Pichit Mitravangsul, Chief Executive Officer of Thailand's Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank (SME D Bank), announced that Thailand's economy showed clear signs of slowdown in the first quarter of 2025 due to prolonged Middle East tensions, which have continuously driven up energy prices. This has severely impacted Thai SME operators facing increased business costs and expenses.

As a specialized state financial institution under the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Industry, SME D Bank remains committed to serving as a crucial mechanism to help Thai SMEs overcome current difficulties and build long-term sustainability. Operating under the philosophy "an umbrella once opened never closes," the bank provides support through improved credit processes and relaxed conditions aligned with current economic situations, enabling small operators to access loans quickly.

In the first quarter of 2025, SME D Bank achieved its targets by providing over 19.8 billion baht in capital to SME operators, representing 11.75% growth compared to the same period in 2024. The majority went to small business operators with loan limits not exceeding 15 million baht per business, generating approximately 90.7 billion baht in economic circulation and supporting over 541,700 jobs. Outstanding credit reached over 100 billion baht, up 3.05% year-on-year.

Simultaneously, the bank developed over 1,900 SME operators through its development program, focusing on marketing, revenue increase, and business expansion via new market channels suited to the digital era. The bank provided consulting on cost reduction through clean energy, technology, and innovation. Activities included opening SME D Market with free booth space, teaching online marketing and AI applications. The bank's digital platform DX by SME D Bank (dx.smebank.co.th) saw 5,370 new service users, a 124% increase year-on-year, with cumulative membership exceeding 50,660.

The bank also provided support to over 5,590 vulnerable customers affected by various situations through debt restructuring and other assistance measures. Credit quality management remained efficient, with non-performing loans (NPLs) declining to approximately 7.857 billion baht or 7.86% by end of March 2025. The bank maintained a strong NPL Coverage Ratio of 158.52%, reflecting financial stability and resilience. SME D Bank will continue implementing its "umbrella" philosophy throughout the remaining three quarters of 2025 to help SMEs overcome crises and build sustainable foundations.

Veteran actor Wisit Yuttiyong has revealed his latest condition following illness caused by a deteriorating heart balloon stent, a leaking heart valve, and kidney disease, with mounting medical expenses. Fellow actors representing the Actors' Welfare Foundation have provided financial assistance.

Noi Nathani Ruedyiem presented the aid to veteran actor Wisit Yuttiyong on April 29, 2026. Photos shared on the Actors' Network Facebook page show the veteran actor receiving treatment, with actress Noi Nathani Sittisaman, executive director of the Actors' Welfare Foundation, presenting the financial aid to help cover his medical expenses.

Veteran actor Wisit Yuttiyong, familiar to audiences through his many film and television roles, fell ill due to a deteriorating heart balloon stent, a leaking heart valve, and kidney disease.

Wisit Yuttiyong has revealed details of his ongoing health struggles. "After the doctor diagnosed that my heart valve is leaking severely, we still don't know exactly where the leak is located. I need to undergo ultrasound or endoscopy, including swallowing an endoscope for a detailed examination of which part of the valve is leaking. Once we identify the location, I'll need another MRI," he explained.

"Hearing all these procedures, my body clearly isn't ready for them. And the medical expenses beyond insurance coverage—the doctor told me it would be 500,000 to 800,000 baht. Right now, my family can't afford it. Normally, a heart valve replacement should last ten years, but mine only lasted seven years before deteriorating rapidly, which has weakened my body."

At 84 years old, Wisit Yuttiyong faces difficult circumstances with high medical costs and limited mobility. "I've decided to continue treatment without surgery because I can't afford the expenses. This means I'll need to visit the hospital more frequently than usual. For now, I'm choosing medication-based treatment, and the doctor has scheduled another echocardiogram in three months, but I need checkups every month."

"Regarding my kidney disease, I need injections to stimulate red blood cell production. I have to pay for the injections myself. I have high white blood cells and low hemoglobin, so the doctor prescribed two injections per month. I've been managing my kidney disease conservatively and haven't agreed to dialysis yet. I'm paying for the injectable medication myself, and whenever I receive medicine, I have to go to a clinic near my home to get injected. The problem is my kidney function keeps fluctuating between stages 3-4 and 4-5, so I've already had 18 injections to stimulate red blood cell production."

"Now I'm struggling with high medical expenses. The taxi fare to the doctor each time is difficult to afford. I can't take the bus and then catch a taxi—it's too much. I'm 84 years old this year, and my wife is also elderly. Our life has become quite challenging."

Siam Kubota Corporation Limited is launching the "KUBOTA Freshy Agri Skill" program to inspire and develop agricultural expertise among students under the KUBOTA Next Gen Farmer initiative. The program combines hands-on learning with knowledge transfer in innovation, technology, and modern agricultural solutions through collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture at Chiang Mai University.

Ratchakrit Songwanchiwin, Sustainability Development Manager at Siam Kubota Corporation Limited, stated that the company has been collaborating with educational institutions nationwide, and with Chiang Mai University since 2020 to develop agricultural education. This initiative marks another significant step in continuing integrated educational partnerships to create mutual benefits for both organizations. The focus is on paving the way toward next-generation farming under the "KUBOTA Next Gen Farmer" concept, establishing a strong learning ecosystem and fostering positive attitudes toward agriculture while developing new-generation or Smart Farmers capable of applying technology to increase production efficiency and competitiveness.

