Following a Facebook post by Pai Lik, Khamphangphet MP and Kla Tham Party secretary-general, announcing that Rachen Silpharaya, former Royal Irrigation Department director, would seek justice at parliament on April 30 regarding his sudden dismissal—allegedly for refusing to respond to political pressure—Rachen has now postponed his appearance. When contacted on April 30, Rachen confirmed he would not travel to parliament as he is still preparing documentation for his justice petition and requested to postpone indefinitely. At 1:10 p.m., Atthakorn Siriluttayakorn, Chachoengsao MP and Kla Tham Party spokesman, explained that he received contact from Rachen the previous day and discussed the matter with Pai Lik to allow Rachen to voice his concerns to familiar colleagues. Atthakorn noted that while some details remain undisclosed pending further discussion with Rachen, off-season transfers of this nature are unusual and occurred faster than expected. He pointed out that during previous administrations under Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompow and party treasurer Nueamol Phinyosinwat, such director-level transfers never happened. "Considering Rachen's length of service, it is unfortunate," Atthakorn said, praising Rachen's accomplishments including his cloud-seeding initiatives that significantly reduced PM 2.5 dust levels in 2567, calling him one of the ministry's most active and vocal workers. When asked if the transfer constitutes political retaliation or purge, Atthakorn declined to comment, stating such matters fall outside party jurisdiction, while expressing concern about losing capable personnel and uncertainty whether the situation represents genuine retaliation.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Piyaratcharya Tiayapairat presided over the 92nd meeting of the National Cooperative Development Committee (NCDC) held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and via Zoom to advance the country's cooperative system development with enhanced strength, transparency, and sustainability. The meeting aimed to gather comprehensive feedback and recommendations from all stakeholders to guide future operations, emphasizing full participation and open dialogue among relevant agencies to produce tangible cooperative outcomes.

Deputy Minister Tiayapairat announced directives to accelerate digital service delivery by improving applications and websites for easier access and user convenience under a "user-centric" approach, alongside inter-agency data integration and innovation partnerships with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI). Cooperative agencies were invited to propose innovation needs to adapt appropriate technologies suited to their local contexts.

The meeting reviewed progress on the Fifth Cooperative Development Plan (2023-2027) for fiscal year 2569, with 45 of 52 projects (86.54%) already advancing. For 2569, priorities include improving limited-capacity cooperatives through transparent management, technology-enabled oversight, and good governance, while enhancing members' quality of life. Four core initiatives target 5,500 cooperatives and farm groups, 2,090 personnel ethics promotions, debt resolution for 3,100 members, and strengthening 3,640 cooperatives with 200 model high-performance cooperatives.

Currently, Thailand operates over 9,044 cooperatives with 11.76 million members and 2,530 billion baht in total business value, representing 13.47% of GDP. Agricultural cooperatives account for 2,992 entities with 6.13 million members. Credit businesses lead at 1,485 billion baht (58.72%), followed by deposit services at 855 billion baht (33.80%), with agricultural product aggregation and processing comprising the remainder.

"Perfect oneself first before teaching others, lest you become a corrupt scholar," reads a dharma message from Luang Por Cha Subhaddo of Wat Nong Pa Pong in Ubon Ratchathani, written in 2015.

Luang Por Phra Attasanto, the revered abbot emeritus of Wat Khok Dok Mai in Saraburi Province, has reached his 92nd birthday and completed 72 Buddhist Lent observances. The temple committee and his disciples organized a celebration and commissioned a special commemorative medal—a somdej-style amulet marking his 92 years. The medal features a meditating figure on a pig (the year of his birth according to the Thai zodiac), with guardian yantra symbols on either side of his head. Thai script reads "Phra Kru Wichit Chayanurak, Luang Por Phra Attasanto, celebrating 92 years of age." The reverse side displays a four-directional yantra design with Khmer script and temple information. Luang Por Phra personally consecrated these medals individually, each with a code and numbered sequence, and they are expected to be highly sought after.

The article also explores the history of commemorative Buddhist medals, including the rare "Chap Po Yi Lo Han" medal created in 1891 during the reign of King Rama V to commemorate his ordination, featuring 18 arhat figures in Chinese Mahayana Buddhist style.

Other notable examples include Luang Por Kaew Prom Saro of Wat Phuang Malai in Samut Songkhram, whose egg-shaped medals from 1916 are rare and expensive, and Luang Pu Sadhu Sukdhamma of Wat Ban Lae in Maha Sarakham, who created only three sets of amulets, with his somdej medals from 1966 available in both large and small versions with different metals.

