NAKHON PHANOM — Durian farmers in Si Songkhram district have been left reeling after a brief summer storm toppled trees and knocked fruit to the ground, causing heavy losses estimated at several million baht.

Farmers from three orchards in Sam Phong subdistrict said strong winds lasting about five minutes uprooted Monthong durian trees and damaged large numbers of fruit just days before harvest. One grower, 65-year-old Wanchai Tiyabut, said around 1,200 durians fell from 130 fruit-bearing trees in his 30-rai orchard, with some weighing up to 4kg. He estimated losses at 500,000–600,000 baht after previously agreeing to sell the crop to a buyer scheduled to harvest on 10 May.

Other farmers reported similar damage. A grower in nearby Nat Thom district said about 30 of her 120 trees were knocked down, while another orchard owner said around 3,000 durians fell prematurely, with losses possibly reaching 600,000–700,000 baht. Farmers have called on the government to provide urgent assistance, citing rising labour and fertiliser costs and the high risks faced by durian growers.

Scent affects appetite! Doctors reveal two aromas that can reduce sweet cravings and recommend using them during weight management periods, while also identifying which scents increase hunger.

Compiled by Sanook Online News Team May 4, 2025

According to foreign media reports, medical experts have revealed that "scent" may play a role in appetite control, particularly during weight loss when many people struggle to resist sweets.

Recent research suggests that inhaling certain scents may temporarily reduce cravings for sweet foods.

Dr. Zhou Jianyuan, a weight management specialist, noted that based on everyday observations of essential oil products, different scents affect feelings differently. Upon further research, studies have shown a connection between scent and appetite. Specifically, mint and citrus aromas may help reduce cravings for sweets like chocolate, while vanilla scent may increase sweet cravings.

Additionally, research on people with eating difficulties found that briefly inhaling black pepper scent before meals may increase appetite and swallowing ability, showing that scent not only reduces appetite but can also stimulate it in certain cases.

Doctors explain that this mechanism involves brain function, where scent signals are sent directly to brain regions controlling emotions, reward, and appetite, such as the hypothalamus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus, which influence whether we feel hungry or full. In essence, scent can "guide" the brain's appetite to some degree.

For those on a weight loss program experiencing sweet cravings, doctors recommend trying mint or citrus scents to help redirect attention and temporarily reduce cravings. Conversely, to avoid triggering additional appetite, one may avoid vanilla or black pepper scents in daily life.

However, doctors emphasize that current research is still in early stages and mostly uses specific essential oil concentrations, so results may vary individually. This method should not be used as a primary weight loss strategy. Effective weight management still relies primarily on balanced nutrition and regular exercise, with scent use serving only as a supplementary technique.

Source: ETtoday

The armed attack on Kamlasak Leewamoh, Narathiwat MP from the Pheu Chart party, continues to draw intense scrutiny on how the Royal Thai Police will investigate whether this case leads to identifying those who masterminded the assassination attempt. All five gunmen have been arrested, and it's abundantly clear that the government vehicle from the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense used in the attack was checked out by a naval officer. Yet police remained silent until the victim, MP Kamlasak, was forced to submit evidence that his party team had gathered to file charges himself against a rear admiral from the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense who provided the vehicle to the gunmen, and a naval lieutenant affiliated with the Royal Thai Navy who is implicated in the evidence. This brought two military officers into the legal proceedings. Public attention is intensely focused on whether the M16 assault that was unleashed on an MP using an Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense vehicle was purely an internal operation among the shooting team alone. That's clearly impossible. Someone higher up the chain than the gunmen must be responsible. Police must thoroughly examine whether the evidence clearly links to the officers involved and carries sufficient weight. Yet from the public's perspective, it's already evident that a government vehicle was requisitioned for the gunmen, and there's even evidence of vehicle tampering. This means police work is under intense public scrutiny. If the investigation doesn't progress further, public confidence will erode and credibility will be lost, especially among those in the southern border region who view this incident as reinforcing a pattern of violence in the area. There are covert operations—ambushes and assassinations—that aren't just the work of a single terrorist faction. Military leaders' statements about IO operations targeting certain groups, attacking media, religious schools, and politicians reflect an extreme military-led state policy approach. This incident will only intensify the atmosphere of suspicion and tension. Furthermore, the Pheu Chart party's case investigation team is led by Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, the party chairman and a former investigator of major cases. They're pursuing investigative leads that are far from ordinary. The police investigation team clearly won't simply drop this matter.