The KUBOTA Freshy Agri Skill program bridges classroom learning with real-world experience through five interactive learning stations:

Station 1: KUBOTA Agri Solutions for major crops, teaching methods to increase yield and reduce costs through comprehensive agricultural solutions, covering crop cultivation, cost management, and return on investment analysis using real farmer case studies.

Stations 2 & 3: Test Drive Innovation, where students experience modern agricultural machinery including tractors, smart spray drones, excavators, rice combines, and vegetable planters.

Station 4: Agricultural Applications for field management, teaching digital technology use for precision farming, including water management systems and the KAS Crop Calendar app covering soil preparation, planting, maintenance, harvesting, and post-harvest management.

Station 5: Workshop - Path to Smart Farming, featuring insights from experienced farmer Wallailak Kumkoon (Pat), owner of Wallai Farm, including real farm data analysis and scenario simulations to develop decision-making skills.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Darunee Naprom, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Chiang Mai University, noted that this collaboration reflects both organizations' commitment to developing young talent in agriculture to adapt to modern global changes. It provides students with valuable out-of-classroom learning through hands-on experience, strengthening their knowledge, skills, and readiness for future agricultural careers.

At 1:55 PM on April 29, 2569 at Santitham Building in Government House, Chaiyachon Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society and secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party (BTP), addressed the departure of Nattachon Srikoakhuea, a Songkhla MP, from the party's line group following his disappointment at not being appointed to a committee chair position. Chaiyachon explained that with such a large number of MPs, disappointment is inevitable, but there are many other important positions and opportunities within the party. He urged members to accept the situation and move forward.

When asked if party divisions could occur, Chaiyachon stated that it depends on individual personalities, but most MPs understand the party's growth and changes. He believes the party has managed the selection of candidates fairly. He said the party will attempt to clarify with anyone who feels misunderstood, noting this is their right as party members.

When asked if he had spoken with Nattachon directly, Chaiyachon replied he had just learned of the situation and hasn't met with him yet, but will likely do so soon. Regarding why Nattachon's qualifications weren't sufficient, Chaiyachon clarified it wasn't a matter of qualifications—many members qualify—but simply that positions are limited.

Concerning the 14 committee chair names that leaked, Chaiyachon said they were close to the party's consideration and will be finalized on Thursday, April 30. He expressed confusion about how the list was leaked, as no final decision has been made yet. When pressed on whether changes are possible, he confirmed there is a chance, though the leaked names aren't 100 percent accurate with the party's deliberations.

Riyad Mahrez, the renowned footballer, purchased luxury Rolex watches to distribute among his teammates as a gesture of goodwill following Al Ahli's successful defense of the AFC Champions League Elite title.

Mahrez, the former Leicester City and Manchester City player, led the prestigious Saudi Arabian club to retain the AFC Champions League crown after defeating Japan's Machida Zelvia 1-0 in the recent final. According to reports, the high-earning player, who earns approximately 870,000 pounds or about 38.5 million baht weekly, purchased luxury green Rolex Submariner Hulk watches valued at 17,000 pounds each, approximately 748,000 baht, as commemorative gifts for his teammates. Each watch was specially engraved on the caseback with AFC Champions League Elite messaging, the champion's trophy imagery, and "Mahrez 7."

This generous gesture was supported by other team members including Eduardo Mendy, the former Chelsea goalkeeper, and Merih Demiral, the former Turkish national team defender, who contributed to sharing the expenses.

At 10:40 AM on April 29, 2025, during a House of Representatives session presided over by Mallika Chirathphanvanit, the first deputy speaker, lawmakers considered a pending motion to establish a special committee to address falling agricultural prices. MP Kraikhon Silpajai from Rayong province of the People's Party discussed how Rayong produces various fruits recognized nationwide and internationally, but farmers face rising production costs—fertilizer, pesticides, and fuel prices all increasing annually. He focused on durians and mangosteen, arguing that the government should investigate middlemen, particularly Chinese traders, who completely control the market and set prices unilaterally, even buying from orchards before fruits mature and harvesting immature durians to catch early-season prices at the expense of quality.

Recently, an influencer created content claiming premium-grade durians selling for 600-700 baht would be offered at just 100 baht each, with Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Supratip joining the promotional campaign. "But once concerns arose from farmers about market price collapse, the Commerce Ministry quickly backtracked, claiming these were lower grades, not export quality. Ultimately, the influencer couldn't actually sell them at that price," Kraikhon stated.

Kraikhon brought a scale to parliament and weighed durians to demonstrate the impossibility. A jumbo-sized durian with mostly shell and little flesh selling at 40 baht per kilogram weighed 6.7 kg for about 270 baht. A medium-grade undersized durian at 80 baht per kilogram weighed 2.2 kg for roughly 180 baht. A pop-pak sized durian at 1.4 kg cost 112 baht. "Thus, no durian sells for exactly 100 baht, and yesterday's livestream showed no 100-baht durians—not even one million of them," he said.

"I thank all influencers for promoting durians, but the Commerce Minister's involvement is risky due to poor timing and coordination, potentially damaging Thai durian value and encouraging illegal imports from neighboring countries," Kraikhon warned. He noted that mangosteen prices fall as supply increases, and last year farmers had to abandon fallen mangosteens because labor costs exceeded fruit value. Despite the Interior Ministry's guidelines for government purchase prices matching announced rates during agricultural crises, no official prices are ever announced, leaving farmers perpetually disadvantaged.

Kraikhon proposed investigating agricultural product quality entering the market, especially immature durians, inspecting middlemen and Chinese traders for legal violations, and pursuing shell companies holding durian plantations for Chinese capital investors, while cracking down on illegal durian imports.