A viral video captured on April 29 shows a group of novice monks assaulting a 9-year-old boy with cigarettes and intimidating language in an incident that occurred on April 26, sparking widespread public outcry. The novices were conducting a summer ordination at a temple in Chom Phra District, Surin Province. The temple's acting abbot, Phra Ajarn Kraphan Kantviro, revealed that the child's parents brought the video to the temple for investigation. The temple has already defrocked four novices involved in the incident as a monastic punishment, while civil legal proceedings will follow according to law.

The assaulted child had previously been ordained as a novice and later left the temple. The incident occurred outside the temple grounds near rice paddies where the boy had gone to fish, though the area remains under temple responsibility. The temple is coordinating with monks' council members to provide support and psychological counseling to the victim, who has since been discharged from the hospital. The boy's mother expressed concern about his mental state and confirmed that she has reported the incident to police.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Somyot Phumchaiiphum, chief of Chom Phra Station, stated that Provincial Police Commander Sukhon Sriarn ordered an urgent investigation. Four youths aged 11, 12, 13, and 16 were involved—three as perpetrators and one as a videographer. Officers have interviewed the victim's mother and filed an assault complaint. The juvenile suspects will undergo inquiry by a multi-disciplinary team including prosecutors and social workers in accordance with juvenile justice procedures. Initial charges include assault, pending medical examination results that will serve as additional evidence.

After Thai striking star Rodtang Jitmuangnon was knocked out by Japanese boxer Takeru Segawa at ONE Samurai 1 in a flyweight kickboxing title bout at Ariake Arena in Japan, ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong was interviewed by renowned ONE Combat Sports media correspondent Nick Atkin and shared his reflections.

Chatri praised British striking champion Jonathan Haggerty's disciplined approach, saying: "I really admire Jonathan. He continues to train hard, remains humble, and maintains discipline to keep his world champion status. He's surrounded by good coaches, good team members, and good teammates. But when we have more money, more fame, and let it dominate us, we stop training, lose our good team, we've seen the example tonight. Being the best fighter in the world in a major fighting organization isn't easy to maintain."

Chatri later commented during Takeru's post-fight press conference regarding Rodtang: "I'm disappointed about Rodtang's loss. Of course he must be devastated. He's a world champion level fighter, but if he comes back dedicated again, trains, learns, grows, and hungers again, he'll be the best in the world. Like all of us, if we become too comfortable, it leads to failure."

In Thai League football action on April 29, 2026, Rayong FC hosted defending champions Buriram United in a highlight fixture. Rayong FC delivered an impressive performance, shutting out Buriram United 3-0 to claim three points and climb to 36 points, occupying 7th place in the standings. In other matches, Chiangrai United defeated Ratchaburi FC 1-0, while Udon Thani drew 1-1 with Bangkok United.

On April 29, 2025, Defense Ministry spokesman Pol. Maj. Gen. Surasant Kongsiri addressed the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border following Cambodia's Defense Ministry claim that Thai soldiers had fired weapons at the Or Samet checkpoint five times, allegedly using rifles, M79 grenade launchers, and M16s between 10:35 and 11:09 AM.

The spokesman firmly denied these allegations, stating that no weapons were discharged as claimed. He confirmed that the overall situation remains under control by security agencies.

After coordinating with the Army and Suranari Task Force units in the area, authorities confirmed that no weapons were used as alleged. Only three warning shots were fired in response to Cambodian soldiers approaching Thailand's barbed wire fence in a provocative manner. Units on the ground continue to operate within legal frameworks and strict situation control protocols.

Thai security agencies are closely monitoring the situation to prevent misunderstandings and maintain stability along the border. The Defense Ministry appealed to the public and media to rely on official sources and exercise critical judgment when receiving and sharing information, noting that modern security threats extend beyond physical confrontation to information warfare that could harm national security.

The Defense Ministry committed to communicating information with "speed, accuracy, and transparency" to build public confidence and protect national interests.

A large snake has created a stir by appearing on the ancestral shrine at Kham Chanodat three times this year—unusual compared to its typical annual appearance—prompting many to believe it signals the site's major merit-making festival. On April 27, videos and images from the "Nakhon Inthon Wang" sacred site in Ban Muang Subdistrict, Ban Dung District, Udon Thani, went viral on social media, showing a large serpent coiled atop the shrine dedicated to local guardian spirits Si Sutho and Si Patum. Additionally, a massive chanodat tree toppled the same day, damaging a nearby naga statue, events many interpret as omens preceding the annual Chanodat blessing ceremony scheduled for May 1st, featuring a grand ritual to change the guardian spirits' ceremonial robes.

Local officials including Pongsakdi Srichana, subdistrict chief and Kham Chanodat committee chairman, along with Kampang Panjunpol, 59, the shrine's primary speaker, confirmed the phenomenon occurs regularly before major ceremonies. Kampang explained the snake is typically a large king cobra measuring 2-3 meters, calm and unafraid of people, appearing for weeks before departing naturally. He noted the serpent consistently appears yearly before merit-making events, leading believers to interpret it as the guardian spirits manifesting to protect devotees and the sacred site. In Buddhist and local lore, nagas possess shapeshifting abilities.

Pongsakdi disclosed the fallen tree was ancient and decayed, with weak root systems causing the collapse, which also damaged an adjacent tree and the naga statue along a walking bridge. Emergency repairs began immediately from April 27 onwards. He emphasized the incident resulted from natural causes unrelated to supernatural speculation. Meanwhile, the committee and Department of Forestry have continuously managed vegetation since 2560 (2017), initially finding 1,940 chanodat trees and planting 369 replacements in the first year; current surveys now count 2,702 trees, demonstrating successful reforestation of this sacred forest. The public is invited to the annual merit-making festival, featuring a fireworks procession on April 30 at 3:30 p.m. and the main robing ceremony on May 1 beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Buriram police announced the arrest of Sueksan, 29, accused of using a sharpened file wrapped in cloth to simulate a gun during an armed robbery at a gas station in Lamphlayamad District, Buriram Province. The incident occurred at 9:30 p.m. on April 12, as a gas station employee was placing cash into a safe. The suspect made off with 128,400 baht, an act clearly captured by the station's security cameras.

Following the robbery, Provincial Police Commander Warayut Janyiem ordered provincial and local investigators to pursue the suspect, who had fled to another province. Officers obtained a court warrant and apprehended Sueksan in Pathumthani Province.

Sueksan admitted to committing the robbery, stating he spent the 128,400 baht on Songkran festivities, dating expenses, and online gambling losses. Background investigation revealed that Sueksan had previously worked at the same gas station and had stolen 30,000 baht five years ago, resulting in his termination. Despite losing his job, he committed another theft at the same location.