Assoc. Prof. Parinnya Thaewanphimolkul along with law students from Thammasat University have submitted a draft amendment to Section 29 of the Criminal Code to abolish imprisonment in lieu of fines to representatives from five political parties.

The key proposal involves replacing imprisonment with systematic community service or public benefit work to address the "imprisonment due to poverty" problem—a long-standing inequality.

While current law appears neutral, identical fine amounts in practice affect people of different economic status differently. Between 40,000-50,000 people are imprisoned annually for unpaid fines. Although Section 30/1 provides for community service as an alternative, access is below 10%.

This means the legal "right" cannot be genuinely used by most people.

The stance of representatives from the five political parties showing principled agreement is a positive signal. Chaturon Chaisaeng from Pheu Thai Party, who has previously studied justice and poverty issues, pinpoints the core problem: identical fine systems have never truly been equal. He proposes expanding community service to all groups, not just the poor. This concept is important because it shifts the perspective from punishment as restitution to punishment that creates social value.

Allowing knowledgeable or skilled individuals to contribute public service time not only benefits society but makes punishment carry greater moral weight than mere financial payment.

Meanwhile, the Phalang Prachachon Party connects this to a larger issue: some defendants haven't been convicted yet but are restricted in freedom simply because they lack bail money.

However, the question for the five major parties is how to make this actually happen. Historically, many legal reforms have stopped at principled agreement but never became enforceable law.

Abolishing imprisonment in lieu of fines is not merely reducing the number of incarcerated people, but elevating Thailand's justice standards to align with true human rights principles and fairness.

With all political sides in agreement, what society expects is action, not just supportive words. If all five parties—Pheu Thai, Phalang Prachachon, Phum Jai Thai, Kla Tham, and Prachatipat—genuinely share this position, coordinating in Parliament should not be difficult.

It would also be important proof that Thai politics can still build consensus on matters benefiting the public.

Famous lukthung singer Surachai Samapatcharoen has sparked another online controversy by posting a video expressing doubt about his biological relationship with Rocky Surabordin Samapatcharoen. In the video, Surachai reveals that online commenters have questioned whether the two are truly father and son, and he openly admits, "I'm not sure either." He asserts that he is open-minded and willing to take a DNA test to determine the truth, saying he wants clear answers. He further states that if the test shows Rocky is not his biological son, he wants Rocky to change his surname and questions whether he can pursue legal action if Rocky refuses. He asks legal experts for advice and mentions he will return to Bangkok by mid-month. In a direct quote, Surachai says: "People have been commenting asking if Bordin is really my biological son or not. Honestly, I'm not sure either. I'm ready to do a DNA test. I want to know too. If he's not my son, I want him to change his surname. If he won't change it, can I take legal action? Anyone with legal knowledge, please advise me. I should be back in Bangkok by mid-month." Additionally, Surachai attached a clip from a lukthung radio show where Rocky gave an interview with harsh undertones, and he also shared song lyrics with paternity-related content, which sparked numerous comments from netizens.

At Palang Pracharath Party headquarters on May 4, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul gave a statement following the party's weekly parliamentary caucus and executive council meeting. He explained the gathering was held to inform and secure party support for proposals to be presented in parliament and agenda items for tomorrow's cabinet meeting, which he described as routine procedure. When asked about the 400-billion-baht loan decree, Anutin confirmed it would be included on tomorrow's cabinet agenda, stating 'we say and we do.' When reporters brought up Dusit Poll's latest political popularity survey showing him leading as Thailand's most prominent politician, Anutin did not answer verbally. Instead, he raised his hand in a respectful wai gesture above his head, said 'sadhu' (an expression of appreciation), and immediately left the interview area.