLG notes that while gold prices may consolidate through May and June, the long-term trend remains a strong structural bull market, with the firm recommending investors gradually accumulate on price weakness. The outlook depends heavily on the Fed's policy direction. A hawkish stance maintaining high rates longer than expected could push gold lower in the short term, while signals of economic concerns and interest rate cuts would support a recovery toward all-time highs. Key supporting factors for medium to long-term gold include continued central bank purchases, particularly from China, India, and Turkey seeking to reduce dollar dependency, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that maintain gold's safe-haven status. Leading financial institutions JP Morgan and UBS project gold could reach $6,200-$6,300 per troy ounce by year-end 2025, reflecting positive long-term market sentiment.

BANGKOK — A delegation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has arrived in Thailand for a three-day working visit as Bangkok advances its bid to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2030.

The IOC Working Group on the Youth Olympic Games 2030, led by Danka Hrbeková, is in Bangkok and Chonburi from 28–30 April as part of the evaluation process ahead of the host city selection at the IOC Session in June 2026.

Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), together with officials from the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, accompanied the delegation during site visits across Bangkok on Monday.

The programme included inspections of the SAT headquarters and Rajamangala National Stadium, proposed as the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies. The delegation also visited multiple proposed competition sites, including the Extreme Sports Stadium, Indoor Stadium, climbing facilities, shooting and archery ranges, table tennis and gymnastics venues, as well as football grounds at the National Stadium complex, Nimibutr Stadium, and Thephasadin Stadium.

According to organisers, the proposed venues are designed to host a full multi-sport programme featuring athletics, aquatics, gymnastics, combat sports, urban sports and team sports, aimed at showcasing the diversity of the Youth Olympic Games.

The IOC group also inspected student accommodation at Chulalongkorn University, proposed as the Youth Olympic Village, as well as the nearby Chulalongkorn University Square, planned as an Urban Park and youth engagement hub during the Games.

Officals said the concept reflects the Youth Olympic Games model, which combines elite sporting competition with education programmes, cultural activities, and youth-focused initiatives integrated into the host city environment.

Thailand is expected to present its final bid proposal as part of the IOC evaluation process ahead of the final decision in 2026.

On April 28, 2025, Deputy Superintendent Somchai Boongerng of Sui Police Station led a multi-agency operation involving police, local administrative officials, military personnel, provincial prosecutors, rescue workers, and community leaders to a cave entrance in Thung Raya Subdistrict, Sui District, Chumphon Province. The operation was initiated after a suspect, believed to be 30-35 years old, fled into the cave following ongoing criminal activities.

Officers cordoned off the area and discovered several items at the cave entrance, including a black backpack, machete, pan, hat, headlamp, phone, three methamphetamine pills, and a homemade .38 caliber handgun loaded with ammunition. A shell casing was found in the chamber.

Rescue teams faced significant difficulty retrieving the body due to the narrow cave opening and approximately 8-meter depth, which also contained lingering tear gas. After more than 20 minutes of effort, the body was successfully removed. Initial autopsy findings showed a single gunshot wound through the chest.

Investigation revealed the suspect was Karen ethnicity with a lengthy history of dangerous criminal behavior in the area. According to witnesses, approximately two weeks prior, he had committed theft and was involved in methamphetamine trafficking while carrying a firearm. Community leaders discovered 170 methamphetamine pills and 7 additional .38 rounds at a shelter. He had also burglarized and assaulted Thai residents in three homes.

After days of pursuit, community leaders discovered cooking fire traces at the cave entrance. Special operations officers attempted negotiation and deployed tear gas to force surrender. The suspect fired one shot at officers, who returned fire with a fatal shot that penetrated through the chest.