The Department of Internal Trade visited palm oil farmers to reaffirm that exports remain operational and to encourage increased B20 biodiesel usage, supporting palm prices that have adjusted to 6.80-7.20 baht per kilogram, with farmers confident the situation is improving.

Department Director Wittayakorn Maniyanet revealed that palm oil farmers from central Thailand's Saraburi and Pathum Thani provinces had submitted a letter to the Commerce Ministry expressing concerns about palm oil prices and export conditions. Following Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Sutheppundit's directive, the department is closely monitoring and urgently addressing the issue.

Today, the department visited palm oil farmers in Saraburi and Pathum Thani provinces to meet with Manas Phuttarat, chairman of the Thai Palm Oil Farmers Association, mill operators, and local farmers to directly hear their situation and proposals.

The ministry is continuously monitoring the entire palm oil system and managing balance across inventory, domestic consumption, and exports to ensure fair market prices for all parties. Regarding farmers' export concerns, the department confirmed that palm oil exports continue normally under appropriate stock management. Since April 7, 2026, 11 exporters have been approved for shipments totaling over 200,000 tons, maintaining manageable levels.

"Rising global energy prices have increased demand for crude palm oil in the energy sector. The government promotes biodiesel use to reduce diesel imports and strengthen energy security," the director stated.

Monthly demand for crude palm oil for biodiesel production now exceeds 100,000 tons, with over 200 B20 fuel service stations established nationwide. Government policy prices B20 below B7 to encourage usage, clearly boosting domestic crude palm oil demand and supporting current palm prices.

Wittayakorn noted that palm prices have recently adjusted upward to 6.80-7.20 baht per kilogram, up from the previous week's 6.60-7.00 baht range, reflecting improved market direction from both domestic and global demand.

During the field visit, the department checked oil palm purchasing conditions at mills, including Somtong Group Company Limited (Public), which confirmed normal operations at full capacity with no queuing issues, as harvest gradually reaches market without concentrated buildup like previous years.

The department emphasized mills should purchase palm based on quality and oil content to treat farmers fairly and incentivize quality improvement, particularly harvesting ripe fruit with high oil content, to elevate Thailand's long-term palm oil standards.

Manas Phuttarat reported that farmers are currently satisfied with improving prices and this season's purchasing situation is better than last year, with no palm fruit spoilage at mills. He requested continued government oversight to ensure fair treatment and noted farmers are pleased with continuously improving prices.

On May 2, 2025, Suksisat SriChomkwan, Deputy Prime Minister's Political Secretary and Pheu Thai Party spokesperson, addressed lawyer Ruangkrai Leekijwattana's petition to the Election Commission (EC) requesting investigation and referral to the Constitutional Court. The petition questions whether Agriculture Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit's transfer of Royal Irrigation Department and Agricultural Aviation Director Rachan Silparayas to the position of ministry inspector general constitutes a serious breach of ethical standards warranting the minister's removal. Suksisat urged the public to follow the facts carefully. He explained that since Pheu Thai joined the government, urgent work on the 2025 budget has been necessary to align with government policy and campaign promises, making consultations with state agencies routine. He firmly denied allegations that relatives were called to review budgets and stated that the EC petition should pose no problems. "The Agriculture and Cooperative Ministry has conducted all operations according to established procedures properly, and I am confident this matter will not negatively impact the ministry's work," Suksisat said.

Deputy Permanent Secretary of Education Dr. Warat Prueksa-thaveekul, serving as Secretary-General of the National Scout Office (NSO), revealed that he and NSO leadership met with Deputy Education Minister Akkhranant Kannitkittinan to discuss policies for developing Thai scouting operations.

Akkhranant wants the NSO to reshape scouting's image from being perceived as a burden into a voluntary activity that youth genuinely want to participate in. He aims to make scouting—for scouts, guides, and youth volunteers—enjoyable and appealing rather than obligatory. He also champions the SCOUTDD app as a digital platform for modern scouting communities, allowing students to easily record good deeds, participate in activities, and recruit friends under the concept of 'Do Good, Can Do, Do Now.' Rather than just a traditional activity logging tool, the app will serve as an engaging learning space using gamification.

The NSO Secretary-General noted that leadership has proposed 12 development initiatives, including the SCOUTDD good deeds recording system, which has evolved from a LINE-based platform into an app supporting both Android and iOS systems. Currently boasting over 100,000 users, it will be enhanced with a points system for rewards. The office is coordinating with relevant sectors, including the Wachirapatiksa Scout Unit "With Love and Loyalty," which develops scout leaders embodying ideals of love and loyalty while committing to public welfare sustainably. Additional initiatives cover law reforms, curriculum updates, and uniform improvements to reduce parental burden, while elevating Thai scouting's international profile through participation in the 2025 World Scout Jamboree in England and hosting the 2029 Asia-Pacific Scout Jamboree in Thailand.

