Smartphone usage has transformed media consumption habits, making short, concise, and instantly accessible content the mainstream entertainment trend globally known as Verticaltainment. AIS customer data shows vertical series app usage has surged 56% within a year, gaining 3 million new users for a current monthly user base of 9 million. This rapid growth reflects modern consumers' desire for engaging content that requires minimal time commitment and is accessible anywhere, anytime. To address this demand, AIS partnered with ReelShort, the world's top vertical series platform, bringing premium content to Thai audiences first.

Lairshai Khadtrup, AIS Mobile Business Division Executive Head, announced AIS's aggressive expansion into the vertical series market through collaboration with global platform ReelShort, which houses the world's largest vertical series library with over 4,000 titles. AIS launched the 5G ReelShort package at just 39 baht monthly with internet specifically designed for series streaming—a first in Southeast Asia. This positions Thailand as a strategic hub for ReelShort's regional expansion.

Trup stated, "Today, AIS is becoming a fully-fledged Digital Intelligent Platform, creating an ecosystem connecting all digital experiences through partnerships with leading platforms to support every lifestyle, especially the rapidly growing vertical series format worldwide. With over 4,000 titles updated daily in Thai dubbing and subtitles, our ReelShort collaboration strengthens AIS's digital ecosystem and positions us as the single most comprehensive vertical series platform for Thai users."

Joey Jia, CEO of Crazy Maple Studio, ReelShort's developer, revealed that ReelShort is the world's #1 microdrama platform with millions of daily users and 4,000+ premium entertainment titles spanning romance, fantasy, and thriller genres. The platform customizes content for each country, including Thai voice-over and subtitles. With backing from Crazy Maple Studio's Silicon Valley headquarters, content is produced at Hollywood standards for global audiences, with material specifically designed for mobile viewing.

Jia added, "This marks ReelShort's first partnership with a global telecom provider, establishing Thailand as a crucial base for Southeast Asian expansion, presenting a new model combining premium vertical content with telecom services."

GULF Development Public Company Limited has partnered with Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Dentistry to continuously elevate community and social quality of life. The "GULF Sparks Smiles Community Project," now in its sixth year and second round, will provide free preventive dental care services to the public at Thai State Wittaya School 93 (Ban Lad Takhian) in Kabinburi district, Prachuap Khiri Khan province on May 6-7, 2026. Walk-in participants can register on May 6 from 8:00-9:00 AM only, with limited spots available.

Operating under the philosophy "Powering the Future, Empowering the People," GULF and Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Dentistry launched the "GULF Sparks Smiles" initiative to improve dental health and create bright smiles, particularly for residents in remote areas. The project offers essential dental treatments including fillings, extractions, tartar removal, and wisdom tooth extraction on an equitable and accessible basis. These services form a crucial foundation for building a healthier society with better quality of life. Since its inception, the project has successfully served over 6,500 people and continues to spread bright smiles throughout 2026.

For more information about the "GULF Sparks Smiles Community Project," follow updates on three platforms: Facebook Page (Gulf SPARK), TikTok (GULF SPARK), and Instagram (gulfspark.th).

ONE Championship held official weigh-ins and face-offs on April 28 for ONE Samurai 1 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, with competition starting at 12:30 PM Thailand time on Wednesday, April 29. The headline bout features former ONE Muay Thai flyweight world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon against local favorite Takeru Segawa, with the interim ONE kickboxing flyweight world title at stake. Both fighters successfully made weight with no complications—Rodtang weighed in at 134.8 pounds with a hydration level of 1.0095, while Takeru came in at 134 pounds with a hydration level of 1.0226, setting up their matchup on April 29, 2569. Following the face-off, Rodtang stated: "I'm honored to be the final opponent of Takeru's career. I will do my best, and of course I will be the one to claim victory on April 29."

The Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Industries have sounded an alarm over a critical labor shortage stemming from systemic issues affecting all business sectors, particularly in the Eastern region. On April 28, 2026, Porn Aramwattananond, chairman of the two organizations, disclosed that business members nationwide are reporting severe labor shortages impacting legal foreign workers from Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia—critical workforce components for manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and service industries. Eastern provinces including Chachoengsao, Rayong, Sa Kaew, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Trat face acute foreign worker shortages directly affecting production capacity and national competitiveness.

