On April 25, Prime Minister Anuthim Charnvirakul and Interior Minister welcomed H.E. Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), during his official visit to Thailand. Industry Minister Varawut Silparacha and Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenwong joined the discussions.

The Prime Minister welcomed the OCA president and praised his leadership in strengthening the Olympic movement across Asia. Both sides affirmed the critical role of sports not only in competition but as a tool for unity, peace, youth development, and sustainable economic growth.

Thailand's government is committed to using sports to develop Thai youth's potential, skills, and quality of life while promoting Olympic values and creating a peaceful society. The country aims to become a regional hub for sports development and an important platform for international cooperation.

The OCA president expressed his pleasure at visiting Thailand and commended the nation's efforts in promoting sports at all levels, particularly in youth development through athletics, which builds life skills, discipline, and international understanding. The OCA stands ready to cooperate with Thailand to expand youth access to sports.

Both parties discussed cooperation frameworks under the OCA umbrella, focusing on youth development, opportunities for regional and international sports participation, and using sports as a mechanism to strengthen international relations and peace. They aim to leverage sports for long-term economic and tourism development, with the OCA prepared to continuously support youth and sports development projects.

The Olympic Council of Asia and Thailand's Olympic Committee have maintained a long-standing close relationship, with Thailand playing an important role in Asia's sporting arena through athlete participation, hosting competitions, and involvement in OCA governance structures.

The Road Cycling Thai National Championship and Mountain Bike Thai National Championship for 2026, round 4, held April 24-26, was organized by the Thai Cycling Association under royal patronage in collaboration with Chanthaburi Province, Pong Nam Ron District, Thap Thai Subdistrict Municipality, and the Aek Panyaingtong Foundation in the Pong Nam Ron area. The mountain bike cross-country competition opening ceremony on April 25 at Khlong Phra Phut Reservoir was presided over by District Officer Praphet Yanpanya, with attendance from Thai Cycling Association Secretary General Captain Thitporn Noi Rak, senior administrator Bumrin Petchcharlee, subdistrict mayor Kasem Kasemssri, and other government officials.

A flag handover ceremony transferred hosting duties for rounds 5 and 6 to Tak Province, represented by Uthane Phanbhoka, Deputy Director of Bhumibol Dam 2, and Nathawat Funkfun, Director of Thailand's Office of Sports in Tak Province. Tak Province will host the competition August 7-9 using routes within Bhumibol Dam and Sam Ngao District.

Uthan Phanbhoka revealed that Tak Province Governor Choochart Rooying has directed all relevant agencies to support the event, including Sam Ngao Police Station for security and traffic control, Sam Ngao Hospital for emergency medical services, volunteer rescue foundations, and local government organizations. Bhumibol Dam personnel will facilitate cyclist safety.

The dam has prepared challenging courses for both road and mountain bike events that cyclists enjoy, particularly the downhill course which tests riders' abilities. The event brings economic benefits to local communities, with vendors and local enterprises selling goods, and resorts enjoying full occupancy. It also promotes youth fitness and athletic values. The invitation extends to cyclists nationwide to compete in what will be the final round determining the national champion.

For the mountain bike cross-country competition registered with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) as a CN national championship level with point scoring, notable categories include the Open Men's race (22 kilometers) where first place went to Pongsphira Pongsayukul, a Thai national cyclist preparing for the 20th Asian Games from Mueang Muay Nakhon Sawan-Fisherman Friend Chiang Mai team with a time of 1:08:58, with second place to Sergeant Poonsiri Sirimongkhol from the Permanent Secretary's Office team.

The Thai Basketball Association held its 2569 annual general meeting on April 25 at the Chulalongkorn 7th Building meeting room, chaired by Dr. Niwat Limsuknirand. Out of 113 voting clubs, 90 attended the meeting while 23 did not, achieving a quorum with the support of 6 associate member clubs. The assembly voted by majority to elect the new president.

Hia Tai Nippon Chaowalit Montien won with 89 votes out of 90 cast, with one spoiled ballot, and was approved as president of the Thai Basketball Association for his third term (2569-2572). Other elected positions include two vice presidents: Nathapol Teepsuwan and Petch Shinbut; secretary Piyapong Pirun; treasurer Kasem Mahattanaongtawee; competitions director Manit Wanthanasar; development and technical director Norin Seangsrijun; and board members Pracha Kittrongsiri, Brig. Gen. Silpachai Bamrungkij, and Kitti Hatthiya. Dr. Niwat Limsuknirand was appointed as the association's senior advisor.

After his election, Hia Tai thanked members for their trust and pledged to develop Thai basketball with support from sponsors, the Thai Sports Authority, and the National Sports Development Fund. The association plans to appoint up to 19 additional board members within 30 days. His development strategy includes promoting youth athletes to international levels, arranging basketball scholarships to American colleges and universities, and providing career assistance to current and former athletes in the basketball community.

Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Phraya Wachiryananvaroroth was the 10th Supreme Patriarch of Bangkok, residing at Wat Boworniwet Vihara. He was the son of King Rama IV and Princess Mom Chao Mae Pae, born on Thursday, the 7th waning day of the 5th lunar month in the Year of the Goat, which corresponds to April 12, 1860. Heavy rain fell on the day of his birth, which the Queen Consort regarded as an auspicious omen and named him Phraya Manusyanakamamnop.

At age 20, he ordained as a Buddhist monk at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsada on June 27, 1879. Somdet Phraya Pavareshvaralingkorn served as his preceptor, while Phra Chantharakojkun (Yim Chantharangsi) of Wat Makut Kasatriaram acted as his karma instructor. After his first rains retreat at Wat Boworniwet Vihara, he moved to his second rains retreat at Wat Makut Kasatriaram under the guidance of Phra Chantharakojkun.

During his stay at Wat Makut Kasatriaram, he underwent ritual purification and re-ordination according to the custom of the Thammayut order. Phra Chantharakojkun served as his preceptor, while Phra Dhammatilokacharya (Dech Thanjarao), then a senior scholar-monk at Wat Somnas Vihara, served as his karma instructor at the ubosot of Wat Ratchathiwat on January 3, 1879.

In 1891, when Somdet Phraya Pavareshvaralingkorn passed away, King Rama V graciously appointed Phraya Wachiryananvaroroth to succeed him as the abbot of Wat Boworniwet Vihara, becoming the third abbot of the temple.

On November 2, 1906, he was elevated to the rank of Krom Luang Wachiryananvaroroth. When King Rama VI ascended the throne in 1910, he was appointed as the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand and elevated to the rank of Phraya. His name was inscribed as Somdet Phra Boromvongse Thao Krom Phraya Wachiryananvaroroth. Later, King Rama VI granted him the title of Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya Wachiryananvaroroth as the first holder of this honor.

He served as the preceptor of two monarchs: King Rama VI during his ordination as a monk while holding the title of Crown Prince, and King Rama VII while holding the title of Prince Prajadhipok. He passed away on August 2, 1921, at the age of 61, having presided over Wat Boworniwet Vihara for 30 years and serving as Supreme Patriarch for 10 years and 7 months.

The medal of Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phraya Wachiryananvaroroth was created in 1920 to commemorate his 60th birthday celebration. The oval-shaped medal with built-in loops measures 2.8 centimeters in width and 3.5 centimeters in length. The obverse features a half-length portrait of His Holiness in profile facing left, with a radiating diamond symbol above representing 'Vajiravudh,' and Ariyaka script below, which was created by King Rama IV.

"Understanding turmoil first leads to peace," according to the dharmic blessing from Luang Pho Cha Subhatto at Wat Nong Pa Phong in Ubon Ratchathani. Luang Pu Man Bhuraridatta, a pioneering master of Thailand's forest tradition, blessed the P. Malakul School medal, a unique amulet created around early 1949 by the Sakon Nakhon provincial education department at Wat Pa Ban Nong Phuea. The medal was distributed as recognition to donors who contributed funds to support education at P. Malakul School in Sakon Nakhon. The amulet features a five-sided bell-shaped design with a loop handle, depicting Buddha in meditation pose on the front. The reverse reads "In commemoration of the P. Malakul School celebration, Sakon Nakhon, B.E. 2492." After Luang Pu Man blessed it, Luang Pu Fuen Acharo of Wat Pa Udom Sompon performed additional consecration, making it exceptionally rare and highly treasured by collectors.

Another notable amulet is the Flicking Water Blessing Bell created by Luang Pho Ngoen of Wat Don Yai Hom in 1962 to raise funds for building a public school at the temple. This floating bell-shaped amulet depicts Buddha in a blessing gesture, with a water bowl beneath the palm, detailed facial features, and mystical yantra inscriptions on the back that bring prosperity to its owner.

The Maha Prab Luang Pu Suk medal was created in 2012 by Phra Racha Suddhisophorn while serving as abbot of Wat Pak Khlong Makham Tao in Chai Nat province. The anchor-shaped amulet features Luang Pu Suk standing with a staff surrounded by a 108-yantra circle, with Khmer script and protective yantras on the back, making it a popular collectible from Chai Nat.

The Luang Pu Hok amulet from Wat Rasat Rueng Suk in Chonburi was created in 2011 to support the construction of a new ordination hall. This bullet-shaped charm displays Buddha in meditation on a lotus, with sacred heart syllables and yantras inscribed on both sides, representing another highly sought-after addition to amulet collections.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, Democrat Party leader and list MP, indicated that the party is actively vetting multiple candidates interested in running for Bangkok Governor under the Democrat banner. The party aims to announce its candidate by early May, with registration expected mid-May, as the current governor's term is nearing completion. When pressed on whether the potential candidate would be from within the party, Abhisit laughed and said, "They'll be a party member soon enough." Asked whether an early May announcement was feasible, he confirmed the party would work to achieve this timeline given that registration would occur in mid-May.