Phra Kru Phavana Phirat, known as "Luang Pu Tim Isariko," was a renowned Buddhist monk of Wat Laharn Rai in Ban Kai District, Rayong Province, and the originator of the famous Prai Kumarn powder amulets. Every amulet he consecrated became highly sought after, with prices reaching hundreds of thousands to millions of baht. There's even a saying that whoever possesses a Luang Pu Tim amulet holds the equivalent of cash in their hands. Born on Friday, June 16, 1879 at Ban Hoa Thung Ta But, his original name was Tim Gamsri. His parents were Jaeng and Intra Gamsri. At age 17, his father brought him to study Thai and Khmer script under Luang Pu Shing at Wat Laharn Yai. He was ordained at Wat Thapma on June 7, 1906, and became abbot of Wat Laharn Rai around 1907. The monk passed away peacefully at age 96, after 69 years in monkhood, on October 16, 1975. His disciples requested permission to create the first edition amulet in 1965, producing 1,060 coins commemorating his ecclesiastical honor and royal title as "Phra Kru Phavana Phirat."

Pichai Chunnawachir, president of the Thai Amateur Boxing Association, has set ambitious goals for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, targeting one gold and one silver medal. Acknowledging the fierce competition from over 40 countries including India, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, the association held its annual general meeting via video conference in Thonburi on April 30th to discuss preparation strategies and annual operations.

The Thai boxing team faces significant challenges with limited roster depth, particularly in heavyweight divisions. Key contenders include Punrawee Ruenros, who may need to move up in weight class due to her division not being featured at the Games, and Natsnicha Chongprongkiang, who needs to improve her recent performance. The association is also exploring adding a tall heavyweight boxer—standing 194 cm—currently in a weight-loss program aiming to drop from 150 kg to 130 kg.

Regarding concerns about boxing's absence from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, association officials affirmed that World Boxing and the International Olympic Committee are working together on multiple tournaments and assured that boxing will definitely be included, leaving two years for countries to prepare their teams.

Additionally, Deputy President Police Colonel Phanurat Lukbun confirmed financial incentives for medalists at the Asian Games: 1,000,000 baht for gold, 500,000 baht for silver, and 300,000 baht for bronze.

When discussing late-night "roadside stall" style restaurants that have long captured the hearts of food lovers in the Nangwongwan Road area, one name that immediately comes to mind is "Nai Khom Jao Kao" – a single-dish restaurant featuring a complete menu of popular items including red pork rice, chicken oil rice, duck noodles, and chicken noodles.

However, the signature dish that keeps customers hooked and coming back is the 'dry noodles with red pork, crispy pork, and Chinese sausage,' served generously with all the toppings and no skimping. The restaurant's main standout lies in its ingredients – nearly everything is made in-house. The red pork is roasted over charcoal, giving it a distinctive aroma, while the crispy pork is roasted until the skin tightens before being fried to perfect crunchiness with every piece. This adds a depth of flavor distinctly different from ordinary restaurants.

Another bestselling menu item is the chicken oil rice, made with premium grade A chicken – large, tender, never mushy – cooked in authentic chicken fat for that traditional fragrant, oily rice. The red pork and crispy pork rice comes in traditional gravy style with a sweet, well-rounded flavor, served complete with red pork, crispy pork, Chinese sausage, and boiled eggs.

What's particularly special and hard to find elsewhere is the ability to "mix and match" your order however you like – whether adding crispy pork and red pork to chicken oil rice, or extra Chinese sausage, you can customize your single plate however you want. This satisfies those who want to load everything onto one plate. Beyond that, the restaurant is famous for being extremely generous, especially with fresh fried garlic and pork cracklings made fresh daily and served with an open hand.

With starting prices of just 50 baht, despite rising ingredient costs, the shop maintains its pricing to look after longtime customers – clearly reflecting a philosophy of "people first, profit second."

The shop operates late-night hours from 8:00 PM to around 3:30 AM (some nights it may close as early as 1:00 AM) and closes every Tuesday.

The restaurant is located on Nangwongwan Road in Bangkok. Coming from the Kasetsart University-Nangwongwan-Phongphet Underpass, it's about 300 meters past Klong Prem Prison, before reaching the Phongphet intersection.

It's perfect for night-shift workers or food enthusiasts looking for hot meals in the wee hours. Over more than 20 years, "Nai Khom Jao Kao" remains a beloved favorite of Nangwongwan residents – a must-stop for anyone passing through late at night. For true food lovers, there's only one thing to say: "Don't miss it."