Aramwattananond noted that many MOU-registered foreign workers' permits are expiring, with some already returning home. Without immediate intervention, sectors heavily dependent on this labor force—particularly construction, agriculture including seasonal fruit harvesting, and services—could face sudden disruptions that threaten key pillars of the Thai economy.

To address the crisis, the Chamber has submitted urgent correspondence to Labor Minister Chulphan Amornvivat requesting expedited work permit extensions for all foreign nationalities. The organizations propose collaborative government-private sector coordination to prevent workforce depletion while developing comprehensive long-term foreign labor management policies balancing security, economic, and social considerations. The Chamber warned that failure to act promptly risks undermining economic growth targets and significantly weakening Thailand's long-term competitive capabilities.

The Thailand Volleyball Association, in partnership with Thai Union Group Public Company Limited, is organizing the 2025 'C-Select' Thailand National Volleyball Championship, featuring both indoor and beach volleyball across five categories from youth to open divisions.

Association President Sompon Chaibangyang presided over the press conference held on April 28 at the Sky Room on the 18th floor of Alexander Hotel on Ramkhamhaeng Road in Bangkok. The event was attended by various officials and representatives from partner organizations.

Chaibangyang stated that the 'C-Select' volleyball championship serves as a critical foundation for developing Thailand's volleyball program. He expressed gratitude to Thai Union Group for their sustained support over many years as the world-leading canned seafood producer under the 'C-Select' brand. He emphasized that the competition is essential for nurturing volleyball talent across all age groups, particularly youth players destined for national teams, noting that nearly all Thai national volleyball players have participated in this championship.

Nathawee Wachiratheepatpan, General Manager of Emerging Markets at Thai Union Group, expressed pride in the company's long-standing partnership spanning over 30 years. She highlighted the shared vision between the association and Thai Union to promote youth health and wellness through sports, instilling athletic discipline, sportsmanship, and teamwork values.

Subin Thongnoi, Director of Tembabaal School 1 (Yiemkasetsuwarn), noted the school's gymnasium in Samut Prakan has hosted multiple volleyball championships and is fully prepared to deliver a successful and impressive competition.

Assistant Professor Nat Kaewsakul, Vice President of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, announced the university's co-hosting role for the men's open division, having prepared all necessary competition facilities.

Government spokesman Ms. Lalida Periswitvatana announced on April 28, 2569 that the Cabinet has approved the Andaman Health Center project under Prince of Songkla University with a total budget of 6,431.74 million baht for a four-year implementation period from fiscal years 2570-2573. The project aims to strengthen healthcare services in Phuket and the Andaman provinces.

The project addresses critical goals including resolving shortages of medical and public health personnel, reducing the burden of referring complex patients to other regions, and enhancing medical services for residents and tourists in the Andaman area, which is identified as a strategic region for the country.

The project comprises five main components: the Andaman Health College, Songkla Nakharin Thai Medicine Hospital in Phuket, the Songkla Nakharin Medical Technology Service Center in Phuket, the Songkla Nakharin Digital Dentistry Center in Phuket, and Songkla Nakharin Hospital in Phuket, which will serve as a tertiary specialized hospital treating complex diseases, precision medicine, telemedicine, and training health science personnel.

The Songkla Nakharin Hospital in Phuket will include construction of hospital buildings with a budget of 4,845.14 million baht, utilizing 2,907.09 million baht in budgeted funds and 1,938.06 million baht in non-budgeted funds, along with medical equipment procurement. The hospital is expected to begin operations in 2573.

Ms. Lalida stated that this project will elevate Phuket and the Andaman provinces into a regional health center, improving public access to quality medical services nearby, reducing healthcare disparities, and building confidence among residents, investors, and tourists. She emphasized that this is not merely hospital construction but rather establishing a comprehensive Andaman regional health system with personnel, technology, research, and internationally standardized medical services.