On April 30, REIC reported its Q1 2025 vacant land price index for Bangkok and surrounding areas, showing an increase of 1.4% year-over-year. The index reached 449.1 points, up 3.7% from the previous quarter's 443.0 points.

The top five locations with the highest land price growth rates year-over-year are:

1. Phra Khanong-Bang Na-Suan Luang-Prawet: 29.8% increase 2. Bang Kruai-Bang Yai-Bang Bua Thong-Sai Noi: 25.9% increase 3. Samut Sakhon: 19.4% increase 4. Inner Bangkok: 16.1% increase 5. Ratsada-Bang Khun Thian-Thung Khru-Bang Bon-Chom Thong: 10.8% increase

Regarding vacant land prices along mass transit routes in Q1 2025, the top five transit lines with the highest land price appreciation year-over-year are:

1. BTS Sukhumvit Line: Index of 593.8 points 2. MRT and Dark Red Line (Bang Sue-Hua Lamphong): Index of 756.2 and 744.5 points respectively 3. Purple Line (Bang Yai-Tao Poon): Index of 586.0 points 4. Green Line (Mochit-Saphan Mai-Khlong Kuet) and Dark Red Line (Bang Sue-Rangsit): Index of 667.4 and 657.1 points respectively 5. Orange Line (Cultural Center-Min Buri): Index of 571 points

The Internal Security Command has launched the 'ISC Sharing Kindness' project in collaboration with Po Teck Tung Foundation, Thai Volunteer Defense Foundation, and private sector partners to distribute consumer goods and alleviate cost-of-living pressures on citizens at ISC headquarters in Dusit, Bangkok.

On April 30, 2025, General Chaiyaprueksa Duangprawat, ISC Secretary-General, presided over the project opening alongside Deputy General Thanatip Sawangaeng, Director of the Public Affairs and Communications Office at ISC, Aranyai Totwat, Managing Director of Po Teck Tung Foundation, representatives from Thai Volunteer Defense Foundation, and private sector partners.

The 'ISC Sharing Kindness' initiative aims to assist citizens, particularly low-income earners and vulnerable populations affected by economic difficulties, through the distribution of essential consumer goods. Po Teck Tung Foundation mobilized disaster management personnel and relief workers to contribute 1,000 survival kits valued at over 200,000 baht to support the program at ISC headquarters in Dusit, Bangkok.

Over its 116-year history, Po Teck Tung Foundation has expanded its initiatives widely, providing relief to the suffering regardless of race or religion, while also improving quality of life in multiple ways. The foundation operates as a comprehensive charitable organization serving the public across all sectors in line with its mission: 'Po Teck Tung Foundation—Save Lives, Preserve Lives, Build Lives.'

While 'heat' in household appliances is traditionally viewed as a basic function for cooking or hot water, Rinnai—a leading Japanese brand—is reframing this concept through the 'Heat is Home' philosophy, transforming energy into an emotional experience of home living.

At Architect69 event, Sompon Preechawuttinant, General Manager of Rinnai Thailand, explained: "We see heat as more than just energy produced by appliances. We focus on the end result—how heat can improve quality of life. This is the foundation of our 'Heat is Home' concept, which we want to communicate to consumers."

Drawing from over 100 years of brand history, Rinnai's leadership emphasized that consumers don't simply want products, but desire "improved quality of life." Heat represents the beginning of valuable moments at home—whether faster meal preparation bringing families together or truly relaxing baths.

In the modern home context, kitchens are shifting from purely functional spaces to areas reflecting residents' identity and lifestyle. Rinnai prioritizes developing technology that not only works but "truly understands users," with safety as the core focus through the Si Sensor system, which automatically controls temperature and cuts gas in risky situations.

"Safety is always our priority. Si Sensor technology was designed to reduce usage risks, giving users confidence every time they enter the kitchen," Sompon stated.

As a global brand with production and distribution networks across dozens of countries, Rinnai leverages consumer behavior insights from different regions to create location-specific innovations. The company adapted Japan's Ultra Fine Bubbles technology for Thai products to enhance cleaning and hygiene efficiency, exemplifying a "Global Insight, Local Fit" approach.

"We learn from consumers worldwide, then adapt for each country's context. For Thailand, we select technologies that address real usage needs and genuinely elevate user experience," he said.

At Architect69, Rinnai presented products clearly reflecting the brand's DNA—safety, user-friendly operation, and excellent user experience—positioning gas stoves as more than cooking equipment.

"We want consumers to see that a gas stove or kitchen appliance can truly make life easier and safer. It's not just functional—it should feel good to use," Sompon emphasized.

Meanwhile, Thailand's Smart Kitchen trend continues growing with IoT technology connecting appliances to smartphones. However, Rinnai believes true 'smartness' must be practical.