The Deputy Education Minister emphasized that the Ministry of Education stands ready to fully support the NSO through budget allocation and legislative advocacy, ensuring Thai scouting becomes an essential tool for instilling virtue and civic consciousness in the nation's youth sustainably.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Panitchpakdi delivered a keynote address titled "Leadership Beyond Comfort Zone: Breaking Barriers, Opening Pathways for Change" to the Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital on May 1, 2026, at the Aree Wanthasewi Auditorium.

She emphasized the current global situation facing "multiple crises" across economic, geopolitical, and supply chain dimensions, compounded by climate change volatility. The world is entering a complex "New Normal" requiring all sectors to step beyond conventional thinking. She stressed that old approaches to problem-solving cannot address new circumstances.

"Modern leaders must break free from siloed operations and integrate collaboration to drive genuine change amid uncertainty," she noted. "Thailand can turn crisis into opportunity, especially regarding food security, which has become a global priority."

This represents a critical opportunity for Thailand to accelerate agricultural advancement and help SMEs adapt and add value, fostering more balanced and equitable income distribution in the economy.

Another opportunity lies in Thailand's aging demographic structure. The country can leverage its strengths in medicine and hospitality services to develop a care economy that serves both domestic and international demand.

To successfully break beyond the comfort zone, leaders should apply the TAM Model: thinking strategically with a clear data foundation (Think Big), starting with small-scale pilot projects (Act Small), and adapting swiftly to circumstances (Move Fast/Right). Breaking from traditional frameworks is no longer optional but essential for Thailand to survive and grow in a fundamentally changed world.

At 6:30 a.m. on May 2, 2025, Deputy Sergeant Major Fanthip Kaewsaen, investigative deputy commander at Wichit Police Station in Phuket, received notification from the Wichit Radio Center that a body had been discovered in the swimming pool of a condominium in Muang Phuket District. She proceeded to investigate and reported the finding to Police Major Somsak Tongkliang, commander of Wichit Police Station, while coordinating with investigative officers to the scene.

Initial investigation identified the deceased as a 37-year-old foreign male of South African nationality who had been residing in the condominium for approximately two years. The body was found in the building's swimming pool. Upon inquiry, authorities learned that the victim's room door had been left open for an extended period. Security camera footage from May 1, 2025, at approximately 11:55 p.m. showed the victim leaving his seventh-floor room toward the balcony area before jumping down to the sixth-floor balcony.

On the morning of May 2, 2025, at approximately 6:30 a.m., a security guard notified management that a body had been discovered in the condominium's pool. Investigators coordinated with a forensic pathologist from Vachira Phuket Hospital to conduct an initial autopsy to determine the cause of death. The body was then transferred by Kusol Dharma Phuket Foundation rescue workers to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a detailed autopsy.

Authorities have coordinated with the South African embassy to notify the deceased's family before the body is returned for religious rites. The cause of death remains under investigation by police.

The Commerce Ministry assembled a team of buyers to purchase fallen durians at 10-20 baht per kilogram, helping durian farmers affected by summer storms in Chanthaburi province. Arunuch Phudungvit, Chanthaburi Commerce Director, is coordinating implementation under orders from Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachee Sutthiamphan, working with relevant agencies to assess damage and monitor impacts on farmers in the region.

According to the Provincial Agricultural and Cooperative Office, preliminary findings show 77 affected farmers in Khlong district, with damage across 58 rai and approximately 103 tons of fallen fruit. The ministry is collaborating with agricultural offices, the 6th Agricultural Research and Development Office, and the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) to prevent damaged and unripe durians from entering the market.

The Commerce Office coordinated with the Chanthaburi Chamber of Commerce to recruit buyers for damaged fruit destined for processing. Of the over 100 tons of affected produce, 80% consists of ripening durians being purchased by 2-3 companies at 10-20 baht per kilogram for cold storage and processing into durian ice cream. The remaining 20%, comprising unripe fruit unsuitable for fresh sale, is being used by farmers for compost and processed into durian candy.

The 6th Agricultural Research and Development Office and the ACFS are conducting field inspections and strict quality control at collection and packing centers to prevent substandard durians from reaching domestic and export markets, protecting Thailand's durian reputation and consumer confidence.

Chanthaburi's provincial governor assigned a special task force to inspect durian quality at packing houses, retail markets, fruit stalls, and buying points throughout the province to prevent low-quality durians from mixing with fresh consumption durians for both domestic and international sale.

Chanthaburi province is requesting cooperation from farmers, business operators, and all stakeholders to maintain quality standards for Thai durian products. Farmers in need of buyer assistance can contact the Chanthaburi Commerce Office at 039-311357 or inbox the office's Facebook page.