"For us, Smart Kitchen isn't just connectivity—it must reduce cooking steps and complications. We're developing technology for automatic cooking control, making it easier for younger generations to cook."

The company plans to introduce innovative technologies addressing future consumer needs.

Indian billionaire heir Anand Ambani has proposed adopting 80 hippopotamuses to prevent Colombia's government from culling the animals due to their rapidly growing population and environmental impact.

According to CNN on April 30, Ambani made the offer to avoid the Colombian government's plan to eliminate the hippos, which have multiplied rapidly and are damaging the local ecosystem. The hippo population was originally introduced to Colombia in the 1980s and lives in areas around the former Escobar ranch at Hacienda Nápoles, now a tourist destination. The population has grown to approximately 160 animals, with projections potentially reaching 500 by 2030 without intervention.

Ambani proposed relocating 80 hippos to a wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat, India, a project he founded and operates caring for more than 150,000 animals from over 2,000 species.

Sanctuary officials stated they are prepared to provide appropriate and safe environments for the hippos to ensure good quality of life, and confirmed they would strictly adhere to legal requirements, permits, and biosecurity measures if approved by the Colombian government.

Ambani expressed through social media: "These hippos didn't choose to be born, and they shouldn't suffer the consequences of this situation. If we have the capacity to help, we should."

Colombia's environment minister confirmed that culling some hippos is a necessary measure, as the species has been classified as an invasive species since 2022. The ministry stated that uncontrolled hippo population growth threatens native animals like manatees and freshwater turtles in the Magdalena River basin, and failure to act could cause long-term ecosystem damage.

Colombia previously considered alternatives, including relocating hippos to Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, South Africa, and India, but implementation proved difficult due to international legal restrictions and logistical challenges.

Ambani's proposal is currently under consideration, with relevant authorities assessing its feasibility, though the Colombian government has not yet issued an official response.

On April 30, 2026, Facebook user Suriya Sudsanit posted about a disappointing experience after bringing his electric vehicle to a service center in Chachoengsao province for a mileage check and to diagnose a noise from the undercarriage. After driving approximately 100 kilometers from the service center, he discovered that both the front dashcam and interior cabin camera had their power cables completely disconnected. Upon learning of the disconnection, he reviewed the security footage and found three concerning incidents:

Incident 1: Staff members deliberately disconnected the customer's cameras while laughing and making comments as if the customer wouldn't find out.

Incident 2: During test drives, technicians failed to wear seatbelts, used mobile phones while driving, and did not properly listen to diagnose the noise problem, initially unable to identify the source.

Incident 3: Staff members used foul language inside the vehicle, including derogatory remarks and unclear references.

The vehicle underwent four test drive rounds total, with the noise issue finally identified during the fourth round when the owner was present. Previously, the customer had shown confidence in the service center, even providing refreshments to the team as they worked. However, after viewing the footage, the customer felt deeply disappointed and requested that the service center management investigate the matter and address the staff's unprofessional conduct.

Thammasak Setrathum, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siam Cement Public Company Limited (SCG), revealed that the company achieved 6.223 billion baht in profit for the first quarter of 2025, with sales revenue of 123.327 billion baht. Adjusted Cash EBITDA—excluding inventory adjustments, impairments, and non-recurring items—reached 14.929 billion baht, a 17% increase.

Amid Middle East tensions driving volatility in energy and raw material prices, which impact the global economy including Thailand and multiple industries, SCG has implemented proactive strategies to absorb and manage the situation. In the short term, the company operates a Daily War Room command center to monitor and manage raw material costs and energy expenses, address oil supply shortages through improved energy efficiency and alternative energy sources, reduce transportation costs, and maintain strict fiscal discipline through restructuring and discontinuing unprofitable operations.

"These measures have achieved cost savings exceeding 4.3 billion baht, while working capital increased by 2.438 billion baht. Capital expenditure was controlled at 5.482 billion baht, reducing net debt by 2.813 billion baht. The net debt-to-EBITDA ratio improved to 5.0 times from 5.5 times. Financial position remains stable with 67.137 billion baht in cash reserves," the company stated.

For the 2025-2026 two-year plan, SCG focuses on building competitive strength through diverse production bases across ASEAN, improving manufacturing efficiency and product quality—projected to reduce costs region-wide by approximately 3.3 billion baht annually. The LSPE project at Long Son Petrochemicals in Vietnam, launching late 2025, will enhance feedstock flexibility and is expected to generate 6 billion baht in annual cost savings.

The company is pushing green products, quality goods at competitive prices, and high-value-added products while pursuing a strategic joint venture in olefins and polyolefins between GC and SCGC, expected to conclude by third quarter 2025. SCG is also advancing its integrated clean energy business to reduce costs and fossil fuel volatility. While closely monitoring global developments, the company remains confident in its strong financial position, adequate cash reserves, and capacity for sustained long-term growth.